dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--O'Donnell: Arlington Park, horsemen have tentative deal, with July opening targeted

SOME WILL CALL IT thoroughbred racing .
As far away from the grandeur of Million I as Dutch marble racing is from Royal Ascot , Arlington Park will apparently conduct an abbreviated live meet this summer .
Representatives of the Churchill Downs Inc. oval and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen 's Association finally reached agreement on a contract Wednesday morning .
`` At this hour , we have a tentative agreement , '' said Mike Campbell , the president of the ITHA .
`` The devil could prove to be in the details .
CDI attorneys are generating the initial draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reviewed by our attorneys and our contract committee .
`` I am hopefully optimistic all will be done in time for tomorrow 's meeting of the Illinois Racing Board . ''
The two sides are expected to seek approval for their patchworked schedule during the regular monthly meeting of the IRB at 10 a.m. Thursday .
Arlington is expected to conduct 30 live programs beginning July 23 to 26 and ending in September .
There will be no stakes races , including the 2020 Million .
That will mark the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been run and only the third time since its 1981 inaugural .
The Million is expected to return for what could be its final running in 2021 .
The new contract is for two seasons .
CDI had been insisting on a two-year deal since negotiations began last year .
The ITHA was holding firm on one year in large part because of the economic uncertainties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of those uncertainties on 2021 purses .
The start of live racing is expected to be spectator-free .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker and staff move the state of Illinois into an advanced phase of reopening before then .
Purse levels for the truncated meet are expected to average approximately $ 130,000 per day .
That figure is expected to increase to $ 150,000 next year , roughly equivalent to the median of AP 's 2018 meet .
According to one informed member of the local racing community , the Arlington backstretch is expected to open `` within a couple of weeks . ''
Some stables are anticipating some difficulty in securing the services of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polzin -- who was furloughed in May -- is expected to be back on the job no later than Friday .
By state law , a contact between CDI/AP and the ITHA was to be in place by Dec. 31 .
Instead , CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen and minions allowed negotiations to limp forward past the start of the pandemic and past the oval 's initial scheduled opening of May 1 .
Repeated `` emergency sessions '' in recent weeks failed to resolve the impasse .
With Thursday 's IRB meeting considered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the regional racing industry , IRB commissioner Tom McCauley and agency executive director Domenic DiCera conducted triple-overtime emergency teleconferences on Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday morning .
Wednesday 's session began at 8 a.m. and lasted less than 30 minutes .
Besides the IRB officials , principal participants included Arlington 's Anthony Petrillo , ITHA representatives Dave McCaffrey , Chris Block and Campbell , and attorneys for both sides .
`` Nothing is assured in business until it 's signed , '' Campbell said .
`` But we think a long and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ITHA executive committee was also represented on Wednesday 's call by Rick Johnson , Steve Holland and plumbing magnate Marty Nixon .
Trainer Larry Rivelli -- who has won the last seven conditioning titles at AP -- is expected to be among the first stable masters with horses on the backstretch .
It is estimated he will have close to 100 horses on the grounds by Opening Day .
On Thursday , interested parties can listen live to the teleconference online by Googling `` Illinois Racing Board . ''
• Jim O'Donnell 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Reach him at jimodonnelldh @ yahoo.com .

O'Donnell: Arlington Park, horsemen have tentative deal, with July opening targeted
SOME WILL CALL IT thoroughbred racing.
As far away from the grandeur of Million I as Dutch marble racing is from Royal Ascot, Arlington Park will apparently conduct an abbreviated live meet this summer.
Representatives of the Churchill Downs Inc. oval and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association finally reached agreement on a contract Wednesday morning.
"At this hour, we have a tentative agreement," said Mike Campbell, the president of the ITHA.
"The devil could prove to be in the details. CDI attorneys are generating the initial draft as we speak, which will then be reviewed by our attorneys and our contract committee.
"I am hopefully optimistic all will be done in time for tomorrow's meeting of the Illinois Racing Board."
The two sides are expected to seek approval for their patchworked schedule during the regular monthly meeting of the IRB at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Arlington is expected to conduct 30 live programs beginning July 23 to 26 and ending in September.
There will be no stakes races, including the 2020 Million. That will mark the first time since 1999 that the track centerpiece has not been run and only the third time since its 1981 inaugural.
The Million is expected to return for what could be its final running in 2021.
The new contract is for two seasons.
CDI had been insisting on a two-year deal since negotiations began last year. The ITHA was holding firm on one year in large part because of the economic uncertainties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of those uncertainties on 2021 purses.
The start of live racing is expected to be spectator-free. That could change if Gov. J.B. Pritzker and staff move the state of Illinois into an advanced phase of reopening before then.
Purse levels for the truncated meet are expected to average approximately $130,000 per day. That figure is expected to increase to $150,000 next year, roughly equivalent to the median of AP's 2018 meet.
According to one informed member of the local racing community, the Arlington backstretch is expected to open "within a couple of weeks."
Some stables are anticipating some difficulty in securing the services of seasonal backstretch help.
Racing secretary Chris Polzin -- who was furloughed in May -- is expected to be back on the job no later than Friday.
By state law, a contact between CDI/AP and the ITHA was to be in place by Dec. 31.
Instead, CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen and minions allowed negotiations to limp forward past the start of the pandemic and past the oval's initial scheduled opening of May 1.
Repeated "emergency sessions" in recent weeks failed to resolve the impasse.
With Thursday's IRB meeting considered a "drop dead" deadline by most in the regional racing industry, IRB commissioner Tom McCauley and agency executive director Domenic DiCera conducted triple-overtime emergency teleconferences on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
Wednesday's session began at 8 a.m. and lasted less than 30 minutes. Besides the IRB officials, principal participants included Arlington's Anthony Petrillo, ITHA representatives Dave McCaffrey, Chris Block and Campbell, and attorneys for both sides.
"Nothing is assured in business until it's signed," Campbell said. "But we think a long and grueling process is over."
The ITHA executive committee was also represented on Wednesday's call by Rick Johnson, Steve Holland and plumbing magnate Marty Nixon.
Trainer Larry Rivelli -- who has won the last seven conditioning titles at AP -- is expected to be among the first stable masters with horses on the backstretch. It is estimated he will have close to 100 horses on the grounds by Opening Day.
On Thursday, interested parties can listen live to the teleconference online by Googling "Illinois Racing Board."
• Jim O'Donnell's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Illinois reports 87 more deaths from COVID-19, 546 new cases

Cases of COVID-19 rose by 546 Wednesday , as deaths from the virus grew by 87 , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported , but that reflects an overall decline in daily results for June compared to May , so far .
The number of cases statewide stands at 134,185 since the pandemic began , while total fatalities are 6,485 .
Also Wednesday , Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced public facilities including the court houses and clerk 's offices will reopen July 6 .
Residents will be required to undergo a temperature screening before entering , wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Counters where people interact with county employees will be fitted out with plastic screens .
Meanwhile , state health department data shows the busiest state-run testing centers in Illinois are in the suburbs .
Out of 11 community-based testing sites , the center with the most tests performed is in Harwood Heights , followed by facilities in South Holland and Aurora .
So far , the state has performed more than 1.2 million tests since the outbreak of the respiratory disease .
As of Sunday , health care workers had performed 44,790 tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 3 , with a daily average of 553 .
The South Holland facility has conducted 30,615 tests in total or 528 daily ; it originally opened in Markham on April 14 but relocated .
The Aurora testing site located at Premium Outlet Mall has done 25,650 tests , 503 a day , since opening April 23 .
A facility in Waukegan ranked fourth with 18,294 tests total and 469 on average ; it began testing May 3 .
A site in Rolling Meadows that started up May 22 has done 8,018 tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 11 .
Wednesday 's tally of COVID-19 cases -- 546 -- is overall lower than the June single-day average of 822 , and much less than the May average of 2,156 .
The daily count of people dying from COVID-19 -- 87 -- was higher than the June average of 66 but lower than the May average of 99 .
Across the state , testing results showed a 3 % positivity rate over seven days .
Those numbers will be closely watched as the state nears June 26 , the date Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a five-stage , four-region reopening plan .
The state is in Phase 3 now ; Phase 4 would allow schools and movie theaters to reopen with restrictions , for example .
It 's unclear how easing numerous stay-at-home restrictions on May 29 to enter Phase 3 ultimately will affect COVID-19 results .
So far , the region containing Chicago and the suburbs is meeting all health-related metrics set by the state to reach Phase 4 , including a 6 % positivity rate for COVID-19 .

