dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--House GOP aims for FOID fixes in light of application backlog

SPRINGFIELD -- Republican lawmakers are calling to abolish the state 's Firearm Owners Identification card requirement -- or at least to install fixes to expedite the Illinois State Police 's handling of a backlog of applications that is leaving gun owners in a state of uncertainty .
`` My office receives three to five calls almost every day now ( with FOID delay concerns ) , '' Rep. Charlie Meier , an Okawville Republican , said at a Capitol news conference Wednesday .
`` Wherever I go , I 'm contacted by people that walk up to me , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card . '
You have to explain the process .
And you tell them that , you know , you 're not the only one that 's two , three or four months behind .
There 's many more . ''
Meier and some of his fellow Republican House members said their offices have been `` inundated '' by callers who have had issues with FOID .
They said the delay in FOID card processing has left law abiding gun owners in the lurch as they await renewals , and two constituents who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference Wednesday as well .
`` You have several problems here , '' said Rep. Michael Marron , a Fithian Republican .
`` The first thing is , is that you are taking law-abiding citizens who are trying to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms , and you 're creating a problem for them being compliant with the state law . ''
The lawmakers said nearly $ 30 million in funding was swept from the ISP 's coffers to the state 's general revenue fund from fiscal years 2015 to 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Firearm Services Fund which goes to FOID administration .
A FOID card costs $ 10 and must be renewed every 10 years .
Of that fee , $ 6 goes to the Wildlife and Fish Fund , $ 3 to the Firearm Services Fund and $ 1 to the State Police Services Fund .
Rep. Patrick Windhorst , a Metropolis Republican who represents all or parts of the state 's southernmost 11 counties , said his priority is abolishing FOID card requirements in the state , and he noted there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutionality .
`` Now we understand the makeup of the General Assembly and the possibility that that bill will not be called or not be voted on , '' he said of a full FOID repeal .
`` So there are other pieces of legislation that we feel will address these issues . ''
Right now , a FOID cardholder can apply for renewal within 90 days of the card 's expiration date .
Windhorst said , due to long delays , this often creates a window between when a FOID card expires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card in the mail .
He said people who file in a timely manner but fall victim to that period can still possess guns legally , and an ISP spokesperson said FOID cards `` should remain valid as long as they have submitted the renewal application prior to the expiration of their card . ''
But Windhorst said gun owners falling victim to delays often have trouble purchasing guns or ammunition because an expired FOID is not accepted by gun dealers .
Windhorst said House Bill 4447 , backed by the group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days before expiration in the hopes of closing any overlap between expiration and a lag in processing .
Another measure , House Bill 4448 , would require ISP to automatically renew the lapsed FOID card of anyone who has a valid and current concealed carry license as long as the license holder is in good standing with the state .
An automatically renewed FOID would expire at the same time the CCL does .
CCLs cost $ 150 for five years and require training and fingerprinting .
The State Police Firearm Services Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while $ 20 goes to the Mental Health Reporting Fund and $ 10 goes to the State Crime Laboratory .
House Bill 4450 , another measure backed by the group , spells out an appeal process for FOID or CCL denials or revocations and provides specific guidelines and timelines for the ISP in processing any such appeal .
A proposed state constitutional amendment would create a `` lock box '' to place fees collected from FOID and CCL applicants in a fund protected from future sweeps .
At a news conference last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for greater resources to enforce FOID revocations and administer the program , and he backed Senate Bill 1966 which would double FOID fees and require renewals every five years .
It also would require fingerprinting of FOID holders .
The lawmakers on Wednesday said the fund sweeps show that more funding is not needed , but rather the funding needs to be used the right way .
Marron also said adding fingerprinting to the application process would infringe on rights and serve only to deepen the backlog .
The Illinois State Rifle Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state police budget went unspent each year between 2015 and 2019 .
That group is suing the Illinois State Police , its director and the chief of the Firearm Services Bureau for `` not acting in a timely manner on Firearm Owners Identification card and concealed carry applications . ''
`` We at ISRA believe that ISP has enough resources to complete its mission without asking law abiding firearm owners for more money or forcing citizens to be fingerprinted to exercise a constitutional right , '' association Executive Director Richard Pearson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beth Hundsdorfer released a statement in response to the Wednesday news conference .
`` 'Sweeps ' of the firearms services fund prevented long-term planning and improvements to firearm services for years , '' she said .
`` Now that the firearms services fund has been stabilized under the governor 's bipartisan budget , the ISP is implementing a multiyear plan for hiring and technology upgrades to provide the customer service that firearms owners should expect .
We currently have 35 positions available . ''
She said the state police need the help of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FOID and CCL process '' and are ready to work with Windhorst and others `` to shorten and standardize appeals , consolidate FOID and CCL functions , and reduce costs . ''
She said FOID administration is separate from the need for enforcement resources for state , county and local law enforcement .

House GOP aims for FOID fixes in light of application backlog
Rep. Charlie Meier, an Okawville Republican, says his office receives three to five calls each day about Firearm Owners Identification application delays. Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News Illinois
Rep. Patrick Windhorst, a Metropolis Republican, joins lawmakers and constituents in calling for changes to the state's Firearm Owners Identification application process during a news conference Wednesday at the Capitol in Springfield. Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD -- Republican lawmakers are calling to abolish the state's Firearm Owners Identification card requirement -- or at least to install fixes to expedite the Illinois State Police's handling of a backlog of applications that is leaving gun owners in a state of uncertainty.
"My office receives three to five calls almost every day now (with FOID delay concerns)," Rep. Charlie Meier, an Okawville Republican, said at a Capitol news conference Wednesday. "Wherever I go, I'm contacted by people that walk up to me, 'I have a problem with my FOID card.' You have to explain the process. And you tell them that, you know, you're not the only one that's two, three or four months behind. There's many more."
Meier and some of his fellow Republican House members said their offices have been "inundated" by callers who have had issues with FOID. They said the delay in FOID card processing has left law abiding gun owners in the lurch as they await renewals, and two constituents who experienced delays shared their stories at the news conference Wednesday as well.
"You have several problems here," said Rep. Michael Marron, a Fithian Republican. "The first thing is, is that you are taking law-abiding citizens who are trying to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms, and you're creating a problem for them being compliant with the state law."
The lawmakers said nearly $30 million in funding was swept from the ISP's coffers to the state's general revenue fund from fiscal years 2015 to 2019, including more than $13 million from the Firearm Services Fund which goes to FOID administration.
A FOID card costs $10 and must be renewed every 10 years. Of that fee, $6 goes to the Wildlife and Fish Fund, $3 to the Firearm Services Fund and $1 to the State Police Services Fund.
Rep. Patrick Windhorst, a Metropolis Republican who represents all or parts of the state's southernmost 11 counties, said his priority is abolishing FOID card requirements in the state, and he noted there are court challenges to the FOID card's constitutionality.
"Now we understand the makeup of the General Assembly and the possibility that that bill will not be called or not be voted on," he said of a full FOID repeal. "So there are other pieces of legislation that we feel will address these issues."
Right now, a FOID cardholder can apply for renewal within 90 days of the card's expiration date. Windhorst said, due to long delays, this often creates a window between when a FOID card expires and when the cardholder gets a renewed card in the mail.
He said people who file in a timely manner but fall victim to that period can still possess guns legally, and an ISP spokesperson said FOID cards "should remain valid as long as they have submitted the renewal application prior to the expiration of their card."
But Windhorst said gun owners falling victim to delays often have trouble purchasing guns or ammunition because an expired FOID is not accepted by gun dealers.
Windhorst said House Bill 4447, backed by the group, would move that renewal window to 180 days before expiration in the hopes of closing any overlap between expiration and a lag in processing.
Another measure, House Bill 4448, would require ISP to automatically renew the lapsed FOID card of anyone who has a valid and current concealed carry license as long as the license holder is in good standing with the state. An automatically renewed FOID would expire at the same time the CCL does.
CCLs cost $150 for five years and require training and fingerprinting. The State Police Firearm Services Fund sees $120 of that amount, while $20 goes to the Mental Health Reporting Fund and $10 goes to the State Crime Laboratory.
House Bill 4450, another measure backed by the group, spells out an appeal process for FOID or CCL denials or revocations and provides specific guidelines and timelines for the ISP in processing any such appeal.
A proposed state constitutional amendment would create a "lock box" to place fees collected from FOID and CCL applicants in a fund protected from future sweeps.
At a news conference last month, state police Director Brendan Kelly called for greater resources to enforce FOID revocations and administer the program, and he backed Senate Bill 1966 which would double FOID fees and require renewals every five years. It also would require fingerprinting of FOID holders.
The lawmakers on Wednesday said the fund sweeps show that more funding is not needed, but rather the funding needs to be used the right way. Marron also said adding fingerprinting to the application process would infringe on rights and serve only to deepen the backlog.
The Illinois State Rifle Association also contended that millions of dollars in the state police budget went unspent each year between 2015 and 2019. That group is suing the Illinois State Police, its director and the chief of the Firearm Services Bureau for "not acting in a timely manner on Firearm Owners Identification card and concealed carry applications."
"We at ISRA believe that ISP has enough resources to complete its mission without asking law abiding firearm owners for more money or forcing citizens to be fingerprinted to exercise a constitutional right," association Executive Director Richard Pearson said in a statement.
State police spokeswoman Beth Hundsdorfer released a statement in response to the Wednesday news conference.
"'Sweeps' of the firearms services fund prevented long-term planning and improvements to firearm services for years," she said. "Now that the firearms services fund has been stabilized under the governor's bipartisan budget, the ISP is implementing a multiyear plan for hiring and technology upgrades to provide the customer service that firearms owners should expect. We currently have 35 positions available."
She said the state police need the help of the legislature "to streamline and improve the FOID and CCL process" and are ready to work with Windhorst and others "to shorten and standardize appeals, consolidate FOID and CCL functions, and reduce costs."
She said FOID administration is separate from the need for enforcement resources for state, county and local law enforcement.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Measure to cap prescription drug prices in Illinois stalls in committee

