dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-26--Murder suspect from Aurora added to U.S. Marshals Most Wanted list

The 3½-year international manhunt for a man wanted in the 2017 slaying of a Northwest suburban attorney got a shot in the arm this week with his addition to the U.S .
Marshals Service 's 15 Most Wanted list .
John Panaligan , 54 , of Aurora , is believed to have fled to Mexico and then perhaps the Philippines in early 2017 , shortly after he was accused of killing Jigar Patel in his Northbrook law office .
Despite a search that 's included the assistance of the State Department and Interpol , Panaligan so far has evaded capture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the most wanted list -- which means added publicity and resources -- is a boost to the search .
`` This type of exposure makes us optimistic that there will be more leads and we will eventually bring him to justice , '' Sgt .
Marc Fainman told us , via department spokesman Thomas Moore .
Panaligan is accused of killing Patel , a real estate lawyer who lived in Prospect Heights , on Dec. 7 , 2016 .
Authorities believe Panaligan scheduled an appointment with Patel under an alias , showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to death .
Patel , at the time , was representing plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Panaligan .
Two days after the murder , Panaligan was detained by Canadian authorities for trying to smuggle a firearm into that country .
He later was released back into the U.S. and interviewed by Northbrook investigators about the killing .
Investigators also executed multiple search warrants of Panaligan 's belongings and property , leading to evidence that police say identified him as the primary suspect .
An arrest warrant was issued Feb. 8 , 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then .
`` This senseless crime took the life of a man who was a husband and a father to two small children , '' U.S .
Marshals Service Director Donald Washington said this week upon Panaligan 's addition to the Most Wanted list .
`` The U.S .
Marshals and our federal , state , and local law enforcement partners will use every available resource to bring John Panaligan to face justice for the heinous allegations involving the murder of Jigar Patel . ''
Dealing with someone suffering a mental health crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most challenging tasks , one that -- as we 've seen in the suburbs and elsewhere -- can lead to tragic results .
A study by The Washington Post found that a quarter of those fatally shot in confrontations with police were suffering a mental health crisis at the time .
Changing that is one of the motives behind a new partnership between law enforcement and mental health agencies in Lake County to help people in crisis .
Thanks , in part , to a $ 750,000 federal grant announced last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crisis Triage Stabilization Center next year .
The free-standing facility will serve as a safe place for police officers to take people suffering from a mental health crisis for help , instead of to jail or an emergency room .
The federal money will help with the hiring of a project director , a project coordinator , a clinical director and counselors , along with other necessary costs , officials said .
`` Currently , so many people that struggle with substance abuse or mental health issues end up in the criminal justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must do better , '' Lake County State 's Attorney Michael Nerheim said in an announcement of the grant .
`` This center will allow us the opportunity to enhance our current efforts to divert those people away from the court system and toward the help they need . ''
Partnering with the state 's attorney 's office are the Lake County sheriff 's office , the Lake County Opioid Initiative , the Lake County Health Department , Nicasa Behavioral Health Services and Lake County government .
`` Having this crisis center here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sheriff John Idleburg said .
`` The Lake County jail is not the place for someone in mental crisis .
They deserve to get the supportive resources needed . ''
Nicasa CEO Bruce Johnson said those taken to the center will meet with counselors and peer recovery specialists who will help them start the road to recovery .
While some may still be heading to the stores for their holiday shopping on Black Friday and beyond , more of us than ever before will do a majority of our gift-buying on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news not just for Amazon and UPS , but also scammers who prey on those unfamiliar with online shopping .
Here are some tips , courtesy of the Better Business Bureau , to avoid getting ripped off : • Know who you 're doing business with .
Fake websites are easy to create and have been a surging problem the past couple of years .
• Do your research .
Read product reviews on extremely discounted items .
It could be a cheaper model or brand advertised , and not what was expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some retailers may offer an additional percentage off the purchase but could exclude specific deals or items such as `` doorbusters . ''
Watch for companies boasting a high percentage off ; the item may be `` 75 % off , '' but the original price could be inflated .
• Know the return policy and warranty information .
• Look for the `` https '' in the URL -- the extra `` s '' is for `` secure '' -- and a small lock icon on the address bar .
Never enter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only `` http '' -- it 's not secure .
• Beware of making quick purchases while scrolling through social media .
Scammers have access to tools they need to learn about your buying habits , offering precisely what you want at enticingly low prices , and scammers often purchase online ads .
• Use a secure traceable form of payment .
With a credit card , you 're less likely to lose money .
Got a question , comment or a tip ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Murder suspect from Aurora added to U.S. Marshals Most Wanted list
The Northbrook office building where police say attorney Jigar Patel was murdered in December 2016. Suspect John Panaligan, who authorities believe fled to Mexico or the Philippines, this week was added to the U.S. Marshals Service's Most Wanted list. Daily Herald File Photo
Surveillance images of suspect John G. Panaligan dressed in disguise, entering and leaving the Northbrook law office where authorities believe he murdered attorney Jigar Patel in December 2016. This week, the U.S. Marshals Service added Panaligan to its 15 Most Wanted list. Courtesy of the Northbrook Police Department
Northbrook police say this is John Panaligan in disguise on the day they believe he murdered real estate attorney Jigar Patel in December 2016. Patel, who was representing people suing Panaligan, was found strangled to death in his Northbrook law office. Courtesy of the Northbrook Police Department
John Panaligan of Aurora was added to the U.S. Marshals Service's Most Wanted list this week, wanted in the 2016 murder of a Northbrook lawyer. He is believed to have fled to Mexico or the Philippines. Courtesy of U.S. Marshals Service
By Chuck Keeshan and Susan Sarkauskas
The 3½-year international manhunt for a man wanted in the 2017 slaying of a Northwest suburban attorney got a shot in the arm this week with his addition to the U.S. Marshals Service's 15 Most Wanted list.
John Panaligan, 54, of Aurora, is believed to have fled to Mexico and then perhaps the Philippines in early 2017, shortly after he was accused of killing Jigar Patel in his Northbrook law office. Despite a search that's included the assistance of the State Department and Interpol, Panaligan so far has evaded capture.
Northbrook police say Panaligan's inclusion on the most wanted list -- which means added publicity and resources -- is a boost to the search.
"This type of exposure makes us optimistic that there will be more leads and we will eventually bring him to justice," Sgt. Marc Fainman told us, via department spokesman Thomas Moore.
Panaligan is accused of killing Patel, a real estate lawyer who lived in Prospect Heights, on Dec. 7, 2016. Authorities believe Panaligan scheduled an appointment with Patel under an alias, showed up in disguise and then strangled him to death. Patel, at the time, was representing plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Panaligan.
Two days after the murder, Panaligan was detained by Canadian authorities for trying to smuggle a firearm into that country. He later was released back into the U.S. and interviewed by Northbrook investigators about the killing.
Investigators also executed multiple search warrants of Panaligan's belongings and property, leading to evidence that police say identified him as the primary suspect.
An arrest warrant was issued Feb. 8, 2017, but Panaligan was on the run by then.
"This senseless crime took the life of a man who was a husband and a father to two small children," U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald Washington said this week upon Panaligan's addition to the Most Wanted list. "The U.S. Marshals and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners will use every available resource to bring John Panaligan to face justice for the heinous allegations involving the murder of Jigar Patel."
High hopes for Lake crisis center
Dealing with someone suffering a mental health crisis can be among a police officer's most challenging tasks, one that -- as we've seen in the suburbs and elsewhere -- can lead to tragic results. A study by The Washington Post found that a quarter of those fatally shot in confrontations with police were suffering a mental health crisis at the time.
Changing that is one of the motives behind a new partnership between law enforcement and mental health agencies in Lake County to help people in crisis.
Thanks, in part, to a $750,000 federal grant announced last month, the agencies plan to open a 23-hour Crisis Triage Stabilization Center next year. The free-standing facility will serve as a safe place for police officers to take people suffering from a mental health crisis for help, instead of to jail or an emergency room.
The federal money will help with the hiring of a project director, a project coordinator, a clinical director and counselors, along with other necessary costs, officials said.
"Currently, so many people that struggle with substance abuse or mental health issues end up in the criminal justice system. As a society, we must do better," Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said in an announcement of the grant. "This center will allow us the opportunity to enhance our current efforts to divert those people away from the court system and toward the help they need."
Partnering with the state's attorney's office are the Lake County sheriff's office, the Lake County Opioid Initiative, the Lake County Health Department, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services and Lake County government.
"Having this crisis center here in Lake County is long overdue," Sheriff John Idleburg said. "The Lake County jail is not the place for someone in mental crisis. They deserve to get the supportive resources needed."
Nicasa CEO Bruce Johnson said those taken to the center will meet with counselors and peer recovery specialists who will help them start the road to recovery.
Shop safe, shop smart
While some may still be heading to the stores for their holiday shopping on Black Friday and beyond, more of us than ever before will do a majority of our gift-buying on the web this year.
That's good news not just for Amazon and UPS, but also scammers who prey on those unfamiliar with online shopping.
Here are some tips, courtesy of the Better Business Bureau, to avoid getting ripped off:
• Know who you're doing business with. Fake websites are easy to create and have been a surging problem the past couple of years.
• Do your research. Read product reviews on extremely discounted items. It could be a cheaper model or brand advertised, and not what was expected.
• Read the fine print. Some retailers may offer an additional percentage off the purchase but could exclude specific deals or items such as "doorbusters." Watch for companies boasting a high percentage off; the item may be "75% off," but the original price could be inflated.
• Know the return policy and warranty information.
• Look for the "https" in the URL -- the extra "s" is for "secure" -- and a small lock icon on the address bar. Never enter payment or information into a website with only "http" -- it's not secure.
• Beware of making quick purchases while scrolling through social media. Scammers have access to tools they need to learn about your buying habits, offering precisely what you want at enticingly low prices, and scammers often purchase online ads.
• Use a secure traceable form of payment. With a credit card, you're less likely to lose money.
Got a question, comment or a tip? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