Illinois reports 87 more deaths from COVID-19, 546 new cases
Cases of COVID-19 rose by 546 Wednesday, as deaths from the virus grew by 87, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported, but that reflects an overall decline in daily results for June compared to May, so far.
The number of cases statewide stands at 134,185 since the pandemic began, while total fatalities are 6,485.
Also Wednesday, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced public facilities including the court houses and clerk's offices will reopen July 6. Residents will be required to undergo a temperature screening before entering, wear masks, and practice social distancing. Counters where people interact with county employees will be fitted out with plastic screens.
Meanwhile, state health department data shows the busiest state-run testing centers in Illinois are in the suburbs. Out of 11 community-based testing sites, the center with the most tests performed is in Harwood Heights, followed by facilities in South Holland and Aurora.
So far, the state has performed more than 1.2 million tests since the outbreak of the respiratory disease.
As of Sunday, health care workers had performed 44,790 tests at the Harwood Heights site since opening April 3, with a daily average of 553. The South Holland facility has conducted 30,615 tests in total or 528 daily; it originally opened in Markham on April 14 but relocated.
The Aurora testing site located at Premium Outlet Mall has done 25,650 tests, 503 a day, since opening April 23.
A facility in Waukegan ranked fourth with 18,294 tests total and 469 on average; it began testing May 3. A site in Rolling Meadows that started up May 22 has done 8,018 tests, 382 daily and is eighth-busiest out of 11.
Wednesday's tally of COVID-19 cases -- 546 -- is overall lower than the June single-day average of 822, and much less than the May average of 2,156.
The daily count of people dying from COVID-19 -- 87 -- was higher than the June average of 66 but lower than the May average of 99.
Across the state, testing results showed a 3% positivity rate over seven days.
Those numbers will be closely watched as the state nears June 26, the date Illinois is anticipated to ease into Phase 4 of a five-stage, four-region reopening plan. The state is in Phase 3 now; Phase 4 would allow schools and movie theaters to reopen with restrictions, for example.
It's unclear how easing numerous stay-at-home restrictions on May 29 to enter Phase 3 ultimately will affect COVID-19 results. So far, the region containing Chicago and the suburbs is meeting all health-related metrics set by the state to reach Phase 4, including a 6% positivity rate for COVID-19.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--'A godsend': Wheaton's Hale Street to stay closed for summer of outdoor dining to help restaurants

Dick O'Gorman greeted the alfresco dining tents outside his downtown Wheaton restaurant last month as a `` godsend . ''
The Ivy owner is now hiring again and filling reservations for outdoor dining in the middle of Hale Street .
If you want a spot on the weekend , he advises patrons not to wait past Tuesday to book a table .
`` We 're looking for servers because business is definitely picking up , '' O'Gorman said Wednesday .
The city will keep the street closed for the entire summer to help restaurants reeling from shutdowns meant to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downtown Wheaton Association turned the stretch of pavement on Hale from Front to Wesley streets into an alfresco setting with white tents , festoon lighting and tables spaced 6 feet apart .
Outdoor dining has made the area -- a vibrant restaurant scene before the pandemic -- begin to feel like a destination again , drawing customers from neighboring towns and interest from municipal leaders looking to re-create the setup in their towns .
`` The community has been a huge support system in getting this accomplished , '' said Elle Withall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All four regions of the state remain on track to proceed to Phase 4 of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's reopening plan .
In that stage , restaurants would reopen with indoor capacity limits .
Even then , restaurants anticipate diminished capacities and will need outdoor dining to support their business , Withall said .
`` It 's important that everybody works together because everybody benefits from the tent , '' Withall said .
Retailers also have benefitted from the infusion of foot traffic , the owners of Wesley Street florist Andrew 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing a huge benefit to our downtown beyond the restaurants , '' Tonya Parravano said via email .
`` It has created a sense of community and interest in our downtown that seems to be attracting visitors from all over the area .
It gives us the opportunity to show off our beautiful new streetscape and use one of our festival streets exactly as we had imagined . ''
On the same section of Hale , the city last summer reconfigured parking , planted trees and installed wider sidewalks as part of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was really made to be more of a festival street , '' Withall said .
O'Gorman hopes the city will bring back outdoor dining on Hale from May to October every year , pandemic or not .
`` The tents , it 's a huge savior for the restaurants , '' he said .

'A godsend': Wheaton's Hale Street to stay closed for summer of outdoor dining to help restaurants
Dick O'Gorman greeted the alfresco dining tents outside his downtown Wheaton restaurant last month as a "godsend."
The Ivy owner is now hiring again and filling reservations for outdoor dining in the middle of Hale Street. If you want a spot on the weekend, he advises patrons not to wait past Tuesday to book a table.
"We're looking for servers because business is definitely picking up," O'Gorman said Wednesday.
The city will keep the street closed for the entire summer to help restaurants reeling from shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Hale Street in Wheaton is closed to traffic and has two large standing tents, one measuring 30 by 120 feet and the other 30 by 150 feet, for outdoor eating.
The Downtown Wheaton Association turned the stretch of pavement on Hale from Front to Wesley streets into an alfresco setting with white tents, festoon lighting and tables spaced 6 feet apart.
Outdoor dining has made the area -- a vibrant restaurant scene before the pandemic -- begin to feel like a destination again, drawing customers from neighboring towns and interest from municipal leaders looking to re-create the setup in their towns.
"The community has been a huge support system in getting this accomplished," said Elle Withall, executive director of the business group.
All four regions of the state remain on track to proceed to Phase 4 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's reopening plan. In that stage, restaurants would reopen with indoor capacity limits.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Diners must make a reservation to use outdoor dining on N. Hale Street in downtown Wheaton. Spaced 6 feet apart, tables also must have no more than six people seated.
Even then, restaurants anticipate diminished capacities and will need outdoor dining to support their business, Withall said.
"It's important that everybody works together because everybody benefits from the tent," Withall said.
Retailers also have benefitted from the infusion of foot traffic, the owners of Wesley Street florist Andrew's Garden said.
"The tent is bringing a huge benefit to our downtown beyond the restaurants," Tonya Parravano said via email. "It has created a sense of community and interest in our downtown that seems to be attracting visitors from all over the area. It gives us the opportunity to show off our beautiful new streetscape and use one of our festival streets exactly as we had imagined."
- John Starks | Staff Photographer "It's increasing walkability in the downtown," DWA Executive Director Elle Withall said of outdoor dining on Hale Street.
On the same section of Hale, the city last summer reconfigured parking, planted trees and installed wider sidewalks as part of an ongoing streetscape project.
"Hale Street was really made to be more of a festival street," Withall said.
O'Gorman hopes the city will bring back outdoor dining on Hale from May to October every year, pandemic or not.
"The tents, it's a huge savior for the restaurants," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Replica horse trough takes the Glen Ellyn original's place downtown

A reproduction has taken over a Glen Ellyn landmark 's place of importance downtown .
After craftsmen spent more than a year on the meticulous replica , the village 's new horse trough now stands as a centerpiece in the intersection of Crescent Boulevard and Main Street .
Public works crews installed the ornate monument on a pedestal early Wednesday morning , a more reserved homecoming than the official unveiling that would have greeted it in a pre-pandemic world .
Appearing on postcards , the horse trough is as much a symbol of Glen Ellyn 's heritage as the Civic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original from businessman William Newton when he donated the trough in 1907 with the instructions that its bowls would quench the thirst of horses and dogs .
To make the replica , Public Works Director Julius Hansen last spring personally delivered the historic trough to a foundry in an Iowa town , where , coincidentally , horses are still prominently used as a mode of transportation .
`` It 's a small shop in Iowa , '' Hansen said .
`` They do n't mass-produce things .
It 's all made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ craftsmanship . ''
The village commissioned Max-Cast Inc. , in Kalona , Iowa , to build the $ 40,000 bronze reproduction using the original , cast-iron trough as a mold .
The more durable bronze will not rust and will `` last for the ages , '' Hansen said .
`` If it 's going to be displayed in such a prominent place , you really want to strike the balance between historically correct and attractive , and lasting a long time , '' Hansen said .
`` And I think they did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The village did n't set a deadline for the project , a delicate process because of the frail condition of the deteriorating horse trough , exposed to years of the elements and damage from car collisions .
`` We want to have quality work , and if it takes a little longer to do a really good job , we 'd rather have a really good job , because it 's going to be on display forever , '' Hansen said .
Max-Cast has remained in business for nearly 40 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collectively , artists Josh Wilson , Randy Lackore , Jeff Rinderknecht , Chance Sutter , Steve Maxon , Drew Boyson and Neil Wachal helped make the sand molds , poured bronze , and completed the finishing and welding .
`` The pandemic kind of slowed things down at the end , but they persevered , and they really got it done , '' Hansen said .
After a year of such painstaking work , bringing the final product to Glen Ellyn made for a bit of a nerve-wracking journey that Hansen took on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a public works truck with ratchet straps and moving pads to secure the new monument .
`` It did n't move an inch the entire trip , '' he said .
The original horse trough , meanwhile , is still being restored .
The village will place the refurbished trough , covered with a white coating , in front of the Civic Center , likely after the Fourth of July .
In preparation of its return , Trustee Kelli Christiansen has written a history of the horse trough for a bronze plaque @ @ @ @

Replica horse trough takes the Glen Ellyn original's place downtown
An Iowa foundry created a full-size replica of the village's historic horse trough, shown in an image taken around 1907. Courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
A reproduction has taken over a Glen Ellyn landmark's place of importance downtown.
After craftsmen spent more than a year on the meticulous replica, the village's new horse trough now stands as a centerpiece in the intersection of Crescent Boulevard and Main Street.
Public works crews installed the ornate monument on a pedestal early Wednesday morning, a more reserved homecoming than the official unveiling that would have greeted it in a pre-pandemic world.
Appearing on postcards, the horse trough is as much a symbol of Glen Ellyn's heritage as the Civic Center clock tower. The village received the original from businessman William Newton when he donated the trough in 1907 with the instructions that its bowls would quench the thirst of horses and dogs.
To make the replica, Public Works Director Julius Hansen last spring personally delivered the historic trough to a foundry in an Iowa town, where, coincidentally, horses are still prominently used as a mode of transportation.
"It's a small shop in Iowa," Hansen said. "They don't mass-produce things. It's all made by hand, and it's all hand craftsmanship."
The village commissioned Max-Cast Inc., in Kalona, Iowa, to build the $40,000 bronze reproduction using the original, cast-iron trough as a mold. The more durable bronze will not rust and will "last for the ages," Hansen said.
"If it's going to be displayed in such a prominent place, you really want to strike the balance between historically correct and attractive, and lasting a long time," Hansen said. "And I think they did all those things in this one project."
The village didn't set a deadline for the project, a delicate process because of the frail condition of the deteriorating horse trough, exposed to years of the elements and damage from car collisions.
"We want to have quality work, and if it takes a little longer to do a really good job, we'd rather have a really good job, because it's going to be on display forever," Hansen said.
Max-Cast has remained in business for nearly 40 years, casting sculpture and architectural hardware. Collectively, artists Josh Wilson, Randy Lackore, Jeff Rinderknecht, Chance Sutter, Steve Maxon, Drew Boyson and Neil Wachal helped make the sand molds, poured bronze, and completed the finishing and welding.
"The pandemic kind of slowed things down at the end, but they persevered, and they really got it done," Hansen said.
After a year of such painstaking work, bringing the final product to Glen Ellyn made for a bit of a nerve-wracking journey that Hansen took on himself. He rigged up the back of a public works truck with ratchet straps and moving pads to secure the new monument.
"It didn't move an inch the entire trip," he said.
The original horse trough, meanwhile, is still being restored. The village will place the refurbished trough, covered with a white coating, in front of the Civic Center, likely after the Fourth of July.
In preparation of its return, Trustee Kelli Christiansen has written a history of the horse trough for a bronze plaque mounted alongside it.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Officer who shot Rayshard Brooks faces felony murder charge

