dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Lincolnshire-Riverwoods fire district trustee works to secure COVID-19 supplies

Curtis Perlman has dedicated himself in recent weeks to connecting first responders and medical personnel fighting coronavirus with masks , sanitizer and other protective supplies .
And in the process , he has become a sought-after source for local fire and police chiefs .
Perlman is a trustee on the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District board and said his initial interest in acquiring supplies for his district quickly expanded .
`` These people are risking their lives to keep us safe , '' Perlman said .
`` I have no experience doing this , I 'm just a trustee who saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us and decided I needed to help . ''
Perlman , of Riverwoods , leased a pickup truck last month just for deliveries of supplies and sometimes food and has already put about 4,000 miles on it .
`` This has been a seven-day-a-week , 12-hours-a-day thing , '' Perlman said .
Perlman owns The Property Tax Dept .
LLC , a company that helps clients appeal assessments to lower their property taxes , and said his employees are basically running the company for now .
From his early successes connecting his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perlman said word got out .
`` I started getting calls from other chiefs saying , 'Hey , we heard you know where to get supplies , ' '' Perlman said .
Most supplies come from charities and businesses that are looking to donate them and need help with distribution .
Perlman said he has worked closely with four local sanitizer-producing distilleries as well as traditional medical supply companies such as ADI Medical in Waukegan .
He said he has made most connections through word-of-mouth , but he 's also spent hours scouring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell supplies .
`` It 's been like the Wild West , '' Perlman said of the online supply market .
`` I 've found more fakes than real stuff , chasing leads that do n't lead anywhere and watching prices skyrocket . ''
Perlman has found others on Facebook looking to help .
Lawrence LaVine started a Facebook group called Buffalo Grove Helping Buffalo Grove where members try to connect neighbors with supplies and groceries during the pandemic .
LaVine said Perlman has shared what he 's learned .
`` I keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get this item ? '
and he tells me , '' LaVine said .
As it happens , the two men were childhood friends who grew up a block apart in Buffalo Grove and had fallen out of touch before reconnecting over their efforts to help .
Perlman 's work has earned him praise from officials across the suburbs including Riverwoods Police Chief Bruce Dayno , who sent Perlman a letter thanking him for securing hard-to-acquire masks and hand sanitizer .
He has even ventured across state lines , helping secure masks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is saddened that such a need for supplies exists but is glad to give back .
`` Sometimes , '' he said , `` I feel a little like Santa Claus . ''

Lincolnshire-Riverwoods fire district trustee works to secure COVID-19 supplies
Curtis Perlman stands next to his truck, loaded with food and supplies. Perlman, a Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District trustee, has put nearly 4,000 miles on the truck delivering equipment to first responders and medical personnel. Courtesy of Curtis Perlman
Curtis Perlman stands next to his truck, loaded with supplies. Perlman, a Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District trustee, has put nearly 4,000 miles on the truck delivering equipment to first responders and medical personnel. Courtesy of Curtis Perlman
Curtis Perlman has dedicated himself in recent weeks to connecting first responders and medical personnel fighting coronavirus with masks, sanitizer and other protective supplies. And in the process, he has become a sought-after source for local fire and police chiefs.
Perlman is a trustee on the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District board and said his initial interest in acquiring supplies for his district quickly expanded.
"These people are risking their lives to keep us safe," Perlman said. "I have no experience doing this, I'm just a trustee who saw our firefighters and paramedics busting a hump for us and decided I needed to help."
Perlman, of Riverwoods, leased a pickup truck last month just for deliveries of supplies and sometimes food and has already put about 4,000 miles on it.
"This has been a seven-day-a-week, 12-hours-a-day thing," Perlman said.
Perlman owns The Property Tax Dept. LLC, a company that helps clients appeal assessments to lower their property taxes, and said his employees are basically running the company for now.
From his early successes connecting his department and others nearby with supplies, Perlman said word got out.
"I started getting calls from other chiefs saying, 'Hey, we heard you know where to get supplies,'" Perlman said.
Most supplies come from charities and businesses that are looking to donate them and need help with distribution. Perlman said he has worked closely with four local sanitizer-producing distilleries as well as traditional medical supply companies such as ADI Medical in Waukegan.
He said he has made most connections through word-of-mouth, but he's also spent hours scouring Facebook for people looking to donate or sell supplies.
"It's been like the Wild West," Perlman said of the online supply market. "I've found more fakes than real stuff, chasing leads that don't lead anywhere and watching prices skyrocket."
Perlman has found others on Facebook looking to help. Lawrence LaVine started a Facebook group called Buffalo Grove Helping Buffalo Grove where members try to connect neighbors with supplies and groceries during the pandemic. LaVine said Perlman has shared what he's learned.
"I keep saying to him, 'how did you get this item?' and he tells me," LaVine said.
As it happens, the two men were childhood friends who grew up a block apart in Buffalo Grove and had fallen out of touch before reconnecting over their efforts to help.
Perlman's work has earned him praise from officials across the suburbs including Riverwoods Police Chief Bruce Dayno, who sent Perlman a letter thanking him for securing hard-to-acquire masks and hand sanitizer. He has even ventured across state lines, helping secure masks for a Wisconsin police department.
Perlman said he is saddened that such a need for supplies exists but is glad to give back.
"Sometimes," he said, "I feel a little like Santa Claus."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Why March was the worst month to lose video gambling revenue

Susan Remein was expecting a big payout from the six video gambling machines inside Coach 's Corner sports bar in Elk Grove Village last month .
`` When you first start out with these , you 're in the hole because they 're taking up table space you would 've had to serve people , '' Remein said .
`` It took about three years for them to break even and I 'd say they 're now about 25 % of our revenue . ''
With St. Patrick 's Day revelers and NCAA March Madness basketball tournament watchers packed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest-earning month for almost every business in Illinois that has gambling terminals .
Not this March .
Not after the coronavirus outbreak closed restaurants and bars to dine-in customers and the Illinois Gaming Board shut down gambling of all kinds the day before St. Patrick 's Day .
Remein 's business alone received $ 3,300 less this March than it took in for the same month a year ago , a 33 % decline .
Statewide , revenues from video gambling were off a collective $ 70 million in March from the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same month last year .
Businesses and the machine operators split 67 % of a machine 's profits .
The state takes 28 % of the profits as a tax while local governments get the remaining 5 % , according to state law .
Counties and towns across the state that allow video gambling made a combined $ 7.9 million in March 2019 from the machines .
In the 16 days of operation last month , the machines only generated $ 4.4 million for local governments .
Lake County received nearly $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and February 2020 .
The county received $ 30,000 less this March than it did for the same month a year ago .
But it 's not the county 's coffers that will be affected by the lost revenue .
`` All the proceeds , except a small administration fee , go to a grant program distributed throughout Lake County primarily focusing on gambling addiction through nonprofits , '' said Gary Gibson , county administrator .
`` These months we 're losing are busier months , so they 're going to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually be able to distribute . ''
Lake County is in the top 20 among local governments receiving the most tax income from video gambling in the state , but it pales in comparison to place like Springfield and Rockford .
Each of those cities received more than $ 1.7 million from video gambling taxes between March 2019 and this February , according to the state gaming board 's records .
Elk Grove Village uses most of its funds -- roughly $ 450,000 annually -- to cover costs of the village 's festivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which are undecided for this year .
The village is on the hook for $ 480,000 to bands it booked for the summer concerts .
If the village cancels the program , it loses that money .
`` We have insurance that covers us in case of weather , but it does n't cover a pandemic , '' said Mayor Craig Johnson .
`` I 'm in insurance and I can count on zero fingers the number of pandemic insurance policies I 've sold . ''
The state , which made $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 2019 , collected just $ 24.7 million last month .
It had been expecting March to be the biggest month ever for video gambling revenue .
That 's because last July , the state allowed businesses to add a sixth machine , a 5,000 machine increase statewide .
Also , the state started taking 3 % more of each machine 's profits .
With COVID-19 , the anticipated record-breaking revenue did not materialize .
`` You do n't have to be an epidemiologist to see the virus is going to hit our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being visited upon every state , '' Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said on Wednesday when he announced state finance officials expect the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus will result in a state budget shortfall of $ 2.7 billion this fiscal year and another $ 4.6 billion next year .
`` Every state budget is dependent on taxes on income , sales and other sources such as lotteries and gaming for a substantial portion of their state budget , '' Pritzker said .
`` In every state the coronavirus pandemic has substantially disrupted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's video gambling revenue is earmarked for its Capital Projects Fund .
The governor 's office did not respond to requests for comment about the status of projects planned in anticipation of that revenue .
As bad as March video gambling figures were for the state , April is going to be much worse .
The machines will have been completely out of service for the entire month .
That means an expected loss to the state of close to $ 40 million .
Local governments can expect a combined loss of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand to lose roughly $ 50 million combined .
`` It 's an act of God , what are you going to do ? ''
pondered William Bowes , owner of Jake Moran 's in Mundelein .
`` You ca n't cry over spilled milk .
We do n't have carryout or delivery , so we 're just doing a lot of cleaning and waiting for the opening day . ''
Bowes made more than $ 100,000 from video gambling machines at Jake Moran 's in the 12 months before March 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's roughly 60 % of the business 's annual income .

