dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--Officials: Life Time Fitness project in Lake Zurich paused, not canceled

Despite a long pause in construction , Lake Zurich and Life Time Fitness officials say they remain committed to building a new luxury health club on the site of the razed Hackney 's restaurant .
Construction began on Old Rand Road in July 2019 , about 14 months after the village board approved the plan over sharp opposition from many residents .
Work was halted in March as a result of the global pandemic , according to a message on the village 's website .
`` Life Time has suffered serious losses in membership revenue due to the closure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Clubs are slowly resuming operations , with reduced membership and limited cash flow . ''
Lake Zurich Community Development Director Sarosh Saher said a Life Time official told the village staff the company will work to ensure the property is properly maintained until construction resumes .
`` He has assured us that none of this will change Life Time 's long-term plans for all their projects and clubs , and that the company as a whole will continue to grow , '' Sarosh said .
`` They continue to monitor the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently , to determine their next steps . ''
Life Time spokeswoman Natalie Bushaw said the company 's focus is getting its existing 152 clubs open and back to full operating capacity .
`` Once this happens , we 'll be able to shift attention and expenses back toward the completion of Life Time Lake Zurich , which we continue to be very excited about , '' Bushaw said .
`` At this time , there is n't a time frame to share . ''
Life Time 's initial plan called for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But residents and village officials alike expressed concern over the proposed height , leading the company to remove the top floor and build a basement instead .
Besides the basement , one of the most significant changes to the plan was the building 's location on the property .
Initially the plan called for it to be near the center , but over time the building moved closer to the southwest corner of the property to be farther from nearby homes .

Officials: Life Time Fitness project in Lake Zurich paused, not canceled
Despite a long pause in construction, Lake Zurich and Life Time Fitness officials say they remain committed to building a new luxury health club on the site of the razed Hackney's restaurant.
Construction began on Old Rand Road in July 2019, about 14 months after the village board approved the plan over sharp opposition from many residents. Work was halted in March as a result of the global pandemic, according to a message on the village's website.
"Life Time has suffered serious losses in membership revenue due to the closure of all clubs," the statement reads. "Clubs are slowly resuming operations, with reduced membership and limited cash flow."
Lake Zurich Community Development Director Sarosh Saher said a Life Time official told the village staff the company will work to ensure the property is properly maintained until construction resumes.
"He has assured us that none of this will change Life Time's long-term plans for all their projects and clubs, and that the company as a whole will continue to grow," Sarosh said. "They continue to monitor the guidance from the state. which changes frequently, to determine their next steps."
Life Time spokeswoman Natalie Bushaw said the company's focus is getting its existing 152 clubs open and back to full operating capacity.
"Once this happens, we'll be able to shift attention and expenses back toward the completion of Life Time Lake Zurich, which we continue to be very excited about," Bushaw said. "At this time, there isn't a time frame to share."
Life Time's initial plan called for a three-story facility standing 60 feet tall. But residents and village officials alike expressed concern over the proposed height, leading the company to remove the top floor and build a basement instead.
Besides the basement, one of the most significant changes to the plan was the building's location on the property. Initially the plan called for it to be near the center, but over time the building moved closer to the southwest corner of the property to be farther from nearby homes.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--Great Lakes water temperatures blowing away records

You do n't expect to see 75 or even 80-degree water in the Great Lakes in early July or , in most years , anytime .
But an exceptionally hot weather pattern has pushed water temperatures in most of the lakes to the highest levels on record so early in the summer .
Over lakes Erie and Ontario , the water is the warmest it has been since the records began , and could warm more in the coming weeks .
The abnormally warm waters , consistent with climate change trends in recent decades , could compromise water quality and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Surface water temperatures averaged over all of the Great Lakes , except the deep and choppy Lake Superior , have risen well into the 70s while Lake Erie has flirted with 80 degrees .
That 's about the same water temperature as the surf off Virginia Beach , Va .
These water temperatures over the lakes are some 6 to 11 degrees warmer than normal .
Here is how warm each of the lakes has become over the past week : Lake Michigan 's average water temperature reached 75.1 degrees on July 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the warmest mark on record so early in the year .
The water temperature in July has only been this warm one other time , at the end of the month in 1999 .
Lake Huron 's average water temperature reached 72.2 degrees on July 9 , nearly 11 degrees above normal , and the warmest mark on record so early in the year .
Lake Ontario 's average water temperature reached 77.1 degrees on July 10 , over 10 degrees above normal , and the warmest mark on record for any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-August 1995 .
Lake Erie 's average water temperature reached 79.6 degrees on July 10 , over 8 degrees above normal , and the warmest mark on record for any month , also similarly warm in mid-August 1995 .
Lake Superior average water temperature reached 55.8 degrees on July 8 , over 6 degrees above normal .
The unusually warm water is a reflection of blistering heat over the Great Lakes region in recent weeks set up by a persistent ridge of high pressure .
Air temperatures in early July , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the warmest on record .
Buffalo hit at least 90 degrees on eight straight days ending Friday , its longest streak ever observed .
Muskegon , Mich. , on the shores of Lake Michigan , also notched its longest 90-degree streak , tallying nine straight ending July 7 .
Massena , N.Y. , about 90 miles north of Lake Ontario in upstate New York , hit 99 degrees Friday , its second highest temperature ever recorded .
The heat has meant water temperatures are `` abnormally high compared to the most recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager of the Great Lakes CoastWatch program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
`` Last year was really cold and there was a lot of rain .
This year there has n't been as much rain and it 's been persistently hot . ''
The water temperatures spiked late last week before a weekend cold front unleashed windy , stormy weather which helped draw deep , cold water back toward the surface of the lake , in a process known as upwelling .
This has caused water temperatures to drop slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
Historically , water temperatures in Great Lakes reach their maximum in August '' We have n't even reached the tip of that curve that usually occurs later [ in the summer ] , '' she said .
The National Weather Service 's Climate Prediction Center favors above normal temperatures over the Great Lakes in its 6 to 10- and 8 to 14-day outlooks and a slight risk for `` excessive heat . ''
Computer models forecast a high pressure ridge or `` heat dome '' to sprawl over the eastern half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this period .
This heat could push water temperatures to historic levels across all of the lakes with the likely exception of Superior .
Some residents are rejoicing in the unusually warm waters .
`` I 'm loving this , '' Whitney Miller , a Traverse City , Mich.-based swim instructor , told the Record-Eagle , a newspaper serving the region .
`` Last year I was in a wetsuit up through the 15th of July ...
I was a popsicle . ''
But the warm water could have detrimental effects on water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says NOAA aircraft have already photographed blue-green algae or cyanbacteria over western waters of Lake Erie in recent days .
The foul-smelling algal blooms can harm fish and make people who are exposed to the water sick .
In 2014 , cyanbacteria from Lake Erie entered the water supply in Toledo , Ohio , and residents were ordered not to drink or touch the water .
The jump start to the algal bloom due to the warm water temperatures means it will be around for several weeks longer than normal .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the algae ] in our data since 2002 , '' wrote Richad Stumpf , an oceanographer with NOAA , in an email .
`` The earliest was in late June in 2018 . ''
Because phosphorous levels , which make algal blooms worse , are n't particularly high due to less rain than some years , Stumpf does n't anticipate this year 's bloom to be among the biggest .
But `` it will still be quite visible and is a risk that people need to avoid , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates on its website .
In addition to the effects from algal blooms , Stumpf said the warm water can have other detrimental effects for fish .
`` Many fish do not do well in water that is too warm , so they get 'squeezed ' into a smaller and smaller area between surface water that is too warm , and bottom water that does n't have enough oxygen , '' he wrote .
The record-setting waters this July fit into the recent warming trend observed over the Great Lakes tied to climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Lake has warmed at least 1.5 F since 1995 ( when data became available for all lakes ) , led by Lake Ontario at 2.2 F , '' wrote Climate Central , the science communications non-profit , in 2019 .

