dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Vehicle plows into Vernon Hills apartment building

No injuries were reported after a vehicle crashed into a Vernon Hills apartment building Sunday afternoon , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ responded about 12:30 p.m. to the 900 block of Westmoreland Drive and found a silver @ @ @ @ @ an apartment .
Following a complete evacuation of the building and placement of additional structural @ @ @ @ @ to remove the vehicle .

Vehicle plows into Vernon Hills apartment building
No injuries were reported after a vehicle crashed into a Vernon Hills apartment building Sunday afternoon, officials said.
The Countryside Fire Protection District responded about 12:30 p.m. to the 900 block of Westmoreland Drive and found a silver four-door vehicle had plowed into an apartment.
Following a complete evacuation of the building and placement of additional structural support, crews were able to remove the vehicle.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Two die after car hits embankment, goes airborne for 200 feet, in northern Lake County

Two men were killed early Sunday when a car traveling at an excessive speed struck an embankment in northern Lake County , sending the vehicle airborne for about 200 feet before it crashed to the ground , authorities said .
The men , who were not identified Sunday , were pronounced dead at the scene , Lake County sheriff 's police said .
Autopsies are scheduled for Monday .
According to the sheriff 's office , deputies responded about 6:45 a.m. Sunday to the crash scene at West Russell Road and Delany Road in Newport Township , just south of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows the men were in a 2006 Infiniti sedan traveling north on Delaney as it approached a dead-end at Russell , authorities said .
The driver failed to slow down and instead drove off the road , hit the embankment and went airborne , flying over Russell before returning to the ground , sheriff 's police said .
Excessive speed appears to be a contributing factor , the sheriff 's office reported .
The crash remains under investigation by the sheriff 's Technical Crash Investigations Unit .
The Lake County coroner 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identifying the men .

Two die after car hits embankment, goes airborne for 200 feet, in northern Lake County
Two men were killed early Sunday when a car traveling at an excessive speed struck an embankment in northern Lake County, sending the vehicle airborne for about 200 feet before it crashed to the ground, authorities said.
The men, who were not identified Sunday, were pronounced dead at the scene, Lake County sheriff's police said. Autopsies are scheduled for Monday.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies responded about 6:45 a.m. Sunday to the crash scene at West Russell Road and Delany Road in Newport Township, just south of the Wisconsin border.
A preliminary investigation shows the men were in a 2006 Infiniti sedan traveling north on Delaney as it approached a dead-end at Russell, authorities said. The driver failed to slow down and instead drove off the road, hit the embankment and went airborne, flying over Russell before returning to the ground, sheriff's police said.
Excessive speed appears to be a contributing factor, the sheriff's office reported. The crash remains under investigation by the sheriff's Technical Crash Investigations Unit.
The Lake County coroner's office responded and is in the process of identifying the men.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Chicago man identified as victim in Barrington Hills house party shooting

Barrington Hills police have identified 28-year-old Sean B. Patton of Chicago as the victim of the fatal shooting during a house party early Saturday morning .
The Cook County medical examiner 's office previously ruled Patton 's death a homicide , saying he died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds .
As police and the Cook County Major Case Assistance Team continued their investigation of the slaying , a possible violation of local law through the apparent short-term rental of the house via Airbnb also is under scrutiny by law enforcement .
Barrington Hills has long emphasized its ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Martin McLaughlin said .
`` During my time in office , we have had very limited need to address anything even close to this , '' he said .
McLaughlin declined further comment on the rental aspect of the case pending the outcome of the police department 's investigation .
But the village released a statement on its Facebook page Monday afternoon , calling the weekend shooting a saddening but isolated incident and restating its position on short-term rentals .
`` The use of a residential property for purely commercial purposes is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ village 's zoning regulations , '' the statement reads .
`` Thus , the commercial use of any property for short-term rental for lodging , special events , etc.
, is strictly prohibited by the village code .
We can not provide further details at this time , as this is an ongoing investigation . ''
The police department also encouraged residents to request assistance or report suspicious activity by calling its dispatch center at ( 847 ) 428-8784 .
Airbnb issued a statement over the weekend saying it bars open-invite parties at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the house on the 300 block of Old Sutton Road at 3:22 a.m. Saturday for a report of shots fired arrived to find Patton dead from gunshot wounds .
A preliminary investigation revealed a large party was held at the house by people who live outside the village , police said .
In April 2016 , Lake Barrington officials banned short-term house rentals only days after guests driving home from a party held at an Airbnb rental fired a gun at other guests along Route 14 in Barrington , about 5 miles from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it 's been pretty effective , '' said Lake Barrington Village Administrator Karen Daulton Lange , who was a village trustee at the time .
She said she could recall at least one instance in which a prospective short-term rental was stopped before it occurred when the village learned of it .
She did not know of any instances of the village learning of a short-term rental after the fact since the law was passed .
Barrington Area Council of Governments Executive Director Janet Agnoletti said her agency has been opposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments from regulating short-term rentals during the past few years .

Chicago man identified as victim in Barrington Hills house party shooting
Barrington Hills police have identified 28-year-old Sean B. Patton of Chicago as the victim of the fatal shooting during a house party early Saturday morning.
The Cook County medical examiner's office previously ruled Patton's death a homicide, saying he died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.
As police and the Cook County Major Case Assistance Team continued their investigation of the slaying, a possible violation of local law through the apparent short-term rental of the house via Airbnb also is under scrutiny by law enforcement.
Barrington Hills has long emphasized its ban on commercial use of residential properties, Mayor Martin McLaughlin said.
"During my time in office, we have had very limited need to address anything even close to this," he said.
McLaughlin declined further comment on the rental aspect of the case pending the outcome of the police department's investigation.
But the village released a statement on its Facebook page Monday afternoon, calling the weekend shooting a saddening but isolated incident and restating its position on short-term rentals.
"The use of a residential property for purely commercial purposes is not allowed in Barrington Hills under the village's zoning regulations," the statement reads. "Thus, the commercial use of any property for short-term rental for lodging, special events, etc., is strictly prohibited by the village code. We cannot provide further details at this time, as this is an ongoing investigation."
The police department also encouraged residents to request assistance or report suspicious activity by calling its dispatch center at (847) 428-8784.
Airbnb issued a statement over the weekend saying it bars open-invite parties at properties it rents.
Police called to the house on the 300 block of Old Sutton Road at 3:22 a.m. Saturday for a report of shots fired arrived to find Patton dead from gunshot wounds. A preliminary investigation revealed a large party was held at the house by people who live outside the village, police said.
In April 2016, Lake Barrington officials banned short-term house rentals only days after guests driving home from a party held at an Airbnb rental fired a gun at other guests along Route 14 in Barrington, about 5 miles from the house they'd left.
"I think it's been pretty effective," said Lake Barrington Village Administrator Karen Daulton Lange, who was a village trustee at the time.
She said she could recall at least one instance in which a prospective short-term rental was stopped before it occurred when the village learned of it. She did not know of any instances of the village learning of a short-term rental after the fact since the law was passed.
Barrington Area Council of Governments Executive Director Janet Agnoletti said her agency has been opposing any state bills seeking to prohibit local governments from regulating short-term rentals during the past few years.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Pritzker issues disaster proclamation; four new Chicago-area patients diagnosed

With the state 's coronavirus count mounting , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for Illinois Monday , which enables it to receive federal funding and resources to fight the disease .
`` This decision will build on already robust response , '' Pritzker said at a briefing .
The state 's tally of coronavirus cases has increased to 11 , up from seven on the weekend , officials said .
The new cases are in Chicago .
Two are related to a special education classroom assistant at Vaughn Occupational High School in Chicago , who fell ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a woman in her 40s who had traveled to California ; the fourth is a woman in her 70s who had recently been on an Egyptian cruise .
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle also issued a disaster proclamation for Cook as a `` proactive '' measure .
The four people who most recently were diagnosed with the coronavirus are `` in good condition , '' Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said .
Officials also said a man in his 60s , infected with the seventh confirmed case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious condition .
`` Our thoughts are with him and his family , '' Arwady said .
`` I know this is a difficult time for people as we try to respond to something new and it 's reasonable to feel apprehensive ; this is going to affect your daily life but know your city , county and state officials are working hard to stay ahead , '' Pritzker said .
Also on hand was DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin , who said `` the risk remains low to Illinois '' but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local governments to access federal funding . ''
Asked if there were any plans to cancel mass gatherings , Arwady said no but advised people who are 60 or older to avoid such events .
Of the 11 cases , all except one were connected to another confirmed case of the coronavirus or a high-risk activity , such as travel to China , where the disease originated .
The exception is the hospitalized man .
`` So from that we deduce the virus is not circulating widely in the community , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread , '' Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said .
The disaster proclamation unlocks federal reimbursements to Illinois for coronavirus response and the State Disaster Relief Fund , allows the governor to activate Illinois National Guard reservists and allows use of the state 's mutual aid network of emergency responders .
At a briefing earlier , Centers for Disease Control physician Nancy Messonnier elaborated on who 's at greatest risk for the contagious disease .
`` But again -- based on what we know -- we do not expect most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Messonnier , CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases director .
• Chinese researchers studied 70,000 coronavirus cases and found in 80 % the illness was mild and people recovered , Messonnier said , while 15 % to 20 % of people contracted serious illnesses .
• Children are at a low risk of developing coronavirus .
`` It seems to be a disease that affects adults and most seriously older adults , '' Messonnier said .
• Starting at age 60 , there is an increasing risk of becoming infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Messonnier said .
• The highest risk of falling seriously ill from the coronavirus is in people older than 80 or individuals with serious underlying health conditions , such as heart disease or diabetes .
The CDC advises people at higher risks to avoid cruise ship vacations or long plane flights .
Americans should also consider stocking up on essentials gradually just in case someone falls ill , but do n't overdo it , Messonnier advised .
`` This is the time for people to prepare , but not to clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Illinois authorities urged residents to stay follow common-sense precautions like washing hands and to get a flu shot if you have n't already .