Why March was the worst month to lose video gambling revenue
Susan Remein was expecting a big payout from the six video gambling machines inside Coach's Corner sports bar in Elk Grove Village last month.
"When you first start out with these, you're in the hole because they're taking up table space you would've had to serve people," Remein said. "It took about three years for them to break even and I'd say they're now about 25% of our revenue."
With St. Patrick's Day revelers and NCAA March Madness basketball tournament watchers packed into the bar, March is always the highest-earning month for almost every business in Illinois that has gambling terminals.
Not this March. Not after the coronavirus outbreak closed restaurants and bars to dine-in customers and the Illinois Gaming Board shut down gambling of all kinds the day before St. Patrick's Day.
Remein's business alone received $3,300 less this March than it took in for the same month a year ago, a 33% decline. Statewide, revenues from video gambling were off a collective $70 million in March from the previous year, a 44% reduction from the same month last year.
Businesses and the machine operators split 67% of a machine's profits. The state takes 28% of the profits as a tax while local governments get the remaining 5%, according to state law.
Counties and towns across the state that allow video gambling made a combined $7.9 million in March 2019 from the machines. In the 16 days of operation last month, the machines only generated $4.4 million for local governments.
Lake County received nearly $750,000 from video gambling between March 2019 and February 2020. The county received $30,000 less this March than it did for the same month a year ago. But it's not the county's coffers that will be affected by the lost revenue.
"All the proceeds, except a small administration fee, go to a grant program distributed throughout Lake County primarily focusing on gambling addiction through nonprofits," said Gary Gibson, county administrator. "These months we're losing are busier months, so they're going to have a bigger effect on the allocation we will eventually be able to distribute."
Lake County is in the top 20 among local governments receiving the most tax income from video gambling in the state, but it pales in comparison to place like Springfield and Rockford. Each of those cities received more than $1.7 million from video gambling taxes between March 2019 and this February, according to the state gaming board's records.
Elk Grove Village uses most of its funds -- roughly $450,000 annually -- to cover costs of the village's festivals and summer concert series, the fate of which are undecided for this year. The village is on the hook for $480,000 to bands it booked for the summer concerts. If the village cancels the program, it loses that money.
"We have insurance that covers us in case of weather, but it doesn't cover a pandemic," said Mayor Craig Johnson. "I'm in insurance and I can count on zero fingers the number of pandemic insurance policies I've sold."
The state, which made $39.7 million from video gambling taxes in March 2019, collected just $24.7 million last month.
It had been expecting March to be the biggest month ever for video gambling revenue. That's because last July, the state allowed businesses to add a sixth machine, a 5,000 machine increase statewide. Also, the state started taking 3% more of each machine's profits.
With COVID-19, the anticipated record-breaking revenue did not materialize.
"You don't have to be an epidemiologist to see the virus is going to hit our budget hard, a reality that is being visited upon every state," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on Wednesday when he announced state finance officials expect the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus will result in a state budget shortfall of $2.7 billion this fiscal year and another $4.6 billion next year.
"Every state budget is dependent on taxes on income, sales and other sources such as lotteries and gaming for a substantial portion of their state budget," Pritzker said. "In every state the coronavirus pandemic has substantially disrupted those revenue sources."
The state's video gambling revenue is earmarked for its Capital Projects Fund. The governor's office did not respond to requests for comment about the status of projects planned in anticipation of that revenue.
As bad as March video gambling figures were for the state, April is going to be much worse. The machines will have been completely out of service for the entire month. That means an expected loss to the state of close to $40 million. Local governments can expect a combined loss of more than $7.5 million and the businesses stand to lose roughly $50 million combined.
"It's an act of God, what are you going to do?" pondered William Bowes, owner of Jake Moran's in Mundelein. "You can't cry over spilled milk. We don't have carryout or delivery, so we're just doing a lot of cleaning and waiting for the opening day."
Bowes made more than $100,000 from video gambling machines at Jake Moran's in the 12 months before March 2020, according to state records. He said that's roughly 60% of the business's annual income.
Got a tip?
Contact Jake at jgriffin@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4602.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--April 19 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code

Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below .
• As of Sunday , suburban Cook County had 8,739 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 385 deaths , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 12,533 cases and 492 fatalities .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health on Sunday listed 423 cases in Des Plaines , 207 in Glenview , 129 in Mount Prospect , 105 in Park Ridge , 108 in Wheeling , 104 in Palatine , 93 in Schaumburg , 93 in Arlington Heights , 65 in Hoffman Estates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36 in Elgin ( Cook County portion ) , 37 in Rolling Meadows , 36 in Prospect Heights and 30 in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) • The DuPage County Health Department reports 1,693 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 87 deaths on its coronavirus website Saturday .
• Cases in some DuPage County towns include : 132 in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) , 115 in Addison , 113 in Bensenville , 89 in Lombard , 84 in Elmhurst , 81 in Glendale Heights , 76 in Willowbrook , 71 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove , 54 in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 35 in Glen Ellyn and 33 in Lisle .
• The Lake County Health Department lists 2,166 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 71 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Sunday .
• Cases in some Lake County towns include : 595 to 599 in Waukegan , 80 to 84 in Gurnee , 75 to 79 in Round Lake , 70 to 74 in Mundelein , 45 to 49 in Libertyville , 40 to 44 in Vernon Hills , 35 to 39 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion ) and Wauconda , 35 to 39 in Grayslake and 30 to 34 in both Lake Zurich and Lake Villa .
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 607 cases of COVID-19 with 30 deaths on its website Sunday at kanehealth.com .
• Cases in some Kane County towns as of Sunday include : 221 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 130 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 48 in St. Charles , 40 in Carpentersville , 23 in South Elgin , 17 in Batavia , 17 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 in Gilberts and 9 in Sugar Grove .
• There are 348 cases of COVID-19 and 16 deaths in McHenry County according to the health department 's website on Saturday .
• There have been 1,603 cases of COVID-19 and 94 deaths , according to the Will County Health Department 's website .
• Cases per town include 116 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) , and 12 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

April 19 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website, shown here at the end of March, that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Interactive map
Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below.
Cook County
• As of Sunday, suburban Cook County had 8,739 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 385 deaths, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 12,533 cases and 492 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health on Sunday listed 423 cases in Des Plaines, 207 in Glenview, 129 in Mount Prospect, 105 in Park Ridge, 108 in Wheeling, 104 in Palatine, 93 in Schaumburg, 93 in Arlington Heights, 65 in Hoffman Estates, 59 in Elk Grove Village, 36 in Elgin (Cook County portion), 37 in Rolling Meadows, 36 in Prospect Heights and 30 in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion)
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 1,693 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 87 deaths on its coronavirus website Saturday.
• Cases in some DuPage County towns include: 132 in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 115 in Addison, 113 in Bensenville, 89 in Lombard, 84 in Elmhurst, 81 in Glendale Heights, 76 in Willowbrook, 71 in West Chicago, 60 in Downers Grove, 54 in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 35 in Glen Ellyn and 33 in Lisle.
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department lists 2,166 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 71 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Sunday.
• Cases in some Lake County towns include: 595 to 599 in Waukegan, 80 to 84 in Gurnee, 75 to 79 in Round Lake, 70 to 74 in Mundelein, 45 to 49 in Libertyville, 40 to 44 in Vernon Hills, 35 to 39 in both Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion) and Wauconda, 35 to 39 in Grayslake and 30 to 34 in both Lake Zurich and Lake Villa.
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 607 cases of COVID-19 with 30 deaths on its website Sunday at kanehealth.com.
• Cases in some Kane County towns as of Sunday include: 221 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 130 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 48 in St. Charles, 40 in Carpentersville, 23 in South Elgin, 17 in Batavia, 17 in Geneva, 16 in North Aurora, 12 in Gilberts and 9 in Sugar Grove.
McHenry County
• There are 348 cases of COVID-19 and 16 deaths in McHenry County according to the health department's website on Saturday.
Will County
• There have been 1,603 cases of COVID-19 and 94 deaths, according to the Will County Health Department's website.
• Cases per town include 116 in Naperville (Will County portion), and 12 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Feder: Headline Club offers $500 grants to struggling journalists

The Chicago Headline Club Foundation , philanthropic arm of the Chicago Headline Club , has announced it is offering grants @ @ @ @ @ for at least 100 Chicago-area journalists who are laid off , unemployed or underemployed during @ @ @ @ @ Feder writes .
Students and new college graduates are not eligible for the program .
@ @ @ @ @ needed to do something direct and immediate to help our local community , '' said @ @ @ @ @ of the organization .
`` This is unprecedented for us , during an unprecedented time @ @ @ @ @ report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Headline Club offers $500 grants to struggling journalists
The Chicago Headline Club Foundation, philanthropic arm of the Chicago Headline Club, has announced it is offering grants of up to $500 for at least 100 Chicago-area journalists who are laid off, unemployed or underemployed during the coronavirus shutdown, Robert Feder writes.
Students and new college graduates are not eligible for the program. "We felt like we needed to do something direct and immediate to help our local community," said Robert K. Elder, president of the organization. "This is unprecedented for us, during an unprecedented time."
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--A song to make you smile: 'Mama Said' by the Shirelles

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 .
@ @ @ @ @ Mama Said '' by the Shirelles , released in 1961 .

