dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--Second Naperville Costco excites neighbors, but increased traffic concerns them

Even the neighbors who brought up traffic safety concerns about a second Costco store in Naperville said they 're excited for the company to open a warehouse along East Ogden Avenue .
The store 's anticipated second Naperville site is set to take the place of a long-vacant former Kmart in the Ogden Mall shopping center at Ogden and Iroquois avenues on the city 's northeast side .
It will join the Costco already in operation at 1320 S. Route 59 .
`` We 're excited for Costco , but we want this to be done in a considerate manner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who asked the city and the company to better understand neighborhood traffic before building such a large and popular store .
`` So far , it does n't appear that 's the case . ''
After hearing resident concerns during a virtual meeting Tuesday , city council and staff members pledged to keep an eye on traffic counts and speeds after the store opens and to work with the store to improve signal timing and left-turn lanes at the intersection of Ogden and Iroquois .
The future Costco will be built on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 190,000 square feet of the existing building , including the space rented by the Classic Cinemas Ogden 6 Theatres .
Costco representatives said the store will have 918 parking spots -- 193 more than city code requires -- and a loading dock on the northeast side of the building , farther away from neighboring homes than Kmart 's had been .
Neighbors said they want to ensure Costco does not result in unsafe traffic speeding down Iroquois Avenue , especially near Arrowhead Park , a busy spot for kids and sports .
Resident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bumps on Iroquois .
`` This all comes down , for us , to safety , people wanting to protect our kids , '' Colgan said .
`` I love the fact that we 're getting development .
I love Costco .
I think you 're on the right track . ''
Bill Novack , director of transportation , said the city will gather traffic volume and speed data six months after the store opens before deciding if any fixes are needed .
Council member Theresa Sullivan , who lives in the neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns took on `` a different flavor '' as they supported development and safety .
A sales tax incentive granted in February helped Costco commit to a new store on East Ogden , an area the city has been trying to revive since Kmart closed in 2013 .
The deal includes a rebate of 75 % of the city 's portion of the state-imposed sales tax and 75 % of the city 's own home-rule sales tax until $ 5.5 million is paid or 15 years passes , whichever comes first .
Plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas station , but the city will not rebate any motor fuel tax from gas sales .

Second Naperville Costco excites neighbors, but increased traffic concerns them
Even the neighbors who brought up traffic safety concerns about a second Costco store in Naperville said they're excited for the company to open a warehouse along East Ogden Avenue.
The store's anticipated second Naperville site is set to take the place of a long-vacant former Kmart in the Ogden Mall shopping center at Ogden and Iroquois avenues on the city's northeast side. It will join the Costco already in operation at 1320 S. Route 59.
"We're excited for Costco, but we want this to be done in a considerate manner," said resident Kevin LeFevour, who asked the city and the company to better understand neighborhood traffic before building such a large and popular store. "So far, it doesn't appear that's the case."
After hearing resident concerns during a virtual meeting Tuesday, city council and staff members pledged to keep an eye on traffic counts and speeds after the store opens and to work with the store to improve signal timing and left-turn lanes at the intersection of Ogden and Iroquois.
The future Costco will be built on a 19-acre site at Ogden Mall after demolishing 190,000 square feet of the existing building, including the space rented by the Classic Cinemas Ogden 6 Theatres. Costco representatives said the store will have 918 parking spots -- 193 more than city code requires -- and a loading dock on the northeast side of the building, farther away from neighboring homes than Kmart's had been.
Neighbors said they want to ensure Costco does not result in unsafe traffic speeding down Iroquois Avenue, especially near Arrowhead Park, a busy spot for kids and sports. Resident Brian Colgan suggested the city install speed bumps on Iroquois.
"This all comes down, for us, to safety, people wanting to protect our kids," Colgan said. "I love the fact that we're getting development. I love Costco. I think you're on the right track."
Bill Novack, director of transportation, said the city will gather traffic volume and speed data six months after the store opens before deciding if any fixes are needed.
Council member Theresa Sullivan, who lives in the neighborhood, said neighbors' emails about traffic concerns took on "a different flavor" as they supported development and safety.
A sales tax incentive granted in February helped Costco commit to a new store on East Ogden, an area the city has been trying to revive since Kmart closed in 2013.
The deal includes a rebate of 75% of the city's portion of the state-imposed sales tax and 75% of the city's own home-rule sales tax until $5.5 million is paid or 15 years passes, whichever comes first.
Plans for the store also call for a gas station, but the city will not rebate any motor fuel tax from gas sales.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--Mother's persistence leads to arrest in child sex assault

A Texas mother did not let up in her pursuit of justice , and that led to the arrest of a Mundelein-area man accused of child sexual assault .
Patrick H. Tillman , 30 , of the 24300 block of West Old Oak Drive in unincorporated Lake County , was arrested Tuesday by Lake County sheriff 's deputies for a 2019 aggravated sexual assault of a female child under the age of 14 in Houston , authorities said .
Tillman , who had been living in Houston and had a warrant for his arrest there , was traced to Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother , who provided information to authorities that he might be living in the Lake Zurich area with extended family .
Tillman had made stops in Hawaii and New York before settling in Lake County .
`` The mother was relentless in her pursuit of locating this man , '' said Sgt .
Christopher Covelli , public information officer for the sheriff 's office .
`` Her tip helped us find him .
A lot of times , if people know the fugitive , they know best where that fugitive could be hiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew Tillman , Covelli said , but he could not specify the nature of the relationship , pending the investigation .
Warrant deputies conducted surveillance on the residence on Old Oak Drive and determined Tillman was living there with his wife .
Tillman was arrested without incident Tuesday .
He was transported to the Lake County jail and had a court hearing Wednesday .
He is held on no bail and is next due in court June 9 .
The investigation and arrest was a collaborative effort involving the Lake Zurich Police , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team and the U.S .
Marshals Service -- Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force .

Mother's persistence leads to arrest in child sex assault
A Texas mother did not let up in her pursuit of justice, and that led to the arrest of a Mundelein-area man accused of child sexual assault.
Patrick H. Tillman, 30, of the 24300 block of West Old Oak Drive in unincorporated Lake County, was arrested Tuesday by Lake County sheriff's deputies for a 2019 aggravated sexual assault of a female child under the age of 14 in Houston, authorities said.
Tillman, who had been living in Houston and had a warrant for his arrest there, was traced to Lake County through tips from the victim's mother, who provided information to authorities that he might be living in the Lake Zurich area with extended family.
Tillman had made stops in Hawaii and New York before settling in Lake County.
"The mother was relentless in her pursuit of locating this man," said Sgt. Christopher Covelli, public information officer for the sheriff's office. "Her tip helped us find him. A lot of times, if people know the fugitive, they know best where that fugitive could be hiding."
The woman and the victim knew Tillman, Covelli said, but he could not specify the nature of the relationship, pending the investigation.
Warrant deputies conducted surveillance on the residence on Old Oak Drive and determined Tillman was living there with his wife. Tillman was arrested without incident Tuesday.
He was transported to the Lake County jail and had a court hearing Wednesday. He is held on no bail and is next due in court June 9.
The investigation and arrest was a collaborative effort involving the Lake Zurich Police, the Lake County Sheriff's Office Warrants team and the U.S. Marshals Service -- Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--State legislators convene under COVID-19 cloud

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois General Assembly convened in Springfield Wednesday for the first time in 10 weeks , with desks spaced apart and most members wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , in hope of completing a spring session 's worth of work in three days .
The legislature has canceled all its scheduled meetings since early March because of health guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic to keep at least 6 feet of space between two people , which is nearly impossible in the close quarters of the Capitol .
Their return occurred along with extraordinary safety measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a GOP lawmaker being removed from the House floor .
The House , with its 118 members , abandoned the Capitol chamber for the Bank of Springfield Convention Center six blocks away .
Tables were spread across the vast floor to allow for social distancing , and everyone entering either the convention center or the Capitol had to undergo a body temperature check and wear a face covering to limit the chances of spreading the virus .
Rep. Jim Durkin , the House GOP leader , called on members to approve and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear masks , saying it 's important to protect members ' families , as well as each other and legislative and convention center staff .
`` The bottom line is we have to put them before ourselves , '' Durkin said before lawmakers approved the rule on a 97-12 vote .
Among the `` no '' votes was GOP Rep. Darren Bailey of Xenia , who filed a legal challenge to Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's stay-at-home order .
Moments later he was escorted off the floor after saying he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new rule .
He walked out without incident .
Lawmakers , whose scheduled adjournment date is May 31 , must approve a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 that may be one of the more challenging budgets in Illinois history .
The pandemic , which has closed nonessential businesses and ordered people to stay at home , has ripped a $ 7 billion deficit in the current and next year 's spending plan .
Pritzker and Democrats who control the legislature want plans developed to provide financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus .
But that will depend on an undetermined amount of federal aid coming to the state .
The 59-member Senate is meeting in its chamber , but not all at once .
Instead , small groups of senators are on the Senate floor at one time , with one senator presenting legislation and one speaker to rise in support or opposition of it .
Rather than voting simultaneously -- a process that typically takes at most a few minutes -- lawmakers are being called to the floor in groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing the time it takes to record their votes .
Pritzker 's stay-at-home order has been in place since March 21 and , under pressure to provide a road map to taxpayers eager to return to a former way of life , this month he produced a five-phase `` Restore Illinois '' plan .
Pritzker has signaled that when his current stay-at-home order expires May 30 , the state will move into the plan 's third stage , which allows for the reopening of manufacturing and retail and allows small groups to congregate @