Pritzker issues disaster proclamation; four new Chicago-area coronavirus patients diagnosed
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday issued a disaster proclamation for Illinois aimed at garnering funds to fight coronavirus. Courtesy of state of Illinois/March 5, 2020
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday issued a disaster proclamation for Illinois aimed at garnering funds to fight coronavirus. Associated Press/March 5
With the state's coronavirus count mounting, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for Illinois Monday, which enables it to receive federal funding and resources to fight the disease.
"This decision will build on already robust response," Pritzker said at a briefing.
The state's tally of coronavirus cases has increased to 11, up from seven on the weekend, officials said.
The new cases are in Chicago. Two are related to a special education classroom assistant at Vaughn Occupational High School in Chicago, who fell ill from the respiratory disease COVID-19. Another is a woman in her 40s who had traveled to California; the fourth is a woman in her 70s who had recently been on an Egyptian cruise.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle also issued a disaster proclamation for the county as a "proactive" measure.
The four people who most recently were diagnosed with the coronavirus are "in good condition," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said.
Officials also said a man in his 60s, infected with the seventh confirmed case of coronavirus in Illinois, remained hospitalized in serious condition. "Our thoughts are with him and his family," Arwady said.
"I know this is a difficult time for people as we try to respond to something new and it's reasonable to feel apprehensive; this is going to affect your daily life," Pritzker said. "But know your city, county and state officials are working hard to stay ahead."
Also on hand was DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin, who said "the risk remains low to Illinois" but the declaration "provides an avenue for state and local governments to access federal funding."
Asked if there were any plans to cancel mass gatherings, Arwady said no but advised people who are 60 or older to avoid such events.
Of the 11 cases, all except one were connected to another confirmed case of the coronavirus or a high-risk activity, such as travel to China, where the disease originated. The exception is the hospitalized man.
"So from that we deduce the virus is not circulating widely in the community, but we must be prepared for the eventual spread," Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said.
The disaster proclamation unlocks federal reimbursements to Illinois for coronavirus response and the State Disaster Relief Fund, allows the governor to activate Illinois National Guard reservists and allows use of the state's mutual aid network of emergency responders.
At a briefing earlier, Centers for Disease Control physician Nancy Messonnier elaborated on who's at greatest risk for the contagious disease.
"But again -- based on what we know -- we do not expect most people to develop serious illness," said Messonnier, CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases director.
• Chinese researchers studied 70,000 coronavirus cases and found in 80% of them the illness was mild and people recovered, Messonnier said, while 15% to 20% of people contracted serious illnesses.
• Children are at a low risk of developing coronavirus. "It seems to be a disease that affects adults and most seriously older adults," Messonnier said.
• Starting at age 60, there is an increasing risk of becoming infected and "the risk increases with age," Messonnier said.
• The highest risk of falling seriously ill from the coronavirus is in people older than 80 or individuals with serious underlying health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes.
The CDC advises people at higher risks to avoid cruise ship vacations or long plane flights.
Americans should also consider stocking up on essentials gradually just in case someone falls ill, but don't overdo it, Messonnier advised.
"This is the time for people to prepare, but not to clear out the shelves," she said.
Illinois authorities urged residents to stay follow common-sense precautions like washing hands and to get a flu shot if you haven't already.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Coronavirus not slowing early voting, but suburban election officials are taking precautions

Suburban voters have n't been scared away from early voting by coronavirus fears , according to suburban election officials .
But that has n't stopped officials from stockpiling hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes at the dozens of polling places throughout the region .
More ballots have been cast in the first week of early voting this year than in the 2016 presidential primary in Cook , DuPage and Kane counties , according to county clerks there .
Cook County reported almost 35,000 ballots cast during early voting 's first five days , up from 27,159 in the 2016 primary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the first week of early voting in DuPage County than were tallied during the same time frame in 2016 , County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek said .
Kane County officials said early vote totals in the first week are almost double what they had in 2016 , but that 's also due , in part , to the county 's Aurora voters casting ballots with them instead of a now-defunct election commission .
Only Lake County has seen fewer ballots cast so far than in 2016 , but County Clerk Robin O'Connor thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics than health concerns .
`` We believe that it was related to the number of candidates on the Democratic presidential ballot and not the coronavirus , '' O'Connor said .
There were 7,376 ballots cast during Lake County 's first five days of early voting this year , compared to the 11,404 early votes in 2016 .
There are also more early voting sites in Cook , DuPage and Lake counties this year , despite coronavirus concerns .
Still , suburban election officials are urging voters to vote by mail .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 17 , it will be counted and I encourage any voter to do so , especially those in at-risk populations , '' Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham said .
The last day to request a mail-in ballot is Thursday .
Clerks said they have issued bottles of hand sanitizer to each location and asked election officials on site to wipe down voting booths frequently .
Other precautions are being taken as well .
`` We are encouraging voters ... to bring their own pens , either black or blue , to sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ballots , '' O'Connor said .
Election officials said they have n't changed any polling places , although some health officials have suggested moving any voting sites out of nursing homes or retirement communities .
Cunningham said his office will use the `` Vote Mobile '' at a day-of polling place instead of having voters go inside the facility .

Coronavirus not slowing early voting, but suburban election officials are taking precautions
Suburban voters haven't been scared away from early voting by coronavirus fears, according to suburban election officials.
But that hasn't stopped officials from stockpiling hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes at the dozens of polling places throughout the region.
More ballots have been cast in the first week of early voting this year than in the 2016 presidential primary in Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, according to county clerks there.
Cook County reported almost 35,000 ballots cast during early voting's first five days, up from 27,159 in the 2016 primary. Almost 1,500 more ballots have been cast during the first week of early voting in DuPage County than were tallied during the same time frame in 2016, County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek said.
Kane County officials said early vote totals in the first week are almost double what they had in 2016, but that's also due, in part, to the county's Aurora voters casting ballots with them instead of a now-defunct election commission.
Only Lake County has seen fewer ballots cast so far than in 2016, but County Clerk Robin O'Connor thinks the drop has more to do with politics than health concerns.
"We believe that it was related to the number of candidates on the Democratic presidential ballot and not the coronavirus," O'Connor said.
There were 7,376 ballots cast during Lake County's first five days of early voting this year, compared to the 11,404 early votes in 2016.
There are also more early voting sites in Cook, DuPage and Lake counties this year, despite coronavirus concerns. Still, suburban election officials are urging voters to vote by mail.
"As long as it's postmarked by March 17, it will be counted and I encourage any voter to do so, especially those in at-risk populations," Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham said.
The last day to request a mail-in ballot is Thursday.
Clerks said they have issued bottles of hand sanitizer to each location and asked election officials on site to wipe down voting booths frequently. Other precautions are being taken as well.
"We are encouraging voters ... to bring their own pens, either black or blue, to sign their applications for a ballot and mark their ballots," O'Connor said.
Election officials said they haven't changed any polling places, although some health officials have suggested moving any voting sites out of nursing homes or retirement communities.
Cunningham said his office will use the "Vote Mobile" at a day-of polling place instead of having voters go inside the facility.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Cigar lounge shooter was 'infatuated' with victim, witnesses tell police

The night before she opened fire in a Lisle cigar lounge -- killing one man , wounding two others and then shooting herself -- Lisa McMullan asked a patron , DuPage County sheriff 's Deputy Chief Eddie Moore , for the phone number of a defense attorney who frequented The Humidor .
After she left , retired state trooper Greg Rieves leaned over and told Moore , `` That ( woman ) is crazy .
She 's been after me for six , seven months . ''
That exchange was included in police reports recently made public concerning the Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rieves was killed and two others were wounded -- off-duty Trooper Kaiton Bullock and retired Special Agent Lloyd Graham .
Lisle police and the countywide Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team investigated the shooting .
Rieves and the other two victims were in the lounge that night along with two women .
The women left to use a restroom and did n't see the shooting .
When police arrived , one woman was attending to a wounded man and the other guided police to the room where the shooting occurred .
Moore told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Rieves and recently reconnected with him .
He said the shooter was `` infatuated '' with Rieves , according to one of the reports .
A longtime friend of Rieves told police Rieves said he had `` hooked up '' with the woman .
Another patron said the woman was `` obsessed '' with Rieves and had become `` bitter . ''
Another said the woman was in love with Rieves .
One of the other women present the night of the shooting said their group had planned to meet at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But when Rieves found out the woman would be there , he suggested they meet at another lounge in Westmont .
The reports also indicated : • Police found writing on a wall in the shooter 's Hyde Park condominium .
It was made in blue marker and had been painted over , but many of the messages were still decipherable .
The messages appeared to be separate notes .
One referenced Rieves and another man , saying `` I hate you ...
I hope you die ! ''
Another read `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1600 Ogden Lisle , IL on 10/28/19 -- > movie screen room look between 6:30-7:30 shows Greg R pulling out a handgun Glock . ''
Police asked to view video from that night , but it had been recorded over .
• Police also found a handwritten draft of notes about Rieves that the woman was going to send to the Illinois State Police .
• A Chicago police officer told investigators he had dated the woman and when they broke up she filed false complaints against him and harassed him by phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two aunts told police she had taken up shooting as a hobby several years earlier .
• The woman had taken time off work that week to have a medical procedure done .
Her co-workers at Wintrust Mortgage said `` she could be difficult to supervise at times and did not take criticism well '' and was `` defensive but not threatening . ''
• Rieves and the other two victims were armed with handguns .
• Rieves and one of the victims arrived at the lounge between 3:30 and 4 p.m .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @

Cigar lounge shooter was 'infatuated' with victim, witnesses tell police
Retired Illinois State Police Trooper Gregory Rieves, 51, was killed in the shooting Jan. 24 at a Lisle cigar lounge. Courtesy of Illinois State Police
The night before she opened fire in a Lisle cigar lounge -- killing one man, wounding two others and then shooting herself -- Lisa McMullan asked a patron, DuPage County sheriff's Deputy Chief Eddie Moore, for the phone number of a defense attorney who frequented The Humidor.
After she left, retired state trooper Greg Rieves leaned over and told Moore, "That (woman) is crazy. She's been after me for six, seven months."
That exchange was included in police reports recently made public concerning the Jan. 24 shooting at the lounge in which Rieves was killed and two others were wounded -- off-duty Trooper Kaiton Bullock and retired Special Agent Lloyd Graham.
Lisle police and the countywide Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team investigated the shooting.
Rieves and the other two victims were in the lounge that night along with two women.
The women left to use a restroom and didn't see the shooting. When police arrived, one woman was attending to a wounded man and the other guided police to the room where the shooting occurred.
Moore told investigators he had gone to high school with Rieves and recently reconnected with him. He said the shooter was "infatuated" with Rieves, according to one of the reports.
A longtime friend of Rieves told police Rieves said he had "hooked up" with the woman.
Another patron said the woman was "obsessed" with Rieves and had become "bitter." Another said the woman was in love with Rieves.
One of the other women present the night of the shooting said their group had planned to meet at the Lisle lounge a month or so earlier. But when Rieves found out the woman would be there, he suggested they meet at another lounge in Westmont.
The reports also indicated:
• Police found writing on a wall in the shooter's Hyde Park condominium. It was made in blue marker and had been painted over, but many of the messages were still decipherable. The messages appeared to be separate notes. One referenced Rieves and another man, saying "I hate you ... I hope you die!"
Another read "pull surveillance video from Humidor Cigar Lounge 1600 Ogden Lisle, IL on 10/28/19 --> movie screen room look between 6:30-7:30 shows Greg R pulling out a handgun Glock."
Police asked to view video from that night, but it had been recorded over.
• Police also found a handwritten draft of notes about Rieves that the woman was going to send to the Illinois State Police.
• A Chicago police officer told investigators he had dated the woman and when they broke up she filed false complaints against him and harassed him by phone.
• The woman's mother and two aunts told police she had taken up shooting as a hobby several years earlier.
• The woman had taken time off work that week to have a medical procedure done. Her co-workers at Wintrust Mortgage said "she could be difficult to supervise at times and did not take criticism well" and was "defensive but not threatening."
• Rieves and the other two victims were armed with handguns.
• Rieves and one of the victims arrived at the lounge between 3:30 and 4 p.m. The shooting happened around 10:13 p.m.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Bulls move rookie Coby White into the starting lineup

Coby White joining Zion Williamson and Ja Morant at the top of this year 's rookie class is about as good a result as the Bulls could have asked from this season .
So with White 's streak of quality games up to eight in a row , coach Jim Boylen made the move to put the rookie guard from North Carolina in the starting lineup for the first time .
White will start Tuesday when the Bulls host Cleveland , along with Shaq Harrison , Denzel Valentine , Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. Tomas Satoransky will shift to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot , I 'm excited and whatnot , '' White said Monday at the Advocate Center .
`` But like I said , just going to approach it the same way .
`` I played with the first unit a lot , even when I was off the bench , so I just approach it like all the other games I 've been approaching .
I 'm just coming in , playing hard and just doing my job . ''
White 's no-nonsense approach has impressed the Bulls since last year 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 overall pick .
He 's a hard worker and never expressed a single concern publicly about when he might join the starting lineup .
The timeline appears to have worked out well .
White struggled with his shot for long stretches in December and January , then everything seemed to click suddenly when he went three straight games of scoring at least 33 points .
His point guard skills have also improved .
On Sunday in Brooklyn , he had 8 assists and no turnovers in 35 minutes .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next stage in his development , '' Boylen said .
`` He 's earned this opportunity .
He 's grown into this opportunity .
And we 'll take it a game at a time and we 'll coach him the same way we 've been coaching him .
I 'm excited for him . ''
White 's improvement has created some enthusiasm for a future backcourt of White and Zach LaVine .
Unfortunately , that wo n't happen against Cleveland .
LaVine will miss his fifth straight game with a left quad strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon .
The Bulls finish the week with a trip to Orlando and Miami .
Over the last eight games , White has averaged 26.9 points and 4.4 assists , while shooting 49 percent overall and 44.6 percent from 3-point range .
Since Feb. 1 , he 's the league 's second-leading rookie scorer behind Williamson , the No .
1 overall pick with New Orleans .
`` Coach talked to me today about it and he wants me to approach it the same way I 've been approaching the game , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doing my job , getting everybody involved and still finding my ways to score , but just getting everybody involved and running the team . ''
Satoransky has started every game so far this season , but moving him to the bench appears to be the right move .
By keeping Harrison in the starting lineup , White wo n't have to guard Cavs leading scorer Collin Sexton , who has been on a scoring spree since Cleveland replaced coach John Beilein with J.B. Bickerstaff .
`` Tomas was great .
Tomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Tomas was good .
He was really good .
Tomas just wants to help the team win .
He 'll do that in any role we give him .
That 's why we wanted him .
He 's a team guy and it 's good . ''

Bulls move rookie Coby White into the starting lineup
Chicago Bulls' Coby White plays against the Minnesota Timberwolves last Wednesday in Minneapolis. Starting Tuesday, he won't be coming off the bench, because he's starting at last. Associated press
Coby White joining Zion Williamson and Ja Morant at the top of this year's rookie class is about as good a result as the Bulls could have asked from this season.
So with White's streak of quality games up to eight in a row, coach Jim Boylen made the move to put the rookie guard from North Carolina in the starting lineup for the first time.
White will start Tuesday when the Bulls host Cleveland, along with Shaq Harrison, Denzel Valentine, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. Tomas Satoransky will shift to a reserve role.
"It means a lot, I'm excited and whatnot," White said Monday at the Advocate Center. "But like I said, just going to approach it the same way.
"I played with the first unit a lot, even when I was off the bench, so I just approach it like all the other games I've been approaching. I'm just coming in, playing hard and just doing my job."
White's no-nonsense approach has impressed the Bulls since last year's draft when he was the No. 7 overall pick. He's a hard worker and never expressed a single concern publicly about when he might join the starting lineup.
The timeline appears to have worked out well. White struggled with his shot for long stretches in December and January, then everything seemed to click suddenly when he went three straight games of scoring at least 33 points. His point guard skills have also improved. On Sunday in Brooklyn, he had 8 assists and no turnovers in 35 minutes.
"I think the biggest thing is this is the next stage in his development," Boylen said. "He's earned this opportunity. He's grown into this opportunity. And we'll take it a game at a time and we'll coach him the same way we've been coaching him. I'm excited for him."
White's improvement has created some enthusiasm for a future backcourt of White and Zach LaVine. Unfortunately, that won't happen against Cleveland. LaVine will miss his fifth straight game with a left quad strain, but he should be back relatively soon. The Bulls finish the week with a trip to Orlando and Miami.
Over the last eight games, White has averaged 26.9 points and 4.4 assists, while shooting 49 percent overall and 44.6 percent from 3-point range. Since Feb. 1, he's the league's second-leading rookie scorer behind Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick with New Orleans.
"Coach talked to me today about it and he wants me to approach it the same way I've been approaching the game," White said. "Going out there and doing my job, getting everybody involved and still finding my ways to score, but just getting everybody involved and running the team."
Satoransky has started every game so far this season, but moving him to the bench appears to be the right move. By keeping Harrison in the starting lineup, White won't have to guard Cavs leading scorer Collin Sexton, who has been on a scoring spree since Cleveland replaced coach John Beilein with J.B. Bickerstaff.
"Tomas was great. Tomas is a professional," Boylen said. "Tomas was good. He was really good. Tomas just wants to help the team win. He'll do that in any role we give him. That's why we wanted him. He's a team guy and it's good."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Sports betting launches in Illinois with first wager at Rivers Casino

All sports bets are on in Illinois .
The Land of Lincoln became the 15th state to play host to @ @ @ @ @ Rivers Casino in Des Plaines opened the state 's first sportsbook Monday morning , introducing @ @ @ @ @ -- one that officials are betting will help bankroll an ambitious capital plan for the @ @ @ @ @ ballyhooed first bet , Blackhawks announcer Eddie Olczyk put $ 100 down on his hometown @ @ @ @ @ American League pennant at 16-to-1 odds .