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 73,904,195 - 47 percent
Has won 25 states with 232 ev.
Leads in 0 states with 0 ev.
Others 2,683,489 - 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--2020-11-27--Illinois surpasses 12,000 COVID-19 deaths (19% of those this month), 700,000 cases

Illinois has surpassed 12,000 COVID-19 deaths and 700,000 cases of the disease statewide .
State health officials announced Friday that 66 more residents have died from COVID-19 , while another 7,574 new cases were diagnosed .
That brings the state 's death toll from the respiratory disease to 12,029 , with 705,063 people who 've been infected since the outbreak began .
Just 10 days ago , the state surpassed 11,000 COVID-19 fatalities .
Since Nov. 1 , 2,272 residents have died from the virus , 19 % of the total deaths , according to Illinois Department of Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rate continues to decline and is now at 10.1 % .
Less than 10 % of today 's 77,130 tests returned resulted in a new case of the disease , IDPH officials reported .
Hospitalizations were also down on Thanksgiving , with 5,829 patients treated Thursday , according to IDPH figures .
That 's 203 fewer patients than were treated the previous day , and the fourth straight day hospitals have recorded fewer patients .
Of those hospitalized Thursday , 1,215 were in intensive care .
A full week has now passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules statewide to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Those new mandates included reducing capacity to 50 % at grocery stores and 25 % at other stores , suspending indoor group sports , closing casinos and video gambling terminals , and banning events at banquet halls , party venues and clubs .
Other restrictions ordered by Pritzker temporarily shuttered movie theaters and limited outdoor gatherings to 10 people , and funerals to 10 relatives .
Meanwhile , seven-day average test positivity rates continue to decline in the four suburban regions , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 12 % threshold that would ultimately help trigger relaxation of the restrictions currently in place .
Average positivity rates and hospital bed availability are the metrics health officials use to determine the level of restrictions for the state 's 11 health regions .
At 12.7 % , Lake and McHenry counties ' Region 9 has the lowest seven-day average test positivity rate in the suburbs as of Tuesday , which is the most recently available data , according to IDPH .
The rate was at 16 % 10 days earlier .
Region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital bed availability above the 20 % warning threshold .
Suburban Cook County 's Region 10 is reporting a 13.3 % seven-day average test positivity rate as of Tuesday .
Region 10 was also reporting a 16 % positivity rate 10 days before .
However , while standard hospital bed availability is above 20 % , ICU bed availability has been below 20 % for the past six days , according to IDPH figures .
In Region 8 , which contains DuPage and Kane counties , the seven-day average test positivity rate is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The decline has been more moderate there as the region recorded a 15.3 % average positivity rate 10 days earlier .
However , both standard and ICU bed availability is above 20 % for the first time in a week .
In Will and Kankakee counties ' Region 7 , the seven-day average test positivity rate stands at 17.2 % as of Tuesday , down from 20.7 % 10 days before .
Hospitals in the region are reporting that availability of standard hospital beds is above 20 % , but available ICU beds @ @ @ @ @ @

Illinois surpasses 12,000 COVID-19 deaths (19% of those this month), 700,000 cases
Illinois has surpassed 12,000 COVID-19 deaths and 700,000 cases of the disease statewide.
State health officials announced Friday that 66 more residents have died from COVID-19, while another 7,574 new cases were diagnosed.
That brings the state's death toll from the respiratory disease to 12,029, with 705,063 people who've been infected since the outbreak began. Just 10 days ago, the state surpassed 11,000 COVID-19 fatalities.
Since Nov. 1, 2,272 residents have died from the virus, 19% of the total deaths, according to Illinois Department of Public Health figures.
The state's seven-day average infection rate continues to decline and is now at 10.1%. Less than 10% of today's 77,130 tests returned resulted in a new case of the disease, IDPH officials reported.
Hospitalizations were also down on Thanksgiving, with 5,829 patients treated Thursday, according to IDPH figures. That's 203 fewer patients than were treated the previous day, and the fourth straight day hospitals have recorded fewer patients. Of those hospitalized Thursday, 1,215 were in intensive care.
-
A full week has now passed since Gov. J.B. Pritzker imposed stricter rules statewide to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those new mandates included reducing capacity to 50% at grocery stores and 25% at other stores, suspending indoor group sports, closing casinos and video gambling terminals, and banning events at banquet halls, party venues and clubs. Other restrictions ordered by Pritzker temporarily shuttered movie theaters and limited outdoor gatherings to 10 people, and funerals to 10 relatives.
Meanwhile, seven-day average test positivity rates continue to decline in the four suburban regions, according to IDPH records. But none are below the 12% threshold that would ultimately help trigger relaxation of the restrictions currently in place. Average positivity rates and hospital bed availability are the metrics health officials use to determine the level of restrictions for the state's 11 health regions.
At 12.7%, Lake and McHenry counties' Region 9 has the lowest seven-day average test positivity rate in the suburbs as of Tuesday, which is the most recently available data, according to IDPH. The rate was at 16% 10 days earlier. Region 9 is also reporting standard and ICU hospital bed availability above the 20% warning threshold.
Suburban Cook County's Region 10 is reporting a 13.3% seven-day average test positivity rate as of Tuesday. Region 10 was also reporting a 16% positivity rate 10 days before. However, while standard hospital bed availability is above 20%, ICU bed availability has been below 20% for the past six days, according to IDPH figures.
In Region 8, which contains DuPage and Kane counties, the seven-day average test positivity rate is at 13.7% as of Tuesday. The decline has been more moderate there as the region recorded a 15.3% average positivity rate 10 days earlier. However, both standard and ICU bed availability is above 20% for the first time in a week.
In Will and Kankakee counties' Region 7, the seven-day average test positivity rate stands at 17.2% as of Tuesday, down from 20.7% 10 days before. Hospitals in the region are reporting that availability of standard hospital beds is above 20%, but available ICU beds remain below the warning threshold.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Fundraiser started for Schaumburg man who lost leg while helping stranger

Frank Tereza , a 49-year-old Schaumburg man , was helping a stranger push a disabled car last Saturday evening in Hoffman Estates when he was struck by another car and gruesomely injured .
Michael Tereza , Frank 's older brother , said Friday that doctors at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge had to amputate his brother 's left leg in order to save his life .
Michael Tereza said both his brother 's legs were crushed in the crash .
He 's undergone three surgeries and is scheduled to go through a fourth on Monday .
The procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his remaining leg , though doctors are n't sure they will be able to , Michael Tereza said .
To help support Frank Tereza , Michael 's children Abriana Tereza , 18 , and Jacobbe Tereza , 16 , started an online fundraiser for their uncle at gofundme.com/f/frank-tereza-fund .
Since launching the drive on Thursday the family has already raised just over $ 3,300 .
The crash happened at 6:27 p.m. last Saturday at Barrington and Bode roads and remains under investigation by the Hoffman Estates Police Department 's traffic division and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not reply to a request for an update into the investigation on Friday .
Michael Tereza said he and his brother were raised to always help people when possible and he knows Frank Tereza has helped many drivers over the years jump dead batteries and move disabled cars .
Michael Tereza said he heard from family that Frank Tereza was driving with his daughter Britney Tereza and he saw there was a driver needing help .
He pulled over and told his daughter to wait while he helped out .
Britney Tereza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a family member when she heard the crash .
Because of the global pandemic , Michael Tereza has n't been able to visit his brother .
`` It is very strict and under no circumstances is anyone allowed up there , '' Michael Tereza said .
`` Even his own wife struggled to get up there .
She was able to be there when he was on a respirator and unable to speak for himself . ''
Michael Tereza said he and his brother are both truck drivers and said he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to return to work .
`` I 'm sure he 's just thankful to be on Earth , '' Michael Tereza said .
`` He 's not ready to go yet . ''

Fundraiser started for Schaumburg man who lost leg while helping stranger
Frank Tereza, a 49-year-old Schaumburg man, was helping a stranger push a disabled car last Saturday in Hoffman Estates when lost his leg after being struck by another car. courtesy Abriana Tereza
Frank Tereza, a 49-year-old Schaumburg man, was helping a stranger push a disabled car last Saturday evening in Hoffman Estates when he was struck by another car and gruesomely injured.
Michael Tereza, Frank's older brother, said Friday that doctors at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge had to amputate his brother's left leg in order to save his life.
Michael Tereza said both his brother's legs were crushed in the crash. He's undergone three surgeries and is scheduled to go through a fourth on Monday. The procedures in part are to try to save his remaining leg, though doctors aren't sure they will be able to, Michael Tereza said.
To help support Frank Tereza, Michael's children Abriana Tereza, 18, and Jacobbe Tereza, 16, started an online fundraiser for their uncle at gofundme.com/f/frank-tereza-fund. Since launching the drive on Thursday the family has already raised just over $3,300.
The crash happened at 6:27 p.m. last Saturday at Barrington and Bode roads and remains under investigation by the Hoffman Estates Police Department's traffic division and the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team. Police did not reply to a request for an update into the investigation on Friday.
Michael Tereza said he and his brother were raised to always help people when possible and he knows Frank Tereza has helped many drivers over the years jump dead batteries and move disabled cars.
Michael Tereza said he heard from family that Frank Tereza was driving with his daughter Britney Tereza and he saw there was a driver needing help. He pulled over and told his daughter to wait while he helped out. Britney Tereza, 23, was on the phone with a family member when she heard the crash.
Because of the global pandemic, Michael Tereza hasn't been able to visit his brother.
"It is very strict and under no circumstances is anyone allowed up there," Michael Tereza said. "Even his own wife struggled to get up there. She was able to be there when he was on a respirator and unable to speak for himself."
Michael Tereza said he and his brother are both truck drivers and said he's worried that Frank Tereza won't ever be able to return to work.
"I'm sure he's just thankful to be on Earth," Michael Tereza said. "He's not ready to go yet."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Mooseheart lights show format practically made for a pandemic