A song to make you smile: 'Mama Said' by the Shirelles
The Shirelles perform during their New Jersey Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Newark in 2011. Associated Press
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 "Mama Said" by the Shirelles, released in 1961.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--Elk Grove Village could condemn retail building for business park gateway

Elk Grove Village officials have threatened to condemn a retail property at a major gateway to town that they say is holding up their redevelopment of the corridor .
The village board formally authorized acquisition of the corner property at 1700-1706 Oakton St. by eminent domain nearly a year ago .
But since then , village officials have gone back and forth with the property owner in hopes of agreeing to a voluntary sale price .
After four different offers , village officials say they 're now at an impasse .
Last week , village trustees passed a new ordinance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the property owner does n't agree to their most recent offer .
`` My hope is the owner wants to work with us again and resolve this and be done , '' Mayor Craig Johnson said of the owner of the retail strip building that contains EJ Pierogi , All Auto Clinic and Oakton Oil Change .
`` If not , then we 'll let the court decide . ''
The owner did not respond to requests for comment .
Elk Grove Village officials want to acquire the 40,000-square-foot lot on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road so they can tear down the retail building and create a gateway to the area , complete with village signage , landscaping , utility connections and stormwater storage .
Behind the existing building , a $ 25 million redevelopment of the former Elk Grove Hotel site has already begun .
The village bought the site in 2018 for $ 5.6 million and last year agreed to sell parcels back to a developer , who plans to build two hotels and a restaurant there .
First up is construction of a three-story , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , then a restaurant or commercial outlot building , and finally a four-story , 96-room Tru by Hilton hotel .
Across the street , village officials are also eyeing higher-end hospitality uses after buying a Motel 6 there last year for $ 5.3 million .
Johnson sees the corner as a key entryway to the village 's massive 6-square-mile industrial park , which now includes the $ 1 billion , 85-acre Elk Grove Technology Park just down the block .
Meanwhile , the village ordinance authorizing use of eminent domain for acquisition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found to have blighting conditions which impede redevelopment of the property and surrounding properties . ''
`` I 'm the last one who wanted to condemn ... but we 've been more than fair , '' said Johnson , adding that the village 's offers were above appraisals .
`` We 've done everything we could . ''
The possible condemnation was news to Ewa Swigon , who has leased space in the building for her Polish restaurant , EJ Pierogi , since 2013 .
While she said she was aware her landlord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew they did n't come to an agreement , and for months , she did n't hear anything .
`` Last year , he says to me we can stay .
I do n't think about it because I think we can stay forever again , '' said Swigon , who has three years left on her lease .
Johnson said the village would work with the existing businesses to find new locations .

Elk Grove Village could condemn retail building for business park gateway
Elk Grove Village officials have threatened to condemn a retail property at a major gateway to town that they say is holding up their redevelopment of the corridor.
The village board formally authorized acquisition of the corner property at 1700-1706 Oakton St. by eminent domain nearly a year ago. But since then, village officials have gone back and forth with the property owner in hopes of agreeing to a voluntary sale price.
After four different offers, village officials say they're now at an impasse. Last week, village trustees passed a new ordinance directing their attorney to go to court if the property owner doesn't agree to their most recent offer.
"My hope is the owner wants to work with us again and resolve this and be done," Mayor Craig Johnson said of the owner of the retail strip building that contains EJ Pierogi, All Auto Clinic and Oakton Oil Change. "If not, then we'll let the court decide."
The owner did not respond to requests for comment.
Elk Grove Village officials want to acquire the 40,000-square-foot lot on the northwest corner of Oakton Street and Busse Road so they can tear down the retail building and create a gateway to the area, complete with village signage, landscaping, utility connections and stormwater storage.
Behind the existing building, a $25 million redevelopment of the former Elk Grove Hotel site has already begun. The village bought the site in 2018 for $5.6 million and last year agreed to sell parcels back to a developer, who plans to build two hotels and a restaurant there.
First up is construction of a three-story, 105-room Country Inn & Suites starting this year, then a restaurant or commercial outlot building, and finally a four-story, 96-room Tru by Hilton hotel.
Across the street, village officials are also eyeing higher-end hospitality uses after buying a Motel 6 there last year for $5.3 million.
Johnson sees the corner as a key entryway to the village's massive 6-square-mile industrial park, which now includes the $1 billion, 85-acre Elk Grove Technology Park just down the block.
Meanwhile, the village ordinance authorizing use of eminent domain for acquisition states that the current property was "found to have blighting conditions which impede redevelopment of the property and surrounding properties."
"I'm the last one who wanted to condemn ... but we've been more than fair," said Johnson, adding that the village's offers were above appraisals. "We've done everything we could."
The possible condemnation was news to Ewa Swigon, who has leased space in the building for her Polish restaurant, EJ Pierogi, since 2013. While she said she was aware her landlord and the village were negotiating, she knew they didn't come to an agreement, and for months, she didn't hear anything.
"Last year, he says to me we can stay. I don't think about it because I think we can stay forever again," said Swigon, who has three years left on her lease.
Johnson said the village would work with the existing businesses to find new locations.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-19--How 3 high school seniors are making college decisions amid pandemic

Welcome to a new class for incoming college freshmen .
It 's called Pandemic Decision-Making 101 .
Here , find three stories of high school seniors working to choose their educational futures .
Each explains what is factoring into his or her decision despite widespread uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 virus .
DePaul .
Roosevelt .
University of Illinois at Chicago .
Elmhurst .
North Central .
College of DuPage .
Glenbard East High School senior Lahela McClenahan of Lombard has been admitted to these schools and knows she should feel comforted by her options .
But she does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she 's only visited two of the campuses -- not for official tours -- and her plans for tours were shot when the stay-at-home order went into effect .
`` Even though it seems like I have all these opportunities , it 's hard to be able to make a decision on that when I feel like I do n't really have enough information , '' she said .
`` It feels like you 're being pressured to make this choice ... and it 's sort of overwhelming . ''
Even though many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until June 1 , that does little to relieve the pressure , McClenahan said .
Her parents are understanding and have offered to let her take a gap year before college to get `` resituated . ''
She 's considering that , but has mixed feelings about her job prospects , especially amid a market full of layoffs .
`` I 'm taking that job away from somebody else who really needs it , '' she said .
`` I 'm trapped in infinite cycle of I do n't know what to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavrincea of Mount Prospect is weighing his college options of Northwestern University and the University of Notre Dame amid the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Michael Gavrincea Weighing the cultural and communal differences between two strong academic schools is the challenge for Michael Gavrincea of Mount Prospect .
The Prospect High School senior will be the first in his family to attend college in the U.S. after both of his parents emigrated from Romania .
His choices are Northwestern University and the University of Notre Dame .
He plans to study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been to the Northwestern campus in Evanston in passing , but has never seen Notre Dame in South Bend .
He knows football and the Catholic faith are big things at Norte Dame , and while neither are huge factors in his decision , he 's trying to weigh them as he evaluates each environment .
`` I 'm still trying to find out more , '' he said .
Rachel Hale , a senior at Naperville North High School and editor-in-chief of the `` North Star '' newspaper , has decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study journalism .
Rachel Hale Naperville North senior Rachel Hale decided where she 's going : the University of Wisconsin Madison to study journalism .
But her research had to take an online twist since she could n't make return visits to the campuses to help finalize her decision .
So the editor-in-chief of the `` North Star '' newspaper did as a journalist does .
She went to her sources .
Hale said she conducted Zoom video calls with friends on each campus as well as professors in the journalism departments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` A lot of the professors have sympathy for what seniors are going through , '' Hale said .
`` It 's just a weird time not to be able to go back on campus . ''
Hale said she used her Naperville friends as sources , too , bouncing her ideas off them as she wavered between options .
In the end , she decided Wisconsin would be the best fit .
Now she 's chatting with a Wisconsin roommate she found online , planning decorations for their dorm and looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm trying to focus on the positives and the things that I 'm excited for in this time of uncertainty . ''

How 3 high school seniors are making college decisions amid pandemic
Lahela McClenahan of Lombard has been admitted to several Chicago-area colleges and universities, but says it feels like her plans have fallen apart because she can't tour the campuses to help choose where to attend. Courtesy of Lahela McClenahan
Welcome to a new class for incoming college freshmen. It's called Pandemic Decision-Making 101. Here, find three stories of high school seniors working to choose their educational futures. Each explains what is factoring into his or her decision despite widespread uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 virus.
Lahela McClenahan
DePaul. Roosevelt. University of Illinois at Chicago. Elmhurst. North Central. College of DuPage.
Glenbard East High School senior Lahela McClenahan of Lombard has been admitted to these schools and knows she should feel comforted by her options. But she doesn't know what she wants to study, she's only visited two of the campuses -- not for official tours -- and her plans for tours were shot when the stay-at-home order went into effect.
"Even though it seems like I have all these opportunities, it's hard to be able to make a decision on that when I feel like I don't really have enough information," she said. "It feels like you're being pressured to make this choice ... and it's sort of overwhelming."
Even though many schools are pushing back their commitment deadlines until June 1, that does little to relieve the pressure, McClenahan said. Her parents are understanding and have offered to let her take a gap year before college to get "resituated."
She's considering that, but has mixed feelings about her job prospects, especially amid a market full of layoffs.
"I'm taking that job away from somebody else who really needs it," she said. "I'm trapped in infinite cycle of I don't know what to do."
Prospect High School senior Michael Gavrincea of Mount Prospect is weighing his college options of Northwestern University and the University of Notre Dame amid the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. - Courtesy of Michael Gavrincea
Weighing the cultural and communal differences between two strong academic schools is the challenge for Michael Gavrincea of Mount Prospect.
The Prospect High School senior will be the first in his family to attend college in the U.S. after both of his parents emigrated from Romania. His choices are Northwestern University and the University of Notre Dame. He plans to study computer science and physics.
Gavrincea has been to the Northwestern campus in Evanston in passing, but has never seen Notre Dame in South Bend. He knows football and the Catholic faith are big things at Norte Dame, and while neither are huge factors in his decision, he's trying to weigh them as he evaluates each environment.
"I'm still trying to find out more," he said.
Rachel Hale, a senior at Naperville North High School and editor-in-chief of the "North Star" newspaper, has decided to attend the University of Wisconsin Madison to study journalism. - Courtesy of Rachel Hale
Naperville North senior Rachel Hale decided where she's going: the University of Wisconsin Madison to study journalism.
But her research had to take an online twist since she couldn't make return visits to the campuses to help finalize her decision.
So the editor-in-chief of the "North Star" newspaper did as a journalist does. She went to her sources.
Hale said she conducted Zoom video calls with friends on each campus as well as professors in the journalism departments to learn about opportunities within her major.
"A lot of the professors have sympathy for what seniors are going through," Hale said. "It's just a weird time not to be able to go back on campus."
Hale said she used her Naperville friends as sources, too, bouncing her ideas off them as she wavered between options. In the end, she decided Wisconsin would be the best fit. Now she's chatting with a Wisconsin roommate she found online, planning decorations for their dorm and looking for a sense of normalcy.
"I'm trying to focus on the positives and the things that I'm excited for in this time of uncertainty."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Japan's exports sink in March as pandemic hits major markets