ATLANTA -- Prosecutors brought murder charges Wednesday against the white Atlanta police officer who shot Rayshard Brooks in the back , saying that the black man posed no threat when he was gunned down and that the officer kicked him and offered no medical treatment as he lay dying on the ground .
Brooks was holding a stun gun he had snatched from officers but was 18 feet , 3 inches away when he was shot by Garrett Rolfe and was running away at the time , District Attorney Paul Howard said in announcing the charges five days after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city .
The felony murder charge against Rolfe carries life in prison without parole or the death penalty .
He was also charged with 10 other offenses punishable by decades behind bars .
`` Mr. Brooks never presented himself as a threat , '' Howard said .
A second officer with Rolfe , Devin Brosnan , stood on a wounded Brooks ' shoulder as he struggled for his life , according to Howard .
Brosnan was charged with aggravated assault and other offenses but is cooperating with prosecutors and will testify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was the first time in 40 such cases in which an officer has come forward to do this .
Rolfe was fired after shooting , while Brosnan was placed on leave .
The news came as Republicans on Capitol Hill unveiled a package of police reform measures and the movement to get rid of Confederate movements and other racially offensive symbols reached America 's breakfast table , with the maker of Aunt Jemima syrup and pancake mix dropping the 131-year-old brand .
The shooting sparked new demonstrations in Georgia 's capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests in response to George Floyd 's death in Minneapolis had largely simmered down .
Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned less than 24 hours after Brooks died , and the fast-food restaurant was burned .
Police were called to the restaurant over complaints of a car blocking the drive-thru lane .
An officer found Brooks asleep behind the wheel of the car , and a breath test showed he was intoxicated .
Police body camera video showed Brooks and officers having a relatively calm and respectful conversation for more than 40 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrestled with officers , snatched one of their stun guns and pointed it at one of them as he ran through the parking lot .
An autopsy found that Brooks was shot twice in the back .
Ahead of the district attorney 's scheduled announcement , Rolfe 's lawyers issued a statement saying the officer feared for his safety and that of others around him and was justified in shooting Brooks .
Rolfe opened fire after hearing a sound `` like a gunshot and saw a flash in front of him . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and disarmed one of them .
When Mr. Brooks turned and pointed an object at Officer Rolfe , any officer would have reasonably believed that he intended to disarm , disable , or seriously injure him , '' the lawyers said .
An attorney for the Brooks family said previously that Rolfe should be charged for `` an unjustified use of deadly force , which equals murder . ''
Wednesday 's decision in Atlanta comes as the country is experiencing a dramatic shift in its opinions on policing and race .
A new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Affairs Research finds that more Americans today than five years ago believe police brutality is a very serious problem that too often goes undisciplined and unequally targets black Americans .
Elsewhere around the country , Senate Republicans in Washington announced the most ambitious GOP police-reform package in years , including an enhanced use-of-force database , restrictions on chokeholds and new commissions to study law enforcement and race .
The 106-page bill is not as sweeping as a Democratic proposal set for a House vote next week , but it shows how swiftly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd 's death .
The Senate 's lone black Republican , Tim Scott of South Carolina , led a task force of GOP senators in compiling the package and spoke of his own experiences being stopped by police .
`` We hear you , '' he said to the families of Americans killed by police .
`` We 're listening to your concerns . ''
Meanwhile , Quaker Oats said it is getting rid of its Aunt Jemima brand because the character was `` based on a racial stereotype . ''
While Aunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent years to make her look like a modern housewife , she was for most of her existence a stout , kerchief-wearing figure who evoked the plantation-era `` Mammy '' stereotype .
The owner of the Uncle Ben 's brand of rice likewise said it will `` evolve '' in response to concerns about racial stereotyping .
The University of Nevada , Las Vegas removed a statue of its `` Hey Reb ! ''
mascot outside its alumni center , and Houston officials took down a figure of a Confederate soldier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White Lives Matter '' on a statue of African American tennis legend Arthur Ashe in Richmond , Virginia .
New York 's governor signed an executive order recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the U.S .
It has been a state holiday in Texas since 1980 , and Virginia 's governor has also proposed making it a state holiday .
In the Minneapolis case , Derek Chauvin , the officer who put his knee on Floyd 's neck for several minutes as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been charged with murder .
Three other officers have been charged with aiding and abetting .
All four were fired and could get up to 40 years in prison .
Matt Ott in New York and Lisa Mascaro and Jim Mustian in Washington contributed to this report .

Officer who shot Rayshard Brooks faces felony murder charge
This screen grab taken from body camera video provided by the Atlanta Police Department shows Rayshard Brooks speaking Friday with Officer Garrett Rolfe in the parking lot of a Wendy's restaurant in Atlanta. Rolfe has been fired following the fatal shooting of Brooks and a second officer has been placed on administrative duty. Associated Press
ATLANTA -- Prosecutors brought murder charges Wednesday against the white Atlanta police officer who shot Rayshard Brooks in the back, saying that the black man posed no threat when he was gunned down and that the officer kicked him and offered no medical treatment as he lay dying on the ground.
Brooks was holding a stun gun he had snatched from officers but was 18 feet, 3 inches away when he was shot by Garrett Rolfe and was running away at the time, District Attorney Paul Howard said in announcing the charges five days after the killing outside a Wendy's restaurant rocked the city.
The felony murder charge against Rolfe carries life in prison without parole or the death penalty. He was also charged with 10 other offenses punishable by decades behind bars.
"Mr. Brooks never presented himself as a threat," Howard said.
A second officer with Rolfe, Devin Brosnan, stood on a wounded Brooks' shoulder as he struggled for his life, according to Howard. Brosnan was charged with aggravated assault and other offenses but is cooperating with prosecutors and will testify, according to the district attorney, who said it was the first time in 40 such cases in which an officer has come forward to do this.
Rolfe was fired after shooting, while Brosnan was placed on leave.
The news came as Republicans on Capitol Hill unveiled a package of police reform measures and the movement to get rid of Confederate movements and other racially offensive symbols reached America's breakfast table, with the maker of Aunt Jemima syrup and pancake mix dropping the 131-year-old brand.
The shooting sparked new demonstrations in Georgia's capital against police brutality, after occasionally turbulent protests in response to George Floyd's death in Minneapolis had largely simmered down. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned less than 24 hours after Brooks died, and the fast-food restaurant was burned.
Police were called to the restaurant over complaints of a car blocking the drive-thru lane. An officer found Brooks asleep behind the wheel of the car, and a breath test showed he was intoxicated.
Police body camera video showed Brooks and officers having a relatively calm and respectful conversation for more than 40 minutes before things rapidly turned violent. Brooks wrestled with officers, snatched one of their stun guns and pointed it at one of them as he ran through the parking lot.
An autopsy found that Brooks was shot twice in the back.
Ahead of the district attorney's scheduled announcement, Rolfe's lawyers issued a statement saying the officer feared for his safety and that of others around him and was justified in shooting Brooks.
Rolfe opened fire after hearing a sound "like a gunshot and saw a flash in front of him."
"Mr. Brooks violently attacked two officers and disarmed one of them. When Mr. Brooks turned and pointed an object at Officer Rolfe, any officer would have reasonably believed that he intended to disarm, disable, or seriously injure him," the lawyers said.
An attorney for the Brooks family said previously that Rolfe should be charged for "an unjustified use of deadly force, which equals murder."
Wednesday's decision in Atlanta comes as the country is experiencing a dramatic shift in its opinions on policing and race. A new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that more Americans today than five years ago believe police brutality is a very serious problem that too often goes undisciplined and unequally targets black Americans.
Elsewhere around the country, Senate Republicans in Washington announced the most ambitious GOP police-reform package in years, including an enhanced use-of-force database, restrictions on chokeholds and new commissions to study law enforcement and race.
The 106-page bill is not as sweeping as a Democratic proposal set for a House vote next week, but it shows how swiftly the national debate has been transformed since Floyd's death.
The Senate's lone black Republican, Tim Scott of South Carolina, led a task force of GOP senators in compiling the package and spoke of his own experiences being stopped by police.
"We hear you," he said to the families of Americans killed by police. "We're listening to your concerns."
Meanwhile, Quaker Oats said it is getting rid of its Aunt Jemima brand because the character was "based on a racial stereotype." While Aunt Jemima's image on packages was changed in recent years to make her look like a modern housewife, she was for most of her existence a stout, kerchief-wearing figure who evoked the plantation-era "Mammy" stereotype.
The owner of the Uncle Ben's brand of rice likewise said it will "evolve" in response to concerns about racial stereotyping.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas removed a statue of its "Hey Reb!" mascot outside its alumni center, and Houston officials took down a figure of a Confederate soldier in a downtown park.
Vandals spray-painted "White Lives Matter" on a statue of African American tennis legend Arthur Ashe in Richmond, Virginia.
New York's governor signed an executive order recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. It has been a state holiday in Texas since 1980, and Virginia's governor has also proposed making it a state holiday.
In the Minneapolis case, Derek Chauvin, the officer who put his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes as he pleaded he couldn't breathe, has been charged with murder. Three other officers have been charged with aiding and abetting. All four were fired and could get up to 40 years in prison.
Matt Ott in New York and Lisa Mascaro and Jim Mustian in Washington contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--June 17 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive map Suburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 68,925 cases in the suburbs , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Wednesday .
There have been 3,318 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Wednesday , suburban Cook County had 35,929 cases and 1,862 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 49,929 cases and 2,442 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Des Plaines , 796 cases and 49 deaths in Wheeling , 660 cases and 15 deaths in Palatine , 649 cases and 19 deaths in Streamwood , 623 cases and 9 deaths in Mount Prospect , 557 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg , 516 cases and 47 deaths in Glenview , 494 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights , 488 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 444 cases and 11 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 359 cases and 33 deaths in Elk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Rolling Meadows , 321 cases and 36 deaths in Northbrook , 256 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 120 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 8,542 cases and 432 deaths as of Wednesday .
• Top counts : 798 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 754 cases and 13 deaths in West Chicago , 646 cases and 9 deaths in Glendale Heights , 517 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville , 505 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion ) , 494 cases and 27 deaths in Carol Stream , 384 cases and 19 deaths in Lombard , 321 cases and 10 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage portion ) , 262 cases and 31 deaths in Elmhurst , 246 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage portion ) , 245 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton , 228 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park , 153 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn , and 144 cases and 18 deaths in Willowbrook .
Lake County • The county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its website Wednesday .
• Top counts as of Friday : 2,575 to 2,579 in Waukegan , 560 to 564 in Round Lake Beach , 360 to 364 in Mundelein , 285 to 289 in Gurnee , 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills , 140 to 144 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 130 to 134 in Wauconda , 125 to 129 in Lake Zurich , 115 to 119 in Libertyville , 85 to 89 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 7,246 cases with 240 deaths on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 3,271 cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,744 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 707 in Carpentersville , 267 in St. Charles , 260 in South Elgin , 185 in North Aurora , 156 in Geneva , 109 in Batavia , and 47 in Algonquin ( Kane portion ) .
McHenry County • 1,879 cases and 86 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department Wednesday .
Will County • There have been 6,222 cases and 308 deaths in Will County , according to the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per town include 361 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) and 64 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