SPRINGFIELD -- A bill that would allow the state to cap the prices of certain high-cost prescription drugs stalled in a House committee Wednesday amid stiff opposition from the pharmaceutical and insurance industries .
It was the second straight year House Bill 3493 failed to pass out of the Prescription Drug Affordability and Accessibility Committee .
Rep. Will Guzzardi , a Chicago Democrat who chairs the committee and is the bill 's chief sponsor , called it frustrating .
`` I think that the situation for patients who need their prescriptions in this state is dire and getting worse every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my colleagues on both sides of the aisle could see that it 's time for us to do something , '' Guzzardi said in an interview after the vote .
`` Unfortunately , they seem to be more responsive to the pharmaceutical industry than to their constituents . ''
The bill would set up a five-member board that would have authority to conduct cost reviews and set `` upper payment limits '' for any prescription drug that crosses certain price thresholds .
Those include brand name drugs that cost $ 30,000 or more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of treatment , or whose wholesale price increases by more than $ 3,000 in a 12-month period .
Other thresholds would apply to `` biosimilar '' drugs -- those that are highly similar to name brand drugs made from microorganisms found in plants or animals -- as well as generic drugs .
The upper payment limits would apply only to insurance policies regulated by the state .
Those are primarily small-group employer-based plans , individual family plans that people purchase through the Affordable Care Act exchange markets , and plans administered directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees ' health insurance and the state Medicaid program .
The limits would not apply to large self-insured plans that are governed by the federal Employment Retirement Income Security Act or to Medicare Part D plans .
Wednesday 's hearing took place in a packed committee room where supporters of the bill , many affiliated with AARP , wore red T-shirts that read `` Stop Rx Greed '' and `` Drugs Do n't Work if People Ca n't Afford Them . ''
Donna Cruce , an AARP volunteer , spoke of a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work full time because she could not afford her medications and was forced to move back in with her parents .
`` I became a boomerang child after years of being self-sufficient , '' she said .
`` The blow to my ego was enormous .
Without my parents ' help , however , I do not know how I could have survived . ''
`` How can the greatest country in the world allow its citizens to suffer because of the high cost of prescription drugs ? ''
But Kipp Snider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America , or PhRMA , argued that while there are individual examples of drug prices spiraling out of control , prices overall -- and the total amount spent on drugs nationwide -- have risen only modestly in recent years .
`` Now I 'm not here to say we do n't have a problem , '' he said .
`` We do have problems and we need to look at ways to address those , but I would submit that more so than a systemwide problem , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordability problems . ''
Snider said much of the problem stems from changes in the design of insurance policies that have led to patients paying higher deductibles and copays for their medications and in some cases having to pay an entire year 's deductible before their benefits kick in .
Laura Minzer , president of the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Council , agreed that insurance plan designs are a big factor in how much people pay for prescriptions .
But she also argued the small-group and individual plans that would be covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 percent of the private insurance market .
`` So by setting prices or costs for a very small segment of the market , I would suggest it 's not only unfair -- it 's a bit discriminatory for a small percentage of the market -- but it also places greater pressure on manufacturers because you ca n't set prices for manufacturers , '' she said .
The bill also ran into opposition on the committee itself , mainly from Republicans like Rep. Deanne Mazzochi , of Elmhurst , who works outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generic drug manufacturers .
She argued the board would never be able to fulfill its function because it could never gain access to the information it needs to set prices .
`` No pharmaceutical company , no manufacturer , no insurance company worth their salt is going to open up all their books and records to their competitors through this process , '' she said .
`` What will wind up happening , then is , if they choose to not participate in this process , then you have no idea what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be setting . ''
When it came time for the committee to vote on whether to send the bill to the full House , even some who supported it said it still needed significant work .
`` I do n't think it 's soup yet , '' said Rep. Monica Bristow , a Godfrey Democrat .
`` I will vote yes to get it out of committee but I urge you to work with all parties involved so that we can make it a good bill . ''
In the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes on the 18-member committee , two votes short of the majority needed .
Protect Our Care Illinois , a coalition of groups that had advocated for the bill , issued a statement saying its members were disappointed in the vote .
`` The people of Illinois have made it clear that they need common sense solutions that release them from the nocuous compromise between affording prescription drugs or other basic needs , '' the organization said .
`` Today the inaction of members of the General Assembly spoke volumes by denying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs . ''
The bill was officially listed as tabled under House rules , and Guzzardi said he would continue working on it in hopes of getting it through the House this year .
`` I think we have some more education to do with some members of this committee who may not fully understand how this board would work or why it 's an effective tool to lower costs , '' he said .
`` So we 'll continue doing that as well . ''

Measure to cap prescription drug prices in Illinois stalls in committee
Legislation proposed by state Rep. Will Guzzardi, a Chicago Democrat, would set "upper payment limits" for any prescription drug that crosses certain price thresholds. Getty Images
SPRINGFIELD -- A bill that would allow the state to cap the prices of certain high-cost prescription drugs stalled in a House committee Wednesday amid stiff opposition from the pharmaceutical and insurance industries.
It was the second straight year House Bill 3493 failed to pass out of the Prescription Drug Affordability and Accessibility Committee. Rep. Will Guzzardi, a Chicago Democrat who chairs the committee and is the bill's chief sponsor, called it frustrating.
"I think that the situation for patients who need their prescriptions in this state is dire and getting worse every day, and I would hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle could see that it's time for us to do something," Guzzardi said in an interview after the vote. "Unfortunately, they seem to be more responsive to the pharmaceutical industry than to their constituents."
The bill would set up a five-member board that would have authority to conduct cost reviews and set "upper payment limits" for any prescription drug that crosses certain price thresholds.
Those include brand name drugs that cost $30,000 or more for a year's supply or a course of treatment, or whose wholesale price increases by more than $3,000 in a 12-month period. Other thresholds would apply to "biosimilar" drugs -- those that are highly similar to name brand drugs made from microorganisms found in plants or animals -- as well as generic drugs.
The upper payment limits would apply only to insurance policies regulated by the state. Those are primarily small-group employer-based plans, individual family plans that people purchase through the Affordable Care Act exchange markets, and plans administered directly by the state, such as state employees' health insurance and the state Medicaid program.
The limits would not apply to large self-insured plans that are governed by the federal Employment Retirement Income Security Act or to Medicare Part D plans.
Wednesday's hearing took place in a packed committee room where supporters of the bill, many affiliated with AARP, wore red T-shirts that read "Stop Rx Greed" and "Drugs Don't Work if People Can't Afford Them."
Donna Cruce, an AARP volunteer, spoke of a time in her life when she became unable to work full time because she could not afford her medications and was forced to move back in with her parents.
"I became a boomerang child after years of being self-sufficient," she said. "The blow to my ego was enormous. Without my parents' help, however, I do not know how I could have survived."
"How can the greatest country in the world allow its citizens to suffer because of the high cost of prescription drugs?"
But Kipp Snider, vice president for state policy at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, argued that while there are individual examples of drug prices spiraling out of control, prices overall -- and the total amount spent on drugs nationwide -- have risen only modestly in recent years.
"Now I'm not here to say we don't have a problem," he said. "We do have problems and we need to look at ways to address those, but I would submit that more so than a systemwide problem, what we have is … individual patient affordability problems."
Snider said much of the problem stems from changes in the design of insurance policies that have led to patients paying higher deductibles and copays for their medications and in some cases having to pay an entire year's deductible before their benefits kick in.
Laura Minzer, president of the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Council, agreed that insurance plan designs are a big factor in how much people pay for prescriptions. But she also argued the small-group and individual plans that would be covered by the bill make up about only 20 percent of the private insurance market.
"So by setting prices or costs for a very small segment of the market, I would suggest it's not only unfair -- it's a bit discriminatory for a small percentage of the market -- but it also places greater pressure on manufacturers because you can't set prices for manufacturers," she said.
The bill also ran into opposition on the committee itself, mainly from Republicans like Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, of Elmhurst, who works outside the General Assembly as an attorney who represents generic drug manufacturers. She argued the board would never be able to fulfill its function because it could never gain access to the information it needs to set prices.
"No pharmaceutical company, no manufacturer, no insurance company worth their salt is going to open up all their books and records to their competitors through this process," she said. "What will wind up happening, then is, if they choose to not participate in this process, then you have no idea what is a true price metric that you're going to be setting."
When it came time for the committee to vote on whether to send the bill to the full House, even some who supported it said it still needed significant work.
"I don't think it's soup yet," said Rep. Monica Bristow, a Godfrey Democrat. "I will vote yes to get it out of committee but I urge you to work with all parties involved so that we can make it a good bill."
In the end, the bill received only eight yes votes on the 18-member committee, two votes short of the majority needed.
Protect Our Care Illinois, a coalition of groups that had advocated for the bill, issued a statement saying its members were disappointed in the vote.
"The people of Illinois have made it clear that they need common sense solutions that release them from the nocuous compromise between affording prescription drugs or other basic needs," the organization said. "Today the inaction of members of the General Assembly spoke volumes by denying the people of Illinois access to affordable prescription drugs."
The bill was officially listed as tabled under House rules, and Guzzardi said he would continue working on it in hopes of getting it through the House this year.
"I think we have some more education to do with some members of this committee who may not fully understand how this board would work or why it's an effective tool to lower costs," he said. "So we'll continue doing that as well."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Elgin restaurant closes abruptly with weddings, events still booked