TOKYO -- Japan 's exports sank 11.7 % in March as the coronavirus pandemic slammed auto shipments to the U.S. and China , generally its two biggest markets .
The Finance Ministry said Monday that exports to the U.S. fell 16.5 % in March from a year earlier , while those to China declined 8.7 % .
Trade has slowed precipitously recently due to travel restrictions and shutdowns aimed at curbing the outbreak of the coronavirus .
The outlook is grim , with the International Monetary Fund forecasting the world economy is heading into its worst slowdown since the 1930s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imports in March also suffered , sinking 5.0 % , according to the provisional figures that are n't seasonally adjusted .
The economy of China , Japan 's major trading partner , is undergoing its worst contraction , at least since the 1960s , according to Beijing .
Japan 's overall imports in March also suffered , sinking 5.0 % .
Yoshimasa Maruyama , chief economist for SMBC Nikko Securities , lowered his projections for the Japanese economy , saying he expects contracted at a 21 % annual pace in the first quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 % contraction .
A government stay-at-home request issued earlier this month has decimated consumer spending , he said in a report Monday .
The government has requested a stop to non-essential travel and urged many businesses to close nationwide in an effort to stem the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Deaths from the coronavirus total about 250 people in Japan , according to Johns Hopkins University .
But cases have been surging lately , mostly in Tokyo and other urban areas .
The sickness is critical in a minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be infected for days until symptoms appear , or have no symptoms at all .
That has contributed to people unwittingly spreading the virus , for which there is not yet any vaccine or cure .

Japan's exports sink in March as pandemic hits major markets
A face mask wearing commuter walks at a station square Monday, April 20, 2020, in Tokyo. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expanded a state of emergency to all of Japan from just Tokyo and other urban areas as the virus continues to spread. Associated Press
A station passageway is crowded with face mask wearing commuters during a rush hour Monday, April 20, 2020, in Tokyo. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expanded a state of emergency to all of Japan from just Tokyo and other urban areas as the virus continues to spread. Associated Press
This July 8, 2019, photo, shows cars to be exported at Kawasaki port, near of Tokyo. Japan's exports sank 11.7% in March as the coronavirus pandemic slammed auto shipments to the U.S. The Finance Ministry said Monday, April 20, 2020 that exports to the U.S. fell 16.5% in March from a year earlier, while those to China declined 8.7%. Associated Press
TOKYO -- Japan's exports sank 11.7% in March as the coronavirus pandemic slammed auto shipments to the U.S. and China, generally its two biggest markets.
The Finance Ministry said Monday that exports to the U.S. fell 16.5% in March from a year earlier, while those to China declined 8.7%.
Trade has stalled recently due to travel restrictions and shutdowns aimed at curbing the outbreak of the coronavirus. The outlook is grim, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting the world economy is heading into its worst slowdown since the 1930s' Great Depression.
Japan's overall imports in March also suffered, sinking 5.0%, according to the provisional figures that aren't seasonally adjusted.
The economy of China, Japan's major trading partner, is undergoing its worst contraction, at least since the 1960s, according to Beijing.
Yoshimasa Maruyama, chief economist for SMBC Nikko Securities, lowered his projections for the Japanese economy, saying he expects it contracted at a 21% annual pace in the first quarter.
An earlier forecast called for a 14% contraction. But a government stay-at-home request issued earlier this month has decimated consumer spending, Maruyama said in a report Monday.
The government has requested a stop to non-essential travel and urged many businesses to close nationwide in an effort to stem the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Deaths from the coronavirus total about 250 people in Japan, according to Johns Hopkins University. But cases have been surging lately, mostly in Tokyo and other urban areas.
The sickness is critical in a minority of the cases, but people can also be infected for days until symptoms appear, or have no symptoms at all. That has contributed to people unwittingly spreading the virus, for which there is not yet any vaccine or cure.
___
Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--COVID-19 deaths rise by 59; Pritzker suggests eventual reopening by region

The toll of Illinoisans dying from COVID-19 rose by 59 people Monday , a relatively low tally compared to that of recent days , state officials announced , as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker suggested the state might reopen on a `` region-by-region '' basis .
The average number of fatalities from the respiratory disease in the last week was nearly 80 people per day , and total deaths statewide are 1,349 .
Cases of COVID-19 increased by 1,151 over one day , for a total of 31,508 in Illinois since the pandemic began .
Officials believe the state 's caseload @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether to extend or change a stay-at-home order that goes through April 30 .
Schools were closed for in-person attendance for the rest of the year on Friday .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker spoke of using a `` region-by-region '' approach to restarting businesses and allowing people to return to work .
`` There 's a lot of distance between people 's homes in rural areas of Illinois , and so the idea of people going outside and wearing a mask on a property of theirs that might be 100 acres or 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of somebody on the North Side or the West Side of Chicago going out and walking on the sidewalk with hundreds of other people , '' Pritzker said .
Another consideration would be if there 's an area where `` hospital capacity is quite large and very available -- even with the coronavirus -- that might be a place where you could do more , '' Pritzker said .
`` The important thing is we want to keep people safe and have the ability to do as much as possible without spreading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 3,680 patients on April 6 to 4,599 Sunday , officials said .
As hospitals increase intensive care units , 43 % of 2,700 ICU beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients on April 6 compared to 40 % of 3,100 ICU beds Sunday .
Asked about United Food and Commercial Workers International Union estimates that 30 workers have died as a result of COVID-19 , Pritzker said he 's concerned about grocery stores without 6-feet social distancing markers or mask policies .
That `` leads me to think hard about whether we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they go to public places like that . ''
Also Monday , Pritzker said the state is moving to preemptively conduct tests at long-term care facilities that do n't have outbreaks , prioritizing ones `` that are home to populations where COVID-19 infections are more likely to lead to more higher-severity cases , especially those in black and brown populations . ''
Asked about situations where nursing homes are refusing to accept residents who have recovered from COVID-19 , IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike said officials were working on a solution and `` trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are deemed no longer infectious . ''
The number of people tested is inching up as the state partners with health clinics in high-risk areas .
The percentage of Illinoisans tested for COVID-19 stands at nearly 1.2 % Monday compared to less than 1 % Thursday .
Monday 's 1,151 tally of additional cases was lower than the seven-day average of 1,354 .

COVID-19 deaths rise by 59; Pritzker suggests eventual reopening by region
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, with a sign language interpreter, gives his daily briefing in Chicago. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
The toll of Illinoisans dying from COVID-19 rose by 59 people Monday, a relatively low tally compared to that of recent days, state officials announced, as Gov. J.B. Pritzker suggested the state might reopen on a "region-by-region" basis.
The average number of fatalities from the respiratory disease in the last week was nearly 80 people per day, and total deaths statewide are 1,349. Cases of COVID-19 increased by 1,151 over one day, for a total of 31,508 in Illinois since the pandemic began.
Officials believe the state's caseload is leveling off but haven't decided whether to extend or change a stay-at-home order that goes through April 30. Schools were closed for in-person attendance for the rest of the year on Friday.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker spoke of using a "region-by-region" approach to restarting businesses and allowing people to return to work.
"There's a lot of distance between people's homes in rural areas of Illinois, and so the idea of people going outside and wearing a mask on a property of theirs that might be 100 acres or 10 acres is much different from the prospect of somebody on the North Side or the West Side of Chicago going out and walking on the sidewalk with hundreds of other people," Pritzker said.
Another consideration would be if there's an area where "hospital capacity is quite large and very available -- even with the coronavirus -- that might be a place where you could do more," Pritzker said.
"The important thing is we want to keep people safe and have the ability to do as much as possible without spreading the virus."
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 grew from 3,680 patients on April 6 to 4,599 Sunday, officials said.
As hospitals increase intensive care units, 43% of 2,700 ICU beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients on April 6 compared to 40% of 3,100 ICU beds Sunday.
Asked about United Food and Commercial Workers International Union estimates that 30 workers have died as a result of COVID-19, Pritzker said he's concerned about grocery stores without 6-feet social distancing markers or mask policies.
That "leads me to think hard about whether we should require people to wear a mask when they go to public places like that."
Also Monday, Pritzker said the state is moving to preemptively conduct tests at long-term care facilities that don't have outbreaks, prioritizing ones "that are home to populations where COVID-19 infections are more likely to lead to more higher-severity cases, especially those in black and brown populations."
Asked about situations where nursing homes are refusing to accept residents who have recovered from COVID-19, IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike said officials were working on a solution and "trying to figure out the right times when they are deemed no longer infectious."
The number of people tested is inching up as the state partners with health clinics in high-risk areas. The percentage of Illinoisans tested for COVID-19 stands at nearly 1.2% Monday compared to less than 1% Thursday.
Monday's 1,151 tally of additional cases was lower than the seven-day average of 1,354.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--State list shows suburban nursing homes with coronavirus cases