June 17 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Interactive map Suburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 68,925 cases in the suburbs, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Wednesday. There have been 3,318 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Wednesday, suburban Cook County had 35,929 cases and 1,862 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 49,929 cases and 2,442 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,624 cases and 92 deaths in Des Plaines, 796 cases and 49 deaths in Wheeling, 660 cases and 15 deaths in Palatine, 649 cases and 19 deaths in Streamwood, 623 cases and 9 deaths in Mount Prospect, 557 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg, 516 cases and 47 deaths in Glenview, 494 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights, 488 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 444 cases and 11 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 359 cases and 33 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 338 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 321 cases and 36 deaths in Northbrook, 256 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 120 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 8,542 cases and 432 deaths as of Wednesday.
• Top counts: 798 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 754 cases and 13 deaths in West Chicago, 646 cases and 9 deaths in Glendale Heights, 517 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 505 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 494 cases and 27 deaths in Carol Stream, 384 cases and 19 deaths in Lombard, 321 cases and 10 deaths in Aurora (DuPage portion), 262 cases and 31 deaths in Elmhurst, 246 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage portion), 245 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton, 228 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park, 153 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn, and 144 cases and 18 deaths in Willowbrook.
Lake County• The county listed 9,154 cases and 357 deaths on its website Wednesday.
• Top counts as of Friday: 2,575 to 2,579 in Waukegan, 560 to 564 in Round Lake Beach, 360 to 364 in Mundelein, 285 to 289 in Gurnee, 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills, 140 to 144 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 130 to 134 in Wauconda, 125 to 129 in Lake Zurich, 115 to 119 in Libertyville, 85 to 89 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 7,246 cases with 240 deaths on its website Wednesday.
• Top counts: 3,271 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,744 in Elgin (Kane portion), 707 in Carpentersville, 267 in St. Charles, 260 in South Elgin, 185 in North Aurora, 156 in Geneva, 109 in Batavia, and 47 in Algonquin (Kane portion).
McHenry County• 1,879 cases and 86 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department Wednesday.
Will County• There have been 6,222 cases and 308 deaths in Will County, according to the health department's website Wednesday.
• Cases per town include 361 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 64 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--101st birthday parade entertains an entertaining man

After being treated to a parade for his 101st birthday Wednesday outside his Lake Zurich home , Tod Sloan said he was ready for more .
`` I think I 'm good for another few orbits around the sun , '' he said as he laughed with family and friends .
Sloan is a World War II veteran , having served as a flight instructor in the Army Air Force and was a pilot and second lieutenant when he was discharged in 1945 .
After his time in the service , Sloan worked for Illinois Bell Telephone and was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installation of a car phone in 1946 .
He was responsible for doing service on the only cellular phone tower in Chicago at that time .
He was also aboard a boat in Lake Michigan , doing range testing of the new technology for use over water when the boat 's motor died several miles from Chicago .
He then became perhaps the first person to use a mobile phone to call for maritime rescue .
Sloan retired in 1983 from WGN-TV in Chicago as supervisor of transmitter .
On his last day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped him carry things to his car .
`` You 're my hero , Dad , '' Walt Sloan said as his father entertained well-wishers with tales of his long life .
`` It 's been an interesting life , '' the birthday boy said .

101st birthday parade entertains an entertaining man
After being treated to a parade for his 101st birthday Wednesday outside his Lake Zurich home, Tod Sloan said he was ready for more.
"I think I'm good for another few orbits around the sun," he said as he laughed with family and friends.
Sloan is a World War II veteran, having served as a flight instructor in the Army Air Force and was a pilot and second lieutenant when he was discharged in 1945.
After his time in the service, Sloan worked for Illinois Bell Telephone and was one of two technicians to witness the first installation of a car phone in 1946.
He was responsible for doing service on the only cellular phone tower in Chicago at that time. He was also aboard a boat in Lake Michigan, doing range testing of the new technology for use over water when the boat's motor died several miles from Chicago. He then became perhaps the first person to use a mobile phone to call for maritime rescue.
Sloan retired in 1983 from WGN-TV in Chicago as supervisor of transmitter. On his last day of work, WGN meteorologist Tom Skilling helped him carry things to his car.
"You're my hero, Dad," Walt Sloan said as his father entertained well-wishers with tales of his long life.
"It's been an interesting life," the birthday boy said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Probation for Aurora woman whose dog died of heat stroke

An Aurora woman charged with felony animal cruelty last summer after her dog was left tied to a pole and died in sweltering heat recently pleaded guilty to a reduced , misdemeanor charge .
Krystle S. Noriega , 35 , was sentenced to a year of probation and ordered to give up her other dog as part of the guilty plea and sentence issued in early June , according to Kane County court records .
Noriega was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty in early August 2019 .
She was accused of allowing her 1½-year-old dog to be tethered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 , 2019 on her driveway on the 900 block of Fourth Avenue in direct sun without shelter .
shade , food or water on day when the temperature was 96 degrees .
A neighbor called police after seeing the animal collapse and die .
Police removed the dog , which died of heat stroke , and found a second dog in a pen with a tarp draped over the top .
The second dog was `` panting heavily '' and did not have any food or water , police said at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told them she works an overnight shift and that her juvenile daughter had tied the dog to the post that day to `` do her a favor '' so Noriega could sleep , according to police .
Under the plea agreement approved by Judge Alice Tracy , Noriega pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in that she `` placed a dog in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat resulting in injury or death , '' court records show .
Noriega also must give up her other dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of her sentence , which includes $ 470 in fines and fees , records show .
A message left at the Kane County public defender 's office was not immediately returned .
If Noriega violates her probation , she could be resentenced to up to 364 days in jail .
The initial felony animal cruelty charge carried a sentence ranging from probation to up to three years in prison .

