dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-15--Constable: 'Am I Racist?' just gets conversation started

The number of people searching Google for the answer to `` Am I Racist ? ''
has never been higher .
Well , I certainly do n't need some online quiz to answer the question of whether I am racist .
Of course , I am racist .
I 'd be surprised by any American who can truthfully answer `` no '' to that question .
That does n't mean I use the N-word , wave a Confederate flag at NASCAR races or think there are `` good people '' in the KKK .
And I 'm also not proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , and I need to listen .
While I have heard people say , `` I do n't see color , '' I 'm not one of them .
If I 'm walking down a street and see three young black men in sagging pants standing at the alley , ugly stereotypes might jump into my head that do n't jump into my head if I see three young white men wearing Cubs jerseys standing at that alley .
That is wrong and destructive thinking , and I try to overcome it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black even before I watch his powerful `` 8:46 '' clip on YouTube where he asks us to imagine having a knee or our neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds .
As my wife and I finally binge watch episodes of the detective series `` Bosch , '' the fact that the title character is white seems a given , but I consciously notice that the police chief is black , his girlfriend is Asian and the mayor is Latino .
I 've also got that type of ignorant racism where I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that show was a bit Asian or a bit Latino until I found out that Jimmi 's real first name was Santiago .
Not that their races matter much to the story line .
But race always has mattered in the United States since that first slave ship arrived on our shores in 1620 .
As a kid in school , I learned about how America was born as a country based on freedom , a place where anyone who applied themselves and worked hard could grow up to be anything he or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a nation that built its wealth on slave labor .
When President Abraham Lincoln signed the first proclamation to end slavery in the District of Columbia in 1862 , our government paid reparations -- to the white owners , who got up to $ 300 for each enslaved black person whose free labor was lost .
Black people are treated differently from how I 've been treated my whole life .
The only time I 've ever been picked up by police was when I was in college .
I had taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Second City and accidentally turned the wrong way on my way home .
I was walking past the Cabrini-Green public housing projects when a black-and-white squad car pulled up .
I explained to officers that I was trying to find the el stop , and they , without asking for my identification or patting me down for drugs or weapons , immediately gave me a ride to the platform .
Most black people 's stories about their first interaction with police do n't end with a free ride .
Three pages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-page advertisements from black business leaders urging America to listen to black voices and make changes .
`` This is a time for action , inside and outside .
This is a time for change : inside ourselves and our companies ; across our communities and our country , '' wrote Omar Johnson , founder of OPUS United .
`` We can fix this . ''
This might be my racism talking because of the involvement of so many white folks , but today 's protests and demands for fairness seem to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than before .
As awful as 2020 has been , I 'm hoping history remembers it as the year America truly tackled the evils of racism .

Constable: 'Am I Racist?' just gets conversation started
The number of people searching Google for the answer to "Am I Racist?" has never been higher.
Well, I certainly don't need some online quiz to answer the question of whether I am racist.
Of course, I am racist. I'd be surprised by any American who can truthfully answer "no" to that question.
That doesn't mean I use the N-word, wave a Confederate flag at NASCAR races or think there are "good people" in the KKK. And I'm also not proud of my racism. But it's there, and I need to listen.
While I have heard people say, "I don't see color," I'm not one of them.
If I'm walking down a street and see three young black men in sagging pants standing at the alley, ugly stereotypes might jump into my head that don't jump into my head if I see three young white men wearing Cubs jerseys standing at that alley. That is wrong and destructive thinking, and I try to overcome it.
I see that Dave Chappelle is black even before I watch his powerful "8:46" clip on YouTube where he asks us to imagine having a knee on our neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. As my wife and I finally binge watch episodes of the detective series "Bosch," the fact that the title character is white seems a given, but I consciously notice that the police chief is black, his girlfriend is Asian and the mayor is Latino. I've also got that type of ignorant racism where I wasn't sure if another detective on that show was a bit Asian or a bit Latino until I found out that Jimmi's real first name was Santiago.
Not that their races matter much to the story line.
But race always has mattered in the United States since that first slave ship arrived on our shores in 1620.
As a kid in school, I learned about how America was born as a country based on freedom, a place where anyone who applied themselves and worked hard could grow up to be anything he or she wanted. That wasn't true in a nation that built its wealth on slave labor.
When President Abraham Lincoln signed the first proclamation to end slavery in the District of Columbia in 1862, our government paid reparations -- to the white owners, who got up to $300 for each enslaved black person whose free labor was lost.
Black people are treated differently from how I've been treated my whole life. The only time I've ever been picked up by police was when I was in college. I had taken the el to meet an out-of-town friend at Second City and accidentally turned the wrong way on my way home. I was walking past the Cabrini-Green public housing projects when a black-and-white squad car pulled up. I explained to officers that I was trying to find the el stop, and they, without asking for my identification or patting me down for drugs or weapons, immediately gave me a ride to the platform.
Most black people's stories about their first interaction with police don't end with a free ride.
Three pages of The New York Times on Sunday were full-page advertisements from black business leaders urging America to listen to black voices and make changes.
"This is a time for action, inside and outside. This is a time for change: inside ourselves and our companies; across our communities and our country," wrote Omar Johnson, founder of OPUS United.
"We can fix this."
This might be my racism talking because of the involvement of so many white folks, but today's protests and demands for fairness seem to have a broader appeal and more staying power than before. As awful as 2020 has been, I'm hoping history remembers it as the year America truly tackled the evils of racism.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-15--June 15 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive mapSuburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 68,297 cases in the suburbs , about 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Monday .
There have been 3,229 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Monday , suburban Cook County had 35,581 cases and 1,807 deaths , according to the state ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 49,603 cases and 2,399 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the Cook County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's office : 1,616 cases and 89 deaths in Des Plaines , 791 cases and 46 deaths in Wheeling , 651 cases and 15 deaths in Palatine , 642 cases and 17 deaths in Streamwood , 617 cases and 9 deaths in Mount Prospect , 559 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg , 511 cases and 47 deaths in Glenview , 488 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights , 480 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 439 cases and 10 deaths in Hoffman Estates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove Village , 339 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 254 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 116 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 8,464 cases and 429 deaths as of Monday .
• Top counts : 794 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 748 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago , 639 cases and 9 deaths in Glendale Heights , 511 cases and 11 deaths in Bensenville , 500 cases and 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , 488 cases and 27 deaths in Carol Stream , 381 cases and 19 deaths in Lombard , 321 cases and 10 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage portion ) , 261 cases and 31 deaths in Elmhurst , 243 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage portion ) , 241 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton , 225 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park , 152 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn , and 144 cases and 18 deaths in Willowbrook .
Lake County • The county listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website Monday .
• Top counts as of Friday : 2,565 to 2,569 in Waukegan , 555 to 559 in Round Lake Beach , 355 to 359 in Mundelein , 285 to 289 in Gurnee , 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills , 135 to 139 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 130 to 134 in Wauconda , 125 to 129 in Lake Zurich , 110 to 114 in Libertyville , 80 to 84 in Grayslake , and 40 to 44 in Lake Villa .
Kane County • The county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its website Monday .
• Top counts : 3,250 cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,716 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 700 in Carpentersville , 258 in South Elgin , 257 in St. Charles , 184 in North Aurora , 154 in Geneva , 106 in Batavia , and 47 in Algonquin ( Kane portion ) .
McHenry County • 1,857 cases and 86 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department Monday .
Will County • There have been 6,158 cases and 302 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department 's website Monday .
• Cases per town include 348 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) and 64 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

June 15 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 68,297 cases in the suburbs, about 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Monday. There have been 3,229 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Monday, suburban Cook County had 35,581 cases and 1,807 deaths, according to the state (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 49,603 cases and 2,399 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the Cook County Department of Public Health and medical examiner's office: 1,616 cases and 89 deaths in Des Plaines, 791 cases and 46 deaths in Wheeling, 651 cases and 15 deaths in Palatine, 642 cases and 17 deaths in Streamwood, 617 cases and 9 deaths in Mount Prospect, 559 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg, 511 cases and 47 deaths in Glenview, 488 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights, 480 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 439 cases and 10 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 350 cases and 31 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 339 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 254 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 116 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 8,464 cases and 429 deaths as of Monday.
• Top counts: 794 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 748 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago, 639 cases and 9 deaths in Glendale Heights, 511 cases and 11 deaths in Bensenville, 500 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 488 cases and 27 deaths in Carol Stream, 381 cases and 19 deaths in Lombard, 321 cases and 10 deaths in Aurora (DuPage portion), 261 cases and 31 deaths in Elmhurst, 243 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage portion), 241 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton, 225 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park, 152 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn, and 144 cases and 18 deaths in Willowbrook.
Lake County• The county listed 9,123 cases and 348 deaths on its website Monday.
• Top counts as of Friday: 2,565 to 2,569 in Waukegan, 555 to 559 in Round Lake Beach, 355 to 359 in Mundelein, 285 to 289 in Gurnee, 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills, 135 to 139 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 130 to 134 in Wauconda, 125 to 129 in Lake Zurich, 110 to 114 in Libertyville, 80 to 84 in Grayslake, and 40 to 44 in Lake Villa.
Kane County• The county confirmed 7,175 cases with 234 deaths on its website Monday.
• Top counts: 3,250 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,716 in Elgin (Kane portion), 700 in Carpentersville, 258 in South Elgin, 257 in St. Charles, 184 in North Aurora, 154 in Geneva, 106 in Batavia, and 47 in Algonquin (Kane portion).
McHenry County• 1,857 cases and 86 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department Monday.
Will County• There have been 6,158 cases and 302 deaths in Will County, according to the health department's website Monday.
• Cases per town include 348 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 64 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Feder: WGN Radio weighing afternoon comeback for Garry Meier

