dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-17--Most kids are back in class at parochial schools

Parochial schools across the suburbs are resuming classes either fully in-person or with hybrid instructional models even as most Illinois public schools begin the school year with remote learning .
They 're making the transition with temperature checks , face masks , social distancing , an abundance of hand sanitizers and other safety measures required by state education and health authorities , coupled with smaller class sizes , virtual learning platforms and one-to-one technology .
`` What we are able to do that the public schools ca n't do is meet our community and our students where they are , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principal of Westminster Christian School in Elgin which started classes Thursday .
`` The public school ( system ) is too expansive .
They 've got to make policies that fit the entire state or entire district , whereas we get to make policies that are for our school and for our community . ''
Under a flexible hybrid model , a majority of Westminster Christian 's 260 students in preschool through 12th grade attend classes in person while roughly 20 students synchronously learn from home .
Class sizes are between 15 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between in-person and remote instruction for health reasons or due to other circumstances .
In school , students must wear masks regardless of distancing except when eating or excused with a doctor 's note .
`` It 's going to be difficult for some of our students to have to wear masks all day , '' said Schwartz , adding that the state 's mandate is not realistic for younger students .
Preschoolers , kindergartners and first-graders will take frequent breaks and have classes in an outdoor tent where they can unmask and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of COVID-19 in Kane County , parents ' overwhelming support gave the impetus to reopen school .
`` If our community wants us to reopen and they feel comfortable ... we are going to open safely , '' Schwartz said .
`` There 's no way to mitigate all risk , but we are going to mitigate as much as we can to serve our families . ''
Westminster is among the many Catholic , Christian , and Islamic private schools , as well as some publicly funded charter schools , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hybrid models following similar protocols .
Archdiocese of Chicago schools gave parents a choice to opt out of in-person learning and take locally facilitated remote learning .
`` Almost all our parents opted to take the in-person learning , '' said Steve Schacherer , principal of St. Norbert Catholic School in Northbrook .
While some parents of preschoolers are hesitant to send their 3-year-olds back to school , a majority of students in prekindergarten through eighth grade are returning Aug. 20 .
The school , which once housed roughly 500 students , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Students will go through symptom checks at home and temperature/wellness checks when they arrive at school .
New pickup and drop-off procedures ensure each grade enters and exits through different doors .
Aside from socially distancing desks , the school will allow separate outdoor access to students in kindergarten through fifth grade .
There will be minimum interaction between students in different grades and they will be spread throughout the building during lunchtime instead of eating in their classrooms .
Teachers of special subjects , such as Spanish , art , technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and physical education will be taught outdoors .
`` The objective of this strategy is to , as much as you can , keep the homerooms together with only their peers , '' Schacherer said .
Staggered starts and eliminating bells between passing periods also will help keep traffic flow in the hallway to a minimum , he said .
Groups of students will be allowed access to different areas of the school playground on a rotating basis , with the equipment being sanitized between uses .
`` We have a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts us in a favorable position , if everyone follows the safety guidelines , '' Schacherer said .
A lack of unions , plus teachers ' willingness to return to the classroom with students present , plays a huge part in why private schools are able to reopen , school officials said .
`` None of the staff have expressed any concern to me about coming back , '' said Jim Toth , head of school at Schaumburg Christian School .
The school has roughly 50 employees and is expecting about 700 students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting Aug. 31 along with about 125 students learning remotely .
Some parents of preschoolers are waiting to see how the first few weeks and months pan out , since there is no remote option for preschool , Toth said .
Pre-COVID-19 class sizes were , on average , 25 students to a classroom .
`` That would be our max , '' said Toth .
He said there likely will be 12 to 15 students per classroom this fall .
Officials plan to space students out as much as possible to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mixing of students will be curtailed , especially in the elementary grades , and students wo n't have shared music , art or playroom schedules .
`` It 's a first time for everybody , so we are taking it day by day , '' Toth said .
Many public school families whose home districts have switched to online learning are reaching out to private schools to enroll their children .
`` We are still processing some requests for transfers in from districts that are going to full e-learning and remote learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights .
Students there will be split into two groups to get acclimated to new safety procedures before classes start for everyone Aug. 24 under a block schedule featuring fewer but longer classes daily through Oct. 23 .
So far , 835 students will take in-person classes and 106 students have opted for e-learning .
The school 's 110 employees have been supportive of the plan to resume in-person lessons for students ' social , emotional and academic development .
Should COVID-19 conditions change , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hybrid approach in which students attend classes in-person only on certain days or return to full e-learning .

Most kids are back in class at parochial schools
Parochial schools across the suburbs are resuming classes either fully in-person or with hybrid instructional models even as most Illinois public schools begin the school year with remote learning.
They're making the transition with temperature checks, face masks, social distancing, an abundance of hand sanitizers and other safety measures required by state education and health authorities, coupled with smaller class sizes, virtual learning platforms and one-to-one technology.
"What we are able to do that the public schools can't do is meet our community and our students where they are," said Erik Schwartz, high school principal of Westminster Christian School in Elgin which started classes Thursday. "The public school (system) is too expansive. They've got to make policies that fit the entire state or entire district, whereas we get to make policies that are for our school and for our community."
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Westminster Christian School in Elgin reopened for in-person learning Thursday.
Under a flexible hybrid model, a majority of Westminster Christian's 260 students in preschool through 12th grade attend classes in person while roughly 20 students synchronously learn from home. Class sizes are between 15 and 20 students, and students can switch between in-person and remote instruction for health reasons or due to other circumstances. In school, students must wear masks regardless of distancing except when eating or excused with a doctor's note.
"It's going to be difficult for some of our students to have to wear masks all day," said Schwartz, adding that the state's mandate is not realistic for younger students.
Preschoolers, kindergartners and first-graders will take frequent breaks and have classes in an outdoor tent where they can unmask and learn, he added.
Despite surging cases of COVID-19 in Kane County, parents' overwhelming support gave the impetus to reopen school.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Kindergarten teacher Mary Janschek doles out hand sanitizer to her students, including Vivienne Nay, as they re-enter the classroom Thursday at Westminster Christian School in Elgin.
"If our community wants us to reopen and they feel comfortable ... we are going to open safely," Schwartz said. "There's no way to mitigate all risk, but we are going to mitigate as much as we can to serve our families."
Westminster is among the many Catholic, Christian, and Islamic private schools, as well as some publicly funded charter schools, that are reopening to in-person classes or with hybrid models following similar protocols.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer Principal Steve Schacherer shows the blue line down the center of the hallway being used to separate traffic at St. Norbert Catholic School in Northbrook.
Archdiocese of Chicago schools gave parents a choice to opt out of in-person learning and take locally facilitated remote learning.
"Almost all our parents opted to take the in-person learning," said Steve Schacherer, principal of St. Norbert Catholic School in Northbrook.
While some parents of preschoolers are hesitant to send their 3-year-olds back to school, a majority of students in prekindergarten through eighth grade are returning Aug. 20. The school, which once housed roughly 500 students, has abundant space to accommodate roughly 180 students.
Students will go through symptom checks at home and temperature/wellness checks when they arrive at school. New pickup and drop-off procedures ensure each grade enters and exits through different doors.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer Principal Steve Schacherer shows a kindergarten classroom with desks spaced apart from one another at St. Norbert Catholic School in Northbrook. Elementary classrooms have separate access to allow outdoor instruction.
Aside from socially distancing desks, the school will allow separate outdoor access to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. There will be minimum interaction between students in different grades and they will be spread throughout the building during lunchtime instead of eating in their classrooms. Teachers of special subjects, such as Spanish, art, technology and music, will travel between classrooms, and physical education will be taught outdoors.
"The objective of this strategy is to, as much as you can, keep the homerooms together with only their peers," Schacherer said.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer Half of the gym is being repurposed as a cafeteria at St. Norbert Catholic School in Northbrook. The school is reopening to in-person instruction when many public schools are opting for remote learning.
Staggered starts and eliminating bells between passing periods also will help keep traffic flow in the hallway to a minimum, he said. Groups of students will be allowed access to different areas of the school playground on a rotating basis, with the equipment being sanitized between uses.
"We have a small school and a large facility. It puts us in a favorable position, if everyone follows the safety guidelines," Schacherer said.
A lack of unions, plus teachers' willingness to return to the classroom with students present, plays a huge part in why private schools are able to reopen, school officials said.
"None of the staff have expressed any concern to me about coming back," said Jim Toth, head of school at Schaumburg Christian School.
The school has roughly 50 employees and is expecting about 700 students from preschool through 12th grade on campus starting Aug. 31 along with about 125 students learning remotely. Some parents of preschoolers are waiting to see how the first few weeks and months pan out, since there is no remote option for preschool, Toth said.
Pre-COVID-19 class sizes were, on average, 25 students to a classroom.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Second-grader Theodore Meyer listens to instructions from his teacher during the first day of classes Thursday at Westminster Christian School in Elgin.
"That would be our max," said Toth.
He said there likely will be 12 to 15 students per classroom this fall.
Officials plan to space students out as much as possible to the point of moving furniture out of classrooms.
Mixing of students will be curtailed, especially in the elementary grades, and students won't have shared music, art or playroom schedules.
"It's a first time for everybody, so we are taking it day by day," Toth said.
Many public school families whose home districts have switched to online learning are reaching out to private schools to enroll their children.
"We are still processing some requests for transfers in from districts that are going to full e-learning and remote learning," said Brian Liedlich, president of St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer Signs are in place to remind people to follow COVID-19 protocol at St. Norbert Catholic School in Northbrook. The school is reopening to in-person instruction when many public schools are choosing the remote option.
Students there will be split into two groups to get acclimated to new safety procedures before classes start for everyone Aug. 24 under a block schedule featuring fewer but longer classes daily through Oct. 23. So far, 835 students will take in-person classes and 106 students have opted for e-learning.
The school's 110 employees have been supportive of the plan to resume in-person lessons for students' social, emotional and academic development.
Should COVID-19 conditions change, most schools are prepared to pivot to a hybrid approach in which students attend classes in-person only on certain days or return to full e-learning.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-17--Arlington Alfresco extended until November, but village issues warning on noise