State legislators convene spaced apart, force each other to wear masks
Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, left, talks with House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, a Western Springs Republican, on Wednesday on the floor of the Bank of Springfield Center. Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP
As protesters chant "Open Illinois," Dan Haifley of Mattoon, center, prays in front of the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, where the Illinois House was preparing to conduct its spring session Wednesday. Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP
State Rep. Darren Bailey, a Xenia Republican, stands to leave the Bank of Springfield Center after House members voted 81-27 to remove him from the floor for not wearing a mask Wednesday during the legislative session. Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP
Illinois House members stand for the opening prayer as they convene their spring legislative session Wednesday at the Bank of Springfield Center instead of at the Capitol a few blocks away because it affords more space for legislators to practice social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois legislators approved extraordinary safety rules for themselves Wednesday as they convened for the first time in 10 weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, prompting the highly unusual step of removing a Republican from the House floor when he refused to wear a face mask.
The Legislature has canceled all its scheduled meetings since early March because of health guidelines to keep at least 6 feet of space between two people, which is nearly impossible in the close quarters of the Capitol.
The House, with its 118 members, abandoned the Capitol chamber for the Bank of Springfield Convention Center six blocks away. Tables were spread across the vast floor to allow for social distancing, and everyone entering either the convention center or the Capitol had to undergo a body temperature check and wear a face covering to limit the chances of spreading the virus.
Rep. Jim Durkin, the House GOP leader, called on members to approve and follow an emergency House rule requiring members to wear masks, saying it's important to protect members' families, as well as each other and legislative and convention center staff members.
"The bottom line is we have to put them before ourselves," Durkin said before lawmakers approved the rule on a 97-12 vote.
Among the "no" votes was GOP Rep. Darren Bailey of Xenia, who filed a legal challenge to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order in effect since March 21. He said he was speaking on behalf of Illinois residents who feel "captive" and "burdened" by state-ordered restrictions on movement.
Moments before he was escorted out after refusing to comply, Bailey voted against the face-covering requirement, saying the majority was "silencing millions of voices of people who have had enough." He walked out without incident.
"The representative has shown callous disregard for life, callous disregard for people's health ...," Pritzker said later at his daily COVID-19 briefing. "Clearly, the representative has no interest in protecting others."
Lawmakers, whose scheduled adjournment date is May 31, must approve a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. It may be one of the more challenging budgets in Illinois history. The pandemic, which has closed nonessential businesses forced people to largely stay at home, has ripped a $7 billion deficit in the current and next year's spending plan.
The two chambers late Wednesday positioned pieces of legislation to serve as a budget bill and a capital construction measure and said negotiations now begin in earnest.
The 59-member Senate is meeting in its chamber, but not all at once. Instead, small groups of senators are on the Senate floor at one time, with one senator presenting legislation and one speaker to rise in support or opposition of it. Rather than voting simultaneously -- a process that typically takes at most a few minutes -- lawmakers are being called to the floor in groups, apparently alphabetically by last name, considerably increasing the time it takes to record their votes.
• Associated Press reporter Sara Burnett contributed from Chicago.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--Judge denies Lake County sheriff's request for information on COVID-19 patients

A Lake County judge has rejected Sheriff John Idleburg 's legal bid to force the county health department to provide information about COVID-19 patients .
Despite the denial , however , the sheriff 's office will get something out of the effort .
Under an agreement between the sheriff and health department , the Lake County jail 's medical provider can call the health department to confirm if a new inmate had previously tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` This step will allow us to take an added measure to avoid COVID-19 from being spread in the jail 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chris Covelli said Wednesday .
Idleburg sued the health department April 28 , days after officials there refused to share the names and addresses of county residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 .
The sheriff 's attorney , Steve McArdle , said Idleburg does not intend to appeal Judge Daniel Jasica 's ruling .
Hannah Goering , a health department spokeswoman , said the department is pleased with the outcome .
`` It supports our priority to protect both the safety of our law enforcement personnel and the privacy of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` We truly value our relationship with the Lake County Sheriff 's Office and will continue partnering together for the health and well-being of all who live , work , and play in Lake County . ''
Covelli said the sheriff 's office respects the judge 's decision .
`` We are disappointed the other provisions requested in temporary restraining order , which we believe would have enhanced the safety of our staff , were denied , '' he said .
`` We remain grateful for the hard work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will continue working with them , as we have , to keep our community safe . ''
On May 1 , a Cook County judge turned down a request of Northwest suburban 911 dispatchers , municipalities and police departments for information about confirmed COVID-19 patients , citing privacy concerns .
McHenry County 's sheriff won a similar suit last month , while health departments in DuPage and Will counties are voluntarily providing addresses of COVID-19 patients .

Judge denies Lake County sheriff's request for information on COVID-19 patients
A Lake County judge has rejected Sheriff John Idleburg's legal bid to force the county health department to provide information about COVID-19 patients.
Despite the denial, however, the sheriff's office will get something out of the effort. Under an agreement between the sheriff and health department, the Lake County jail's medical provider can call the health department to confirm if a new inmate had previously tested positive for the coronavirus.
"This step will allow us to take an added measure to avoid COVID-19 from being spread in the jail's congregate setting," sheriff's Sgt. Chris Covelli said Wednesday.
Idleburg sued the health department April 28, days after officials there refused to share the names and addresses of county residents who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The sheriff's attorney, Steve McArdle, said Idleburg does not intend to appeal Judge Daniel Jasica's ruling.
Hannah Goering, a health department spokeswoman, said the department is pleased with the outcome.
"It supports our priority to protect both the safety of our law enforcement personnel and the privacy of our residents who test positive for COVID-19," she said. "We truly value our relationship with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and will continue partnering together for the health and well-being of all who live, work, and play in Lake County."
Covelli said the sheriff's office respects the judge's decision.
"We are disappointed the other provisions requested in temporary restraining order, which we believe would have enhanced the safety of our staff, were denied," he said. "We remain grateful for the hard work of the health department during this time and will continue working with them, as we have, to keep our community safe."
On May 1, a Cook County judge turned down a request of Northwest suburban 911 dispatchers, municipalities and police departments for information about confirmed COVID-19 patients, citing privacy concerns.
McHenry County's sheriff won a similar suit last month, while health departments in DuPage and Will counties are voluntarily providing addresses of COVID-19 patients.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--Naperville police seek stolen car, suspects in hijacking

Naperville police are investigating a car hijacking and an attempted hijacking reported Tuesday with similarities in the time , proximity and circumstances of the cases , authorities said Wednesday .
Police are trying to find a vehicle that was stolen and are searching for suspects after the crimes were reported within a half-hour span near Route 59 and Ogden Avenue .
The first case occurred at 7:40 p.m. in the parking lot at Old Navy , 220 S. Route 59 , Cmrd .
Mike Son said in a news release .
A woman reported a man pulled up next to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said the suspect exited the passenger side of a silver mid-sized SUV , but the victim was able to lock her car doors and drive away before the suspect could get in .
The second case occurred at 8:01 p.m. at the Costco at 1230 S. Route 59 , when a woman driving a black 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan reported two men got out of an older-model blue or gray SUV and told her to get out of her car .
The woman complied and was not injured , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ drove away .
A third suspect inside the SUV also fled .
Both the stolen Tiguan and the suspects ' SUV last were seen heading north on Route 59 from Beebe Drive , police said .
The stolen Tiguan has the license plate number AR26825 .
Because of the similarities in the timing and suspect descriptions , Son said , police believe the cases could be related .
The suspect in the attempted vehicle hijacking at the Old Navy parking lot is described as a black man between 20 and 30 years old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tall with a thin build and a two-inch horizontal scar on his right cheek .
The suspects who got away with the Tiguan from the Costco parking lot are described as a black man between 18 and 22 years old with a medium skin tone , a slender build and short black hair ; and a black man between 18 and 22 years old who was slender and taller than the first suspect .
Police said a description of the third suspect is unknown .
Police have shared information about the missing Tiguan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with nearby law enforcement agencies , Son said .
Officers ask anyone with information about these crimes to contact the investigations division at ( 630 ) 420-6666 .

Naperville police seek stolen car, suspects in hijacking
Naperville police are investigating a car hijacking and an attempted hijacking reported Tuesday with similarities in the time, proximity and circumstances of the cases, authorities said Wednesday.
Police are trying to find a vehicle that was stolen and are searching for suspects after the crimes were reported within a half-hour span near Route 59 and Ogden Avenue.
The first case occurred at 7:40 p.m. in the parking lot at Old Navy, 220 S. Route 59, Cmrd. Mike Son said in a news release.
A woman reported a man pulled up next to her vehicle and attempted to enter it. Police said the suspect exited the passenger side of a silver mid-sized SUV, but the victim was able to lock her car doors and drive away before the suspect could get in.
The second case occurred at 8:01 p.m. at the Costco at 1230 S. Route 59, when a woman driving a black 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan reported two men got out of an older-model blue or gray SUV and told her to get out of her car.
The woman complied and was not injured, police said. The suspects got into the Tiguan and drove away. A third suspect inside the SUV also fled.
Both the stolen Tiguan and the suspects' SUV last were seen heading north on Route 59 from Beebe Drive, police said. The stolen Tiguan has the license plate number AR26825.
Because of the similarities in the timing and suspect descriptions, Son said, police believe the cases could be related.
The suspect in the attempted vehicle hijacking at the Old Navy parking lot is described as a black man between 20 and 30 years old, standing roughly 5 feet 9 inches tall with a thin build and a two-inch horizontal scar on his right cheek.
The suspects who got away with the Tiguan from the Costco parking lot are described as a black man between 18 and 22 years old with a medium skin tone, a slender build and short black hair; and a black man between 18 and 22 years old who was slender and taller than the first suspect. Police said a description of the third suspect is unknown.
Police have shared information about the missing Tiguan, the suspects and the suspect vehicles with nearby law enforcement agencies, Son said. Officers ask anyone with information about these crimes to contact the investigations division at (630) 420-6666.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--Facing financial hardship amid COVID-19 crisis, West Dundee sports bar preparing to close for good