Great Lakes water temperatures blowing away records
The morning sun paints a beach along Park Park, a sandy spit in Duluth, Minn., at the western end of Lake Superior. Washington Post/Tom Peterson
You don't expect to see 75 or even 80-degree water in the Great Lakes in early July or, in most years, anytime. But an exceptionally hot weather pattern has pushed water temperatures in most of the lakes to the highest levels on record so early in the summer. Over lakes Erie and Ontario, the water is the warmest it has been since the records began, and could warm more in the coming weeks.
The abnormally warm waters, consistent with climate change trends in recent decades, could compromise water quality and harm marine life in some areas.
Surface water temperatures averaged over all of the Great Lakes, except the deep and choppy Lake Superior, have risen well into the 70s while Lake Erie has flirted with 80 degrees. That's about the same water temperature as the surf off Virginia Beach, Va.
These water temperatures over the lakes are some 6 to 11 degrees warmer than normal.
Here is how warm each of the lakes has become over the past week:
Lake Michigan's average water temperature reached 75.1 degrees on July 8, nearly 11 degrees above normal, and the warmest mark on record so early in the year. The water temperature in July has only been this warm one other time, at the end of the month in 1999.
Lake Huron's average water temperature reached 72.2 degrees on July 9, nearly 11 degrees above normal, and the warmest mark on record so early in the year.
Lake Ontario's average water temperature reached 77.1 degrees on July 10, over 10 degrees above normal, and the warmest mark on record for any month, although it was similarly warm in mid-August 1995.
Lake Erie's average water temperature reached 79.6 degrees on July 10, over 8 degrees above normal, and the warmest mark on record for any month, also similarly warm in mid-August 1995.
Lake Superior average water temperature reached 55.8 degrees on July 8, over 6 degrees above normal.
The unusually warm water is a reflection of blistering heat over the Great Lakes region in recent weeks set up by a persistent ridge of high pressure.
Air temperatures in early July, especially in the eastern Great Lakes, were among the warmest on record.
Buffalo hit at least 90 degrees on eight straight days ending Friday, its longest streak ever observed. Muskegon, Mich., on the shores of Lake Michigan, also notched its longest 90-degree streak, tallying nine straight ending July 7.
Massena, N.Y., about 90 miles north of Lake Ontario in upstate New York, hit 99 degrees Friday, its second highest temperature ever recorded.
The heat has meant water temperatures are "abnormally high compared to the most recent years," said Andrea VanderWoude, manager of the Great Lakes CoastWatch program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Last year was really cold and there was a lot of rain. This year there hasn't been as much rain and it's been persistently hot."
The water temperatures spiked late last week before a weekend cold front unleashed windy, stormy weather which helped draw deep, cold water back toward the surface of the lake, in a process known as upwelling. This has caused water temperatures to drop slightly.
But VanderWoude expects they will rise again. Historically, water temperatures in Great Lakes reach their maximum in August
"We haven't even reached the tip of that curve that usually occurs later [in the summer]," she said.
The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center favors above normal temperatures over the Great Lakes in its 6 to 10- and 8 to 14-day outlooks and a slight risk for "excessive heat." Computer models forecast a high pressure ridge or "heat dome" to sprawl over the eastern half of the Lower 48 for much of this period.
This heat could push water temperatures to historic levels across all of the lakes with the likely exception of Superior.
Some residents are rejoicing in the unusually warm waters.
"I'm loving this," Whitney Miller, a Traverse City, Mich.-based swim instructor, told the Record-Eagle, a newspaper serving the region. "Last year I was in a wetsuit up through the 15th of July ... I was a popsicle."
But the warm water could have detrimental effects on water quality and some aquatic species.
VanderWoude says NOAA aircraft have already photographed blue-green algae or cyanbacteria over western waters of Lake Erie in recent days. The foul-smelling algal blooms can harm fish and make people who are exposed to the water sick. In 2014, cyanbacteria from Lake Erie entered the water supply in Toledo, Ohio, and residents were ordered not to drink or touch the water.
The jump start to the algal bloom due to the warm water temperatures means it will be around for several weeks longer than normal.
"This is the second earliest we've seen [the algae] in our data since 2002," wrote Richad Stumpf, an oceanographer with NOAA, in an email. "The earliest was in late June in 2018."
Because phosphorous levels, which make algal blooms worse, aren't particularly high due to less rain than some years, Stumpf doesn't anticipate this year's bloom to be among the biggest. But "it will still be quite visible and is a risk that people need to avoid," he said.
NOAA publishes regular algal bloom forecasts and updates on its website.
In addition to the effects from algal blooms, Stumpf said the warm water can have other detrimental effects for fish. "Many fish do not do well in water that is too warm, so they get 'squeezed' into a smaller and smaller area between surface water that is too warm, and bottom water that doesn't have enough oxygen," he wrote.
The record-setting waters this July fit into the recent warming trend observed over the Great Lakes tied to climate change. "[E]very Great Lake has warmed at least 1.5 F since 1995 (when data became available for all lakes), led by Lake Ontario at 2.2 F," wrote Climate Central, the science communications non-profit, in 2019.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-15--Feder: WBBM Newsradio cuts 'valued members' George Ofman, Kris Habermehl

Even the No .
1 radio station in town is n't exempt from cutbacks sweeping the media industry , Robert @ @ @ @ @ 105.9-FM , the top-rated and top-billing Entercom all-news powerhouse , just laid off two station @ @ @ @ @ and consistently excellent work -- longtime sports anchor George Ofman and `` Mobile 780 '' @ @ @ @ @ helicopter reporter Kris Habermehl .
Ofman , whose roots as a sportscaster were planted 47 @ @ @ @ @ University , was among the original voices of Entercom sports/talk WSCR 670-AM from 1992 to @ @ @ @ @ Newsradio as sports anchor and reporter in 2010 .
Habermehl , who 's been an @ @ @ @ @ Chicago stations since 1992 , joined WBBM Newsradio full-time in 2017 after more than 20 @ @ @ @ @ .
Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: WBBM Newsradio cuts 'valued members' George Ofman, Kris Habermehl
WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM just laid off two station stalwarts known for their dedication and consistently excellent work -- longtime sports anchor George Ofman and "Mobile 780" radio traffic and spot news helicopter reporter Kris Habermehl.
Even the No. 1 radio station in town isn't exempt from cutbacks sweeping the media industry, Robert Feder writes.
WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM, the top-rated and top-billing Entercom all-news powerhouse, just laid off two station stalwarts known for their dedication and consistently excellent work -- longtime sports anchor George Ofman and "Mobile 780" radio traffic and spot news helicopter reporter Kris Habermehl.
Ofman, whose roots as a sportscaster were planted 47 years ago at Southern Illinois University, was among the original voices of Entercom sports/talk WSCR 670-AM from 1992 to 2009. He joined WBBM Newsradio as sports anchor and reporter in 2010.
Habermehl, who's been an airborne traffic reporter for various Chicago stations since 1992, joined WBBM Newsradio full-time in 2017 after more than 20 years at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--Saccotelli announces bid for Mount Prospect mayor

Mount Prospect Trustee Colleen Saccotelli , who has served on the village board since 2015 , announced Tuesday she will be running for mayor in the 2021 election .
Saccotelli 's announcement comes in the wake of Mayor Arlene Juracek 's decision not to run for reelection .
She will run against longtime Trustee Paul Hoefert .
Trustee William Grossi also said he is leaning toward running .
`` I am excited to announce my candidacy for mayor , '' Saccotelli said .
`` I believe in the future of Mount Prospect . ''
She said she wants to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on `` increased community outreach , reinvigorated economic development initiatives , and more representative participation of residents in Village meetings , events and commissions . ''
She said she would bring a fresh perspective to the board , adding that she makes decisions based on what is best for the entire community and with careful consideration of resident comments , staff recommendations and expert reports .
Saccotelli has a B.A .
in Political Science from DePaul University and an M.A .
in International Affairs from American University .
She was first elected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again in 2019 .
She also serves on the Village 's Sister Cities Commission and the Northwest Municipal Conference 's legislative committee .

Saccotelli announces bid for Mount Prospect mayor
Mount Prospect Trustee Colleen Saccotelli, who has served on the village board since 2015, announced Tuesday she will be running for mayor in the 2021 election.
Saccotelli's announcement comes in the wake of Mayor Arlene Juracek's decision not to run for reelection.
She will run against longtime Trustee Paul Hoefert. Trustee William Grossi also said he is leaning toward running.
"I am excited to announce my candidacy for mayor," Saccotelli said. "I believe in the future of Mount Prospect."
She said she wants to continue to lead the village forward by focusing on "increased community outreach, reinvigorated economic development initiatives, and more representative participation of residents in Village meetings, events and commissions."
She said she would bring a fresh perspective to the board, adding that she makes decisions based on what is best for the entire community and with careful consideration of resident comments, staff recommendations and expert reports.
Saccotelli has a B.A. in Political Science from DePaul University and an M.A. in International Affairs from American University. She was first elected to the village board in 2015 and then again in 2019. She also serves on the Village's Sister Cities Commission and the Northwest Municipal Conference's legislative committee.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-15--Premier League transfer window to run for 10 weeks

LONDON -- The Premier League transfer window will run for 10 weeks until Oct. 5 .
The 2020-21 season is @ @ @ @ @ later than scheduled in September .
The transfer window will open on July 27 , @ @ @ @ @ season ends , the league said Wednesday following a decision by clubs .
Premier League @ @ @ @ @ 5-16 to sign players on loan or permanently from 72 teams in the English Football @ @ @ @ @ to approve the transfer window plans .