The ever-popular Arlington Alfresco outdoor dining zone in downtown Arlington Heights will remain in place until Nov. 2 or the first snowfall , whichever comes first , village trustees decided Monday night .
But the village board 's unanimous approval also came with a word of caution to at least two local businesses whose primary offering is music : Keep the sound down .
Amid growing complaints from residents of the Metro Lofts condo building at 10 S. Dunton Ave. , the board gave Village Manager Randy Recklaus the authority to shut down live music at any business if problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come back to the village board for a final decision .
The rules primarily target two businesses that offer live music on Vail Avenue south of Campbell Street : Hey Nonny and Big Shot Piano Lounge .
`` I hope they 're getting the message because we just ca n't go on like this , '' Mayor Tom Hayes said during a lengthy board discussion about downtown residents ' noise complaints .
`` Our residents ca n't put up with this anymore .
You 're going to have to change that volume immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change the way you operate your businesses .
It 's as simple as that . ''
The outdoor dining initiative that has shut down Vail and Campbell to traffic and allows about a dozen restaurants to expand their patio spaces started June 3 as an economic relief measure during the COVID-19 pandemic .
In agreeing to the extension into the fall , the mayor and trustees lauded the program as a success and even suggested it could come back in some form in future summers .
But the board members also told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels , some having visited condos of residents to hear it for themselves or listening from restaurant patios all the way down the street .
`` If I had to put up with Frontier Days for the entire summer , I would n't have enjoyed it , '' said Trustee Tom Schwingbeck of the annual five-day summer festival at Recreation Park .
`` For residents downtown , that 's what this Arlington Alfresco has turned into . ''
The owners of Hey Nonny , the live music venue and gastropub that opened in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 've been monitoring decibel levels on phones , turned speakers inward , and met with the condo board president and property manager of Metro Lofts .
Co-owner Chip Brooks said music is how the venue gets diners , and without it , the business would be seriously injured .
`` We 're not running a Frontier Days or anything like it , '' Brooks said .
`` We 're just trying to save our business . ''

Arlington Alfresco extended until November, but village issues warning on noise
The ever-popular Arlington Alfresco outdoor dining zone in downtown Arlington Heights will remain in place until Nov. 2 or the first snowfall, whichever comes first, village trustees decided Monday night.
But the village board's unanimous approval also came with a word of caution to at least two local businesses whose primary offering is music: Keep the sound down.
Amid growing complaints from residents of the Metro Lofts condo building at 10 S. Dunton Ave., the board gave Village Manager Randy Recklaus the authority to shut down live music at any business if problems become significant. The matter would then come back to the village board for a final decision.
The rules primarily target two businesses that offer live music on Vail Avenue south of Campbell Street: Hey Nonny and Big Shot Piano Lounge.
"I hope they're getting the message because we just can't go on like this," Mayor Tom Hayes said during a lengthy board discussion about downtown residents' noise complaints. "Our residents can't put up with this anymore. You're going to have to change that volume immediately, or we're going to have to change the way you operate your businesses. It's as simple as that."
The outdoor dining initiative that has shut down Vail and Campbell to traffic and allows about a dozen restaurants to expand their patio spaces started June 3 as an economic relief measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. In agreeing to the extension into the fall, the mayor and trustees lauded the program as a success and even suggested it could come back in some form in future summers.
But the board members also told of their personal experiences with the noise levels, some having visited condos of residents to hear it for themselves or listening from restaurant patios all the way down the street.
"If I had to put up with Frontier Days for the entire summer, I wouldn't have enjoyed it," said Trustee Tom Schwingbeck of the annual five-day summer festival at Recreation Park. "For residents downtown, that's what this Arlington Alfresco has turned into."
The owners of Hey Nonny, the live music venue and gastropub that opened in 2018, say in response to complaints they've been monitoring decibel levels on phones, turned speakers inward, and met with the condo board president and property manager of Metro Lofts.
Co-owner Chip Brooks said music is how the venue gets diners, and without it, the business would be seriously injured.
"We're not running a Frontier Days or anything like it," Brooks said. "We're just trying to save our business."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-17--Schaumburg Boomers seek an exit option if pandemic cancels 2021 season

Even as the Schaumburg Boomers negotiate another five-year lease extension at their village-owned home stadium , the independent league baseball team is also seeking a one-time-only option to cancel that lease altogether if its 2021 season were again canceled by COVID-19 .
`` That option is extremely unlikely , even if the season were canceled , '' Schaumburg Boomers General Manager Michael Larson said .
As much as the Boomers remained active and visible in the community as an entertainment venue with socially distanced fireworks shows and dining in lieu of baseball , the organization is looking at a 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larson added .
As a result , the team is seeking two amendments to its lease agreement -- both of which were recommended by the village 's finance , legal and general government committee Monday .
One would create the option for the team to cancel its lease and vacate the stadium within 30 days if the Frontier League 's 2021 season were canceled and notice was given by July 1 .
The other would reduce the Boomers ' 2020 rent to $ 9,500 -- 10 % of the $ 95,000 the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the stadium as a training ground for its taxi squad of players not on the active roster .
The Boomers ' rent is typically 10 % of the team 's gross revenue for a season , with a minimum of $ 75,000 .
The village board will vote on these proposed and recommended changes Aug. 25 , but some officials have already expressed their understanding of the request .
`` As much as we love baseball , it 's still a business , '' Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly said .
`` You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... Let 's be honest , if the Frontier League is n't playing baseball next year , you ca n't hold the business to stay if there is no business . ''
Schaumburg Village Manager Brian Townsend said offering the option is no reason to doubt the Boomers ' intention to stay .
`` Everything we 've been told by the Boomers if that they want to be here playing baseball in front of fans , '' he added .
`` It just gives us the option if a major fallout in sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dailly said the village has made enough decisions related to COVID-19 this year and wo n't make any alternative plans for the stadium prematurely .
Townsend said staff wo n't contemplate different uses of the site without the board 's direction , and that seeking another baseball team would be the first avenue anyway if the Boomers were to leave .

Schaumburg Boomers seek an exit option if pandemic cancels 2021 season
Even as the Schaumburg Boomers negotiate another five-year lease extension at their village-owned home stadium, the independent league baseball team is also seeking a one-time-only option to cancel that lease altogether if its 2021 season were again canceled by COVID-19.
"That option is extremely unlikely, even if the season were canceled," Schaumburg Boomers General Manager Michael Larson said.
As much as the Boomers remained active and visible in the community as an entertainment venue with socially distanced fireworks shows and dining in lieu of baseball, the organization is looking at a 90% drop in revenue in 2020, Larson added.
As a result, the team is seeking two amendments to its lease agreement -- both of which were recommended by the village's finance, legal and general government committee Monday.
One would create the option for the team to cancel its lease and vacate the stadium within 30 days if the Frontier League's 2021 season were canceled and notice was given by July 1.
The other would reduce the Boomers' 2020 rent to $9,500 -- 10% of the $95,000 the Chicago White Sox are paying the team to use the stadium as a training ground for its taxi squad of players not on the active roster.
The Boomers' rent is typically 10% of the team's gross revenue for a season, with a minimum of $75,000.
The village board will vote on these proposed and recommended changes Aug. 25, but some officials have already expressed their understanding of the request.
"As much as we love baseball, it's still a business," Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly said. "You can't sit around losing money. ... Let's be honest, if the Frontier League isn't playing baseball next year, you can't hold the business to stay if there is no business."
Schaumburg Village Manager Brian Townsend said offering the option is no reason to doubt the Boomers' intention to stay.
"Everything we've been told by the Boomers if that they want to be here playing baseball in front of fans," he added.
Larson agreed.
"It just gives us the option if a major fallout in sports got worse," he said.
Dailly said the village has made enough decisions related to COVID-19 this year and won't make any alternative plans for the stadium prematurely.
Townsend said staff won't contemplate different uses of the site without the board's direction, and that seeking another baseball team would be the first avenue anyway if the Boomers were to leave.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-17--United against Trump -- Obama, Sanders and a few Republicans urge voters to back Biden