Probation for Aurora woman whose dog died of heat stroke
An Aurora woman charged with felony animal cruelty last summer after her dog was left tied to a pole and died in sweltering heat recently pleaded guilty to a reduced, misdemeanor charge.
Krystle S. Noriega, 35, was sentenced to a year of probation and ordered to give up her other dog as part of the guilty plea and sentence issued in early June, according to Kane County court records.
Noriega was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty in early August 2019. She was accused of allowing her 1½-year-old dog to be tethered to a pole for several hours July 10, 2019 on her driveway on the 900 block of Fourth Avenue in direct sun without shelter. shade, food or water on day when the temperature was 96 degrees.
A neighbor called police after seeing the animal collapse and die. Police removed the dog, which died of heat stroke, and found a second dog in a pen with a tarp draped over the top. The second dog was "panting heavily" and did not have any food or water, police said at the time.
An officer interviewed Noriega and she told them she works an overnight shift and that her juvenile daughter had tied the dog to the post that day to "do her a favor" so Noriega could sleep, according to police.
Under the plea agreement approved by Judge Alice Tracy, Noriega pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in that she "placed a dog in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat resulting in injury or death," court records show.
Noriega also must give up her other dog, a pit bull named Endica, as part of her sentence, which includes $470 in fines and fees, records show.
A message left at the Kane County public defender's office was not immediately returned.
If Noriega violates her probation, she could be resentenced to up to 364 days in jail. The initial felony animal cruelty charge carried a sentence ranging from probation to up to three years in prison.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Schaumburg Boomers hosting drive-in fireworks shows Independence Day weekend

The Schaumburg Boomers will host a pair of Drive-In Fireworks displays at 9:30 p.m. Friday , July 3 and Saturday , July 4 , at Boomers Stadium , 1999 Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg .
There will be three different ticket options for the events , with a basic admission of $ 20 plus tax per car allowing access to the west parking lot of the stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m. For $ 120 , up to six people can reserve an in-stadium dining table , socially distanced along the concourse .
The fee includes all-you-can-eat hot dogs , hamburgers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or bottled water .
For $ 400 , up to 10 people can reserve an in-stadium luxury suite along with an all-you-can-eat meal featuring hot dogs , hamburgers , chicken tenders , potato salad , popcorn , cookies , brownies , Pepsi products and bottled water .
Tickets are available now exclusively to Schaumburg residents .
They 'll be available to the general public at 10 a.m. Thursday , June 18 .
The parking passes and table reservations can be made at etix.com/ticket/e/1014192/firework-schaumburg-schaumburg-boomers-stadium or through the link at boomersbaseball.com .
Parking permits must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displayed in the window upon arrival .
Cars will be parked every other space to ensure social distancing in order of arrival .
On-site food and beverage sales , as well as portable restrooms , will be available to those choosing the west parking lot option .
Guests are expected to socially distance from other guests and no cooking of any type will be permitted in the parking lot .

Schaumburg Boomers hosting drive-in fireworks shows Independence Day weekend
The Schaumburg Boomers will host a pair of drive-in fireworks nights on July 3 and 4. Courtesy of the Schaumburg Boomers
The Schaumburg Boomers will host a pair of Drive-In Fireworks displays at 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, at Boomers Stadium, 1999 Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg.
There will be three different ticket options for the events, with a basic admission of $20 plus tax per car allowing access to the west parking lot of the stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m.
For $120, up to six people can reserve an in-stadium dining table, socially distanced along the concourse. The fee includes all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, popcorn, and Pepsi products or bottled water.
For $400, up to 10 people can reserve an in-stadium luxury suite along with an all-you-can-eat meal featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, potato salad, popcorn, cookies, brownies, Pepsi products and bottled water.
Tickets are available now exclusively to Schaumburg residents. They'll be available to the general public at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 18.
The parking passes and table reservations can be made at etix.com/ticket/e/1014192/firework-schaumburg-schaumburg-boomers-stadium or through the link at boomersbaseball.com.
Parking permits must be purchased in advance, preprinted and displayed in the window upon arrival. Cars will be parked every other space to ensure social distancing in order of arrival.
On-site food and beverage sales, as well as portable restrooms, will be available to those choosing the west parking lot option.
Guests are expected to socially distance from other guests and no cooking of any type will be permitted in the parking lot.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Pritzker orders flags to be at half-staff for Juneteenth

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said he is ordering flags be lowered in Illinois to commemorate Juneteenth on June 19 .
Juneteenth is the oldest-known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States .
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation , freeing enslaved people effective January 1863 , but it was n't until two years later , on June 19 , 1865 , when Union soldiers landed in Galveston , Texas , with news the Civil War had ended and slaves were now free .
The celebration of June 19 was called Juneteenth and grew as descendants of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day in Texas .
It then spread to other states and has been celebrated every year since .
In a statement , a spokesman for Gov .
Pritzker said , `` The governor is committed to honoring both the celebration of Juneteenth and paying respect to those who lost their lives , by lowering the flag in honor in them .
The governor recognizes that , now more than ever , Juneteenth is a day that reminds us that the fight for justice and equity across the nation is not over , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slavery , we must also recognize the systemic racism that has time and time again reared its ugly head and honor the memory of those who have died simply because of the color of their skin.
`` Earlier Tuesday , state Rep. LaShawn Ford , Illinois Senate President Don Harmon , and state Sen. Kimberly Lightford were among those who called on the governor to order the flags lowered `` in recognition of those lost to hate and racism . ''

Pritzker orders flags to be at half-staff for Juneteenth
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he is ordering flags be lowered in Illinois to commemorate Juneteenth on June 19.
Juneteenth is the oldest-known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved people effective January 1863, but it wasn't until two years later, on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with news the Civil War had ended and slaves were now free.
The celebration of June 19 was called Juneteenth and grew as descendants of enslaved people treated it as their independence day in Texas. It then spread to other states and has been celebrated every year since.
In a statement, a spokesman for Gov. Pritzker said, "The governor is committed to honoring both the celebration of Juneteenth and paying respect to those who lost their lives, by lowering the flag in honor in them. The governor recognizes that, now more than ever, Juneteenth is a day that reminds us that the fight for justice and equity across the nation is not over, and while we will celebrate the end of slavery, we must also recognize the systemic racism that has time and time again reared its ugly head and honor the memory of those who have died simply because of the color of their skin. "
Earlier Tuesday, state Rep. LaShawn Ford, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, and state Sen. Kimberly Lightford were among those who called on the governor to order the flags lowered "in recognition of those lost to hate and racism."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Algonquin man sent to prison for home repair fraud, writing bad check

An Algonquin man was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of theft and deceptive practice .
David Regal , 34 , of the 2600 block of Williamsburg Drive in Algonquin , pleaded guilty in September to stealing $ 95,318 between June 2012 and February 2015 from a Geneva homeowner who hired Regal to paint her home , among other home-improvement projects .
The homeowner paid Regal for the materials in advance , but the work was never performed , Kane County Assistant State 's Attorney Kelli Schmidt said in court .
Regal also pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a St. Charles car dealership on Dec. 31 , 2015 .
He wrote a check for $ 18,000 to buy a 2014 Dodge pickup truck .
The dealership made multiple attempts to deposit the check but was notified of insufficient funds and contacted St. Charles police .
Regal was ordered to pay $ 95,318 in restitution to the Geneva homeowner .
`` David Regal is a con man who swindled a woman out of nearly $ 100,000 , '' Kane County State 's Attorney Joe McMahon said Wednesday .
`` He belongs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public from people like Mr. Regal is to remove them from society .
I am happy to oblige . ''
Regal has a 2004 felony conviction for fraud and a 2010 felony conviction for theft , both in McHenry County .
He also has three misdemeanor convictions for related offenses .
He will receive credit for 115 days served in the Kane County jail .

Algonquin man sent to prison for home repair fraud, writing bad check
An Algonquin man was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of theft and deceptive practice.
David Regal, 34, of the 2600 block of Williamsburg Drive in Algonquin, pleaded guilty in September to stealing $95,318 between June 2012 and February 2015 from a Geneva homeowner who hired Regal to paint her home, among other home-improvement projects.
The homeowner paid Regal for the materials in advance, but the work was never performed, Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Kelli Schmidt said in court.
Regal also pleaded guilty to writing a bad check to a St. Charles car dealership on Dec. 31, 2015. He wrote a check for $18,000 to buy a 2014 Dodge pickup truck. The dealership made multiple attempts to deposit the check but was notified of insufficient funds and contacted St. Charles police.
Regal was ordered to pay $95,318 in restitution to the Geneva homeowner.
"David Regal is a con man who swindled a woman out of nearly $100,000," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said Wednesday. "He belongs in prison. The only way to protect the public from people like Mr. Regal is to remove them from society. I am happy to oblige."
Regal has a 2004 felony conviction for fraud and a 2010 felony conviction for theft, both in McHenry County. He also has three misdemeanor convictions for related offenses.
He will receive credit for 115 days served in the Kane County jail.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Lombard man pleads guilty to using charity money for himself

A Lombard man was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday for using money meant to help veterans for himself .
Todd Olshefski , 51 , pleaded guilty to one count of use of charitable funds for personal benefit .
His sentence was part of a plea agreement .
Olshefski will have to serve at least half the sentence before he is eligible for parole .
He will receive credit for 272 days he has spent in the DuPage County jail and a Florida jail while awaiting trial .
Wheaton police , with the aid of the state attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian Network charity , organized by Olshefski and his wife , Priscilla , for 10 months .
They had received complaints about aggressive soliciting tactics , use of intimidation and the legitimacy of the charity .
The Olshefskis used at least $ 10,000 of the donations for their personal lodging , vehicle loans , automobile insurance , medical equipment and veterinary bills , according to authorities .
`` Not only did Todd and Priscilla Olshefski take advantage of the generosity of DuPage County residents , they did so at the expense of veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin said in a written statement .
`` Thanks to the outstanding work of the Wheaton Police Department , we were able to put an end to this deplorable scheme and close down a so-called charity that served only the Olshefskis . ''
The attorney general sued the couple in March 2019 in Cook County circuit court .
The Olshefskis failed to appear for court dates , and the judge ruled against them , ordering them to repay $ 28,337 .
`` That $ 10,000 that is so-called misappropriated , that is me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loaned to the organization and that was put toward opening up the office , buying furniture , wall panels and things for the office , '' he said .
`` If the attorney general is saying we misappropriated , I 'm sorry .
That 's a flat-out lie .
I can do what I want with my money . ''
The two were arrested May 2 , 2019 .
Priscilla Olshefski pleaded guilty in July 2019 and was sentenced to 170 days in jail and a year of probation .
Todd Olshefski remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In November 2019 , Todd Olshefski was charged with violation of probation and with violation of bail bond after missing court and probation dates .
They were arrested in November 2019 in Florida .
Priscilla Olshefski was resentenced in March 2019 .