It 's been more than five years since Garry Meier was replaced by Roe Conn as afternoon personality at news/talk @ @ @ @ @ , 70 , may be on his way to reclaiming his old job , Robert @ @ @ @ @ Monday that Sean Compton , the Nexstar Media Group executive vice president overseeing WGN , @ @ @ @ @ Hall of Famer about returning to the station to replace Conn , 56 , whose @ @ @ @ @ end of the year .
Once partnered with Steve Dahl , Meier spent eight years @ @ @ @ @ at news/talk WLS 890-AM before he quit in a bitter salary dispute in 2004 .
@ @ @ @ @ terrestrial radio since 2014 when his five-year solo run ended at WGN .
Get the @ @ @ @ @ Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: WGN Radio weighing afternoon comeback for Garry Meier
It's been more than five years since Garry Meier was replaced by Roe Conn as afternoon personality at news/talk WGN 720-AM. Now Meier, 70, may be on his way to reclaiming his old job.
It's been more than five years since Garry Meier was replaced by Roe Conn as afternoon personality at news/talk WGN 720-AM. Now Meier, 70, may be on his way to reclaiming his old job, Robert Feder writes.
Sources confirmed Monday that Sean Compton, the Nexstar Media Group executive vice president overseeing WGN, is talking with the Radio Hall of Famer about returning to the station to replace Conn, 56, whose contract is up at the end of the year.
Once partnered with Steve Dahl, Meier spent eight years as Conn's afternoon co-host at news/talk WLS 890-AM before he quit in a bitter salary dispute in 2004.
He's been gone from terrestrial radio since 2014 when his five-year solo run ended at WGN.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-15--A song to make you smile: 'I Say a Little Prayer' by Dionne Warwick

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ I Say a Little Prayer '' by Dionne Warwick , released in 1967 .

A song to make you smile: 'I Say a Little Prayer' by Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick performs April 27, 2014, at the 25th anniversary Rainforest Fund benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in New York. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "I Say a Little Prayer" by Dionne Warwick, released in 1967.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-15--Great graduation speeches: Kurt Vonnegut at Rice University in 1998

To honor the class of 2020 , we 're showcasing some of the great graduation speeches from past years .
@ @ @ @ @ Kurt Vonnegut at Rice University in 1998 .

Great graduation speeches: Kurt Vonnegut at Rice University in 1998
Associated PressKurt Vonnegut in 2001.
To honor the class of 2020, we're showcasing some of the great graduation speeches from past years.
Today's speech is author Kurt Vonnegut at Rice University in 1998.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-15--Garden beds in Naperville will help fight food insecurity

A project to model small-scale gardening as a way to boost healthy food availability is under way at the Naperville garden plots .
Volunteers with the nonprofit Obama Legacy Initiative are growing vegetables in seven raised garden beds that have been painted by artists for auction .
They 're also growing in 20 more raised beds , with the veggies and the structures set to be donated to food pantries to help clients in need .
Through the Victory Over Hunger Garden Bed Initiative , the grass-roots organization aims to fight food insecurity on a handful of fronts , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legacy Initiative board .
The produce grown in the beds this summer can help feed food pantry users with fresh nutrition .
Auctioning the seven decorated beds will raise money to benefit the Obama Legacy Initiative 's work to address food shortages and provide education in honor of former President Barack and first lady Michelle Obama .
Giving the other garden beds to pantry clients can help them learn to grow healthy food on their own .
And , modeling the donation of homegrown produce can encourage local gardeners to chip in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all different skill levels , I can help the community , help address food insecurity , by doing something that I already enjoy doing , '' Tenner said .
Chicago artist Sam Kirk painted one of the beds into a piece she said is about `` the joy of achieving small victories . ''
The wood-paneled structure features a scene of people planting their own food .
Kirk , who grew up on the south side of Chicago , said she was motivated to get involved because she 's seen the effects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food sources are far away .
`` Being able to not only give people the knowledge , but also to provide them with the garden beds to actually be able to sustain themselves and to grow food themselves , is really valuable , '' Kirk said .
Registered dietitian Sara Hasler got on board because of the project 's educational elements .
Hasler said working to address food insecurity involves more than making healthy food available .
`` This kind of food takes time , and it takes skill , '' Hasler said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in growing it is much more active .
This is a really good way of changing habits and providing better nutrition and providing a skill set that sometimes is absent . ''
The Obama Legacy Initiative is accepting bids online for the garden beds up for auction , which are painted by Kirk and Jennifer Rizzo , Margaret Bucholz , Nancy Turner , Geeta Rao , Rich Lo , Jeff Renaud , Thomas Banks and Drushya Musham .
Market value for each is estimated at $ 500 .
To bid , visit @ @ @ @

Garden beds in Naperville will help fight food insecurity
Several raised garden beds now on display at a garden plot in Naperville have been painted in a project by the Obama Legacy Initiative to support food pantries. Courtesy of Andrew Tyler/Tylerman Films LLC
Supporters of the Obama Legacy Initiative are auctioning seven painted garden beds to benefit the organization's efforts to address food insecurity. Courtesy of Andrew Tyler/Tylerman Films LLC
Chicago artist Sam Kirk painted a raised garden bed for the Obama Legacy Initiative, which plans to auction it as part of a new initiative to benefit food pantries. Courtesy of Andrew Tyler/Tylerman Films LLC
A project to model small-scale gardening as a way to boost healthy food availability is under way at the Naperville garden plots. Volunteers with the nonprofit Obama Legacy Initiative are growing vegetables in seven raised garden beds that have been painted by artists for auction.
They're also growing in 20 more raised beds, with the veggies and the structures set to be donated to food pantries to help clients in need.
Through the Victory Over Hunger Garden Bed Initiative, the grass-roots organization aims to fight food insecurity on a handful of fronts, said Sean Tenner, chairman of the Obama Legacy Initiative board.
The produce grown in the beds this summer can help feed food pantry users with fresh nutrition. Auctioning the seven decorated beds will raise money to benefit the Obama Legacy Initiative's work to address food shortages and provide education in honor of former President Barack and first lady Michelle Obama. Giving the other garden beds to pantry clients can help them learn to grow healthy food on their own. And, modeling the donation of homegrown produce can encourage local gardeners to chip in.
"If I'm a gardener at all different skill levels, I can help the community, help address food insecurity, by doing something that I already enjoy doing," Tenner said.
Chicago artist Sam Kirk painted one of the beds into a piece she said is about "the joy of achieving small victories." The wood-paneled structure features a scene of people planting their own food.
Kirk, who grew up on the south side of Chicago, said she was motivated to get involved because she's seen the effects of "food deserts," where healthy food sources are far away.
"Being able to not only give people the knowledge, but also to provide them with the garden beds to actually be able to sustain themselves and to grow food themselves, is really valuable," Kirk said.
Registered dietitian Sara Hasler got on board because of the project's educational elements. Hasler said working to address food insecurity involves more than making healthy food available.
"This kind of food takes time, and it takes skill," Hasler said. "The idea of getting people involved in growing it is much more active. This is a really good way of changing habits and providing better nutrition and providing a skill set that sometimes is absent."
The Obama Legacy Initiative is accepting bids online for the garden beds up for auction, which are painted by Kirk and Jennifer Rizzo, Margaret Bucholz, Nancy Turner, Geeta Rao, Rich Lo, Jeff Renaud, Thomas Banks and Drushya Musham.
Market value for each is estimated at $500. To bid, visit https://www.obamalegacyinitiative.org/raised-beds.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-15--Bars, breweries can reopen Wednesday in Chicago

Under fire for treating bars and breweries differently than restaurants , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday announced `` bars @ @ @ @ @ breweries '' that do n't serve food can reopen Wednesday .
But just like restaurants @ @ @ @ @ to outdoor service at tables that must remain six feet apart , with a six-person @ @ @ @ @ Given the short notice , some proprietors said they wo n't be ready to start @ @ @ @ @

Bars, breweries can reopen Wednesday in Chicago
Under fire for treating bars and breweries differently than restaurants, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday announced "bars, lounges, taverns and breweries" that don't serve food can reopen Wednesday. But just like restaurants, they will be limited to outdoor service at tables that must remain six feet apart, with a six-person limit at each table.
Given the short notice, some proprietors said they won't be ready to start pouring drinks on Wednesday.
For the full report, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--State sees 72 more COVID-19 deaths, poised for Phase 4 as GOP sues for unlimited group size