Gifford 's Kitchen & Social in Elgin closed abruptly this week , leaving in the lurch customers who booked parties , fundraisers and weddings .
A steady stream of unhappy people stopped by the restaurant at 2300 Bushwood Drive on Tuesday afternoon after news spread on social media .
Among them were Andrew Scholwin and Stephanie Behe of South Elgin , who booked the restaurant about two months ago for their Aug. 28 wedding .
The couple paid a $ 1,500 deposit and on Friday received an email asking for another deposit of $ 3,500 , which they had n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm feeling like I 'm probably not going to get my money back , '' he said .
`` I think I am more angry that they took people 's money knowing that they were going to foreclose . ''
Messages and emails to the restaurant were n't returned Tuesday , and its Facebook and Instagram pages and website were taken down .
Late Tuesday , multiple customers posted screencaps on Facebook of an email they received from Gifford 's saying those who had booked private events would be `` contacted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within 48 hours , who will assist you with arrangements for your event to be relocated at one of their five nearby locations . ''
The email also said customers could contact their credit card company to return any charges incurred by making a deposit at Gifford 's .
Moretti 's did not return a request for comment Tuesday night .
Gifford 's opened in May 2018 when the building was owned by businessman Rich Turasky , who did n't return requests for comment .
Turasky filed a bankruptcy petition for 2300 Bushwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court , Northern District of Illinois , records show .
Prescient Capital Partners , the mortgage lender and current property owner , filed a motion to dismiss Turasky 's petition on Feb. 27 , saying Turasky filed in `` bad faith . ''
A hearing is scheduled for March 27 .
Turasky bought the building in 2016 .
Ownership of the property was transferred last year in a deed in lieu of foreclosure to Prescient Capital Partners , from which 2300 Bushwood LLC borrowed $ 4.6 million in 2017 , Kane County records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment Tuesday .
An overdue tax bill of $ 62,373 for the property was sold in October to Longstreet Capital Funding , LLC , of Chicago , which could take ownership if there is no repayment by Nov. 1 , 2021 , said John Emerson , director of Kane County 's tax extension department .
The news of the Gifford 's closure spread after a Facebook post Tuesday morning by Crystal Lake resident Karli Cervantes , who had booked her April 4 bridal shower there .
Cervantes said she tried to contact the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realized it had closed without notice .
Her bridal shower was booked about two months ago with a $ 500 deposit , she said .
`` They completely vanished , '' she said .
`` We have 70 invites and we have to call people to let them know .
But I felt worse because of all of the people who said their actual weddings were canceled . ''
One of her friends had scheduled a fundraiser for her son 's soccer team on Friday and sold $ 4,000 worth of tickets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a hold of anybody .
It 's crazy . ''
The building was home to the Tilted Kilt restaurant until it closed in 2013 .
When Turasky opened Gifford 's nearly two years ago , he 'd been battling a lawsuit filed by Steve Dattomo , who had wanted to open a different restaurant in the building .
That lawsuit was dismissed in January 2019 .

Elgin restaurant closes abruptly with weddings, events still booked
Gifford's Kitchen & Social in Elgin closed abruptly this week, leaving in the lurch customers who booked parties, fundraisers and weddings.
A steady stream of unhappy people stopped by the restaurant at 2300 Bushwood Drive on Tuesday afternoon after news spread on social media. Among them were Andrew Scholwin and Stephanie Behe of South Elgin, who booked the restaurant about two months ago for their Aug. 28 wedding.
The couple paid a $1,500 deposit and on Friday received an email asking for another deposit of $3,500, which they hadn't paid yet, Scholwin said. "I'm feeling like I'm probably not going to get my money back," he said. "I think I am more angry that they took people's money knowing that they were going to foreclose."
Messages and emails to the restaurant weren't returned Tuesday, and its Facebook and Instagram pages and website were taken down.
Late Tuesday, multiple customers posted screencaps on Facebook of an email they received from Gifford's saying those who had booked private events would be "contacted by a representative from Moretti's Unique Events within 48 hours, who will assist you with arrangements for your event to be relocated at one of their five nearby locations."
The email also said customers could contact their credit card company to return any charges incurred by making a deposit at Gifford's.
Moretti's did not return a request for comment Tuesday night.
Gifford's opened in May 2018 when the building was owned by businessman Rich Turasky, who didn't return requests for comment.
Turasky filed a bankruptcy petition for 2300 Bushwood LLC on Jan. 20 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois, records show. Prescient Capital Partners, the mortgage lender and current property owner, filed a motion to dismiss Turasky's petition on Feb. 27, saying Turasky filed in "bad faith." A hearing is scheduled for March 27.
Turasky bought the building in 2016. Ownership of the property was transferred last year in a deed in lieu of foreclosure to Prescient Capital Partners, from which 2300 Bushwood LLC borrowed $4.6 million in 2017, Kane County records show. A Prescient representative declined to comment Tuesday.
An overdue tax bill of $62,373 for the property was sold in October to Longstreet Capital Funding, LLC, of Chicago, which could take ownership if there is no repayment by Nov. 1, 2021, said John Emerson, director of Kane County's tax extension department.
The news of the Gifford's closure spread after a Facebook post Tuesday morning by Crystal Lake resident Karli Cervantes, who had booked her April 4 bridal shower there.
Cervantes said she tried to contact the restaurant to finalize the menu and quickly realized it had closed without notice. Her bridal shower was booked about two months ago with a $500 deposit, she said.
"They completely vanished," she said. "We have 70 invites and we have to call people to let them know. But I felt worse because of all of the people who said their actual weddings were canceled."
One of her friends had scheduled a fundraiser for her son's soccer team on Friday and sold $4,000 worth of tickets, Cervantes said. "They can't get a hold of anybody. It's crazy."
The building was home to the Tilted Kilt restaurant until it closed in 2013. When Turasky opened Gifford's nearly two years ago, he'd been battling a lawsuit filed by Steve Dattomo, who had wanted to open a different restaurant in the building. That lawsuit was dismissed in January 2019.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Constable: Close shave could keep virus from spreading

Christian clerics , Hasidic Jews , devout Muslims , the Amish , Sikhs , hipster men and playoff-bound hockey players all fit under the same umbrella in this warning issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
If you wear a soul patch under your bottom lip , or a walrus 'stache above your upper lip , you 're OK .
If you 've fashioned that facial hair into a goatee , you might have issues .
But if you are sporting mutton chops , a neatly trimmed Van Dyke or a full-on lumberjack beard , our government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worry about .
Facial hair can get in the way of a tight seal between skin and respirators worn by medical workers , potentially making the respirators ineffective at keeping viruses out , according to information provided by the CDC .
The accompanying downloadable chart , which was produced in 2017 before the current coronavirus emerged , features 36 facial hair styles ( who knew ? )
and lets you know which will work with a respirator .
Most bearded people who do n't work in medical professions need n't worry -- because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respirators anyway .
The U.S. surgeon general discourages most of the public from buying , hoarding or wearing face masks , as they are meant for sick people and medical professionals .
Likewise , many potential romantic partners discourage growing anything on your face called a hulihee , ducktail , French fork , bandholz , lampshade , toothbrush or chin curtain , to use the CDC 's vocabulary .
Considering how good facial hair is at capturing doughnut crumbs , chicken noodle soup and sneezes , you might think a furry bush covering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its tracks .
But the CDC bursts that bubble .
`` While human hair appears to be very thin to the naked eye , hair is much larger in size than the particles inhaled .
Facial hair is just not dense enough and the individual hairs are too large to capture particles like an air filter does ; nor will a beard trap gases and vapors like the carbon bed in a respirator cartridge , '' reads a CDC blog produced by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health .
`` Therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gases , and vapors follow the air stream right through the facial hair and into the respiratory tract of the wearer . ''
An article in a recent edition of Nursing Times tells the story of a hospital in the United Kingdom that , in anticipation of the COVID-19 virus arriving at some point , is asking employees to shave their beards .
`` I recognise for some this is a big ask , that beards are so popular at present , '' an administrator said in an email to staff members .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the right thing to do . ''
A Chinese video shows female medical workers taking the extra step of getting their heads shaved in an attempt to make safety equipment fit better .
The Northwest suburbs have treated patients with COVID-19 at Amita Health St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates and at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights .
But my investigative reporting skills fell short of finding a nurse , doctor or other medical professional in those facilities who had to shave off a beloved beard because of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced nurses to shave their heads to ensure protective headgear fits well , American Nurses Association spokeswoman Keziah Proctor says that organization `` encourages U.S. health care workers to follow the CDC guidelines for protective gear and proper fit testing . ''
Fears of the virus have spurred conversations about postponing the Olympics in Japan ; canceled concerts by Mariah Carey , Avril Lavigne and Green Day , the International Housewares Association show in Chicago , business meetings for Facebook , Google and other companies ; forced many college kids studying abroad to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct rituals ; canceled basketball games for Chicago State University ; fueled speculation on sports radio that some NCAA basketball tournament games will be played in empty arenas ; postponed the launch of the new James Bond movie ; and made fist bumps more popular than handshakes .
But could anything change the face of America as much as getting rid of beards ?