A local holiday tradition that did n't get canceled , massively altered or converted to a `` virtual '' event returned Friday .
The annual Mooseheart Holiday Lights -- an event practically made for a pandemic -- opened for its 11th year with cars lined up a half-hour before the opening .
The drive-through light show features more than 100 displays on its 1.8-mile route .
The show runs daily from 5 to 9 p.m. until New Year 's Eve .
Mooseheart Executive Director Gary Urwiler was glad the show could go on .
`` It 's a great marketing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does , but most of all we just want to create that family atmosphere where people can come out and enjoy it with their kids and kick off the holiday season , '' he said Mooseheart did have to cancel Santa visits and some other volunteer/visitor interactions .
But new this year is a FM radio simulcast that plays music and shares short messages about Mooseheart 's mission and how to get involved .
More than 13,000 cars drove through last year , and Mooseheart 's goal this year is a record 15,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID we might see a larger number of people of this year , '' Urwiler said .
A suggested donation of $ 20 is requested at the end of the route , but visitors are encouraged to enjoy the show and give what they can .
All proceeds benefit Mooseheart , a residential care facility for children and teens in need , from infancy through high school .

Mooseheart lights show format practically made for a pandemic
A local holiday tradition that didn't get canceled, massively altered or converted to a "virtual" event returned Friday.
The annual Mooseheart Holiday Lights -- an event practically made for a pandemic -- opened for its 11th year with cars lined up a half-hour before the opening.
The drive-through light show features more than 100 displays on its 1.8-mile route. The show runs daily from 5 to 9 p.m. until New Year's Eve. Mooseheart Executive Director Gary Urwiler was glad the show could go on.
"It's a great marketing opportunity for us to share what Mooseheart does, but most of all we just want to create that family atmosphere where people can come out and enjoy it with their kids and kick off the holiday season," he said
Mooseheart did have to cancel Santa visits and some other volunteer/visitor interactions. But new this year is a FM radio simulcast that plays music and shares short messages about Mooseheart's mission and how to get involved.
More than 13,000 cars drove through last year, and Mooseheart's goal this year is a record 15,000.
"We're hopeful that with COVID we might see a larger number of people of this year," Urwiler said.
A suggested donation of $20 is requested at the end of the route, but visitors are encouraged to enjoy the show and give what they can. All proceeds benefit Mooseheart, a residential care facility for children and teens in need, from infancy through high school.
For more, visit www.moosecharities.org.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Suburban stores pivot to special promotions, personal services for Small Business Saturday

On the eve of a scaled-back Small Business Saturday , owners of suburban shops are hoping their own ingenuity and customers ' loyalty will help keep them afloat in the Year of the Pandemic .
A traditional highlight of the crucial holiday season , Small Business Saturday will by necessity be muted by COVID-19 precautions and state-ordered limits on the number of people in stores .
Festivities meant to draw foot traffic to local shopping areas have mostly been canceled .
Shop owners hope their specialized goods and personal services will draw people anyway , and keep them coming for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , really need local support , '' said Kristine Knutson , the owner of How Impressive !
gift and stationery store in Libertyville .
`` Small Business Saturday is our biggest day , and it wo n't be that way '' this year .
`` It 's devastating , to be honest with you , '' Lisa Collins , owner of Lauren Rae Jewelry Boutique in downtown Naperville , said of her business this year .
But Helen Budzisz , owner of Upstairs Boutique & Gift in Arlington Heights , remains hopeful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers ) want to shop small .
They want to support Arlington Heights , '' she said .
Collins said foot traffic at her store is down about 80 % .
`` We are a walk-by business , mostly , '' she said .
Many of her buyers are tourists staying at local hotels who come to downtown Naperville to dine and shop .
Stay-at-home moms who used to get together with friends for lunch and shopping are busy schooling their children at home , Collins said .
She has also lost a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fundraising galas , for which people would buy something special to wear , `` are basically gone , '' she said .
Collins ' landlord has helped by letting her delay some rent payments , and forgave a month 's rent , she said .
She adapted by partnering with nonprofit organizations .
They promote her business , and she is giving part of her proceeds from a week 's sales to them .
Collins has pursued other ways to keep her business afloat .
She 's bought 30 % less inventory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quit .
She added virtual gift cards and hand-delivers online purchases to customers who live in Naperville .
During the spring stay-at-home order , sales of items she displayed in her window grew , because people going out for walks to pass the time saw them .
Still , `` I do n't know if we will still be here after Christmas , '' Collins said .
Small businesses owners say they have one advantage in being able to turn on a dime , without layers of corporate bureaucracy to go through to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , owner of The Little Traveler store in Geneva .
The 36-room store located in what was a Victorian house has had a Web page for years , but it did not do online sales .
Simon 's son , who is studying computer science in college , came home in the spring because of the COVID-19 shutdown .
`` Guess what ?
You have a job , '' Simon told him , and had him set up online shopping .
Simon 's store has started using FaceTime , Zoom and other social-media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own local deliveries .
But on Wednesday , Simon made a shocking announcement : He closed the store 's doors temporarily and will offer just online shopping until he sees a sufficient decline in the number of COVID-19 cases being diagnosed locally .
`` I do not want to do anything that will contribute to it , '' he said .
For Marisa Bellizzi , owner of the Charisma boutique in downtown Arlington Heights , personal service and using many avenues to market her items have been key .
`` We just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bellizzi said .
That includes doing curbside pickup and texting regular customers about new things she thinks they would like .
She does live fashion videos that she posts to Instagram .
And people have already made an effort to buy from local stores , she said .
`` Everybody seems to be making a dedicated effort to shop local this year , '' she said .
`` I 'm super proud of our community . ''
Budzisz said her shop , which she has owned more than 30 years , has always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Black Friday .
But this year , she thinks she might see more shoppers on Black Friday , as people want to avoid crowds in large stores .
She changed her annual open house from a one-day event to four , unsure whether customers would support it .
`` They did .
They showed up over the four days , '' she said .
Downtown Libertyville businesses typically would have a holiday-time `` passport '' program , where shoppers would get stamps as they visited stores , for a prize giveaway .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to do this year , said Jennifer Johnson , executive director of MainStreet Libertyville .
The nonprofit organization also canceled its `` Dickens of a Holiday '' promotional weekends .
Instead , it has pivoted to promoting businesses ' individual promotions and sales .
`` Our retailers are bending over backward to meet customers ' needs , '' Johnson said .
One example is the 847 Running Co. store , which opened just before the pandemic .
Johnson said it has a `` shop the suitcase '' program , which includes bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try on .
The store also offers private appointments for fittings .
`` We 've seen really good , creative options , '' Johnson said .
How Impressive !
has added products , such as a mask with a map of Libertyville on it , Knutson said .
She also ramped up her website .
People can order custom Christmas cards similar to those at big online sites .
Her shop is open for walk-in traffic , but she also meets people by appointment .
Curbside pickup is available , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're just trying to do everything we can to stay afloat , '' Knutson said .