NEW YORK -- Former first lady Michelle Obama assailed President Donald Trump Monday night , delivering a scathing critique of the Republican president who replaced her husband as the Democrats opened their national convention .
`` Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country , '' she declared .
`` He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job , but he is clearly in over his head .
He can not meet this moment .
He simply can not be who we need him to be for us . ''
Obama 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breadth of his political coalition Monday night at the convention , giving voice to victims of the coronavirus pandemic , the related economic downturn , and police violence -- and featuring both progressive Democrats and Republicans united against Trump 's reelection .
The ideological range of Biden 's many messengers was demonstrated by former presidential contenders from opposing parties : Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist who championed a multi-trillion-dollar universal health care plan , and Ohio 's former Republican Gov .
John Kasich , an anti-abortion conservative who spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden wo n't deliver his formal remarks until Thursday night , but he made his first appearance just half an hour into Monday 's event as he moderated a panel on racial justice that featured Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot .
Racial justice was a theme throughout the night , as was concern about the Postal Service , which Democrats accuse Trump of interfering with to throw blocks in front of mail-in voting .
`` My friends , I say to you , and to everyone who supported other candidates in this primary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump in the last election : The future of our democracy is at stake .
The future of our economy is at stake .
The future of our planet is at stake , '' Sanders declared .
Kasich said his status as a lifelong Republican `` holds second place to my responsibility to my country . ''
`` In normal times , something like this would probably never happen , but these are not normal times , '' he said of his participation at the Democrats ' convention .
He added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four more years going down this path . ''
Other Republicans speaking at the Democrats ' convention on Monday included former New Jersey Gov .
Christine Todd Whitman and former New York Rep. Susan Molinari .
The unified message came as Democrats launched the first presidential nominating convention of the coronavirus era .
The all-virtual affair was the first without a central meeting place or cheering throngs .
And there were real questions about whether the prime-time event would adequately energize the disparate factions Biden hopes to capture .
Trump sought to undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political rally in Wisconsin , where Biden 's party had originally planned this week 's convention .
He called the Democrats ' event `` a snooze '' before it even began .
`` You know when you hear a speech is taped , it 's like there is nothing very exciting about it , right ? ''
the Republican president said .
Monday 's speeches were framed by emotional appearances from Americans touched by the crises that have exploded on Trump 's watch .
Philonise and Rodney Floyd led a moment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd , the Minnesota man whose death while in police custody sparked a national moment of awakening on racial injustice .
`` George should be alive today , '' Philonise Floyd said matter-of-factly .
Also appearing was Kristin Urquiza , an Arizona woman who lost her father to COVID-19 , which has killed more than 170,000 Americans as of Monday evening .
`` My dad was a healthy 65-year-old , '' she said .
`` His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump , and for that , he paid with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Pennsylvania farmer , warned that Trump 's trade war has had a `` truly a devastating effect '' on his farm before the coronavirus brought another blow with what he called `` misinformation '' coming from the country 's leadership .
`` My biggest concern is that if these trends with this type of leadership , I will be the last generation farming this farm , '' he said .

United against Trump -- Obama, Sanders and a few Republicans urge voters to back Biden
In this image from video, Sara Gideon, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, speaks from Scarborough, Maine, speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Megan Rapinoe of Orlando, Fla., Michelle Boyle of Pittsburgh, Bradley Driefuss of Tucscon, Ariz., and Trung Le of Simsbury, Conn., and Aldo Martinez of Fort Myers, Fla., participate in a conversation with front-line workers battling the coronavirus pandemic during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, grandchildren of Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, including Finnegan Biden, Hunter Biden, Natalie Biden, Naomi Bisden and Maisy Biden, lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this combination photo, President Donald Trump, left, speaks at a news conference on Aug. 11, 2020, in Washington and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks in Wilmington, Del. on Aug. 13, 2020. The conventions, which will be largely virtual because of the coronavirus, will be Aug. 17-20 for the Democrats and Aug. 24-27 for the Republicans.
FILE -- In this Feb. 25, 2020 file photo, Democratic presidential candidates, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, and former Vice President Joe Biden, talk before a Democratic presidential primary debate in Charleston, S.C. Political task forces Biden formed with Sanders to solidify support among the Democratic Party's progressive wing recommended Wednesday, July 8, that the former vice president embrace proposals to combat climate change and institutional racism while expanding health care coverage and rebuilding a coronavirus-ravaged economy.
FILE -- In this Dec. 4, 2018, then Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaks at The City Club of Cleveland, in Cleveland.
In this image from video, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Philonise Floyd, right, and Rodney Floyd speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden leads a conversation on racial justice with Art Acevedo, Jamira Burley, Gwen Carr, Derrick Johnson and Lori Lightfoot during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
NEW YORK -- Former first lady Michelle Obama assailed President Donald Trump Monday night, delivering a scathing critique of the Republican president who replaced her husband as the Democrats opened their national convention.
"Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country," she declared. "He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us."
Obama's comments came as Joe Biden introduced the breadth of his political coalition Monday night at the convention, giving voice to victims of the coronavirus pandemic, the related economic downturn, and police violence -- and featuring both progressive Democrats and Republicans united against Trump's reelection.
The ideological range of Biden's many messengers was demonstrated by former presidential contenders from opposing parties: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist who championed a multi-trillion-dollar universal health care plan, and Ohio's former Republican Gov. John Kasich, an anti-abortion conservative who spent decades fighting to cut government spending.
Biden won't deliver his formal remarks until Thursday night, but he made his first appearance just half an hour into Monday's event as he moderated a panel on racial justice that featured Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Racial justice was a theme throughout the night, as was concern about the Postal Service, which Democrats accuse Trump of interfering with to throw blocks in front of mail-in voting.
"My friends, I say to you, and to everyone who supported other candidates in this primary and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election: The future of our democracy is at stake. The future of our economy is at stake. The future of our planet is at stake," Sanders declared.
Kasich said his status as a lifelong Republican "holds second place to my responsibility to my country."
"In normal times, something like this would probably never happen, but these are not normal times," he said of his participation at the Democrats' convention. He added: "Many of us can't imagine four more years going down this path."
Other Republicans speaking at the Democrats' convention on Monday included former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and former New York Rep. Susan Molinari.
The unified message came as Democrats launched the first presidential nominating convention of the coronavirus era. The all-virtual affair was the first without a central meeting place or cheering throngs. And there were real questions about whether the prime-time event would adequately energize the disparate factions Biden hopes to capture.
Republicans face a similar challenge next week.
Trump sought to undermine the Democrats' big night by hosting a political rally in Wisconsin, where Biden's party had originally planned this week's convention. He called the Democrats' event "a snooze" before it even began.
"You know when you hear a speech is taped, it's like there is nothing very exciting about it, right?" the Republican president said.
Monday's speeches were framed by emotional appearances from Americans touched by the crises that have exploded on Trump's watch.
Philonise and Rodney Floyd led a moment of silence in honor of their brother, George Floyd, the Minnesota man whose death while in police custody sparked a national moment of awakening on racial injustice.
"George should be alive today," Philonise Floyd said matter-of-factly.
Also appearing was Kristin Urquiza, an Arizona woman who lost her father to COVID-19, which has killed more than 170,000 Americans as of Monday evening.
"My dad was a healthy 65-year-old," she said. "His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that, he paid with his life."
And Rick Telecz, a Pennsylvania farmer, warned that Trump's trade war has had a "truly a devastating effect" on his farm before the coronavirus brought another blow with what he called "misinformation" coming from the country's leadership.
"My biggest concern is that if these trends with this type of leadership, I will be the last generation farming this farm," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-18--Constable: It's reigning cats and dogs in the medical world

As the pandemic rolled through the United States , hospitals cut lucrative elective surgeries and medical tests to focus on COVID-19 patients and curb the spread of the coronavirus .
Clinics , dentists , eye doctors and other medical professionals cut services and closed doors .
The pandemic `` is the greatest financial threat in history for hospitals and health systems , '' American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack said last month .
But veterinarians and clinics that treat our pets are busier than ever .
`` It 's like out of control , the volume increase , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and owner of the Red Barn Animal Hospital in Hampshire and the Red Barn Animal Clinic in Gilberts .
`` Ever since April , it 's been unreal . ''
In March , people were hesitant to bring in pets for overdue rabies vaccines and other maintenance care .
Then , they stormed back , with clinic staff escorting pets in and out while owners wait outside .
The Randy and Jenny Lewis family of Hampshire made an appointment by phone and brought in 11-week-old Henry , a rescued dog from Helping Paws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routine assessment on Saturday .
Daughters Vivian , 10 , Fiona , 8 , Amelia , 6 , and Penelope , 3 , handed their puppy to masked veterinarian technician Jodie Jeskie in the parking lot .
`` We hung out in the parking lot for 20 minutes , '' says mom Jenny Lewis , who adds that Henry will go back on Friday for vaccines .
Her interaction with veterinarian Sally Gilbertson was all by phone .
`` They answered all our questions as far as new puppy stuff , '' Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on a schedule with nap time , bathroom breaks and meals -- just in time for her older daughters , who started school Monday with online meetings .
`` Everybody wants a puppy right now .
It 's hard to find , '' Lewis says .
The surge in pet ownership during this pandemic might explain why veterinarians are so busy now , says Michael San Filippo of the American Veterinarian Medical Association , based in Schaumburg .
With curbside service , masks , frequent sanitizing and in-depth phone conversations with pet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 've seen a huge increase in new patients , '' says Stover .
And even longtime pet-owners might be more attuned to animal health after staying home with their pets for months .
Stover , who gave birth to son Johnathan on Aug. 5 to join brothers Tommy , 4 , and Louie , 2 , and dad Rob Stover in their Sycamore home , says her animal hospital and clinic take all the precautions to keep families safe .
Owners `` just pull up and call us .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the client , '' Stover says .
`` The curbside service is interesting because it 's so different .
It 's less efficient .
Everything takes a little longer .
It 's something we 're all learning together . ''
The Arlington Cat Clinic in Arlington Heights also has stayed busy and added new clients , says Laurie Brydon , clinic manager .
`` For a couple of months , we were only seeing sick patients .
Now all the wellness visits are being caught up , '' Brydon says .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services and I hope people understand we are doing our very best . ''
No one knows how long curbside service will be the norm .
The only times pet owners are allowed into the buildings are when an ill animal needs to be euthanized .
`` That is the one time we do allow patients to come in the building , '' Stover says .
`` To say goodbye . ''