Premier League transfer window to run for 10 weeks
The Premier League ball on the ground ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Manchester City at the Falmer stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, July 11, 2020. (Cath Ivill/Pool via AP) Associated Press
LONDON -- The Premier League transfer window will run for 10 weeks until Oct. 5.
The 2020-21 season is due to begin a month later than scheduled in September. The transfer window will open on July 27, the day after the pandemic-delayed season ends, the league said Wednesday following a decision by clubs.
Premier League clubs will have from Oct. 5-16 to sign players on loan or permanently from 72 teams in the English Football League.
FIFA still has to approve the transfer window plans.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-15--Why the pandemic is leading to more opioid overdoses

Opioid overdose deaths could reach record levels this year in Cook , Lake and DuPage counties as the COVID-19 pandemic adds several factors that contribute to drug-related fatalities .
Drug prevention advocates were uneasy when overdose deaths across the six-county region , excluding Chicago , rose to 769 last year from 707 in 2018 .
Now the toll appears on track to be even worse , two suburban coroners and Cook County public health officials say .
Suburban Cook County has seen 204 confirmed opioid overdose deaths through July 1 , according to the medical examiner 's online case archive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total deaths this year .
Last year 's death toll was a record 376 in Cook County communities excluding Chicago .
And medical examiner 's figures show there are 148 pending cases that could make those numbers even worse .
Chief Medical Examiner Ponni Arunkumar said in a news release that 70 % to 80 % of pending cases are expected to be confirmed as overdoses , meaning there already have been roughly 307 to 322 overdose deaths in Cook County suburbs .
Countywide , Cook has recorded 773 opioid overdose deaths so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the same period last year .
Including 70 % to 80 % of 508 total pending cases countywide , Cook County already has seen roughly 1,200 opioid toxicity deaths , Arunkumar estimates .
Officials also are troubled by the fact that 63 % of the 773 people who have died this year from confirmed opioid overdoses are Black or Latino .
Suburban officials in Lake and DuPage counties are expressing similar concerns about rising overdose totals .
Lake County already has recorded 42 confirmed opioid overdose deaths , Coroner Howard Cooper said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 84 -- topping last year 's record of 77 .
That 's without including 23 cases that were pending as of July 1. Cooper said many of those likely will prove to be overdoses as well .
`` We 're way ahead of where we were last year , '' he said .
DuPage County has recorded 52 overdose deaths , with about 47 involving opioids , Coroner Richard Jorgensen said .
The pace would put the county at 94 deaths for the year , but that 's without roughly 25 pending cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove to be overdoses .
There were 96 opioid overdose deaths in the county last year -- only two below its peak of 98 in 2018 .
`` If we keep on this track , we 're way ahead of last year 's numbers , '' Jorgensen said .
The news is slightly better elsewhere .
McHenry County is roughly in line with last year 's pace , while counts in Will and Kane counties could drop , depending on the number and outcome of pending cases .
Experts caution that several factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential to increase the number of people who fall victim to overdoses .
`` The situation is dire , '' said Chelsea Laliberte Barnes , founder and executive director of Live4Lali , which works to reduce stigma and prevent substance use disorder .
`` The fallout of what happened with the quarantine is going to be pretty bad ... for people 's mental health and people 's livelihoods , and that is not a good recipe . ''
One key factor is isolation and all the ripple effects it causes .
In isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Naperville say , people who use opioids are more likely to use alone .
That means they 're less likely to be in the presence of anyone who could step in with a dose of the antidote Narcan or naloxone .
`` When you think about people with addiction , you do n't want them isolated , '' Lake County 's Cooper said .
`` They need people 's help to get through this . ''
In isolation , people in recovery are unable to access the communal groups they form to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the in-person manner many say is most effective .
The alumni network from Gateway Foundation treatment centers is seeing many people worried about falling back into old habits , said Jim Wright , director of alumni services .
He called the pandemic `` a big roadblock to staying sober . ''
`` The COVID crisis has taken away all of those options and really put people that are in treatment , in rehab or in recovery at tremendous risk , '' DuPage 's Jorgensen said .
Stimulus cash brought another risk , Linden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large amount of money can be a dangerous temptation . ''
And then there 's the issue of supply .
Laliberte Barnes said some users might have to turn to unfamiliar dealers because their regular suppliers got sick .
A new dealer might sell street drugs like heroin at a stronger potency , which could cause an overdose if used in a typical amount .
`` We , as a state , have to recognize that drug use is not an uncommon action and we need to be getting ahead of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to use safely , '' Laliberte Barnes said .
The overarching problem with the pandemic 's effects on the opioid crisis is one of priorities , experts say .
The public health field has shifted so much of its muscle toward decreasing the spread of the virus and ramping up contact tracing that little remains to battle opioid overdoses .
`` I feel , as always , we can do a lot more , '' Laliberte Barnes said .
`` We ca n't just give up on it because we have other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its mobile outreach with a purple truck called the Stigma Crusher available weekly in McHenry and Waukegan .
The truck provides safe use supplies including clean syringes , tourniquets and snorting kits , naloxone , fentanyl test strips and pill disposal equipment , as well as toiletries , bottled water , masks , nonperishable food , hand sanitizer , bags and safe sex supplies -- all free of cost and questions .
Live4Lali also offers a delivery service for safe use supplies to anyone in suburban Cook , DuPage , Lake and McHenry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day by texting ( 224 ) 297-4393 .
To Jorgensen , the best way anyone can help in the fight against the pandemic 's effects on opioid overdoses is to reach out .
He said the majority of people who died from overdoses confirmed during a spike in DuPage this spring were suffering from isolation , depression or a history of addiction and relapses .
`` The only thing I say we can do is to reach out to people that we know are hurting , '' Jorgensen said , `` and try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time . ''

Why the pandemic is leading to more opioid overdoses
Opioid overdose deaths could reach record levels this year in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties as the COVID-19 pandemic adds several factors that contribute to drug-related fatalities.
Drug prevention advocates were uneasy when overdose deaths across the six-county region, excluding Chicago, rose to 769 last year from 707 in 2018.
Now the toll appears on track to be even worse, two suburban coroners and Cook County public health officials say.
Suburban Cook County has seen 204 confirmed opioid overdose deaths through July 1, according to the medical examiner's online case archive, putting it on pace for 408 total deaths this year.
Last year's death toll was a record 376 in Cook County communities excluding Chicago. And medical examiner's figures show there are 148 pending cases that could make those numbers even worse.
Chief Medical Examiner Ponni Arunkumar said in a news release that 70% to 80% of pending cases are expected to be confirmed as overdoses, meaning there already have been roughly 307 to 322 overdose deaths in Cook County suburbs.
Countywide, Cook has recorded 773 opioid overdose deaths so far this year, compared to 605 during the same period last year.
Including 70% to 80% of 508 total pending cases countywide, Cook County already has seen roughly 1,200 opioid toxicity deaths, Arunkumar estimates.
Last year's total countywide was 1,267.
Officials also are troubled by the fact that 63% of the 773 people who have died this year from confirmed opioid overdoses are Black or Latino.
Suburban officials in Lake and DuPage counties are expressing similar concerns about rising overdose totals.
Lake County already has recorded 42 confirmed opioid overdose deaths, Coroner Howard Cooper said, and is on pace to reach 84 -- topping last year's record of 77.
That's without including 23 cases that were pending as of July 1. Cooper said many of those likely will prove to be overdoses as well.
"We're way ahead of where we were last year," he said.
DuPage County has recorded 52 overdose deaths, with about 47 involving opioids, Coroner Richard Jorgensen said.
The pace would put the county at 94 deaths for the year, but that's without roughly 25 pending cases, many of which Jorgensen said could prove to be overdoses.
There were 96 opioid overdose deaths in the county last year -- only two below its peak of 98 in 2018.
"If we keep on this track, we're way ahead of last year's numbers," Jorgensen said.
The news is slightly better elsewhere. McHenry County is roughly in line with last year's pace, while counts in Will and Kane counties could drop, depending on the number and outcome of pending cases.
Experts caution that several factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic have the potential to increase the number of people who fall victim to overdoses.
"The situation is dire," said Chelsea Laliberte Barnes, founder and executive director of Live4Lali, which works to reduce stigma and prevent substance use disorder. "The fallout of what happened with the quarantine is going to be pretty bad ... for people's mental health and people's livelihoods, and that is not a good recipe."
One key factor is isolation and all the ripple effects it causes. In isolation, experts with Linden Oaks Behavioral Health in Naperville say, people who use opioids are more likely to use alone. That means they're less likely to be in the presence of anyone who could step in with a dose of the antidote Narcan or naloxone.
"When you think about people with addiction, you don't want them isolated," Lake County's Cooper said. "They need people's help to get through this."
In isolation, people in recovery are unable to access the communal groups they form to help maintain sobriety, at least in the in-person manner many say is most effective.
The alumni network from Gateway Foundation treatment centers is seeing many people worried about falling back into old habits, said Jim Wright, director of alumni services.
He called the pandemic "a big roadblock to staying sober."
Coroners agree.
"The COVID crisis has taken away all of those options and really put people that are in treatment, in rehab or in recovery at tremendous risk," DuPage's Jorgensen said.
Stimulus cash brought another risk, Linden Oaks experts said, because "having a large amount of money can be a dangerous temptation."
And then there's the issue of supply. Laliberte Barnes said some users might have to turn to unfamiliar dealers because their regular suppliers got sick. A new dealer might sell street drugs like heroin at a stronger potency, which could cause an overdose if used in a typical amount.
"We, as a state, have to recognize that drug use is not an uncommon action and we need to be getting ahead of it when it comes to educating people on how to use safely," Laliberte Barnes said.
The overarching problem with the pandemic's effects on the opioid crisis is one of priorities, experts say.
The public health field has shifted so much of its muscle toward decreasing the spread of the virus and ramping up contact tracing that little remains to battle opioid overdoses.
"I feel, as always, we can do a lot more," Laliberte Barnes said. "We can't just give up on it because we have other priorities."
Her organization has restarted its mobile outreach with a purple truck called the Stigma Crusher available weekly in McHenry and Waukegan.
The truck provides safe use supplies including clean syringes, tourniquets and snorting kits, naloxone, fentanyl test strips and pill disposal equipment, as well as toiletries, bottled water, masks, nonperishable food, hand sanitizer, bags and safe sex supplies -- all free of cost and questions.
Live4Lali also offers a delivery service for safe use supplies to anyone in suburban Cook, DuPage, Lake and McHenry counties, available nearly 24 hours a day by texting (224) 297-4393.
To Jorgensen, the best way anyone can help in the fight against the pandemic's effects on opioid overdoses is to reach out. He said the majority of people who died from overdoses confirmed during a spike in DuPage this spring were suffering from isolation, depression or a history of addiction and relapses.
"The only thing I say we can do is to reach out to people that we know are hurting," Jorgensen said, "and try to help these people during this critical time."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Racing set to begin next week after Arlington Park gets final nod of approval