Suburban shops hope new merchandise, personal service help them hold their own in a scaled-back holiday season launch
On the eve of a scaled-back Small Business Saturday, owners of suburban shops are hoping their own ingenuity and customers' loyalty will help keep them afloat in the Year of the Pandemic.
A traditional highlight of the crucial holiday season, Small Business Saturday will by necessity be muted by COVID-19 precautions and state-ordered limits on the number of people in stores. Festivities meant to draw foot traffic to local shopping areas have mostly been canceled.
Shop owners hope their specialized goods and personal services will draw people anyway, and keep them coming for all of December.
"We really, really need local support," said Kristine Knutson, the owner of How Impressive! gift and stationery store in Libertyville. "Small Business Saturday is our biggest day, and it won't be that way" this year.
"It's devastating, to be honest with you," Lisa Collins, owner of Lauren Rae Jewelry Boutique in downtown Naperville, said of her business this year.
But Helen Budzisz, owner of Upstairs Boutique & Gift in Arlington Heights, remains hopeful. "I'm hearing that they (customers) want to shop small. They want to support Arlington Heights," she said.
Tough times
Collins said foot traffic at her store is down about 80%. "We are a walk-by business, mostly," she said. Many of her buyers are tourists staying at local hotels who come to downtown Naperville to dine and shop. Stay-at-home moms who used to get together with friends for lunch and shopping are busy schooling their children at home, Collins said. She has also lost a lot of business because weddings, proms and fundraising galas, for which people would buy something special to wear, "are basically gone," she said.
Collins' landlord has helped by letting her delay some rent payments, and forgave a month's rent, she said.
She adapted by partnering with nonprofit organizations. They promote her business, and she is giving part of her proceeds from a week's sales to them.
Collins has pursued other ways to keep her business afloat. She's bought 30% less inventory and has not replaced workers as they quit. She added virtual gift cards and hand-delivers online purchases to customers who live in Naperville. During the spring stay-at-home order, sales of items she displayed in her window grew, because people going out for walks to pass the time saw them.
Still, "I don't know if we will still be here after Christmas," Collins said.
Quick and flexible
Small businesses owners say they have one advantage in being able to turn on a dime, without layers of corporate bureaucracy to go through to make a decision.
Take Mike Simon, owner of The Little Traveler store in Geneva. The 36-room store located in what was a Victorian house has had a Web page for years, but it did not do online sales.
Simon's son, who is studying computer science in college, came home in the spring because of the COVID-19 shutdown. "Guess what? You have a job," Simon told him, and had him set up online shopping.
Simon's store has started using FaceTime, Zoom and other social-media apps for personal shopping, and does its own local deliveries.
But on Wednesday, Simon made a shocking announcement: He closed the store's doors temporarily and will offer just online shopping until he sees a sufficient decline in the number of COVID-19 cases being diagnosed locally.
"I do not want to do anything that will contribute to it," he said.
For Marisa Bellizzi, owner of the Charisma boutique in downtown Arlington Heights, personal service and using many avenues to market her items have been key.
"We just want to be super accommodating," Bellizzi said. That includes doing curbside pickup and texting regular customers about new things she thinks they would like. She does live fashion videos that she posts to Instagram.
And people have already made an effort to buy from local stores, she said.
"Everybody seems to be making a dedicated effort to shop local this year," she said. "I'm super proud of our community."
Budzisz said her shop, which she has owned more than 30 years, has always done better on Small Business Saturday than on Black Friday. But this year, she thinks she might see more shoppers on Black Friday, as people want to avoid crowds in large stores.
She changed her annual open house from a one-day event to four, unsure whether customers would support it. "They did. They showed up over the four days," she said.
Downtown Libertyville businesses typically would have a holiday-time "passport" program, where shoppers would get stamps as they visited stores, for a prize giveaway.
It did not seem like a responsible thing to do this year, said Jennifer Johnson, executive director of MainStreet Libertyville. The nonprofit organization also canceled its "Dickens of a Holiday" promotional weekends.
Instead, it has pivoted to promoting businesses' individual promotions and sales.
"Our retailers are bending over backward to meet customers' needs," Johnson said.
One example is the 847 Running Co. store, which opened just before the pandemic. Johnson said it has a "shop the suitcase" program, which includes bringing shoes to customers' homes for them to try on. The store also offers private appointments for fittings.
"We've seen really good, creative options," Johnson said.
How Impressive! has added products, such as a mask with a map of Libertyville on it, Knutson said. She also ramped up her website. People can order custom Christmas cards similar to those at big online sites. Her shop is open for walk-in traffic, but she also meets people by appointment. Curbside pickup is available, and she runs a sanitizing air purifier every night.
"We're just trying to do everything we can to stay afloat," Knutson said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Lights, conifers, action at Cosley Zoo

Lights, conifers, action at Cosley Zoo

What started out 37 years as `` simple lights on a caboose '' and `` a handful of farm animals @ @ @ @ @ holiday spectacular at Cosley Zoo .
The Festival of Lights and accompanying tree sale opened @ @ @ @ @ zoo .
`` Over 200 animals cover the grounds surrounded by the light show , @ @ @ @ @ small , cozy experience for the family . ''
said zoo Director Susan Wahlgren More @ @ @ @ @ the grounds this holiday season and visit the amphibians , reptiles , birds and mammals @ @ @ @ @ on the ground Friday evening , but the zoo still felt like a magical winter @ @ @ @ @ Mcbrearty and his daughter Emme , 10 , who dressed up as Santa and one @ @ @ @ @ So far so good , '' Santa Ernie said .
`` We 're having a @ @ @ @ @ The best part was spending time with my family , '' she said .

Lights, conifers, action at Cosley Zoo
What started out 37 years ago as "simple lights on a caboose" and "a handful of farm animals" has blossomed into a holiday spectacular at Cosley Zoo.
The Festival of Lights and accompanying tree sale opened Friday evening at the Wheaton zoo.
"Over 200 animals cover the grounds surrounded by the light show, which creates a nice, small, cozy experience for the family." said zoo Director Susan Wahlgren
More than 16,000 people will walk the grounds this holiday season and visit the amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
There was no snow on the ground Friday evening, but the zoo still felt like a magical winter wonderland, especially for Ernie Mcbrearty and his daughter Emme, 10, who dressed up as Santa and one of his elves.
"So far so good," Santa Ernie said. "We're having a great time."
Emme agreed.
"The best part was spending time with my family," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Naperville council nixes downtown streetscape project from 2021 budget

A multimillion-dollar streetscape project in the heart of downtown Naperville is being postponed to mitigate the burden on businesses already struggling under COVID-19 restrictions .
Initially slated for completion this past spring , the $ 3.2 million worth of proposed improvements -- plus an additional $ 2.2 million in related utility work -- were delayed a year due to the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic , officials said .
But after hearing resounding opposition from concerned residents and distressed business owners , the city council decided to remove funding for the construction project from the 2021 budget .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen .
There 's a number of them who want it to happen and think it 'll help their businesses , '' Councilman Patrick Kelly said .
`` But they 're really worried they wo n't survive and they wo n't be around to enjoy the benefit of the streetscape if we do it next spring -- that it will just flat out put them out of business . ''
The road , sidewalk and utility upgrades are needed to beautify and improve accessibility along portions of Jefferson Avenue , South Main Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Delaying the project again means it likely wo n't move forward until 2024 , after the upcoming reconstruction of the Washington Street bridge is finished .
During a budget workshop this week , several community members said the improvements would be worth the wait if it means reducing the potential strain on business owners .
Heading into 2021 , the pandemic 's devastation on the local economy remains evident , they said , and a monthslong construction project deterring traffic from the area would only make matters worse .
`` I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is much greater than the gain .
At least , that 's coming through loud and clear from the downtown business community , '' said Katie Wood , executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance .
`` Businesses , I do fear , would close , and no one wants to see jobs or livelihoods or our beloved businesses go . ''
Mayor Steve Chirico said he feared the infrastructure improvement plans would never come to fruition if the council did n't pull the trigger now .
If additional federal relief comes through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help small businesses make it through the rough patch and emerge with a `` brand new , beautiful streetscape . ''
`` If we miss this one more time , it 's really a disservice to our community , '' Chirico said .
But restaurateur Chris Mason , who owns Allegory on South Main Street , said local businesses ca n't risk another `` substantial hurdle '' while they 're already struggling to stay afloat .
`` Everyone is terrified , '' he said , adding that he collected 55 signatures from business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the project .
If approved , the construction project would have begun March 1 and extended through mid-July , said Bill Novack , transportation , engineering and development director .
Council members said that timeline eats into prime weather for outdoor dining , which has been a lifeline for restaurants and bars during the pandemic .
`` There 's never going to be a good time , '' Kelly said .
`` But I sort of agree that this would be the worst time . ''

Naperville council nixes downtown streetscape project from 2021 budget
A multimillion-dollar streetscape project in the heart of downtown Naperville is being postponed to mitigate the burden on businesses already struggling under COVID-19 restrictions.
Initially slated for completion last spring, the $3.2 million in proposed improvements -- plus an additional $2.2 million in related utility work -- were delayed a year due to the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic, officials said.
But after hearing resounding opposition from concerned residents and distressed business owners, the city council decided to remove funding for the construction project from the 2021 budget.
"I think they know it needs to happen. There's a number of them who want it to happen and think it'll help their businesses," Councilman Patrick Kelly said. "But they're really worried they won't survive and they won't be around to enjoy the benefit of the streetscape if we do it next spring -- that it will just flat out put them out of business."
The road, sidewalk and utility upgrades are needed to beautify and improve accessibility along portions of Jefferson Avenue, South Main Street and Jackson Avenue, city officials said. Delaying the project again means it likely won't move forward until 2024, after the upcoming reconstruction of the Washington Street bridge is finished.
During a budget workshop this week, several community members said the improvements would be worth the wait if it means reducing the potential strain on business owners. Heading into 2021, the pandemic's devastation on the local economy remains evident, they said, and a monthslong construction project deterring traffic from the area would only make matters worse.
"I really believe that the pain of this project is much greater than the gain. At least, that's coming through loud and clear from the downtown business community," said Katie Wood, executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance. "Businesses, I do fear, would close, and no one wants to see jobs or livelihoods or our beloved businesses go."
Mayor Steve Chirico said he feared the infrastructure improvement plans would never come to fruition if the council didn't pull the trigger now. If additional federal relief comes through, he said, the funding could help small businesses make it through the rough patch and emerge with a "brand new, beautiful streetscape."
"If we miss this one more time, it's really a disservice to our community," Chirico said.
But restaurateur Chris Mason, who owns Allegory on South Main Street, said local businesses can't risk another "substantial hurdle" while they're already struggling to stay afloat.
"Everyone is terrified," he said, adding that he collected 55 signatures from business owners, managers and employees opposed to the project.
If approved, the construction project would have begun March 1 and extended through mid-July, said Bill Novack, transportation, engineering and development director. Council members said that timeline eats into prime weather for outdoor dining, which has been a lifeline for restaurants and bars during the pandemic.
"There's never going to be a good time," Kelly said. "But I sort of agree that this would be the worst time."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--DPolice dog Dax finds stabbing suspect, crime victim on consecutive nights