The Chubby Bullfrog in West Dundee will shut down for good this summer , its owner announced Wednesday , saying his business will be unable to recover from the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis .
During the stay-at-home order the past two months , the sports bar at 1494 Spring Hill Mall has generated 15 % of its normal revenue through curbside pickup and delivery options , owner Mike Morrison said in a Facebook post .
And with social distancing restrictions , he said , the significant decline in revenue is expected to continue even after establishments can begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertain end of the lockdown measures , and the limitations put on bars and restaurants to allow half or less of former occupancy , will keep us well short of the mark to meet the level of sales we would need to keep going , '' Morrison said .
The Chubby Bullfrog received a paycheck protection program loan , but that money `` will not be enough to sustain us long term , '' he added .
`` That clock is already ticking . ''
The sports bar and grill has built up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it opened in 2012 in a strip mall along Huntley Road .
It moved about five years later to a larger restaurant space within Spring Hill Mall and has remained successful , Morrison said .
Though they hoped to continue operating when the pandemic hit and `` come out of this on top , '' Morrison said , he and his wife , Meagan , crunched the numbers and realized the reality of their situation .
The Chubby Bullfrog team held an all-staff meeting Tuesday night , where he announced the restaurant was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are truly brokenhearted to be facing down the inevitable truth , '' he said .
`` Unless you have a whole lot of money in the bank , your time is running out . ''

Facing financial hardship amid COVID-19 crisis, West Dundee sports bar preparing to close for good
The Chubby Bullfrog in West Dundee will shut down for good this summer, its owner announced Wednesday, saying his business will be unable to recover from the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.
During the stay-at-home order the past two months, the sports bar at 1494 Spring Hill Mall has generated 15% of its normal revenue through curbside pickup and delivery options, owner Mike Morrison said in a Facebook post. And with social distancing restrictions, he said, the significant decline in revenue is expected to continue even after establishments can begin offering dine-in services again.
"The uncertain end of the lockdown measures, and the limitations put on bars and restaurants to allow half or less of former occupancy, will keep us well short of the mark to meet the level of sales we would need to keep going," Morrison said.
The Chubby Bullfrog received a paycheck protection program loan, but that money "will not be enough to sustain us long term," he added. "That clock is already ticking."
The sports bar and grill has built up a large following of local customers since it opened in 2012 in a strip mall along Huntley Road. It moved about five years later to a larger restaurant space within Spring Hill Mall and has remained successful, Morrison said.
Though they hoped to continue operating when the pandemic hit and "come out of this on top," Morrison said, he and his wife, Meagan, crunched the numbers and realized the reality of their situation. The Chubby Bullfrog team held an all-staff meeting Tuesday night, where he announced the restaurant was preparing to close this summer.
"We are truly brokenhearted to be facing down the inevitable truth," he said. "Unless you have a whole lot of money in the bank, your time is running out."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--Meet the winners of the Daily Herald and College of DuPage Nominate a Nurse contest

Many world leaders have likened the COVID-19 pandemic to a war .
Health care professionals are on a global front line battling a deadly virus .
To highlight the hard work of nurses during this precarious time , the Daily Herald teamed with College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn for the Nominate a Nurse contest .
It was timed to partially coincide with America 's annual National Nurses Week , May 6 to 12 .
From April 26 to May 7 , Daily Herald readers were asked to nominate nursing professionals .
Nominees had to have an RN or an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook , DuPage , Kane , McHenry or Lake counties .
Voting ran from May 8-12 .
Readers voted on one winner : Barrington native Nicole Guido , a nurse for the past three years at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago .
The College of DuPage selected another winner : Chicago resident Julia Walczak , a soon-to-graduate student at Benedictine University in Lisle and a 2018 alumna of College of DuPage .
Guido said she was nominated by her sister 's soon-to-be mother-in-law .
She had been following Guido 's Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at work , including much of the hospital being converted into a dedicated coronavirus ICU .
`` We 're getting really creative with visitor restrictions and how we can get the family involved and incorporated with their loved one 's care , '' said Guido , who brings in tablet computers for patients to talk with family members via Zoom meetings or FaceTime .
`` ( Patients are ) just stuck -- unfortunately -- in these rooms by themselves and all they see is us walking in with all of our protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's kind of impersonal , so the little things we can do really make a huge difference . ''
The restriction on visiting guests has also meant that Guido has had to hold the hands of a patient so he would n't die alone -- a key detail in her contest profile .
Nominate a Nurse co-winner Julie Walczak was nominated for the contest by some of her past College of DuPage professors .
Before the pandemic , Walczak was writing a grant proposal as part of an Albert Schweitzer Fellowship to educate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other preventive care in reproductive health .
Walczak also was working as a research specialist in Maywood at the Loyola University Medical Center 's Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute .
The state lockdown prompted the institute to temporarily close , so Walczak volunteered to be the nursing coordinator for the National Student Response Network .
`` I 've been contacting nursing schools nationwide , with a specific focus on schools that are more rural , '' Walczak said .
`` We have all these educated , eager , young potential volunteer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help , but they might not know how . ''
Walczak has helped to mobilize more than 5,000 students to help hospitals and health departments in need .
Walczak has also made an effort to specifically reach out to the Navajo Nation , which has been particularly hard-hit by COVID-19 .
`` Even as a student , or whoever you are , if all you can do is sit at home , you can contribute so much , '' Walczak said .
For their Nominate a Nurse prizes , Guido and Walczak will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Lurvey 's Garden Center , Perry 's Steakhouse and Deer Park Town Center .

Meet the winners of the Daily Herald and College of DuPage Nominate a Nurse contest
Many world leaders have likened the COVID-19 pandemic to a war. Health care professionals are on a global front line battling a deadly virus.
To highlight the hard work of nurses during this precarious time, the Daily Herald teamed with College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn for the Nominate a Nurse contest. It was timed to partially coincide with America's annual National Nurses Week, May 6 to 12.
From April 26 to May 7, Daily Herald readers were asked to nominate nursing professionals. Nominees had to have an RN or an LPN certification and live or work in Cook, DuPage, Kane, McHenry or Lake counties.
Voting ran from May 8-12. Readers voted on one winner: Barrington native Nicole Guido, a nurse for the past three years at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago.
The College of DuPage selected another winner: Chicago resident Julia Walczak, a soon-to-graduate student at Benedictine University in Lisle and a 2018 alumna of College of DuPage.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Former Barrington resident Nicole Guido, who works as a nurse at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, is a winner of the Daily Herald and College of DuPage's Nominate a Nurse contest.
Guido said she was nominated by her sister's soon-to-be mother-in-law. She had been following Guido's Facebook posts explaining what nurses have been experiencing at work, including much of the hospital being converted into a dedicated coronavirus ICU.
"We're getting really creative with visitor restrictions and how we can get the family involved and incorporated with their loved one's care," said Guido, who brings in tablet computers for patients to talk with family members via Zoom meetings or FaceTime.
"(Patients are) just stuck -- unfortunately -- in these rooms by themselves and all they see is us walking in with all of our protective equipment," Guido said. "It's kind of impersonal, so the little things we can do really make a huge difference."
The restriction on visiting guests has also meant that Guido has had to hold the hands of a patient so he wouldn't die alone -- a key detail in her contest profile.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Nominate a Nurse winner Julia Walczak, 23, of Chicago was nominated for the contest by some of her past College of DuPage professors. She works at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.
Nominate a Nurse co-winner Julie Walczak was nominated for the contest by some of her past College of DuPage professors.
Before the pandemic, Walczak was writing a grant proposal as part of an Albert Schweitzer Fellowship to educate the Polish community about the HPV vaccination and other preventive care in reproductive health.
Walczak also was working as a research specialist in Maywood at the Loyola University Medical Center's Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute. The state lockdown prompted the institute to temporarily close, so Walczak volunteered to be the nursing coordinator for the National Student Response Network.
"I've been contacting nursing schools nationwide, with a specific focus on schools that are more rural," Walczak said. "We have all these educated, eager, young potential volunteer students who were sent home who can help, but they might not know how."
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer College of DuPage alumna Julia Walczak, 23, who works at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood and who recently volunteered to be the nursing coordinator for the National Student Response Network, was named a winner of the Nominate a Nurse contest.
Walczak has helped to mobilize more than 5,000 students to help hospitals and health departments in need. Walczak has also made an effort to specifically reach out to the Navajo Nation, which has been particularly hard-hit by COVID-19.
"Even as a student, or whoever you are, if all you can do is sit at home, you can contribute so much," Walczak said.
For their Nominate a Nurse prizes, Guido and Walczak will receive gift cards from local businesses, including Lurvey's Garden Center, Perry's Steakhouse and Deer Park Town Center.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--St. Charles family, friend survive crash: 'We figure God was in the car with them'

