dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Carol Stream man guilty of preying sexually on disabled, under-age relative

A Carol Stream man was convicted Thursday of preying sexually on a disabled relative while she was a child .
Rodriguez-Ocampo was arrested on the charges in 2015 .
The abuse and the assaults started in 2009 , two years after Rodriguez-Ocampo moved in with the victim 's family .
The girl was 10 at the time .
They continued after Rodriguez-Ocampo moved into an apartment across the hall , with some of the activity taking place in the building 's laundry room .
It was discovered when the victim 's mother found improper photographs of her daughter on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been messaging the girl and asking her to take such photos and send them to him .
Four of the sexual assault counts are aggravated because of her physical and cognitive disabilities .
Now 20 , she attends special-education classes in high school and uses braces to help her walk .
The girl testified how Rodriguez-Ocampo repeatedly assaulted her .
She was not able to use proper words for body parts , but her descriptions of what happened were still credible , McGimpsey said Thursday .
Rodriguez-Ocampo already is serving a 29-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pornography of the girl .
He will now face a minimum sentence of 48 years on the assault charges , to be served after he finishes the child pornography sentence , and will have to serve at least 40 years before being eligible for parole .

Carol Stream man guilty of preying sexually on disabled, under-age relative
A Carol Stream man was convicted Thursday of preying sexually on a disabled relative while she was a child.
DuPage County Judge Alexander McGimpsey found Adan Rodriguez-Ocampo, 54, guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Rodriguez-Ocampo was arrested on the charges in 2015. The abuse and the assaults started in 2009, two years after Rodriguez-Ocampo moved in with the victim's family. The girl was 10 at the time. They continued after Rodriguez-Ocampo moved into an apartment across the hall, with some of the activity taking place in the building's laundry room.
It was discovered when the victim's mother found improper photographs of her daughter on the girl's cellphone, and that Rodriguez-Ocampo had been messaging the girl and asking her to take such photos and send them to him.
Four of the sexual assault counts are aggravated because of her physical and cognitive disabilities. Now 20, she attends special-education classes in high school and uses braces to help her walk.
The girl testified how Rodriguez-Ocampo repeatedly assaulted her. She was not able to use proper words for body parts, but her descriptions of what happened were still credible, McGimpsey said Thursday.
Rodriguez-Ocampo already is serving a 29-year prison sentence on charges of manufacturing child pornography of the girl. He will now face a minimum sentence of 48 years on the assault charges, to be served after he finishes the child pornography sentence, and will have to serve at least 40 years before being eligible for parole.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Defense makes case; Hinsdale murder trial deliberations to start Friday

Closing arguments will start Friday morning in the murder trial of Dominic Sanders , a Chicago man accused of killing a Hinsdale woman in her home in May 2017 .
The defense presented its case Thursday morning , with testimony about hairs found in victim Andrea Urban 's hands and on her living-room floor .
The hairs were analyzed at the Illinois State Police 's Chicago laboratory .
Examiner Jamie Jett testified he was able to determine the ones in Urban 's hands were human , from the head , light brown and from a Caucasian .
He could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , because the laboratory does not do such comparison tests , he said .
Urban was white and had long , light-colored hair ; in photos , it appears blonde .
Sanders is black and had short , dark hair .
No DNA tests of the hair were requested , Jett testified .
The defense also presented information to the jury , which the prosecution agreed with , concerning examination of fingerprints collected at Urban 's home .
A private fingerprint examiner received 36 possible prints .
Of those , 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
None of those 15 matched Sanders ' fingerprints , 10 matched those of either Urban or her son , and one matched a police detective 's .
Sanders , now 33 , is accused of killing Urban by beating her and slashing her throat .
Her son found her body in the kitchen of their home when he returned home from high school .
Authorities have alleged Sanders stole and pawned two rings Urban owned , which were distinctive family heirlooms , and showed the jury photos of an open dresser cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a blood stain on it .
A forensic-evidence examiner testified that DNA from blood drops found on one of Sanders ' shoes were a high match to Urban 's DNA .
Sanders admitted to stealing the rings but says they were on a ledge just inside the home and he merely leaned in an open door to take them .
He denied , in a videotape of a police interrogation , ever walking into the house or killing Urban .

Defense makes case; Hinsdale murder trial deliberations to start Friday
Closing arguments will start Friday morning in the murder trial of Dominic Sanders, a Chicago man accused of killing a Hinsdale woman in her home in May 2017.
The defense presented its case Thursday morning, with testimony about hairs found in victim Andrea Urban's hands and on her living-room floor.
The hairs were analyzed at the Illinois State Police's Chicago laboratory. Examiner Jamie Jett testified he was able to determine the ones in Urban's hands were human, from the head, light brown and from a Caucasian.
He could not say whether the hair belonged to Urban, however, because the laboratory does not do such comparison tests, he said.
Urban was white and had long, light-colored hair; in photos, it appears blonde. Sanders is black and had short, dark hair.
No DNA tests of the hair were requested, Jett testified.
The defense also presented information to the jury, which the prosecution agreed with, concerning examination of fingerprints collected at Urban's home.
A private fingerprint examiner received 36 possible prints. Of those, 15 were suitable for comparing to known fingerprints. None of those 15 matched Sanders' fingerprints, 10 matched those of either Urban or her son, and one matched a police detective's.
Sanders, now 33, is accused of killing Urban by beating her and slashing her throat. Her son found her body in the kitchen of their home when he returned home from high school.
Authorities have alleged Sanders stole and pawned two rings Urban owned, which were distinctive family heirlooms, and showed the jury photos of an open dresser cabinet containing an empty jewelry box that possibly had a blood stain on it.
A forensic-evidence examiner testified that DNA from blood drops found on one of Sanders' shoes were a high match to Urban's DNA.
Sanders admitted to stealing the rings but says they were on a ledge just inside the home and he merely leaned in an open door to take them. He denied, in a videotape of a police interrogation, ever walking into the house or killing Urban.
Jury deliberations are expected to begin Friday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Watch live: House Democrats make second day of arguments in Trump impeachment

WASHINGTON -- House Democrats pressed into the second day of arguments in President Donald Trump 's impeachment case focused intently on the charge of abuse of power , which top prosecutor Adam Schiff said would leave senators with no choice but a finding of `` guilt and conviction . ''
Schiff , the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , acknowledged as he stood before restless senators forced to sit silently for another long day there would be `` some repetition of information '' from the overview heard on day one .
But he promised a stitching together of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You 've now heard hundreds of hours of depositions and live testimony from the House , '' Schiff said .
'We will now show these facts and many others and how they are interwoven ... to a finding of guilt and conviction . ''
The challenge is clear as Democrats try to convince not just fidgety senators but an American public divided over the Republican president in an election year .
The top Senate Democrat , Chuck Schumer , acknowledged Thursday that many senators `` really do n't want to be here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been outlining a compelling case about t Trump 's pressure on Ukraine and the scheme to cover up the charges and many Republicans are hearing it for only the first time .
He contended they ca n't help but be `` glued '' to his testimony .
Once reluctant to take on impeachment during an election year , Democrats are now marching toward a decision by the Senate that the American public also will judge .
They are one-third of the way through 24 hours of opening arguments .
Trump blasted the proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them the `` Most unfair & corrupt hearing in Congressional history ! ''
House Democrats impeached Trump last month , arguing he abused his office by asking Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden while withholding crucial military aid .
They also charged him with obstructing Congress by refusing to turn over documents or allow officials to testify in the House probe .
Republicans have defended Trump 's actions as appropriate and cast the process as a politically motivated effort to weaken the president in the midst of his reelection campaign .
Campaigning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to remove Trump from office .
`` People ask the question , 'Is n't the president going to be stronger and harder to beat if he survives this ? '
Yes , probably .
But Congress has no choice , '' he said .
Senators must cast their votes and `` live with that in history . ''
Each side has up to three days to present its case .
After the House prosecutors finish , likely Friday , the president 's lawyers will launch their 24 hours .
It 's unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Trump 's team promises not only to defend the president but to take apart the Democrats ' case .
The Senate is expected to take only Sunday off and push into next week .
`` There 's a lot of things I 'd like to rebut , '' said Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow at the Capitol , `` and we will rebut . ''
After that senators will face the question of whether they do , or do not , want to call witnesses to testify .
On the first day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators not to be `` cynical '' about politics , but to draw on the intent of the nation 's Founding Fathers in providing the remedy of impeachment and removal .
He spoke directly to Republicans to join in voting to oust Trump from office to `` protect our democracy . ''
Holding the room proved difficult .
Most senators sat at their desks throughout , as the rules stipulate , though some stretched their legs , standing behind the desks or against the back wall of the chamber .
Sometimes they yawned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presentation from Schiff and the lesser-known House Democrats prosecuting the case .
Nearing nine long hours of arguments , the empty seats became glaringly apparent .
Sen. Dianne Feinstein D-Calif. , was under the weather and left early .
Some lawmakers dashed down the hall to appear on television .
Visitors thinned from the galleries , one briefly interrupting in protest and being removed by Capitol police .
GOP Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina told reporters he was `` hearing exactly what they said yesterday ... nothing new whatsoever . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana , acknowledged that the case against the president is probably new information for most of them .
`` 'Nine out of 10 senators will tell you that they have not read the transcript of the proceedings of the House .
And the 10th senator who says he has is lying . ''
The impeachment trial is set against the backdrop of the 2020 election .
All four senators who are Democratic presidential candidates are off the campaign trail , seated as jurors .
Several GOP senators said Wednesday they 'd seen no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though , just 24 hours earlier , they had rejected subpoenas for additional witnesses as well as documents .
Democrats , meanwhile , described the evidence against the president as overwhelming but said senators had a duty to gather more .
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed the public slightly more likely to say the Senate should convict and remove Trump from office than to say it should not , 45 % to 40 % .
But a sizable percentage , 14 % , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opinion .
One issue with wide agreement : Trump should allow top aides to appear as witnesses at the trial .
About 7 in 10 said so , including majorities of Republicans and Democrats , according to the poll .
The strategy of more witnesses , though , seemed all but settled .
Republicans rejected Democratic efforts to get Trump aides including former national security adviser John Bolton , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney , to testify in back-to-back votes earlier this week .
Senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , shutting out any chance of new testimony .
Some Republicans expressed disdain for it all .
Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa spoke sarcastically about how excited she was to hear the `` overwhelming evidence '' the House Democrats promised against Trump .
`` And once we 've heard that overwhelming evidence , '' she said , raising her voice mockingly , `` I do n't know that we 'll need to see additional witnesses , but let 's hear about that overwhelming evidence . ''
Republicans remained eager for a swift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed on an opportunity to file a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday , an acknowledgment that there were not enough Republican votes to support it .
The White House legal team , in its court filings and presentations , has not disputed Trump 's actions .
But the lawyers insist the president did nothing wrong .
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick , Alan Fram , Andrew Taylor , Laurie Kellman , Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama in Washington and Bill Barrow in Osage , Iowa , contributed to this report @