Dax , one of the celebrated police dogs employed by the Lake County sheriff 's office , helped police find a woman who was evading officers in Round Lake after a stabbing early Wednesday morning , officials said .
Arlene Nechistak , a 33-year-old woman with no permanent address , is being held on $ 10,000 bail on two counts of domestic battery .
Lake County sheriff 's Sgt .
Christopher Covelli said Nechistak is accused of stabbing a person in a home on the 1300 block of Oxford Lane in Round Lake and that she fled before officers arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his partner , Deputy John Forlenza , picked up the woman 's scent , and officers were able to track Nechistak to a bush she hiding behind about a quarter-mile away , Covelli said .
Nechistak was arrested without incident .
Nechistak also had an active warrant dating to Oct. 24 , when she is accused of battering a family member at a home on the 23500 block of North Echo Lake Road near Lake Zurich .
For Dax , it was the second day in a row with a successful mission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before tracking down Nechistak , the German shepherd helped officers locate a man who had been beaten in Beach Park .
Covelli said the man was intoxicated and disoriented and walked away from the scene .
Because it was a cold night and the man did n't have a shirt or shoes on , it was important to find him quickly .
And that 's just what Dax and Forlenza did , finding the man at a nearby mobile home about 10 minutes after the search started .
He was taken to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it be a person who is missing and endangered or a person fleeing a violent crime , our canine teams are prepared to be there for the Lake County community , '' Sheriff John Idleburg said Friday in a news release .
Dax and Forlenza have received numerous commendations for their efforts tracking people and drugs over the years .
In October 2019 , the pair appeared on the `` Today '' show as part of a segment on the country 's top dogs .
Dax was chosen as the top dog in @ @ @ @ @

Police dog Dax finds stabbing suspect, crime victim on consecutive nights
Dax, the highly decorated Lake County sheriff's office police dog, helped officers track down two people in back-to-back days this week. Courtesy of Lake County Sheriff's Office
Dax, one of the celebrated police dogs employed by the Lake County sheriff's office, helped police find a woman who was evading officers in Round Lake after a stabbing early Wednesday morning, officials said.
Arlene Nechistak, a 33-year-old woman with no permanent address, is being held on $10,000 bail on two counts of domestic battery. Lake County sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Covelli said Nechistak is accused of stabbing a person in a home on the 1300 block of Oxford Lane in Round Lake and that she fled before officers arrived.
Dax, with the help of his partner, Deputy John Forlenza, picked up the woman's scent, and officers were able to track Nechistak to a bush she hiding behind about a quarter-mile away, Covelli said. Nechistak was arrested without incident.
Nechistak also had an active warrant dating to Oct. 24, when she is accused of battering a family member at a home on the 23500 block of North Echo Lake Road near Lake Zurich.
For Dax, it was the second day in a row with a successful mission. Early Tuesday morning, about 24 hours before tracking down Nechistak, the German shepherd helped officers locate a man who had been beaten in Beach Park.
Covelli said the man was intoxicated and disoriented and walked away from the scene. Because it was a cold night and the man didn't have a shirt or shoes on, it was important to find him quickly.
And that's just what Dax and Forlenza did, finding the man at a nearby mobile home about 10 minutes after the search started. He was taken to a hospital, Covelli said.
"Whether it be a person who is missing and endangered or a person fleeing a violent crime, our canine teams are prepared to be there for the Lake County community," Sheriff John Idleburg said Friday in a news release.
Dax and Forlenza have received numerous commendations for their efforts tracking people and drugs over the years. In October 2019, the pair appeared on the "Today" show as part of a segment on the country's top dogs. Dax was chosen as the top dog in the law enforcement category.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Naperville man charged in COVID-19 relief fraud scheme

A Naperville man has been charged in connection with a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme , authorities said .
Siddiq Azeemuddin , 41 , was named along with six other individuals in Texas by the U.S. Department of Justice .
They are facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in attempts to obtain roughly $ 16 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act .
The indictment alleges they conspired to submit more than 80 fraudulent PPP loan applications by falsifying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payroll expenses of the applicant businesses .
In support of these fraudulent loan applications , they conspired to submit , and did submit , fraudulent bank records and/or fake federal tax forms , according to the charges .
Some of the PPP loan applications were submitted on behalf of companies the defendants controlled , authorities said .
Other loan applications were submitted on behalf of entities that third parties owned , according to the indictment .
In exchange for these , several of the defendants received large kickbacks , according to the charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laundered a portion of the fraudulent proceeds by writing checks from companies that received PPP loans to fake employees .
Those that received checks included some of the defendants and their relatives , according to the charges .
The fake paychecks were then cashed at a cash checking company Azeemuddin owned , authorities allege .
The indictment alleges that roughly 1,100 fake paychecks totaling more than $ 3 million in fraudulent PPP loan proceeds were cashed at Azeemuddin 's business .
Federal agents also executed 45 seizure warrants in conjunction with the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Porsche and a Lamborghini allegedly purchased with illegally obtained funds .
Along with Azeemuddin , the other individuals charged are Amir Aqeel , 52 , and Pardeep Basra , 51 , both of Houston , Texas ; Rifat Bajwa , 51 , of Richmond , Texas ; Mayer Misak , 40 , of Cypress , Texas ; Mauricio Navia , 41 , of Katy , Texas ; and Richard Reuth , 57 , of Spring , Texas .
Azeemuddin and Aqeel also face charges of money laundering .

Naperville man charged in COVID-19 relief fraud scheme
A Naperville man has been charged in connection with a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, authorities said.
Siddiq Azeemuddin, 41, was named along with six other individuals in Texas by the U.S. Department of Justice. They are facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in attempts to obtain roughly $16 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
The indictment alleges they conspired to submit more than 80 fraudulent PPP loan applications by falsifying the number of employees and the average monthly payroll expenses of the applicant businesses. In support of these fraudulent loan applications, they conspired to submit, and did submit, fraudulent bank records and/or fake federal tax forms, according to the charges.
Some of the PPP loan applications were submitted on behalf of companies the defendants controlled, authorities said. Other loan applications were submitted on behalf of entities that third parties owned, according to the indictment. In exchange for these, several of the defendants received large kickbacks, according to the charges.
The indictment further alleges the defendants laundered a portion of the fraudulent proceeds by writing checks from companies that received PPP loans to fake employees. Those that received checks included some of the defendants and their relatives, according to the charges. The fake paychecks were then cashed at a cash checking company Azeemuddin owned, authorities allege.
The indictment alleges that roughly 1,100 fake paychecks totaling more than $3 million in fraudulent PPP loan proceeds were cashed at Azeemuddin's business.
Federal agents also executed 45 seizure warrants in conjunction with the case. Some of items seized included a Porsche and a Lamborghini allegedly purchased with illegally obtained funds.
Along with Azeemuddin, the other individuals charged are Amir Aqeel, 52, and Pardeep Basra, 51, both of Houston, Texas; Rifat Bajwa, 51, of Richmond, Texas; Mayer Misak, 40, of Cypress, Texas; Mauricio Navia, 41, of Katy, Texas; and Richard Reuth, 57, of Spring, Texas. Azeemuddin and Aqeel also face charges of money laundering.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Meacham Road resurfacing may start next week in Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows

Work crews have put up construction signage in anticipation of starting prep work as soon as next week to resurface a milelong decrepit stretch of Meacham Road in Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg .
But the $ 755,906 Illinois Department of Transportation project pales in comparison with the $ 7 million reconstruction and widening Schaumburg officials have sought for years , and it 's unclear now if or when that larger project will get done .
Weather permitting , crews will begin working on the shoulders of the two-lane rural road , stretching from Algonquin Road in Schaumburg to Emerson Avenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend , officials said .
When the repaving of the pothole-ridden street eventually gets underway , there will be daily , intermittent lane closures .
The project is scheduled for completion by July , according to IDOT 's website .
The roadwork comes amid a lobbying effort by officials in Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows to get the state to delay the project , in hopes of a full-scale reconstruction and widening from two lanes to three .
Schaumburg has pushed for the extra lane since at least 2014 , for the economic benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected officials have gone back-and-forth over the years about what the city 's level of involvement in the project should be , but in April , four new aldermen said they were at least open to it .
However , they were still resistant to absorbing the responsibility -- and associated costs -- for long-term maintenance of the road .
The state , meanwhile , said a jurisdictional transfer has to be part of the deal .
At the same time , IDOT publicly advertised the resurfacing project and has now secured a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets done -- including the addition of a middle turn lane , and installation of new storm sewers and curbs and gutters -- is still to be determined .
`` That 's up to the state , '' said Jo Ellen Charlton , Rolling Meadows ' assistant director of public works .
She questioned the wisdom of spending money on a road resurfacing if it 's going to be torn up for a larger reconstruction later .
`` But it 's exactly why Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg tried to have conversations with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Charlton said .
IDOT and Schaumburg officials could n't be reached for comment Wednesday .