An order granting belated racing dates to Arlington Park for this season received official ratification from the state today .
Thoroughbreds will come spinning out of the turn , without spectators present , starting July 23 , under the plan approved by the Illinois Racing Board .
The track will host eight races per day , with post times at 2 p.m. , on Thursdays , Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 26 .
Racing board members on Thursday unanimously ratified the plan , which followed months of contentious negotiations between track owners Churchill Downs Inc. and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trainers .
To make wagers , bettors will need an online account with Churchill Downs or another online wagering site , or visit an off-track betting parlor with `` in-and-out '' wagering , including Trackside locations in Arlington Heights , Green Oaks , Hoffman Estates and Aurora .
Separately , the state board approved three racing officials for the Arlington season .
Vincent Clark will work as steward , Dr. Christine Tuma as veterinarian and Jere Smith Jr. as paddock judge .
Clark is a former jockey who has been a longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the state .
Tuma has extensive equine experience and has worked at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack in New York , while Smith began working as a racing official in Kentucky and Louisiana in 2019 after 38 years as a trainer .
Arlington 's long-term future still remains in doubt , with Churchill so far only committing to keeping the gates open through 2021 .

Racing set to begin next week after Arlington Park gets final nod of approval
An order granting belated racing dates to Arlington Park for this season received official ratification Thursday from the state. Racing will take place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from July 23 through Sept. 26. Daily Herald File Photo, 2019
An order granting belated racing dates to Arlington Park for this season received official ratification from the state Thursday.
Thoroughbreds will come spinning out of the turn, without spectators present, starting July 23, under the plan approved by the Illinois Racing Board. The track will host eight races per day, with post times at 2 p.m., on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 26.
Racing board members on Thursday unanimously ratified the plan, which followed months of contentious negotiations between track owners Churchill Downs Inc. and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, which represents horse owners and trainers.
To make wagers, bettors will need an online account with Churchill Downs or another online wagering site, or they must visit an off-track betting parlor with "in-and-out" wagering, including Trackside locations in Arlington Heights, Green Oaks, Hoffman Estates and Aurora.
Separately, the state board approved three racing officials for the Arlington season. Vincent Clark will work as steward, Dr. Christine Tuma as veterinarian and Jere Smith Jr. as paddock judge.
Clark is a former jockey who has been a longtime racing official in Kentucky and Ohio, according to the state. Tuma has extensive equine experience and has worked at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack in New York, while Smith began working as a racing official in Kentucky and Louisiana in 2019 after 38 years as a trainer.
Arlington's long-term future still remains in doubt, with Churchill so far committing only to keeping the gates open through 2021.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-15--Suburbs, Chicago now in separate COVID-19 regions as state aims to target hot spots

New Illinois COVID-19 prevention strategies include splitting the suburbs into separate regions to target outbreaks and shutting down specific activities if public health is at risk , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday .
Chicago will be its own region , as will suburban Cook County .
Other regions are : West Suburban comprising DuPage and Kane counties ; North Suburban comprising Lake and McHenry counties ; and South Suburban comprising Kankakee and Will counties .
The move `` allows us to move decisively ... focusing on detecting localized outbreaks with new mobile testing capacity , '' Pritzker said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 1,187 new cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths .
The state 's COVID-19 test positivity rate is at 3.1 % based on a seven-day average .
Overall , Illinois is being split into 11 public health districts , and the state will tighten restrictions in a variety of settings when cases of the virus surge .
`` We can then take targeted actions within specific regions to help mitigate the spread of this deadly disease while keeping as much of our state open as possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Indoor restaurants and bars , which fall into a high-risk category for COVID-19 exposure , would automatically be restricted if a region 's COVID-19 numbers raised alarms .
Offices , organized recreational activities like youth sports , retail stores , hair salons and religious gatherings also could see limitations if testing and contact tracing indicated a connection .
The state will use a three-tiered system to gradually increase restrictions as warranted .
For example , if COVID-19 is rapidly spreading in a region , the first recourse would be to reduce indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If conditions do n't improve , the next step would be to halt indoor dining and , finally , shut down all service except takeout .
What will cause the state to act ?
Factors include a sustained increase in the seven-day average positivity rate for COVID-19 tests and either a seven-day hike in hospital admissions for related symptoms or a reduction in ICU and hospital bed capacity of 20 % or higher .
Another trigger would be three consecutive days with 8 % or higher rates of positive results on COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and suburban Cook County are considered stable and are meeting all health metrics , according to the state .
Chicago carries a warning for registering 58 new virus cases per 100,000 people ; the state target is less than 50 .
This spring , Pritzker introduced a five-phase , four-region reopening plan , prompting criticisms the areas were too large and that lumping Chicago in with the suburbs would hamstring economic recovery .
In May , the Northwest Municipal Conference that includes Arlington Heights and 41 other suburbs asked to be extracted from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see that the governor has now broken the state into the 11 Emergency Medical Services Regions that have traditionally guided statewide public health efforts , '' Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said , adding it was `` a more equitable way to account for similarities between communities . ''
Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said , `` I think this was the right thing to do .
Clearly Chicago is experiencing COVID much differently than the collar counties , and the collar counties are experiencing COVID much differently than the rural counties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ use a unique strategy with each region . ''
The resurgence prevention plan comes when `` Illinois now has the lowest infection rates among all our neighboring states and one of the lowest positivity rates in the country , '' Pritzker said .
`` Opening up our economy does not have to come with a spike in cases , but that requires vigilance , '' such as wearing masks and social distancing , he said .
Health experts will closely monitor outbreaks involving youth sports , said Pritzker , adding he is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 among students at Lake Zurich High School and in Knox County .
Under the updated guidelines , the state could first reduce indoor capacity at gyms and fitness centers in a region if a COVID-19 resurgence occurred , then suspend all organized indoor recreational activities , and , lastly , halt indoor and outdoor sports and recreation .
Pritzker also urged school districts devising plans for students to return to class this fall to make face coverings a priority .
`` I would n't let my own children return to a school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker said .
Statewide , there have been 156,693 cases of COVID-19 and 7,226 fatalities .
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 came to 1,454 as of Tuesday , a slight uptick from the seven-day average of 1,416 .