For the first time , the Illinois Department of Public Health has released a list of long-term care facilities with @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health will release the tallies once a week .
Director Ngozi Ezike @ @ @ @ @ reporting system by local health departments and hospitals , deferring to individual facilities for `` @ @ @ @ @ '' Here 's a snapshot of cases in suburban nursing homes as of Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ Lake

State list shows suburban nursing homes with coronavirus cases
For the first time, the Illinois Department of Public Health has released a list of long-term care facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks. The Illinois Department of Public Health will release the tallies once a week. Director Ngozi Ezike on Monday acknowledged a complex reporting system by local health departments and hospitals, deferring to individual facilities for "the most up-to-date data." Here's a snapshot of cases in suburban nursing homes as of Sunday.
Suburban Cook
• AMITA Health Holy Family Medical Center
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
• Belmont Village Senior Living
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
• Brookdale
Confirmed Cases: 5
Deaths: 1
• Brookdale Des Plaines
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
• Generations At Oakton
Confirmed Cases: 4
Deaths: 1
• Landmark of Des Plaines
Confirmed Cases: 7
Deaths: 1
• Lemont Center
Confirmed Cases: 5
Deaths: 1
• Summit of Uptown
Confirmed Cases: 8
Deaths: 1
• Sunrise of Park Ridge
Confirmed Cases: 15
Deaths: 2
• Symphony at Aria
Confirmed Cases: 5
Deaths: 2
• The Grove
Confirmed Cases: 8
Deaths: 1
• The Sheridan of Park Ridge
Confirmed Cases: 7
Deaths: 1
• Westchester Health and Rehabilitation Center
Confirmed Cases: 43
Deaths: 9
DuPage County
• Alden Estates of Naperville
Confirmed Cases: 34
Deaths: 2
• Aperion Care West Chicago
Confirmed Cases: 1
Deaths: 0
• Artis Senior Living
Confirmed Cases: 8
Deaths: 1
• Artis Senior Living of Bartlett
Confirmed Cases: 3
Deaths: 0
• Bria of Westmont
Confirmed Cases: 6
Deaths: 1
• Bridgeway Senior Living
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 2
• Brookdale Burr Ridge
Confirmed Cases: 12
Deaths: 2
• Burgess Square Healthcare & Rehab Center
Confirmed Cases: 1
Deaths: 0
• Cedarhurst of Naperville
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
• Chateau Center Nursing & Rehabilitation
Confirmed Cases: 54
Deaths: 10
• Forestview Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
• Harvester Place Memory Care
Confirmed Cases: 24
Deaths: 4
• Lexington of Bloomingdale
Confirmed Cases: 3
Deaths: 0
• Lexington of Elmhurst
Confirmed Cases: 33
Deaths: 3
• Lexington of Lombard
Confirmed Cases: 13
Deaths: 2
• ManorCare Hinsdale
Confirmed Cases: 1
Deaths: 0
• Oakbrook Care
Confirmed Cases: 12
Deaths: 0
• Park Place of Elmhurst
Confirmed Cases: 7
Deaths: 0
• Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center
Confirmed Cases: 5
Deaths: 0
• Tabor Hills Healthcare
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
• Wheaton Village
Confirmed Cases: 7
Deaths: 1
• Windsor Park (Carol Stream)
Confirmed Cases: 81
Deaths: 11
Kane County
• Bickford of Aurora
Confirmed Cases: 31
Deaths: 6
• Elgin Mental Health Center
Confirmed Cases: 20
Deaths: 0
• Elmwood Terrace
Confirmed Cases: 14
Deaths: 0
• Fox River Rehab and Healthcare
Confirmed Cases: 11
Deaths: 4
Lake County
• Belmont Village
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 1
• Brookdale -- Hawthorn Lakes
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
• Cedar Lake
Confirmed Cases: 15
Deaths: 5
• Claridge Health Center
Confirmed Cases: 12
Deaths: 2
• Elevate Care Riverwoods
Confirmed Cases: 4
Deaths: 1
• Elevate Care Waukegan
Confirmed Cases: 6
Deaths: 2
• Lake Forest Place
Confirmed Cases: 3
Deaths: 0
• Lexington of Lake
Confirmed Cases: 9
Deaths: 4
• Radford Green at Sedgebrook
Confirmed Cases: 6
Deaths: 1
• Rolling Hills Manor
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
• Sheridan at Green Oaks
Confirmed Cases: 6
Deaths: 0
• Sunrise Senior Living of Gurnee
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 0
• Terrace Nursing Home
Confirmed Cases: 4
Deaths: 1
• The Auberge At Highland Park
Confirmed Cases: 2
Deaths: 1
• The Grove By the Lake
Confirmed Cases: 25
Deaths: 5
• Victory Lakes Continuing Care Center
Confirmed Cases: 1
Deaths: 0
• Warren Barr North Shore
Confirmed Cases: 6
Deaths: 3
• Wauconda Care
Confirmed Cases: 33
Deaths: 6
• Whitehall of Deerfield
Confirmed Cases: 3
Deaths: 0
• Winchester House
Confirmed Cases: 6
Deaths: 1
McHenry County
• Alden Terrace of McHenry
Confirmed Cases: 4
Deaths: 0
• The Fountains at Crystal Lake
Confirmed Cases: 9
Deaths: 0


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Gurnee's Great Wolf Lodge to house Navy recruits for 14-day quarantine period

Hundreds of new U.S. Navy recruits began arriving at the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee Monday as part of a 14-day quarantine before they head to basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes , according to officials .
`` They will remain isolated in their rooms with limited , Navy-supervised exceptions , '' Great Wolf Resorts spokesman Jason Lasecki said Monday .
`` At the Navy 's request , recruits will not have access to the facilities at the resort including the water park , restaurants , bars , attractions or retail outlets . ''
Lt. Cmdr .
Frederick Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will use the time to fill out Navy coursework , and preparations are being made so recruits can do some basic fitness as well .
As for recreation , Martin said the recruits will be able to use cellphones to keep in touch with loved ones as well as read books and play some video games , but not the ones in the arcade .
Lasecki said there should be minimal to no interaction between the lodge staff and the recruits .
`` Careful consideration has gone into planning the day-to-day operation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lasecki said .
The Navy stopped sending future sailors to the base near North Chicago late last month due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Martin said moving the 14-day supervision period off-site will help protect the recruits , instructors and other staff members already at the Naval Station Great Lakes .
Lasecki said all of the recruits passed a health screening administered by the Navy before arriving at the Gurnee lodge .

Gurnee's Great Wolf Lodge starts housing Navy recruits for 14-day quarantine period
Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee will host hundreds of Navy recruits for what is planned as a two-week quarantine. Daily Herald file photo, 2018
Hundreds of new U.S. Navy recruits began arriving at the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee Monday as part of a 14-day quarantine before they head to basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes, according to officials.
"They will remain isolated in their rooms with limited, Navy-supervised exceptions," Great Wolf Resorts spokesman Jason Lasecki said Monday. "At the Navy's request, recruits will not have access to the facilities at the resort including the water park, restaurants, bars, attractions or retail outlets."
Lt. Cmdr. Frederick Martin, a Navy spokesman, said recruits will use the time to fill out Navy coursework, and preparations are being made so recruits can do some basic fitness as well.
As for recreation, Martin said the recruits will be able to use cellphones to keep in touch with loved ones as well as read books and play some video games, but not the ones in the arcade.
Lasecki said there should be minimal to no interaction between the lodge staff and the recruits.
"Careful consideration has gone into planning the day-to-day operation of this program including social distancing," Lasecki said.
The Navy stopped sending future sailors to the base near North Chicago late last month due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Martin said moving the 14-day supervision period off-site will help protect the recruits, instructors and other staff members already at the Naval Station Great Lakes.
Lasecki said all of the recruits passed a health screening administered by the Navy before arriving at the Gurnee lodge.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Elgin's PADS homeless shelter moves clients into hotel