Meacham Road resurfacing may start next week in Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows
Work crews have put up construction signage in anticipation of starting prep work as soon as next week to resurface a milelong decrepit stretch of Meacham Road in Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg.
But the $755,906 Illinois Department of Transportation project pales in comparison with the $7 million reconstruction and widening Schaumburg officials have sought for years, and it's unclear now if or when that larger project will get done.
Weather permitting, crews will begin working on the shoulders of the two-lane rural road, stretching from Algonquin Road in Schaumburg to Emerson Avenue in Rolling Meadows, after the long weekend, officials said.
When the repaving of the pothole-ridden street eventually gets underway, there will be daily, intermittent lane closures. The project is scheduled for completion by July, according to IDOT's website.
The roadwork comes amid a lobbying effort by officials in Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows to get the state to delay the project, in hopes of a full-scale reconstruction and widening from two lanes to three.
Schaumburg has pushed for the extra lane since at least 2014, for the economic benefits it could provide.
Different Rolling Meadows elected officials have gone back-and-forth over the years about what the city's level of involvement in the project should be, but in April, four new aldermen said they were at least open to it.
However, they were still resistant to absorbing the responsibility -- and associated costs -- for long-term maintenance of the road.
The state, meanwhile, said a jurisdictional transfer has to be part of the deal.
At the same time, IDOT publicly advertised the resurfacing project and has now secured a contractor.
Whether the larger rebuild eventually gets done -- including the addition of a middle turn lane, and installation of new storm sewers and curbs and gutters -- is still to be determined.
"That's up to the state," said Jo Ellen Charlton, Rolling Meadows' assistant director of public works.
She questioned the wisdom of spending money on a road resurfacing if it's going to be torn up for a larger reconstruction later.
"But it's exactly why Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg tried to have conversations with the state before that decision was made," Charlton said.
IDOT and Schaumburg officials couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Appeals court rejects Trump challenge of Pennsylvania race

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) -- President Donald Trump 's legal team suffered yet another defeat in court Friday as a federal appeals court in Philadelphia roundly rejected the campaign 's latest effort to challenge the state 's election results .
Trump 's lawyers vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court despite the judges ' assessment that the `` campaign 's claims have no merit . ''
`` Free , fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy .
Charges of unfairness are serious .
But calling an election unfair does not make it so .
Charges require specific allegations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' 3rd Circuit Judge Stephanos Bibas wrote for the three-judge panel .
The case had been argued last week in a lower court by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , who insisted during five hours of oral arguments that the 2020 presidential election had been marred by widespread fraud in Pennsylvania .
However , Giuliani failed to offer any tangible proof of that in court .
U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann had said the campaign 's error-filled complaint , `` like Frankenstein 's Monster , has been haphazardly stitched together '' and denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second time .
The 3rd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals called that decision justified .
The three judges on the panel were all appointed by Republican presidents .
including Bibas , a former University of Pennsylvania law professor appointed by Trump .
Trump 's sister , Judge Maryanne Trump Barry , sat on the court for 20 years , retiring in 2019 .
`` Voters , not lawyers , choose the president .
Ballots , not briefs , decide elections , '' Bibas said in the opinion , which also denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state from certifying its results , a demand he called `` breathtaking . ''
In fact , Pennsylvania officials had certified their vote count Monday for President-elect Joe Biden , who defeated Trump by more than 80,000 votes in the state .
Nationally , Biden and running mate Kamala Harris garnered nearly 80 million votes , a record in U.S. presidential elections .
Trump has said he hopes the Supreme Court will intervene in the race as it did in 2000 , when its decision to stop the recount in Florida gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Nov. 5 , as the vote count continued , Trump posted a tweet saying the `` U.S. Supreme Court should decide ! ''
Ever since , Trump and his surrogates have attacked the election as flawed and filed a flurry of lawsuits to try to block the results in six battleground states .
But they 've found little sympathy from judges , nearly all of whom dismissed their complaints about the security of mail-in ballots , which millions of people used to vote from home during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trump perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward a conservative 6-3 majority would be more open to his pleas , especially since the high court upheld Pennsylvania 's decision to accept mail-in ballots through Nov. 6 by only a 4-4 vote last month .
Since then , Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett has joined the court .
`` The activist judicial machinery in Pennsylvania continues to cover up the allegations of massive fraud , '' Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis tweeted after Friday 's ruling .
`` On to SCOTUS ! ''
In the case before Brann , the Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million voters , or at least the 700,000 who voted by mail in Philadelphia , Pittsburgh and other Democratic-leaning areas .
`` One might expect that when seeking such a startling outcome , a plaintiff would come formidably armed with compelling legal arguments and factual proof of rampant corruption , '' Brann wrote in his scathing ruling on Nov. 21 .
`` That has not happened . ''
A separate Republican challenge that reached the Pennsylvania Supreme Court this week seeks to stop the state from further certifying any races on the ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration is fighting that effort , saying it would prevent the state 's legislature and congressional delegation from being seated in the coming weeks .
On Thursday , Trump said the Nov. 3 election was still far from over .
Yet he offered the clearest signal to date that he would leave the White House peaceably on Jan. 20 if the Electoral College formalizes Biden 's win .
`` Certainly I will .
But you know that , '' Trump said at the White House , taking questions from reporters for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , he continued to baselessly attack Detroit , Atlanta and other Democratic cities with large Black populations as the source of `` massive voter fraud . ''
And he claimed , without evidence , that a Pennsylvania poll watcher had uncovered computer memory drives that `` gave Biden 50,000 votes '' apiece .
All 50 states must certify their results before the Electoral College meets on Dec. 14 , and any challenge to the results must be resolved by Dec. 8 .
Biden won both the Electoral College and popular vote @ @ @ @

Appeals court rejects Trump challenge of Pennsylvania race
President Donald Trump participates in a video teleconference call with members of the military on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, at the White House in Washington.
President Donald Trump departs after participating in a video teleconference call with members of the military on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, at the White House in Washington.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- President Donald Trump's legal team suffered yet another defeat in court Friday as a federal appeals court in Philadelphia roundly rejected the campaign's latest effort to challenge the state's election results.
Trump's lawyers vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court despite the judges' assessment that the "campaign's claims have no merit."
"Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here," 3rd Circuit Judge Stephanos Bibas wrote for the three-judge panel.
The case had been argued last week in a lower court by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who insisted during five hours of oral arguments that the 2020 presidential election had been marred by widespread fraud in Pennsylvania. However, Giuliani failed to offer any tangible proof of that in court.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann had said the campaign's error-filled complaint, "like Frankenstein's Monster, has been haphazardly stitched together" and denied Giuliani the right to amend it for a second time.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called that decision justified. The three judges on the panel were all appointed by Republican presidents. including Bibas, a former University of Pennsylvania law professor appointed by Trump. Trump's sister, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, sat on the court for 20 years, retiring in 2019.
"Voters, not lawyers, choose the president. Ballots, not briefs, decide elections," Bibas said in the opinion, which also denied the campaign's request to stop the state from certifying its results, a demand he called "breathtaking."
In fact, Pennsylvania officials had certified their vote count Monday for President-elect Joe Biden, who defeated Trump by more than 80,000 votes in the state. Nationally, Biden and running mate Kamala Harris garnered nearly 80 million votes, a record in U.S. presidential elections.
Trump has said he hopes the Supreme Court will intervene in the race as it did in 2000, when its decision to stop the recount in Florida gave the election to Republican George W. Bush. On Nov. 5, as the vote count continued, Trump posted a tweet saying the "U.S. Supreme Court should decide!"
Ever since, Trump and his surrogates have attacked the election as flawed and filed a flurry of lawsuits to try to block the results in six battleground states. But they've found little sympathy from judges, nearly all of whom dismissed their complaints about the security of mail-in ballots, which millions of people used to vote from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump perhaps hopes a Supreme Court he helped steer toward a conservative 6-3 majority would be more open to his pleas, especially since the high court upheld Pennsylvania's decision to accept mail-in ballots through Nov. 6 by only a 4-4 vote last month. Since then, Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett has joined the court.
"The activist judicial machinery in Pennsylvania continues to cover up the allegations of massive fraud," Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis tweeted after Friday's ruling. "On to SCOTUS!"
In the case before Brann, the Trump campaign asked to disenfranchise the state's 6.8 million voters, or at least the 700,000 who voted by mail in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other Democratic-leaning areas.
"One might expect that when seeking such a startling outcome, a plaintiff would come formidably armed with compelling legal arguments and factual proof of rampant corruption," Brann wrote in his scathing ruling on Nov. 21. "That has not happened."
A separate Republican challenge that reached the Pennsylvania Supreme Court this week seeks to stop the state from further certifying any races on the ballot. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's administration is fighting that effort, saying it would prevent the state's legislature and congressional delegation from being seated in the coming weeks.
On Thursday, Trump said the Nov. 3 election was still far from over. Yet he offered the clearest signal to date that he would leave the White House peaceably on Jan. 20 if the Electoral College formalizes Biden's win.
"Certainly I will. But you know that," Trump said at the White House, taking questions from reporters for the first time since Election Day.
On Friday, however, he continued to baselessly attack Detroit, Atlanta and other Democratic cities with large Black populations as the source of "massive voter fraud." And he claimed, without evidence, that a Pennsylvania poll watcher had uncovered computer memory drives that "gave Biden 50,000 votes" apiece.
All 50 states must certify their results before the Electoral College meets on Dec. 14, and any challenge to the results must be resolved by Dec. 8. Biden won both the Electoral College and popular vote by wide margins.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Stocks rise on Wall Street as S&P 500 hits record

NEW YORK -- The S & P 500 rose to a record high Friday as investors continue to look forward to the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and relief for the global economy .
The benchmark index rose 8.70 points , or 0.2 % , led by gains in technology companies , and closed at an all-time high of 3,638.35 .
The Nasdaq also closed at a record helped by gains in Apple , Tesla , Zoom and other tech companies .
Positive developments on the vaccine front have driven double-digit gains in the major indexes this month as investors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the pandemic that plunged the global economy into its deepest slump since the 1930s .
That optimism persisted this week even as one vaccine candidate suffered a setback and cases of coronavirus remain at elevated levels .
Meanwhile , retailers were hoping that their slumping sales get a boost from shoppers on Black Friday but early indications are that store traffic was light .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average , which earlier this week crossed 30,000 for the first time , rose 37.90 points , or 0.1 % , to 29,910.37 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , to 12,205.85 .
U.S. markets closed at 1 p.m. Eastern after being shut for the Thanksgiving holiday .
Health care companies also posted solid gains .
Moderna jumped 16.4 % and Pfizer rose 1.9 % .
The two companies earlier this month released results showing their COVID-19 vaccine candidates were highly effective in tests .
The shares got a boost Friday after a competing vaccine suffered a setback .
The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca also this week released positive test results about their vaccine .
But researchers have questioned how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their vaccine .
The AstraZeneca CEO said the company might conduct another trial .
AstraZeneca shares were flat .
Still , hopes for a vaccine have offset concerns about spiking coronavirus cases in the U.S. and other parts of the world .
U.S. states and European governments are re-imposing controls on business and travel as infection rates surge .
The disease has killed more than 1.4 million people worldwide and there are 61 million confirmed cases , according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University .
The pandemic has brought significant changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many retailers are beefing up their safety protocols , moving their doorbuster deals online and curbside pickup options as a last grasp at sales before the year ends .
Retailers need a boost from Black Friday and holiday shopping altogether to try and recoup sales lost to the pandemic .
Early indications are that people are staying home and choosing to do any shopping online .
Macy 's shares fell 1.4 % while shares of Walmart showed a slight decline .
Shares of the online marketplace Etsy , meanwhile , rose 10.7 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's climb back from its plunge in March as investors bet giants such as Apple and Microsoft will keep raking in the profits whether Americans are forced to stay home or the economy begins to return to something resembling normalcy .
Apple rose 0.5 % .
Tesla rose 2.1 % and Zoom Video Communications gained 6.3 % .
The two stocks have been market darlings so far this year with gains of 600 % or more .
European markets rose .
Germany 's DAX gained 0.4 % and the CAC 40 in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose Friday .
The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong gained 0.8 % .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 0.84 % from 0.87 % Wednesday .