Sports betting launches in Illinois with first wager at Rivers Casino
The sports betting parlor at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines opened to the public Monday morning. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Blackhawks announcer Eddie Olczyk makes Illinois' first sportsbook wager and puts $100 down Monday on the White Sox to win the American League pennant at 16-to-1 odds at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
All sports bets are on in Illinois.
The Land of Lincoln became the 15th state to play host to a legal sports wager as Rivers Casino in Des Plaines opened the state's first sportsbook Monday morning, introducing Illinois' latest gambling foray -- one that officials are betting will help bankroll an ambitious capital plan for the cash-strapped state.
For the ballyhooed first bet, Blackhawks announcer Eddie Olczyk put $100 down on his hometown White Sox to win the American League pennant at 16-to-1 odds.
For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Coronavirus tests will be covered by several Illinois health insurance companies

Several Illinois insurance companies have announced they will cover the costs of testing people for the coronavirus .
Aetna , @ @ @ @ @ of Illinois , Cigna , UnitedHealthcare are waving the costs of testing for COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ our members feel safe and secure knowing that they are able to pursue the proper @ @ @ @ @ to protect their health during this time of concern , '' said Dr. Vincent Nelson @ @ @ @ @ affairs and interim chief medical officer at BCBSA .
`` Whenever and wherever our members @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus , BCBS companies are right there with them . ''
Blue Cross and @ @ @ @ @ 8 million people in Illinois .
Almost 7 % of Illinois residents did n't have @ @ @ @ @ according to the United Health Foundation .
Nationally , more than 27.5 million people are @ @

Coronavirus tests will be covered by several Illinois health insurance companies
Several Illinois insurance companies have announced they will cover the costs of testing people for the coronavirus.
Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare are waving the costs of testing for COVID-19.
"It is important that our members feel safe and secure knowing that they are able to pursue the proper care and testing they need to protect their health during this time of concern," said Dr. Vincent Nelson, vice president, medical affairs and interim chief medical officer at BCBSA. "Whenever and wherever our members need health care related to the coronavirus, BCBS companies are right there with them."
Blue Cross and Blue Shield covers more than 8 million people in Illinois.
Almost 7% of Illinois residents didn't have health insurance in 2019, according to the United Health Foundation.
Nationally, more than 27.5 million people are uninsured.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Taxing districts join District 300 lawsuit against Sears to collect on lost tax revenue

A number of Chicago-area taxing districts have joined Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 as plaintiffs claiming they are entitled to millions in tax revenue allocated to Sears when it was in violation of an economic development agreement .
The governments also joining the suit as plaintiffs include Barrington Library District , Elgin Community College , Barrington Township , the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and School District U-46 .
`` It did not make sense for us to remain listed as a defendant , '' said Mary Fergus , director of school and community relations for School District U-46 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously listed as defendants , believe that we are better suited to be listed as a plaintiff as we are joining District 300 to ensure recovery of revenue owed to us . ''
In 1989 , the Economic Development Area and Tax Increment Allocation Act was created in an effort to keep Sears and thousands of jobs from leaving Illinois .
After its passage , the village of Hoffman Estates approved an economic development agreement with the company that would offer financial assistance and subsidies to develop a corporate campus in the village @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sears leaving the state once again , the village of Hoffman Estates amended the act to require Sears to maintain no fewer than 4,250 full-time equivalent jobs at its corporate headquarters in the village .
In the event that Sears fails to comply with this requirement , the amendments will provide a formula for recapture of the subsidies based on the amount of time Sears failed to comply with the jobs requirement , according to the suit .
In October 2018 , days before the company would file for bankruptcy , District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sears Holdings Corporation over the latter 's failure to comply with terms and conditions of the agreement .
Ken Florey , an attorney representing District 300 , said because several governing bodies became plaintiffs , the school district 's complaint had to be amended .
Florey said this was a strong statement in the case .
In a settlement agreement with the Department of Commerce in 2017 , Sears admits failing to comply with the jobs requirement at least as of May 31 , 2017 , and admits it continued to fail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least through Dec. 15 , 2017 .
However , the suit alleges the village of Hoffman Estates incorrectly paid to Sears the amount of property tax revenue levied by the taxing bodies in 2012 , 2013 , 2014 , 2015 , 2016 and 2018 had it maintained 4,250 jobs for the entire 2013 , 2014 , 2015 , 2016 , 2017 and 2019 calendar years .
`` ( Hoffman Estates ) had an obligation to verify and certify whether Sears was in compliance with the jobs requirement of the Sears EDA Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , for the village , it is more lucrative under the Sears EDA Act for Sears to be in compliance with the jobs requirement than not in compliance , so the village failed to meaningfully perform its verification and certification functions mandated by the Sears EDA Act . ''
At the time District 300 filed suit , the village was holding property taxes levied for the 2017 tax year in a special tax allocation fund which , if Sears was compliant with its agreement , would be distributed 55 % toward Sears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the state .
Because Sears filed bankruptcy , there was a hold on the 55 % of 2017 taxes , or about $ 9.7 million , pending further order of the bankruptcy court or an agreement between parties .
In 2019 , the bankruptcy court ordered the village of Hoffman Estates to release about $ 2.5 million of 2017 special tax allocation funds to Sears .
In October 2019 , the village was ordered to disburse $ 2 million of the remaining 2017 funds to District 300 and the rest to Sears @

Taxing districts join District 300 lawsuit against Sears to collect on lost tax revenue
A number of Chicago-area taxing districts have joined Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 as plaintiffs claiming they are entitled to millions in tax revenue allocated to Sears when it was in violation of an economic development agreement.
The governments also joining the suit as plaintiffs include Barrington Library District, Elgin Community College, Barrington Township, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and School District U-46.
"It did not make sense for us to remain listed as a defendant," said Mary Fergus, director of school and community relations for School District U-46. "We, along with other government bodies previously listed as defendants, believe that we are better suited to be listed as a plaintiff as we are joining District 300 to ensure recovery of revenue owed to us."
In 1989, the Economic Development Area and Tax Increment Allocation Act was created in an effort to keep Sears and thousands of jobs from leaving Illinois. After its passage, the village of Hoffman Estates approved an economic development agreement with the company that would offer financial assistance and subsidies to develop a corporate campus in the village.
In 2012 -- under the threat of Sears leaving the state once again, the village of Hoffman Estates amended the act to require Sears to maintain no fewer than 4,250 full-time equivalent jobs at its corporate headquarters in the village. In the event that Sears fails to comply with this requirement, the amendments will provide a formula for recapture of the subsidies based on the amount of time Sears failed to comply with the jobs requirement, according to the suit.
In October 2018, days before the company would file for bankruptcy, District 300 sued the village of Hoffman Estates and Sears Holdings Corporation over the latter's failure to comply with terms and conditions of the agreement.
Ken Florey, an attorney representing District 300, said because several governing bodies became plaintiffs, the school district's complaint had to be amended. Florey said this was a strong statement in the case.
In a settlement agreement with the Department of Commerce in 2017, Sears admits failing to comply with the jobs requirement at least as of May 31, 2017, and admits it continued to fail to comply with the jobs requirement at least through Dec. 15, 2017.
However, the suit alleges the village of Hoffman Estates incorrectly paid to Sears the amount of property tax revenue levied by the taxing bodies in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 had it maintained 4,250 jobs for the entire 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 calendar years.
"(Hoffman Estates) had an obligation to verify and certify whether Sears was in compliance with the jobs requirement of the Sears EDA Act," according to the lawsuit. "However, for the village, it is more lucrative under the Sears EDA Act for Sears to be in compliance with the jobs requirement than not in compliance, so the village failed to meaningfully perform its verification and certification functions mandated by the Sears EDA Act."
At the time District 300 filed suit, the village was holding property taxes levied for the 2017 tax year in a special tax allocation fund which, if Sears was compliant with its agreement, would be distributed 55% toward Sears and 45% toward various taxing bodies within the state.
Because Sears filed bankruptcy, there was a hold on the 55% of 2017 taxes, or about $9.7 million, pending further order of the bankruptcy court or an agreement between parties. In 2019, the bankruptcy court ordered the village of Hoffman Estates to release about $2.5 million of 2017 special tax allocation funds to Sears.
In October 2019, the village was ordered to disburse $2 million of the remaining 2017 funds to District 300 and the rest to Sears.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Dow drops 2,014 or 7.8%, the worst day since financial crisis in 2008

U.S. stocks plunged more than 7.5 % in the worst day on Wall Street since the financial crisis , as a full-blown oil price war rattled financial markets already on edge over the spreading coronavirus .
Treasury yields plummeted , crude sank 20 % and credit markets buckled .
The S & P 500 sank the most since December 2008 , the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 2,000 points and small caps lost more than 9 % as investors fled risk assets with virus cases surging and the Trump administration so far unwilling to step in to soften the expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & P 500 companies were lower Monday , with energy producers routed by 20 % .
Exxon Mobil and Chevron were down more than 12 % .
Banks lost 11 % , with an ETF that tracks regional banks had for its worst day since 2009 .
Apple sank 7.9 % and Dow Chemical plunged 22 % .
The rout began at the open , with losses reaching 7 % four minutes in , triggering NYSE circuit breakers that halted trading for 15 minutes .
The markets will close if losses reach 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 % from its Feb. 19 all-time high , threatening to end the record-long bull market that began 11 years ago to the day .
Crude tumbled the most since the Gulf War in 1991 , after an OPEC+ alliance that had contained global production disintegrated .
WTI and Brent slumped by about 25 % .
The 10-year Treasury yield fell below 0.5 % before climbing back to 0.57 % , and the 30-year yield dropped under 0.9 % , taking the whole U.S. yield curve below 1 % for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Index fell the most since 2016 on trading volumes exceeding three times the 100-day average .
Several of the region 's gauges look set to enter bear markets .
Japanese stocks entered one earlier when they tumbled almost 6 % .
A U.S. derivatives index that measures the perceived risk of corporate credit surged by the most since Lehman Brothers collapsed .
Exchange rates including the yen saw sharp moves as traders struggled to establish where new ranges might be .
The yen was up about 3 % versus the dollar while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1 % .
The oil-price crash threatened to upend politics and budgets around the world , exacerbate strains in high-yield credit and add pressure on central bankers trying to avert a recession .
It typically would have proved a boon to consumers , but the coronavirus is increasingly keeping them at home .
Investors are clamoring for some policy response from the Trump administration , which has so far signaled that it believes the spread is under control .
`` The market was poised and vulnerable to this volatility and crude oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Randy Frederick , vice president of trading and derivatives for Schwab Center for Financial Research .
`` The coronavirus itself has been the main cause of the correction , but now it 's being exaggerated even further . ''
President Donald Trump and his economic team will weigh measures later Monday to contain the fallout from coronavirus and a sudden crash in oil prices , with funding for a temporary expansion of paid sick leave and aid for battered U.S. energy producers among possible steps .
A Bloomberg gauge of financial stress for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pace since the great financial crisis .
`` When there 's panic , there tends not to be accurate pricing of assets , '' Kristina Hooper , Invesco 's chief global market strategist , said in an interview at Bloomberg 's New York headquarters .
`` The sell-off today to me is emblematic of that .
It really is a knee-jerk reaction to what 's happened over the weekend . ''
Here are some key events coming up : The European Central Bank 's policy decision comes Thursday amid expectations it may ease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exchequer unveils the government 's 2020 budget on Wednesday .
The U.S. core consumer price index , due Wednesday , is expected to remain subdued in February .