Constable: Close shave could keep virus from spreading
The CDC on its website has gotten specific since 2017 about what kinds of beards can work with protective face masks. You can download this as a PDF by doing a web search for "CDC facial hairstyles." The results say it's by "C Shaven."
Christian clerics, Hasidic Jews, devout Muslims, the Amish, Sikhs, hipster men and playoff-bound hockey players all fit under the same umbrella in this warning issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you wear a soul patch under your bottom lip, or a walrus 'stache above your upper lip, you're OK. If you've fashioned that facial hair into a goatee, you might have issues. But if you are sporting mutton chops, a neatly trimmed Van Dyke or a full-on lumberjack beard, our government has one more thing for you to worry about.
Facial hair can get in the way of a tight seal between skin and respirators worn by medical workers, potentially making the respirators ineffective at keeping viruses out, according to information provided by the CDC. The accompanying downloadable chart, which was produced in 2017 before the current coronavirus emerged, features 36 facial hair styles (who knew?) and lets you know which will work with a respirator. Most bearded people who don't work in medical professions needn't worry -- because they shouldn't have on masks or respirators anyway.
The U.S. surgeon general discourages most of the public from buying, hoarding or wearing face masks, as they are meant for sick people and medical professionals. Likewise, many potential romantic partners discourage growing anything on your face called a hulihee, ducktail, French fork, bandholz, lampshade, toothbrush or chin curtain, to use the CDC's vocabulary.
Considering how good facial hair is at capturing doughnut crumbs, chicken noodle soup and sneezes, you might think a furry bush covering your face would stop the coronavirus in its tracks. But the CDC bursts that bubble.
"While human hair appears to be very thin to the naked eye, hair is much larger in size than the particles inhaled. Facial hair is just not dense enough and the individual hairs are too large to capture particles like an air filter does; nor will a beard trap gases and vapors like the carbon bed in a respirator cartridge," reads a CDC blog produced by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. "Therefore, the vast majority of particles, gases, and vapors follow the air stream right through the facial hair and into the respiratory tract of the wearer."
An article in a recent edition of Nursing Times tells the story of a hospital in the United Kingdom that, in anticipation of the COVID-19 virus arriving at some point, is asking employees to shave their beards.
"I recognise for some this is a big ask, that beards are so popular at present," an administrator said in an email to staff members. "However, I do believe this is the right thing to do."
A Chinese video shows female medical workers taking the extra step of getting their heads shaved in an attempt to make safety equipment fit better.
The Northwest suburbs have treated patients with COVID-19 at Amita Health St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates and at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. But my investigative reporting skills fell short of finding a nurse, doctor or other medical professional in those facilities who had to shave off a beloved beard because of the virus. Some critics says China apparently forced nurses to shave their heads to ensure protective headgear fits well. Kendra McMillan, senior policy advisor for nursing practice and work environment with the American Nurses Association says that organization "encourages U.S. health care workers to follow the CDC guidelines for protective gear and proper fit testing."
Fears of the virus have spurred conversations about postponing the Olympics in Japan; canceled concerts by Mariah Carey, Avril Lavigne and Green Day, the International Housewares Association show in Chicago, business meetings for Facebook, Google and other companies; forced many college kids studying abroad to come home; changed the way churches conduct rituals; canceled basketball games for Chicago State University; fueled speculation on sports radio that some NCAA basketball tournament games will be played in empty arenas; postponed the launch of the new James Bond movie; and made fist bumps more popular than handshakes.
But could anything change the face of America as much as getting rid of beards?


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--To make people self-quarantine or not? What health experts say about exposure risk

With concerns over the spread of the coronavirus rising , suburban school districts and workplaces are grappling with questions about how to handle students and employees who might have been exposed to the illness .
Lake Zurich Unit District 95 officials placed no restrictions this week on two members of the district community living with a hospital worker who 'd had contact with a coronavirus patient .
But Northwest Suburban High School District 214 is asking some students who 've traveled to certain countries -- Italy , China , Iran and South Korea -- to self-quarantine for 14 days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all are being asked to inform the district of their travels .
According to guidelines issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , both districts acted as suggested .
Under the interim guidance , unless a person shows symptoms of COVID-19 , the illness caused by the latest coronavirus , self-quarantining is not recommended .
Exceptions to that include those who have traveled to or had stopovers in countries considered Level 3 or higher .
Those countries are Italy , China , Iran and South Korea .
`` Depending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to stay home for a period of 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread or ongoing community spread , '' according to the CDC .
According to the CDC , there is no identifiable risk of contracting the coronavirus by walking past or being briefly in the same room as someone with the illness .
Being in the same room for a longer period of time without close contact is considered a low risk , while living with a person sick with COVID-19 can be a medium or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation are provided by local public health departments and depend on a person 's exposure risk , Cook County Department of Public Health spokeswoman Kimberly Conrad Junius said Wednesday .
People concerned about being exposed to coronavirus should contact their health care providers immediately , she said .
`` If you have a medical appointment , call your health care professional and share your concern , '' Junius said .
`` This will help the health care provider 's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed .
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local health department , Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19 . ''
Dr. Ngozi Ezike , director of the Illinois Department of Public Health , said home isolation will be the preferred treatment for patients not needing more intensive medical care .
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low , according to the CDC .
`` The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with health care providers and state and local health departments , '' the CDC states .

To make people self-quarantine or not? What health experts say about exposure risk
Health experts say a self-quarantine generally is not recommended for someone who may have been exposed to the coronavirus, with a few notable exceptions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP
Northwest Suburban High School District 214 is asking some students who've traveled to certain countries to self-quarantine for 14 days, and other students who've been abroad at all to inform the district of their travels. Daily Herald file photo
With concerns over the spread of the coronavirus rising, suburban school districts and workplaces are grappling with questions about how to handle students and employees who might have been exposed to the illness.
Lake Zurich Unit District 95 officials placed no restrictions this week on two members of the district community living with a hospital worker who'd had contact with a coronavirus patient.
But Northwest Suburban High School District 214 is asking some students who've traveled to certain countries -- Italy, China, Iran and South Korea -- to self-quarantine for 14 days. Other students who've been abroad at all are being asked to inform the district of their travels.
According to guidelines issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both districts acted as suggested.
Under the interim guidance, unless a person shows symptoms of COVID-19, the illness caused by the latest coronavirus, self-quarantining is not recommended.
Exceptions to that include those who have traveled to or had stopovers in countries considered Level 3 or higher. Those countries are Italy, China, Iran and South Korea.
"Depending on your travel history, you will be asked to stay home for a period of 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread or ongoing community spread," according to the CDC.
According to the CDC, there is no identifiable risk of contracting the coronavirus by walking past or being briefly in the same room as someone with the illness. Being in the same room for a longer period of time without close contact is considered a low risk, while living with a person sick with COVID-19 can be a medium or high risk.
Orders for quarantine and isolation are provided by local public health departments and depend on a person's exposure risk, Cook County Department of Public Health spokeswoman Kimberly Conrad Junius said Wednesday.
People concerned about being exposed to coronavirus should contact their health care providers immediately, she said.
"If you have a medical appointment, call your health care professional and share your concern," Junius said. "This will help the health care provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed. Your health care professional will work with the local health department, Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19."
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said home isolation will be the preferred treatment for patients not needing more intensive medical care. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low, according to the CDC.
"The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with health care providers and state and local health departments," the CDC states.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Dog treat fundraiser in Lombard to help Australian animals

In the world of Madison Elementary School in Lombard , a bulldog mascot , dog treats , research , experimentation , Trader Joe 's and animal victims of wildfires in Australia are all connected .
It starts with koalas .
They 're the favorite animal of Madison first-grader Safura Aziz and fourth-grader Autumn Jackson , and they are among the animals harmed in the Australian bush fires that have raged this year .
After learning of the plight of Australian animals from fourth-grade teacher Katie Opdyke and first-grade teacher Michelle Frankenbach , Safura , Autumn and their peers wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraiser , and aimed to bring in $ 300 .
This is where their school 's mascot comes in .
The bulldog showed the students one way to raise money for a worthy , if faraway , animal cause : make dog treats .
Research and experimentation came next .
Students looked up charities that benefit animals in Australia and chose to conduct their fundraiser for Animal Rescue Cooperative , with a mission to feed animals affected by the fires .
Fourth-grader Lia Juarez said students found the organization by doing a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Students also looked up how to make dog treats and experimented with a four-ingredient , no-bake recipe .
Fourth-grader Vincenzo Gatto said the recipe contains peanut butter , cinnamon , oats and water .
Lia said her dog liked the finished treats , so they passed the test .
But where to get enough peanut butter , cinnamon and oats to make hundreds of golf-ball-sized treats ?
Trader Joe 's in Glen Ellyn came to mind , so students wrote the store a letter and it worked .
The store supplied all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Employees even planned to come help Wednesday with the treat-making process .
`` We 're looking forward to making the treats , '' first-grader Abubakar Azhar said before work began .
`` We 're going to help the animals . ''
Students plan to sell the treats during lunch periods on Friday , with $ 1 buying a four-pack .
Opdyke said any money raised will be donated on Monday , closing the loop between suburban kids and Australian animals .
`` We came up with the idea , '' Safura said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia and to make the animals survive . ''