It was bad , but it could have been a lot worse .
That was the sentiment expressed Tuesday by St. Charles East girls volleyball coach Jennie Kull and daughter Morgan while recovering from a Kentucky automobile crash that seriously injured four .
On May 8 , Jennie , husband Jim Kull , Morgan and her boyfriend , Jake Schweizer of St. Charles , were driving to Alabama to pick up recent graduate Morgan 's belongings at her Auburn apartment .
Jennie was driving the Mercedes-Benz SUV .
Morgan was seated behind her .
Jim was in the passenger seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were wearing seat belts .
The foursome was passing through a wooded area near Bowling Green , KY , around noon when they ran into heavy rain .
Water quickly puddled on the roadway .
The SUV began to hit slick spots , even at the speed limit , Jennie said .
It started to hydroplane .
The tires lost traction and the vehicle went into a slide .
Morgan said she and Jake were playing Connect Four on their phones at the time .
`` All of a sudden it felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road , '' she said .
`` You 're like is this really happening ?
It happened really fast .
It was the weirdest feeling . ''
`` Fortunately , I was able to aim us back away from an overpass , '' Jennie said .
`` We headed down into this wooded area .
I thought I could get between two trees , but I did n't make it . ''
The front driver 's side of the SUV hit two trees and the vehicle careened through a barbed-wire fence before coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jennie said her biggest fear was the kids .
She wanted to make sure everyone was talking .
Morgan and Jake were both badly hurt but responsive .
Jim was not responsive initially but later walked to the ambulance with help .
The vehicle was equipped with OnStar and automatically contacted emergency services , but Jennie did not know that .
Her instinct was to get help .
Though she had suffered three broken neck vertebrae , multiple broken ribs and seat belt bruises , she got out of the SUV and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the pouring rain .
However , no one saw her due to low visibility .
Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and transported all four to The Medical Center at Bowling Green .
When discharged from the hospital two days later , Jennie was picked up by her daughter , Katie Kull , and her sister , Lisa Wernsing .
Both arrived in Bowling Green Friday night .
They took Jennie to a rented 3-bedroom house .
Jim was in the hospital for a week .
He broke his lower back , sternum and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lung .
Schweizer was hospitalized for 11 days .
The Marquette University biomedical engineering student and 2017 St. Charles East graduate required surgery to install a temporary brace around two fractured vertebrae that involved torn ligaments , according to Jenny Schweizer , his mother .
He also suffered a grade-III liver laceration .
Had Jake and Morgan not been wearing seat belts in the back seat , the outcome could have been far worse .
`` We have said that every day .
We figure God was in the car with them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with husband Terry , spent 11 days in Kentucky while their son was hospitalized .
The Kulls finally returned to St. Charles on Sunday .
Katie drove her father and Morgan in a rented minivan .
Lisa drove Jennie .
The Schweizers arrived home in St. Charles Monday .
Morgan was upbeat Tuesday despite facing a long road back to the volleyball court .
The setter and two-time St. Charles East team captain graduated from Auburn in three years .
She plans to use her final year of NCAA eligibility as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuing a Master 's Degree in Public Policy .
First , she must recover from a broken sternum , pelvis and coccyx .
Because Morgan also dislocated her right ankle and fractured a small foot bone , she was transferred the day of the crash from Bowling Green to University of Louisville Hospital , where she underwent reconstructive surgery .
She was discharged two days later .
Though currently healing in a hospital bed at home , she hopes to make the most of her final year of college eligibility .
`` Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start doing some upper body stuff and then I 'll work really hard on physical therapy , '' Morgan said .
`` Hopefully , it 'll all heal sooner .
My hope is to be back .
I do n't know if it 'll be the beginning of the season or in the middle of the season or whatever , but I have to get back into it . ''
Jennie Kull said her family has been overwhelmed by the `` unbelievable '' support they have received since May 8 from family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Charles East High School community and the people of St. Charles .
`` I ca n't even put words to it , '' said Jennie , who remains in a brace and will likely require neck surgery .
`` I 'm embarrassed because , you know , this was an accident but people have been pouring out with love and support .
My volleyball kids have come over and written on my driveway ( in chalk ) and put up posters and things like that .
It 's been really cool .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine the support .
I 'm humbled .
I 'm totally humbled .
`` We feel really blessed to be a part of this community because they have just reached out beyond belief to support us .
I could n't be more thankful . ''

St. Charles family, friend survive crash: 'We figure God was in the car with them'
COURTESY OF KATIE KULLThe car St. Charles East girls volleyball coach Jennie Kull was driving on May 8 when it hydroplaned in a rainstorm and left the road near Bowling Green, KY. The car hit a tree, seriously injuring Kull, her husband Jim, their daughter Morgan and Morgan's boyfriend Jacob Schweizer. They are all recuperating from their injuries.
COURTESY OF KATIE KULLThe car St. Charles East girls volleyball coach Jennie Kull was driving on May 8 when it hydroplaned in a rainstorm and left the road near Bowling Green, KY. The car hit a tree, seriously injuring Kull, her husband Jim, their daughter Morgan and Morgan's boyfriend Jacob Schweizer. They are all recuperating from their injuries.
St. Charles East girls volleyball coach Jennie Kull (right), her husband Jim and daughter Morgan recuperate with Kull's sister Lisa Wernsing (waving) at a rented home in Kentucky last week after Jim was released from the hospital. The Kulls, along with Morgan's boyfriend, Jacob Schweizer, were injured when their car hydroplaned in a rainstorm and left the road near Bowling Green, KY on May 8. PHOTO COURTESY KATIE KULL
It was bad, but it could have been a lot worse.
That was the sentiment expressed Tuesday by St. Charles East girls volleyball coach Jennie Kull and daughter Morgan while recovering from a Kentucky automobile crash that seriously injured four.
On May 8, Jennie, husband Jim Kull, Morgan and her boyfriend, Jake Schweizer of St. Charles, were driving to Alabama to pick up recent graduate Morgan's belongings at her Auburn apartment.
Jennie was driving the Mercedes-Benz SUV. Morgan was seated behind her. Jim was in the passenger seat, Schweizer behind him. All four were wearing seat belts.
The foursome was passing through a wooded area near Bowling Green, KY, around noon when they ran into heavy rain. Water quickly puddled on the roadway. The SUV began to hit slick spots, even at the speed limit, Jennie said. It started to hydroplane. The tires lost traction and the vehicle went into a slide.
Morgan said she and Jake were playing Connect Four on their phones at the time.
"All of a sudden it felt like something just picked us up from the road," she said. "You're like is this really happening? It happened really fast. It was the weirdest feeling."
The vehicle left the roadway.
"Fortunately, I was able to aim us back away from an overpass," Jennie said. "We headed down into this wooded area. I thought I could get between two trees, but I didn't make it."
The front driver's side of the SUV hit two trees and the vehicle careened through a barbed-wire fence before coming to rest. It did not roll.
Jennie said her biggest fear was the kids. She wanted to make sure everyone was talking. Morgan and Jake were both badly hurt but responsive. Jim was not responsive initially but later walked to the ambulance with help.
The vehicle was equipped with OnStar and automatically contacted emergency services, but Jennie did not know that. Her instinct was to get help. Though she had suffered three broken neck vertebrae, multiple broken ribs and seat belt bruises, she got out of the SUV and made her way up to the highway in the pouring rain. However, no one saw her due to low visibility. Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and transported all four to The Medical Center at Bowling Green.
When discharged from the hospital two days later, Jennie was picked up by her daughter, Katie Kull, and her sister, Lisa Wernsing. Both arrived in Bowling Green Friday night. They took Jennie to a rented 3-bedroom house.
Jim was in the hospital for a week. He broke his lower back, sternum and multiple other bones and suffered a collapsed lung.
Schweizer was hospitalized for 11 days. The Marquette University biomedical engineering student and 2017 St. Charles East graduate required surgery to install a temporary brace around two fractured vertebrae that involved torn ligaments, according to Jenny Schweizer, his mother. He also suffered a grade-III liver laceration.
Had Jake and Morgan not been wearing seat belts in the back seat, the outcome could have been far worse.
"We have said that every day. We figure God was in the car with them," said Jenny Schweizer, who, along with husband Terry, spent 11 days in Kentucky while their son was hospitalized.
The Kulls finally returned to St. Charles on Sunday. Katie drove her father and Morgan in a rented minivan. Lisa drove Jennie. The Schweizers arrived home in St. Charles Monday.
Morgan was upbeat Tuesday despite facing a long road back to the volleyball court. The setter and two-time St. Charles East team captain graduated from Auburn in three years. She plans to use her final year of NCAA eligibility as a graduate transfer at UIC this fall while pursuing a Master's Degree in Public Policy.
First, she must recover from a broken sternum, pelvis and coccyx. Because Morgan also dislocated her right ankle and fractured a small foot bone, she was transferred the day of the crash from Bowling Green to University of Louisville Hospital, where she underwent reconstructive surgery. She was discharged two days later.
Though currently healing in a hospital bed at home, she hopes to make the most of her final year of college eligibility.
"Once the sternum fracture heals, I can start doing some upper body stuff and then I'll work really hard on physical therapy," Morgan said. "Hopefully, it'll all heal sooner. My hope is to be back. I don't know if it'll be the beginning of the season or in the middle of the season or whatever, but I have to get back into it."
Jennie Kull said her family has been overwhelmed by the "unbelievable" support they have received since May 8 from family, friends, the volleyball community, the St. Charles East High School community and the people of St. Charles.
"I can't even put words to it," said Jennie, who remains in a brace and will likely require neck surgery. "I'm embarrassed because, you know, this was an accident but people have been pouring out with love and support. My volleyball kids have come over and written on my driveway (in chalk) and put up posters and things like that. It's been really cool. The school, you can't even imagine the support. I'm humbled. I'm totally humbled.
"We feel really blessed to be a part of this community because they have just reached out beyond belief to support us. I couldn't be more thankful."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--NFL reinstates Cowboys' Aldon Smith, who last played in '15

FRISCO , Texas -- Aldon Smith will be able to take part in team activities with the Dallas Cowboys after the NFL on Wednesday conditionally reinstated the pass rusher from an indefinite suspension for off-field issues .
Smith , who has n't played in an NFL game since 2015 , will be able to participate in the Cowboys ' virtual offseason program starting next week .
He can also meet with teammates and coaches .
The Cowboys , who lost sacks leader Robert Quinn in free agency , signed Smith to a one-year contract last month despite his uncertain playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on a video teleconference last week .
Smith was drafted seventh overall by San Francisco in 2011 and had 14 sacks as a rookie .
He was an All-Pro in 2012 when he had 19 1/2 sacks and the 49ers reached the Super Bowl .
He had 44 sacks in 50 games during his first four NFL seasons in San Francisco with defensive line coach Jim Tomsula , now on the Cowboys staff for new head coach Mike McCarthy .
Smith had several legal issues as a player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was first suspended with the 49ers in 2014 before receiving a one-year ban in November 2015 with the Raiders .
Smith applied for reinstatement to the NFL in 2016 , but that decision was initially deferred .
Oakland retained Smith 's contractual rights before releasing him in 2018 after San Francisco police issued a warrant for his arrest in a domestic violence case .
The Cowboys still have a suspended pass rusher under contract in Randy Gregory , who is seeking reinstatement .
Gregory was indefinitely suspended in February 2019 for violating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league suspension coming about seven months after he had been reinstated by Goodell .
Gregory slid to the Cowboys late in the second round of the 2015 draft after testing positive for marijuana at the NFL combine .