Dow drops 2,014 or 7.8%, the worst day since financial crisis in 2008
Trader Gregory Rowe prepares Monday for the day's activity on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Trading in Wall Street futures has been halted after they fell by more than the daily limit of 5%. Associated Press
Yvette Arrington, with the New York Stock Exchange Trading Floor Operations, works Monday on the floor of the NYSE Stocks went into a steep slide Monday on Wall Street as coronavirus fears and a crash in oil prices spread alarm through the market, triggering the first automatic trading halt in over two decades. Associated Press
U.S. stocks plunged more than 7.5% in the worst day on Wall Street since the financial crisis, as a full-blown oil price war rattled financial markets already on edge over the spreading coronavirus. Treasury yields plummeted, crude sank 20% and credit markets buckled.
The S&P 500 sank the most since December 2008, the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 2,000 points and small caps lost more than 9% as investors fled risk assets with virus cases surging and the Trump administration so far unwilling to step in to soften the expected economic blow.
In a dramatic day across assets globally:
All but nine S&P 500 companies were lower Monday, with energy producers routed by 20%. Exxon Mobil and Chevron were down more than 12%. Banks lost 11%, with an ETF that tracks regional banks had for its worst day since 2009. Apple sank 7.9% and Dow Chemical plunged 22%.
The rout began at the open, with losses reaching 7% four minutes in, triggering NYSE circuit breakers that halted trading for 15 minutes. The markets will close if losses reach 20%. The measure is down almost 19% from its Feb. 19 all-time high, threatening to end the record-long bull market that began 11 years ago to the day.
Crude tumbled the most since the Gulf War in 1991, after an OPEC+ alliance that had contained global production disintegrated. WTI and Brent slumped by about 25%.
The 10-year Treasury yield fell below 0.5% before climbing back to 0.57%, and the 30-year yield dropped under 0.9%, taking the whole U.S. yield curve below 1% for the first time in history.
The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell the most since 2016 on trading volumes exceeding three times the 100-day average. Several of the region's gauges look set to enter bear markets. Japanese stocks entered one earlier when they tumbled almost 6%.
A U.S. derivatives index that measures the perceived risk of corporate credit surged by the most since Lehman Brothers collapsed.
Exchange rates including the yen saw sharp moves as traders struggled to establish where new ranges might be. The yen was up about 3% versus the dollar while the euro and Swiss franc both strengthened more than 1%.
The oil-price crash threatened to upend politics and budgets around the world, exacerbate strains in high-yield credit and add pressure on central bankers trying to avert a recession. It typically would have proved a boon to consumers, but the coronavirus is increasingly keeping them at home. Investors are clamoring for some policy response from the Trump administration, which has so far signaled that it believes the spread is under control.
"The market was poised and vulnerable to this volatility and crude oil has just exacerbated it," said Randy Frederick, vice president of trading and derivatives for Schwab Center for Financial Research. "The coronavirus itself has been the main cause of the correction, but now it's being exaggerated even further."
President Donald Trump and his economic team will weigh measures later Monday to contain the fallout from coronavirus and a sudden crash in oil prices, with funding for a temporary expansion of paid sick leave and aid for battered U.S. energy producers among possible steps. A Bloomberg gauge of financial stress for the U.S. has deteriorated at the fastest pace since the great financial crisis.
"When there's panic, there tends not to be accurate pricing of assets," Kristina Hooper, Invesco's chief global market strategist, said in an interview at Bloomberg's New York headquarters. "The sell-off today to me is emblematic of that. It really is a knee-jerk reaction to what's happened over the weekend."
Here are some key events coming up:
The European Central Bank's policy decision comes Thursday amid expectations it may ease policy.
The U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer unveils the government's 2020 budget on Wednesday.
The U.S. core consumer price index, due Wednesday, is expected to remain subdued in February.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Sheriff: Suspects in robbery, beating of teen in Long Grove captured

Three suspects are in custody in connection with the Jan. 25 beating and robbery of a teenage girl from Arlington Heights in a secluded area of Long Grove , Lake County Sheriff 's police said Monday .
Jovanni Mora , 21 , Neslye Y. Palacios-Flores , 23 , and Juan A. Colon , 24 , all of the 400 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Waukegan , face charges of aggravated battery , robbery and unlawful restraint stemming from the alleged holdup , authorities say .
According to the sheriff 's office , the suspects met the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mundelein hotel .
After she was involved in an argument at the party , the Arlington Heights teen asked the suspects for a ride home , authorities say .
During the ride , sheriff 's police said , the driver pulled over in a secluded area near Arlington Heights Road and Checker Road in Long Grove , where the teen was forced out of the car , punched and kicked in the head and body , and robbed .
Authorities say the teen was then pushed back into the vehicle , but a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road and into a ditch .
When Colon and Mora got out to push the vehicle from the ditch , the teen was able to escape and flag down a passing driver for help , sheriff 's police said .
The teen sought medical treatment following the attack , authorities said .
After an investigation , sheriff 's detectives obtained arrest warrants for the suspects on Feb. 26 .
On Friday , the sheriff 's Warrants Team and the U.S .
Marshals Service -- Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force captured the suspects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A 15-year-old boy inside the home was arrested on an unrelated juvenile warrant .
Palacios-Flores is being held in the Lake County jail on $ 50,000 bail and is due in court Wednesday .
Mora is being held at the jail on $ 100,000 bail , pending a March 25 court date .
Colon is in custody on $ 125,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court later Monday .
Sheriff 's police said Colon and Mora are documented street gang members .
If convicted of robbery , they face a maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .

Sheriff: Suspects in robbery, beating of teen in Long Grove captured
Three suspects are in custody in connection with the Jan. 25 beating and robbery of a teenage girl from Arlington Heights in a secluded area of Long Grove, Lake County Sheriff's police said Monday.
Jovanni Mora, 21, Neslye Y. Palacios-Flores, 23, and Juan A. Colon, 24, all of the 400 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Waukegan, face charges of aggravated battery, robbery and unlawful restraint stemming from the alleged holdup, authorities say.
According to the sheriff's office, the suspects met the 18-year-old victim during a party at a Mundelein hotel. After she was involved in an argument at the party, the Arlington Heights teen asked the suspects for a ride home, authorities say.
During the ride, sheriff's police said, the driver pulled over in a secluded area near Arlington Heights Road and Checker Road in Long Grove, where the teen was forced out of the car, punched and kicked in the head and body, and robbed.
Authorities say the teen was then pushed back into the vehicle, but a short distance later it slid off the road and into a ditch. When Colon and Mora got out to push the vehicle from the ditch, the teen was able to escape and flag down a passing driver for help, sheriff's police said.
The teen sought medical treatment following the attack, authorities said.
After an investigation, sheriff's detectives obtained arrest warrants for the suspects on Feb. 26. On Friday, the sheriff's Warrants Team and the U.S. Marshals Service -- Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force captured the suspects at their shared apartment in Waukegan.
A 15-year-old boy inside the home was arrested on an unrelated juvenile warrant.
Palacios-Flores is being held in the Lake County jail on $50,000 bail and is due in court Wednesday. Mora is being held at the jail on $100,000 bail, pending a March 25 court date. Colon is in custody on $125,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court later Monday.
Sheriff's police said Colon and Mora are documented street gang members.
If convicted of robbery, they face a maximum sentence of four to 15 years in prison.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Tax woes for Harvest Bible Chapel properties