Lombard man pleads guilty to using charity money for himself
A Lombard man was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday for using money meant to help veterans for himself.
Todd Olshefski, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of use of charitable funds for personal benefit. His sentence was part of a plea agreement.
Olshefski will have to serve at least half the sentence before he is eligible for parole. He will receive credit for 272 days he has spent in the DuPage County jail and a Florida jail while awaiting trial.
Wheaton police, with the aid of the state attorney general's office, investigated the Veteran's Christian Network charity, organized by Olshefski and his wife, Priscilla, for 10 months. They had received complaints about aggressive soliciting tactics, use of intimidation and the legitimacy of the charity.
The Olshefskis used at least $10,000 of the donations for their personal lodging, vehicle loans, automobile insurance, medical equipment and veterinary bills, according to authorities.
"Not only did Todd and Priscilla Olshefski take advantage of the generosity of DuPage County residents, they did so at the expense of veterans," DuPage State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "Thanks to the outstanding work of the Wheaton Police Department, we were able to put an end to this deplorable scheme and close down a so-called charity that served only the Olshefskis."
The attorney general sued the couple in March 2019 in Cook County circuit court. The Olshefskis failed to appear for court dates, and the judge ruled against them, ordering them to repay $28,337.
Todd Olshefski disputed the attorney general's claims, in a March 2019 Daily Herald interview.
"That $10,000 that is so-called misappropriated, that is me and my wife's money that we loaned to the organization and that was put toward opening up the office, buying furniture, wall panels and things for the office," he said. "If the attorney general is saying we misappropriated, I'm sorry. That's a flat-out lie. I can do what I want with my money."
The two were arrested May 2, 2019.
Priscilla Olshefski pleaded guilty in July 2019 and was sentenced to 170 days in jail and a year of probation. Todd Olshefski remained free on bail, awaiting trial.
In November 2019, Todd Olshefski was charged with violation of probation and with violation of bail bond after missing court and probation dates. They were arrested in November 2019 in Florida. Priscilla Olshefski was resentenced in March 2019.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--A song to make you smile: 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World' by IZ

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World '' by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole , released in 1993 @

A song to make you smile: 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World' by IZ
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole was a Hawaiian legend whose medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World" made him a national sensation.
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, released in 1993.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.
-- Daily Herald report


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Til Morning's Parker brothers join our livestream series Thursday

The Parker brothers , Devin and Pat , are on an exciting ride .
Following up their debut EP `` Never Growing Old '' in summer 2018 , recorded under the band name Parker , the brothers from Chicago 's South side Hegewisch neighborhood released a single , `` Okay , '' in April under the new moniker , Til Morning .
The two will join us at 7 p.m. Thursday , June 18 , for our Chicago Sound Check Presents livestreaming concert/interview series , brought to you by the Daily Herald and Mike 's Hard Lemonade .
The event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the last two years , the Parkers have been fighting hard on the music scene , taking as many opportunities to get on a stage as they could with the band 's catalog of charmingly gritty and relatable songs .
And while the band typically brings a high-energy punk spirit to the stage and a sock-you-in-the-face-with-raw-emotion feel to its songs , the stripped-down acoustic moments are even more powerful .
Til Morning recently spent a weekend at Sonic Ranch in El Paso , Texas , recording some new songs , which proved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns .
Since the Parkers have been quarantining together , they 've been able to write songs and practice .
Devin said he also used the time to tackle much of the band 's rebranding and cosmetic efforts while stages were dark .
And as Til Morning shows and a regional tour were canceled , they focused their efforts on new music and building relationships on the scene .
`` Now it 's about finding opportunities to create professional content in unique ways that fit the times , '' Devin said .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new music popped up , they jumped at it .
Dev and Pat will play acoustic versions of some of the band 's favorites as well as talking about what 's coming up for them now that Chicago and the region are creeping out of lockdown .

Til Morning's Parker brothers join our livestream series Thursday
Devin Parker belts out Til Morning's most recent release "Okay" from the singles' video. Devin and his brother Pat will join us Thursday, June 18, for our livestream concert and interview. Courtesy of Bryan Buchelt
Til Morning's Devin, left, and Pat Parker will join us Thursday, June 18, for our livestream concert and interview series. Courtesy of Alfonso Monroy
The Parker brothers, Devin and Pat, are on an exciting ride.
Following up their debut EP "Never Growing Old" in summer 2018, recorded under the band name Parker, the brothers from Chicago's South side Hegewisch neighborhood released a single, "Okay," in April under the new moniker, Til Morning.
The two will join us at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18, for our Chicago Sound Check Presents livestreaming concert/interview series, brought to you by the Daily Herald and Mike's Hard Lemonade. The event will be streamed live on Instagram.com/chicagosoundcheck.
For the last two years, the Parkers have been fighting hard on the music scene, taking as many opportunities to get on a stage as they could with the band's catalog of charmingly gritty and relatable songs.
And while the band typically brings a high-energy punk spirit to the stage and a sock-you-in-the-face-with-raw-emotion feel to its songs, the stripped-down acoustic moments are even more powerful.
Til Morning recently spent a weekend at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, Texas, recording some new songs, which proved a welcome reprieve from the spring's lockdowns.
Since the Parkers have been quarantining together, they've been able to write songs and practice. Devin said he also used the time to tackle much of the band's rebranding and cosmetic efforts while stages were dark. And as Til Morning shows and a regional tour were canceled, they focused their efforts on new music and building relationships on the scene.
"Now it's about finding opportunities to create professional content in unique ways that fit the times," Devin said.
So when the opportunity to record some of the new music popped up, they jumped at it.
Dev and Pat will play acoustic versions of some of the band's favorites as well as talking about what's coming up for them now that Chicago and the region are creeping out of lockdown.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Summer forecast: It looks like baseball is coming back

Not quite , but Wednesday 's flow of information finally pointed to the end of weeks of ill will between the owners and players and the beginning of a new deal that should bring Major League Baseball back in late July .
A final agreement has yet to be reached , but MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is feeling confident the two sides are going to come together .
A day after flying to Arizona and meeting face-to-face with MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark , Manfred issued an optimistic statement Wednesday : '' We left ( Tuesday 's ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents .
I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary ( Wednesday ) .
`` Consistent with our conversations ( Tuesday ) , I am encouraging the clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same . ''
So , what is the `` jointly developed framework '' Manfred and Clark agreed on ?
According to USA Today , owners and the MLBPA are OK with playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 19 .
Players will receive full prorated salaries , which has been a major sticking point between the two sides .
With no fans in the stands to start the season ( and likely longer ) , owners sought to break their late March agreement with the union .
Instead of prorated salaries , they pushed revenue sharing or sliding salary cuts .
The MLBPA has n't budged off its desire to be paid prorated salaries , especially since they 'll be taking the health risks coming back during the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full fare , but players are still understandably skeptical .
`` ( I 'll ) believe it when I see it , '' Cubs catcher Willson Contreras tweeted Wednesday .
That 's quite a different tone from Monday , when Contreras tweeted : `` What a JOKE . ''
During last week 's draft , Manfred said : `` We 're going to play baseball in 2020 , 100 % . ''
On Monday , Manfred came back with : `` I 'm not confident ( we can play ) .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as there 's no dialogue , that real risk is going to continue .
It 's just a disaster for our game , absolutely no question about it .
It should n't be happening , and it 's important that we find a way to get past it and get the game back on the field for the benefit of our fans . ''
Having a productive meeting with Clark was a huge step in getting baseball back on the field , and a deal could be announced as soon as Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to counter with a longer regular season .
Health protocols and an expanded postseason have been discussed at length , and they need to be formalized , but it finally looks like there will be baseball sooner than later .

Summer forecast: It looks like baseball is coming back
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says he and Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, have agreed upon a "jointly developed framework" to start the season. Associated Press
Baseball is … back?
Not quite, but Wednesday's flow of information finally pointed to the end of weeks of ill will between the owners and players and the beginning of a new deal that should bring Major League Baseball back in late July.
A final agreement has yet to be reached, but MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is feeling confident the two sides are going to come together.
A day after flying to Arizona and meeting face-to-face with MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark, Manfred issued an optimistic statement Wednesday:
"We left (Tuesday's) meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents. I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary (Wednesday).
"Consistent with our conversations (Tuesday), I am encouraging the clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same."
So, what is the "jointly developed framework" Manfred and Clark agreed on?
According to USA Today, owners and the MLBPA are OK with playing a 60-game regular season, starting on July 19.
Players will receive full prorated salaries, which has been a major sticking point between the two sides.
With no fans in the stands to start the season (and likely longer), owners sought to break their late March agreement with the union. Instead of prorated salaries, they pushed revenue sharing or sliding salary cuts.
The MLBPA hasn't budged off its desire to be paid prorated salaries, especially since they'll be taking the health risks coming back during the coronavirus pandemic.
Owners have apparently agreed to pay full fare, but players are still understandably skeptical.
"(I'll) believe it when I see it," Cubs catcher Willson Contreras tweeted Wednesday.
That's quite a different tone from Monday, when Contreras tweeted: "What a JOKE."
During last week's draft, Manfred said: "We're going to play baseball in 2020, 100%."
On Monday, Manfred came back with: "I'm not confident (we can play). I think there's real risk and as long as there's no dialogue, that real risk is going to continue. It's just a disaster for our game, absolutely no question about it. It shouldn't be happening, and it's important that we find a way to get past it and get the game back on the field for the benefit of our fans."
Having a productive meeting with Clark was a huge step in getting baseball back on the field, and a deal could be announced as soon as Friday.
Before that happens, the union is likely to counter with a longer regular season.
Health protocols and an expanded postseason have been discussed at length, and they need to be formalized, but it finally looks like there will be baseball sooner than later.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Chicago Fire homegrowns looking for opportunities to grow