Constable: It's reigning cats and dogs in the medical world
Veterinarian technician Jodie Jeskie takes puppy Henry for a quick checkup while sisters, from left, Vivian, Amelia, Fiona and Penelope Lewis wait in the family vehicle outside the Red Barn Animal Hospital in Hampshire. Courtesy of Diana Stoll
Animal hospitals are busier than ever during the pandemic. Randy and Jenny Lewis of Hampshire let daughters, from left, Vivian, Amelia, Fiona and Penelope hand over their new puppy, Henry, to Jodie Jeskie, a veterinarian technician at Red Barn Animal Hospital in Hampshire, for a quick assessment. Courtesy of Diana Stoll
By Burt Constable
bconstable@dailyherald.com
As the pandemic rolled through the United States, hospitals cut lucrative elective surgeries and medical tests to focus on COVID-19 patients and curb the spread of the coronavirus. Clinics, dentists, eye doctors and other medical professionals cut services and closed doors.
The pandemic "is the greatest financial threat in history for hospitals and health systems," American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack said last month.
But veterinarians and clinics that treat our pets are busier than ever.
"It's like out of control, the volume increase," says Katie Stover, a veterinarian and owner of the Red Barn Animal Hospital in Hampshire and the Red Barn Animal Clinic in Gilberts. "Ever since April, it's been unreal."
In March, people were hesitant to bring in pets for overdue rabies vaccines and other maintenance care. Then, they stormed back, with clinic staff escorting pets in and out while owners wait outside.
The Randy and Jenny Lewis family of Hampshire made an appointment by phone and brought in 11-week-old Henry, a rescued dog from Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock, for a routine assessment on Saturday. Daughters Vivian, 10, Fiona, 8, Amelia, 6, and Penelope, 3, handed their puppy to masked veterinarian technician Jodie Jeskie in the parking lot.
"We hung out in the parking lot for 20 minutes," says mom Jenny Lewis, who adds that Henry will go back on Friday for vaccines. Her interaction with veterinarian Sally Gilbertson was all by phone.
After examining a pet on Saturday, veterinarian Sally Gilbertson of Red Barn Animal Hospital in Hampshire calls the owners to explain everything in detail. - Courtesy of Diana Stoll
"They answered all our questions as far as new puppy stuff," Lewis says. The mom says the puppy is on a schedule with nap time, bathroom breaks and meals -- just in time for her older daughters, who started school Monday with online meetings.
"Everybody wants a puppy right now. It's hard to find," Lewis says.
The surge in pet ownership during this pandemic might explain why veterinarians are so busy now, says Michael San Filippo of the American Veterinary Medical Association, based in Schaumburg. With curbside service, masks, frequent sanitizing and in-depth phone conversations with pet owners, veterinarians kept their industry thriving.
"We've seen a huge increase in new patients," says Stover. And even longtime pet-owners might be more attuned to animal health after staying home with their pets for months.
Stover, who gave birth to son Johnathan on Aug. 5 to join brothers Tommy, 4, and Louie, 2, and dad Rob Stover in their Sycamore home, says her animal hospital and clinic take all the precautions to keep families safe.
Owners "just pull up and call us. The doctor gets on the phone and talks to the client," Stover says. "The curbside service is interesting because it's so different. It's less efficient. Everything takes a little longer. It's something we're all learning together."
The Arlington Cat Clinic in Arlington Heights also has stayed busy and added new clients, says Laurie Brydon, clinic manager.
"For a couple of months, we were only seeing sick patients. Now all the wellness visits are being caught up," Brydon says.
"There are many more challenges with curbside services and I hope people understand we are doing our very best."
No one knows how long curbside service will be the norm.
The only times pet owners are allowed into the buildings are when an ill animal needs to be euthanized.
"That is the one time we do allow patients to come in the building," Stover says. "To say goodbye."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-17--District 301 teachers, parents rally to voice concerns about reopening plan

Burlington-based Central Unit District 301 teachers , parents and students rallied Monday to voice concerns about the district 's proposed reopening plan .
Dozens of cars lined up along South Street and Valley Way outside the district 's administrative offices honking in protest of the district 's hybrid plan , which calls for a combination of in-person and remote instruction for students in preschool through 12th grade .
Several teachers spoke during Monday night 's school board meeting detailing their frustrations and problems with the plan .
Safety and equity are key concerns , said Dave Chapman , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 296 teachers , guidance counselors , and speech and language pathologists serving more than 4,300 students in seven schools .
Students in preschool through fifth grade would attend classes daily on a split schedule -- 9 to 11:30 a.m. for one group and 1 to 3:30 p.m. for the second group .
Students learning entirely remotely would be assigned a dedicated classroom teacher to provide direct instruction through live or prerecorded lessons .
Art , music , social skills , health and physical education would be taught remotely for all students , documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district officials to reconsider the plan for sixth- through 12th-graders because it would require teachers to instruct two or three groups of students simultaneously in-person and remotely .
`` That 's just not possible , '' said Chapman , who teaches eighth-grade social studies .
`` Students in-person are going to get a much better education than the students who are ( watching ) at home . ''
For secondary students who chose the in-person option , they would be split with one group attending classes Monday and Thursday and the second group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a remote instructional day for all students .
Meanwhile , a third group of students that opted out of in-person would learn entirely remotely , per the plan .
District administrators stressed the goal of the plan is to create flexibility for teachers to be able to do what 's right for students .
Having teachers livestream classes allows remote learners a chance to see what 's happening in the classroom and interact with teachers , officials said .
Superintendent Todd Stirn said district leaders are working with middle school administrators to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to teach separate in-person and remote sessions during the course of a day .
For high schools , specialized teachers must provide interactive instruction for in-person and remote learners simultaneously to be efficient and so the district does not have to cut more than 40 core sections affecting roughly 600 students , he added .
Speakers also shared concerns about safety and cleaning procedures that need to be addressed before students return to classrooms Aug. 31 .
Teachers complained of administrators and office staff not wearing masks while in buildings as mandated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bathrooms and high-contact areas not being cleaned in a timely manner .
`` How will buildings be properly cleaned when necessary staff to ensure this have not been hired ? ''
asked Susan Zagorski , English language arts teacher at Central High School .
Zagorski questioned why vacancies for additional custodial staff remain unfilled and how many substitute nurses would be available in case school nurses are exposed to someone who has come into close contact or tests positive for COVID-19 .
More school districts are switching to full remote learning due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for close contact tracing and cleaning requirements for possible COVID-19 exposure , she added .
Stirn said officials are in the process of hiring seven additional custodians for disinfecting and sanitizing buildings and have reviewed and will comply with the new state health guidelines .
The district has submitted its reopening plan to the Kane County Regional Office of Education and the Kane County Health Department for review , he added .
`` It 's imperative that we meet the needs of our students .
We meet the needs of our community .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our ability .
That is our calling .
I will not compromise that , '' Stirn said .

District 301 teachers, parents rally to voice concerns about reopening plan
Burlington-based Central Unit District 301 teachers, parents and students rallied Monday to voice concerns about the district's proposed reopening plan.
Dozens of cars lined up along South Street and Valley Way outside the district's administrative offices honking in protest of the district's hybrid plan, which calls for a combination of in-person and remote instruction for students in preschool through 12th grade. Several teachers spoke during Monday night's school board meeting detailing their frustrations and problems with the plan.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Dave Chapman, president of the Central Education Association, spoke to a packed parking lot of about 80 cars, including teachers and supporters who voiced concerns about Central Unit District 301's reopening plan.
Safety and equity are key concerns, said Dave Chapman, president of the Central Education Association, which represents 296 teachers, guidance counselors, and speech and language pathologists serving more than 4,300 students in seven schools.
Students in preschool through fifth grade would attend classes daily on a split schedule -- 9 to 11:30 a.m. for one group and 1 to 3:30 p.m. for the second group. Students learning entirely remotely would be assigned a dedicated classroom teacher to provide direct instruction through live or prerecorded lessons. Art, music, social skills, health and physical education would be taught remotely for all students, documents show.
Chapman and other educators urged district officials to reconsider the plan for sixth- through 12th-graders because it would require teachers to instruct two or three groups of students simultaneously in-person and remotely.
"That's just not possible," said Chapman, who teaches eighth-grade social studies. "Students in-person are going to get a much better education than the students who are (watching) at home."
For secondary students who chose the in-person option, they would be split with one group attending classes Monday and Thursday and the second group attending Tuesday and Friday. Wednesday would be a remote instructional day for all students. Meanwhile, a third group of students that opted out of in-person would learn entirely remotely, per the plan.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Burlington-Central High School math teacher Ashton Brown joined roughly 80 people who rallied Monday against Central Unit District 301's reopening plan.
District administrators stressed the goal of the plan is to create flexibility for teachers to be able to do what's right for students. Having teachers livestream classes allows remote learners a chance to see what's happening in the classroom and interact with teachers, officials said.
Superintendent Todd Stirn said district leaders are working with middle school administrators to develop a plan that allows some teachers to teach separate in-person and remote sessions during the course of a day. For high schools, specialized teachers must provide interactive instruction for in-person and remote learners simultaneously to be efficient and so the district does not have to cut more than 40 core sections affecting roughly 600 students, he added.
Speakers also shared concerns about safety and cleaning procedures that need to be addressed before students return to classrooms Aug. 31.
Teachers complained of administrators and office staff not wearing masks while in buildings as mandated by the state and instances of equipment, bathrooms and high-contact areas not being cleaned in a timely manner.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Burlington-Central High School math teacher Ashton Brown raised signs for safe and equitable education along with roughly 80 supporters who sat in their cars honking horns to show disapproval of Central Unit District 301's reopening plan for secondary schools.
"How will buildings be properly cleaned when necessary staff to ensure this have not been hired?" asked Susan Zagorski, English language arts teacher at Central High School.
Zagorski questioned why vacancies for additional custodial staff remain unfilled and how many substitute nurses would be available in case school nurses are exposed to someone who has come into close contact or tests positive for COVID-19. More school districts are switching to full remote learning due to new Illinois Department of Public Health guidance for close contact tracing and cleaning requirements for possible COVID-19 exposure, she added.
Stirn said officials are in the process of hiring seven additional custodians for disinfecting and sanitizing buildings and have reviewed and will comply with the new state health guidelines. The district has submitted its reopening plan to the Kane County Regional Office of Education and the Kane County Health Department for review, he added.
"It's imperative that we meet the needs of our students. We meet the needs of our community. We educate students to the best of our ability. That is our calling. I will not compromise that," Stirn said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-17--Vernon Hills hiring a consultant to assess diversity and inclusion efforts