Stocks rise on Wall Street as S&P 500 hits record
A man wearing a protective face mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walks past an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Tokyo. Asian stock markets declined Friday as questions about the effectiveness of one possible coronavirus vaccine weighed on investor optimism.
A currency trader watches monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. Asian stock markets declined Friday as questions about the effectiveness of one possible coronavirus vaccine weighed on investor optimism.
NEW YORK -- The S&P 500 rose to a record high Friday as investors continue to look forward to the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and relief for the global economy.
The benchmark index rose 8.70 points, or 0.2%, led by gains in technology companies, and closed at an all-time high of 3,638.35. The Nasdaq also closed at a record helped by gains in Apple, Tesla, Zoom and other tech companies.
Positive developments on the vaccine front have driven double-digit gains in the major indexes this month as investors look forward to progress in gaining control over the pandemic that plunged the global economy into its deepest slump since the 1930s. That optimism persisted this week even as one vaccine candidate suffered a setback and cases of coronavirus remain at elevated levels.
Meanwhile, retailers were hoping that their slumping sales get a boost from shoppers on Black Friday but early indications are that store traffic was light.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which earlier this week crossed 30,000 for the first time, rose 37.90 points, or 0.1%, to 29,910.37. The Nasdaq gained 111.44, or 0.9%, to 12,205.85.
U.S. markets closed at 1 p.m. Eastern after being shut for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Health care companies also posted solid gains. Moderna jumped 16.4% and Pfizer rose 1.9%. The two companies earlier this month released results showing their COVID-19 vaccine candidates were highly effective in tests. The shares got a boost Friday after a competing vaccine suffered a setback.
The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca also this week released positive test results about their vaccine. But researchers have questioned how Oxford and AstraZeneca calculated the effectiveness of their vaccine. The AstraZeneca CEO said the company might conduct another trial. AstraZeneca shares were flat.
Still, hopes for a vaccine have offset concerns about spiking coronavirus cases in the U.S. and other parts of the world. U.S. states and European governments are re-imposing controls on business and travel as infection rates surge.
The disease has killed more than 1.4 million people worldwide and there are 61 million confirmed cases, according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University.
The pandemic has brought significant changes to the traditional Black Friday shopping holiday. Many retailers are beefing up their safety protocols, moving their doorbuster deals online and curbside pickup options as a last grasp at sales before the year ends.
Retailers need a boost from Black Friday and holiday shopping altogether to try and recoup sales lost to the pandemic. Early indications are that people are staying home and choosing to do any shopping online.
Macy's shares fell 1.4% while shares of Walmart showed a slight decline. Shares of the online marketplace Etsy, meanwhile, rose 10.7%.
Tech shares have led the market's climb back from its plunge in March as investors bet giants such as Apple and Microsoft will keep raking in the profits whether Americans are forced to stay home or the economy begins to return to something resembling normalcy. Apple rose 0.5%.
Tesla rose 2.1% and Zoom Video Communications gained 6.3%. The two stocks have been market darlings so far this year with gains of 600% or more.
European markets rose. Germany's DAX gained 0.4% and the CAC 40 in France rose 0.6%. Asia markets also rose Friday. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong gained 0.8%.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 0.84% from 0.87% Wednesday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Robot zaps airport viruses as pandemic travel picks up, but how much does it help?

The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in an era of distinctive travel experiences for those going against expert guidance to stay at home for Thanksgiving .
Not only must passengers wear masks throughout flights , but they also face innovative gadgets meant to combat the coronavirus -- though the efficacy of some is questionable , according to epidemiologists .
Some airports , such as Los Angeles International , have installed thermal imaging cameras to scan for fever symptoms , while airlines such as United have installed touchless kiosks , enabling passengers to keep their hands clean while checking in .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutdowns return in pockets of the country , one of the latest iterations of virus-fighting tech at the airport is a germ-zapping robot at San Antonio International Airport in Texas .
It 's called LightStrike , and other airports are considering whether to invest in the $ 125,000 device that has been shown to be effective against the coronavirus .
Some airports are watching to see whether travel improves over the coming weeks , according to officials at Xenex , the company behind the device .
`` When you bring something like SARS-CoV-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines , professional sports teams , they 're looking for what 's best-in-class to kill it , '' said Morris Miller , CEO of Xenex .
Xenex says its robot business has increased 600 % amid the pandemic .
Most of the increase is related to the health care industry , but the robot also has entered new markets such as hotels , professional sports facilities and police stations .
Initially developed for use in hospitals and recently picked up by a school district in Texas , LightStrike is 43 inches tall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has to be pushed along by an operator to reach targeted areas .
The high-tech plug-in pushcart uses powerful bursts of UV light to combat viruses on surfaces within a 7-foot radius , according to Mark Stibich , an infectious-diseases epidemiologist and chief scientific officer at Xenex .
It 's been known for decades that UV radiation can destroy viruses by chemically altering their genetic material .
However , different pathogens are susceptible to UV light at varying wavelengths .
Many traditional UV devices use low-intensity mercury bulbs , which means they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as viruses .
By contrast , LightStrike robots have a powerful xenon UV-C light source capable of damaging the DNA and RNA of viruses in a matter of minutes .
When plugged in , the machine stores up a charge and releases the UV light in quick , pulsating bursts that also happen to be gentler on surfaces than continuous UV rays generated by mercury , according to Xenex .
The device is not safe for use on humans , and the company built in a motion sensor , so the robot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within range .
In a test run at San Antonio-based Texas Biomedical Research Institute , the robot destroyed the coronavirus in two minutes .
It has also been effective at obliterating some superbugs such as C. diff , a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea and is resistant to many disinfectants .
To combat the coronavirus , which causes the disease COVID-19 , Xenex encourages operators to leave the UV-C light in reach of highly touched surfaces for at least two minutes to maximize efficiency .
The surfaces are immediately safe to use and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of cycles required to disinfect a room depends on the size of the space , the company says .
While robot cleaners can provide an additional layer of protection against spreading the virus , their value is questionable at airports , according to some epidemiologists .
Sure , the technology represents a way of disinfecting surfaces such as handrails , kiosks , water fountains and bathrooms , but that 's not the primary way the virus travels .
Also , disinfecting points of physical contact has little effect on circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts say .
Still , the devices may help the struggling travel industry motivate some people to start moving again .
`` Surface transmission is one of the least likely ways that an individual would catch coronavirus , '' said Mercedes Carnethon , professor of epidemiology at Northwestern University .
`` Perhaps robots are a measure that 's reassuring to individuals , but it 's not really going to have a large-scale impact . ''
Hand-washing is still encouraged if you come in contact with highly touched or unclean surfaces , which may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your face .
Despite innovative tech and the latest talk of possible vaccines , the U.S. air travel industry still has a long way to go to reach pre-coronavirus levels .
In the seven days ending Nov. 17 , air travel was down 63 % compared to the same period last year .
That represented a modest improvement over a 66 % drop tallied a week earlier .