The Chicago Fire went young in a big way this winter , but the timeout MLS teams took for the COVID-19 pandemic could affect those young players the most .
After a layoff of more than three months , the Fire is training as a group again and preparing for the MLS is Back tournament scheduled to begin July 8 in Orlando .
Each MLS team will get at least three games in the tournament , which will count toward the regular-season standings .
Players young and old are working to regain match fitness in preparation for the tournament , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with the first team in a highly competitive environment .
`` I will play the guys who are the best , the guys who are ready , the guys who I think can contribute the most for this club to win games and make points , '' Fire coach Raphael Wicky said during a video conference call Tuesday with the media .
`` And if that is a young player then he will play . ''
In the past several months the Fire signed six teenagers to homegrown contracts : goalkeeper Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Casas ( Addison ) , midfielder Brian Gutierrez ( Bridgeview ) , forward Alex Monis ( Naperville ) , midfielder Allan Rodriguez ( Elkhart , Indiana ) and defender Nicholas Slonina ( Addison ) .
They join fellow teenagers Andre Reynolds II ( Chicago ) , a defender , and Gabriel Slonina ( Addison ) , a goalkeeper , signed a year ago .
Neither player saw first-team time in 2019 .
`` A lot of those academy guys are very young , '' Wicky said .
Mauricio Pineda , a 22-year-old defender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina , also signed a homegrown contract in the off-season .
He started the Fire 's two games before the 2020 season was suspended due to the pandemic , a loss and a draw .
It could help the youngsters get in the game that Wicky will be allowed to use up to five substitutes a game , two more than usual , during the tournament .
But Wicky said he 's not going to use subs just because he can .
`` I 'm not going to give presents .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Fire can bring 28 players to Florida for the tournament , four of them goalkeepers .
Wicky did not specify which players he would bring .
`` Some of the guys will come to Orlando .
Some of the guys wo n't come to Orlando , '' Wicky said .
Ordinarily some of the youngsters might be sent to a USL club to train and earn game time at a lower professional level , but that might be more difficult to bring about as leagues attempt to resume play .

Chicago Fire homegrowns looking for opportunities to grow
The Chicago Fire's most recent homegrown signings are all teenagers. From left, Javier Casas of Addison, Allan Rodriguez of Elkhart, Ind., Chris Brady and Alex Monis of Naperville, and Brian Gutierrez of Bridgeview. Courtesy of Chicago Fire FC
The Chicago Fire went young in a big way this winter, but the timeout MLS teams took for the COVID-19 pandemic could affect those young players the most.
After a layoff of more than three months, the Fire is training as a group again and preparing for the MLS is Back tournament scheduled to begin July 8 in Orlando. Each MLS team will get at least three games in the tournament, which will count toward the regular-season standings.
Players young and old are working to regain match fitness in preparation for the tournament, but the young players lost valuable time working with the first team in a highly competitive environment.
"I will play the guys who are the best, the guys who are ready, the guys who I think can contribute the most for this club to win games and make points," Fire coach Raphael Wicky said during a video conference call Tuesday with the media. "And if that is a young player then he will play."
In the past several months the Fire signed six teenagers to homegrown contracts: goalkeeper Chris Brady (Naperville), midfielder Javier Casas (Addison), midfielder Brian Gutierrez (Bridgeview), forward Alex Monis (Naperville), midfielder Allan Rodriguez (Elkhart, Indiana) and defender Nicholas Slonina (Addison).
They join fellow teenagers Andre Reynolds II (Chicago), a defender, and Gabriel Slonina (Addison), a goalkeeper, signed a year ago. Neither player saw first-team time in 2019.
"A lot of those academy guys are very young," Wicky said.
Mauricio Pineda, a 22-year-old defender from Bolingbrook via the University of North Carolina, also signed a homegrown contract in the off-season. He started the Fire's two games before the 2020 season was suspended due to the pandemic, a loss and a draw.
It could help the youngsters get in the game that Wicky will be allowed to use up to five substitutes a game, two more than usual, during the tournament. But Wicky said he's not going to use subs just because he can.
"I'm not going to give presents. That's not my job," Wicky said.
The Fire can bring 28 players to Florida for the tournament, four of them goalkeepers. Wicky did not specify which players he would bring.
"Some of the guys will come to Orlando. Some of the guys won't come to Orlando," Wicky said.
Ordinarily some of the youngsters might be sent to a USL club to train and earn game time at a lower professional level, but that might be more difficult to bring about as leagues attempt to resume play.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-18--Former COD chairwoman balks at turning over secretly taped conversations in Breuder case

Former College of DuPage board Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton is trying to prevent conversations she surreptitiously recorded from being entered as evidence in a wrongful termination lawsuit brought by former COD President Robert Breuder .
An attorney for Hamilton this week filed a motion seeking a protective order to stop the taped conversations from being turned over to Breuder , who has requested them as part of his legal action .
The motion says disclosing the recordings would expose Hamilton to criminal and civil liability .
Recording a conversation without the consent of the others in it generally is against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the secret recordings comes more than four years after Breuder claimed in a federal lawsuit that he was wrongfully fired .
Breuder filed his lawsuit in October 2015 , one day after being fired .
The suit names the board , Hamilton and three current and former members -- Deanne Mazzochi , Frank Napolitano and Charles Bernstein .
Hamilton , Mazzochi , Napolitano and Bernstein voted on Oct. 20 , 2015 , to fire Breuder roughly five months before he was scheduled to step down with a $ 763,000 severance package .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the help of the other trustees , ran a `` malicious and wrongful scheme '' that `` tarnished '' his professional reputation while trampling on his contractual and constitutional rights .
The lawsuit also claims the defendants decided to terminate Breuder `` long before October 20 , 2015 , based solely on their personal interests and political agendas . ''
The lawsuit is still in the discovery phase .
Hamilton 's motion for the protective order was filed Tuesday .
Three other motions and two documents also were filed Tuesday and were sealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request , she `` without consent , secretly recorded conversations between herself and co-defendants , Mazzochi , Napolitano , Bernstein and non-parties . ''
It says she made the recordings `` because of her dyslexia . ''
Her lawyers argue that production of the recordings would violate state law and cause Hamilton `` prejudice and harm . ''
`` Not only is it a violation of the Illinois Eavesdropping Act to have recorded the conversations but it is also a crime to produce them , exposing Katharine Hamilton to criminal prosecution and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because disclosing the recordings would expose Hamilton to potential criminal charges , the motion says she has a Fifth Amendment right to refuse to produce them .
`` Defendant Katharine Hamilton 's motion for protective order should be granted regarding the production of the recordings because said production exposes her to criminal and civil liability and she is protected by the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States , '' her lawyers wrote .
On Wednesday , Hamilton 's attorneys sought to have the motion for the protective order sealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted the request .
The original motion said it was `` filed under seal pursuant to March 11 , 2020 order , '' but it was publicly available when the Daily Herald obtained it Wednesday morning .
Attorney Aldo Botti , who represents Hamilton , said he could not comment on the document , which he says was mistakenly made available .
An attorney for Breuder did n't immediately respond to an email from the Daily Herald .
Frank Napolitano , the current chairman of the COD board , and Deanne Mazzochi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
In the meantime , it 's unclear when the trial will begin .
During his time at COD , Breuder oversaw a $ 550 million transformation of its Glen Ellyn campus .
But his tenure also was filled with discord , including a 2014 `` no confidence '' vote by faculty members .
That faculty vote was among several factors that prompted trustees to seek a change in school leadership .
In his lawsuit , Breuder claims he was denied due process .
He alleges that a board-approved investigation into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` witch-hunt '' that resulted in no evidence of wrongdoing .
Mazzochi , Napolitano , Bernstein and the board have denied those allegations .
The board 's vote to fire Breuder voided the school 's $ 763,000 severance package with him -- a package approved by a previous board and staunchly opposed by Hamilton and her allies .