Two properties that house Harvest Bible Chapel congregations are under scrutiny after their tax exemptions were called into question .
The owners of the Highland Park building that is home to the church 's Deerfield Road campus are already on the hook for more than $ 500,000 in property taxes after Lake County assessment officials learned the property had erroneously received a tax exemption for the past five years .
The tax bill includes three years of back taxes and the amount owed this year , county officials said .
Meanwhile , West Aurora Unit District 129 officials said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tax-exempt status for Harvest Bible Chapel 's Aurora church after learning the owner of the property is a for-profit limited liability corporation that rents the campus to the church .
`` When we rented space ... a few years ago , we had to pay property taxes on that even though we 're normally tax-exempt , '' said Angie Smith , assistant superintendent for operations at District 129 .
`` We feel it 's our job that property owners getting out of paying taxes justifiably are , and I 'm instructing our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to make sure all property owners are paying their fair share and we will do what we can to file an objection . ''
These new financial issues are just another chapter in the saga of the suburban megachurch that once boasted 12,000 worshippers among its seven church sites .
In the last year , membership in the churches has dwindled and almost the entire senior leadership team was ousted , including co-founder and lead pastor James MacDonald , after internal investigations into spending by MacDonald and accusations of lax oversight by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach church officials regarding the new property tax issues were unsuccessful .
The identities of the different LLC owners for the Highland Park and Aurora properties are unknown .
Former church member Jessica Hockett brought the property tax issues to light , notifying Lake County Supervisor of Assessments Bob Glueckert that a property tax exemption had been applied to the Highland Park church campus even though the owners had never applied for such an exemption and the Illinois Department of Revenue had never granted one .
`` We were members for 12 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of financial improprieties and the church 's failures to address those problems , '' Hockett said .
The Highland Park church property was bought by a for-profit LLC in 2015 for $ 4.85 million , according to property records .
The exemption awarded to the former Lutheran congregation was never lifted .
`` They were not getting billed because we thought they were exempt , '' said Moraine Township Assessor Mark Lindsay , who said his predecessor neglected to remove the exemption when the property changed hands .
Glueckert said the county began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has the authority to demand up to three years in past due taxes as well .
The property owners missed a deadline to seek a property tax exemption , so a bill for four years ' worth of taxes will be issued to the LLC this year , he said .
With the property 's current tax rate of roughly 7.9 % , that amounts to almost $ 400,000 in back taxes and another $ 150,000 in property taxes for this year .
`` They could file for an exemption for 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some legal avenue they could pursue for the historical assessments , but it would be an uphill battle , '' Glueckert said .
`` The simple fact is they do n't have an exemption . ''
But the Aurora campus does have a property tax exemption .
The state 's revenue department granted it to the property 's LLC owner based on state law that allows exemptions for `` property used exclusively for religious purposes . ''
In its petition for the exemption , the LLC originally claimed to be a nonprofit entity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that since the property was being rented to a church , the property owners `` should be afforded the same tax exempt status that Harvest Bible Chapel would be entitled . ''
However , legal experts and assessment officials said the relationship between the for-profit LLC and the church could nullify the exemption since the underlying use of the property is actually commercial rental property .
The church pays the LLC more than $ 21,000 a month in rent , according to state tax records .
`` If there 's anything with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to be eligible for an exemption most of the time , '' said Ares Dalianis , a Chicago-based real estate tax attorney .
Hockett said she complained about the exemption to Kane County and state officials late last year and has not heard of any movement .
`` I want them to pursue and remedy this situation in a way that is lawful and just , '' she said .
Mark Armstrong , Kane County 's supervisor of assessments , said his hands are tied because the state has granted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any contact from IDOR noting they were reviewing or revoking the property 's exemption , '' he said .
Department of revenue officials said they have yet to receive a formal complaint about the tax status and so have taken no action .
The LLC purchased the nearly 17-acre Aurora campus in 2016 for $ 4.15 million .
If taxed , the property 's bill would be roughly $ 130,000 annually , according to figures provided by the Sugar Grove Township Assessor 's office .

The owners of the Highland Park building housing the Harvest Bible Chapel branch there are on the hook for more than $500,000. Daily Herald file, 2019
Two properties that house Harvest Bible Chapel congregations are under scrutiny after their tax exemptions were called into question.
The owners of the Highland Park building that is home to the church's Deerfield Road campus are already on the hook for more than $500,000 in property taxes after Lake County assessment officials learned the property had erroneously received a tax exemption for the past five years. The tax bill includes three years of back taxes and the amount owed this year, county officials said.
Meanwhile, West Aurora Unit District 129 officials said they are seeking to have the state revoke the tax-exempt status for Harvest Bible Chapel's Aurora church after learning the owner of the property is a for-profit limited liability corporation that rents the campus to the church.
"When we rented space ... a few years ago, we had to pay property taxes on that even though we're normally tax-exempt," said Angie Smith, assistant superintendent for operations at District 129. "We feel it's our job that property owners getting out of paying taxes justifiably are, and I'm instructing our attorney, on behalf of all taxpayers, to make sure all property owners are paying their fair share and we will do what we can to file an objection."
These new financial issues are just another chapter in the saga of the suburban megachurch that once boasted 12,000 worshippers among its seven church sites. In the last year, membership in the churches has dwindled and almost the entire senior leadership team was ousted, including co-founder and lead pastor James MacDonald, after internal investigations into spending by MacDonald and accusations of lax oversight by the church board.
Multiple attempts to reach church officials regarding the new property tax issues were unsuccessful. The identities of the different LLC owners for the Highland Park and Aurora properties are unknown.
Former church member Jessica Hockett brought the property tax issues to light, notifying Lake County Supervisor of Assessments Bob Glueckert that a property tax exemption had been applied to the Highland Park church campus even though the owners had never applied for such an exemption and the Illinois Department of Revenue had never granted one.
"We were members for 12 years but left the church in 2017 because of financial improprieties and the church's failures to address those problems," Hockett said.
The Highland Park church property was bought by a for-profit LLC in 2015 for $4.85 million, according to property records. The exemption awarded to the former Lutheran congregation was never lifted.
"They were not getting billed because we thought they were exempt," said Moraine Township Assessor Mark Lindsay, who said his predecessor neglected to remove the exemption when the property changed hands.
Glueckert said the county began assessing taxes this year on the property and has the authority to demand up to three years in past due taxes as well. The property owners missed a deadline to seek a property tax exemption, so a bill for four years' worth of taxes will be issued to the LLC this year, he said.
With the property's current tax rate of roughly 7.9%, that amounts to almost $400,000 in back taxes and another $150,000 in property taxes for this year.
"They could file for an exemption for 2020, and if granted there is probably some legal avenue they could pursue for the historical assessments, but it would be an uphill battle," Glueckert said. "The simple fact is they don't have an exemption."
But the Aurora campus does have a property tax exemption. The state's revenue department granted it to the property's LLC owner based on state law that allows exemptions for "property used exclusively for religious purposes."
In its petition for the exemption, the LLC originally claimed to be a nonprofit entity but then revised the petition to argue that since the property was being rented to a church, the property owners "should be afforded the same tax exempt status that Harvest Bible Chapel would be entitled."
However, legal experts and assessment officials said the relationship between the for-profit LLC and the church could nullify the exemption since the underlying use of the property is actually commercial rental property. The church pays the LLC more than $21,000 a month in rent, according to state tax records.
"If there's anything with a view to a profit, it's not going to be eligible for an exemption most of the time," said Ares Dalianis, a Chicago-based real estate tax attorney.
Hockett said she complained about the exemption to Kane County and state officials late last year and has not heard of any movement.
"I want them to pursue and remedy this situation in a way that is lawful and just," she said.
Mark Armstrong, Kane County's supervisor of assessments, said his hands are tied because the state has granted the exemption.
"I have not had any contact from IDOR noting they were reviewing or revoking the property's exemption," he said.
Department of revenue officials said they have yet to receive a formal complaint about the tax status and so have taken no action.
The LLC purchased the nearly 17-acre Aurora campus in 2016 for $4.15 million. If taxed, the property's bill would be roughly $130,000 annually, according to figures provided by the Sugar Grove Township Assessor's office.
Got a tip?
Contact Jake at jgriffin@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4602.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--At two suburban hospitals, opioids aren't the go-to painkillers