Robot zaps airport viruses as pandemic travel picks up, but how much does it help?
The San Antonio International Airport in Texas uses the Xenex LightStrike robot and its ultraviolet rays to disinfect surfaces. Bryan Glazer/World Satellite Television News via AP
San Antonio International Airport is the first airport in the world to purchase and use the Xenex LightStrike robot, a UV room disinfection technology that kills the virus that causes COVID-19. Associated Press
The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in an era of distinctive travel experiences for those going against expert guidance to stay at home for Thanksgiving.
Not only must passengers wear masks throughout flights, but they also face innovative gadgets meant to combat the coronavirus -- though the efficacy of some is questionable, according to epidemiologists.
Some airports, such as Los Angeles International, have installed thermal imaging cameras to scan for fever symptoms, while airlines such as United have installed touchless kiosks, enabling passengers to keep their hands clean while checking in.
As air travel gains some steam and coronavirus-related shutdowns return in pockets of the country, one of the latest iterations of virus-fighting tech at the airport is a germ-zapping robot at San Antonio International Airport in Texas.
It's called LightStrike, and other airports are considering whether to invest in the $125,000 device that has been shown to be effective against the coronavirus. Some airports are watching to see whether travel improves over the coming weeks, according to officials at Xenex, the company behind the device.
"When you bring something like SARS-CoV-2 into focus, institutions like hotels, airlines, professional sports teams, they're looking for what's best-in-class to kill it," said Morris Miller, CEO of Xenex.
Xenex says its robot business has increased 600% amid the pandemic. Most of the increase is related to the health care industry, but the robot also has entered new markets such as hotels, professional sports facilities and police stations.
Initially developed for use in hospitals and recently picked up by a school district in Texas, LightStrike is 43 inches tall, about the size of a wheelchair, and has to be pushed along by an operator to reach targeted areas.
The high-tech plug-in pushcart uses powerful bursts of UV light to combat viruses on surfaces within a 7-foot radius, according to Mark Stibich, an infectious-diseases epidemiologist and chief scientific officer at Xenex.
It's been known for decades that UV radiation can destroy viruses by chemically altering their genetic material. However, different pathogens are susceptible to UV light at varying wavelengths.
Many traditional UV devices use low-intensity mercury bulbs, which means they may take longer to kill organic material such as viruses. By contrast, LightStrike robots have a powerful xenon UV-C light source capable of damaging the DNA and RNA of viruses in a matter of minutes.
When plugged in, the machine stores up a charge and releases the UV light in quick, pulsating bursts that also happen to be gentler on surfaces than continuous UV rays generated by mercury, according to Xenex. The device is not safe for use on humans, and the company built in a motion sensor, so the robot automatically turns off if a person comes within range.
In a test run at San Antonio-based Texas Biomedical Research Institute, the robot destroyed the coronavirus in two minutes. It has also been effective at obliterating some superbugs such as C. diff, a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea and is resistant to many disinfectants.
To combat the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, Xenex encourages operators to leave the UV-C light in reach of highly touched surfaces for at least two minutes to maximize efficiency. The surfaces are immediately safe to use and touch after the disinfecting cycle is complete. The number of cycles required to disinfect a room depends on the size of the space, the company says.
While robot cleaners can provide an additional layer of protection against spreading the virus, their value is questionable at airports, according to some epidemiologists. Sure, the technology represents a way of disinfecting surfaces such as handrails, kiosks, water fountains and bathrooms, but that's not the primary way the virus travels.
Also, disinfecting points of physical contact has little effect on circulating air that might transport respiratory illnesses, experts say.
Still, the devices may help the struggling travel industry motivate some people to start moving again.
"Surface transmission is one of the least likely ways that an individual would catch coronavirus," said Mercedes Carnethon, professor of epidemiology at Northwestern University. "Perhaps robots are a measure that's reassuring to individuals, but it's not really going to have a large-scale impact."
Hand-washing is still encouraged if you come in contact with highly touched or unclean surfaces, which may pose a small risk if you touch your face.
Despite innovative tech and the latest talk of possible vaccines, the U.S. air travel industry still has a long way to go to reach pre-coronavirus levels. In the seven days ending Nov. 17, air travel was down 63% compared to the same period last year. That represented a modest improvement over a 66% drop tallied a week earlier.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Feder: Dish Network turns up heat on Nexstar renewal

`` Nexstar Media Group threatens largest local station blackout in TV history , according to Dish , '' blared the @ @ @ @ @ press release Thursday , reports Robert Feder .
It accused the parent company of WGN-Channel @ @ @ @ @ cable network of demanding `` unreasonable rate increases '' and threatening `` to blackout its @ @ @ @ @ gain negotiation leverage . ''

Feder: Dish Network turns up heat on Nexstar renewal
WGN is the parent company of Nexstar Media Group.
"Nexstar Media Group threatens largest local station blackout in TV history, according to Dish," blared the headline on Dish Network's press release Thursday, reports Robert Feder.
It accused the parent company of WGN-Channel 9 and the WGN America cable network of demanding "unreasonable rate increases" and threatening "to blackout its stations from Dish customers to gain negotiation leverage."
Read the full story here.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--How to enter our holiday lights contest

How to enter our holiday lights contest

It turns out isolation leads to illumination .
Forced to stay home because of the worsening coronavirus pandemic , many suburbanites have put up their holiday lights a bit earlier than usual .
Their efforts bring a welcome bit of cheer -- and could lead to some great prizes .
Entries in this year 's Daily Herald holiday lights contest , presented by Treetime Christmas Creations of Lake Barrington , will be accepted starting Friday at events.dailyherald.com .
Simply upload a photo by Dec. 9 to join the competition .
The submission that receives the most online votes will win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $ 20 gift certificate from Schaumburg-based Ala Carte Entertainment , which owns a number of restaurants throughout the area including Moretti 's .
Four Editor 's Choice winners ( representing DuPage County , the Fox Valley , Lake County and the Northwest suburbs ) will receive a $ 25 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $ 10 Ala Carte Entertainment gift certificate .
And one random voter will receive a $ 100 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $ 20 Ala Carte Entertainment gift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The winners will be featured in the Dec. 18 print edition of the Daily Herald .

How to enter our holiday lights contest
Elk Grove Village resident Richy Sandberg won last year's Daily Herald holiday lights contest. You can enter this year's contest starting Friday. Daily Herald file photo
It turns out isolation leads to illumination.
Forced to stay home because of the worsening coronavirus pandemic, many suburbanites have put up their holiday lights a bit earlier than usual. Their efforts bring a welcome bit of cheer -- and could lead to some great prizes.
Entries in this year's Daily Herald holiday lights contest, presented by Treetime Christmas Creations of Lake Barrington, will be accepted starting Friday at events.dailyherald.com. Simply upload a photo by Dec. 9 to join the competition.
The submission that receives the most online votes will win the grand prize: a $750 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $20 gift certificate from Schaumburg-based Ala Carte Entertainment, which owns a number of restaurants throughout the area including Moretti's.
Four Editor's Choice winners (representing DuPage County, the Fox Valley, Lake County and the Northwest suburbs) will receive a $25 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $10 Ala Carte Entertainment gift certificate.
And one random voter will receive a $100 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $20 Ala Carte Entertainment gift certificate.
Voting will run Dec. 10-14. The winners will be featured in the Dec. 18 print edition of the Daily Herald.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-27--Gabriel, Harris lead UCF to 58-46 win over South Florida

TAMPA , Fla. -- Dillon Gabriel accounted for five touchdowns , including three TD passes to Jacob Harris , and UCF beat South Florida 58-46 on Friday night in the season finale for both teams .
Gabriel was 22-of-36 passing for 336 yards and four touchdowns with an interception and scored on a 12-yard run late in the third quarter .
Harris finished with five receptions for 110 yards .
Greg McCrae had 25 carries for 130 yards and a score and Ben Thompson added 110 yards rushing and two TDs on 16 carries for UCF ( 6-3 , 5-3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 404 yards passing and four touchdowns with no interceptions for the Bulls .
Bryce Miller had 11 receptions for 121 yards and two TDs and DeVontres Odoms-Dukes had scoring catches of 23 and 14 yards .
Dwayne Boyles intercepted a pass by Gabriel near midfield and three plays later Brian Battie scored on a 1-yard run to trim USF 's deficit to 45-38 with 10:10 to play .
The Bulls defense then forced UCF to go three-and-out but , on the next play from scrimmage , Divaad Wilson forced fumble that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later on fourth-and-7 at the USF 37 - with the Knights clinging to a 7-point lead - Gabriel hit O'Keefe for a 12-yard gain .
After USF was penalized for having 12 men on the field , McCrae scored on a 20-yard run to make it 52-38 with 6:34 remaining .
UCF , which recovered two Bulls fumbles , went into the game leading the nation with 20 forced turnovers and 11 fumble recoveries .
The Knights have won four games in a row in the War on I-4 rivalry and are 6-6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 1,223 total yards - including 646 by the Bulls - and 66 first downs .
USF ( 1-8 , 0-7 ) played for the first time since Nov. 14 after having its game against Navy postponed last Saturday .
The Bulls have lost eight games in a row following a season-opening win over The Citadel .

Gabriel, Harris lead UCF to 58-46 win over South Florida
TAMPA, Fla. -- Dillon Gabriel accounted for five touchdowns, including three TD passes to Jacob Harris, and UCF beat South Florida 58-46 on Friday night in the season finale for both teams.
Gabriel was 22-of-36 passing for 336 yards and four touchdowns with an interception and scored on a 12-yard run late in the third quarter. Harris finished with five receptions for 110 yards. Greg McCrae had 25 carries for 130 yards and a score and Ben Thompson added 110 yards rushing and two TDs on 16 carries for UCF (6-3, 5-3 American Athletic Conference).
Jordan McCloud had 404 yards passing and four touchdowns with no interceptions for the Bulls. Bryce Miller had 11 receptions for 121 yards and two TDs and DeVontres Odoms-Dukes had scoring catches of 23 and 14 yards.
Dwayne Boyles intercepted a pass by Gabriel near midfield and three plays later Brian Battie scored on a 1-yard run to trim USF's deficit to 45-38 with 10:10 to play. The Bulls defense then forced UCF to go three-and-out but, on the next play from scrimmage, Divaad Wilson forced fumble that was recovered by Keenan Hester. Three plays later on fourth-and-7 at the USF 37 - with the Knights clinging to a 7-point lead - Gabriel hit O'Keefe for a 12-yard gain. After USF was penalized for having 12 men on the field, McCrae scored on a 20-yard run to make it 52-38 with 6:34 remaining.
UCF, which recovered two Bulls fumbles, went into the game leading the nation with 20 forced turnovers and 11 fumble recoveries.
The Knights have won four games in a row in the War on I-4 rivalry and are 6-6 all-time against USF.
The teams combined for 1,223 total yards - including 646 by the Bulls - and 66 first downs.
USF (1-8, 0-7) played for the first time since Nov. 14 after having its game against Navy postponed last Saturday. The Bulls have lost eight games in a row following a season-opening win over The Citadel.
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