NFL reinstates Cowboys' Aldon Smith, who last played in '15
FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2015, file photo, Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) sits on the bench during the second half of the team's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Oakland, Calif. Smith will be able to take part in team activities with the Dallas Cowboys after the NFL on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, conditionally reinstated the pass rusher from an indefinite suspension for off-field issues. Associated Press
FRISCO, Texas -- Aldon Smith will be able to take part in team activities with the Dallas Cowboys after the NFL on Wednesday conditionally reinstated the pass rusher from an indefinite suspension for off-field issues.
Smith, who hasn't played in an NFL game since 2015, will be able to participate in the Cowboys' virtual offseason program starting next week. He can also meet with teammates and coaches.
The Cowboys, who lost sacks leader Robert Quinn in free agency, signed Smith to a one-year contract last month despite his uncertain playing status. Smith was reinstated after meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on a video teleconference last week.
Smith was drafted seventh overall by San Francisco in 2011 and had 14 sacks as a rookie. He was an All-Pro in 2012 when he had 19 1/2 sacks and the 49ers reached the Super Bowl. He had 44 sacks in 50 games during his first four NFL seasons in San Francisco with defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, now on the Cowboys staff for new head coach Mike McCarthy.
Smith had several legal issues as a player with San Francisco and Oakland. He was first suspended with the 49ers in 2014 before receiving a one-year ban in November 2015 with the Raiders. Smith applied for reinstatement to the NFL in 2016, but that decision was initially deferred.
Oakland retained Smith's contractual rights before releasing him in 2018 after San Francisco police issued a warrant for his arrest in a domestic violence case.
The Cowboys still have a suspended pass rusher under contract in Randy Gregory, who is seeking reinstatement. Gregory was indefinitely suspended in February 2019 for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, his fourth league suspension coming about seven months after he had been reinstated by Goodell.
Gregory slid to the Cowboys late in the second round of the 2015 draft after testing positive for marijuana at the NFL combine.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--Bars and restaurants can serve outdoors as soon as May 29; golf, other restrictions to ease

Restaurants and bars , dealt a huge economic hit by COVID-19 , can offer outdoor dining as soon as May 29 , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday as state lawmakers convened to address the budget crisis caused by the respiratory disease .
The news came at a briefing where officials announced cases of COVID-19 in Illinois surpassed 100,000 , but epidemiologists believe `` summer offers opportunities if proper precautions are taken , '' Pritzker said .
`` It was important to me to open them , but only if we could keep employees and customers safe , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet apart and away from the sidewalk , and face masks being used by servers and customers when not eating or drinking .
`` It provides a glimmer of light at the end of a very dark tunnel , '' a relieved Illinois Restaurant Association CEO Sam Toia said .
Sales are down by 70 % to 80 % with 321,000 restaurant workers laid off due to COVID-19 , he said .
Restaurants and bars previously were restricted to pickup and delivery service until the state reached Phase 4 of a five-phase , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on track to reach Phase 3 , with an easing of stay-at-home restrictions , on May 29 .
Illinois Department of Public Health Executive Director Ngozi Ezike reported 3,914 Illinoisans hospitalized with the virus -- `` the lowest number since we 've been capturing these numbers . ''
In the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday 's news conference , 147 additional Illinoisans died from the virus compared to the two-week average of 112 .
There were 2,388 new cases , slightly higher than the 14-day average of 2,264 .
The total deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pritzker also announced more easing of Phase 3 requirements .
All state parks will open as soon as May 29 as well as concessions , with social distancing rules applying .
Boating and camping with up to 10 people in a group will be permitted .
Also now in Phase 3 , golf courses can allow foursomes out on the same tee times .
Carts will also be permitted with one person per cart , or one immediate household per cart .
And guidelines are being developed for driving ranges , outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , he said .
Wednesday marked the first time the General Assembly has met since early March , with some Republican lawmakers spoiling for a fight over Pritzker 's reopening plan and a controversial executive rule enacted last week .
It enables police to charge businesses that flout the stay-at-home order with a Class A misdemeanor , which could mean a fine of up to $ 2,500 and jail time .
But earlier Wednesday , Pritzker withdrew the rule and punted it to the General Assembly , which will take up legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citations with a financial penalty and no jail for scofflaws .
`` We look to do it with a soft touch , '' said Democratic Sen. Bill Cunningham of Chicago , who will spearhead the policy .
Republican Sen. Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods said : `` This is an important win in the fight for people 's rights during this pandemic .
This is clear proof that when we call out governmental overreach , we can win . ''
Illinois State Police Brendon Kelly Director said state and local police are coping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy problem that law enforcement has faced , certainly in our lifetimes -- balancing the need for public health and public safety as well as need for personal rights and personal concerns and the ability for people to live their lives . ''
He noted that `` it has been the governor 's intent and direction that from Day 1 no one be arrested , no one be taken to jail . ''
Some drama occurred as the Illinois House met in the Bank of Springfield Center when Rep. Darren Bailey of downstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required and was removed after a vote .
The gesture `` shows a callous disregard for life , '' said Pritzker , who has ordered Illinoisans wear masks in public settings .

Bars and restaurants can serve outdoors as soon as May 29; golf, other restrictions to ease
As protesters chant "Open Illinois," Dan Haifley of Mattoon, center, prays in front of the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield as the Illinois House of Representatives prepared to conduct their spring session there Wednesday. Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via Associated Press
Restaurants and bars, dealt a huge economic hit by COVID-19, can offer outdoor dining as soon as May 29, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday as state lawmakers convened to address the budget crisis caused by the respiratory disease.
The news came at a briefing where officials announced cases of COVID-19 in Illinois surpassed 100,000, but epidemiologists believe "summer offers opportunities if proper precautions are taken," Pritzker said.
"It was important to me to open them, but only if we could keep employees and customers safe," he said.
Precautions involve placing tables 6 feet apart and away from the sidewalk, and face masks being used by servers and customers when not eating or drinking.
"It provides a glimmer of light at the end of a very dark tunnel," a relieved Illinois Restaurant Association CEO Sam Toia said. Sales are down by 70% to 80% with 321,000 restaurant workers laid off due to COVID-19, he said.
Restaurants and bars previously were restricted to pickup and delivery service until the state reached Phase 4 of a five-phase, four-region reopening plan.
The state is on track to reach Phase 3, with an easing of stay-at-home restrictions, on May 29. Illinois Department of Public Health Executive Director Ngozi Ezike reported 3,914 Illinoisans hospitalized with the virus -- "the lowest number since we've been capturing these numbers."
In the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday's news conference, 147 additional Illinoisans died from the virus compared to the two-week average of 112. There were 2,388 new cases, slightly higher than the 14-day average of 2,264. The total deaths are 4,525, with 100,418 cases statewide.
Pritzker also announced more easing of Phase 3 requirements. All state parks will open as soon as May 29 as well as concessions, with social distancing rules applying. Boating and camping with up to 10 people in a group will be permitted.
Also now in Phase 3, golf courses can allow foursomes out on the same tee times. Carts will also be permitted with one person per cart, or one immediate household per cart. And guidelines are being developed for driving ranges, outdoor shooting ranges and outdoor paintball courses to open, he said.
Wednesday marked the first time the General Assembly has met since early March, with some Republican lawmakers spoiling for a fight over Pritzker's reopening plan and a controversial executive rule enacted last week. It enables police to charge businesses that flout the stay-at-home order with a Class A misdemeanor, which could mean a fine of up to $2,500 and jail time.
But earlier Wednesday, Pritzker withdrew the rule and punted it to the General Assembly, which will take up legislation this week that allows police to issue citations with a financial penalty and no jail for scofflaws.
"We look to do it with a soft touch," said Democratic Sen. Bill Cunningham of Chicago, who will spearhead the policy.
Republican Sen. Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods said: "This is an important win in the fight for people's rights during this pandemic. This is clear proof that when we call out governmental overreach, we can win."
Illinois State Police Brendon Kelly Director said state and local police are coping with "probably the most difficult public policy problem that law enforcement has faced, certainly in our lifetimes -- balancing the need for public health and public safety as well as need for personal rights and personal concerns and the ability for people to live their lives."
He noted that "it has been the governor's intent and direction that from Day 1 no one be arrested, no one be taken to jail."
Some drama occurred as the Illinois House met in the Bank of Springfield Center when Rep. Darren Bailey of downstate Xenia refused to wear a mask as required and was removed after a vote.
The gesture "shows a callous disregard for life," said Pritzker, who has ordered Illinoisans wear masks in public settings.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-21--Constable: She must tell them they have the virus, which elicits tears and fears