Two suburban hospitals and an emergency department are joining a program to implement new treatment protocols in hopes of decreasing opioid use for patients with certain causes of pain .
Edward Hospital in Naperville , Elmhurst Hospital and the Edward-Elmhurst Emergency Department in Plainfield are taking part in the Alternatives to Opioids Protocol , a program run by Great Lakes Partners for Patients and the Illinois , Michigan and Wisconsin hospital associations as one strategy to fight opioid addiction and overdose deaths .
The program aims to decrease the number of patients exposed to the painkilling yet habit-forming class of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with dependence .
The program , abbreviated as ALTO , implements standard medications and treatments doctors can consider as a first option before giving opioids to patients who come in with six common causes of pain , known as `` clinical pathways '' : headaches , musculoskeletal pain , abdominal pain , kidney stones , broken extremity bones or joint dislocations .
Doctors at Edward and Elmhurst have completed training on medication combinations and nerve blocking injections to try for these pain presentations instead of automatically giving opioids .
`` We want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but with less side effects , '' said Dr. Daniel Sullivan , chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs for Edward-Elmhurst Health .
`` There is confidence that they work . ''
Alternatives such as painkilling patches , lidocaine injections , ketamine or ibuprofen can work for issues including migraines , sore bones or stomach pain -- but not for pain from car crashes , burns , shootings , stabbings or other traumas , doctors say .
The ALTO program does not address these causes of pain , and it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If you had a car crash and you 're missing an arm , that 's not one of the clinical pathways , '' said Dr. Michael Wahl , medical director of the Illinois Poison Center and one of the Illinois Hospital Association 's leaders in the ALTO effort .
`` You can use whatever is needed to relieve the patient 's agony . ''
Although ALTO is n't for every cause of pain , it still is a `` culture shift '' for both emergency department personnel and patients , Wahl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the alternative treatment protocols and when to use them .
Nurses need to know how to administer the medications in the proper doses .
Pharmacists need to stock the alternative medications and be prepared to make and measure them more often .
Patients need to know they might not receive the same treatment they did on previous visits to the emergency department -- even if they need help for the same reason .
Doctors at Edward and Elmhurst are using their participation in the six-month ALTO program , which began Jan. 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are emphasizing the chemical workings of opioids and the dangers of long-term use .
`` In the emergency department , we see all sorts of types of painful conditions .
A lot of patients have chronic pain and they may be used to getting opiates because they are effective , '' said Dr. Tom Scaletta , medical director of the emergency services department at Edward Hospital .
`` It 's just not something that actually is good for them . ''
Medical professionals largely have been receptive to the change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into their medical records system to provide easy access to `` order sets , '' or suggested treatments , Edward-Elmhurst leaders say .
Patients will come around , too , they say , especially once they realize ALTO is the new norm .
`` Difficult conversations will become less difficult once people understand this is how we are going to treat people with chronic pain going forward , '' said Dr. Thomas King , who is implementing ALTO in the Elmhurst Hospital emergency department .
Edward and Elmhurst hospitals and the Plainfield emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Midwest ALTO project , along with five other hospitals across the state .
They are the only hospitals in the suburbs involved this time around , after the first cohort last year included hospitals in Chicago , Danville , Ottawa , Palos Heights and Urbana .
The hospitals both hope to decrease the percentage of emergency department patients who are given opioids from a baseline set in December 2019 .
That month , 12 % of emergency department patients at Edward and 10.1 % at Elmhurst received IV opioids .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not immediately available .
Doctors say the goal is to decrease these rates , but not to get to zero .
Even in pain cases that follow the six clinical pathways , such as kidney stones or joint dislocations , Wahl said , it 's possible for opioids to play a role .
`` Opioids are going to be used as a rescue medication if all of the other mediations fail , '' he said , `` because certainly we still do want to manage people 's pain . ''
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Wahl said .
`` Once you take away opioids for pain , you need to provide something else because the patient is still in pain . ''
DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen called Edward and Elmhurst `` ahead of the curve '' on adjusting opioid protocols and forming a new mindset about prescribing .
He said efforts like this can help decrease the prescribing rate in DuPage County , which stood at 42.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 people in 2017 , the most recent year for which data from the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Efforts similar to ALTO in New Jersey and Colorado resulted in lower opioid prescribing rates at participating hospitals , doctors said , leading the Midwest group to take the same approach .
Wahl said he hopes more hospitals will follow the lead of the first 13 that have implemented ALTO .
Not only will more widespread use of alternatives to opioids lead to clearer patient understanding of treatment plans , but it also could help decrease addiction and overdose deaths .
A preliminary total of 730 people died across the region last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excluding Chicago , as well as DuPage , Kane , Lake , McHenry and Will counties , according to the medical examiner and coroner 's offices .
That total is second in the recent past only to the 740 deaths in 2017 , and it 's up from 239 in 2014 -- the year public health officials across the region started focusing on the opioid crisis .
`` Opioids have their own risk , and the more you use them , the more you elevate the risk around the community , '' Wahl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks , you 'll be much more reluctant to use them . ''

At two suburban hospitals, opioids aren't the go-to painkillers
Two suburban hospitals and an emergency department are joining a program to implement new treatment protocols in hopes of decreasing opioid use for patients with certain causes of pain.
Edward Hospital in Naperville, Elmhurst Hospital and the Edward-Elmhurst Emergency Department in Plainfield are taking part in the Alternatives to Opioids Protocol, a program run by Great Lakes Partners for Patients and the Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin hospital associations as one strategy to fight opioid addiction and overdose deaths.
The program aims to decrease the number of patients exposed to the painkilling yet habit-forming class of drugs, decreasing risk for future issues with dependence.
The program, abbreviated as ALTO, implements standard medications and treatments doctors can consider as a first option before giving opioids to patients who come in with six common causes of pain, known as "clinical pathways": headaches, musculoskeletal pain, abdominal pain, kidney stones, broken extremity bones or joint dislocations.
Doctors at Edward and Elmhurst have completed training on medication combinations and nerve blocking injections to try for these pain presentations instead of automatically giving opioids.
"We want to have alternative treatments that are as effective but with less side effects," said Dr. Daniel Sullivan, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs for Edward-Elmhurst Health. "There is confidence that they work."
'Culture shift'
Alternatives such as painkilling patches, lidocaine injections, ketamine or ibuprofen can work for issues including migraines, sore bones or stomach pain -- but not for pain from car crashes, burns, shootings, stabbings or other traumas, doctors say. The ALTO program does not address these causes of pain, and it is not trying to eliminate all opioid use.
"If you had a car crash and you're missing an arm, that's not one of the clinical pathways," said Dr. Michael Wahl, medical director of the Illinois Poison Center and one of the Illinois Hospital Association's leaders in the ALTO effort. "You can use whatever is needed to relieve the patient's agony."
Although ALTO isn't for every cause of pain, it still is a "culture shift" for both emergency department personnel and patients, Wahl said.
Doctors need to be familiar with the alternative treatment protocols and when to use them. Nurses need to know how to administer the medications in the proper doses. Pharmacists need to stock the alternative medications and be prepared to make and measure them more often. Patients need to know they might not receive the same treatment they did on previous visits to the emergency department -- even if they need help for the same reason.
Doctors at Edward and Elmhurst are using their participation in the six-month ALTO program, which began Jan. 15, as an opportunity for patient education. They are emphasizing the chemical workings of opioids and the dangers of long-term use.
"In the emergency department, we see all sorts of types of painful conditions. A lot of patients have chronic pain and they may be used to getting opiates because they are effective," said Dr. Tom Scaletta, medical director of the emergency services department at Edward Hospital. "It's just not something that actually is good for them."
Medical professionals largely have been receptive to the change, especially once the alternative protocols were entered into their medical records system to provide easy access to "order sets," or suggested treatments, Edward-Elmhurst leaders say. Patients will come around, too, they say, especially once they realize ALTO is the new norm.
"Difficult conversations will become less difficult once people understand this is how we are going to treat people with chronic pain going forward," said Dr. Thomas King, who is implementing ALTO in the Elmhurst Hospital emergency department.
'Treat pain safely'
Edward and Elmhurst hospitals and the Plainfield emergency department are participating in the second cohort of the Midwest ALTO project, along with five other hospitals across the state. They are the only hospitals in the suburbs involved this time around, after the first cohort last year included hospitals in Chicago, Danville, Ottawa, Palos Heights and Urbana.
The hospitals both hope to decrease the percentage of emergency department patients who are given opioids from a baseline set in December 2019. That month, 12% of emergency department patients at Edward and 10.1% at Elmhurst received IV opioids. The baseline rate for the Plainfield emergency department was not immediately available.
Doctors say the goal is to decrease these rates, but not to get to zero.
Even in pain cases that follow the six clinical pathways, such as kidney stones or joint dislocations, Wahl said, it's possible for opioids to play a role.
"Opioids are going to be used as a rescue medication if all of the other mediations fail," he said, "because certainly we still do want to manage people's pain."
Pain management is a quality measure for hospitals.
"But we want to treat pain safely," Wahl said. "Once you take away opioids for pain, you need to provide something else because the patient is still in pain."
DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen called Edward and Elmhurst "ahead of the curve" on adjusting opioid protocols and forming a new mindset about prescribing. He said efforts like this can help decrease the prescribing rate in DuPage County, which stood at 42.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 people in 2017, the most recent year for which data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available.
Efforts similar to ALTO in New Jersey and Colorado resulted in lower opioid prescribing rates at participating hospitals, doctors said, leading the Midwest group to take the same approach.
Wahl said he hopes more hospitals will follow the lead of the first 13 that have implemented ALTO. Not only will more widespread use of alternatives to opioids lead to clearer patient understanding of treatment plans, but it also could help decrease addiction and overdose deaths.
A preliminary total of 730 people died across the region last year from opioid overdoses in Cook County, excluding Chicago, as well as DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, according to the medical examiner and coroner's offices. That total is second in the recent past only to the 740 deaths in 2017, and it's up from 239 in 2014 -- the year public health officials across the region started focusing on the opioid crisis.
"Opioids have their own risk, and the more you use them, the more you elevate the risk around the community," Wahl said. "If you understand the risks, you'll be much more reluctant to use them."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--Some nursing homes restricting visits due to coronavirus fears