Vernon Hills plans to hire a consultant to assess the village 's diversity and inclusivity practices .
Bryan J. Watkins , a former educator who has worked on several law enforcement and government initiatives , has received informal approval to proceed with an inventory and assessment of village policies and practices .
The contract with Watkins/Ravenskeep LLC will not exceed $ 8,000 .
The village board is expected to officially vote on the pact Sept. 1 .
Watkins has an extensive background in higher education , most recently as vice president and chief academic officer for Lake Forest Graduate School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he helped the Vernon Hills police implement a Master 's program as part of its career development program .
Since last fall , Watkins has headed the Vernon Hills Complete County Census Committee .
Village officials say they met with Watkins a few months ago to discuss Vernon Hills ' policies , practices and relationship with the community .
The resulting diversity and inclusivity initiative was discussed last week by the village board .
Officials said it is part of a continuing self-assessment and the pending review was not prompted by a specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ village ) board and we want the community to know we are an organization that strives for equity , consistency and constant improvement in the manner we deliver services , '' Assistant Village Manager Jon Petrillo said during the lead-in to the discussion .
`` While we feel there is an earned trust and we have confidence in our policies and practices within the various departments , our confidence as managers and leaders of the organization can and should be affirmed by external sources , '' he added .
Watkins , who attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's adoption of NAACP benchmarks as an example of ongoing work to assess itself .
`` The village is heading in the right direction in the sense of wanting to look at itself , having looked at itself and we 're going to continue to do that , '' he said .
`` So that 's really what this consultancy is about . ''
His work will include an inventory and assessment of village processes , including recruitment and promotion and how it projects itself as a potential employer , for example .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ determining diversity within the ranks and make recommendations on how to adjust if needed .
He also plans to meet with staff and community members for their perceptions .
The result will be suggested policies and procedures that work best for Vernon Hills , he said .
`` National benchmarks are great but one size does n't fit all , '' he said .

Vernon Hills hiring a consultant to assess diversity and inclusion efforts
Vernon Hills plans to hire a consultant to assess the village's diversity and inclusivity practices.
Bryan J. Watkins, a former educator who has worked on several law enforcement and government initiatives, has received informal approval to proceed with an inventory and assessment of village policies and practices.
The contract with Watkins/Ravenskeep LLC will not exceed $8,000. The village board is expected to officially vote on the pact Sept. 1.
Watkins has an extensive background in higher education, most recently as vice president and chief academic officer for Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
Several years ago, he helped the Vernon Hills police implement a Master's program as part of its career development program. Since last fall, Watkins has headed the Vernon Hills Complete County Census Committee.
Village officials say they met with Watkins a few months ago to discuss Vernon Hills' policies, practices and relationship with the community.
The resulting diversity and inclusivity initiative was discussed last week by the village board. Officials said it is part of a continuing self-assessment and the pending review was not prompted by a specific occurrence.
"We want the (village) board and we want the community to know we are an organization that strives for equity, consistency and constant improvement in the manner we deliver services," Assistant Village Manager Jon Petrillo said during the lead-in to the discussion.
"While we feel there is an earned trust and we have confidence in our policies and practices within the various departments, our confidence as managers and leaders of the organization can and should be affirmed by external sources," he added.
Watkins, who attended the meeting, cited the police department's adoption of NAACP benchmarks as an example of ongoing work to assess itself.
"The village is heading in the right direction in the sense of wanting to look at itself, having looked at itself and we're going to continue to do that," he said.
"So that's really what this consultancy is about."
His work will include an inventory and assessment of village processes, including recruitment and promotion and how it projects itself as a potential employer, for example.
Watkins said the work also will include determining diversity within the ranks and make recommendations on how to adjust if needed.
He also plans to meet with staff and community members for their perceptions.
The result will be suggested policies and procedures that work best for Vernon Hills, he said.
"National benchmarks are great but one size doesn't fit all," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-17--'Trumpocrat' Blagojevich to headline GOP candidate's fundraiser in St. Charles

Disgraced former Gov .
Rod Blagojevich once joked about not having a speaking role at the 2004 Democratic National Convention @ @ @ @ @ `` Democratic National Committee and Mayor Daley invited me to speak at 4:30 in the @ @ @ @ @ room at Faneuil Hall . ''
Fast forward 16 years , and the self-declared `` @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 27 fundraiser in St. Charles to support a Republican state Senate candidate and `` @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's RNC 2020 nomination , '' six months after Blagojevich was freed with a @ @ @ @ @ television boss .
Illinois Republican Party leaders called it `` a bad idea , '' @ @ @ @ @ said he invited Blagojevich to `` highlight corruption in Illinois , and how to fight @ @ @

'Trumpocrat' Blagojevich to headline GOP candidate's fundraiser in St. Charles
Disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich once joked about not having a speaking role at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, saying the "Democratic National Committee and Mayor Daley invited me to speak at 4:30 in the morning in the men's room at Faneuil Hall."
Fast forward 16 years, and the self-declared "Trumpocrat" will headline an Aug. 27 fundraiser in St. Charles to support a Republican state Senate candidate and "to celebrate President Donald J. Trump's RNC 2020 nomination," six months after Blagojevich was freed with a commutation from his former reality television boss.
Illinois Republican Party leaders called it "a bad idea," but GOP candidate Tom McCullagh said he invited Blagojevich to "highlight corruption in Illinois, and how to fight it."
• For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-18--Swanson's 2-out, 2-run homer in 9th lifts Braves past Nats

ATLANTA -- Dansby Swanson hit a two-out , two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a four-run rally that gave the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night .
With the Braves trailing 6-3 against Washington closer Daniel Hudson ( 1-2 ) , Adam Duvall made it close by hitting a two-run shot that just cleared the wall in left field .
Johan Camargo followed with a single , but Hudson retired the next two hitters to put the Braves down to their final out .
It never came .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ right-center for the game winner .
The rally ruined a memorable night for Washington rookie Luis Garcia , who became the first player born in the 2000s to hit a big league homer .
The youngest player in the majors at age 20 , Garcia hit a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint in the second inning .
Asdrubal Cabrera , Juan Soto and Eric Thames also homered for the defending World Series champs , but it was n't enough .
MINNEAPOLIS -- Nelson Cruz homered twice , continuing his climb up the all-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Devin Smeltzer ( 2-0 ) picked up the win in relief of opener Matt Wisler for Minnesota .
Smeltzer allowed one hit in 2 2/3 innings while striking out three batters .
The Twins won three of four games in the series after being swept by the Royals in Kansas City last week .
Rookie Kris Bubic ( 0-3 ) surrendered two runs on four hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings for the Royals .
Hunter Dozier homered in the ninth inning to end Minnesota 's shutout bid .
Cruz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his 409th career homer , good for 55th all-time .
NEW YORK -- Luke Voit homered twice , Aroldis Chapman returned from the COVID-19 injured list to pitch the ninth inning and New York beat Boston for the 10th straight game .
New York capped a four-game sweep and is on its best run against Boston since winning a franchise-best 12 consecutive games in 1952-53 - a stretch when Red Sox star Ted Williams was serving in the Korean War .
Boston lost its eighth straight game overall and has also dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thairo Estrada and Aaron Hicks also homered for New York .
Michael King ( 1-1 ) allowed a run over three innings after replacing Luis AvilÃ¡n .
MIAMI -- Robinson Cano and Pete Alonso hit two homers apiece to help the Mets beat Miami and snap a three-game losing streak .
Cano singled and hit a pair of two-run homers to hike his batting average to .412 .
He and Alonso delivered back-to-back homers in the sixth inning for a 10-2 lead .
Alonso also singled in the third and homered in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 hits went for extra bases .
Chasen Shreve ( 1-0 ) , the second of five Mets pitchers , retired all seven batters he faced and struck out five .
Franklyn Kilome allowed two runs in three innings for his first save .
Jonathan Villar hit his second homer for the Marlins .
Miami 's Jordan Yamamoto ( 0-1 ) allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings .
BALTIMORE -- Hyun Jin Ryu pitched six innings of four-hit ball , Randal Grichuk homered and drove in four runs and Toronto beat Baltimore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Blue Jays and finished with three hits and three RBIs .
Ryu ( 2-1 ) struck out three and walked none .
The left-hander permitted only one runner past second base and yielded just one extra-base hit .
Alex Cobb ( 1-2 ) gave up five runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings .
He 's winless in his last four starts .
Pedro Severino and Renato NÃºÃ±ez had RBIs for the Orioles , who have dropped two straight after winning seven of eight .
HOUSTON -- Carlos Correa drove in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a strong start by rookie Brandon Bielak , and Houston beat Colorado , extending its winning streak to a season-high five games .
Bielak ( 3-0 ) allowed one hit and one run in six innings for the win in his third MLB start .
He walked four and struck out four .
Brooks Raley took over for Bielak and struck out two in 1 1/3 innings .
Josh James got the last two outs of the eighth before Blake Taylor allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth for his first save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their last five games and six of the last eight .
Denver starter Kyle Freeland ( 2-1 ) yielded seven hits and two runs with five strikeouts in six innings .
CHICAGO -- David Bote hit a three-run homer in Chicago 's four-run sixth inning , and the Cubs beat St. Louis for a doubleheader split .
With two outs and runners on the corners , Bote put Chicago ahead to stay with a massive drive to center field off Tyler Webb ( 0-1 ) for his second career pinch-hit homer .
Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Willson Contreras doubled home Javier BÃ¡ez earlier in the inning , setting the stage for Bote 's third homer of the season .
St. Louis wasted a big performance by Brad Miller , who homered twice and drove in three runs .
Miller also had a big swing in Game 1 , hitting a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh in the Cardinals ' 3-1 victory .
Dexter Fowler connected for St. Louis in the opener of an unusual five-game series , and Max Schrock hit his first career homer in Game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a four-game slide .
Duane Underwood Jr. ( 1-0 ) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win , and Jeremy Jeffress got three outs for his second save .
The second half of Monday 's doubleheader was the first time St. Louis batted second on the road since April 25 , 1906 , at Cincinnati , according to the Elias Sports Bureau .
CHICAGO -- Tim Anderson hit a pair of home runs , including his second to lead off the game against starter Matthew Boyd in six days , and Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first team in major league history to open two games in one season with back-to-back home runs off the same pitcher , according to STATS .
Luis Robert also hit two home runs for Chicago ( 12-11 ) , which had six in the game and 10 in their last two .
It won for the fourth time in the last six tries to move back over the .500 mark .
White Sox starter Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs on six hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings but remained winless this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 15th time that he reached double figures in his career .
Codi Heuer ( 1-0 ) pitched one scoreless inning to get first big league victory .
The Tigers lost their sixth straight .
In his major league debut , 21-year-old Issac Peredes had a two-run single in the fourth in four at-bats .
Chicago became the first team in major league history to open two games in one season with back-to-back home runs off the same pitcher , according to STATS .