Suburbs, Chicago now in separate COVID-19 regions as state aims to target hot spots
Illinois' new COVID-19 prevention strategy divides the state into 11 regions and for the first time separates different parts of the Chicago area. Illinois.gov
New Illinois COVID-19 prevention strategies include splitting the suburbs into separate regions to target outbreaks and shutting down specific activities if public health is at risk, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday. Chicago will be its own region, as will suburban Cook County. Other regions are: West Suburban comprising DuPage and Kane counties; North Suburban comprising Lake and McHenry counties; and South Suburban comprising Kankakee and Will counties.
The move "allows us to move decisively ... focusing on detecting localized outbreaks with new mobile testing capacity," Pritzker said.
Pritzker's comments came as the Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 1,187 new cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths. The state's COVID-19 test positivity rate is at 3.1% based on a seven-day average.
Overall, Illinois is being split into 11 public health districts, and the state will tighten restrictions in a variety of settings when cases of the virus surge.
"We can then take targeted actions within specific regions to help mitigate the spread of this deadly disease while keeping as much of our state open as possible," state health Director Ngozi Ezike said.
Indoor restaurants and bars, which fall into a high-risk category for COVID-19 exposure, would automatically be restricted if a region's COVID-19 numbers raised alarms. Offices, organized recreational activities like youth sports, retail stores, hair salons and religious gatherings also could see limitations if testing and contact tracing indicated a connection.
The state will use a three-tiered system to gradually increase restrictions as warranted. For example, if COVID-19 is rapidly spreading in a region, the first recourse would be to reduce indoor restaurant capacity and suspend indoor bar service. If conditions don't improve, the next step would be to halt indoor dining and, finally, shut down all service except takeout.
What will cause the state to act?
Factors include a sustained increase in the seven-day average positivity rate for COVID-19 tests and either a seven-day hike in hospital admissions for related symptoms or a reduction in ICU and hospital bed capacity of 20% or higher.
Another trigger would be three consecutive days with 8% or higher rates of positive results on COVID-19 tests.
Currently, the collar counties and suburban Cook County are considered stable and are meeting all health metrics, according to the state. Chicago carries a warning for registering 58 new virus cases per 100,000 people; the state target is less than 50.
This spring, Pritzker introduced a five-phase, four-region reopening plan, prompting criticisms the areas were too large and that lumping Chicago in with the suburbs would hamstring economic recovery.
In May, the Northwest Municipal Conference that includes Arlington Heights and 41 other suburbs asked to be extracted from the mega-region.
"I am pleased to see that the governor has now broken the state into the 11 Emergency Medical Services Regions that have traditionally guided statewide public health efforts," Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said, adding it was "a more equitable way to account for similarities between communities."
Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said, "I think this was the right thing to do. Clearly Chicago is experiencing COVID much differently than the collar counties, and the collar counties are experiencing COVID much differently than the rural counties. This decision will allow the governor to use a unique strategy with each region."
The resurgence prevention plan comes when "Illinois now has the lowest infection rates among all our neighboring states and one of the lowest positivity rates in the country," Pritzker said.
"Opening up our economy does not have to come with a spike in cases, but that requires vigilance," such as wearing masks and social distancing, he said.
Health experts will closely monitor outbreaks involving youth sports, said Pritzker, adding he is "deeply troubled" by multiple cases of COVID-19 among students at Lake Zurich High School and in Knox County.
Under the updated guidelines, the state could first reduce indoor capacity at gyms and fitness centers in a region if a COVID-19 resurgence occurred, then suspend all organized indoor recreational activities, and, lastly, halt indoor and outdoor sports and recreation.
Pritzker also urged school districts devising plans for students to return to class this fall to make face coverings a priority.
"I wouldn't let my own children return to a school where masks are not mandatory," Pritzker said.
Statewide, there have been 156,693 cases of COVID-19 and 7,226 fatalities. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 came to 1,454 as of Tuesday, a slight uptick from the seven-day average of 1,416.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Lunch will be served, but how? Schools weigh options to crowded cafeterias

School-aged children who are eating outdoors with their families on patios and sidewalks outside restaurants this summer may still be dining alfresco if and when they return to school next month .
Among the ways schools will try to keep students socially distant at lunchtime is by having them eat their meals in outdoor courtyards and large tents installed on campus , according to some suburban school districts ' preliminary reopening plans .
But unlike the patrons of some outdoor restaurant spaces , students wo n't get white tablecloths or fine china -- let alone a hot dish .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring their own brown bag , or get a prepackaged one from the school .
Some students will be allowed inside the traditional school cafeteria , but to prevent large gatherings of more than 50 people , officials plan to spread out students in a variety of places , such as hallways , available rooms , or `` pop-up '' locations scattered throughout buildings .
In many cases , elementary school students will eat at their homeroom desks .
How to manage lunchtime is one of the many challenges school administrators face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least some of their students as soon as a month from now .
`` First and foremost , it 's ensuring student safety , and within that instructional content and quality delivering instruction , '' said Mary Fergus , spokeswoman for Elgin Area School District U-46 .
`` It 's making sure it 's safe and students are safe emotionally , socially and physically . ''
Seth Chapman , assistant superintendent for business services in St. Charles Unit District 303 , said making lunchtime safe is a `` key issue '' for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy question to answer , but one we 'll work through , '' he said .
District 303 high schoolers likely will eat lunch in common areas , including cafeterias and outdoor courtyards , while maintaining social distancing regulations , Chapman said .
That 's because students are expected to return to a blended learning model , meaning only half the students will be in the building at a time , while the other half learn remotely .
At elementary schools , administrators are recommending students eat lunch outside as weather permits or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be delivered each day .
Logistics are a bit more complicated for middle schools , which do n't have as much common space as high schools .
So , officials are working to designate certain lunch areas within the buildings .
A special District 303 task force committee is expected to discuss the plans and iron out details Thursday .
Glenbrook High School District 225 plans to install rented , all-season tents in courtyards at Glenbrook North in Northbrook and Glenbrook South in Glenview to accommodate an overflow of students .
Smaller classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to other spots to open up more space for lunch .
Other pop-up lunch stations will be placed throughout the buildings , officials say .
And students will have assigned seats at lunch , just as they do in classes , as part of the district 's contact tracing program .
Glenbrook administrators say they could also expand `` open lunch '' privileges -- now available only to upperclassmen -- to all grade levels , allowing more students to leave campus during midday hours .
Even if cafeterias will be open for limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cafeteria lines wo n't .
Districts such as Glenbrook plan to serve only prepackaged or `` grab and go '' items .
In Palatine Township Elementary School District 15 , meals will be delivered to classrooms .
Some schools will forbid cash payments .
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 in Naperville and Aurora is handling all lunchroom transactions on PushCoin , an online student wallet system for meal and school fee payments .
Other districts are trying to figure out exactly what they might do at lunchtime , though much depends whether all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 Superintendent Prentiss Lea told his school board this week that social distancing in cafeterias would be `` very , very challenging , if not impossible . ''
Libertyville High School would need eight or nine locations per lunch hour if all students attend school daily , while only four or five locations would be needed if students attend in-person classes in daily shifts , Principal Tom Koulentes said .
District administrators are looking into the use of outdoor tents , field houses , gymnasiums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoor spaces for lunch periods at both Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools .
School districts might look to Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 for guidance on how to handle lunchtime in classrooms .
It is one of the few districts that does n't have cafeteria service -- save for the brown bag lunches provided to students in the free and reduced lunch program .
District spokeswoman Terri McHugh said students bring lunches in the morning , leave them in cubbyholes or their backpacks , then eat at their desks in the afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cafeteria rooms , and a committee is talking about how to do social distancing there , McHugh said .
• Daily Herald staff writers Elena Ferrarin , Melynda Findlay Shamie , Russell Lissau , Lauren Rohr and Katlyn Smith contributed to this report .