Dog treat fundraiser in Lombard to help Australian animals
In the world of Madison Elementary School in Lombard, a bulldog mascot, dog treats, research, experimentation, Trader Joe's and animal victims of wildfires in Australia are all connected.
Here's how:
It starts with koalas. They're the favorite animal of Madison first-grader Safura Aziz and fourth-grader Autumn Jackson, and they are among the animals harmed in the Australian bush fires that have raged this year.
After learning of the plight of Australian animals from fourth-grade teacher Katie Opdyke and first-grade teacher Michelle Frankenbach, Safura, Autumn and their peers wanted to help. They decided to conduct a fundraiser, and aimed to bring in $300.
This is where their school's mascot comes in. The bulldog showed the students one way to raise money for a worthy, if faraway, animal cause: make dog treats.
Research and experimentation came next. Students looked up charities that benefit animals in Australia and chose to conduct their fundraiser for Animal Rescue Cooperative, with a mission to feed animals affected by the fires.
Fourth-grader Lia Juarez said students found the organization by doing a lot of research from credible sources online. Students also looked up how to make dog treats and experimented with a four-ingredient, no-bake recipe.
Fourth-grader Vincenzo Gatto said the recipe contains peanut butter, cinnamon, oats and water. Lia said her dog liked the finished treats, so they passed the test.
But where to get enough peanut butter, cinnamon and oats to make hundreds of golf-ball-sized treats?
Trader Joe's in Glen Ellyn came to mind, so students wrote the store a letter and it worked. The store supplied all the needed ingredients for free, Opdyke said. Employees even planned to come help Wednesday with the treat-making process.
"We're looking forward to making the treats," first-grader Abubakar Azhar said before work began. "We're going to help the animals."
Students plan to sell the treats during lunch periods on Friday, with $1 buying a four-pack. Opdyke said any money raised will be donated on Monday, closing the loop between suburban kids and Australian animals.
"We came up with the idea," Safura said, "to help the animals in Australia and to make the animals survive."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Elgin plans to add 84 bike racks to central district

In a victory for bicycle enthusiasts , the city of Elgin plans to more than double its bicycle racks within the central business district .
The project to install 84 new bike racks , expected to be done in October , is estimated at $ 115,999 , including $ 39,199 from the city and $ 76,800 in federal grant reimbursement .
The new bike racks will be U-shaped , able to hold one or two bikes each .
The city council 's committee of the whole approved the plan in an 8-1 vote Wednesday night .
`` I have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bike racks near their businesses , so that people that are coming off the ( Fox River ) bike trail can stop and patronize their businesses , '' Councilwoman Tish Powell said .
Councilman John Steffen , who often bikes to his law office downtown , said he will appreciate being able to lock his bike on a rack rather than a tree .
Others also use lamp posts .
The central business district is bordered by Kimball Street to the north , Center/Villa streets to the east , Prairie Street to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are about 61 bike racks in the district , both U-shaped and `` wave '' style , but they are located in somewhat peripheral , inconvenient spots , not within the sightline of businesses like bicyclists prefer , officials said .
The goal is to install about two new bike racks per block .
Jennifer Fukala , executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association , quoted statistics saying more than 86,000 cyclists per year utilize the nearby bike trail , bringing about $ 30 in economic impact per visit .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leveraging the trail , and also bringing walkability and a walkable environment downtown , '' she said .
The only dissenting vote came from Councilman Toby Shaw , who said he does n't see many bicyclists downtown , although he acknowledged that could increase with bike racks .
He also questioned how much it would cost to maintain all the new bike racks at the same time .
Kristin Kalitowski of Civiltech Engineering , which will do the engineering for the project , said racks with special types of coating , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All costs should be covered by the federal grant , she said .
Although it would be great to install the racks in time for summer , the timing is determined by requirements of the grant , officials said .
Final approval from the city is expected in a vote in two weeks .

Elgin plans to add 84 bike racks to central district
The city of Elgin plans to add 84 U-shaped bike racks to the central business district to encourage bicyclists to patronize businesses. Pictured here are bike racks in front of the Elgin police station, 151 Douglas Ave. Courtesy of Molly Gillespie/city of Elgin
In a victory for bicycle enthusiasts, the city of Elgin plans to more than double its bicycle racks within the central business district.
The project to install 84 new bike racks, expected to be done in October, is estimated at $115,999, including $39,199 from the city and $76,800 in federal grant reimbursement. The new bike racks will be U-shaped, able to hold one or two bikes each.
The city council's committee of the whole approved the plan in an 8-1 vote Wednesday night.
"I have had downtown business owners inquire about and request bike racks near their businesses, so that people that are coming off the (Fox River) bike trail can stop and patronize their businesses," Councilwoman Tish Powell said.
Councilman John Steffen, who often bikes to his law office downtown, said he will appreciate being able to lock his bike on a rack rather than a tree. Others also use lamp posts.
The central business district is bordered by Kimball Street to the north, Center/Villa streets to the east, Prairie Street to the south and State Street to the west.
There are about 61 bike racks in the district, both U-shaped and "wave" style, but they are located in somewhat peripheral, inconvenient spots, not within the sightline of businesses like bicyclists prefer, officials said. The goal is to install about two new bike racks per block.
Jennifer Fukala, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, quoted statistics saying more than 86,000 cyclists per year utilize the nearby bike trail, bringing about $30 in economic impact per visit. "This is another piece of the puzzle to leveraging the trail, and also bringing walkability and a walkable environment downtown," she said.
The only dissenting vote came from Councilman Toby Shaw, who said he doesn't see many bicyclists downtown, although he acknowledged that could increase with bike racks. He also questioned how much it would cost to maintain all the new bike racks at the same time.
Kristin Kalitowski of Civiltech Engineering, which will do the engineering for the project, said racks with special types of coating, although more expensive, require fewer touch-ups. All costs should be covered by the federal grant, she said.
Although it would be great to install the racks in time for summer, the timing is determined by requirements of the grant, officials said.
Final approval from the city is expected in a vote in two weeks.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-04--Democrats Iqbal, Paschke talk about priorities for House District 65

Voters in the 65th state House District will choose in the Democratic primary election March 17 between a first-time candidate with heavy financial backing from party leaders , and a county board member who says he 's self-funding his campaign .
Martha Paschke , 40 , of Geneva , is a former childbirth educator who works as a patient intake coordinator and has extensive volunteer and civic involvement , including spearheading a local `` Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America '' group in 2016 .
She describes herself as `` socially liberal and fiscally responsible . ''
Mohammad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Elgin , is a lawyer and civil engineer who was elected to the county board in 2018 .
He has served on the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation board and the city of Elgin 's human relations commission , among others , and he describes himself as `` fiscally conservative and a centrist . ''
Paschke has received just less than $ 157,400 in campaign contributions from Democratic leaders , including $ 50,000 from Joliet state Rep. Natalie Manley 's campaign fund and $ 38,500 from House Majority Leader Greg Harris ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of elections information .
Paschke said she 's made lots of connections in the community and has met elected officials through her activism .
`` I earned their support from the work I have done in district , '' she said .
The board of elections shows no contributions so far for Iqbal , who says he has only spent his own money for his campaign and has n't held any fundraisers .
Iqbal said he prides himself in being independent and does n't expect to make a career out of politics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health services , particularly in light of the opioid crisis and the rise in suicides among veterans and young people , Paschke said .
Iqbal said property taxes are too high and are driving people to move out of state , so he wants to freeze property taxes for five years to force state agencies to implement budget cuts .
`` I know this is not going to be easy , '' he said .
Paschke said it 's important to ensure any budget cuts do n't cause harm , particularly to schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of District 65 has increased .
`` I am not hearing from people that they are concerned with property taxes .
I believe that has to do with what people see in the value they are getting , '' she said .
Iqbal said he wants state transportation funds to go to areas west of Randall Road , where growth is happening .
Paschke said Route 20 `` definitely needs work . ''
Both candidates support a graduated income tax , which voters will decide on in November , and the Fair Maps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's redistricting rules and some lawmakers want to place on the ballot in November .
Iqbal supports term limits for state legislators , while Paschke says voters should decide who stays in office .
House District 65 includes Pingree Grove and parts of Batavia , Geneva , St. Charles , Elgin , South Elgin , Hampshire and Huntley .
The winner will face Republican Dan Ugaste in the November general election .