State health officials reported 72 additional deaths from COVID-19 Tuesday as well as another 623 infections from the disease .
The uptick is common after weekends when autopsies do n't occur and testing is reduced .
Despite the small growth in both cases and deaths , the state remains on target to loosen restrictions in 10 days .
Monday 's toll was 19 deaths and 473 new cases .
The state 's death toll is now 6,398 , and the number of Illinois residents infected is 133,639 since the outbreak began .
With 3.3 % of the 18,729 tests returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is averaging 3 % positive tests over the past week .
That 's down from the state 's seven-day rolling average infection rate of 11.3 % a month ago .
On June 26 , Illinois is slated to move to a new phase of the state 's reopening plan that will allow more businesses to reopen and loosen restrictions on ones that have already resumed operations .
Meanwhile , the Illinois Republican Party sued Pritzker Tuesday , arguing that Pritzker 's executive order limiting gatherings to 10 or fewer people infringes on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freely .
The Illinois GOP 's federal lawsuit seeks an immediate injunction against the governor 's executive order so they can hold `` rallies '' and `` town halls '' of any size .
Under guidelines set to begin June 26 , gatherings of 50 or fewer people will be permitted .
Child-care facilities , health clubs and theaters will be able to reopen , with capacity limits .
Bars and restaurants could begin offering indoor service with limits on table spacing and occupancy .
Chris Johnson , president of the Illinois chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hopes discussions he and other operators have had with state officials will result in limits higher than 50 for some large venues .
`` We are confident that we will be able to open June 26 with acceptable protocols , '' Johnson said .
`` We 've had three conversations and believe they are incorporating our feedback in those guidelines . ''
Johnson said that while movie theaters will have limited new releases to choose from when they reopen , moviegoers could expect to see `` massive throwback '' blockbusters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` July 10 is the first time we 'll get new movies . ''
Live theater would also be allowed in the new phase , but lack of rehearsals and sets makes an immediate restart of operations unlikely .
`` We 're all in kind of a wait-and-see mode , '' said Amy Lynn , executive director of the Illinois Theatre Association .
`` We do n't know what to do at this point . ''
That 's largely because none of the specific guidelines have been released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties last month when the state issued eleventh hour guidelines for moving into Phase 3 of reopening .
The Illinois GOP , in its lawsuit , says guidelines on crowd size are applied inconsistently .
`` Some groups are allowed to skirt the rules or get a carve-out , while everybody else is left out , '' said Liberty Justice Center attorney Daniel Suhr , who is representing the state party and several local GOP affiliates .
`` We should n't have to live in fear that if we hold an event the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice to send in the cops . ''
The lawsuit argues that since the governor allowed churches to hold services in excess of 50 people , political parties should be allowed to do so , too .
Republicans criticized Pritzker 's recent appearance at large civil rights protests .
Pritzker also allowed groups to stage large-scale protests against the state shutdown at the height of the outbreak without anyone being arrested .
`` This is about scoring political points and criticizing civil rights protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts have repeatedly upheld the governor 's executive orders as based on public health guidance .
And as the Republicans who attended protests against the public health guidance are well aware , the state has never prevented people from exercising their First Amendment rights . ''
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider of Bartlett said he believes these events can be held safely .
`` If we follow the proper safety measures with ( personal protective equipment ) and social distancing , our people will be in no greater threat than going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Naperville lawyers John C. Kreamer and Joseph E. Urani also filed suit on behalf of 12 individuals claiming Pritzker lacks the authority to restrict individuals .

State sees 72 more COVID-19 deaths, poised for Phase 4 as GOP sues for unlimited group size
State health officials reported 72 additional deaths from COVID-19 Tuesday as well as another 623 infections from the disease.
The uptick is common after weekends when autopsies don't occur and testing is reduced. Despite the small growth in both cases and deaths, the state remains on target to loosen restrictions in 10 days. Monday's toll was 19 deaths and 473 new cases.
The state's death toll is now 6,398, and the number of Illinois residents infected is 133,639 since the outbreak began.
With 3.3% of the 18,729 tests returned Tuesday positive for infection, the state is averaging 3% positive tests over the past week. That's down from the state's seven-day rolling average infection rate of 11.3% a month ago.
On June 26, Illinois is slated to move to a new phase of the state's reopening plan that will allow more businesses to reopen and loosen restrictions on ones that have already resumed operations.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Republican Party sued Pritzker Tuesday, arguing that Pritzker's executive order limiting gatherings to 10 or fewer people infringes on the GOP's First Amendment rights to assemble freely.
The Illinois GOP's federal lawsuit seeks an immediate injunction against the governor's executive order so they can hold "rallies" and "town halls" of any size.
Under guidelines set to begin June 26, gatherings of 50 or fewer people will be permitted. Child-care facilities, health clubs and theaters will be able to reopen, with capacity limits. Bars and restaurants could begin offering indoor service with limits on table spacing and occupancy.
Chris Johnson, president of the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Theatre Owners, hopes discussions he and other operators have had with state officials will result in limits higher than 50 for some large venues.
"We are confident that we will be able to open June 26 with acceptable protocols," Johnson said. "We've had three conversations and believe they are incorporating our feedback in those guidelines."
Johnson said that while movie theaters will have limited new releases to choose from when they reopen, moviegoers could expect to see "massive throwback" blockbusters.
"The conundrum is the release schedule," he said. "July 10 is the first time we'll get new movies."
Live theater would also be allowed in the new phase, but lack of rehearsals and sets makes an immediate restart of operations unlikely.
"We're all in kind of a wait-and-see mode," said Amy Lynn, executive director of the Illinois Theatre Association. "We don't know what to do at this point."
That's largely because none of the specific guidelines have been released by the state yet. Businesses ran into difficulties last month when the state issued eleventh hour guidelines for moving into Phase 3 of reopening.
The Illinois GOP, in its lawsuit, says guidelines on crowd size are applied inconsistently.
"Some groups are allowed to skirt the rules or get a carve-out, while everybody else is left out," said Liberty Justice Center attorney Daniel Suhr, who is representing the state party and several local GOP affiliates. "We shouldn't have to live in fear that if we hold an event the governor is going to make a game-day choice to send in the cops."
The lawsuit argues that since the governor allowed churches to hold services in excess of 50 people, political parties should be allowed to do so, too.
Republicans criticized Pritzker's recent appearance at large civil rights protests. Pritzker also allowed groups to stage large-scale protests against the state shutdown at the height of the outbreak without anyone being arrested.
"This is about scoring political points and criticizing civil rights protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement," said Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. "The courts have repeatedly upheld the governor's executive orders as based on public health guidance. And as the Republicans who attended protests against the public health guidance are well aware, the state has never prevented people from exercising their First Amendment rights."
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider of Bartlett said he believes these events can be held safely.
"If we follow the proper safety measures with (personal protective equipment) and social distancing, our people will be in no greater threat than going to places that are already open," he said.
Naperville lawyers John C. Kreamer and Joseph E. Urani also filed suit on behalf of 12 individuals claiming Pritzker lacks the authority to restrict individuals.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Stevenson High School dean involved in videotaped confrontation with student resigns

A Stevenson High School dean whose videotaped exchange with a student sparked allegations of racism has resigned , school officials said Tuesday .
The District 125 Board of Education accepted the resignation of Nicholas Valenziano at its meeting Monday night , Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey wrote in an email Tuesday morning .
Valenziano was hired as a business education teacher at the Lincolnshire school in 2005 , and was appointed as a dean of students in 2013 , according to Conrey .
The district will not be making any further comment , he wrote .
School officials initially placed Valenziano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confrontation with students was shared on Facebook earlier this month .
The video , recorded before the school closed in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic , shows Valenziano and two other school employees approaching boys at lunch table asking whether they had touched a security camera .
After ordering a white student to the dean 's office , Valenziano starts to walk away but turns back when the remaining students laugh and make comments .
He approaches a black student at the table and asks to see his student identification .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ID card on the table , the black student asks why he is being disrespectful .
Valenziano then sends the black student to the dean 's office .
In an email sent to students and parents the day after the video became public , District 125 Superintendent Eric Twadell and Stevenson Principal Troy Gobble wrote that they expect educators to be respectful , appropriate and professional in their interactions with students at all times .
`` It is clear we have not lived up to our high standards .
Our school should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all times , '' they wrote .