Swanson's 2-out, 2-run homer in 9th lifts Braves past Nats
Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, center, celebrates after hitting a walk-off two-run home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Atlanta. Associated Press
Atlanta Braves' Dansby Swanson follows through on a game-ending, two-run home run in the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Atlanta. The Braves won 7-6. Associated Press
ATLANTA -- Dansby Swanson hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a four-run rally that gave the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.
With the Braves trailing 6-3 against Washington closer Daniel Hudson (1-2), Adam Duvall made it close by hitting a two-run shot that just cleared the wall in left field. Johan Camargo followed with a single, but Hudson retired the next two hitters to put the Braves down to their final out.
It never came.
Swanson drove one over the wall in right-center for the game winner.
The rally ruined a memorable night for Washington rookie Luis Garcia, who became the first player born in the 2000s to hit a big league homer. The youngest player in the majors at age 20, Garcia hit a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint in the second inning.
Asdrubal Cabrera, Juan Soto and Eric Thames also homered for the defending World Series champs, but it wasn't enough.
TWINS 4, ROYALS 1
MINNEAPOLIS -- Nelson Cruz homered twice, continuing his climb up the all-time leaderboard, and Minnesota beat Kansas City.
Devin Smeltzer (2-0) picked up the win in relief of opener Matt Wisler for Minnesota. Smeltzer allowed one hit in 2 2/3 innings while striking out three batters. The Twins won three of four games in the series after being swept by the Royals in Kansas City last week.
Rookie Kris Bubic (0-3) surrendered two runs on four hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings for the Royals. Hunter Dozier homered in the ninth inning to end Minnesota's shutout bid.
Cruz surpassed Duke Snider and tied Mark Teixeira with his 409th career homer, good for 55th all-time.
YANKEES 6, RED SOX 3
NEW YORK -- Luke Voit homered twice, Aroldis Chapman returned from the COVID-19 injured list to pitch the ninth inning and New York beat Boston for the 10th straight game.
New York capped a four-game sweep and is on its best run against Boston since winning a franchise-best 12 consecutive games in 1952-53 - a stretch when Red Sox star Ted Williams was serving in the Korean War.
Boston lost its eighth straight game overall and has also dropped 10 consecutive games in the Bronx.
Thairo Estrada and Aaron Hicks also homered for New York.
Boston left-hander Martin Pérez (2-3) took the loss.
Michael King (1-1) allowed a run over three innings after replacing Luis Avilán.
ANGELS 7, GIANTS 6
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Tommy La Stella hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning, and the Angels snapped their four-game losing streak with a victory over San Francisco.
Mike Trout hit his 10th homer and Albert Pujols had a tiebreaking two-run double, but the Angels still fell behind in the sixth inning. They didn't rally until David Fletcher got a one-out single in the ninth and La Stella knocked the ball off the video board above the right field fence for his first career walk-off homer.
Trevor Gott (1-2) blew his third save opportunity. The Giants blew a ninth-inning lead for the third time in their last four games, and Gott gave up a ninth-inning homer for the sixth time already this season.
Mike Yastrzemski hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning for the Giants, who have lost five straight. Brandon Belt hit an early two-run homer and Mauricio Dubón had two hits for the Giants, and their bullpen was solid until it wasn't.
Ty Buttrey (1-0) pitched the ninth for Los Angeles.
DIAMONDBACKS 4, ATHLETICS 3
PHOENIX -- David Peralta slapped a bases-loaded single through the right side of the infield with one out in the ninth inning to push Arizona past Oakland.
The Diamondbacks won their fifth straight game and are above .500 for the first time this season. They needed the ninth-inning rally after blowing a late lead.
The A's trailed 3-1 going into the eighth but came back to tie it after loading the bases with one out.
Ahmed smackled a leadoff double to start the decisive ninth-inning rally. Kole Calhoun went down on strikes for the first out, Ketel Marte followed with a single and the A's intentionally walked Starling Marte to load the bases.
That matched left-handed reliever Jake Diekman against the left-handed-hitting Peralta, who reached across the plate and flipped the ball through the right side of the drawn-in infield.
Arizona starter Zac Gallen took a no-hitter into the sixth in his 20th career start. He gave up three hits - including Robbie Grossman's solo homer in the seventh. He struck out eight, walked one and left with a 3-1 lead.
Stefan Crichton (2-0) earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Joakim Soria (1-1) gave up Ahmed's double to start the ninth.
PADRES 14, RANGERS 4
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Fernando Tatis Jr. homered twice, including a grand slam for his major league-leading 11th of the season, and San Diego routed Texas to stop a five-game losing skid.
Tatis had a career-high seven RBIs. Zach Davies (3-2) allowed three runs with six strikeouts in five-plus innings.
Jurickson Profar had a two-run double in a five-run second inning. Jake Cronenworth, Josh Naylor and Trent Grisham had the other RBI hits in the second against Jordan Lyles.
Austin Hedges connected on his second homer, a solo shot in the fourth, as the Padres set their season high for runs.
Rougned Odor ended Davies' shutout bid in the fourth with a two-run double, and Joey Gallo added an RBI double in the sixth.
Lyles (1-2) gave up seven hits and seven runs, six earned, in four innings.
METS 11, MARLINS 4
MIAMI -- Robinson Cano and Pete Alonso hit two homers apiece to help the Mets beat Miami and snap a three-game losing streak.
Cano singled and hit a pair of two-run homers to hike his batting average to .412. He and Alonso delivered back-to-back homers in the sixth inning for a 10-2 lead. Alonso also singled in the third and homered in the fifth.
Nine of the Mets' 14 hits went for extra bases. Chasen Shreve (1-0), the second of five Mets pitchers, retired all seven batters he faced and struck out five. Franklyn Kilome allowed two runs in three innings for his first save.
Jonathan Villar hit his second homer for the Marlins. Miami's Jordan Yamamoto (0-1) allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings.
BLUE JAYS 7, ORIOLES 2
BALTIMORE -- Hyun Jin Ryu pitched six innings of four-hit ball, Randal Grichuk homered and drove in four runs and Toronto beat Baltimore.
Cavan Biggio also went deep for the Blue Jays and finished with three hits and three RBIs.
Ryu (2-1) struck out three and walked none. The left-hander permitted only one runner past second base and yielded just one extra-base hit.
Alex Cobb (1-2) gave up five runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. He's winless in his last four starts.
Pedro Severino and Renato Núñez had RBIs for the Orioles, who have dropped two straight after winning seven of eight.
ASTROS 2, ROCKIES 1
HOUSTON -- Carlos Correa drove in two runs with a double to back up a strong start by rookie Brandon Bielak, and Houston beat Colorado, extending its winning streak to a season-high five games.
Bielak (3-0) allowed one hit and one run in six innings for the win in his third MLB start. He walked four and struck out four.
Brooks Raley took over for Bielak and struck out two in 1 1/3 innings. Josh James got the last two outs of the eighth before Blake Taylor allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth for his first save.
The Rockies have dropped four of their last five games and six of the last eight.
Denver starter Kyle Freeland (2-1) yielded seven hits and two runs with five strikeouts in six innings.
CARDINALS 3, CUBS 1, Game 1
CUBS 5, CARDINALS 4, Game 2
CHICAGO -- David Bote hit a three-run homer in Chicago's four-run sixth inning, and the Cubs beat St. Louis for a doubleheader split.
With two outs and runners on the corners, Bote put Chicago ahead to stay with a massive drive to center field off Tyler Webb (0-1) for his second career pinch-hit homer.
Chicago was still searching for its first hit before Willson Contreras doubled home Javier Báez earlier in the inning, setting the stage for Bote's third homer of the season.
St. Louis wasted a big performance by Brad Miller, who homered twice and drove in three runs. Miller also had a big swing in Game 1, hitting a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh in the Cardinals' 3-1 victory.
Dexter Fowler connected for St. Louis in the opener of an unusual five-game series, and Max Schrock hit his first career homer in Game 2.
The NL Central-leading Cubs stopped a four-game slide. Duane Underwood Jr. (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, and Jeremy Jeffress got three outs for his second save.
The second half of Monday's doubleheader was the first time St. Louis batted second on the road since April 25, 1906, at Cincinnati, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
WHITE SOX 7, TIGERS 2
CHICAGO -- Tim Anderson hit a pair of home runs, including his second to lead off the game against starter Matthew Boyd in six days, and Chicago coasted past Detroit.
Chicago became the first team in major league history to open two games in one season with back-to-back home runs off the same pitcher, according to STATS.
Luis Robert also hit two home runs for Chicago (12-11), which had six in the game and 10 in their last two. It won for the fourth time in the last six tries to move back over the .500 mark.
White Sox starter Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs on six hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings but remained winless this season. He struck out 10, the 15th time that he reached double figures in his career.
Codi Heuer (1-0) pitched one scoreless inning to get first big league victory.
The Tigers lost their sixth straight. In his major league debut, 21-year-old Issac Peredes had a two-run single in the fourth in four at-bats.
Chicago became the first team in major league history to open two games in one season with back-to-back home runs off the same pitcher, according to STATS.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-18--Counties installing secure boxes for dropped-off ballots ahead of election