Democrats Iqbal, Paschke talk about priorities for House District 65
Mo Iqbal of Elgin and Martha Paschke of Geneva are Democratic candidates for the 65th state House District in the March 17 primary.
Voters in the 65th state House District will choose in the Democratic primary election March 17 between a first-time candidate with heavy financial backing from party leaders, and a county board member who says he's self-funding his campaign.
Martha Paschke, 40, of Geneva, is a former childbirth educator who works as a patient intake coordinator and has extensive volunteer and civic involvement, including spearheading a local "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America" group after 2016. She describes herself as "socially liberal and fiscally responsible."
Mohammad "Mo" Iqbal, 74, of Elgin, is a lawyer and civil engineer who was elected to the county board in 2018. He has served on the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation board and the city of Elgin's human relations commission, among others, and he describes himself as "fiscally conservative and a centrist."
Paschke has received just less than $157,400 in campaign contributions from Democratic leaders, including $50,000 from Joliet state Rep. Natalie Manley's campaign fund and $38,500 from House Majority Leader Greg Harris' campaign fund, according to state board of elections information.
Paschke said she's made lots of connections in the community and has met elected officials through her activism. "I earned the party's support through the work I have done in the district," she said.
The board of elections shows no contributions so far for Iqbal, who says he has only spent his own money for his campaign and hasn't held any fundraisers. Iqbal said he prides himself in being independent and doesn't expect to make a career out of politics.
Residents of the district need adequate mental health services, particularly in light of the opioid crisis and the rise in suicides among veterans and young people, Paschke said.
Iqbal said property taxes are too high and are driving people to move out of state, so he wants to freeze property taxes for five years to force state agencies to implement budget cuts. "I know this is not going to be easy," he said.
Paschke said it's important to ensure any budget cuts don't cause harm, particularly to schools. She also pointed out the population of District 65 has increased.
"I am not hearing from people that they are concerned with property taxes. I believe that has to do with what people see in the value they are getting," she said.
Iqbal said he wants state transportation funds to go to areas west of Randall Road, where growth is happening. Paschke said Route 20 "definitely needs work."
Both candidates support a graduated income tax, which voters will decide on in November, and the Fair Maps Amendment, which would reform the state's redistricting rules and some lawmakers want to place on the ballot in November.
Iqbal supports term limits for state legislators, while Paschke says voters should decide who stays in office.
House District 65 includes Pingree Grove and parts of Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Elgin, South Elgin, Hampshire and Huntley. The winner will face Republican Dan Ugaste in the November general election.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-05--Coronavirus patient released from Arlington Heights hospital to home isolation

The man in his 70s who had been treated for a coronavirus infection at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights has been released to home isolation , hospital officials confirmed Thursday .
The man likely was exposed to the virus while on a trip elsewhere in the U.S. , Dr. Ngozi Ekize , director of the Illinois Department of Public Health , said Thursday .
The man had not traveled internationally nor had close contact with anyone known to have COVID-19 , the disease caused by the latest coronavirus .
His wife , also in her 70s , contracted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The man was hospitalized over the weekend .
His wife did not require hospitalization but was recovering in isolation at home , where her husband will join her .
Both husband and wife are continuing to recover and doing well , authorities said .
They remain under observation by public health officials .
Ekize said this week that home isolation would be the preferred treatment option for coronavirus patients not needing more intensive medical care .
No further information is being released about the couple in order to protect their privacy , officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Illinois in which the virus spread from one spouse to the other .
The first was a couple from Chicago .
The wife contracted the virus during a visit to China and it spread to her husband when she returned home .
They were both initially treated at Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates because that 's where the wife 's primary care physician practices .
This first couple progressed to home isolation and were subsequently released from that as well when public health officials determined they were fully recovered @ @ @ @ @

Coronavirus patient released from Arlington Heights hospital to home isolation
The man in his 70s who had been treated for a coronavirus infection at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights has been released to home isolation, hospital officials confirmed Thursday.
The man likely was exposed to the virus while on a trip elsewhere in the U.S., Dr. Ngozi Ekize, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said Thursday. The man had not traveled internationally nor had close contact with anyone known to have COVID-19, the disease caused by the latest coronavirus.
His wife, also in her 70s, contracted the disease from him, Ezike said.
The man was hospitalized over the weekend. His wife did not require hospitalization but was recovering in isolation at home, where her husband will join her.
Both husband and wife are continuing to recover and doing well, authorities said. They remain under observation by public health officials.
Ekize said this week that home isolation would be the preferred treatment option for coronavirus patients not needing more intensive medical care.
No further information is being released about the couple in order to protect their privacy, officials said.
They are the second couple in Illinois in which the virus spread from one spouse to the other.
The first was a couple from Chicago. The wife contracted the virus during a visit to China and it spread to her husband when she returned home. They were both initially treated at Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates because that's where the wife's primary care physician practices.
This first couple progressed to home isolation and were subsequently released from that as well when public health officials determined they were fully recovered and no longer contagious.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-05--State confirms fifth coronavirus case in Cook County involving traveler to Italy

State officials confirmed a fifth Illinois resident has contracted the coronavirus after he traveled to Italy recently .
The Cook County resident , in his 20s , visited Italy and arrived back at O'Hare International Airport this month , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said at a news conference Thursday .
The man became infected with the coronavirus while in Italy .
He is in isolation and stable at Rush University Medical Center .
The virus was first detected in China and serious outbreaks have been found in Italy , South Korea , Iran and Japan , the U.S. Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Department of Public Health officials are working to identify and reach all of the man 's close contacts .
Authorities also will be contacting airline passengers who were seated closest to the man on the flight home and monitoring their condition for 14 days , physician and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said .
This latest coronavirus case was identified after testing at an IDPH laboratory , and confirmation is pending from the CDC .
`` The state is working around the clock to contain COVID-19 , '' Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general public remains low , but we are not taking any chances and preparing for eventualities .
The best thing that the general public can do at this time is to take extra care and be vigilant about precautions that you should take during flu season . ''
That involves taking extra care to wash hands , staying home if sick , covering the mouth and nose during coughing or sneezing , cleaning often-touched objects and surfaces frequently , and calling the doctor or health care provider if experiencing symptoms .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are recommending people returning from travel or a study abroad program in Italy to self-isolate at home for 14 days , even if they are not exhibiting fever or respiratory symptoms .
Should symptoms develop , they are urged to contact a health provider for testing .
Pritzker cautioned against stigmatizing people from a certain region or country .
`` This virus is n't specific to any one ethnicity , nationality or population , '' he said .
`` Nothing fuels hate or hysteria faster than fear-induced xenophobia . ''
The four other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all older than 60 years -- were reported in January and February .
The first couple have recovered .
The second couple from suburban Cook County are in good condition and in isolation at home , officials said .
`` We understand people are concerned , but we want to reassure residents that we have been working with local health departments , hospitals , clinicians , the CDC and other state agencies around the clock and are using every resource at our disposal to prepare , '' Ezike said .
The man in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracted the disease as a result of community transmission through domestic travel , Ezike said , since he had not traveled internationally nor had close contact with someone known to have COVID-19 .
His wife contracted it from him .
`` Community spread here in Illinois is expected , '' she said .
`` However , at this time we are not seeing widespread transmission of this virus in the general public . ''
Nationwide , 11 deaths have been attributed to the disease .
Fatalities globally have been concentrated in older and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with hospitals to assess bed capacity and to inventory supplies of protective gear .
The state is partnering with seven hospitals in Cook County , two hospitals in other parts of northern Illinois , and two hospitals in southern and central Illinois to conduct surveillance testing -- a voluntary program for people who test negative for influenza .
Participating hospitals will be sending those samples to one of three state labs to confirm whether those people have contracted the coronavirus .
`` This surveillance will help us determine if the virus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent , '' Ezike said .
With that information , we can tailor our response and better protect the health of all of our citizens .
This continues to be a rapidly evolving situation . ''
For more information about COVID-19 , call the state hotline at ( 800 ) 889-3931 , email dph.sick @ illinois.gov or visit idph.illinois.gov .