Lunch will be served, but how? Schools weigh options to crowded cafeterias
School-aged children who are eating outdoors with their families on patios and sidewalks outside restaurants this summer may still be dining alfresco if and when they return to school next month.
Among the ways schools will try to keep students socially distant at lunchtime is by having them eat their meals in outdoor courtyards and large tents installed on campus, according to some suburban school districts' preliminary reopening plans.
But unlike the patrons of some outdoor restaurant spaces, students won't get white tablecloths or fine china -- let alone a hot dish. What's more likely is they'll have to bring their own brown bag, or get a prepackaged one from the school.
Some students will be allowed inside the traditional school cafeteria, but to prevent large gatherings of more than 50 people, officials plan to spread out students in a variety of places, such as hallways, available rooms, or "pop-up" locations scattered throughout buildings. In many cases, elementary school students will eat at their homeroom desks.
Packed cafeterias won't be an option for suburban schools when students return next month, so administrators are weighing options such as alfresco dining, using field houses for lunchtime and students dining at their classroom desks. - Associated Press
How to manage lunchtime is one of the many challenges school administrators face as they make plans to welcome back at least some of their students as soon as a month from now.
"First and foremost, it's ensuring student safety, and within that instructional content and quality delivering instruction," said Mary Fergus, spokeswoman for Elgin Area School District U-46. "It's making sure it's safe and students are safe emotionally, socially and physically."
Seth Chapman, assistant superintendent for business services in St. Charles Unit District 303, said making lunchtime safe is a "key issue" for schools.
"It's not an easy question to answer, but one we'll work through," he said.
District 303 high schoolers likely will eat lunch in common areas, including cafeterias and outdoor courtyards, while maintaining social distancing regulations, Chapman said. That's because students are expected to return to a blended learning model, meaning only half the students will be in the building at a time, while the other half learn remotely.
At elementary schools, administrators are recommending students eat lunch outside as weather permits or in their classrooms, where food would be delivered each day.
Logistics are a bit more complicated for middle schools, which don't have as much common space as high schools. So, officials are working to designate certain lunch areas within the buildings.
A special District 303 task force committee is expected to discuss the plans and iron out details Thursday.
Glenbrook High School District 225 plans to install rented, all-season tents in courtyards at Glenbrook North in Northbrook and Glenbrook South in Glenview to accommodate an overflow of students. Smaller classes that use large spaces are being relocated to other spots to open up more space for lunch. Other pop-up lunch stations will be placed throughout the buildings, officials say.
And students will have assigned seats at lunch, just as they do in classes, as part of the district's contact tracing program.
Glenbrook administrators say they could also expand "open lunch" privileges -- now available only to upperclassmen -- to all grade levels, allowing more students to leave campus during midday hours.
Even if cafeterias will be open for limited seating at some suburban schools, many cafeteria lines won't.
Districts such as Glenbrook plan to serve only prepackaged or "grab and go" items. In Palatine Township Elementary School District 15, meals will be delivered to classrooms.
Some schools will forbid cash payments. Indian Prairie Unit District 204 in Naperville and Aurora is handling all lunchroom transactions on PushCoin, an online student wallet system for meal and school fee payments.
Other districts are trying to figure out exactly what they might do at lunchtime, though much depends whether all students will be back at the same time.
Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 Superintendent Prentiss Lea told his school board this week that social distancing in cafeterias would be "very, very challenging, if not impossible."
Libertyville High School would need eight or nine locations per lunch hour if all students attend school daily, while only four or five locations would be needed if students attend in-person classes in daily shifts, Principal Tom Koulentes said.
District administrators are looking into the use of outdoor tents, field houses, gymnasiums, dance facilities and other large, indoor spaces for lunch periods at both Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools.
School districts might look to Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 for guidance on how to handle lunchtime in classrooms. It is one of the few districts that doesn't have cafeteria service -- save for the brown bag lunches provided to students in the free and reduced lunch program.
District spokeswoman Terri McHugh said students bring lunches in the morning, leave them in cubbyholes or their backpacks, then eat at their desks in the afternoon. Junior high school students eat in cafeteria rooms, and a committee is talking about how to do social distancing there, McHugh said.
• Daily Herald staff writers Elena Ferrarin, Melynda Findlay Shamie, Russell Lissau, Lauren Rohr and Katlyn Smith contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Wolff's Flea Market says the state is wrong to block its reopening

Wolff 's Flea Market , a Northwest suburban staple for pickers , collectors and other thrifters , has n't received state permission to reopen because , its operators contend , it 's been misclassified as a festival instead of retail shopping .
The weekly Sunday morning swap meet of 760 vendors selling their wares and tchotchkes is normally held from April through October in the parking lot of the Allstate Arena in Rosemont .
It 's one of the largest in the Chicago area .
But organizers are holding out hope they 'll still be able to host an abbreviated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convince state regulators that proper COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place .
That would include limiting capacity to no more than 5,000 at a time -- half the usual peak -- mandating masks for customers and vendors , and installing hand sanitizer stations throughout the 30-acre site .
`` It 's a shame corporate stores are allowed to open indoors and we 're the small nobodies who are outdoors and we 're being restricted , '' said David Wolff , who runs the market with his wife , Sharon , and brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different than a Walmart , '' Wolff added .
`` Customers are coming in , they go shop , buy things , they check out .
Again , it 's outdoors .
In general , ( shoppers are ) moving .
There 's no lingering . ''
Wolff 's has the support of Rosemont village officials , who rent their stadium parking lot to the market .
But because of liability issues , the village requires the state to sign off .
`` I think the bottom line is they do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're something else , '' Wolff said .
A representative of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity issued a statement late Wednesday night : `` The State of Illinois has not yet issued safety guidelines to allow flea markets to operate , based on direction provided by public health officials .
Bear in mind , each phase of the Restore Illinois plan includes capacity restrictions and guidelines on group sizes permitted -- which will be assessed on an ongoing basis , according to the latest science and data .
The Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely with businesses and industry groups to keep partners apprised as guidelines are developed to ensure a safe and gradual reopening of our state . ''
But at least a dozen other flea markets in the Chicago area have already reopened or are scheduled to in the coming weeks .
The monthly Kane County Flea Market is set to resume Aug. 1-2 , while Swap-O-Rama , which operates markets in Melrose Park , Alsip and the South Side of Chicago , recently reopened .
Wolff said he ca n't speak for the processes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely operators made the assumption that their markets classify as retail under state reopening guidelines .

Wolff's Flea Market says the state is wrong to block its reopening
Normally one of the biggest outdoor flea markets in the Chicago area, Wolff's Flea Market in Rosemont hasn't received permission from state officials to reopen. Its operators argue the market is being misclassified as a festival. Daily Herald File Photo, 2009
Wolff's Flea Market, a Northwest suburban staple for pickers, collectors and other thrifters, hasn't received state permission to reopen because, its operators contend, it's been misclassified as a festival instead of retail shopping.
The weekly Sunday morning swap meet of 760 vendors selling their wares and tchotchkes is normally held from April through October in the parking lot of the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. It's one of the largest in the Chicago area.
But organizers are holding out hope they'll still be able to host an abbreviated 30th season in Rosemont if they can convince state regulators that proper COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place.
That would include limiting capacity to no more than 5,000 at a time -- half the usual peak -- mandating masks for customers and vendors, and installing hand sanitizer stations throughout the 30-acre site.
"It's a shame corporate stores are allowed to open indoors and we're the small nobodies who are outdoors and we're being restricted," said David Wolff, who runs the market with his wife, Sharon, and brother, Don.
"We're no different than a Walmart," Wolff added. "Customers are coming in, they go shop, buy things, they check out. Again, it's outdoors. In general, (shoppers are) moving. There's no lingering."
Wolff's has the support of Rosemont village officials, who rent their stadium parking lot to the market. But because of liability issues, the village requires the state to sign off.
"I think the bottom line is they don't think we're retail. They think we're something else," Wolff said.
A representative of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity issued a statement late Wednesday night: "The State of Illinois has not yet issued safety guidelines to allow flea markets to operate, based on direction provided by public health officials. Bear in mind, each phase of the Restore Illinois plan includes capacity restrictions and guidelines on group sizes permitted -- which will be assessed on an ongoing basis, according to the latest science and data. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity continues to work closely with businesses and industry groups to keep partners apprised as guidelines are developed to ensure a safe and gradual reopening of our state."
But at least a dozen other flea markets in the Chicago area have already reopened or are scheduled to in the coming weeks. The monthly Kane County Flea Market is set to resume Aug. 1-2, while Swap-O-Rama, which operates markets in Melrose Park, Alsip and the South Side of Chicago, recently reopened.
Wolff said he can't speak for the processes of other markets, but it's likely operators made the assumption that their markets classify as retail under state reopening guidelines.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-15--Bloomingdale to buy Indian Lakes, leave it as open space