Watch live: 'Bogus' Ukraine theory led to Trump's abuse, Democrats say at impeachment trial
House impeachment manager Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, speaks Thursday during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Democratic House prosecutors made an expansive case Thursday at Donald Trump's impeachment trial that he abused power like no other president in history, swept up by a "completely bogus" Ukraine theory pushed by attorney Rudy Giuliani.
On Friday, the Democrats will press their final day of arguments before skeptical Republican senators, focusing on the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress' investigation.
As the audience of Senate jurors sat through another long day, and night, the prosecutors outlined how they said Trump abused power for his own personal political benefit ahead of the 2020 election, even as the nation's top FBI and national security officials were publicly warning off the theory that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that interfered in the 2016 election.
"That's what Donald Trump wanted investigated or announced -- this completely bogus Kremlin-pushed conspiracy theory," said Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who is leading the prosecution, during Thursday's session.
Trump is accused of seeking the Ukrainian investigation -- and probes of political foe Joe Biden and Biden's son -- while holding back congressionally approved military aid as leverage. Schiff said, "You can imagine what a danger that presents to this country."
The president is facing trial in the Senate after the House impeached him last month, accusing Trump of abusing his office by asking Ukraine for the investigations while withholding the aid from a U.S. ally at war with bordering Russia. The second article of impeachment accuses him of obstructing Congress by refusing to turn over documents or allow officials to testify in the House probe.
Republicans, growing tired of the long hours of proceedings, have defended Trump's actions as appropriate and cast the process as a politically motivated effort to weaken him in the midst of his reelection campaign. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and acquittal is considered likely.
The Democrats' challenge is clear as they try to convince not just fidgety senators but an American public divided over the Republican president in an election year.
With Chief Justice John Roberts presiding, Democrats argued on Thursday that Trump's motives were apparent.
"No president has ever used his office to compel a foreign nation to help him cheat in our elections," Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, told the senators. He said the nation's founders would be shocked. "The president's conduct is wrong. It is illegal. It is dangerous."
Democrats scoffed at Trump's claim he had good reasons for pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Biden or other political foes.
Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Texas, herself a former judge, aid there is "no evidence, nothing, nada" to suggest that Biden did anything improper in dealings with Ukraine.
Trump, with Giuliani, pursued investigations of Biden and his son, Hunter, who served on a Ukrainian gas company's board, and sought the probe of debunked theories of what nation was guilty of interference in the 2016 U.S. election.
On dual tracks, Democrats prosecuted their case while answering in advance the arguments expected from the president's attorneys in the days ahead.
At one point, they showed video of a younger Lindsey Graham, then a South Carolina congressman and now a GOP senator allied with Trump, arguing during Bill Clinton's 1999 impeachment that no crime was needed for impeaching a president. Trump's defense team is now arguing that the impeachment articles against him are invalid because they do not allege he committed a specific crime.
The president's defenders' turn will come on Saturday.
"We will be putting on a vigorous defense of both facts, r ebutting what they said," and the Constitution, said attorney Jay Sekulow.
Ahead of the day's proceedings, Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said the Democrats were putting forward "admirable presentations." But he said, "There's just not much new here."
During the dinner break, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said it seemed like "Groundhog Day in the Senate."
The top Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer, acknowledged that many senators "really don't want to be here."
But Schumer said Schiff has been outlining a compelling case that many Republicans are hearing it for only the first time. He contended they can't help but be "glued" to his testimony.
Once reluctant to take on impeachment during an election year, Democrats are now marching toward a decision by the Senate that the American public also will judge.
Trump blasted the proceedings in a Thursday tweet, declaring them the "Most unfair & corrupt hearing in Congressional history!"
After the House prosecutors finish, the president's lawyers will have as long as 24 hours. It's unclear how much time they will actually take, but Trump's team is not expected to finish Saturday, according to a person unauthorized to discuss the planning and granted anonymity. The Senate is expected to take only Sunday off and push into next week.
After that senators will face the question of whether they do, or do not, want to call witnesses to testify.
Senators were permitted Thursday to review supplemental testimony submitted by an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, Jennifer Williams, who was among those who had concerns about Trump's actions. Democrats said the testimony, which is classified, bolsters their impeachment case. A lawyer for Williams declined to comment.
Holding the room's attention has been difficult for the Democrats, but senators seemed to pay closer mind to Schiff's testimony that grew dramatic.
Most senators, even Republicans, sat at their desks throughout the afternoon session, as the rules stipulate, and not as many of them were yawning or standing to stretch as during the previous long nights.
To help senators pass the time, the Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Richard Burr of North Carolina, passed out lunch favors of fidget spinners, stress balls and other toys.
Democrats thanked the senators for their time and patience, acknowledging the repetition of some of their presentations.
The impeachment trial is set against the backdrop of the 2020 election. Four senators who are Democratic presidential candidates are off the campaign trail, seated as jurors.
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed the public slightly more likely to say the Senate should convict and remove Trump from office than to say it should not, 45% to 40%. But a sizable percentage, 14%, said they didn't know enough to have an opinion.
One issue with wide agreement: Trump should allow top aides to appear as witnesses at the trial. About 7 in 10 said so, including majorities of Republicans and Democrats, according to the poll.
The strategy of more witnesses, though, seemed all but settled. Republicans rejected Democratic efforts to get Trump aides including former national security adviser John Bolton and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to testify in back-to-back votes earlier this week.
Senators were likely to repeat that rejection next week.
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Alan Fram, Andrew Taylor, Laurie Kellman, Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama in Washington and Bill Barrow in Osage, Iowa, contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Cullerton's lawyer appears close to deal with prosecutors about key evidence

State Sen. Thomas Cullerton 's lawyer is apparently finalizing a deal with federal prosecutors over key evidence in the indicted @ @ @ @ @ Cullerton 's attorney last month asked U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman to order prosecutors to @ @ @ @ @ boss John Coli , who pleaded guilty in July in an extortion case and agreed @ @ @ @ @ A grand jury hit Cullerton , a Villa Park Democrat , with an indictment a @ @ @ @ @ plea .