With concerns about U.S. mail service and election tampering growing , Lake County officials this week said people will be able to deposit vote-by-mail ballots in more than a dozen secure boxes throughout the county ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election .
They are n't alone in trying to boost confidence in the voting process .
More than 50 drop boxes for mail-in ballots will be installed throughout suburban Cook County .
Sites will include the village halls in Arlington Heights , Barrington Hills , Elk Grove Village , Glenview , Hoffman Estates , Mount Prospect , Northbrook and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Des Plaines and Wheeling .
Two drop boxes will be securely installed at the DuPage County complex in Wheaton -- one in the parking lot and one inside , Chief Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson said .
Additionally , nearly 300 drop boxes will be placed at all early voting locations and Election Day polling places in the county , Johnson said .
One drop box has been installed in McHenry County , at the administration building in Woodstock .
And in Kane County , Clerk John Cunningham said three such boxes -- one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- will be set up .
The action comes as more and more people who planned to vote by mail in Illinois and across the nation are worying their ballots wo n't be counted because of procedural and equipment changes within the U.S .
Postal Service .
The agency has sent letters to Illinois and 45 other states , as well as Washington , D.C. , warning it can not guarantee all ballots cast by mail for the November election will arrive in time to be counted .
The Postal Service had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machines .
After a public outcry and legislative inquiries , agency officials say those efforts will stop .
This week , the U.S. House will vote on legislation aimed at prohibiting the Postal Service from implementing any changes to operations or service levels that had been in place at the start of this year .
The proposal is supported by several Democratic lawmakers from the Chicago area .
This is the first time drop boxes specifically for mail-in ballots will be used in Illinois .
They were legalized in June when Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide because of the pandemic .
Lake County will install 16 or 17 drop boxes for ballots at early voting sites , Chief Deputy Clerk Todd Govain said .
The locations have n't yet been finalized .
Some will be unattended but physically secured and put under video surveillance , Govain said .
Voters will be able to use those boxes around the clock when voting by mail begins Sept. 24 , Govain said .
Other boxes will be monitored by election judges between Oct. 19 and Nov. 2 .
Once the roster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is complete , locations and operating hours will be posted on the county clerk 's website , lakecountyil.gov/161/County-Clerk .
Anyone who requests a mail-in ballot will be notified , too , Govain said .
Although his office is installing drop boxes for ballots , Kane County 's Cunningham thinks the issue has become political and is overblown .
He 's confident in the postal service 's ability to deliver ballots on time and said a postal worker told him the expected increase in mailed ballots will be no worse than the extra business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They think they 're going to be able to handle it , '' Cunningham said .

Drop your vote-by-mail ballot here. Counties installing secure boxes to collect ballots
With concerns about U.S. mail service and election tampering growing, Lake County officials this week said people will be able to deposit vote-by-mail ballots in more than a dozen secure boxes throughout the county ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election.
They aren't alone in trying to boost confidence in the voting process.
More than 50 drop boxes for mail-in ballots will be installed throughout suburban Cook County. Sites will include the village halls in Arlington Heights, Barrington Hills, Elk Grove Village, Glenview, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, Northbrook and Streamwood, as well as libraries in Des Plaines and Wheeling.
Two drop boxes will be securely installed at the DuPage County complex in Wheaton -- one in the parking lot and one inside, Chief Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson said. Additionally, nearly 300 drop boxes will be placed at all early voting locations and Election Day polling places in the county, Johnson said.
One drop box has been installed in McHenry County, at the administration building in Woodstock.
And in Kane County, Clerk John Cunningham said three such boxes -- one each in Elgin, Geneva and Aurora -- will be set up.
The action comes as more and more people who planned to vote by mail in Illinois and across the nation are worying their ballots won't be counted because of procedural and equipment changes within the U.S. Postal Service.
The agency has sent letters to Illinois and 45 other states, as well as Washington, D.C., warning it cannot guarantee all ballots cast by mail for the November election will arrive in time to be counted.
The Postal Service had been removing or disabling public mailboxes and mail-sorting machines. After a public outcry and legislative inquiries, agency officials say those efforts will stop.
This week, the U.S. House will vote on legislation aimed at prohibiting the Postal Service from implementing any changes to operations or service levels that had been in place at the start of this year. The proposal is supported by several Democratic lawmakers from the Chicago area.
This is the first time drop boxes specifically for mail-in ballots will be used in Illinois. They were legalized in June when Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation expanding voting-by-mail options statewide because of the pandemic.
Lake County will install 16 or 17 drop boxes for ballots at early voting sites, Chief Deputy Clerk Todd Govain said. The locations haven't yet been finalized.
Some will be unattended but physically secured and put under video surveillance, Govain said. Voters will be able to use those boxes around the clock when voting by mail begins Sept. 24, Govain said.
Other boxes will be monitored by election judges between Oct. 19 and Nov. 2.
Once the roster of early voting sites and drop-box sites is complete, locations and operating hours will be posted on the county clerk's website, lakecountyil.gov/161/County-Clerk. Anyone who requests a mail-in ballot will be notified, too, Govain said.
Although his office is installing drop boxes for ballots, Kane County's Cunningham thinks the issue has become political and is overblown. He's confident in the postal service's ability to deliver ballots on time and said a postal worker told him the expected increase in mailed ballots will be no worse than the extra business the agency gets at Christmas.
"They think they're going to be able to handle it," Cunningham said.
• Daily Herald wire services contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-18--Teen surrenders in connection with Glenbrook South student's slaying

A 16-year-old boy surrendered to Glenview police Monday in connection with the Aug. 5 killing of Glenbrook South High School student Elias Valdez .
Police said the boy , who lives in the Glenview area , turned himself in at 9:04 a.m. Monday to face a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Valdez , 15 , who also lived near Glenview .
The 16-year-old was taken to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago and later appeared in juvenile court Tuesday in Skokie , according to the Cook County state 's attorney 's office .
A judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and continued the case to Sept. 9 .
Police have been investigating Valdez 's killing since officers responded to the 1200 block of Greenwood Road at 7:07 p.m. Aug. 5 for an ambulance assist .
A passerby found Valdez , whom Glenbrook South administrators described as a rising sophomore at the school , lying in a grassy area with stab wounds to the chest .
He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge , where he died in surgery .
The Glenview Police Department credited members of the public , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Cook County state 's attorney 's office for their assistance in the investigation .

Teen surrenders in connection with Glenbrook South student's slaying
A 16-year-old boy surrendered to Glenview police Monday in connection with the Aug. 5 killing of Glenbrook South High School student Elias Valdez.
Police said the boy, who lives in the Glenview area, turned himself in at 9:04 a.m. Monday to face a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Valdez, 15, who also lived near Glenview.
The 16-year-old was taken to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago and later appeared in juvenile court Tuesday in Skokie, according to the Cook County state's attorney's office.
A judge ordered the teen placed on electronic monitoring and continued the case to Sept. 9.
Police have been investigating Valdez's killing since officers responded to the 1200 block of Greenwood Road at 7:07 p.m. Aug. 5 for an ambulance assist.
A passerby found Valdez, whom Glenbrook South administrators described as a rising sophomore at the school, lying in a grassy area with stab wounds to the chest. He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he died in surgery.
The Glenview Police Department credited members of the public, the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force and the Cook County state's attorney's office for their assistance in the investigation.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-18--Congressional Democrats in suburbs call for end to postal delays