The homeless shelter PADS of Elgin moved its clients to a hotel as a precaution against COVID-19 , an expense to be reimbursed , at least partially , by state funding .
The shelter issued 31 vouchers for clients to stay at a local hotel as of Monday , shelter executive director Sarah Ponitz said .
Ponitz declined to name the hotel , citing safety .
She also declined to say how much the hotel is charging , saying `` we have negotiated a rate . ''
Despite rumors to the contrary , `` PADS is not closed and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Scott Berger , director of Kane County 's office of community reinvestment , said the Elgin shelter will be reimbursed out of $ 250,000 awarded to the county by the Illinois Department of Human Services for emergency lodging for the homeless .
Four other agencies in Kane County also will get hotel room reimbursement : Hesed House in Aurora , Lazarus House in St. Charles , the Community Crisis Center in Elgin , and the Association for Individual Development .
The county budgeted $ 56,900 for 43 rooms for 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 63 per night -- but the amount is not final , Berger said .
The county , which had asked for $ 506,000 from the state , is working with the five agencies to determine their exact needs to provide a consistent level of assistance and sustain the group effort into early May , he said .
`` Once we know how long the funding will last , we will work with the state to see if they can provide additional support beyond the first $ 250,000 . ''
Altogether , IDHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Illinois , including $ 3 million for Chicago , Berger said .
Shelters typically entail close-quarter living and the goal is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by spreading people apart , he said .
Hesed House had three confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
The other four agencies have n't had any confirmed cases , Berger said .
Kane County also is helping agencies by providing security and personal protective equipment , such as thermometers for daily monitoring of clients and staff , Berger said .
PADS of Elgin closed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could stay there in `` quarantine '' but could not come back if they left , Ponitz said .
Some clients chose to leave , some were placed in permanent housing and some found housing with family or friends , she said .
Meanwhile , the shelter kept a list of people who sought services after March 16 and began to place them in hotel rooms when the state-announced funding would be available , shelter officials said .
On Monday , all the shelter 's clients -- those who had been staying at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already placed in hotel rooms -- were moved to the same hotel , which will allow more efficient delivery of services , shelter officials said .
Anyone in need of shelter can call PADS at ( 847 ) 608-9744 .

Elgin's PADS homeless shelter moves clients into hotel
The homeless shelter PADS of Elgin moved its clients to a hotel as a precaution against COVID-19, an expense to be reimbursed, at least partially, by state funding.
The shelter issued 31 vouchers for clients to stay at a local hotel as of Monday, shelter Executive Director Sarah Ponitz said. Ponitz declined to name the hotel, citing safety. She also declined to say how much the hotel is charging, saying "we have negotiated a rate."
Despite rumors to the contrary, "PADS is not closed and we continue to take new intakes," she said.
Scott Berger, director of Kane County's office of community reinvestment, said the Elgin shelter will be reimbursed out of $250,000 awarded to the county by the Illinois Department of Human Services for emergency lodging for the homeless. Four other agencies in Kane County also will get hotel room reimbursement: Hesed House in Aurora, Lazarus House in St. Charles, the Community Crisis Center in Elgin and the Association for Individual Development.
The county budgeted $56,900 for 43 rooms for 21 days for PADS of Elgin -- about $63 per night -- but the amount is not final, Berger said. The county, which had asked for $506,000 from the state, is working with the five agencies to determine their exact needs to provide a consistent level of assistance and sustain the group effort into early May, he said.
"Once we know how long the funding will last, we will work with the state to see if they can provide additional support beyond the first $250,000," Berger said.
Altogether, IDHS awarded $6 million for homeless lodging across Illinois, including $3 million for Chicago, Berger said. Shelters typically entail close-quarter living and the goal is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by spreading people apart, he said.
Hesed House had three confirmed cases of COVID-19. The other four agencies haven't had any confirmed cases, Berger said.
Kane County also is helping agencies by providing security and personal protective equipment, such as thermometers for daily monitoring of clients and staff, he said.
PADS of Elgin closed to the public March 16, telling clients they could stay there in "quarantine" but could not come back if they left, Ponitz said. Some clients chose to leave, some were placed in permanent housing, and some found housing with family or friends, she said.
Meanwhile, the shelter kept a list of people who sought services after March 16 and began to place them in hotel rooms when the state-announced funding would be available, shelter officials said.
On Monday, all the shelter's clients -- those who had been staying at the facility on Berkley Street and those already placed in hotel rooms -- were moved to the same hotel, which will allow more efficient delivery of services, shelter officials said. Anyone in need of shelter can call PADS at (847) 608-9744.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Memorial activities set for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods firefighter

Memorial and funeral activities will be held Tuesday and Wednesday for a Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District firefighter who died in an off-duty accident last week .
Mark Amore , 46 , of McHenry , also worked as a heavy equipment operator at Addison-based PirTano Construction Co .
He died Thursday when a construction vehicle he was using at Ben Watts Marina in Fox Lake went into the water and overturned , trapping him .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and statewide stay-at-home order , most memorial activities will be limited to family and a small contingent of uniformed personnel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ former McHenry Township Fire Protection District firefighter -- can participate in a drive-through viewing at Justen Funeral Home & Crematory , 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road , McHenry , between 1 and 6 p.m. Tuesday .
Only family will be allowed inside the building .
Mourners should remain in their cars at the funeral home and follow signs in the parking lot .
A fire department drive-by salute is planned for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home .
A funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Holy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McHenry .
Only immediate family members will be permitted inside the church .
Limited honor guard and uniformed activity will be allowed at the church .
Livestreaming of the funeral Mass will be available at client.tribucast.com/tcid/9804828 .
A eulogy , bell-ringing ceremony , flag-folding presentation and badge-and-helmet presentation will occur outside the church before the procession to St. Patrick 's Cemetery in McHenry .
Only Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District and McHenry Township Fire Protection District vehicles will be allowed in the procession to the cemetery .
Vehicles from other fire departments can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Attendance at a graveside service will be limited to family and an honor guard .
Amore , whose father was former McHenry Township fire district Chief Wayne Amore , joined that department in the mid-1990s , following a stint as a radio operator with the McHenry County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and other public-safety jobs .
He joined the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods district in 2001 .
`` He lived and breathed the fire department , '' Krueger said .
Amore also had an infectious smile and enjoyed boating and riding snowmobiles , Krueger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fullest , '' Krueger said .
Purple and black memorial bunting hangs at all three Lincolnshire-Riverwoods stations to honor Amore .
Survivors include his wife , Jaimie ; two children , Ayden and Brynlee ; and his parents .
Memorials donations may be given to Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer at maccfund.org .
Donations for Amore 's children 's future needs can be sent to the Mark Amore Tribute Fund , care of Justen Funeral Home , 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road , McHenry , IL , 60050 .

Memorial activities set for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods firefighter
Memorial and funeral activities will be held Tuesday and Wednesday for a Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District firefighter who died in an off-duty accident last week.
Mark Amore, 46, of McHenry, also worked as a heavy equipment operator at Addison-based PirTano Construction Co. He died Thursday when a construction vehicle he was using at Ben Watts Marina in Fox Lake went into the water and overturned, trapping him.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and statewide stay-at-home order, most memorial activities will be limited to family and a small contingent of uniformed personnel.
People wanting to honor Amore -- a former McHenry Township Fire Protection District firefighter -- can participate in a drive-through viewing at Justen Funeral Home & Crematory, 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road, McHenry, between 1 and 6 p.m. Tuesday. Only family will be allowed inside the building.
Mourners should remain in their cars at the funeral home and follow signs in the parking lot.
A fire department drive-by salute is planned for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
A funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Holy Apostles, 5211 Bull Valley Road, McHenry.
Only immediate family members will be permitted inside the church. Limited honor guard and uniformed activity will be allowed at the church. Livestreaming of the funeral Mass will be available at client.tribucast.com/tcid/9804828.
A eulogy, bell-ringing ceremony, flag-folding presentation and badge-and-helmet presentation will occur outside the church before the procession to St. Patrick's Cemetery in McHenry.
Only Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District and McHenry Township Fire Protection District vehicles will be allowed in the procession to the cemetery. Vehicles from other fire departments can be parked along the procession route in McHenry.
Attendance at a graveside service will be limited to family and an honor guard.
Amore, whose father was former McHenry Township fire district Chief Wayne Amore, joined that department in the mid-1990s, following a stint as a radio operator with the McHenry County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and other public-safety jobs. He joined the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods district in 2001.
Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Chief Tom Krueger described Amore as "a fireman's' fireman."
"He lived and breathed the fire department," Krueger said.
Amore also had an infectious smile and enjoyed boating and riding snowmobiles, Krueger said.
"He lived life to the fullest," Krueger said.
Purple and black memorial bunting hangs at all three Lincolnshire-Riverwoods stations to honor Amore.
Survivors include his wife, Jaimie; two children, Ayden and Brynlee; and his parents.
Memorials donations may be given to Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer at maccfund.org. Donations for Amore's children's future needs can be sent to the Mark Amore Tribute Fund, care of Justen Funeral Home, 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road, McHenry, IL, 60050.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Rozner: Bulls' run ended when egos dare