Cullerton's lawyer appears close to deal with prosecutors about key evidence
State Sen. Thomas E. Cullerton walks out of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in August. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times
State Sen. Thomas Cullerton's lawyer is apparently finalizing a deal with federal prosecutors over key evidence in the indicted politician's embezzlement case.
Cullerton's attorney last month asked U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman to order prosecutors to disclose crucial details about ex-Teamsters boss John Coli, who pleaded guilty in July in an extortion case and agreed to cooperate with authorities. A grand jury hit Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat, with an indictment a few days after Coli's plea.
For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Authorities identify Algonquin woman killed in crash near Lake Barrington

Authorities have released the identity of an Algonquin woman killed in a crash near Lake Barrington late Tuesday night .
@ @ @ @ @ said 30-year-old Angela Parisi died as a result of multiple blunt-force injuries suffered in the @ @ @ @ @ pending .
`` We have been in close contact with Ms. Parisi 's family , @ @ @ @ @ out to them during this difficult time .
This is truly a tragedy , '' @ @ @ @ @ release .
Parisi was driving a 2004 Nissan Altima south on Kelsey Road just north @ @ @ @ @ 11:40 p.m. Tuesday when the car veered off the road for unknown reasons , according @ @ @ @ @ police .
The car drove into a ditch on the left side of the road @ @ @ @ @ flipped onto its roof and was hit by a southbound 2002 Toyota Camry driven by @ @ @ @ @ man , sheriff 's police said .
The Camry 's driver was taken to nearby @ @ @ @ @ minor injuries .
Parisi was pronounced dead at the scene .

Authorities identify Algonquin woman killed in crash near Lake Barrington
Authorities have released the identity of an Algonquin woman killed in a crash near Lake Barrington late Tuesday night.
Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said 30-year-old Angela Parisi died as a result of multiple blunt-force injuries suffered in the crash. Toxicology results are pending.
"We have been in close contact with Ms. Parisi's family, and our deepest condolences go out to them during this difficult time. This is truly a tragedy," Cooper said in a news release.
Parisi was driving a 2004 Nissan Altima south on Kelsey Road just north of Flint Creek Road about 11:40 p.m. Tuesday when the car veered off the road for unknown reasons, according to Lake County sheriff's police.
The car drove into a ditch on the left side of the road, struck a tree, flipped onto its roof and was hit by a southbound 2002 Toyota Camry driven by a 39-year-old Fox River Grove man, sheriff's police said. The Camry's driver was taken to nearby Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital with minor injuries.
Parisi was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Planning, not promises, at center of Des Plaines' economic success, mayor says

In his second-to-last Address to Business , Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz on Thursday spoke of the strides the city has made in infrastructure improvement , economic development and financial stability over the past decade by making plans rather than promises .
Bogusz , whose tenure as mayor will end next year due to the city 's term limits , made the annual presentation to the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Manzo 's Banquets .
While city government to a large degree protects the interests of residents , Bogusz told the business community that its interest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the equation .
`` You guys contribute a great deal , '' Bogusz said .
`` Challenge us .
Do n't make our jobs easy , make our jobs fun .
We 're going to keep up our end of the bargain . ''
The city 's willingness to partner with businesses is reflected in the Cook County Class 6B and 7C property tax incentives it 's endorsed to attract new companies or retain expanding ones .
Since 2011 , these incentives alone have led to 4.8 million square feet of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creation of 6,200 new jobs , Bogusz said .
The city now invests four times as much in infrastructure year to year as it did before 2011 , and has saved $ 29 million in interest by paying off loans at a quicker rate .
Bogusz said Des Plaines is now leading the region in its low municipal debt and property taxes , as well as in the increases in its home values and the affordability of its office and retail spaces .
`` Our occupancy rates are crushing our neighbors ' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to go hunting for development opportunities , investors now are seeking out Des Plaines , he said .
A prime example is the current replacement of an entire city block downtown with a new residential and retail development .
`` A truly huge investment of private capital in our downtown , '' Bogusz said .
`` That 's something that simply would n't have happened 10 years ago . ''
Another sign of improvement downtown is the recent relighting of the marquee of the Des Plaines Theatre , as an upgrade of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rivers Casino continues .
In closing , Bogusz emphasized that much of the city 's success is the result of long-term planning .
One such plan just getting under way is the proposed construction of a new Metra station on the North Central Service line near the intersection of Oakton and Lee streets .
But only constituents -- including those of the business community -- can ensure that such plans do n't become empty promises , Bogusz said .
`` It 's your job to hold me and whoever comes after me accountable @ @ @ @ @

Planning, not promises, at center of Des Plaines' economic success, mayor says
In his second-to-last Address to Business, Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz on Thursday spoke of the strides the city has made in infrastructure improvement, economic development and financial stability over the past decade by making plans rather than promises.
Bogusz, whose tenure as mayor will end next year due to the city's term limits, made the annual presentation to the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Manzo's Banquets.
While city government to a large degree protects the interests of residents, Bogusz told the business community that its interest and investment in Des Plaines is a big part of the equation.
"You guys contribute a great deal," Bogusz said. "Challenge us. Don't make our jobs easy, make our jobs fun. We're going to keep up our end of the bargain."
The city's willingness to partner with businesses is reflected in the Cook County Class 6B and 7C property tax incentives it's endorsed to attract new companies or retain expanding ones. Since 2011, these incentives alone have led to 4.8 million square feet of formerly vacant space being occupied and the creation of 6,200 new jobs, Bogusz said.
The city now invests four times as much in infrastructure year to year as it did before 2011, and it has saved $29 million in interest by paying off loans at a quicker rate.
Bogusz said Des Plaines is now leading the region in its low municipal debt and property taxes, as well as in the increases in its home values and the affordability of its office and retail spaces.
"Our occupancy rates are crushing our neighbors'," Bogusz said.
While the city used to go hunting for development opportunities, investors now are seeking out Des Plaines, he said. A prime example is the current replacement of an entire city block downtown with a new residential and retail development.
"A truly huge investment of private capital in our downtown," Bogusz said. "That's something that simply wouldn't have happened 10 years ago."
Another sign of improvement downtown is the recent relighting of the marquee of the Des Plaines Theatre, as an upgrade of the facility through a city partnership with Rivers Casino continues.
In closing, Bogusz emphasized that much of the city's success is the result of long-term planning. One such plan just getting underway is the proposed construction of a new Metra station on the North Central Service line near the intersection of Oakton and Lee streets.
But only constituents -- including those of the business community -- can ensure that such plans don't become empty promises, Bogusz said.
"It's your job to hold me and whoever comes after me accountable," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Watch Bansal, Laib interview in their race for Congress

Congressional candidates Krishna Bansal and Rick Laib promoted conservative views in a collegial joint interview this week with the Daily @ @ @ @ @ the full exchange in the Republican primary for the seat now held by Democrat Bill @ @ @ @ @ District .
Bansal , vice chair of the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission , is @ @ @ @ @ a sergeant with the Will County sheriff 's office , is from Joliet .

Watch Bansal, Laib interview in their race for Congress
Congressional candidates Krishna Bansal and Rick Laib promoted conservative views in a collegial joint interview this week with the Daily Herald Editorial Board.
Watch the full exchange in the Republican primary for the seat now held by Democrat Bill Foster in the 11th Congressional District.
Bansal, vice chair of the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission, is from Joliet.
Laib, a sergeant with the Will County sheriff's office, is from Joliet.
The election is March 17.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Dist. 203 defines bias, encourages community to 'unlearn' assumptions

Even the most unconscious of biases can be unlearned -- if at first they are identified .
That 's the message Rakeda Leaks , executive director of diversity and inclusion , shared during two engagement sessions designed to help parents and the broader community in Naperville Unit District 203 learn the difference between bias and racism and work to address both .
Racism , Leaks said , combines power and prejudice to impose the belief that one set of characteristics is superior to another .
Implicit bias , she said , involves unconsciously activated stereotypes that may give advantages to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an online post by a Naperville Central High School student in November resulted in hate crimes charges , the district has been continuing to foster a more diverse and inclusive environment .
The district started such efforts in recent years as demographics change .
The sessions Leaks hosted Wednesday and Thursday were not about `` shame and blame , '' she said , but about understanding across differences , growing and learning .
Roughly 175 people -- some of them staff members -- attended the forums as part of the Focus 203 series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bias plays out in news coverage , friendships , professional networks and assumptions about the world .
`` We must be cognizant of the fact that the messages we have received throughout our lives about some groups might be limited , narrow perceptions that might be , in fact , overly negative and one-sided , or in some cases erroneous , '' Leaks said .
Biases are natural , human functions that can be helpful when they help quickly identify potential dangers or things that do n't belong , Leaks said .
Parent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be wrong , Wilson said .
He said thinking of others only as the groups they represent instead of as individuals is why people can get `` stuck in a cycle '' of harboring incorrect or discriminatory biases .
District 203 's student population of 16,500 remains 62.4 % white , according to Illinois Report Card data .
But the district also has 17.2 % Asian students as well as 10.8 % Hispanic , 4.7 % black , 4.7 % two or more races , 0.2 % American Indian and 0.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a broader city and region where issues with racism and division continue to arise .
But taking steps to identify , admit and `` unlearn '' biases can help , Leaks said .
First , she encouraged participants to conduct a personal `` equity audit , '' looking for patterns among their social , personal and professional lives and seeking blind spots where bias may lie .
`` Pause and be critical thinkers about what we see and what message is being conveyed , '' Leaks said .
Further steps could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure to people who are different .
In Naperville , the conversation about implicit bias is set to continue during the next meeting of Naperville Neighbors United , a diversity group hosted by Naperville City Council member Benny White .
The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Naperville Municipal Center , 400 S. Eagle St. , to be facilitated by Adrienne Coleman , director of diversity , equity and inclusion at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora .

Dist. 203 defines bias, encourages community to 'unlearn' assumptions
Even the most unconscious of biases can be unlearned -- if at first they are identified.
That's the message Rakeda Leaks, executive director of diversity and inclusion, shared during two engagement sessions designed to help parents and the broader community in Naperville Unit District 203 learn the difference between bias and racism and work to address both.
Racism, Leaks said, combines power and prejudice to impose the belief that one set of characteristics is superior to another. Implicit bias, she said, involves unconsciously activated stereotypes that may give advantages to some and disadvantages to others.
After an online post by a Naperville Central High School student in November resulted in hate crimes charges, the district has been continuing to foster a more diverse and inclusive environment. The district started such efforts in recent years as demographics change.
The sessions Leaks hosted Wednesday and Thursday were not about "shame and blame," she said, but about understanding across differences, growing and learning.
Roughly 175 people -- some of them staff members -- attended the forums as part of the Focus 203 series. Participants engaged in discussions about how bias plays out in news coverage, friendships, professional networks and assumptions about the world.
"We must be cognizant of the fact that the messages we have received throughout our lives about some groups might be limited, narrow perceptions that might be, in fact, overly negative and one-sided, or in some cases erroneous," Leaks said.
Biases are natural, human functions that can be helpful when they help quickly identify potential dangers or things that don't belong, Leaks said. Parent Daryl Wilson agreed.
"They're almost defense mechanisms," Wilson said.
But these mechanisms can be wrong, Wilson said. He said thinking of others only as the groups they represent instead of as individuals is why people can get "stuck in a cycle" of harboring incorrect or discriminatory biases.
District 203's student population of 16,500 remains 62.4% white, according to Illinois Report Card data. But the district also has 17.2% Asian students as well as 10.8% Hispanic, 4.7% black, 4.7% two or more races, 0.2% American Indian and 0.1% Pacific islander.
And the district is part of a broader city and region where issues with racism and division continue to arise.
But taking steps to identify, admit and "unlearn" biases can help, Leaks said.
First, she encouraged participants to conduct a personal "equity audit," looking for patterns among their social, personal and professional lives and seeking blind spots where bias may lie.
"Pause and be critical thinkers about what we see and what message is being conveyed," Leaks said.
Further steps could include seeking more diverse friends and increasing exposure to people who are different.
In Naperville, the conversation about implicit bias is set to continue during the next meeting of Naperville Neighbors United, a diversity group hosted by Naperville City Council member Benny White. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., to be facilitated by Adrienne Coleman, director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Oklahoma assistant McNeill leaving program to care for dad

NORMAN , Okla , -- Ruffin McNeill is stepping down as Oklahoma 's assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach @ @ @ @ @ 85-year-old father in North Carolina .
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley hired McNeill in 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ season and at the start of the 2018 season before being named interim co-defensive coordinator @ @ @ @ @ of 2018 .
Riley and McNeill have coached together in some capacity for 15 of @ @ @ @ @ McNeill said stepping away was one of the hardest decisions he 's had to make @ @ @ @ @ not retiring and plans to return to coaching someday .

Oklahoma assistant McNeill leaving program to care for dad
NORMAN, Okla, -- Ruffin McNeill is stepping down as Oklahoma's assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach to help care for his 85-year-old father in North Carolina.
The school made the announcement Thursday.
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley hired McNeill in 2017. He coached defensive tackles that season and at the start of the 2018 season before being named interim co-defensive coordinator for the final eight games of 2018. Riley and McNeill have coached together in some capacity for 15 of the past 17 years.
McNeill said stepping away was one of the hardest decisions he's had to make. He said he is not retiring and plans to return to coaching someday.
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Possible Plan B for Itasca hotel that Haymarket wants: Another interested buyer

Haymarket Center 's bid to convert an Itasca hotel into a drug and alcohol treatment center took a twist this week when a resident said he would be willing to acquire the property if the Chicago-based nonprofit group does n't buy it .
`` I have a legitimate and absolute interest in owning the property should it not be under contract anymore with Haymarket , '' said Larry Swets , an investor who lives in Itasca .
He said the property could remain viable as a hotel .
Itasca Mayor Jeff Pruyn on Wednesday released a statement saying that Swets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along Irving Park Road .
The revelation comes as Haymarket is trying to get village approval to convert the hotel into a 240-bed facility for patients with substance-use disorders .
Pruyn made the announcement because Swets ' brother , Eric Swets , serves on the village 's plan commission , which is reviewing Haymarket 's proposal .
Pruyn said Eric Swets has recused himself from the Haymarket case .
Since October , the plan commission has hosted a series of public hearings on Haymarket 's proposal .
But the hearings have been delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the village .
When the plan commission eventually continues its review of Haymarket 's plan , Pruyn said Eric Swets `` will no longer participate in the hearings or vote on a recommendation in this case . ''
Ultimately , it will be up to the village board to decide if the project can move forward as a planned development .
On Thursday , officials said Haymarket remains under contract to buy the hotel at 860 W. Irving Park Road .
They declined to provide the asking price .
But Haymarket has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remodel the interior of the building .
`` We remain undeterred and our resolve to expand access to care has never been stronger , '' said Dr. Dan Lustig , Haymarket 's president and CEO .
If approved , the proposed facility in Itasca would provide a `` full continuum of health care services , '' including primary care , for adults 18 and older .
The patients would primarily come from DuPage and other collar counties .
But there 's been considerable opposition to the plan from residents who say Itasca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility .
In addition to costing the town tax revenue by replacing the hotel , they say , the center would strain police and emergency services .
The fire protection district has one ambulance and needed voters to approve a property tax hike to help balance its budget .
News of Swets ' interest in the Holiday Inn was met with excitement on the `` No Itasca Haymarket '' Facebook group .
Swets has acquired a variety of properties in Itasca .
In 2014 , he led a group of investors that bought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintained as a golf course and social club .
`` It makes sense that someone would want to buy the hotel , '' James Diestel , a member of the Concerned Citizens of Itasca group .
`` With a little modernization of the rooms , it will be a great investment and continue to be a staple of Itasca . ''
Swets said he recently reached out to representatives of the property owner to express his interest .
`` My interest is for investment purposes , '' said Swets , adding that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hotel .
`` As an investment , '' he said , `` I think it makes sense as a hotel . ''

Possible Plan B for Itasca hotel that Haymarket wants: Another interested buyer
An investor who lives in Itasca could acquire a Holiday Inn along Irving Park Road if Haymarket Center doesn't buy the building and convert it into a drug and alcohol treatment center. Daily Herald file photo
Haymarket Center's bid to convert an Itasca hotel into a drug and alcohol treatment center took a twist this week when a resident said he would be willing to acquire the property if the Chicago-based nonprofit group doesn't buy it.
"I have a legitimate and absolute interest in owning the property should it not be under contract anymore with Haymarket," said Larry Swets, an investor who lives in Itasca. He said the property could remain viable as a hotel.
Itasca Mayor Jeff Pruyn on Wednesday released a statement saying that Swets has expressed interest in the Holiday Inn along Irving Park Road. The revelation comes as Haymarket is trying to get village approval to convert the hotel into a 240-bed facility for patients with substance-use disorders.
Pruyn made the announcement because Swets' brother, Eric Swets, serves on the village's plan commission, which is reviewing Haymarket's proposal. Pruyn said Eric Swets has recused himself from the Haymarket case.
Since October, the plan commission has hosted a series of public hearings on Haymarket's proposal. But the hearings have been delayed because of pending litigation between Haymarket and the village.
When the plan commission eventually continues its review of Haymarket's plan, Pruyn said Eric Swets "will no longer participate in the hearings or vote on a recommendation in this case."
Ultimately, it will be up to the village board to decide if the project can move forward as a planned development.
On Thursday, officials said Haymarket remains under contract to buy the hotel at 860 W. Irving Park Road. They declined to provide the asking price. But Haymarket has said it would spend roughly $1.5 million to remodel the interior of the building.
"We remain undeterred and our resolve to expand access to care has never been stronger," said Dr. Dan Lustig, Haymarket's president and CEO.
If approved, the proposed facility in Itasca would provide a "full continuum of health care services," including primary care, for adults 18 and older. The patients would primarily come from DuPage and other collar counties.
But there's been considerable opposition to the plan from residents who say Itasca is too small to support the proposed facility.
In addition to costing the town tax revenue by replacing the hotel, they say, the center would strain police and emergency services. The fire protection district has one ambulance and needed voters to approve a property tax hike to help balance its budget.
News of Swets' interest in the Holiday Inn was met with excitement on the "No Itasca Haymarket" Facebook group.
Swets has acquired a variety of properties in Itasca. In 2014, he led a group of investors that bought Itasca Country Club so it could be maintained as a golf course and social club.
"It makes sense that someone would want to buy the hotel," James Diestel, a member of the Concerned Citizens of Itasca group. "With a little modernization of the rooms, it will be a great investment and continue to be a staple of Itasca."
Swets said he recently reached out to representatives of the property owner to express his interest.
"My interest is for investment purposes," said Swets, adding that he believes the building is still viable as a hotel.
"As an investment," he said, "I think it makes sense as a hotel."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Have gun, won't travel. So why is the TSA finding so many at security checks?