State confirms fifth coronavirus case in Cook County involving traveler to Italy
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike answers questions about the state's response to COVID-19 during a news conference Thursday in the governor's office in Springfield. Associated Press
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker answers questions from the media about the state's response to COVID-19 during a news conference Thursday in the governor's office in Springfield. Associated Press
State officials confirmed a fifth Illinois resident has contracted the coronavirus after he traveled to Italy recently.
The Cook County resident, visited Italy and arrived back at O'Hare International Airport this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday. WGN Channel 9 identified him as Edward Campbell, 21, a student of Vanderbilt University.
Campbell became infected with COVID-19 while studying in Italy. The school called his class back home and he decided to get checked when he wasn't feeling right, he told WGN. He is in isolation and stable at Rush University Medical Center.
Campbell told WGN that the illness feels "worse than a cold or flu, but not as bad as pneumonia." He said his parents and two siblings now must be quarantined at home for two weeks.
Cook County Department of Public Health officials are working to identify and reach all of the man's close contacts. Authorities also will be contacting airline passengers who were seated closest to the man on the flight home and monitoring their condition for 14 days, physician and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said.
This latest coronavirus case was identified after testing at an state lab, and confirmation is pending from the CDC.
"The state is working around the clock to contain COVID-19," Pritzker said. "The risk to the general public remains low, but we are not taking any chances and preparing for eventualities. The best thing that the general public can do at this time is to take extra care and be vigilant about precautions that you should take during flu season."
That involves taking extra care to wash hands, staying home if sick, covering the mouth and nose during coughing or sneezing, cleaning often-touched objects and surfaces frequently, and calling a doctor if experiencing symptoms.
Officials recommend that people returning from travel or a study abroad program in Italy self-isolate at home for 14 days, even if they are not exhibiting fever or respiratory symptoms. Should symptoms develop, they are urged to contact a health provider for testing.
Pritzker cautioned against stigmatizing people from a certain region or country.
"This virus isn't specific to any one ethnicity, nationality or population," he said. "Nothing fuels hate or hysteria faster than fear-induced xenophobia."
The four other coronavirus cases involving two married couples -- all older than 60 -- were reported in January and February. The first couple, who live in Chicago, have recovered. The second couple are in good condition and in isolation at home in suburban Cook County, officials said.
"We understand people are concerned, but we want to reassure residents that we have been working with local health departments, hospitals, clinicians, the CDC and other state agencies around the clock and are using every resource at our disposal to prepare," Ezike said.
The man in the second infected couple likely contracted the disease as a result of community transmission through domestic travel, Ezike said, since he had not traveled internationally nor had close contact with someone known to have COVID-19. His wife contracted it from him.
"Community spread here in Illinois is expected," she said. "However, at this time we are not seeing widespread transmission of this virus in the general public."
Public health officials are working with hospitals to assess bed capacity and to inventory supplies of protective gear.
The state is partnering with seven hospitals in Cook County, two hospitals in other parts of northern Illinois, and two hospitals in southern and central Illinois to conduct surveillance testing -- a voluntary program for people who test negative for influenza. Participating hospitals will send samples to one of three state labs to confirm whether those people have the coronavirus.
"This surveillance will help us determine if the virus is circulating in the community and to what extent," Ezike said. "With that information, we can tailor our response and better protect the health of all of our citizens. This continues to be a rapidly evolving situation."
For more about COVID-19, call the state hotline at (800) 889-3931, email dph.sick@illinois.gov or visit idph.illinois.gov.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-05--Art Van Furniture, PureSleep closing all stores, liquidation sales begin Friday

All Art Van Furniture and Art Van PureSleep stores will close , including those in the Chicago area , with liquidation sales beginning Friday , the company announced Thursday .
The Warren , Michigan-based furniture and bedding retailer is shutting down all of its stores in Michigan , Illinois , Missouri and Ohio as a result of struggling sales , according to a company spokesman Diane Charles .
`` Despite our best efforts to remain open , the company 's brands and operating performance have been hit hard by a challenging retail environment , '' she said .
AVF Holdings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brand of Art Van Furniture , Art Van PureSleep and Scott Shuptrine Interiors brands , has 24 stores in the Chicago area , including locations in Algonquin , Batavia , Deerfield , Downers Grove , Glendale Heights , Gurnee , Kildeer , Naperville , Schaumburg and Woodridge .
Other Eight Wolf Furniture stores in Maryland and Virginia also will be liquidated , the company said , while Levin & Wolf Furniture in Ohio and Pennsylvania will be sold to Robert Levin , pending court approval .
The retail chain was founded by Art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ furniture store in the Detroit area in 1959 .
It expanded into Illinois in 2013 , investing $ 50 million into opening new stores in the state .
The company was acquired in 2017 by Boston-based equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners .

Art Van Furniture, PureSleep closing all stores, liquidation sales begin Friday
All Art Van Furniture and Art Van PureSleep stores will close, including those in the Chicago area, with liquidation sales beginning Friday, the company announced Thursday.
The Warren, Michigan-based furniture and bedding retailer is shutting down all of its stores in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio as a result of struggling sales, according to a company spokesman Diane Charles.
"Despite our best efforts to remain open, the company's brands and operating performance have been hit hard by a challenging retail environment," she said.
AVF Holdings, Inc., which operates under the brand of Art Van Furniture, Art Van PureSleep and Scott Shuptrine Interiors brands, has 24 stores in the Chicago area, including locations in Algonquin, Batavia, Deerfield, Downers Grove, Glendale Heights, Gurnee, Kildeer, Naperville, Schaumburg and Woodridge.
Other Eight Wolf Furniture stores in Maryland and Virginia also will be liquidated, the company said, while Levin & Wolf Furniture in Ohio and Pennsylvania will be sold to Robert Levin, pending court approval.
The retail chain was founded by Art Van Elslander, who opened his first furniture store in the Detroit area in 1959. It expanded into Illinois in 2013, investing $50 million into opening new stores in the state. The company was acquired in 2017 by Boston-based equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-05--Elizabeth Warren ends 2020 presidential bid, not endorsing anyone yet

WASHINGTON -- Elizabeth Warren , who electrified progressives with her `` plan for everything '' and strong message of economic populism , dropped out of the Democratic presidential race on Thursday , days after the onetime front-runner failed to win a single Super Tuesday state , not even her own .
For much of the past year , her campaign had all the markers of success , robust poll numbers , impressive fundraising and a sprawling political infrastructure that featured staffers on the ground across the country .
But once voting began in February , she never found a reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , her progressive rival , and former Vice President Joe Biden , who established himself as the leading centrist in the race .
`` I refuse to let disappointment blind me -- or you -- to what we 've accomplished , '' Warren told her campaign staff on a call Thursday .
`` We did n't reach our goal , but what we have done together -- what you have done -- has made a lasting difference .
It 's not the scale of the difference we wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Outside her Cambridge , Massachusetts , home Thursday , Warren said she was n't going to endorse anyone right away .
`` I need some space and I need a little time right now , '' she said , standing next to her husband , Bruce Mann , and golden retriever , Bailey .
Warren 's voice cracked when she talked about meeting so many little girls while campaigning around the country for the past year and knowing they `` are going to have to wait four more years , '' at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
Warren 's exit leaves the Democratic field with just one female candidate : Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , who has collected only one delegate toward the nomination .
That is a frustrating twist for a party that once boasted the most diverse presidential field in history and harnessed the votes and energy of women to retake control of the House , primarily with female candidates , in 2018 .
Despite Warren 's disappointing finish , she offers the potential of a coveted endorsement to Sanders and Biden , who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest .
In an interview after Warren 's departure was announced , Toni Van Pelt , the president of the National Organization for Women , urged her not to back Sanders .
`` She has a lot of leverage right now .
We do trust her to make the right decisions on how to proceed .
But we 'd like her not to rush into this , '' Van Pelt said .
`` We think that our constituents , our members , will not necessarily think of Sanders as the best choice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Women Act if it was n't for Biden 's leadership .
So , we know that he 's performed .
Sanders does n't have a record .
He 's really , as far as we know , done next to nothing for women and for our issues and for the things that are our priorities . ''
Warren 's campaign began with enormous promise .
Last summer , she drew tens of thousands of supporters to Manhattan 's Washington Square Park , a scene that was repeated in places like Washington state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling for `` structural change '' to the American political system to reorder the nation 's economy in the name of fairness .
She had a signature populist proposal for a 2 % wealth tax she wanted to impose on households worth more than $ 50 million that prompted chants of `` Two cents !
Two cents ! ''
at rallies across the country .
Warren hit her stride as she hammered the idea that more moderate Democratic candidates , including Biden , were n't ambitious enough to roll back President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on political consultants and fickle polling .
And she drew strength in the # MeToo era , especially after a wave of female candidates helped Democrats take control of the U.S. House in 2018 .
But there was also tumult , notably after she released a DNA test in response to goading by Trump to prove she had Native American ancestry .
Instead of quieting critics who had questioned her claims , however , the test offended many tribal leaders who rejected undergoing the genetic test as culturally insensitive , and it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gleefully deriding her as `` Pocahontas . ''
Warren could n't consolidate the support of the Democratic Party 's most liberal wing against Sanders .
Both supported universal , government-sponsored health care under a `` Medicare for All '' program , tuition-free public college and aggressive climate change fighting measures as part of the `` Green New Deal '' while forgoing big fundraisers in favor of small donations fueled by the internet .
Warren 's poll numbers began to slip after a series of debates in which she repeatedly refused to answer direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise taxes on the middle class to pay for Medicare for All .
Her top advisers were slow to catch on that not providing more details looked to voters like a major oversight for a candidate who proudly had so many other policy plans .
When Warren finally moved to correct the problem , her support eroded further .
She moved away from a full endorsement of Medicare for All , announcing that she 'd work with Congress to transition the country to the program over three years .
In the meantime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose '' to remain with their current , private health insurance plans , which most people have through their employers .
Biden and other rivals pounced , calling Warren a flip-flopper , and her standing with progressives sagged .
Sanders , meanwhile , wasted little time capitalizing on the contrast by boasting that he would ship a full Medicare for All program for congressional approval during his first week in the White House .
After long avoiding direct conflict , Warren and Sanders clashed in January after she said Sanders had suggested during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman could n't win the White House .
Sanders denied that , and Warren refused to shake his outstretched hand after a debate in Iowa .
Warren got a foil for all of her opposition to powerful billionaires when former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg entered the race .
During a debate in Las Vegas just before Nevada 's caucus , Warren hammered Bloomberg , and the ex-mayor 's lackluster response touched off events that ended with him leaving the race on Wednesday .
For Warren , that led to a sharp rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electoral success .
She tried to stress her ability to unite the fractured Democratic party , but that message fell flat .
By South Carolina , an outside political group began pouring more than $ 11 million into TV advertising on Warren 's behalf , forcing her to say that , although she rejected super PACs , she 'd accept their help as long as other candidates did .
Her campaign shifted strategy again , saying it was betting on a contested convention .
Still the longer Warren stayed in the race , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was doing so with little hope of winning -- and she started to sound like a candidate who was slowly coming to terms with that .
`` I 'm not somebody who has been looking at myself in the mirror since I was 12 years old saying , 'You should run for president , ' '' Warren said aboard her campaign bus on the eve of the New Hampshire primary .
`` I started running for office later than anyone who is in this , so it was never about the office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do to repair our economy , what we could do to mend a democracy that 's being pulled apart .
That 's what I want to see happen , and I just want to see it happen . ''
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , `` Ground Game . ''