Former COD chairwoman balks at turning over secretly taped conversations in Breuder case
Former College of DuPage President Robert Breuder's lawsuit against two current and two former members school trustees remains unresolved after more than four years. Daily Herald file photo
Former College of DuPage President Robert Breuder wants copies of taped conversations turned over as evidence in a federal lawsuit he filed claiming he was wrongfully terminated in October 2015. Daily Herald file photo
Former College of DuPage board Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton is seeking a protective order to stop surreptitiously taped conversations from being used as evidence in a wrongful-termination lawsuit filed by former COD President Robert Breuder. Daily Herald file photo
Former College of DuPage board Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton is trying to prevent conversations she surreptitiously recorded from being entered as evidence in a wrongful termination lawsuit brought by former COD President Robert Breuder.
An attorney for Hamilton this week filed a motion seeking a protective order to stop the taped conversations from being turned over to Breuder, who has requested them as part of his legal action. The motion says disclosing the recordings would expose Hamilton to criminal and civil liability.
Recording a conversation without the consent of the others in it generally is against the law in Illinois.
The legal fight over the secret recordings comes more than four years after Breuder claimed in a federal lawsuit that he was wrongfully fired.
Breuder filed his lawsuit in October 2015, one day after being fired. The suit names the board, Hamilton and three current and former members -- Deanne Mazzochi, Frank Napolitano and Charles Bernstein.
Hamilton, Mazzochi, Napolitano and Bernstein voted on Oct. 20, 2015, to fire Breuder roughly five months before he was scheduled to step down with a $763,000 severance package.
Breuder's lawsuit claims Hamilton, with the help of the other trustees, ran a "malicious and wrongful scheme" that "tarnished" his professional reputation while trampling on his contractual and constitutional rights.
The lawsuit also claims the defendants decided to terminate Breuder "long before October 20, 2015, based solely on their personal interests and political agendas."
The lawsuit is still in the discovery phase.
Hamilton's motion for the protective order was filed Tuesday. Three other motions and two documents also were filed Tuesday and were sealed.
According to Hamilton's protective order request, she "without consent, secretly recorded conversations between herself and co-defendants, Mazzochi, Napolitano, Bernstein and non-parties." It says she made the recordings "because of her dyslexia."
Her lawyers argue that production of the recordings would violate state law and cause Hamilton "prejudice and harm."
"Not only is it a violation of the Illinois Eavesdropping Act to have recorded the conversations but it is also a crime to produce them, exposing Katharine Hamilton to criminal prosecution and also civil action," the motion reads.
Because disclosing the recordings would expose Hamilton to potential criminal charges, the motion says she has a Fifth Amendment right to refuse to produce them.
"Defendant Katharine Hamilton's motion for protective order should be granted regarding the production of the recordings because said production exposes her to criminal and civil liability and she is protected by the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States," her lawyers wrote.
On Wednesday, Hamilton's attorneys sought to have the motion for the protective order sealed from public view, and a judge granted the request.
The original motion said it was "filed under seal pursuant to March 11, 2020 order," but it was publicly available when the Daily Herald obtained it Wednesday morning.
Attorney Aldo Botti, who represents Hamilton, said he could not comment on the document, which he says was mistakenly made available.
An attorney for Breuder didn't immediately respond to an email from the Daily Herald.
Frank Napolitano, the current chairman of the COD board, and Deanne Mazzochi, now a state representative, declined to comment.
In the meantime, it's unclear when the trial will begin.
During his time at COD, Breuder oversaw a $550 million transformation of its Glen Ellyn campus. But his tenure also was filled with discord, including a 2014 "no confidence" vote by faculty members. That faculty vote was among several factors that prompted trustees to seek a change in school leadership.
In his lawsuit, Breuder claims he was denied due process. He alleges that a board-approved investigation into his activities during his tenure as president was a "witch-hunt" that resulted in no evidence of wrongdoing.
Mazzochi, Napolitano, Bernstein and the board have denied those allegations.
The board's vote to fire Breuder voided the school's $763,000 severance package with him -- a package approved by a previous board and staunchly opposed by Hamilton and her allies.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-18--'It's been a labor of love': After 36 years at its helm, barber closing Winfield institution

Robin Morrissey knows the tears are coming .
She 's just not sure when .
After 36 years as the owner of Sportsmans Barber Shop in Winfield , she and her husband , Dave , have decided to sell their property to the village for its Town Center development .
Morrissey , 64 , says the timing is perfect for her to settle into retirement , but she also knows it wo n't be easy saying goodbye to the stream of regular customers scheduling appointments before the iconic establishment closes for good at the end of the month .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , '' she said with a laugh .
`` But I have a feeling as we get closer , there will be some .
I hope no one makes fun of me for being a crybaby . ''
Morrissey accepted an offer in March to sell the property to the village .
Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and she was forced to close Sportsmans until Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan took effect in late May .
She ended up enjoying the brief taste of retirement and announced plans to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving her and her clients a month to exchange farewells .
`` We 're a big part of the community , '' Morrissey said .
`` It 's amazing how wonderful everyone has been . ''
Morrissey entered barber school at about the same time she married Dave , her West Chicago High School sweetheart , 45 years ago .
Dave was a client at Sportsmans Barber Shop and the previous owner encouraged Morrissey to pursue cutting hair as a career .
She worked at Sportsmans , which had been open for about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years before buying it .
She eventually gathered a staff of all women who were former barber school classmates , and some have remained with her for decades .
It 's the stability , the friendliness and , of course , the great haircuts that kept customers coming back .
`` It 's a Winfield institution , '' said John Salat , a client for about 25 years , who also brought his two sons in for haircuts as they grew up .
`` An old-fashioned , classic barbershop , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of place where you always see neighbors or friends and can catch up with them and their families . ''
Clearing out decades ' worth of memorabilia spread throughout the shop might sound difficult , but customers have helped out .
They 've grown attached to the items , even the animal heads mounted on the walls .
After collecting the heads through the years -- some from disgruntled spouses wanting them gone from living rooms and basements -- Morrissey is finding them new homes with sentimental customers .
Everyone , it seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a reminder of a wonderful era .
`` When I took over people were asking me if I was going to change the name and put up frilly curtains or anything , and I told them no , '' Morrissey said .
`` Why mess with something that works ?
Everyone seems to enjoy it . ''
Morrissey wo n't completely give up cutting hair .
She 'll continue to take care of her elderly clients who have trouble leaving their homes .
It 's the younger ones who will be disappointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the shop for the first time and loved his haircut .
Morrissey saw the disappointment in his eyes when she said they were closing for good .
It 's time , she told him .
`` It does n't feel like it 's been 40 years because it 's been so much fun , '' she said .
`` It 's been a labor of love . ''

'It's been a labor of love': After 36 years at its helm, barber closing Winfield institution
Robin Morrissey knows the tears are coming. She's just not sure when.
After 36 years as the owner of Sportsmans Barber Shop in Winfield, she and her husband, Dave, have decided to sell their property to the village for its Town Center development.
Morrissey, 64, says the timing is perfect for her to settle into retirement, but she also knows it won't be easy saying goodbye to the stream of regular customers scheduling appointments before the iconic establishment closes for good at the end of the month.
"I haven't started with the waterworks yet," she said with a laugh. "But I have a feeling as we get closer, there will be some. I hope no one makes fun of me for being a crybaby."
Morrissey accepted an offer in March to sell the property to the village. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and she was forced to close Sportsmans until Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan took effect in late May.
She ended up enjoying the brief taste of retirement and announced plans to close at the same time she reopened, giving her and her clients a month to exchange farewells.
"We're a big part of the community," Morrissey said. "It's amazing how wonderful everyone has been."
Morrissey entered barber school at about the same time she married Dave, her West Chicago High School sweetheart, 45 years ago. Dave was a client at Sportsmans Barber Shop and the previous owner encouraged Morrissey to pursue cutting hair as a career.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Robin Morrissey, left, is closing Winfield's Sportsmans Barber Shop after working there for about four decades, including the last 36 years as its owner. Vicki Schwarz, right, has worked there for 28 years.
She worked at Sportsmans, which had been open for about 10 years before she arrived, for four years before buying it. She eventually gathered a staff of all women who were former barber school classmates, and some have remained with her for decades.
It's the stability, the friendliness and, of course, the great haircuts that kept customers coming back.
"It's a Winfield institution," said John Salat, a client for about 25 years, who also brought his two sons in for haircuts as they grew up.
"An old-fashioned, classic barbershop," he said. "It's the kind of place where you always see neighbors or friends and can catch up with them and their families."
Clearing out decades' worth of memorabilia spread throughout the shop might sound difficult, but customers have helped out. They've grown attached to the items, even the animal heads mounted on the walls.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Robin Peterson cuts longtime customer Rod Equi's hair Wednesday at Sportsmans Barber Shop in Winfield. Equi said he's been getting his hair cut there for "15 to 20 years." Peterson has worked there for 23 years. "I'm the rookie," she said.
After collecting the heads through the years -- some from disgruntled spouses wanting them gone from living rooms and basements -- Morrissey is finding them new homes with sentimental customers.
Everyone, it seems, wants a piece of the place as a reminder of a wonderful era.
"When I took over people were asking me if I was going to change the name and put up frilly curtains or anything, and I told them no," Morrissey said. "Why mess with something that works? Everyone seems to enjoy it."
Morrissey won't completely give up cutting hair. She'll continue to take care of her elderly clients who have trouble leaving their homes.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Robin Morrissey jokes with employees Vicki Schwarz, left, and Robin Peterson at Sportsmans Barber Shop in Winfield Wednesday.
It's the younger ones who will be disappointed.
Just last week a teenager came into the shop for the first time and loved his haircut. Morrissey saw the disappointment in his eyes when she said they were closing for good.
It's time, she told him.
"It doesn't feel like it's been 40 years because it's been so much fun," she said. "It's been a labor of love."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Glenview Herald and Northbrook Herald debut today

At a time when news organizations everywhere are dealing with drastic cutbacks , Daily Herald Media Group has launched two @ @ @ @ @ employee-owned company started delivery of the Glenview Herald and the Northbrook Herald today .
The @ @ @ @ @ just east of the Daily Herald 's established circulation area .
The tabloid-size publications will @ @ @ @ @ .
The move fills a void created in March by the demise of 22nd Century @ @ @ @ @ Glenview Lantern and the Northbrook Tower among its 14 community newspapers .
Northbrook resident Gail @ @ @ @ @ sales for 22nd Century Media 's Glenview and Northbrook papers , will handle retail advertising @ @ @ @ @ will be provided by three current Daily Herald staffers , with Melynda Findlay-Shamie serving as @ @ @ @ @ and David Oberhelman serving as reporter/photographers .

Glenview Herald and Northbrook Herald debut today
These are the first front pages of the Glenbrook Herald and the Northbrook Herald, which debuted June 18.
At a time when news organizations everywhere are dealing with drastic cutbacks, Daily Herald Media Group has launched two new weekly publications.
The employee-owned company started delivery of the Glenview Herald and the Northbrook Herald today.
The two North suburban communities are just east of the Daily Herald's established circulation area. The tabloid-size publications will be delivered free to residents.
The move fills a void created in March by the demise of 22nd Century Media, which published the Glenview Lantern and the Northbrook Tower among its 14 community newspapers.
Northbrook resident Gail Eisenberg, former director of sales for 22nd Century Media's Glenview and Northbrook papers, will handle retail advertising sales, while editorial content will be provided by three current Daily Herald staffers, with Melynda Findlay-Shamie serving as editor, and Joe Lewnard and David Oberhelman serving as reporter/photographers.