Almost everybody who gets a phone call from Elizabeth Thorn of the NorthShore University HealthSystem 's COVID-19 hotline has the same initial reaction .
`` A sharp intake of breath , '' the 36-year-old Lincolnshire woman says of the response when she introduces herself and explains why she is calling .
What Thorn usually says next elicits a greater response .
`` You have tested positive for COVID-19 , so you do have the virus , '' says Thorn , a former physical therapist and care transformation manager who is trained to handle whatever happens next .
`` Many are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some are devastated , '' Thorn says .
`` I 've done thousands of calls .
Each phone call is as unique as the person on the other line . ''
Part of her job is to calmly explain what to do .
Sometimes people are so upset , they say , `` I just need a minute .
Can I call you back ? '
'' Thorn says .
`` People do seem to think this is a death sentence .
They ask , 'Am I going to die ? '
'Should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? '
'' Most people who test positive are n't going to die and do n't even need to go to the hospital .
But there have been a couple of times when Thorn has needed to call 911 on behalf of the person she called .
`` They 're gasping for air , or do n't seem like they 're doing well , '' Thorn says .
She remembers telling one person that her test had come back positive , and the woman simply said , `` My father died last night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news to one man in his 80s whose wife already was in the hospital being treated for COVID-19 .
`` He was as gracious as he could be , '' Thorn says .
`` I was more upset than he was . ''
Many of the people get tested because some relative , co-worker or friend has tested positive or is suffering from COVID-19 symptoms .
`` A fair amount of people ( who test positive ) do not have symptoms , '' Thorn says .
The infection control triage line at ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have taken a COVID-19 test .
The ( 847 ) HEALTH9 ( 432-5849 ) number is for people with more general questions .
`` Some people can be a little flippant , '' Thorn says about those who do n't believe they tested positive for the virus and balk at taking precautions .
She has made calls about positive COVID-19 results on behalf of patients in all walks of life , from infants to people in their 90s .
`` It 's definitely an equal-opportunity virus -- all ages , backgrounds , everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle 40 to 50 calls a day , with some lasting less than a minute and others taking 25 minutes .
`` It 's really listening to their stories and going through the resources to figure things out , '' Thorn says .
She 's broken the news to people at home , in their cars , in the middle of shopping trips and at work .
`` OK , as soon as we 're done with this call , please find your manager and let them know you need to go home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` You 've tested positive . ''
Thorn says people generally `` get it '' and want to know how they can keep from spreading the virus to anyone else .
`` I really have to applaud people 's sense of duty , '' Thorn says .
`` They ask , 'How do I help protect others ? '
'' With her wife , Denise , and their three young sons at home , Thorn shares those concerns .
`` Their last day of school was my first day on the triage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boys , ages 2 to 5 .
While the three or four hotline operators are spaced apart and `` wash our hands vigorously , '' Thorn still cleans her phone , changes her clothes and takes a shower before she greets her family .
She usually does n't find out how things turn out for those people she calls .
But every once in a while she 'll get a return call that brightens her day .
`` They call us back , '' Thorn says , `` and say , 'Hey , @ @ @ @ @ @

Constable: It's her job to tell people they have COVID-19, which elicits tears and fears
Making dozens of calls a day to people who have tested positive for COVID 19, hotline operator Elizabeth Thorn of the NorthShore University HealthSystem has dealt with shock and fear. But most people also want to know how they can protect others. COURTESY OF JON HILLENBRAND, NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM
Almost everybody who gets a phone call from Elizabeth Thorn of the NorthShore University HealthSystem's COVID-19 hotline has the same initial reaction.
"A sharp intake of breath," the 36-year-old Lincolnshire woman says of the response when she introduces herself and explains why she is calling. What Thorn usually says next elicits a greater response.
"You have tested positive for COVID-19, so you do have the virus," says Thorn, a former physical therapist and care transformation manager who is trained to handle whatever happens next.
"Many are shocked. Some are in tears. Some are devastated," Thorn says. "I've done thousands of calls. Each phone call is as unique as the person on the other line."
Part of her job is to calmly explain what to do. Sometimes people are so upset, they say, "I just need a minute. Can I call you back?'" Thorn says. "People do seem to think this is a death sentence. They ask, 'Am I going to die?' 'Should I go to the hospital right now?'"
Most people who test positive aren't going to die and don't even need to go to the hospital. But there have been a couple of times when Thorn has needed to call 911 on behalf of the person she called. "They're gasping for air, or don't seem like they're doing well," Thorn says.
She remembers telling one person that her test had come back positive, and the woman simply said, "My father died last night."
Thorn had to break the news to one man in his 80s whose wife already was in the hospital being treated for COVID-19. "He was as gracious as he could be," Thorn says. "I was more upset than he was."
Many of the people get tested because some relative, co-worker or friend has tested positive or is suffering from COVID-19 symptoms. "A fair amount of people (who test positive) do not have symptoms," Thorn says.
The infection control triage line at (847) 570-2002 concentrates on people who have taken a COVID-19 test. The (847) HEALTH9 (432-5849) number is for people with more general questions.
"Some people can be a little flippant," Thorn says about those who don't believe they tested positive for the virus and balk at taking precautions. She has made calls about positive COVID-19 results on behalf of patients in all walks of life, from infants to people in their 90s.
"It's definitely an equal-opportunity virus -- all ages, backgrounds, everybody," Thorn says. She'll handle 40 to 50 calls a day, with some lasting less than a minute and others taking 25 minutes.
"It's really listening to their stories and going through the resources to figure things out," Thorn says. She's broken the news to people at home, in their cars, in the middle of shopping trips and at work.
"OK, as soon as we're done with this call, please find your manager and let them know you need to go home," Thorn tells those at work. "You've tested positive."
Thorn says people generally "get it" and want to know how they can keep from spreading the virus to anyone else.
"I really have to applaud people's sense of duty," Thorn says. "They ask, 'How do I help protect others?'"
With her wife, Denise, and their three young sons at home, Thorn shares those concerns. "Their last day of school was my first day on the triage line," Thorn says of the boys, ages 2 to 5. While the three or four hotline operators are spaced apart and "wash our hands vigorously," Thorn still cleans her phone, changes her clothes and takes a shower before she greets her family.
She usually doesn't find out how things turn out for those people she calls. But every once in a while she'll get a return call that brightens her day.
"They call us back," Thorn says, "and say, 'Hey, I'm better.'"


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-21--PR firm owner declines Chicago Executive Airport contract renewal amid controversy

Chicago Executive Airport 's public relations consultant removed his company from consideration for a contract extension Wednesday night after Wheeling officials expressed concerns earlier this week about his business relationship with the facility 's board chairman .
Insight PR , which is owned by Cody Rogers , was included in Chicago Executive 's 2020-21 budget that received approval from Wheeling and Prospect Heights , the airport 's co-owners .
Insight would have received about $ 60,000 for the second consecutive year .
But the airport board did n't vote as scheduled on the tentative deal after Executive Director Jamie Abbott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had decided against the one-year extension .
Abbott and the airport board complimented Rogers ' work over the past year .
Airport board Chairman D. Court Harris and Rogers launched another public relations firm , South Gate Strategies , about five months before Insight PR was founded in March 2019 , records show .
Insight started working for the airport in May 2019 .
Harris did not vote on the Insight contract in 2019 and has stressed airport administrators handled the search process as they do for other vendors .
He reiterated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal attacks '' against him by airport critics that have continued for several months .
Abbott said Rogers will end his airport work within 90 days , and it 's unknown if another communications consultant will be sought due to declining revenue .
Wheeling Trustee Mary Papantos raised questions about a lack of transparency related to the Harris-Rogers relationship after a Chicago Executive Pilots Association member brought up the issue during Monday night 's village board meeting , piggybacking on similar concerns from a village resident and longtime airport critic in April .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ video conference , Rogers said it was difficult to withdraw Insight from board consideration for the one-year contract extension .
`` It 's certainly dispiriting to hear personal attacks and all the inaccurate things that have been insinuated about my character and conduct , '' Rogers said .
`` But , frankly , having watched the last year of everything that you all have been subjected to , I think it 's pretty much par for the course at this point .
So , it looks like there 's always going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was my turn . ''
Wheeling Village Attorney James Ferolo addressed the matter during Monday 's board session .
He said he was informed about the 2019-20 contract after the fact , and , while he did not believe it broke any laws , it `` does n't look good .
It does n't smell good . ''
Airport board Director William Kearns was among the officials who thanked Rogers for his work , saying it was much better his predecessor 's .
He also said he was made aware of the Harris-Rogers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted last year and knew the staff would vet it for the board .
`` I felt very comfortable going ahead , also knowing there was no financial relationship between the chairman and Cody , '' Kearns said .
`` And I really find it despicable that certain people would make innuendos and insinuations . ''
Rogers and Harris are former Army officers and West Point classmates .
Illinois secretary of state documents list Rogers and Harris as managers of South Gate Strategies , a public relations firm formed as a limited liability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show Rogers registered Insight PR as a limited liability company in late March 2019 .
Insight received the Chicago Executive contract about two months later .