Assisted living and nursing facilities are being urged by an industry group to restrict visits by anyone who 's ill to protect their vulnerable patients from the COVID-19 virus .
The American Health Care Association , the nation 's largest organization of long-term and post-acute care providers , also recommends its members monitor visitors and employees to ensure they 're washing their hands or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and covering coughs as best as possible .
`` Those things are very effective , '' said Dr. David Gifford , the group 's chief medical officer .
Administrators at suburban nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advice seriously .
Sunrise Senior Living , which has facilities in Barrington , Buffalo Grove , Naperville , Schaumburg and elsewhere , has instructed employees and would-be visitors to stay away if they 're experiencing symptoms of the illness or have traveled to nations experiencing severe outbreaks .
`` We have strong infection control and emergency preparedness programs in place and will continue to take necessary precautions to help protect the safety and well-being of our residents and team members , '' the company said in a statement to the Daily Herald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to the new coronavirus , which has caused thousands of deaths globally .
A vaccine has n't yet been created .
Older people generally are more prone to infections because their immune systems are weaker .
They also may have other health conditions -- including cancer , diabetes and thinning skin -- making them susceptible to infection .
Some medications can further suppress defenses , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
According to the health care association , more than 15,400 skilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving abut 1.3 million people .
More than 700 such facilities operate in Illinois , serving more than 65,000 patients .
Additionally , about 28,000 assisted living centers are in the U.S. , including 495 in Illinois .
Up-to-date population estimates for those centers were n't available .
Because the COVID-19 virus spreads through droplets in the air , much like influenza , the association recommends nursing facilities use strategies known to reduce the spread of the flu and other respiratory viruses .
They include : • Ensuring employees and visitors wash their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Considering putting ill patients in the same room or wing to prevent infecting healthy people .
• Reminding employees , contractors and volunteers to stay home if they 're ill. Facilities should post notices urging people who are sick not to visit , the association said .
Employees should work with families to communicate with patients in other ways , such as by phone , email or a mobile video app .
The Illinois Department of Public Health , which is leading the state 's response to the outbreak , also has advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We urge long-term care facilities to review their disease outbreak plans and begin taking preparedness steps to respond in the event we start seeing community spread , '' spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said .
For example , nursing facilities should limit visitors , post signs with instructions for hand hygiene and cough etiquette , and make sure tissues , wastebaskets and hand sanitizer are readily available , Arnold said .
Centers also should observe new patients for developing respiratory symptoms , Arnold said .
Officials with HCR ManorCare , which operates nursing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libertyville , Elk Grove Village and other suburbs , as well as in more than 20 other states , are implementing those precautions and more .
In communities with confirmed COVID-19 cases , they 're asking anyone who has had physical contact with a person infected with the virus or suspected to be infected not to visit patients at ManorCare within 14 days of that contact .
Likewise , the company is requesting anyone who 's traveled to or from China , South Korea , Iran , Italy , Japan or any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone who 's been around someone who 's made such a journey -- not to visit within 14 days of that trip or contact .
People with unexplained fevers or fevers higher than 101.5 degrees who also have traveled internationally within the past 14 days should stay away from ManorCare facilities , too .
So should people diagnosed with pneumonia or lower respiratory tract infections in the past 14 days .
In a statement on its website , the company said it may require further monitoring , such as temperature readings for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities .
`` I 'm sure some of our checks and balances might seem inconvenient , '' said Julie Beckert , assistant vice president of marketing and communications for HCR ManorCare , `` but it 's the right thing to do . ''

Some nursing homes restricting visits due to coronavirus fears
Assisted living and nursing facilities are being urged by an industry group to restrict visits by anyone who's ill to protect their vulnerable patients from the COVID-19 virus.
The American Health Care Association, the nation's largest organization of long-term and post-acute care providers, also recommends its members monitor visitors and employees to ensure they're washing their hands or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and covering coughs as best as possible.
"Those things are very effective," said Dr. David Gifford, the group's chief medical officer.
Administrators at suburban nursing homes and assisted living centers are taking the advice seriously.
Sunrise Senior Living, which has facilities in Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Naperville, Schaumburg and elsewhere, has instructed employees and would-be visitors to stay away if they're experiencing symptoms of the illness or have traveled to nations experiencing severe outbreaks.
"We have strong infection control and emergency preparedness programs in place and will continue to take necessary precautions to help protect the safety and well-being of our residents and team members," the company said in a statement to the Daily Herald.
Why the elderly?
The elderly, infants and people with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to the new coronavirus, which has caused thousands of deaths globally. A vaccine hasn't yet been created.
Older people generally are more prone to infections because their immune systems are weaker. They also may have other health conditions -- including cancer, diabetes and thinning skin -- making them susceptible to infection. Some medications can further suppress defenses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the health care association, more than 15,400 skilled nursing centers operate in the U.S., serving abut 1.3 million people. More than 700 such facilities operate in Illinois, serving more than 65,000 patients.
Additionally, about 28,000 assisted living centers are in the U.S., including 495 in Illinois. Up-to-date population estimates for those centers weren't available.
Because the COVID-19 virus spreads through droplets in the air, much like influenza, the association recommends nursing facilities use strategies known to reduce the spread of the flu and other respiratory viruses. They include:
• Ensuring employees and visitors wash their hands or use cleansing gels.
• Reviewing isolation procedures with staff.
• Considering putting ill patients in the same room or wing to prevent infecting healthy people.
• Reminding employees, contractors and volunteers to stay home if they're ill.
Facilities should post notices urging people who are sick not to visit, the association said. Employees should work with families to communicate with patients in other ways, such as by phone, email or a mobile video app.
Illinois' response
The Illinois Department of Public Health, which is leading the state's response to the outbreak, also has advice for care centers about the virus.
"We urge long-term care facilities to review their disease outbreak plans and begin taking preparedness steps to respond in the event we start seeing community spread," spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said.
For example, nursing facilities should limit visitors, post signs with instructions for hand hygiene and cough etiquette, and make sure tissues, wastebaskets and hand sanitizer are readily available, Arnold said.
Centers also should observe new patients for developing respiratory symptoms, Arnold said.
More precautions
Officials with HCR ManorCare, which operates nursing and assisted living facilities in Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Elk Grove Village and other suburbs, as well as in more than 20 other states, are implementing those precautions and more.
In communities with confirmed COVID-19 cases, they're asking anyone who has had physical contact with a person infected with the virus or suspected to be infected not to visit patients at ManorCare within 14 days of that contact.
Likewise, the company is requesting anyone who's traveled to or from China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan or any other region with sustained COVID-19 outbreaks -- or anyone who's been around someone who's made such a journey -- not to visit within 14 days of that trip or contact.
People with unexplained fevers or fevers higher than 101.5 degrees who also have traveled internationally within the past 14 days should stay away from ManorCare facilities, too. So should people diagnosed with pneumonia or lower respiratory tract infections in the past 14 days.
In a statement on its website, the company said it may require further monitoring, such as temperature readings for all visitors, employees and patients in higher-risk communities.
"I'm sure some of our checks and balances might seem inconvenient," said Julie Beckert, assistant vice president of marketing and communications for HCR ManorCare, "but it's the right thing to do."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-09--McHenry County sheriff, 3 others sue state over immigration law

McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim and three fellow sheriffs filed a federal lawsuit Monday seeking a court order blocking enforcement of a state law that bars them from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
Saying the Illinois Trust Act leaves them facing `` irreparable harm '' in the form of lawsuits from both sides of the immigration debate , Prim , Ogle County Sheriff Brian E. VanVickle , Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders and Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey also ask for a court ruling declaring that the state measure is preempted by federal law .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an impossible position by forcing them to choose between obeying federal immigration detainers or complying with the state statute , '' the suit states .
The suit names Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul as the defendant .
`` The Trust Act reflects the values of Illinois residents and serves to build relationships between law enforcement agencies and immigrant communities instead of spreading fear based on immigration status , '' Raoul spokeswoman Tori Joseph said Monday .
`` The Attorney General 's office maintains that the Trust Act is constitutional . ''
Primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that require local law enforcement officers like the sheriffs to keep in custody for up to 48 hours people who may be in the country illegally , while federal authorities determine their immigration status .
However , the Trust Act enacted in August 2017 makes it unlawful for law enforcement in Illinois to stop , arrest or detain someone based solely on immigration status .
`` That restriction places the Trust Act in direct conflict with the federal detainer rules , '' the suit states .
As a result of the conflict , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat of litigation from the federal government , people who have been detained and advocate groups for immigrants .
VanVickle and Snyder are defendants in ongoing litigation alleging they 're violating the Trust Act by complying with federal detainers , and Prim previously has faced similar litigation , according to Monday 's lawsuit .
In the meantime , laws similar to the Trust Act in California , New Jersey and Washington state have become the target of litigation from the Department of Justice .
The suit argues that because the U.S. Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law when it conflicts with state law , a federal judge should declare the Trust Act invalid and ban the state from enforcing it .

McHenry County sheriff, 3 others sue state over immigration law
McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim and three fellow sheriffs filed a federal lawsuit Monday seeking a court order blocking enforcement of a state law that bars them from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Saying the Illinois Trust Act leaves them facing "irreparable harm" in the form of lawsuits from both sides of the immigration debate, Prim, Ogle County Sheriff Brian E. VanVickle, Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders and Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey also ask for a court ruling declaring that the state measure is preempted by federal law.
"The Trust Act puts Illinois law enforcement officers in an impossible position by forcing them to choose between obeying federal immigration detainers or complying with the state statute," the suit states.
The suit names Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul as the defendant.
"The Trust Act reflects the values of Illinois residents and serves to build relationships between law enforcement agencies and immigrant communities instead of spreading fear based on immigration status," Raoul spokeswoman Tori Joseph said Monday. "The Attorney General's office maintains that the Trust Act is constitutional."
Primarily at issue are federal "detainers" that require local law enforcement officers like the sheriffs to keep in custody for up to 48 hours people who may be in the country illegally, while federal authorities determine their immigration status.
However, the Trust Act enacted in August 2017 makes it unlawful for law enforcement in Illinois to stop, arrest or detain someone based solely on immigration status.
"That restriction places the Trust Act in direct conflict with the federal detainer rules," the suit states.
As a result of the conflict, the suit states, the sheriffs face the threat of litigation from the federal government, people who have been detained and advocate groups for immigrants. VanVickle and Snyder are defendants in ongoing litigation alleging they're violating the Trust Act by complying with federal detainers, and Prim previously has faced similar litigation, according to Monday's lawsuit.
In the meantime, laws similar to the Trust Act in California, New Jersey and Washington state have become the target of litigation from the Department of Justice.
The suit argues that because the U.S. Constitution and court precedent grant supremacy to federal law when it conflicts with state law, a federal judge should declare the Trust Act invalid and ban the state from enforcing it.