Three Democratic members of Congress used the backdrop of an Aurora post office Tuesday to call for a rollback of operational changes that have caused delays in sending and receiving mail even as record numbers of people plan to vote by mail .
Postal workers joined Democrats at the Ken Christy Post Office to share what they see as implications of the procedural changes at the U.S .
Postal Service -- delays of up to three days in the mail collection and sorting process and an additional three-day delay on the delivery side leading to rampant complaints from everyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Louis DeJoy announced just before the Aurora gathering he would suspend his operational changes , which had included eliminating overtime , until after the election .
But Democrats Lauren Underwood of Naperville , Sean Casten of Downers Grove and Bill Foster of Naperville said that 's not enough .
They want guarantees a reduction of service quality wo n't be imposed at any point that would delay people getting prescriptions , Social Security checks or goods needed to run their businesses .
`` Mr. DeJoy has just announced he 's going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Casten said .
`` It means he was lying when he said he had to do this . ''
DeJoy announced the changes , such as eliminating late mail delivery trips , shortly after becoming postmaster general this year in what he described as an effort to address more than a decade of the Postal Service operating with multibillion-dollar losses .
The changes have been in place only a few weeks , so it 's unknown how much money may be saved .
The last time the Postal Service tried making changes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2011 , its deficit grew exponentially as customers became displeased and turned to other options .
Foster said Congress does need to address postal service financial woes , but the priority during the COVID-19 outbreak and stretch run of the election should be increasing agency resources , not service cuts .
Democrats on Tuesday also called DeJoy 's changes a way to suppress voting in the November presidential election .
He is expected to testify before a Senate committee Friday and before a House panel Monday .
Underwood said DeJoy already received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is expecting answers .
`` Why was he willingly participating in a politically motivated exercise to disenfranchise voters , to limit the reliability of a trusted institution ? ''
she said .
`` We have heard the president of the United States say he does n't want to support the postal service because it will help Democrats .
The postal service is not a partisan agency .
It is a critical part of each of our communities that connects us all to one another . ''
Underwood is one of many Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Postal Service through the HEROES Act legislation that passed the House .
But the Trump administration has classified that money as an unnecessary bailout for the financially troubled agency and a Democratic plot to fund a vote-by-mail expansion the president does n't trust .
DeJoy is also on record as saying the agency has ample resources to deliver vote-by-mail ballots on time even with service reductions .
The Aurora gathering was one of several by Democratic federal lawmakers throughout Illinois seeking to ramp up the pressure on DeJoy .
At a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deerfield announced he and other members of the delegation intend to request a criminal investigation of DeJoy for interfering with the election in Illinois .
DeJoy , a major donor to President Donald Trump and other Republicans , was appointed to the post in May .
`` It is a crime to willfully delay the mail , '' Schneider said .
`` Yesterday alone , 600 people have reached out to my office to tell me how their mail has been adversely affected by DeJoy and President Donald Trump . ''
Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday that asks for a judge to undo DeJoy 's operational changes because he failed to submit the changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission before implementing them .

Congressional Democrats in suburbs call for end to postal delays
Three Democratic members of Congress used the backdrop of an Aurora post office Tuesday to call for a rollback of operational changes that have caused delays in sending and receiving mail even as record numbers of people plan to vote by mail.
Postal workers joined Democrats at the Ken Christy Post Office to share what they see as implications of the procedural changes at the U.S. Postal Service -- delays of up to three days in the mail collection and sorting process and an additional three-day delay on the delivery side leading to rampant complaints from everyone who relies on the mail service.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced just before the Aurora gathering he would suspend his operational changes, which had included eliminating overtime, until after the election.
But Democrats Lauren Underwood of Naperville, Sean Casten of Downers Grove and Bill Foster of Naperville said that's not enough. They want guarantees a reduction of service quality won't be imposed at any point that would delay people getting prescriptions, Social Security checks or goods needed to run their businesses.
"Mr. DeJoy has just announced he's going to stop the rollback in standards," Casten said. "It means he was lying when he said he had to do this."
DeJoy announced the changes, such as eliminating late mail delivery trips, shortly after becoming postmaster general this year in what he described as an effort to address more than a decade of the Postal Service operating with multibillion-dollar losses.
The changes have been in place only a few weeks, so it's unknown how much money may be saved. The last time the Postal Service tried making changes that resulted in slower mail delivery times, in 2011, its deficit grew exponentially as customers became displeased and turned to other options.
Foster said Congress does need to address Postal Service financial woes, but the priority during the COVID-19 outbreak and stretch run of the election should be increasing agency resources, not service cuts.
Democrats on Tuesday also called DeJoy's changes a way to suppress voting in the November presidential election. He is expected to testify before a Senate committee Friday and before a House panel Monday. Underwood said DeJoy already received a 10-page set of questions to which she is expecting answers.
"Why was he willingly participating in a politically motivated exercise to disenfranchise voters, to limit the reliability of a trusted institution?" she said. "We have heard the president of the United States say he doesn't want to support the Postal Service because it will help Democrats. The Postal Service is not a partisan agency. It is a critical part of each of our communities that connects us all to one another."
Underwood is one of many Democrats who supported more funding for the U.S. Postal Service through the HEROES Act legislation that passed the House. But the Trump administration has classified that money as an unnecessary bailout for the financially troubled agency and a Democratic plot to fund a vote-by-mail expansion the president doesn't trust.
DeJoy is also on record as saying the agency has ample resources to deliver vote-by-mail ballots on time even with service reductions.
The Aurora gathering was one of several by Democratic federal lawmakers throughout Illinois seeking to ramp up the pressure on DeJoy.
At a similar gathering, U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield announced he and other members of the delegation intend to request a criminal investigation of DeJoy for interfering with the election in Illinois. DeJoy, a major donor to President Donald Trump and other Republicans, was appointed to the post in May.
"It is a crime to willfully delay the mail," Schneider said. "Yesterday alone, 600 people have reached out to my office to tell me how their mail has been adversely affected by DeJoy and President Donald Trump."
Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined 13 attorneys general in other states in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday that asks for a judge to undo DeJoy's operational changes because he failed to submit the changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission before implementing them.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-18--Illinois records highest single-day positivity rate since June 5

Illinois ' rate of positive COVID-19 test results rose to 5.1 % Tuesday , the highest since June 5 .
The increase in the positivity rate , a key metric for assessing disease spread , came as state health officials reported 27 more Illinois residents had died from the disease .
Health officials announced 1,740 tests were positive for COVID-19 out of 34,175 tests given in one day .
That brings the state 's death toll to 7,782 , while 209,594 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in Illinois residents since the outbreak began .
Tuesday 's positivity rate was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results had exceeded 5 % positivity since June 5 , when the day 's positivity rate was 6.1 % , according to Illinois Department of Public Health records .
The seven-day average infection rate for the state increased to 4.3 % Tuesday , the highest level for that metric since June 10 .
A higher positivity rate suggests higher transmission in the community and the likelihood that there are more people with the disease who have n't been tested yet , according to Johns Hopkins University public health experts .
Of Tuesday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburban Cook County , DuPage , Kane , Lake , McHenry and Will counties , according to IDPH figures .
Chicago recorded 13.9 % of Tuesday 's new cases .
The rest of the state was responsible for the remaining 44.4 % of the new cases , with Madison and St. Clair counties in the Metro East region adjacent to St. Louis accounting for nearly 9 % of the new cases .
That region was put under more stringent restrictions that went into effect Tuesday after positivity rates exceeded 8 % for five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced an increase in the average positivity rate nine of the past 10 days .
By comparison , suburban Cook County 's average positivity rate was 6.1 % as of Sunday and the rate had increased three times over the 10-day period .
In the region containing Lake and McHenry counties , the average positivity rate was 5.7 % and had increased four times over the 10-day period .
The average positivity rate for the region with DuPage and Kane counties was at 4.8 % on Sunday and had experienced increases on three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The region with Will and Kankakee counties is reporting an average positivity rate of 6.7 % , and the rate has increased four times over the 10-day time frame , according to IDPH records .
Meanwhile , hospitalizations for COVID-19 have decreased statewide over the past two days .
There are now 1,510 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals statewide for treatment , according to IDPH records .
Of those hospitalized with the disease , 335 are in intensive care and 128 are on ventilators .

Illinois records highest single-day positivity rate since June 5
Illinois' rate of positive COVID-19 test results rose to 5.1% Tuesday, the highest since June 5.
The increase in the positivity rate, a key metric for assessing disease spread, came as state health officials reported 27 more Illinois residents had died from the disease.
Health officials announced 1,740 tests were positive for COVID-19 out of 34,175 tests given in one day.
That brings the state's death toll to 7,782, while 209,594 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in Illinois residents since the outbreak began.
Tuesday's positivity rate was the first time a batch of test results had exceeded 5% positivity since June 5, when the day's positivity rate was 6.1%, according to Illinois Department of Public Health records.
The seven-day average infection rate for the state increased to 4.3% Tuesday, the highest level for that metric since June 10.
A higher positivity rate suggests higher transmission in the community and the likelihood that there are more people with the disease who haven't been tested yet, according to Johns Hopkins University public health experts.
Of Tuesday's new cases, 41.7% came from suburban Cook County, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, according to IDPH figures. Chicago recorded 13.9% of Tuesday's new cases.
The rest of the state was responsible for the remaining 44.4% of the new cases, with Madison and St. Clair counties in the Metro East region adjacent to St. Louis accounting for nearly 9% of the new cases. That region was put under more stringent restrictions that went into effect Tuesday after positivity rates exceeded 8% for five straight days. The region has also experienced an increase in the average positivity rate nine of the past 10 days.
By comparison, suburban Cook County's average positivity rate was 6.1% as of Sunday and the rate had increased three times over the 10-day period. In the region containing Lake and McHenry counties, the average positivity rate was 5.7% and had increased four times over the 10-day period.
The average positivity rate for the region with DuPage and Kane counties was at 4.8% on Sunday and had experienced increases on three days, but not since Aug. 10.
The region with Will and Kankakee counties is reporting an average positivity rate of 6.7%, and the rate has increased four times over the 10-day time frame, according to IDPH records.
Meanwhile, hospitalizations for COVID-19 have decreased statewide over the past two days. There are now 1,510 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals statewide for treatment, according to IDPH records. Of those hospitalized with the disease, 335 are in intensive care and 128 are on ventilators.