Elizabeth Warren ends 2020 presidential bid, not endorsing anyone yet
WASHINGTON -- Elizabeth Warren, who electrified progressives with her "plan for everything" and strong message of economic populism, dropped out of the Democratic presidential race on Thursday, days after the onetime front-runner failed to win a single Super Tuesday state, not even her own.
For much of the past year, her campaign had all the markers of success, robust poll numbers, impressive fundraising and a sprawling political infrastructure that featured staffers on the ground across the country. But once voting began in February, she never found a reliable base of supporters as Democrats coalesced around Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, her progressive rival, and former Vice President Joe Biden, who established himself as the leading centrist in the race.
"I refuse to let disappointment blind me -- or you -- to what we've accomplished," Warren told her campaign staff on a call Thursday. "We didn't reach our goal, but what we have done together -- what you have done -- has made a lasting difference. It's not the scale of the difference we wanted to make, but it matters."
Outside her Cambridge, Massachusetts, home Thursday, Warren said she wasn't going to endorse anyone right away.
"I need some space and I need a little time right now," she said, standing next to her husband, Bruce Mann, and golden retriever, Bailey.
Warren's voice cracked when she talked about meeting so many little girls while campaigning around the country for the past year and knowing they "are going to have to wait four more years," at least, to see a woman in the White House.
Warren's exit leaves the Democratic field with just one female candidate: Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who has collected only one delegate toward the nomination. That is a frustrating twist for a party that once boasted the most diverse presidential field in history and harnessed the votes and energy of women to retake control of the House, primarily with female candidates, in 2018.
Despite Warren's disappointing finish, she offers the potential of a coveted endorsement to Sanders and Biden, who are effectively the last candidates in the Democratic contest.
In an interview after Warren's departure was announced, Toni Van Pelt, the president of the National Organization for Women, urged her not to back Sanders.
"She has a lot of leverage right now. We do trust her to make the right decisions on how to proceed. But we'd like her not to rush into this," Van Pelt said. "We think that our constituents, our members, will not necessarily think of Sanders as the best choice. We wouldn't have the Violence Against Women Act if it wasn't for Biden's leadership. So, we know that he's performed. Sanders doesn't have a record. He's really, as far as we know, done next to nothing for women and for our issues and for the things that are our priorities."
Warren's campaign began with enormous promise. Last summer, she drew tens of thousands of supporters to Manhattan's Washington Square Park, a scene that was repeated in places like Washington state and Minnesota.
She had a compelling message, calling for "structural change" to the American political system to reorder the nation's economy in the name of fairness. She had a signature populist proposal for a 2% wealth tax she wanted to impose on households worth more than $50 million that prompted chants of "Two cents! Two cents!" at rallies across the country.
Warren hit her stride as she hammered the idea that more moderate Democratic candidates, including Biden, weren't ambitious enough to roll back President Donald Trump's policies and were too reliant on political consultants and fickle polling. And she drew strength in the #MeToo era, especially after a wave of female candidates helped Democrats take control of the U.S. House in 2018.
But there was also tumult, notably after she released a DNA test in response to goading by Trump to prove she had Native American ancestry. Instead of quieting critics who had questioned her claims, however, the test offended many tribal leaders who rejected undergoing the genetic test as culturally insensitive, and it didn't stop Trump and other Republicans from gleefully deriding her as "Pocahontas."
Warren couldn't consolidate the support of the Democratic Party's most liberal wing against Sanders.
Both supported universal, government-sponsored health care under a "Medicare for All" program, tuition-free public college and aggressive climate change fighting measures as part of the "Green New Deal" while forgoing big fundraisers in favor of small donations fueled by the internet.
Warren's poll numbers began to slip after a series of debates in which she repeatedly refused to answer direct questions about if she'd have to raise taxes on the middle class to pay for Medicare for All. Her top advisers were slow to catch on that not providing more details looked to voters like a major oversight for a candidate who proudly had so many other policy plans.
When Warren finally moved to correct the problem, her support eroded further. She moved away from a full endorsement of Medicare for All, announcing that she'd work with Congress to transition the country to the program over three years. In the meantime, she said, many Americans could "choose" to remain with their current, private health insurance plans, which most people have through their employers. Biden and other rivals pounced, calling Warren a flip-flopper, and her standing with progressives sagged.
Sanders, meanwhile, wasted little time capitalizing on the contrast by boasting that he would ship a full Medicare for All program for congressional approval during his first week in the White House. After long avoiding direct conflict, Warren and Sanders clashed in January after she said Sanders had suggested during a private meeting in 2018 that a woman couldn't win the White House. Sanders denied that, and Warren refused to shake his outstretched hand after a debate in Iowa.
Warren got a foil for all of her opposition to powerful billionaires when former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg entered the race. During a debate in Las Vegas just before Nevada's caucus, Warren hammered Bloomberg, and the ex-mayor's lackluster response touched off events that ended with him leaving the race on Wednesday.
For Warren, that led to a sharp rise in fundraising but didn't translate to electoral success. She tried to stress her ability to unite the fractured Democratic party, but that message fell flat.
By South Carolina, an outside political group began pouring more than $11 million into TV advertising on Warren's behalf, forcing her to say that, although she rejected super PACs, she'd accept their help as long as other candidates did. Her campaign shifted strategy again, saying it was betting on a contested convention.
Still the longer Warren stayed in the race, the more questions she faced about why she was doing so with little hope of winning -- and she started to sound like a candidate who was slowly coming to terms with that.
"I'm not somebody who has been looking at myself in the mirror since I was 12 years old saying, 'You should run for president,'" Warren said aboard her campaign bus on the eve of the New Hampshire primary. "I started running for office later than anyone who is in this, so it was never about the office -- it was about what we could do to repair our economy, what we could do to mend a democracy that's being pulled apart. That's what I want to see happen, and I just want to see it happen."
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, "Ground Game."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-05--Arlington Heights firefighters rescue 3 people from burning downtown building

Arlington Heights firefighters rescued a man by ladder and helped escort two others out of a burning building overnight in the village 's downtown .
The fire was reported at 11:21 p.m. Wednesday in a three-story multiuse building at 16 E. Northwest Highway .
It started in the kitchen of a second-floor corner apartment facing the main street , according to Fire Chief Andrew Larson .
Larson said working smoke detectors alerted residents to the fire , and firefighters were dispatched after someone called 911 .
When firefighters arrived , some of the residents of the 10 or so apartments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floors already were outside .
But one man on the top floor -- coughing because of smoke inhalation -- had to be rescued from his streetside window by firefighters who raised a ladder to get him .
Firefighters helped walk two other residents out of the building during an initial search .
Both were conscious and talking , but one was taken to Northwest Community Hospital with injuries deemed to be nonlife-threatening , Larson said .
Firefighters saw smoke and flames upon arrival to the building , which is located across the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but were able to extinguish the fire within minutes , Larson said .
While investigators know where the fire started , they do n't yet know how .
Larson said the resident of the apartment where the fire began was home at the time .
Fire department officials early Thursday morning deemed the structure uninhabitable , but residents should be able to return soon after basic cleanup and repairs , Larson said .
He said the fire was contained to the apartment where it started on the second floor , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two streetside businesses are located on the first floor -- a State Farm insurance agency and a video production company .

Arlington Heights firefighters rescue 3 people from burning downtown building
Arlington Heights firefighters rescued a man by ladder and helped escort two others out of a burning building overnight in the village's downtown.
The fire was reported at 11:21 p.m. Wednesday in a three-story multiuse building at 16 E. Northwest Highway. It started in the kitchen of a second-floor corner apartment facing the main street, according to Fire Chief Andrew Larson.
Larson said working smoke detectors alerted residents to the fire, and firefighters were dispatched after someone called 911.
When firefighters arrived, some of the residents of the 10 or so apartments in the brick building's upper two floors already were outside. But one man on the top floor -- coughing because of smoke inhalation -- had to be rescued from his streetside window by firefighters who raised a ladder to get him.
Firefighters helped walk two other residents out of the building during an initial search. Both were conscious and talking, but one was taken to Northwest Community Hospital with injuries deemed not to be life-threatening, Larson said.
Firefighters saw smoke and flames upon arrival to the building, which is across the street from the downtown Arlington Heights train station, but were able to extinguish the fire within minutes, Larson said.
While investigators know where the fire started, they don't yet know how. Larson said the resident of the apartment where the fire began was home at the time.
Fire department officials early Thursday morning deemed the structure uninhabitable, but residents should be able to return soon after basic cleanup and repairs, Larson said.
He said the fire was contained to the apartment where it started on the second floor, while the third floor sustained light smoke damage. Two streetside businesses are on the first floor -- a State Farm insurance agency and a video production company.