PR firm owner declines Chicago Executive Airport contract renewal amid controversy
Chicago Executive Airport's public relations consultant removed his company from consideration for a contract extension Wednesday night after Wheeling officials expressed concerns earlier this week about his business relationship with the facility's board chairman.
Insight PR, which is owned by Cody Rogers, was included in Chicago Executive's 2020-21 budget that received approval from Wheeling and Prospect Heights, the airport's co-owners. Insight would have received about $60,000 for the second consecutive year.
But the airport board didn't vote as scheduled on the tentative deal after Executive Director Jamie Abbott announced at Wednesday's meeting that Rogers had decided against the one-year extension. Abbott and the airport board complimented Rogers' work over the past year.
Airport board Chairman D. Court Harris and Rogers launched another public relations firm, South Gate Strategies, about five months before Insight PR was founded in March 2019, records show. Insight started working for the airport in May 2019.
Harris did not vote on the Insight contract in 2019 and has stressed airport administrators handled the search process as they do for other vendors. He reiterated the PR contract was another example of "personal attacks" against him by airport critics that have continued for several months.
Abbott said Rogers will end his airport work within 90 days, and it's unknown if another communications consultant will be sought due to declining revenue.
Wheeling Trustee Mary Papantos raised questions about a lack of transparency related to the Harris-Rogers relationship after a Chicago Executive Pilots Association member brought up the issue during Monday night's village board meeting, piggybacking on similar concerns from a village resident and longtime airport critic in April.
Speaking during Wednesday night's airport board video conference, Rogers said it was difficult to withdraw Insight from board consideration for the one-year contract extension.
"It's certainly dispiriting to hear personal attacks and all the inaccurate things that have been insinuated about my character and conduct," Rogers said. "But, frankly, having watched the last year of everything that you all have been subjected to, I think it's pretty much par for the course at this point. So, it looks like there's always going to be a target, and this time it was my turn."
Wheeling Village Attorney James Ferolo addressed the matter during Monday's board session. He said he was informed about the 2019-20 contract after the fact, and, while he did not believe it broke any laws, it "doesn't look good. It doesn't smell good."
Airport board Director William Kearns was among the officials who thanked Rogers for his work, saying it was much better his predecessor's. He also said he was made aware of the Harris-Rogers relationship when Insight's communications proposal was submitted last year and knew the staff would vet it for the board.
"I felt very comfortable going ahead, also knowing there was no financial relationship between the chairman and Cody," Kearns said.
"And I really find it despicable that certain people would make innuendos and insinuations."
Rogers and Harris are former Army officers and West Point classmates. Illinois secretary of state documents list Rogers and Harris as managers of South Gate Strategies, a public relations firm formed as a limited liability company in October 2018.
State records show Rogers registered Insight PR as a limited liability company in late March 2019. Insight received the Chicago Executive contract about two months later.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--May 20 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Since the outbreak began , there have been 51,349 cases of COVID-19 in the suburbs , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 2,383 deaths in the suburbs , 53 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Here are cases per county and some towns .
Not every town with cases is included .
• As of Wednesday , suburban Cook County had 27,374 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,287 deaths , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 38,839 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County Department of Public Health and medical examiner 's office listed 1,219 cases of COVID-19 and 66 deaths in Des Plaines , 543 cases and 16 deaths in Wheeling , 469 cases and 6 deaths in Mount Prospect , 431 cases and 11 deaths in Streamwood , 408 cases and 7 deaths in Palatine , 407 cases and 28 deaths in Glenview , 357 cases and 7 deaths in Schaumburg , 334 cases and 6 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 305 cases and 14 deaths in Arlington Heights , 248 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and 8 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 220 cases and 9 deaths in Elk Grove Village , 178 cases and 3 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 80 cases and 10 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
• The DuPage County Health Department reported 6,297 confirmed cases and 324 deaths on its coronavirus website Wednesday .
• Cases and deaths per suburb include 582 cases and 6 deaths in Addison , 580 cases and 6 deaths in West Chicago , 456 cases and 3 deaths in Glendale Heights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bensenville , 387 cases and 25 deaths in Carol Stream , 382 cases and 26 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage portion ) , 256 cases and 11 deaths in Lombard , 221 cases and 7 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 202 cases and 27 deaths in Elmhurst , 172 cases and 15 deaths in Downers Grove , 168 cases and 2 deaths in Villa Park , 160 cases and 17 deaths in Wheaton , 117 cases and 16 deaths in Willowbrook , and 116 cases and 2 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Department listed 6,925 confirmed cases and 221 deaths as of Wednesday .
Find town-by-town data at https : //bit.ly/dhlakecovid19data .
• Cases in some towns -- numbers listed Wednesday were the same as Monday 's tally : 1,960 to 1,964 in Waukegan ; 260 to 264 in Mundelein ; 185 to 189 in Gurnee ; 150 to 154 in Round Lake ; 125 to 129 in Vernon Hills ; 65 to 69 in Libertyville ; 80 to 84 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) ; 90 to 94 each in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zurich ; 60 to 64 in Grayslake ; and 25 to 29 in Lake Villa • The Kane County Health Department confirmed 4,856 cases with 136 deaths on its website Wednesday at kanehealth.com .
• Cases per town include 2,240 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,077 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 444 in Carpentersville , 189 in South Elgin , 187 in St. Charles , 107 in Geneva , 103 in North Aurora , 82 in Batavia , and 33 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 62 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department 's website Wednesday .
• There have been 4,718 cases of COVID-19 and 268 deaths , according to the county health department 's website Wednesday .
• Cases per town include 250 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) , and 45 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

May 20 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
A worker instructs people on how to collect their own nasopharyngeal swab samples to test for the coronavirus at a drive-thru testing site organized by the nonprofit organization Community Organized Relief Effort at Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy in Chicago on Monday. Associated Press/Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times
Interactive map
Suburbs' portion
Since the outbreak began, there have been 51,349 cases of COVID-19 in the suburbs, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 2,383 deaths in the suburbs, 53% of all deaths in Illinois.
Here are cases per county and some towns. Not every town with cases is included.
Cook County
• As of Wednesday, suburban Cook County had 27,374 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,287 deaths, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 38,839 cases and 1,787 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health and medical examiner's office listed 1,219 cases of COVID-19 and 66 deaths in Des Plaines, 543 cases and 16 deaths in Wheeling, 469 cases and 6 deaths in Mount Prospect, 431 cases and 11 deaths in Streamwood, 408 cases and 7 deaths in Palatine, 407 cases and 28 deaths in Glenview, 357 cases and 7 deaths in Schaumburg, 334 cases and 6 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 305 cases and 14 deaths in Arlington Heights, 248 cases and 30 deaths in Park Ridge, 227 cases and 8 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 220 cases and 9 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 178 cases and 3 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 80 cases and 10 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reported 6,297 confirmed cases and 324 deaths on its coronavirus website Wednesday.
• Cases and deaths per suburb include 582 cases and 6 deaths in Addison, 580 cases and 6 deaths in West Chicago, 456 cases and 3 deaths in Glendale Heights, 400 cases and 8 deaths in Bensenville, 387 cases and 25 deaths in Carol Stream, 382 cases and 26 deaths in Naperville (DuPage portion), 256 cases and 11 deaths in Lombard, 221 cases and 7 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 202 cases and 27 deaths in Elmhurst, 172 cases and 15 deaths in Downers Grove, 168 cases and 2 deaths in Villa Park, 160 cases and 17 deaths in Wheaton, 117 cases and 16 deaths in Willowbrook, and 116 cases and 2 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department listed 6,925 confirmed cases and 221 deaths as of Wednesday. Find town-by-town data at https://bit.ly/dhlakecovid19data.
• Cases in some towns -- numbers listed Wednesday were the same as Monday's tally: 1,960 to 1,964 in Waukegan; 260 to 264 in Mundelein; 185 to 189 in Gurnee; 150 to 154 in Round Lake; 125 to 129 in Vernon Hills; 65 to 69 in Libertyville; 80 to 84 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion); 90 to 94 each in Wauconda, 70 to 74 in Lake Zurich; 60 to 64 in Grayslake; and 25 to 29 in Lake Villa
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirmed 4,856 cases with 136 deaths on its website Wednesday at kanehealth.com.
• Cases per town include 2,240 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,077 in Elgin (Kane portion), 444 in Carpentersville, 189 in South Elgin, 187 in St. Charles, 107 in Geneva, 103 in North Aurora, 82 in Batavia, and 33 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County
• There have been 1,236 cases and 62 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department's website Wednesday.
Will County
• There have been 4,718 cases of COVID-19 and 268 deaths, according to the county health department's website Wednesday.
• Cases per town include 250 in Naperville (Will County portion), and 45 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--20-year-old man shot in Aurora

20-year-old man shot in Aurora

Aurora police are investigating a shooting that injured a 20-year-old man Wednesday evening on the 800 block of Oliver Avenue @ @ @ @ @ issued late Wednesday night , the police department said the shooting , which occurred about @ @ @ @ @ be gang-related .
The victim was in serious but stable condition at a hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ shooting should call police at ( 630 ) 256-5500 or Crime Stoppers at ( 630 @ @ @

20-year-old man shot in Aurora
Aurora police are investigating a shooting that injured a 20-year-old man Wednesday evening on the 800 block of Oliver Avenue.
In a news release issued late Wednesday night, the police department said the shooting, which occurred about 5:15 p.m., appeared to be gang-related. The victim was in serious but stable condition at a hospital.
Anyone with information about the shooting should call police at (630) 256-5500 or Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--State legislators convene spaced apart, force each other to wear masks

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois legislators approved extraordinary safety rules for themselves Wednesday as they convened for the first time in 10 weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic , prompting the highly unusual step of removing a Republican from the House floor when he refused to wear a face mask .
The Legislature has canceled all its scheduled meetings since early March because of health guidelines to keep at least 6 feet of space between two people , which is nearly impossible in the close quarters of the Capitol .
The House , with its 118 members , abandoned the Capitol chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six blocks away .
Tables were spread across the vast floor to allow for social distancing , and everyone entering either the convention center or the Capitol had to undergo a body temperature check and wear a face covering to limit the chances of spreading the virus .
Rep. Jim Durkin , the House GOP leader , called on members to approve and follow an emergency House rule requiring members to wear masks , saying it 's important to protect members ' families , as well as each other and legislative and convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line is we have to put them before ourselves , '' Durkin said before lawmakers approved the rule on a 97-12 vote .
Among the `` no '' votes was GOP Rep. Darren Bailey of Xenia , who filed a legal challenge to Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's stay-at-home order in effect since March 21 .
He said he was speaking on behalf of Illinois residents who feel `` captive '' and `` burdened '' by state-ordered restrictions on movement .
Moments before he was escorted out after refusing to comply , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the majority was `` silencing millions of voices of people who have had enough . ''
He walked out without incident .
`` The representative has shown callous disregard for life , callous disregard for people 's health ... , '' Pritzker said later at his daily COVID-19 briefing .
`` Clearly , the representative has no interest in protecting others . ''
Lawmakers , whose scheduled adjournment date is May 31 , must approve a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 .
It may be one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pandemic , which has closed nonessential businesses forced people to largely stay at home , has ripped a $ 7 billion deficit in the current and next year 's spending plan .
The two chambers late Wednesday positioned pieces of legislation to serve as a budget bill and a capital construction measure and said negotiations now begin in earnest .
The 59-member Senate is meeting in its chamber , but not all at once .
Instead , small groups of senators are on the Senate floor at one time , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rise in support or opposition of it .
Rather than voting simultaneously -- a process that typically takes at most a few minutes -- lawmakers are being called to the floor in groups , apparently alphabetically by last name , considerably increasing the time it takes to record their votes .