Have gun , wo n't travel is the law of the land when it comes to flying commercial .
So why did the Transportation Security Administration find a record 4,432 firearms -- 87 % of them loaded -- when they searched passengers ' carry-on bags last year when they 're not allowed in the passenger area of planes ?
Mostly because those travelers forgot the guns were there , an agency spokesman tells us .
`` The big take-away is pay attention to what 's in your bag , because it 's almost always a mistake , '' TSA spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , at that .
While the TSA does n't criminally prosecute weapons violations -- that 's up to the local authorities -- it will fine passengers on average $ 2,400 for a first offense , and hundreds more if the gun is loaded .
The 4,432 guns discovered last year -- an average 12.1 per day -- is 5 % more than in 2018 , and nearly four times as many as 10 years ago , when officers found 1,123 firearms .
The two main reasons , Howell told us , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owning guns .
The agency set its record of most screenings in a day three times last year , on March 24 , July 7 and Dec. 1 .
The good news ?
Chicago travelers seem to get it .
TSA agents found 51 guns last year at O'Hare International Airport and 33 at Midway .
Even combined , that would n't be enough to place them in the top 10 airports for gun discoveries last year .
Topping that list -- by far -- was Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , with 323 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 217 , followed by Denver International Airport with 140 .
Howell notes that flying with a gun is n't illegal -- just so long as its packed safely in checked luggage and declared to the airline you 're flying .
`` We just do n't want it accessible on a flight , '' he said .
These samurai swords were among the TSA 's top 10 finds 2019 .
And now the weird stuff Besides loads of guns , what else did TSA find last year ?
The agency 's annual list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including a trio of samurai swords in San Jose , a car air bag in Orlando , a power saw in Hartford , a snake in Newark , New Jersey ( whose owner left the poor thing behind ! )
, and our personal favorite : a sack of moose poop in ( where else ? )
Juneau , Alaska .
The sack 's owner -- who was allowed to keep the nuggets -- later used them during a protest outside the Alaska state capitol , according to local news reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unveiling its top finds of 2019 at tsa.gov/videos/tsas-top-10-finds-2019-0 .
The TSA does n't actually seize the weapons it finds , Howell tells us .
Instead , they give the passenger an opportunity to `` abandon '' it or leave the airport with it .
Most choose the former , he said .
Are you fascinated by unsolved mysteries ?
Do cold case files warm your heart ?
Have we got the event for you .
CrimeCon -- think of it as a ComicCon for true-crime junkies -- is coming to Chicago Feb. 21-23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amateur detectives will get together in hopes of solving a decades-old mystery .
The case they 'll take on is the disappearance and death of Kurt Sova , a 17-year-old from the Cleveland suburbs .
Kurt left home Oct. 23 , 1981 , to attend a Halloween party with a friend and never returned .
His body was discovered six days later in a ravine about 500 yards from the house that hosted the party .
Investigators found no injuries , and authorities ultimately decided he died naturally or by accident .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family , continue to have doubts nearly four decades later .
Among their reasons : Police could find Kurt 's right shoe , and his left shoe was found wedged in a pile of rocks nearby ; and Kurt 's father insisted he searched the ravine and found nothing two days before his son 's body was discovered .
To find out more about the case , and next month 's event , visit www.crimecon.com/crowdsolve-chicago .
Despite all the ads , the news coverage , the social media posts and even the deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , some drivers still did n't get the message about moving over when they see an emergency vehicle stopped alongside a road .
State police made sure they got it last week with an aggressive effort to enforce Scott 's Law -- also known as the Move Over Law -- in memory of a fallen colleague .
`` Operation Lambert , '' named after Trooper Christopher Lambert of Highland Park , saw troopers issue 281 Scott 's Law citations and 64 warnings during an aggressive enforcement campaign Jan. 12-18 , state police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrests through 503 Scott 's Law details statewide , according to the agency .
The campaign launched on the anniversary of Lambert 's death Jan. 12 , 2019 , along I-294 near Willow Road in Northbrook .
The 34-year-old trooper was on his way home for the day when he pulled over to help drivers involved in a three-vehicle crash .
An SUV whose driver failed to move over struck him .
Scott 's Law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles , including highway maintenance vehicles , pulled over with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe , drivers must slow down and leave a safe distance until safely passing the stationary vehicle .
Effective Jan. 1 , the fine for a first-time offense rose to $ 250 , and a second offense could leave a driver on the hook for a $ 750 fine .
• Have a question , tip or comment ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Have gun, won't travel. So why is the TSA finding so many at security checks?
This butcher knife was among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
Someone tried to bring a snake aboard a flight in Newark, New Jersey, then left it behind when it was found by TSA officers. It was among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
This blow dart gun was among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
These martial arts sais were among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
Someone thought it was a good idea to bring a power saw aboard a commercial flight in Hartford. It was among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
An air bag was among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
These flares were among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
Besides thousands of guns, TSA officers found hundreds of other prohibited items during passenger screenings last year, such as these grenades. Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
Ever wonder why the lines are so long to get through airport screening? Perhaps it's because so many of your fellow passengers are leaving things they shouldn't in their carry-ons. The Transportation Security Administrations says its officers found a record 4,432 firearms during passenger screenings at the nation's airports last year. Daily Herald File Photo
These gun/knife combo weapons were among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
Have gun, won't travel is the law of the land when it comes to flying commercial.
So why did the Transportation Security Administration find a record 4,432 firearms -- 87% of them loaded -- when they searched passengers' carry-on bags last year when they're not allowed in the passenger area of planes?
Mostly because those travelers forgot the guns were there, an agency spokesman tells us.
"The big take-away is pay attention to what's in your bag, because it's almost always a mistake," TSA spokesman Mark Howell said.
And a costly one, at that. While the TSA doesn't criminally prosecute weapons violations -- that's up to the local authorities -- it will fine passengers on average $2,400 for a first offense, and hundreds more if the gun is loaded.
The 4,432 guns discovered last year -- an average 12.1 per day -- is 5% more than in 2018, and nearly four times as many as 10 years ago, when officers found 1,123 firearms.
The two main reasons, Howell told us, are more people flying, and more people owning guns. The agency set its record of most screenings in a day three times last year, on March 24, July 7 and Dec. 1.
The Transportation Security Administrations says its officers found a record 4,432 firearms during passenger screenings at the nation's airports last year. That's 5% more than in 2018 and almost four times as many as a decade ago. - Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
The good news? Chicago travelers seem to get it. TSA agents found 51 guns last year at O'Hare International Airport and 33 at Midway. Even combined, that wouldn't be enough to place them in the top 10 airports for gun discoveries last year.
Topping that list -- by far -- was Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with 323. Second was Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport with 217, followed by Denver International Airport with 140.
Howell notes that flying with a gun isn't illegal -- just so long as its packed safely in checked luggage and declared to the airline you're flying.
"We just don't want it accessible on a flight," he said.
And now the weird stuff
These samurai swords were among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. - Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
Besides loads of guns, what else did TSA find last year?
The agency's annual list of Top 10 finds features some doozies, including a trio of samurai swords in San Jose, a car air bag in Orlando, a power saw in Hartford, a snake in Newark, New Jersey (whose owner left the poor thing behind!), and our personal favorite: a sack of moose poop in (where else?) Juneau, Alaska.
The sack's owner -- who was allowed to keep the nuggets -- later used them during a protest outside the Alaska state capitol, according to local news reports.
This bag of moose poop spotted in Juneau, Alaska was among the TSA's top 10 finds 2019. - Courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration
You can watch the TSA's video unveiling its top finds of 2019 at tsa.gov/videos/tsas-top-10-finds-2019-0.
One more thing
The TSA doesn't actually seize the weapons it finds, Howell tells us. Instead, they give the passenger an opportunity to "abandon" it or leave the airport with it. Most choose the former, he said.
Cold case convention
Are you fascinated by unsolved mysteries? Do cold case files warm your heart?
Have we got the event for you.
CrimeCon -- think of it as a ComicCon for true-crime junkies -- is coming to Chicago Feb. 21-23 for a "Crowdsolve," where amateur detectives will get together in hopes of solving a decades-old mystery.
The case they'll take on is the disappearance and death of Kurt Sova, a 17-year-old from the Cleveland suburbs. Kurt left home Oct. 23, 1981, to attend a Halloween party with a friend and never returned. His body was discovered six days later in a ravine about 500 yards from the house that hosted the party.
Investigators found no injuries, and authorities ultimately decided he died naturally or by accident. But many, including members of Kurt's family, continue to have doubts nearly four decades later. Among their reasons: Police could find Kurt's right shoe, and his left shoe was found wedged in a pile of rocks nearby; and Kurt's father insisted he searched the ravine and found nothing two days before his son's body was discovered.
To find out more about the case, and next month's event, visit www.crimecon.com/crowdsolve-chicago.
Learning the hard way
Despite all the ads, the news coverage, the social media posts and even the deaths of three Illinois State Police troopers last year, some drivers still didn't get the message about moving over when they see an emergency vehicle stopped alongside a road.
State police made sure they got it last week with an aggressive effort to enforce Scott's Law -- also known as the Move Over Law -- in memory of a fallen colleague.
"Operation Lambert," named after Trooper Christopher Lambert of Highland Park, saw troopers issue 281 Scott's Law citations and 64 warnings during an aggressive enforcement campaign Jan. 12-18, state police said. Troopers also made 77 criminal arrests through 503 Scott's Law details statewide, according to the agency.
The campaign launched on the anniversary of Lambert's death Jan. 12, 2019, along I-294 near Willow Road in Northbrook. The 34-year-old trooper was on his way home for the day when he pulled over to help drivers involved in a three-vehicle crash. An SUV whose driver failed to move over struck him.
Scott's Law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles, including highway maintenance vehicles, pulled over with their flashing lights turned on. If changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe, drivers must slow down and leave a safe distance until safely passing the stationary vehicle.
Effective Jan. 1, the fine for a first-time offense rose to $250, and a second offense could leave a driver on the hook for a $750 fine.
• Have a question, tip or comment? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Aurora soldier's remains arrive in Texas for burial