Bloomingdale plans to purchase a former golf course at Indian Lakes Resort to protect it from development .
Trustees this week unanimously approved a letter declaring the village 's intent to buy the roughly 188-acre former golf course as well as 15.4 acres along the south side of Schick Road between Country Club and Cardinal drives .
The $ 8 million deal does n't include the resort 's hotel and conference center buildings .
Village President Franco Coladipietro said he wants to close on the land as soon as possible .
`` I am happy for the residents of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` This is one of those purchases that is going to benefit the community and future generations to come . ''
Indian Lakes officials closed the 27-hole golf course in late 2016 .
Over the past several years , a significant number of residents have reached out to village officials to express their desire to see the golf course remain as open space , Coladipietro said .
Meanwhile , he said , the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened awareness about the need for open space and outdoor recreational areas .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environmental quality of our neighborhoods and provide significant stormwater benefits , '' Coladipietro said in a Facebook post , which had received nearly 100 positive comments by Wednesday afternoon .
The planned purchase comes nearly a year after First ILR LLC -- which owns Indian Lakes -- and K. Hovnanian Homes scrapped a proposal to build hundreds of houses on the shuttered golf course .
In spring 2019 , large crowds attended three public hearings about the proposal to build 535 ranch houses .
The first hearing drew more than 700 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the planning and zoning commission voiced opposition .
Even commissioners raised concerns about potential flooding , increased traffic , decreased property values and the removal of more than 1,000 high-quality trees .
Coladipietro said residents during those hearings spoke `` pretty loud and clear '' about what they wanted .
`` The overwhelming majority of people wanted that land to remain open space and a recreation area , '' he said .
Last fall , First ILR tried to find other buyers for the property , including the village .
But the asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make an offer at that time .
Over the past three weeks , the village and First ILR were `` finally able to reach a price we thought was fair for both parties , '' Coladipietro said .
In addition to the golf course , the village will get a second parcel that includes a large parking lot and detention pond .
Coladipietro said Bloomingdale has the financial ability to raise the $ 8 million for the land .
`` We have very low debt at the village , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek grant money to help with the cost .
Once the land is acquired , Coladipietro said , the village 's top priority will be to properly maintain it .
For example , he said , the parcel along Schick is overgrown with weeds .
`` We want to get that cleaned up , '' he said .
In addition , officials will solicit community input on the future use of the land .
The new parcels will join a neighboring 34.4 acres already owned by the village .
Bloomingdale bought the southernmost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve it as open space .
The plan is to transform that site -- located between Meadowlark Road and Cardinal Drive -- into a passive park with a trail , landscaping , parking lot and several ponds to help alleviate flooding .

Bloomingdale to buy Indian Lakes, leave it as open space
Bloomingdale trustees this week unanimously approved a letter declaring the village's intent to buy the former golf course at Indian Lakes Resort. In addition, the village plans to purchase 15.4 acres along the south side of Schick Road. Daily Herald file photo
Bloomingdale plans to purchase a former golf course at Indian Lakes Resort to protect it from development.
Trustees this week unanimously approved a letter declaring the village's intent to buy the roughly 188-acre former golf course as well as 15.4 acres along the south side of Schick Road between Country Club and Cardinal drives. The $8 million deal doesn't include the resort's hotel and conference center buildings.
Village President Franco Coladipietro said he wants to close on the land as soon as possible.
"I am happy for the residents of the village of Bloomingdale," Coladipietro said Wednesday. "This is one of those purchases that is going to benefit the community and future generations to come."
Indian Lakes officials closed the 27-hole golf course in late 2016. Over the past several years, a significant number of residents have reached out to village officials to express their desire to see the golf course remain as open space, Coladipietro said.
Meanwhile, he said, the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened awareness about the need for open space and outdoor recreational areas.
"The preservation of this open space will enhance the environmental quality of our neighborhoods and provide significant stormwater benefits," Coladipietro said in a Facebook post, which had received nearly 100 positive comments by Wednesday afternoon.
The planned purchase comes nearly a year after First ILR LLC -- which owns Indian Lakes -- and K. Hovnanian Homes scrapped a proposal to build hundreds of houses on the shuttered golf course.
That proposed development drew strong opposition from residents.
In spring 2019, large crowds attended three public hearings about the proposal to build 535 ranch houses. The first hearing drew more than 700 people, and nearly everyone who spoke to the planning and zoning commission voiced opposition.
Even commissioners raised concerns about potential flooding, increased traffic, decreased property values and the removal of more than 1,000 high-quality trees.
Coladipietro said residents during those hearings spoke "pretty loud and clear" about what they wanted.
"The overwhelming majority of people wanted that land to remain open space and a recreation area," he said.
Last fall, First ILR tried to find other buyers for the property, including the village. But the asking price was too high for Bloomingdale to make an offer at that time.
Over the past three weeks, the village and First ILR were "finally able to reach a price we thought was fair for both parties," Coladipietro said.
In addition to the golf course, the village will get a second parcel that includes a large parking lot and detention pond.
Coladipietro said Bloomingdale has the financial ability to raise the $8 million for the land. "We have very low debt at the village," he said.
Still, village officials will try to seek grant money to help with the cost.
Once the land is acquired, Coladipietro said, the village's top priority will be to properly maintain it. For example, he said, the parcel along Schick is overgrown with weeds.
"We want to get that cleaned up," he said.
In addition, officials will solicit community input on the future use of the land.
The new parcels will join a neighboring 34.4 acres already owned by the village.
Bloomingdale bought the southernmost part of the resort in 2007 to preserve it as open space. The plan is to transform that site -- located between Meadowlark Road and Cardinal Drive -- into a passive park with a trail, landscaping, parking lot and several ponds to help alleviate flooding.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Ross names Hendricks to be Cubs' Opening Day starter

Cubs manager David Ross announced Thursday that Kyle Hendricks will be his Opening Day starter against the Brewers .
Hendricks @ @ @ @ @ demeanor , and the news did n't change that .
`` It may have been @ @ @ @ @ to tell him than it was for him to hear the news , '' Ross @ @ @ @ @ more on the Cubs later this afternoon .

Ross names Hendricks to be Cubs' Opening Day starter
Pitcher Kyle Hendricks took the news that he will be the Cubs' Opening Day starter in typical Kyle Hendricks fashion.
Which is to say, Hendricks apparently reacted as if he'd been handed a sandwich.
"It may have been a bigger deal for me to tell him than it was for him to hear the news," manager David Ross said.
Ross broke the news first in a meeting with the other starters, then later called Hendricks in to explain the decision in more depth.
"Just a really cool experience for me just to be able say it's happened, obviously," Hendricks said Thursday in a Zoom meeting with the media. "But it was even cooler just to have those other guys in the room with me and just congratulating me for my first one. Especially guys like Jon (Lester) that have been around for so long and somebody I've looked up to for years on this team and learned so much from him about how to do it, how to go about it the right way. ...
"And then for Rossy to call me in by myself just to congratulate me 1-on-1 and tell me that I got it, it did mean something for sure. But at the end of the day, we're just worried about going out and winning ballgames, no matter how we've got to do it."
This will be Hendricks' first Opening Day assignment, but it will be an experience like no other because it's coming in July and it's coming in front of an empty Wrigley Field.
Hendricks said he threw 70 pitches in his last intrasquad scrimmage, and he plans to work up to 85 in his final outing of this most unusual preseason. The goal is to be ready to throw 100 pitches against the Brewers July 24.
And Hendricks likes the idea of being regarded as a pitcher who can throw a lot of innings for his team, something that wasn't always true in the past.
"It means a ton to me. I've thanked (Ross) over and over again," Hendricks said.
Hendricks said he used the time off this summer not only to get stronger but also to work on his curveball.
"Using that curveball not just in an early count but learning how to get guys out with it," he said. "Learning how to use it in middle counts. Moving it around the strike zone. I've been doing a lot of different things with my curveball. I think it's going to open up a lot in my game."
Yu Darvish will follow Hendricks in the rotation, Ross said.
The Cubs hope to see left-hander Jose Quintana pitching again soon after he cut his thumb while washing dishes. Quintana just started to throw again Thursday after getting the stitches out Wednesday.
"I like where our pitching is," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. "Obviously, Quintana's injury was an early hit to that. But I think we have the depth and I think that keeping guys healthy is working. And frankly having some guys step up and perform potentially at levels they haven't performed at yet in the big leagues is really important to us.
"We have a lot of really good young, power arms that are throwing great in these intrasquad scrimmages, and some of these guys threw well in Arizona before."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-15--Campaign brings in nearly $53,500 for Long Grove bridge renovation