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-20--A song to make you smile: 'Someday We'll Be Together' by the Supremes

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 .
@ @ @ @ @ Someday We 'll Be Together '' by the Supremes , released in 1969 .

A song to make you smile: 'Someday We'll Be Together' by the Supremes
The Supremes perform in 1968 in Munich, West Germany. 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 "Someday We'll Be Together" by the Supremes, released in 1969.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-21--State has spent nearly $240 million on COVID-19 response

In 51 days , Illinois spent almost $ 240 million on equipment , personnel and other items related to the state 's battle against the spread of COVID-19 .
That 's roughly $ 4.6 million a day through a relaxed purchasing process , with no legislative oversight and almost all of it at inflated prices .
`` From what I 've seen , yes , it 's an absolutely true statement , with everybody competing for a finite amount of resources , we have seen an increase in price for everything , '' said Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is it is truly supply and demand and there are some bad actors out there , so it 's kind of a challenge . ''
Still , state officials believe they 've gotten the best deals possible under the circumstances and have been diligent about weeding out and reporting profiteers and fraudsters .
`` It 's something we 've been deeply concerned about , and we 've been in consultation consistently not only with the attorney general 's office in the state and state police , but also federal authorities to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be necessary to try and prevent fraud against the state , '' Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday .
`` We 're all just trying to do the right thing in an emergency and pandemic , and you can imagine the people trying to take advantage , they 're pretty awful people . ''
With the governor 's disaster declaration , the bidding process is relaxed , allowing the state to make purchases from selected vendors that register with the state and would undergo greater vetting under normal circumstances , state officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis of state spending reports available at Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza 's website , illinoiscomptroller.gov/covid19-information , from March 23 to May 13 , the state spent more than $ 5.7 million to purchase 24,806,500 medical gloves alone .
That 's 23 cents per unit .
Before the outbreak , wholesale unit prices on these types of gloves were less than a dime , health care officials said .
More than 50 million face masks , including millions of coveted N95 respirators , were purchased by the state for $ 73 million .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers were purchased for $ 34 million .
The state spent $ 11.8 million on 5.7 million face shields for hospital employees .
Two flights to China to pick up and deliver medical supplies back to Illinois cost nearly $ 1.8 million .
And 2,000 new ventilators cost taxpayers more than $ 27.7 million .
`` Right now those ventilators are in a stockpile ready to be distributed regionally if there 's a second wave of infections , '' Tate-Nadeau said .
But some legislators are worried that spending by the state over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste .
`` These were all no-bid contracts with single-source suppliers , '' said Republican state Rep. Grant Wehrli of Naperville .
`` We need outside , independent audits within the next year of how this money was spent .
Illinois has a long history of misspending and corruption , and we need to make sure none of that has happened here . ''
Pritzker said the state 's procurement team did as much as they could to avoid waste and scams .
He would n't elaborate on the various methods the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , except to say in most cases the state required documentation from a vendor 's other clients vouching for the company .
`` In consultation with many other governors , we discovered there were a lot of folks out there that were trying to put one over on states and their procurement teams , '' the governor said .
In all , 89 vendors received some of the $ 238,150,295 in COVID-related spending from the state .
The largest share -- $ 22.3 million -- went to Chicago-based Favorite Healthcare Staffing .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County jail and state-run locations , including retainers to staff alternate-care facilities like McCormick Place , which was rarely used during the height of the outbreak .
The alternate care facility at McCormick was a much-touted response to the potential surge in cases that never materialized .
It was built to care for 2,500 non-acute patients , but Tate-Nadeau said only 38 people were ever treated there .
The state spent at least $ 11.7 million to staff and manage the facility , according to the invoices on Mendoza 's site .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were also readied to handle excess patients if working hospitals became overwhelmed .
None of those had any patients .
`` It goes back to being ready for a second wave , '' Tate-Nadeau said .
In addition to the emergency procurements , the IEMA staff is already busy auditing previous purchases and planning stockpiles for a potential second wave of infections that many experts believe will come this fall .
Tate-Nadeau said IEMA analysts believe a 60-day supply of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies is necessary to cover a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Preparation for another outbreak will lessen the ultimate cost to taxpayers , she believes .
The state can continue to make emergency purchases to restock supplies .
`` The biggest thing I would point out is all the silent people behind us that have been making this happen , '' she said .
`` These have not been easy feats to overcome , and what I think has been fantastic about Illinois is you have the entire state driving in the same direction to make sure they have the residents of Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know we 'll be prepared for a second wave . ''

State has spent nearly $240 million on COVID-19 response
Members of the Illinois Air National Guard assemble medical equipment at the McCormick Place Convention Center in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Courtesy of the U.S. Air Force/March 30, 2020
In 51 days, Illinois spent almost $240 million on equipment, personnel and other items related to the state's battle against the spread of COVID-19.
That's roughly $4.6 million a day through a relaxed purchasing process, with no legislative oversight and almost all of it at inflated prices.
"From what I've seen, yes, it's an absolutely true statement, with everybody competing for a finite amount of resources, we have seen an increase in price for everything," said Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. "What I would say is it is truly supply and demand and there are some bad actors out there, so it's kind of a challenge."
Illinois' COVID-19 spending -
Still, state officials believe they've gotten the best deals possible under the circumstances and have been diligent about weeding out and reporting profiteers and fraudsters.
"It's something we've been deeply concerned about, and we've been in consultation consistently not only with the attorney general's office in the state and state police, but also federal authorities to make sure we're following all the protocols that would be necessary to try and prevent fraud against the state," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday. "We're all just trying to do the right thing in an emergency and pandemic, and you can imagine the people trying to take advantage, they're pretty awful people."
With the governor's disaster declaration, the bidding process is relaxed, allowing the state to make purchases from selected vendors that register with the state and would undergo greater vetting under normal circumstances, state officials said.
According to a Daily Herald analysis of state spending reports available at Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza's website, illinoiscomptroller.gov/covid19-information, from March 23 to May 13, the state spent more than $5.7 million to purchase 24,806,500 medical gloves alone. That's 23 cents per unit. Before the outbreak, wholesale unit prices on these types of gloves were less than a dime, health care officials said.
More than 50 million face masks, including millions of coveted N95 respirators, were purchased by the state for $73 million. Nearly 30 million medical gowns for health care workers were purchased for $34 million.
The state spent $11.8 million on 5.7 million face shields for hospital employees. Two flights to China to pick up and deliver medical supplies back to Illinois cost nearly $1.8 million. And 2,000 new ventilators cost taxpayers more than $27.7 million.
"Right now those ventilators are in a stockpile ready to be distributed regionally if there's a second wave of infections," Tate-Nadeau said.
But some legislators are worried that spending by the state over the last several months could result in waste.
"These were all no-bid contracts with single-source suppliers," said Republican state Rep. Grant Wehrli of Naperville. "We need outside, independent audits within the next year of how this money was spent. Illinois has a long history of misspending and corruption, and we need to make sure none of that has happened here."
Pritzker said the state's procurement team did as much as they could to avoid waste and scams. He wouldn't elaborate on the various methods the state used to ensure a vendor was reputable, except to say in most cases the state required documentation from a vendor's other clients vouching for the company.
"In consultation with many other governors, we discovered there were a lot of folks out there that were trying to put one over on states and their procurement teams," the governor said.
In all, 89 vendors received some of the $238,150,295 in COVID-related spending from the state. The largest share -- $22.3 million -- went to Chicago-based Favorite Healthcare Staffing.
The agency provided emergency nursing staffing at the Cook County jail and state-run locations, including retainers to staff alternate-care facilities like McCormick Place, which was rarely used during the height of the outbreak.
The alternate care facility at McCormick was a much-touted response to the potential surge in cases that never materialized. It was built to care for 2,500 non-acute patients, but Tate-Nadeau said only 38 people were ever treated there.
The state spent at least $11.7 million to staff and manage the facility, according to the invoices on Mendoza's site.
Several other shuttered hospitals in the suburbs were also readied to handle excess patients if working hospitals became overwhelmed. None of those had any patients.
"It goes back to being ready for a second wave," Tate-Nadeau said.
In addition to the emergency procurements, the IEMA staff is already busy auditing previous purchases and planning stockpiles for a potential second wave of infections that many experts believe will come this fall.
Tate-Nadeau said IEMA analysts believe a 60-day supply of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies is necessary to cover a significant uptick in cases the state might see. Preparation for another outbreak will lessen the ultimate cost to taxpayers, she believes. The state can continue to make emergency purchases to restock supplies.
"The biggest thing I would point out is all the silent people behind us that have been making this happen," she said. "These have not been easy feats to overcome, and what I think has been fantastic about Illinois is you have the entire state driving in the same direction to make sure they have the residents of Illinois in mind. That's how I know we'll be prepared for a second wave."
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Contact Jake at jgriffin@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4602.