BROWNSVILLE , Texas -- Some praying , some crying and some holding American flags , dozens of community members gathered at the Brownsville-South Padre International Airport to witness the arrival of the remains of Army Spc .
Miguel Angel Villalon on Thursday afternoon .
Villalon , 21 , an East Aurora High School graduate who spent part of his childhood in Texas , was killed in action Jan. 11 in Kandahar province , Afghanistan .
`` It was sad because my husband served in Vietnam and I was pregnant when he left and you never know what kind of news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Anita Infante , who was at the airport paying her respects .
`` He 's a hero ; he volunteered . ''
After the arrival at the airport , a procession including Villalon 's family members and several law enforcement vehicles made their way through the city to drive by Oliveira Middle School and Perez Elementary , where he was a student , and the apartments where he lived in Brownsville .
Hundreds of students waved American flags at the procession and held signs that said `` local hero '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among many more while they were accompanied by their teachers .
Hundreds of kids were also seen outside of El Jardin Elementary near the airport with signs and flags .
`` This is a way of thanking the Villalon family because they lent their child so he could serve his country and so all of us could enjoy all the benefits that we have in this country , '' Vietnam veteran Guadalupe Leal , who has family related to Miguel Angel , said while waiting at the airport .
Adrian Avilez , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late afternoon sun just an hour before the plane arrived on the tarmac .
It was his first time paying his respects to a fallen soldier at the airport in Brownsville .
`` Even though we did n't know him , he 's our comrade .
It 's a sad thing because you work so hard to protect this country .
We have to go far away to do this work .
He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us here , '' he said .
Villalon joined the Army in 2018 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion as his first assignment .
His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart , the Bronze Star , an Army Achievement Medal with `` V '' device ( awarded to service members who perform `` meritoriously under the most arduous combat conditions '' ) and the Combat Action Badge .
Visitation will be held from 1 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Brownsville Event Center .
The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the same location and will be followed by the burial in Buena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Olivia Guzman Villalon , will return to his alma mater Wednesday , Jan. 29 , for a service that will give the Aurora community a chance to pay its respects .
Mayor Richard Irvin will invite Gold Star families to attend the public service at 2 p.m. in East Aurora 's auditorium .

Aurora soldier's remains arrive in Texas for burial
The casket bearing the remains of Army Spc. Miguel Angel Villalon arrives Thursday at Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista Funeral Home in Brownsville, Texas. Villalon, an East Aurora High School graduate, was killed earlier this month in Afghanistan. Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald
BROWNSVILLE, Texas -- Some praying, some crying and some holding American flags, dozens of community members gathered at the Brownsville-South Padre International Airport to witness the arrival of the remains of Army Spc. Miguel Angel Villalon on Thursday afternoon.
Villalon, 21, an East Aurora High School graduate who spent part of his childhood in Texas, was killed in action Jan. 11 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
"It was sad because my husband served in Vietnam and I was pregnant when he left and you never know what kind of news you're going to get," said Anita Infante, who was at the airport paying her respects. "He's a hero; he volunteered."
After the arrival at the airport, a procession including Villalon's family members and several law enforcement vehicles made their way through the city to drive by Oliveira Middle School and Perez Elementary, where he was a student, and the apartments where he lived in Brownsville.
Hundreds of students waved American flags at the procession and held signs that said "local hero" and "thank your for your service," among many more while they were accompanied by their teachers. Hundreds of kids were also seen outside of El Jardin Elementary near the airport with signs and flags.
"This is a way of thanking the Villalon family because they lent their child so he could serve his country and so all of us could enjoy all the benefits that we have in this country," Vietnam veteran Guadalupe Leal, who has family related to Miguel Angel, said while waiting at the airport.
Adrian Avilez, a Desert Storm veteran, waited outside under the late afternoon sun just an hour before the plane arrived on the tarmac. It was his first time paying his respects to a fallen soldier at the airport in Brownsville.
"Even though we didn't know him, he's our comrade. It's a sad thing because you work so hard to protect this country. We have to go far away to do this work. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us here," he said.
Villalon joined the Army in 2018 to be a combat engineer and reported to the 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion as his first assignment. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, an Army Achievement Medal with "V" device (awarded to service members who perform "meritoriously under the most arduous combat conditions") and the Combat Action Badge.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Brownsville Event Center. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the same location and will be followed by the burial in Buena Vista Burial Park.
Villalon's mother, Olivia Guzman Villalon, will return to his alma mater Wednesday, Jan. 29, for a service that will give the Aurora community a chance to pay its respects. Mayor Richard Irvin will invite Gold Star families to attend the public service at 2 p.m. in East Aurora's auditorium.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Foster, Ventura lock horns over environmental issues

A race pitting a veteran scientist against a mathematician highlights stark differences in how each would tackle global warming .
Centrist four-term lawmaker U.S. Rep. Bill Foster and progressive Democrat Rachel Ventura are vying for a nod in the 11th Congressional District Democratic primary on March 17 .
The duo butted heads over the Green New Deal and other environmental issues Wednesday during a Daily Herald Editorial Board interview .
Ventura , 38 , a mathematician and lifelong environmentalist from Joliet , said several environmental groups have met with Foster on the Green New Deal and criticized him for refusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution -- introduced by two Democrats -- outlines a plan for tackling climate change .
Its goals are to wean the United States from fossil fuels , curb greenhouse gas emissions and create new jobs in clean-energy industries .
`` I think that the Green New Deal is not achievable , '' Foster , 64 , a former particle physicist from Naperville .
`` I do n't see many Republican co-sponsors of it .
It 's very prescriptive .
It is not clear in many ways . ''
Foster supports investing in research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so globally more nations can `` afford to decarbonize . ''
He is a proponent of developing grid-level energy storage -- at the base of wind farms or at neighborhood substations -- and incorporating more renewable energy into electric grids .
Ventura argued the measure would n't result in net-zero greenhouse gas emissions because it does n't emphasize shifting to renewable energy .
`` It 's saying that , as long as the carbon you put in can somehow be taken out and there 's a zero at the end of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` It 's a fossil fuel bill . ''
Ventura said supply and demand ultimately will help lower technology costs and called for federal government investment to incentivize states , counties and cities to roll out sustainability plans .
She touted her environmental record as a Will County Board member in getting the Greenest Region Compact passed -- a framework much like the Green New Deal that sets sustainability goals for the future .