Private fundraising through lemonade stands , donation jars , large contributions and other means resulted in a hefty check for Long Grove to help pay for restoration of a 114-year-old bridge that 's on the National Register of Historic Places .
Long Grove Historical Society President Angie Underwood presented Village President Bill Jacob with a check for $ 53,496.98 at a gathering under a tent Wednesday adjacent to Buffalo Creek Brewing .
The nonprofit historical society started a covered bridge fundraising campaign with a $ 1,000 donation in March 2017 , '' Our downtown looks fantastic and I ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Jacob said in thanking the historical society for the donation .
The Robert Parker Coffin Road bridge in the village 's downtown was lowered back into place over Buffalo Creek after part of the renovations were completed last month .
It awaits its signature wooden cover before making a full comeback -- possibly by Aug. 14 -- from damage caused by a truck crash two years ago .
Crews removed the historic bridge in March and placed it on a flatbed truck parked off Coffin Road to accommodate concrete abutment replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A steel skeleton has been installed on the bridge and is supporting the start of the wooden cover Two weeks after becoming a national landmark , the one-lane covered bridge was hit by a box truck on June 27 , 2018 .
It was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic for more than two months as a result .
Long Grove officials were considering a bridge renovation well before the crash , but officials voiced financial concerns .
That led to the historical society 's fundraising drive involving Long Grove-area businesses , residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 114-year-old bridge .
Underwood , a former Long Grove village president , said the largest donation came from a former Barrington resident 's family foundation .
Underwood said the woman , now living on the East Coast , donated to the bridge fund to honor many great childhood memories of visiting Long Grove with her grandmother .
`` We had kids have lemonade stands , '' she said .
`` We had merchants have lemonade stands .
Merchants put 'Pennies for the Bridge ' jars out at their stores .
We had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle school sold cookie dough to do a fundraiser for the bridge .
We had an artist , Tony Stencel , paint an original watercolor of the bridge and we sold hundreds and hundreds of raffle tickets and that resulted in quite a bit of donations for us , too . ''
Jacob said the village 's out-of-pocket cost should be $ 589,000 for the bridge work .
However , a $ 250,000 state grant , about $ 195,000 from an insurance claim related to the crash and the roughly $ 53,500 historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the tab .
Constructed in 1906 by the Joliet Bridge and Iron Co. , the span is a rare surviving example of a pin-connected pony truss bridge built for an urban setting , according to documents submitted for the national landmark process .
The cover was added in 1972 to help preserve the bridge and limit traffic from trucks and other heavy vehicles .

Campaign brings in nearly $53,500 for Long Grove bridge renovation
Private fundraising through lemonade stands, donation jars, large contributions and other means resulted in a hefty check for Long Grove to help pay for restoration of a 114-year-old bridge that's on the National Register of Historic Places.
Long Grove Historical Society President Angie Underwood presented Village President Bill Jacob with a check for $53,496.98 at a gathering under a tent Wednesday adjacent to Buffalo Creek Brewing. The nonprofit historical society started a covered bridge fundraising campaign with a $1,000 donation in March 2017,
"Our downtown looks fantastic and I can't wait for that bridge to open up," Jacob said in thanking the historical society for the donation.
The Robert Parker Coffin Road bridge in the village's downtown was lowered back into place over Buffalo Creek after part of the renovations were completed last month. It awaits its signature wooden cover before making a full comeback -- possibly by Aug. 14 -- from damage caused by a truck crash two years ago.
Crews removed the historic bridge in March and placed it on a flatbed truck parked off Coffin Road to accommodate concrete abutment replacement and a painting of the span. A steel skeleton has been installed on the bridge and is supporting the start of the wooden cover
Two weeks after becoming a national landmark, the one-lane covered bridge was hit by a box truck on June 27, 2018. It was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic for more than two months as a result.
Long Grove officials were considering a bridge renovation well before the crash, but officials voiced financial concerns. That led to the historical society's fundraising drive involving Long Grove-area businesses, residents and others who were passionate about saving the 114-year-old bridge.
Underwood, a former Long Grove village president, said the largest donation came from a former Barrington resident's family foundation. Underwood said the woman, now living on the East Coast, donated to the bridge fund to honor many great childhood memories of visiting Long Grove with her grandmother.
"We had kids have lemonade stands," she said. "We had merchants have lemonade stands. Merchants put 'Pennies for the Bridge' jars out at their stores. We had Scout troops make donations. Kids in middle school sold cookie dough to do a fundraiser for the bridge. We had an artist, Tony Stencel, paint an original watercolor of the bridge and we sold hundreds and hundreds of raffle tickets and that resulted in quite a bit of donations for us, too."
Jacob said the village's out-of-pocket cost should be $589,000 for the bridge work. However, a $250,000 state grant, about $195,000 from an insurance claim related to the crash and the roughly $53,500 historical society donation will be pooled to cover the rest of the tab.
Constructed in 1906 by the Joliet Bridge and Iron Co., the span is a rare surviving example of a pin-connected pony truss bridge built for an urban setting, according to documents submitted for the national landmark process.
The cover was added in 1972 to help preserve the bridge and limit traffic from trucks and other heavy vehicles.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-15--Bearology USA to open second Illinois restaurant in Schaumburg

Bearology USA , a restaurant specializing in coffee , tea , juices , smoothies and other beverages , is expected to open its second Illinois location in Schaumburg in late autumn .
Village trustees have approved the required special-use permit for the restaurant to move into the 1,169-square-foot space next to the Papa John 's at the Schaumburg Corners Shopping Center , 16 E. Golf Road .
Owner Nick Deng has operated another Bearology USA in Champaign for nearly a year .
He said a few of his staff and customers there are college students from Schaumburg who recommended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second location .
Deng is from Los Angeles , where the original Bearology USA is located .
Members of the Schaumburg zoning board of appeals were told last month that the sister company of the original Bearology USA is named Boba Bear , which is more a hookah lounge and bubble tea store .
But the founder believed the name to be catchy and wanted to create another company focusing just on specialty drinks .
The name finds relevance in the cute bear face depicted on the company 's Mason jars .
Deng @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modern , clean , white design .
It will have a small seating area , two restrooms and a kitchen .
The ongoing pandemic has created some uncertainty in the time frame of the restaurant 's interior construction , but Deng said he estimates the opening to be in either late November of early December .

Bearology USA to open second Illinois restaurant in Schaumburg
A Bearology USA restaurant specializing in hot and cold beverages is expected to open this fall next to the Papa John's in the Schaumburg Corners Shopping Center, 16 E. Golf Road in Schaumburg. Courtesy of village of Schaumburg
Bearology USA, a restaurant specializing in coffee, tea, juices, smoothies and other beverages, is expected to open its second Illinois location in Schaumburg in late autumn.
Village trustees have approved the required special-use permit for the restaurant to move into the 1,169-square-foot space next to the Papa John's at the Schaumburg Corners Shopping Center, 16 E. Golf Road.
Owner Nick Deng has operated another Bearology USA in Champaign for nearly a year.
He said a few of his staff and customers there are college students from Schaumburg who recommended the village as a good place for his second location.
Deng is from Los Angeles, where the original Bearology USA is located.
Members of the Schaumburg zoning board of appeals were told last month that the sister company of the original Bearology USA is named Boba Bear, which is more a hookah lounge and bubble tea store.
But the founder believed the name to be catchy and wanted to create another company focusing just on specialty drinks.
The name finds relevance in the cute bear face depicted on the company's Mason jars.
Deng said the Schaumburg location will boast a modern, clean, white design. It will have a small seating area, two restrooms and a kitchen.
The ongoing pandemic has created some uncertainty in the time frame of the restaurant's interior construction, but Deng said he estimates the opening to be in either late November of early December.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Feder: WVON to add 'enhanced news' with Black Information Network

Details are still being finalized , but look for Midway Broadcasting news/talk WVON 1690-AM to supplement its lineup with news @ @ @ @ @ Information Network , the 24/7 national audio news service recently launched by iHeartMedia , Robert @ @ @ @ @ 's a perfect complement to our Black talk format , '' said Melody Spann Cooper @ @ @ @ @ Midway Broadcasting .
`` WVON is hyperlocal , but what impacts Black America impacts us @ @ @ @ @ we represent one-third of the city 's population .
Enhanced news is needed and iHeart @ @ @ @ @ '' Since June 30 , the network also has been carried in Chicago on the @ @ @ @ @ , the iHeartMedia RB station .
The first major hire for BIN : Black Information @ @ @ @ @ , is prominent political pundit Roland S. Martin , who 'll deliver daily commentaries for @ @ @ @ @ full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: WVON to add 'enhanced news' with Black Information Network
The first major hire for BIN: Black Information Network, announced this week, is prominent political pundit Roland S. Martin, who'll deliver daily commentaries for the network.
Details are still being finalized, but look for Midway Broadcasting news/talk WVON 1690-AM to supplement its lineup with news reports from BIN: Black Information Network, the 24/7 national audio news service recently launched by iHeartMedia, Robert Feder writes.
"It's a perfect complement to our Black talk format," said Melody Spann Cooper, chair and CEO of Midway Broadcasting. "WVON is hyperlocal, but what impacts Black America impacts us here in Chicago, where we represent one-third of the city's population. Enhanced news is needed and iHeart's timing is perfect."
Since June 30, the network also has been carried in Chicago on the HD-2 subchannel of WVAZ 102.7-FM, the iHeartMedia RB station.
The first major hire for BIN: Black Information Network, announced this week, is prominent political pundit Roland S. Martin, who'll deliver daily commentaries for the network.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.