Stevenson High School dean involved in videotaped confrontation with student resigns
Stevenson High School officials announced Tuesday that a dean involved in a videotaped confrontation with a student earlier this year has resigned. Daily Herald File Photo, 2018
A Stevenson High School dean whose videotaped exchange with a student sparked allegations of racism has resigned, school officials said Tuesday.
The District 125 Board of Education accepted the resignation of Nicholas Valenziano at its meeting Monday night, Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey wrote in an email Tuesday morning.
Valenziano was hired as a business education teacher at the Lincolnshire school in 2005, and was appointed as a dean of students in 2013, according to Conrey.
The district will not be making any further comment, he wrote.
School officials initially placed Valenziano on leave after a video of his confrontation with students was shared on Facebook earlier this month.
The video, recorded before the school closed in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, shows Valenziano and two other school employees approaching boys at lunch table asking whether they had touched a security camera.
After ordering a white student to the dean's office, Valenziano starts to walk away but turns back when the remaining students laugh and make comments. He approaches a black student at the table and asks to see his student identification.
When the dean then tosses the student's ID card on the table, the black student asks why he is being disrespectful. Valenziano then sends the black student to the dean's office.
In an email sent to students and parents the day after the video became public, District 125 Superintendent Eric Twadell and Stevenson Principal Troy Gobble wrote that they expect educators to be respectful, appropriate and professional in their interactions with students at all times.
"It is clear we have not lived up to our high standards. Our school should be a safe space for every student, at all times," they wrote.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Attorney General Raoul tests positive for COVID-19

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced he has tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms over the weekend and taking a test Monday .
The first-term attorney general said he has isolating himself since he began feeling sick .
`` We are in the process of notifying individuals I may have come into contact with so that they can self-isolate and seek telehealth guidance , '' he said in a statement released by his office .
Raoul attended an event with Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on June 6 , a spokeswoman for Pritzker said .
Pritzker `` always wears a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said Tuesday .
Pritzker spoke to Raoul Tuesday `` to wish him a speedy recovery , '' she added .
In addition to the June 6 event , Raoul also participated in a personal protective equipment giveaway on Chicago 's South Side June 13 .
`` The attorney general wore a mask at both events , and we have notified organizers so that individuals who came into contact with the attorney general can seek the advice of their medical providers and self-quarantine , '' said Annie Thompson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first statewide elected official to be diagnosed with the disease .
Pritzker and several top aides in his office went into self-isolation more than a month ago when a senior staff member tested positive for the disease .
That state worker was never identified and Pritzker never tested positive for the virus .
There is no mention in Raoul 's statement of where he might have contracted the disease .
The attorney general 's offices have been open during the outbreak .
It 's unknown how many staff members will now have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his offices will be closed for cleaning .
Officials in his office said they have contacted `` a handful '' workers at his office in the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago about the need to be tested and self isolate .
`` My symptoms continue to be mild , and I am in regular contact with my staff in order to continue to manage the operations of my office , '' Raoul said .
`` As I join the countless Illinois residents working from home , the programs and services provided by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Raoul , a prostate cancer survivor , is a former Democratic state senator from Chicago who represented the same district as former President Barack Obama .
Raoul ascended to the attorney general 's office last year after beating out seven others for the Democratic nomination and then beating Republican Erika Harold in the general election with 54 % of the vote .

Attorney General Raoul tests positive for COVID-19
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced he has tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms over the weekend and taking a test Monday.
Raoul received his test results Tuesday.
The first-term attorney general said he has been isolating himself since he began feeling sick.
"We are in the process of notifying individuals I may have come into contact with so that they can self-isolate and seek telehealth guidance," he said in a statement released by his office.
Raoul attended an event with Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 6, a spokeswoman for Pritzker said. Pritzker "always wears a mask and will be tested again today," spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said Tuesday.
Pritzker spoke to Raoul Tuesday "to wish him a speedy recovery," she added.
In addition to the June 6 event, Raoul also participated in a personal protective equipment giveaway June 13 on Chicago's South Side.
"The attorney general wore a mask at both events, and we have notified organizers so that individuals who came into contact with the attorney general can seek the advice of their medical providers and self-quarantine," said Annie Thompson, a spokeswoman for Raoul.
Raoul is the first statewide elected official to be diagnosed with the disease.
Pritzker and several top aides in his office went into self-isolation more than a month ago when a senior staff member tested positive for the disease. That state worker was never identified and Pritzker never tested positive for the virus.
There is no mention in Raoul's statement of where he might have contracted the disease. The attorney general's offices have been open during the outbreak.
It's unknown how many staff members will now have to be tested and whether any of his offices will be closed for cleaning.
Officials in his office said they have contacted "a handful" workers at his office in the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago about the need to be tested and self isolate.
"My symptoms continue to be mild, and I am in regular contact with my staff in order to continue to manage the operations of my office," Raoul said.
"As I join the countless Illinois residents working from home, the programs and services provided by the attorney general's office will continue uninterrupted."
Raoul, a prostate cancer survivor, is a former Democratic state senator from Chicago who represented the same district as former President Barack Obama.
Raoul ascended to the attorney general's office last year after beating out seven others for the Democratic nomination and then beating Republican Erika Harold in the general election with 54% of the vote.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Homeless Elgin man who blogged about his life is presumed dead

Doug Henke , an Elgin homeless man who wrote a blog that fascinated people with his eloquent musings and tales of living in the woods , is presumed to have died .
Henke , whose 58th birthday would have been June 12 , had a Facebook blog called , `` Arthur : Notes from the edge , '' where his last entry was May 23 .
A body was found by Elgin police around noon June 11 on the floor by the bed in Henke 's dwelling in the woods along the 700 block of Big Timber Road after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henke 's welfare , police spokeswoman Kristie Hilton said .
Police reached Henke 's family and asked them to contact Kane County Coroner Rob Russell and a police investigation remains open , Hilton said .
Russell said his office is working on identifying the body .
A preliminary autopsy is pending the results of the toxicology report , and there were `` no overt , outward signs of homicide , '' Russell said .
Henke maintained he chose his life , calling himself `` houseless , not homeless . ''
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of existence , a lot of challenges .
But they are not different from any other challenges , '' he told the Daily Herald in 2018 .
`` The biggest difference is that the challenges out there are challenges that I choose .
Not challenges that are forced on me . ''
Henke said he was estranged from his family .
Kane County court records show his mother 's estate was disbursed April 23 among him and his three half-siblings , who could n't be reached for comment .
Henke said he grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a teenager and served in the U.S. Navy for a little over a year in his 20s .
He worked in accounting but either quit or lost jobs over time .
He earned a bachelor 's degree in business administration in 2012 from Columbia College Missouri , which has a remote campus at Elgin Community College .
He was candid about suffering from alcoholism and bipolar disorder , and sometimes having difficulties in taking direction and getting along with others .
He was also HIV-positive .
Henke moved in April 2017 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encampment on city property in the woods along the Fox River .
Two years later , he moved to another location , also in the woods in Elgin , saying he sought more solitude after tension with some residents of Tent City .
After being told he was trespassing on Fox River Water Reclamation District land , he moved to his last abode in January .
Henke painstakingly built his dwellings with a frame of wood beams and layers of heavy blankets , tarp and plastic .
Inside he had a bed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warm with candles and a propane-fueled heater , enough for him even during deep winter freezes .
He enjoyed listening to the birds and being immersed in nature while sipping his morning coffee .
He ate at soup kitchens and visited food pantries in Elgin .
He was a regular at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin and liked to keep informed about news and community happenings , attending meetings of the city council and initiatives for the homeless .
`` He was an intellectual , '' said Tammy Wheatley , who met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a leader for an emergency winter shelter in Elgin .
`` Good conversationalist .
Opinionated .
Good sense of humor . ''
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the habitual gatherings and routines of the homeless community and likely contributed to Henke 's absence not being noticed sooner , Wheatley said .
Also , he periodically ran into conflict with others due to his bipolar disorder and would end up isolating for a time , mostly by choice , she said .
Henke went by Arthur in his blog and called his second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British King Arthur .
His last dwelling along Big Timber Road , where the body was found , was called Aerthindell , a play on Arthur and Rivendell , the fictional valley in the `` Lord of the Rings '' book series .
He had a black cat Mayhem , who had full freedom to roam and followed him there , much to his great joy .
`` Freedom , it 's very subjective , '' he told the Daily Herald in January .
`` I feel I have freedom out here in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to anybody .
I still have obligations .
I have to go and do stuff -- I have to make doctor 's appointments , I have to pick up prescriptions .
There 's still responsibilities , but they are the ones I choose .
Not the ones that are chosen for me . ''