Foster, Ventura lock horns over environmental issues
A race pitting a veteran scientist against a mathematician highlights stark differences in how each would tackle global warming.
Centrist four-term lawmaker U.S. Rep. Bill Foster and progressive Democrat Rachel Ventura are vying for a nod in the 11th Congressional District Democratic primary on March 17.
The duo butted heads over the Green New Deal and other environmental issues Wednesday during a Daily Herald Editorial Board interview.
Ventura, 38, a mathematician and lifelong environmentalist from Joliet, said several environmental groups have met with Foster on the Green New Deal and criticized him for refusing to sign it.
The nonbinding congressional resolution -- introduced by two Democrats -- outlines a plan for tackling climate change. Its goals are to wean the United States from fossil fuels, curb greenhouse gas emissions and create new jobs in clean-energy industries.
"I think that the Green New Deal is not achievable," Foster, 64, a former particle physicist from Naperville. "I don't see many Republican co-sponsors of it. It's very prescriptive. It is not clear in many ways."
Foster supports investing in research and development to lower new technology costs so globally more nations can "afford to decarbonize." He is a proponent of developing grid-level energy storage -- at the base of wind farms or at neighborhood substations -- and incorporating more renewable energy into electric grids.
Ventura argued the measure wouldn't result in net-zero greenhouse gas emissions because it doesn't emphasize shifting to renewable energy.
"It's saying that, as long as the carbon you put in can somehow be taken out and there's a zero at the end of the day, then we're good to go," she said. "It's a fossil fuel bill."
Ventura said supply and demand ultimately will help lower technology costs and called for federal government investment to incentivize states, counties and cities to roll out sustainability plans.
She touted her environmental record as a Will County Board member in getting the Greenest Region Compact passed -- a framework much like the Green New Deal that sets sustainability goals for the future.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Watch GOP candidates for U.S. Senate square off live on dailyherald.com

Video interviews of candidates in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate will be livestreamed today on dailyherald.com and on @ @ @ @ @ page .
A Daily Herald Editorial Board joint interview with GOP candidates seeking nomination to @ @ @ @ @ November will take place at 3 p.m .
The candidates in the Republican primary are @ @ @ @ @ Curran of Libertyville , retired IRS analyst Peggy Hubbard of Belleville , former Burr Ridge @ @ @ @ @ oncologist Tom Tarter of Springfield and Casey Chlebek of Glenview , president of the Illinois @ @ @ @ @ Congress .

Watch interview of GOP candidates for U.S. Senate squaring off
Video interviews of candidates in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate were livestreamed Friday on dailyherald.com and on the Daily Herald's Facebook page.
The Daily Herald Editorial Board conducted a joint interview with GOP candidates seeking nomination to challenge Democrat Dick Durbin in November.
The candidates in the Republican primary are former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran of Libertyville, retired IRS analyst Peggy Hubbard of Belleville, former Burr Ridge Trustee Robert Marshall, urological oncologist Tom Tarter of Springfield and Casey Chlebek of Glenview, president of the Illinois division of the Polish American Congress.
The primary election is March 17.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Bloomingdale Township supervisor calls for highway chief's resignation

Bloomingdale Township Supervisor Michael Hovde Jr. is calling on the township 's embattled highway commissioner , Robert Czernek , to resign .
Federal agents executed a search warrant Tuesday at Czernek 's township offices as part of a federal and local probe into his financial dealings as highway commissioner and his relationship with `` a handful '' of vendors , Hovde said in a written statement Thursday evening .
Czernek has not been charged with any wrongdoing .
Reached my email Thursday evening , Czernek replied `` no comment . ''
`` After the execution of the federal search warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to alleged financial improprieties at the Bloomingdale Township Highway Department , the current highway commissioner must resign immediately . ''
Hovde said in the statement .
Hovde stressed the highway commissioner is an elected official and his office operates separately from the rest of the township .
`` The Bloomingdale Township office was not the subject of the federal search warrant , which related solely to alleged conduct within the Bloomingdale Township Highway Department and a handful of its vendors , '' Hovde said .
`` The Bloomingdale Township Supervisor 's Office is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomingdale Township Highway Department . ''
The FBI and DuPage County state 's attorney 's office have remained mum about their investigation .
The FBI issued a statement saying it conducted `` court-authorized law enforcement activities '' on Tuesday in the Bloomingdale area but declined to say anything more .
State 's Attorney Robert Berlin also has declined to comment .
Township officials on Tuesday issued a statement saying the supervisor 's office is `` fully cooperating with the investigation into the road district commissioner . ''
Czernek is in his second term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is really a wonderful man who has spent his life helping the township of Bloomingdale , '' his attorney , Michael Monico , said Wednesday .

Bloomingdale Township supervisor calls for highway chief's resignation
Bloomingdale Township Supervisor Michael Hovde Jr. is calling on the township's embattled highway commissioner, Robert Czernek, to resign.
Federal agents executed a search warrant Tuesday at Czernek's township offices as part of a federal and local probe into his financial dealings as highway commissioner and his relationship with "a handful" of vendors, Hovde said in a written statement Thursday evening.
Czernek has not been charged with any wrongdoing. Reached my email Thursday evening, Czernek replied "no comment."
"After the execution of the federal search warrant of the Bloomingdale Township Highway Department relating to alleged financial improprieties at the Bloomingdale Township Highway Department, the current highway commissioner must resign immediately." Hovde said in the statement.
Hovde stressed the highway commissioner is an elected official and his office operates separately from the rest of the township.
"The Bloomingdale Township office was not the subject of the federal search warrant, which related solely to alleged conduct within the Bloomingdale Township Highway Department and a handful of its vendors," Hovde said. "The Bloomingdale Township Supervisor's Office is housed at a different facility than the Bloomingdale Township Highway Department."
The FBI and DuPage County state's attorney's office have remained mum about their investigation. The FBI issued a statement saying it conducted "court-authorized law enforcement activities" on Tuesday in the Bloomingdale area but declined to say anything more. State's Attorney Robert Berlin also has declined to comment.
Township officials on Tuesday issued a statement saying the supervisor's office is "fully cooperating with the investigation into the road district commissioner."
Czernek is in his second term as highway commissioner.
"Mr. Czernek is really a wonderful man who has spent his life helping the township of Bloomingdale," his attorney, Michael Monico, said Wednesday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Weekend at play: Husky Heroes at Morton Arboretum, Loverboy at the Genesee

Husky Heroes race into the Morton Arboretum in Lisle , more than 450 pianists perform during American Grands 25 in Elgin and Canadian rockers Loverboy headline Waukegan 's Genesee Theatre .
Here are five things to do this weekend .
For more ideas , see dailyherald.com/calendar .
`` Disney On Ice : Road Trip Adventures '' takes families on a skating journey to meet Mary Poppins , Aladdin , Moana and many more characters brought to life on ice .
The tour stops at the Allstate Arena , 6920 N. Mannheim Road , Rosemont .
$ 15- $ 65 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 p.m. Friday , Jan. 24 , and 11 a.m. , 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday , Jan. 25-26 .
`` Disney On Ice : Road Trip Adventures '' tours to Rosemont 's Allstate Arena this weekend .
Snow dogs The annual Husky Heroes event returns this weekend with demonstrations of sled-pulling , `` skijoring '' and more .
Families can take photos with Siberian huskies and also learn about owning them via Adopt-a-Husky at the Morton Arboretum , 4100 Illinois Route 53 , Lisle .
$ 15 ; $ 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 630 ) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org .
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday , Jan. 25-26 .
See sled-pulling and more during the annual Husky Heroes event at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle .
Tickling the ivories More than 450 pianists of all ages are set to play on 12 grand pianos as part of American Grands 25 at the Elgin Community College 's Blizzard Theatre , 1700 Spartan Drive , Elgin .
$ 24 ; $ 15 kids 12 and younger .
( 847 ) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts .
1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 25 .
More than 20 stops are set up for guests going on Wheaton 's Winter Wine Walk .
Check-in is at the former Carlson Art & Glass , 111 E. Front St. , Wheaton .
Tickets cost $ 30 , which includes 12 one-ounce tastings in a souvenir wineglass .
Must be 21 or older .
downtownwheaton.com .
3 to 6 p.m. Saturday , Jan. 25 .
Hear rock hits like `` Working for the Weekend , '' `` Turn Me Loose '' and more when Canadian rockers Loverboy shares a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Genesee Theatre , 203 N. Genesee St. , Waukegan , $ 40- $ 65 .
( 847 ) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com .
7:30 p.m. Saturday , Jan. 25 .