Rozner: Bulls' run ended when egos dare

For those who did n't live through it , or those who just do n't remember how bad it was , `` The Last Dance '' is providing a devastating and -- at the same time -- thoroughly entertaining and heart-pounding look at the end of a dynasty .
As it concluded , nearly all of the monstrous egos involved forgot the most basic aspect of the six Bulls titles , that not one of them would have a ring in Chicago without Michael Jordan .
He was the reason , period .
Others played their roles , important roles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them as money , fame and pride divided and ultimately conquered .
By the finale , Scottie Pippen had forgotten that GM Jerry Krause brought him to Chicago , and that it was his own decision to sign a bad contract , a contract that by NBA regulations could not be renegotiated .
It was Phil Jackson forgetting that Krause took him off the street and gave him a job as an assistant , eventually firing Doug Collins in a very , very unpopular move and installing Jackson as head coach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting courtside near the GOAT .
And it was Krause forgetting it was Jordan that made them all champions .
The GM did n't get enough credit for finding the pieces to put around Jordan , but the personal attacks he endured made it impossible for Krause to quench his thirst for praise and attention , Jordan 's anger toward him turning the basketball world against the GM .
This went on for more than a decade , and it was n't just the last tango that was ugly .
The disgust and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- that enveloped the second Bulls three-peat had begun many years before , but by the end of the 1997 season -- and fifth title -- it had become downright ridiculous .
As evidence , we present you with the Brian Williams contract negotiations .
Later known as Bison Dele -- who died in 2002 -- the 6-foot-9 , 230-pound Williams had been on the Bulls ' radar for some time and Krause was pursuing the free agent hard with the Bulls needing help down low .
The machinations of this project were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get himself into trouble with the help of Jordan , Pippen and Jackson .
This one would come to be known as the playoff share controversy .
Late in the 1996-97 season , the Bulls could only offer Williams the minimum , prorated for the final 9 games of the season , considerably less than the dollars offered by the likes of Miami , Utah and Los Angeles .
The main Bulls selling point was the chance to play with Jordan and collect a ring .
Krause got creative , however , upping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan and Pippen if they might consider voting Williams two playoff shares , which would be worth about $ 125,000 apiece .
The Bulls GM could only ask , since they were not his shares to promise .
Krause presented this to Jordan and Pippen , who knew they needed Williams , and the two stars said they would contemplate the reward contingent upon seeing what Williams delivered down the stretch and in the postseason .
Williams agreed that this was fair and signed with the Bulls on April 2 , 1997 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago for their fifth title , Williams said he was so happy that a single share would be enough , but two days later he phoned Bulls management and said he wanted two full playoff shares .
As had been the case the year before , the vote would occur on the bus ride to Grant Park .
The players chose one full share for Williams , believing it generous for the short time he had been with the team .
It was then reported that Krause had promised him two playoff shares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowing he had zero authority over the players ' postseason money .
Pippen called Krause a liar , claiming Krause never asked the Bulls ' superstars about it before signing Williams .
But this was the actual falsehood .
Williams , in turn , ripped Krause publicly , while Krause swore on his father 's grave that he asked Jordan and Pippen if they would consider it .
Enter Jackson , who never missed a chance to instigate and prod Pippen , saying , `` Quite frankly , I 'm concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
While Krause was getting hammered from every corner of Chicago and the NBA world , Jordan admitted months later to Reinsdorf during a Las Vegas meeting that Krause did indeed ask the Bulls ' leaders about Williams and voting him two shares .
But Jordan would never say it publicly .
There was no chance he would go against Pippen or Jackson -- or back Krause -- and reveled in it when the short , overweight GM was getting crushed by Pippen , Jackson and -- in this case -- Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fresh off helping the Bulls win a title , Williams inked a $ 35 million deal with Detroit .
This is just one story , but there were dozens like it during the second three-peat .
Krause invited many problems on himself with his public mistakes , but there were cases like this one where Jordan and Pippen teamed with Jackson to promote a story when it meant a beating for Krause .
They were relentless and ruthless .
Standing in a circle and facing one another with weapons drawn , they all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Such children .
Such a shame .
Such a waste .

Rozner: Bulls' run ended when egos dare
Utah's John Stockton is hemmed in by the Bulls' Steve Kerr (25) and Brian Williams in Game 4 of the NBA Finals June 8, 1997, in Salt Lake City. Associated Press
For those who didn't live through it, or those who just don't remember how bad it was, "The Last Dance" is providing a devastating and -- at the same time -- thoroughly entertaining and heart-pounding look at the end of a dynasty.
As it concluded, nearly all of the monstrous egos involved forgot the most basic aspect of the six Bulls titles, that not one of them would have a ring in Chicago without Michael Jordan.
He was the reason, period.
Others played their roles, important roles, but reality got away from all of them as money, fame and pride divided and ultimately conquered.
By the finale, Scottie Pippen had forgotten that GM Jerry Krause brought him to Chicago, and that it was his own decision to sign a bad contract, a contract that by NBA regulations could not be renegotiated.
It was Phil Jackson forgetting that Krause took him off the street and gave him a job as an assistant, eventually firing Doug Collins in a very, very unpopular move and installing Jackson as head coach, allowing him to reap the benefits of sitting courtside near the GOAT.
And it was Krause forgetting it was Jordan that made them all champions.
The GM didn't get enough credit for finding the pieces to put around Jordan, but the personal attacks he endured made it impossible for Krause to quench his thirst for praise and attention, Jordan's anger toward him turning the basketball world against the GM.
This went on for more than a decade, and it wasn't just the last tango that was ugly.
The disgust and mistrust -- you could even say hatred -- that enveloped the second Bulls three-peat had begun many years before, but by the end of the 1997 season -- and fifth title -- it had become downright ridiculous.
As evidence, we present you with the Brian Williams contract negotiations.
Later known as Bison Dele -- who died in 2002 -- the 6-foot-9, 230-pound Williams had been on the Bulls' radar for some time and Krause was pursuing the free agent hard with the Bulls needing help down low.
The machinations of this project were yet another example of how Krause would get himself into trouble with the help of Jordan, Pippen and Jackson.
This one would come to be known as the playoff share controversy.
Late in the 1996-97 season, the Bulls could only offer Williams the minimum, prorated for the final 9 games of the season, considerably less than the dollars offered by the likes of Miami, Utah and Los Angeles.
The main Bulls selling point was the chance to play with Jordan and collect a ring. Krause got creative, however, upping the offer by saying he would ask Jordan and Pippen if they might consider voting Williams two playoff shares, which would be worth about $125,000 apiece.
The Bulls GM could only ask, since they were not his shares to promise.
Krause presented this to Jordan and Pippen, who knew they needed Williams, and the two stars said they would contemplate the reward contingent upon seeing what Williams delivered down the stretch and in the postseason.
Williams agreed that this was fair and signed with the Bulls on April 2, 1997.
The night the Bulls beat Utah in Chicago for their fifth title, Williams said he was so happy that a single share would be enough, but two days later he phoned Bulls management and said he wanted two full playoff shares.
As had been the case the year before, the vote would occur on the bus ride to Grant Park. The players chose one full share for Williams, believing it generous for the short time he had been with the team.
It was then reported that Krause had promised him two playoff shares. Krause said that was untrue, knowing he had zero authority over the players' postseason money.
Pippen called Krause a liar, claiming Krause never asked the Bulls' superstars about it before signing Williams.
But this was the actual falsehood.
Williams, in turn, ripped Krause publicly, while Krause swore on his father's grave that he asked Jordan and Pippen if they would consider it.
Enter Jackson, who never missed a chance to instigate and prod Pippen, saying, "Quite frankly, I'm concerned about the shape of Jerry's father's grave."
Ugly, ugly stuff.
While Krause was getting hammered from every corner of Chicago and the NBA world, Jordan admitted months later to Reinsdorf during a Las Vegas meeting that Krause did indeed ask the Bulls' leaders about Williams and voting him two shares.
But Jordan would never say it publicly. There was no chance he would go against Pippen or Jackson -- or back Krause -- and reveled in it when the short, overweight GM was getting crushed by Pippen, Jackson and -- in this case -- Williams.
A few weeks later, and fresh off helping the Bulls win a title, Williams inked a $35 million deal with Detroit.
This is just one story, but there were dozens like it during the second three-peat.
Krause invited many problems on himself with his public mistakes, but there were cases like this one where Jordan and Pippen teamed with Jackson to promote a story when it meant a beating for Krause.
They were relentless and ruthless.
Standing in a circle and facing one another with weapons drawn, they all contributed to the end of a dynasty.
Such children. Such a shame. Such a waste.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Expanded COVID-19 testing comes to suburban clinics, with appointments

VNA Health Care will offer expanded COVID-19 testing starting today for suburban residents concerned that might have contracted the respiratory disease , but appointments are required .
The service will be offered at VNA testing centers in Aurora , Carol Stream , Elgin and Romeoville .
The move comes after Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced a partnership with federally qualified health centers to increase testing for the disease Thursday .
Individuals who think they have COVID-19 symptoms should call VNA at either ( 630 ) 892-4355 or ( 847 ) 717-6455 for an assessment .
People without health insurance will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10 depending on income for pre-test screening but no one will be turned away if they can not pay , VNA officials said .
`` VNA was founded over 100 years ago during the Spanish flu pandemic and our commitment to delivering exceptional health care services for the communities we serve across the Chicago metro region remains steadfast , '' VNA President Linnea Windel said .
In addition to the testing , VNA clinics provide primary care for vulnerable populations including people without health insurance .
Bilingual service is available for Spanish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locations across the suburbs but COVID-19 testing will be offered at the following sites : 400 N. Highland Ave. , Aurora ; 350 S. Schmale Road , Carol Stream ; 800 Villa St. , Elgin ; and 160 N. Independence Boulevard , Romeoville .
For more information , go to vnahealth.com .
The ramp-up of testing is essential to get a handle on how many COVID-19 cases there are in Illinois , which helps authorities manage supplies and predict when the state will arrive at its peak caseload .
Improvements to testing machines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of raw materials for tests from several Illinois universities and private vendors helped prompt the surge , Pritzker said .
Illinois Department of Public Health officials also urge people who think they have COVID-19 symptoms to check with their doctor first , if they have one , about taking a test .
`` Getting tested provides an individual with important knowledge of their health status at that point in time and may also offer some peace of mind , '' VNA Chief Clinical Officer Claire Dobbins said in a statement .