Homeless Elgin man who blogged about his life is presumed dead
Doug Henke, an Elgin homeless man who wrote a blog that fascinated people with his eloquent musings and tales of living in the woods, is presumed to have died.
Henke, whose 58th birthday would have been June 12, had a Facebook blog called, "Arthur: Notes from the edge," where his last entry was May 23.
A body was found by Elgin police around noon June 11 on the floor by the bed in Henke's dwelling in the woods along the 700 block of Big Timber Road after the Daily Herald contacted the police department about Henke's welfare, police spokeswoman Kristie Hilton said.
Police reached Henke's family and asked them to contact Kane County Coroner Rob Russell and a police investigation remains open, Hilton said. Russell said his office is working on identifying the body. A preliminary autopsy is pending the results of the toxicology report, and there were "no overt, outward signs of homicide," Russell said.
Henke maintained he chose his life, calling himself "houseless, not homeless."
"It's true there's challenges in this kind of existence, a lot of challenges. But they are not different from any other challenges," he told the Daily Herald in 2018. "The biggest difference is that the challenges out there are challenges that I choose. Not challenges that are forced on me."
Henke said he was estranged from his family. Kane County court records show his mother's estate was disbursed April 23 among him and his three half-siblings, who couldn't be reached for comment.
Henke said he grew up in South Elgin, left home as a teenager and served in the U.S. Navy for a little over a year in his 20s. He worked in accounting but either quit or lost jobs over time. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2012 from Columbia College Missouri, which has a remote campus at Elgin Community College.
He was candid about suffering from alcoholism and bipolar disorder, and sometimes having difficulties in taking direction and getting along with others. He was also HIV-positive.
Henke moved in April 2017 to Tent City, Elgin's outdoor homeless encampment on city property in the woods along the Fox River. Two years later, he moved to another location, also in the woods in Elgin, saying he sought more solitude after tension with some residents of Tent City. After being told he was trespassing on Fox River Water Reclamation District land, he moved to his last abode in January.
Henke painstakingly built his dwellings with a frame of wood beams and layers of heavy blankets, tarp and plastic. Inside he had a bed, clothes and various possessions, and kept warm with candles and a propane-fueled heater, enough for him even during deep winter freezes. He enjoyed listening to the birds and being immersed in nature while sipping his morning coffee.
He ate at soup kitchens and visited food pantries in Elgin. He was a regular at Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin and liked to keep informed about news and community happenings, attending meetings of the city council and initiatives for the homeless.
"He was an intellectual," said Tammy Wheatley, who met Henke about four years ago when she was a leader for an emergency winter shelter in Elgin. "Good conversationalist. Opinionated. Good sense of humor."
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the habitual gatherings and routines of the homeless community and likely contributed to Henke's absence not being noticed sooner, Wheatley said. Also, he periodically ran into conflict with others due to his bipolar disorder and would end up isolating for a time, mostly by choice, she said.
Henke went by Arthur in his blog and called his second home Camelot after the legendary castle of British King Arthur.
His last dwelling along Big Timber Road, where the body was found, was called Aerthindell, a play on Arthur and Rivendell, the fictional valley in the "Lord of the Rings" book series. He had a black cat Mayhem, who had full freedom to roam and followed him there, much to his great joy.
"Freedom, it's very subjective," he told the Daily Herald in January. "I feel I have freedom out here in a way that I don't report to anybody. I still have obligations. I have to go and do stuff -- I have to make doctor's appointments, I have to pick up prescriptions. There's still responsibilities, but they are the ones I choose. Not the ones that are chosen for me."
• Daily Herald staff writer Harry Hitzeman contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Fugitive fatally shot by police in Beach Park

A fugitive wanted for murder was fatally shot by police Tuesday after he opened fire on officers in North suburban Beach Park , authorities said .
The 24-year-old man 's identity was not immediately released by police .
He was wanted on a warrant stemming from the December 2018 shooting death of an 18-year-old in Zion , Sgt .
Chris Covelli of the Lake County sheriff 's office said .
The shootout began about 12:30 p.m. outside a house on the 38500 block of North Green Bay Road .
Police had learned the fugitive had stayed at the house in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Covelli said .
Members of the sheriff 's warrants team and a regional U.S. marshal 's fugitive task force were approaching the house when the fugitive got out of a vehicle in the driveway and shot at them with a pistol , officials said .
Two members of the warrants team returned fire , fatally wounding the fugitive , Covelli said .
One team member is a Lake County sheriff 's deputy and the other is with the McHenry County sheriff 's office , Covelli said .
Police performed CPR and first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man was taken to Vista East Hospital in Waukegan and pronounced dead .
The McHenry County deputy was taken to a hospital with a cut on his arm , Covelli said .
The other deputy who shot at the fugitive was taken to the hospital as a precaution .
A person who was in the house was taken to a hospital as a precaution , too , Covelli said .
Following protocol for officer-involved shootings , the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating .
The Lake County deputy who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed on paid leave while the shooting is investigated .
A McHenry County sheriff 's spokeswoman could n't be reached to discuss the condition or duty status of the other deputy .
An autopsy by the Lake County coroner 's office is expected Wednesday morning .
The fugitive was black .
The deputies who shot at him both are white men , Covelli said .
The shootout occurred during a period of heightened tensions between police and civilians around the world over law enforcement 's use of force against black people in the @ @

Fugitive fatally shot by police in Beach Park
Markings label evidence at the scene where a man wanted in connection with a 2018 slaying in Zion was shot to death Tuesday in a shootout with police outside a house on the 38500 block of North Green Bay Road in Beach Park. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
Police shot and killed a fugitive in a shootout that began about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday outside a house on the 38500 block of North Green Bay Road in Beach Park. Authorities say the man, wanted in connection with a 2018 slaying in Zion, opened fire on police before he was shot to death. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
Markings label evidence at the scene where a man wanted in connection with a 2018 slaying in Zion was shot to death Tuesday in a shootout with police outside a house on the 38500 block of North Green Bay Road in Beach Park. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
A fugitive wanted for murder was fatally shot by police Tuesday after he opened fire on officers in North suburban Beach Park, authorities said.
The 24-year-old man's identity was not immediately released by police. He was wanted on a warrant stemming from the December 2018 shooting death of an 18-year-old in Zion, Sgt. Chris Covelli of the Lake County sheriff's office said.
The shootout began about 12:30 p.m. outside a house on the 38500 block of North Green Bay Road. Police had learned the fugitive had stayed at the house in the past and likely was there Tuesday, Covelli said.
Members of the sheriff's warrants team and a regional U.S. marshal's fugitive task force were approaching the house when the fugitive got out of a vehicle in the driveway and shot at them with a pistol, officials said.
Two members of the warrants team returned fire, fatally wounding the fugitive, Covelli said. One team member is a Lake County sheriff's deputy and the other is with the McHenry County sheriff's office, Covelli said.
A man wanted in connection with a 2018 slaying in Zion was shot to death Tuesday in a shootout with police outside a house on the 38500 block of North Green Bay Road in Beach Park, authorities said. - Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
Police performed CPR and first aid until paramedics arrived, authorities said. The man was taken to Vista East Hospital in Waukegan and pronounced dead.
The McHenry County deputy was taken to a hospital with a cut on his arm, Covelli said. The other deputy who shot at the fugitive was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
A person who was in the house was taken to a hospital as a precaution, too, Covelli said.
Following protocol for officer-involved shootings, the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating.
The Lake County deputy who was involved in the shooting has been placed on paid leave while the shooting is investigated. A McHenry County sheriff's spokeswoman couldn't be reached to discuss the condition or duty status of the other deputy.
Police tape blocks off an area where police shot and killed a fugitive in a shootout that began about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday outside a house on the 38500 block of North Green Bay Road in Beach Park. - Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
An autopsy by the Lake County coroner's office is expected Wednesday morning.
The fugitive was black. The deputies who shot at him both are white men, Covelli said. The shootout occurred during a period of heightened tensions between police and civilians around the world over law enforcement's use of force against black people in the U.S.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--June 16 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive mapSuburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 68,612 cases in the suburbs , about 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Tuesday .
There have been 3,264 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Tuesday , suburban Cook County had 35,762 cases and 1,826 deaths , according to the state ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 49,776 cases and 2,427 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the Cook County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's office : 1,622 cases and 90 deaths in Des Plaines , 794 cases and 48 deaths in Wheeling , 657 cases and 15 deaths in Palatine , 645 cases and 18 deaths in Streamwood , 620 cases and 9 deaths in Mount Prospect , 555 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg , 513 cases and 47 deaths in Glenview , 493 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights , 482 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 441 cases and 10 deaths in Hoffman Estates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove Village , 338 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 321 cases and 36 deaths in Northbrook , 255 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 118 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 8,501 cases and 431 deaths as of Tuesday .
• Top counts : 794 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 754 cases and 13 deaths in West Chicago , 641 cases and 9 deaths in Glendale Heights , 513 cases and 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) , 492 cases and 27 deaths in Carol Stream , 381 cases and 19 deaths in Lombard , 320 cases and 10 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage portion ) , 261 cases and 31 deaths in Elmhurst , 245 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage portion ) , 244 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton , 225 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park , 152 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn , and 144 cases and 18 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed 9,147 cases and 353 deaths on its website Tuesday .
• Top counts as of Friday : 2,570 to 2,574 in Waukegan , 560 to 564 in Round Lake Beach , 360 to 364 in Mundelein , 285 to 289 in Gurnee , 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills , 135 to 139 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 130 to 134 in Wauconda , 125 to 129 in Lake Zurich , 115 to 119 in Libertyville , 80 to 84 in Grayslake , and 40 to 44 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county confirmed 7,223 cases with 234 deaths on its website Tuesday .
• Top counts : 3,268 cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,735 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 704 in Carpentersville , 260 in St. Charles , 259 in South Elgin , 184 in North Aurora , 155 in Geneva , 109 in Batavia , and 47 in Algonquin ( Kane portion ) .
McHenry County • 1,859 cases and 86 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department Tuesday .
Will County • There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Will County , according to the health department 's website Tuesday .
• Cases per town include 359 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) and 64 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

June 16 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 68,612 cases in the suburbs, about 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Tuesday. There have been 3,264 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Tuesday, suburban Cook County had 35,762 cases and 1,826 deaths, according to the state (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 49,776 cases and 2,427 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the Cook County Department of Public Health and medical examiner's office: 1,622 cases and 90 deaths in Des Plaines, 794 cases and 48 deaths in Wheeling, 657 cases and 15 deaths in Palatine, 645 cases and 18 deaths in Streamwood, 620 cases and 9 deaths in Mount Prospect, 555 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg, 513 cases and 47 deaths in Glenview, 493 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights, 482 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 441 cases and 10 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 352 cases and 32 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 338 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 321 cases and 36 deaths in Northbrook, 255 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 118 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 8,501 cases and 431 deaths as of Tuesday.
• Top counts: 794 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 754 cases and 13 deaths in West Chicago, 641 cases and 9 deaths in Glendale Heights, 513 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 503 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 492 cases and 27 deaths in Carol Stream, 381 cases and 19 deaths in Lombard, 320 cases and 10 deaths in Aurora (DuPage portion), 261 cases and 31 deaths in Elmhurst, 245 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage portion), 244 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton, 225 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park, 152 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn, and 144 cases and 18 deaths in Willowbrook.
Lake County• The county listed 9,147 cases and 353 deaths on its website Tuesday.
• Top counts as of Friday: 2,570 to 2,574 in Waukegan, 560 to 564 in Round Lake Beach, 360 to 364 in Mundelein, 285 to 289 in Gurnee, 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills, 135 to 139 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 130 to 134 in Wauconda, 125 to 129 in Lake Zurich, 115 to 119 in Libertyville, 80 to 84 in Grayslake, and 40 to 44 in Lake Villa.
Kane County• The county confirmed 7,223 cases with 234 deaths on its website Tuesday.
• Top counts: 3,268 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,735 in Elgin (Kane portion), 704 in Carpentersville, 260 in St. Charles, 259 in South Elgin, 184 in North Aurora, 155 in Geneva, 109 in Batavia, and 47 in Algonquin (Kane portion).
McHenry County• 1,859 cases and 86 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department Tuesday.
Will County• There have been 6,191 cases and 302 deaths in Will County, according to the health department's website Tuesday.
• Cases per town include 359 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 64 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Civilians save lawn mower operator from drowning in Bartlett pond

Quick thinking and actions by civilian rescuers saved the life of a man who became trapped under a commercial lawn mower in a Bartlett retention pond Tuesday morning .
Bartlett Fire Protection District officials said they were called to the 1200 block of Humbracht Circle at 7:40 a.m. , but by the time they arrived four minutes later , the victim was out of the pond and breathing .
Authorities said a co-worker noticed the machine had slid down an embankment and trapped the man under the water .
The co-worker attempted to free the victim but could not move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He sought the help of employees from nearby Frontline Communications Contracting and Helm Manufacturing , fire officials said .
Craig Greenberg , a foreman for Frontline Communications , said he responded with two other members of his company and two workers from Helm Manufacturing .
He said they were first brought to the scene by the shouting of the victim 's co-worker , which sounded more desperate than someone just trying to be heard over the noise of the lawn mower .
The sight of the lawn mower in the water elevated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Greenberg said .
At first it was n't clear whether the overturned machinery was the only problem , but in trying to shift it , they quickly spotted the boots of the trapped operator , he said .
Together , they lifted the riding lawn mower off the victim and pulled him to shore , only to realize he was n't breathing .
The man had been in the water at least two minutes , Greenberg said .
He cleared mud out of the victim 's mouth and struck him on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water and start breathing before paramedics arrived .
Paramedics stabilized the man 's condition and took him to a nearby hospital , where he is expected to make a full recovery , authorities said .
Bartlett Fire Protection District officials said the quick actions of the employees of Frontline Communications Contracting and Helm Manufacturing saved the man 's life .
They also took the opportunity to remind the public of the importance of being in CPR .

Civilians save lawn mower operator from drowning in Bartlett pond
Quick thinking and actions by civilian rescuers saved the life of a man who became trapped under a commercial lawn mower in a Bartlett retention pond Tuesday morning.
Bartlett Fire Protection District officials said they were called to the 1200 block of Humbracht Circle at 7:40 a.m., but by the time they arrived four minutes later, the victim was out of the pond and breathing.
Authorities said a co-worker noticed the machine had slid down an embankment and trapped the man under the water.
The co-worker attempted to free the victim but could not move the lawn mower on his own. He sought the help of employees from nearby Frontline Communications Contracting and Helm Manufacturing, fire officials said.
Craig Greenberg, a foreman for Frontline Communications, said he responded with two other members of his company and two workers from Helm Manufacturing.
He said they were first brought to the scene by the shouting of the victim's co-worker, which sounded more desperate than someone just trying to be heard over the noise of the lawn mower.
The sight of the lawn mower in the water elevated the stress level and got them moving faster, Greenberg said. At first it wasn't clear whether the overturned machinery was the only problem, but in trying to shift it, they quickly spotted the boots of the trapped operator, he said.
Together, they lifted the riding lawn mower off the victim and pulled him to shore, only to realize he wasn't breathing.
The man had been in the water at least two minutes, Greenberg said. He cleared mud out of the victim's mouth and struck him on the back, causing him to spit up water and start breathing before paramedics arrived.
Paramedics stabilized the man's condition and took him to a nearby hospital, where he is expected to make a full recovery, authorities said.
Bartlett Fire Protection District officials said the quick actions of the employees of Frontline Communications Contracting and Helm Manufacturing saved the man's life.
They also reminded the public of the importance of being trained in CPR.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Amazon plans warehouse, package pickup site in Arlington Heights

In April , Arlington Heights officials announced plans for an undisclosed national firm to bring its short-term warehousing , sorting and distribution operation to a vacant building on the village 's far north side .
It turns out that national firm is the online retail giant Amazon , which , if its building sign variations approved by village trustees Monday are any indication , will be secret no more .
The Seattle-based e-commerce firm already got the support of board members in early April for a Cook County Class 6b property tax break , which will allow the vacant 215,000-square-foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be assessed at lower levels over the course of a dozen years .
But at the time of the approval , nothing about Amazon was revealed publicly , since property owner Griffin Capital handled the necessary paperwork .
On Monday night , it was Amazon 's turn to formally go before the board -- during a meeting held by video conference -- to ask for variations to village sign code allowing three signs on the building and five directional ground signs scattered throughout the campus .
While the warehouse will serve as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the signage will be directing customers to an Amazon Hub customer service and package pickup/drop-off area .
Asher Cousin , an Amazon construction manager , told village trustees the area will allow customers to make returns using an online code they enter on a machine .
Likewise , they will be able to enter a code and the machine will open with a package that has been ordered .
The service will be available 24 hours a day , he said .
Word of Amazon 's new location in Arlington Heights comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to move into a 162,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution building under construction down the road in Palatine .
Also along the Route 53 corridor , the new Amazon site at 315 S. Hicks Road could be ready by this fall .
Amazon pulled a building permit in Arlington Heights last week to commence interior renovation work at the Shure Drive building , which has been vacant since Nokia Siemens left in December 2017 .
It 's one building in what was the sprawling 66-acre Motorola campus east of Route 53 and south of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will represent one of the last pieces in a full reoccupancy of the campus , along with United Airlines , HSBC and Northrop Grumman .
Amazon is planning $ 4.4 million in building upgrades , including interior demolition , building out office space , installation of dock equipment , expansion of the parking lot , and installation of new heating and cooling and alarm systems .
The business would have 181 delivery drivers , 130 part-time package handlers and 30 management employees , according to a project description .
As many as 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit the site on a daily basis .
Cousin said the facility should be open by September .
`` We 're excited to get started with construction , '' Cousin said .

Amazon plans warehouse, package pickup site in Arlington Heights
A sketch shows one of Amazon's new building signs that will be installed at its new distribution center on the north side of Arlington Heights. Courtesy of Village of Arlington Heights
In April, Arlington Heights officials announced plans for an undisclosed national firm to bring its short-term warehousing, sorting and distribution operation to a vacant building on the village's far north side.
It turns out that national firm is the online retail giant Amazon, which, if its building sign variations approved by village trustees Monday are any indication, will be secret no more.
The Seattle-based e-commerce firm already got the support of board members in early April for a Cook County Class 6b property tax break, which will allow the vacant 215,000-square-foot building at 1455 W. Shure Drive to be assessed at lower levels over the course of a dozen years. But at the time of the approval, nothing about Amazon was revealed publicly, since property owner Griffin Capital handled the necessary paperwork.
On Monday night, it was Amazon's turn to formally go before the board -- during a meeting held by video conference -- to ask for variations to village sign code allowing three signs on the building and five directional ground signs scattered throughout the campus.
While the warehouse will serve as a general package delivery distribution center, much of the signage will be directing customers to an Amazon Hub customer service and package pickup/drop-off area.
Asher Cousin, an Amazon construction manager, told village trustees the area will allow customers to make returns using an online code they enter on a machine. Likewise, they will be able to enter a code and the machine will open with a package that has been ordered. The service will be available 24 hours a day, he said.
Word of Amazon's new location in Arlington Heights comes a month after the online retailer revealed plans to move into a 162,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution building under construction down the road in Palatine. Also along the Route 53 corridor, the new Amazon site at 315 S. Hicks Road could be ready by this fall.
Amazon pulled a building permit in Arlington Heights last week to commence interior renovation work at the Shure Drive building, which has been vacant since Nokia Siemens left in December 2017.
It's one building in what was the sprawling 66-acre Motorola campus east of Route 53 and south of Dundee Road. But Amazon's opening will represent one of the last pieces in a full reoccupancy of the campus, along with United Airlines, HSBC and Northrop Grumman.
Amazon is planning $4.4 million in building upgrades, including interior demolition, building out office space, installation of dock equipment, expansion of the parking lot, and installation of new heating and cooling and alarm systems.
The business would have 181 delivery drivers, 130 part-time package handlers and 30 management employees, according to a project description.
As many as 200 cars and 260 trucks could enter and exit the site on a daily basis.
Cousin said the facility should be open by September.
"We're excited to get started with construction," Cousin said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Pritzker signs vote-by-mail expansion