Expanded COVID-19 testing comes to suburban clinics, with appointments
VNA Health Care center in Aurora is one of four suburban locations providing expanding COVID-19 testing this week. Daily Herald File Photo
VNA Health Care will offer expanded COVID-19 testing starting today for suburban residents concerned that might have contracted the respiratory disease, but appointments are required.
The service will be offered at VNA testing centers in Aurora, Carol Stream, Elgin and Romeoville.
The move comes after Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a partnership with federally qualified health centers to increase testing for the disease Thursday.
Individuals who think they have COVID-19 symptoms should call VNA at either (630) 892-4355 or (847) 717-6455 for an assessment.
People without health insurance will pay fees ranging from $5 to $10 depending on income for pre-test screening but no one will be turned away if they cannot pay, VNA officials said.
"VNA was founded over 100 years ago during the Spanish flu pandemic and our commitment to delivering exceptional health care services for the communities we serve across the Chicago metro region remains steadfast," VNA President Linnea Windel said.
In addition to the testing, VNA clinics provide primary care for vulnerable populations including people without health insurance.
Bilingual service is available for Spanish speakers.
VNA has a number of locations across the suburbs but COVID-19 testing will be offered at the following sites: 400 N. Highland Ave., Aurora; 350 S. Schmale Road, Carol Stream; 800 Villa St., Elgin; and 160 N. Independence Boulevard, Romeoville.
For more information, go to vnahealth.com.
The ramp-up of testing is essential to get a handle on how many COVID-19 cases there are in Illinois, which helps authorities manage supplies and predict when the state will arrive at its peak caseload.
Improvements to testing machines at state labs and a new influx of raw materials for tests from several Illinois universities and private vendors helped prompt the surge, Pritzker said.
Illinois Department of Public Health officials also urge people who think they have COVID-19 symptoms to check with their doctor first, if they have one, about taking a test.
"Getting tested provides an individual with important knowledge of their health status at that point in time and may also offer some peace of mind," VNA Chief Clinical Officer Claire Dobbins said in a statement.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Schaumburg's first recreational pot shop could be near Woodfield

Schaumburg 's zoning board Wednesday will hear the first proposal for a recreational marijuana dispensary in the village , and perhaps not surprisingly it would lie in the shadow of the highly visited Woodfield Mall .
FloraMedex LLC , which operates under the name Sunnyside , wants to open a dispensary on the east side of Woodfield Gatherings at 1739 E. Golf Road , near the northwest corner of the shopping center 's parking lot .
The dispensary , if recommended by the zoning board this week and approved by the village board next month , would occupy 8,640 square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ houses a Mod Pizza .
The choice of a highly visible location was not a surprise and has n't generated any complaints among its potential neighbors , Schaumburg Community Development Director Julie Fitzgerald said .
`` We did know that people wanted to be in the regional center , '' she said .
Last year , in setting regulations for recreational pot dispensaries , village officials limited their number to five and confined them to retail properties .
Schaumburg already has received two more proposals , currently at less advanced stages , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one seeking use of the former Bar Louie restaurant at the southeast corner of Golf and Meacham roads is within the state-prohibited 1,500 feet of the Sunnyside proposal .
Both dispensaries could not coexist so close together , but the proposal for the Bar Louie site has not been withdrawn and the village staff are reviewing it as requested , Fitzgerald said .
The third proposal is for the former Luna Carpet location at 820 E. Golf Road , near the intersection of Plum Grove Road .
According to the Sunnyside proposal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full- and part-time employees by the end of its first year , operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily , and have security arrangements including the presence of two armed guards around the clock .
Fitzgerald said the company has experience operating medical marijuana dispensaries in Illinois .
Attorney Nicholas Standiford , who represents Sunnyside , said its existing medical marijuana dispensary in Elmwood Park recently received permission to expand to recreational use .
The company also will operate in Buffalo Grove and Champaign .
The Schaumburg operation would be a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` It 's really going to be a nice addition to the community , '' Standiford said .
Village staff members also are moving forward with a change to the zoning code that would allow marijuana quality-control testing labs to operate in Schaumburg .
The proposed change is scheduled to go before the zoning board April 29 and the village board on May 12 .
Unitech Laboratories hopes to locate a testing facility in Schaumburg but has n't yet submitted a proposal for a specific site , Fitzgerald said .

Schaumburg's first recreational pot shop could be near Woodfield
A rendering of how the proposed Sunnyside cannabis dispensary would appear from along Golf Road as the easternmost tenant of the Woodfield Gatherings development near the northwest corner of the Woodfield Mall parking lot in Schaumburg. Courtesy of village of Schaumburg
Schaumburg's zoning board Wednesday will hear the first proposal for a recreational marijuana dispensary in the village, and perhaps not surprisingly it would lie in the shadow of the highly visited Woodfield Mall.
FloraMedex LLC, which operates under the name Sunnyside, wants to open a dispensary on the east side of Woodfield Gatherings at 1739 E. Golf Road, near the northwest corner of the shopping center's parking lot.
The dispensary, if recommended by the zoning board this week and approved by the village board next month, would occupy 8,640 square feet of the 11,606-square-foot building that also houses a Mod Pizza.
The choice of a highly visible location was not a surprise and hasn't generated any complaints among its potential neighbors, Schaumburg Community Development Director Julie Fitzgerald said.
"We did know that people wanted to be in the regional center," she said.
Last year, in setting regulations for recreational pot dispensaries, village officials limited their number to five and confined them to retail properties.
Schaumburg already has received two more proposals, currently at less advanced stages, in the same commercial district.
However, one seeking use of the former Bar Louie restaurant at the southeast corner of Golf and Meacham roads is within the state-prohibited 1,500 feet of the Sunnyside proposal. Both dispensaries could not coexist so close together, but the proposal for the Bar Louie site has not been withdrawn and the village staff are reviewing it as requested, Fitzgerald said.
The third proposal is for the former Luna Carpet location at 820 E. Golf Road, near the intersection of Plum Grove Road.
According to the Sunnyside proposal, the dispensary would have up to 46 full- and part-time employees by the end of its first year, operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and have security arrangements including the presence of two armed guards around the clock.
Fitzgerald said the company has experience operating medical marijuana dispensaries in Illinois.
Attorney Nicholas Standiford, who represents Sunnyside, said its existing medical marijuana dispensary in Elmwood Park recently received permission to expand to recreational use. The company also will operate in Buffalo Grove and Champaign.
The Schaumburg operation would be a great boost to the local economy, he said.
"It's really going to be a nice addition to the community," Standiford said.
Village staff members also are moving forward with a change to the zoning code that would allow marijuana quality-control testing labs to operate in Schaumburg. The proposed change is scheduled to go before the zoning board April 29 and the village board on May 12.
Unitech Laboratories hopes to locate a testing facility in Schaumburg but hasn't yet submitted a proposal for a specific site, Fitzgerald said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--Pot company donating $4.20 from every sale on 4/20 to health care workers

It 's a `` groovy '' tribute to front-line COVID-19 health care workers on 4/20 .
The date 4/20 is typically a day in which cannabis-oriented celebrations take place each year .
Verilife , which operates cannabis dispensaries nationally , was planning to donate $ 4.20 from every sale made that day to local health care facilities and organizations dedicated to feeding health care workers .
Two local organizations that will benefit are Inspired Home Health in Arlington Heights and Asbury Healthcare in North Aurora .
`` We are extremely thankful to all front-line health care workers who continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brett Novey , CEO of PharmaCann , which operates dispensaries under the Verilife name .
`` 4/20 is both a celebration as well as a call to action , and on 4/20 this year , Verilife dispensaries nationwide will give back to the brave health care professionals fighting to save lives in our communities .
PharmaCann 's front-line team is proud to support other front-line caregivers with this donation during these challenging times . ''
Verilife has medical/recreational dispensaries in North Aurora , Romeoville and Ottawa , and a medical-only dispensary in Arlington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make a similar donation at the time of their transactions Monday .

Pot company donating $4.20 from every sale on 4/20 to health care workers
It's a "groovy" tribute to front-line COVID-19 health care workers on 4/20.
The date 4/20 is typically a day in which cannabis-oriented celebrations take place each year. Verilife, which operates cannabis dispensaries nationally, was planning to donate $4.20 from every sale made that day to local health care facilities and organizations dedicated to feeding health care workers.
Two local organizations that will benefit are Inspired Home Health in Arlington Heights and Asbury Healthcare in North Aurora.
"We are extremely thankful to all front-line health care workers who continue to battle this health crisis," said Brett Novey, CEO of PharmaCann, which operates dispensaries under the Verilife name. "4/20 is both a celebration as well as a call to action, and on 4/20 this year, Verilife dispensaries nationwide will give back to the brave health care professionals fighting to save lives in our communities. PharmaCann's front-line team is proud to support other front-line caregivers with this donation during these challenging times."
Verilife has medical/recreational dispensaries in North Aurora, Romeoville and Ottawa, and a medical-only dispensary in Arlington Heights.
Verilife also invited its customers to make a similar donation at the time of their transactions Monday.