Pritzker signs vote-by-mail expansion

SPRINGFIELD -- Anyone who cast a ballot in the last three years or who registered to vote or changed addresses after the March primary will be sent an application to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker signed a bill expanding the program Tuesday .
In a news release , Pritzker 's office said the program is aimed at ensuring `` safe and active participation in the 2020 general election during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic . ''
The measure also expands early voting hours at permanent polling places and makes Election Day a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or email the applications to voters who cast a ballot in the 2018 general election , the 2019 consolidated election or the 2020 general primary election , as well as voters who registered or changed addresses after the March primary .
Any eligible voter who submits an application by Oct. 1 will receive their ballot by Oct 6 .
`` Sending vote-by-mail applications to residents who have participated in recent elections will allow more people to exercise that right from the safety of their own homes and help reduce the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a news release .
The changes were backed by the House Democratic Women 's Caucus and sponsored by Rep. Kelly Burke , an Evergreen Park Democrat and Sen. Julie Morrison , a Lake Forest Democrat .
`` The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges , but participation in the November election should not be one of them , '' Burke , an assistant majority leader in the House , said in a statement .
`` Just as we have taken precautions to make shopping , traveling , and other everyday tasks safer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make adjustments to ensure everyone can safely exercise their right to vote . ''
Republicans , however , have argued that the program is susceptible to fraud .
In Illinois Senate floor debate last month , Republicans raised questions on costs , input from county clerks , the security of collection sites and automatic sending of ballot applications .
Sen. Paul Schimpf , a Waterloo Republican , argued the bill creates a system with `` significant '' costs that are unnecessary given that Illinois already allows any citizen to vote by mail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` significant burden '' on local election authorities , whom he also argued have not been able to offer enough input .
The Illinois State Board of Elections filed a fiscal note saying that if the bill 's provisions are fully implemented by every local election authority , it would eat up every dollar of the more than $ 16.7 million the state will receive from the federal CARES Act for elections .
The legislation also requires the Illinois State Board of Elections to : post an application for a vote by mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new registrant to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot when completing the online registration ; provide notice to election authorities about compliance with the new law ; and adopt emergency rules to provide reimbursement for expenses related to the 2020 general election incurred as a result of COVID-19 and the new requirements .
The legislation also raises the standard for rejecting a vote-by-mail ballot by requiring local election authorities to appoint a bipartisan panel of three election judges to verify voters ' signatures and the validity of the ballot .
Previously , only one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per the new laws , permanent branch polling places are required to be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends and holidays for early voting .
Curbside voting , allowing voters to fill out the ballot outside of the polling place , will also be permitted .
Completed vote-by-mail ballots can be returned at new collection sites , which HB 2238 requires to be locked and opened only by election authorities .
The legislation also requires local election authorities to establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives in the jurisdiction can vote , regardless of precinct .
The new laws take effect immediately and apply only to the 2020 general election .

Pritzker signs vote-by-mail expansion, declares Election Day a state holiday
SPRINGFIELD -- Anyone who cast a ballot in the last three years or who registered to vote or changed addresses after the March primary will be sent an application to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill expanding the program Tuesday. In a news release, Pritzker's office said the program is aimed at ensuring "safe and active participation in the 2020 general election during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."
The measure also expands early voting hours at permanent polling places and makes Election Day a state holiday.
Local election authorities must mail or email the applications to voters who cast a ballot in the 2018 general election, the 2019 consolidated election or the 2020 general primary election, as well as to voters who registered or changed addresses after the March primary. Any eligible voter who submits an application by Oct. 1 will receive their ballot by Oct 6.
"Sending vote-by-mail applications to residents who have participated in recent elections will allow more people to exercise that right from the safety of their own homes and help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," Pritzker said in the release.
Making Election Day a state holiday affects government offices, except election authorities; K-12 schools; and postsecondary institutions governed by the State Universities Civil Service Act. The state had already established Election Day as a holiday for state employees.
The changes were backed by the House Democratic Women's Caucus and sponsored by Rep. Kelly Burke, an Evergreen Park Democrat and Sen. Julie Morrison, a Lake Forest Democrat.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges, but participation in the November election should not be one of them," Burke, an assistant majority leader in the House, said in a statement. "Just as we have taken precautions to make shopping, traveling, and other everyday tasks safer, we must also take precautions and make adjustments to ensure everyone can safely exercise their right to vote."
Republicans, however, have argued that the program is susceptible to fraud.
In Illinois Senate floor debate last month, Republicans raised questions on costs, input from county clerks, the security of collection sites and automatic sending of ballot applications.
Sen. Paul Schimpf, a Waterloo Republican, argued the bill creates a system with "significant" costs that are unnecessary given that Illinois already allows any citizen to vote by mail. He added it would also place a "significant burden" on local election authorities, whom he argued have not been able to offer enough input.
The Illinois State Board of Elections filed a fiscal note saying that if the bill's provisions are fully implemented by every local election authority, it would eat up every dollar of the more than $16.7 million the state will receive from the federal CARES Act for elections.
The legislation also requires the Illinois State Board of Elections to post an application for a vote-by-mail ballot on its website; allow a new registrant to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot when completing the online registration; provide notice to election authorities about compliance with the new law; and adopt emergency rules to provide reimbursement for expenses related to the 2020 general election incurred as a result of COVID-19 and the new requirements.
The legislation also raises the standard for rejecting a vote-by-mail ballot by requiring local election authorities to appoint a bipartisan panel of three election judges to verify voters' signatures and the validity of the ballot. Previously, only one election judge made this determination.
Also per the new laws, permanent branch polling places are required to be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends and holidays for early voting. Curbside voting, allowing voters to fill out the ballot outside the polling place, will also be permitted.
Completed vote-by-mail ballots can be returned at new collection sites, which HB 2238 requires to be locked and opened only by election authorities.
The legislation also requires local election authorities to establish a central voting site where anyone who lives in the jurisdiction can vote, regardless of precinct.
The new laws take effect immediately and apply only to the 2020 general election.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Goodbye Bowlway Lanes? Elgin building could become events space

After 79 years as a bowling alley , including more than three decades of ownership by the Grocke brothers , the Bowlway Lanes in Elgin is on track to become a banquets and events space .
Bill Grocke , 77 , said he and his brothers Norman Grocke , 76 , and Greg Grocke , 63 -- who have been interested in selling the building for about three years because of declining business , increasing property taxes and their advancing ages -- have found a prospective buyer with `` a beautiful plan . ''
`` It was time , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a really nice improvement . ''
The 14,000-square-foot building at 810 Villa St. would be renovated to host events with capacity for 368 people , including staff members .
The parking lot would be reconstructed for 78 spaces , and the new owner would lease 20 more spaces from VNA Health Care across the street , where employees and service providers would park .
The plan got the thumbs-up Monday night from the city 's planning and zoning commission and will need approval by the city council .
If all goes well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July , Grocke said .
The zoning application was submitted by Pedro Leguizamo and 808 Villa St. Trust .
Leguizamo did n't respond to a request for comment Tuesday .
Bowlway Lanes closed in March after the stay-at-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic .
It would have been difficult to continue operating even when restrictions lift , Bill Grocke said .
`` A few of the big ones ( bowling alleys ) will go on , but the smaller ones will have an incredibly hard time , '' he said .
`` In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , but it 's almost impossible to separate people ( in bowling ) . ''
Bowlway Lanes opened in 1941 as a very modern bowling alley at the time , Bill Grocke said .
`` It was a clear-span building .
There were no poles or columns blocking anything , '' he said .
There is also a bar area and video gambling machines in a separate room .
Bill Grocke , who lives in Elgin , and his brothers , who live in Elgin Township , purchased the building in 1984 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers in Illinois .
About 270 bowling centers remain today , but some are expected to close in the wake of the pandemic , said Bill Duff , executive director of the Illinois chapter of the Bowling Proprietors Association .
There were four bowling alleys in Elgin in the 1980s , but two have closed .
The other one is Elgin Lanes .
`` Bowling has died like all other sports .
Kids do n't do it , adults do n't do it , '' Bill Grocke said .
`` We held fundraisers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would say , ' I love to bowl , it 's so much fun , ' but we would n't see them again . ''
Bill Grocke said he and his brothers have always been close .
They bowled as youths and carried averages of more than 200 at their peak , and Norm Grocke was a professional bowler for several years , he said .
The brothers connected with the prospective buyer via a broker and there was a 10-month process to get the zoning petition before city 's planning and zoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulars at Bowlway Lanes had been coming for more than 30 years and some passed on their interest to their grandkids , Bill Grocke said .
`` We 'll miss all the very nice people we met and became friends with , but I wo n't miss the business , '' he said .
`` It was time .
When you 're trying to stay alive ( as a business ) , it 's not worth it . ''

Goodbye, Bowlway Lanes? Elgin building could become events space
After 79 years as a bowling alley, including more than three decades of ownership by the Grocke brothers, the Bowlway Lanes in Elgin is on track to become a banquets and events space.
Bill Grocke, 77, said he and his brothers Norman Grocke, 76, and Greg Grocke, 63 -- who have been interested in selling the building for about three years because of declining business, increasing property taxes and their advancing ages -- have found a prospective buyer with "a beautiful plan."
"It was time," he said. "It will be a really nice improvement."
The 14,000-square-foot building at 810 Villa St. would be renovated to host events with capacity for 368 people, including staff members. The parking lot would be reconstructed for 78 spaces, and the new owner would lease 20 more spaces from VNA Health Care across the street, where employees and service providers would park.
The plan got the thumbs-up Monday night from the city's planning and zoning commission and will need approval by the city council. If all goes well, the sale should be finalized in late July, Grocke said.
The zoning application was submitted by Pedro Leguizamo and 808 Villa St. Trust. Leguizamo didn't respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Bowlway Lanes closed in March after the stay-at-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic. It would have been difficult to continue operating even when restrictions lift, Bill Grocke said.
"A few of the big ones (bowling alleys) will go on, but the smaller ones will have an incredibly hard time," he said. "In the restaurant business you can space people out, but it's almost impossible to separate people (in bowling)."
Bowlway Lanes opened in 1941 as a very modern bowling alley at the time, Bill Grocke said.
"It was a clear-span building. There were no poles or columns blocking anything," he said. There is also a bar area and video gambling machines in a separate room.
Bill Grocke, who lives in Elgin, and his brothers, who live in Elgin Township, purchased the building in 1984, when there were about 650 bowling centers in Illinois. About 270 bowling centers remain today, but some are expected to close in the wake of the pandemic, said Bill Duff, executive director of the Illinois chapter of the Bowling Proprietors Association.
There were four bowling alleys in Elgin in the 1980s, but two have closed. The other one is Elgin Lanes.
"Bowling has died like all other sports. Kids don't do it, adults don't do it," Bill Grocke said. "We held fundraisers (for local organizations) and people would say, 'I love to bowl, it's so much fun,' but we wouldn't see them again."
Bill Grocke said he and his brothers have always been close. They bowled as youths and carried averages of more than 200 at their peak, and Norm Grocke was a professional bowler for several years, he said.
The brothers connected with the prospective buyer via a broker and there was a 10-month process to get the zoning petition before city's planning and zoning commission, Bill Grocke said.
Some regulars at Bowlway Lanes had been coming for more than 30 years and some passed on their interest to their grandkids, Bill Grocke said.
"We'll miss all the very nice people we met and became friends with, but I won't miss the business," he said. "It was time. When you're trying to stay alive (as a business), it's not worth it."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Feder: WBEZ cuts 12 jobs, ends production deal with 'Sound Opinions'

Facing a 20 percent revenue decline in the wake of the pandemic shutdown , the nonprofit parent company of public radio news/talk WBEZ 91.5-FM today announced the layoffs of 12 employees and the termination of its production agreement with the weekly rock music talk show `` Sound Opinions , '' Robert Feder writes .
Although it no longer will be produced by Chicago Public Media , `` Sound Opinions '' will continue as a independent production airing on WBEZ and distributed to about 150 other public radio stations nationwide .
It also will continue as a weekly podcast .
Jim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago music critics who launched the show in 1993 , have been associated with WBEZ since 2005 .
`` It 's been an honor to work with Jim and Greg and the 'Sound Opinions ' staff during these past 15 years and we 're grateful for their tremendous contributions to WBEZ and to music journalism and criticism in general , '' said Steve Edwards , chief content officer and interim CEO of Chicago Public Media .
`` While our production relationship is coming to an end , we look forward to continuing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we wish them all the best as they start their next chapter . ''
The staff reductions do not include any positions in the WBEZ newsroom , in talk show programming or on the Vocalo platform , according to the company .
Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: WBEZ cuts 12 jobs, ends production deal with 'Sound Opinions'
Facing a 20 percent revenue decline in the wake of the pandemic shutdown, the nonprofit parent company of public radio news/talk WBEZ 91.5-FM today announced the layoffs of 12 employees and the termination of its production agreement with the weekly rock music talk show "Sound Opinions," Robert Feder writes.
Although it no longer will be produced by Chicago Public Media, "Sound Opinions" will continue as a independent production airing on WBEZ and distributed to about 150 other public radio stations nationwide. It also will continue as a weekly podcast.
Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, the longtime Chicago music critics who launched the show in 1993, have been associated with WBEZ since 2005.
"It's been an honor to work with Jim and Greg and the 'Sound Opinions' staff during these past 15 years and we're grateful for their tremendous contributions to WBEZ and to music journalism and criticism in general," said Steve Edwards, chief content officer and interim CEO of Chicago Public Media. "While our production relationship is coming to an end, we look forward to continuing to air 'Sound Opinions' on WBEZ and we wish them all the best as they start their next chapter."
The staff reductions do not include any positions in the WBEZ newsroom, in talk show programming or on the Vocalo platform, according to the company.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Plans approved for Libertyville in-patient rehab hospital

A 60-bed rehab hospital in Libertyville is a go with the final approval of the village board and announcement by the company of its intent to proceed .
Alabama-based Encompass Health Corp. said it plans to build the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Libertyville on nearly 9 acres bordered by Route 45 , Winchester Road and American Way on the village 's far northwest side .
The $ 52.2 million proposal is expected to open in spring 2022 .
Initially , the project calls for 60 beds in a 61,490-square-foot building , with potential expansion to 80 beds .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corporation , the hospital would care for patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries , including strokes and other neurological disorders , brain and spinal cord injuries , amputations , and complex orthopedic conditions .
The proposal surfaced last fall and initial public hearings before the advisory plan commission were held in November and December .
The village board approved the concept in January and the final plan on May 26 .
The vacant property is zoned for commercial use but has remained undeveloped for 30 years .
Information provided to the village @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as $ 60,000 in annual property taxes .
The design for the hospital is underway but no firm dates have been established for the construction timeline , according to spokeswoman Hillary Carnel .
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved the application Feb. 25 .
A public hearing was offered regarding the proposed project but none was requested .
According to state agency records , dozens letters of support were received from doctors and state and local politicians , including Lake County Board Chairwoman Sandy Hart , and mayors Sam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Chicago , Terry Weppler of Libertyville , and Kristina Kovarik of Gurnee .
Weppler said the closest inpatient rehab facility is more than 40 miles from Libertyville , and patients do n't want to drive to Chicago or Milwaukee for the service .
Encompass provides facility and home-based care services in 36 states and Puerto Rico through a network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals , home health agencies , and hospice agencies .
In Illinois , it operates the 65-bed Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Rockford .
The Libertyville facility will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 24-hour nursing care .
It will feature a therapy gym with advanced rehab technologies , cafeteria , dining room , pharmacy and therapy courtyard , according to Encompass .
`` Through this hospital , we will be able to provide more patients with customized care that helps them reach their highest levels of independence and gives them the confidence they need to move forward in their lives , '' Troy DeDecker , president of Encompass ' central region said in a statement .

Plans approved for Libertyville in-patient rehab hospital
The 60-bed Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Libertyville is expected to open in spring 2022. Courtesy of Encompass Health
A 60-bed rehab hospital in Libertyville is a go with the final approval of the village board and announcement by the company of its intent to proceed.
Alabama-based Encompass Health Corp. said it plans to build the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Libertyville on nearly 9 acres bordered by Route 45, Winchester Road and American Way on the village's far northwest side.
The $52.2 million proposal is expected to open in spring 2022.
Initially, the project calls for 60 beds in a 61,490-square-foot building, with potential expansion to 80 beds.
According to Encompass, formerly known as HealthSouth Corporation, the hospital would care for patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations, and complex orthopedic conditions.
The proposal surfaced last fall and initial public hearings before the advisory plan commission were held in November and December. The village board approved the concept in January and the final plan on May 26.
The vacant property is zoned for commercial use but has remained undeveloped for 30 years. Information provided to the village showed the Encompass project could generate as much as $60,000 in annual property taxes.
The design for the hospital is underway but no firm dates have been established for the construction timeline, according to spokeswoman Hillary Carnel.
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved the application Feb. 25. A public hearing was offered regarding the proposed project but none was requested.
According to state agency records, dozens letters of support were received from doctors and state and local politicians, including Lake County Board Chairwoman Sandy Hart, and mayors Sam Cunningham of Waukegan, Leon Rockingham of North Chicago, Terry Weppler of Libertyville, and Kristina Kovarik of Gurnee.
Weppler said the closest inpatient rehab facility is more than 40 miles from Libertyville, and patients don't want to drive to Chicago or Milwaukee for the service.
Encompass provides facility and home-based care services in 36 states and Puerto Rico through a network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies, and hospice agencies. In Illinois, it operates the 65-bed Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Rockford.
The Libertyville facility will provide physical, occupational and speech therapies and 24-hour nursing care. It will feature a therapy gym with advanced rehab technologies, cafeteria, dining room, pharmacy and therapy courtyard, according to Encompass.
"Through this hospital, we will be able to provide more patients with customized care that helps them reach their highest levels of independence and gives them the confidence they need to move forward in their lives," Troy DeDecker, president of Encompass' central region said in a statement.