Weekend at play: Husky Heroes at Morton Arboretum, Loverboy at the Genesee
Take photos with Siberian huskies during the annual Husky Heroes event at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Daily Herald File Photo
Husky Heroes race into the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, more than 450 pianists perform during American Grands 25 in Elgin and Canadian rockers Loverboy headline Waukegan's Genesee Theatre. Here are five things to do this weekend. For more ideas, see dailyherald.com/calendar.
Disney journeys
"Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures" takes families on a skating journey to meet Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Moana and many more characters brought to life on ice. The tour stops at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $15-$65. (800) 745-3000 or disneyonice.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, and 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25-26.
"Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures" tours to Rosemont's Allstate Arena this weekend. - Courtesy of Feld Entertainment
The annual Husky Heroes event returns this weekend with demonstrations of sled-pulling, "skijoring" and more. Families can take photos with Siberian huskies and also learn about owning them via Adopt-a-Husky at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $15; $13 seniors; $10 kids 2-17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25-26.
See sled-pulling and more during the annual Husky Heroes event at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. - Daily Herald File Photo
More than 450 pianists of all ages are set to play on 12 grand pianos as part of American Grands 25 at the Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $24; $15 kids 12 and younger. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25.
Wine Walk
More than 20 stops are set up for guests going on Wheaton's Winter Wine Walk. Check-in is at the former Carlson Art & Glass, 111 E. Front St., Wheaton. Tickets cost $30, which includes 12 one-ounce tastings in a souvenir wineglass. Must be 21 or older. downtownwheaton.com. 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25.
Canadian rockers Loverboy headlines Waukegan's Genesee Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. - Courtesy of Mick Rock
Hear rock hits like "Working for the Weekend," "Turn Me Loose" and more when Canadian rockers Loverboy shares a concert bill with The Tubes at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, $40-$65. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Round Lake boy recovering from severe burn at sleepover

A 13-year-old Round Lake boy suffered third-degree burns on his right foot at a sleepover in Round Lake Park where his parents say he was targeted in a prank inspired by online videos .
While Gio Palacios was sleeping , one or more boys doused his right foot in nail polish remover and set it on fire with a lighter over the weekend , according to his family .
Gio has been in a hospital ever since .
Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko said his department and the Lake County state 's attorney 's Office are investigating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was unable to say how many people are being investigated .
Gio 's mother , Rosario Castillo , said she believes the boys who burned her son were inspired by seeing a video of a similar prank on social media .
Gio has begun lightly walking on the foot , supported by nurses .
Castillo said Gio 's doctors expect him to recover fully , but the road to get there might be long .
`` We will be referred to a more local physical therapy center to continue to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time as he heals , '' said Castillo , who added the family will have to change his dressings at home .
She said Gio could be discharged from the hospital as soon as Tuesday .
Castillo said she 's grateful to the people who have supported Gio online .
A GoFundMe page started by Gio 's cousin Leiah Zulayka garnered nearly $ 3,300 in just over five days .
Castillo said the money raised will help pay for issues that may arise during Gio 's recovery .

Round Lake boy recovering from severe burn at sleepover
Gio Palacios of Round Lake is recovering from third-degree burns on his right foot. His parents say he was burned at a sleepover as part of a prank. courtesy of Leiah Zulayka
Gio Palacios has begun to walk again with the help of nurses. Gio, 13, received third-degree burns on his right foot over the weekend at a sleepover in Round Lake Park. courtesy of Leiah Zulayka
Gio Palacios, 13, has a long recovery ahead of him after being burned on his right foot during a prank at a sleepover in Round Lake Park. courtesy of Leiah Zulayka
A 13-year-old Round Lake boy suffered third-degree burns on his right foot at a sleepover in Round Lake Park where his parents say he was targeted in a prank inspired by online videos.
While Gio Palacios was sleeping, one or more boys doused his right foot in nail polish remover and set it on fire with a lighter over the weekend, according to his family. Gio has been in a hospital ever since.
Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko said his department and the Lake County state's attorney's Office are investigating. Because the case involves minors, Filenko said he was unable to say how many people are being investigated.
Gio's mother, Rosario Castillo, said she believes the boys who burned her son were inspired by seeing a video of a similar prank on social media.
Gio has begun lightly walking on the foot, supported by nurses. Castillo said Gio's doctors expect him to recover fully, but the road to get there might be long.
"We will be referred to a more local physical therapy center to continue to work and get him back up a little at a time as he heals," said Castillo, who added the family will have to change his dressings at home.
She said Gio could be discharged from the hospital as soon as Tuesday.
Castillo said she's grateful to the people who have supported Gio online. A GoFundMe page started by Gio's cousin Leiah Zulayka garnered nearly $3,300 in just over five days.
Castillo said the money raised will help pay for issues that may arise during Gio's recovery.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-24--CDC confirms coronavirus case in Chicago woman

A Chicago woman is the first Illinoisan to contract a dangerous virus that causes pneumonia , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday .
The woman , in her 60s , is the second American to be infected with a coronavirus originating in the Wuhan region of China .
The Chicago resident , who is `` clinically doing well , '' had traveled to Wuhan earlier in the month and her diagnosis was confirmed late Thursday , Chicago officials said at a news conference Friday .
The general public is not at risk and the news should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said .
But `` we 're taking this very seriously as with any coronavirus . ''
She noted the city and state benefitted from lessons learned during the Ebola virus outbreak in 2014 when health and airport officials were on alert for potential cases in Illinois .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers began health screenings of people on flights from the Wuhan area Thursday night at O'Hare International Airport .
O'Hare is one of five airports across the U.S. where screenings are occurring .
The woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started developing symptoms three to four days later , '' said Arwady , a physician .
After visiting her doctor , the woman was hospitalized and is being kept in a special isolation unit .
The `` patient was never critically ill , at least at this point , '' Arwady said .
Experts believe the incubation period for the coronavirus can be as long as 14 days , and people on the plane with her were not at risk .
Chicago health authorities are checking contacts she made after arrival but said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to the U.S .
The people she did interact with are currently well , officials said .
Sixty-three Americans across 22 states are being monitored for the virus , authorities said .
U.S. Sens .
Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth said in a joint statement that CDC experts were talking with the patient and her family `` in order to quarantine any potential spread . ''
`` We are in the earliest stages of measuring the impact of novel coronavirus , but it is being taken very seriously . ''
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use precautions as they do during flu season -- washing hands and checking with a doctor if symptoms such as fever , coughing and shortness of breath occur .
Screening at O'Hare by federal health workers `` will impact a very limited group of travelers , and the broader traveling public and airport employees are not at risk , '' Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee said this week .
Travelers at O'Hare do not need to take special precautions and will not be affected unless their flights are departing to or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .
`` Travelers from Wuhan , China , will be escorted to an area of the airport set aside for screening , '' CDC spokesman Scott Pauley said .
Passengers will complete a brief questionnaire that asks about their travel history and health , and collects contact information .
`` CDC staff will observe these travelers for signs of illness and take travelers ' temperatures using noncontact thermometers , '' Pauley said .
Travelers with fever , cough or trouble breathing might undergo additional assessments .
The CDC also is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles , New York 's John F. Kennedy and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta international airports .
`` In coordination with the CDC , Customs and Border Protection has measures already in place to identify travelers with overt signs of illness at ports of entry who may be potentially infected with a communicable disease and to minimize the risk to the traveling public , '' CDC spokesman Steven Bansbach said .
Coronaviruses are described as a `` family '' of viruses causing respiratory problems that include the common cold .
One coronavirus , however , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a respiratory infection that resulted in a global outbreak in 2003 , killing 774 people , according to the World Health Organization .
There 's a lot scientists do n't yet know about the new coronavirus .
`` While originally thought to be spreading from animal to person , there are growing indications that limited person-to-person spread is happening .
It 's unclear how easily this virus is spreading between people , '' CDC officials said .
Chinese authorities estimate the virus , first detected in December , has infected about 830 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other cases have been reported in Thailand , Japan and South Korea .
Those most susceptible are older people and those with health problems and compromised immune systems , preliminary information indicates .
Authorities noted that despite the fatalities , other patients have been treated and released .

Chicago woman with coronavirus 'doing well' in isolation at Hoffman Estates hospital
A Chicago woman is the first Illinoisan to contract a dangerous virus that causes pneumonia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.
The woman, in her 60s, is the second American to be infected with a coronavirus originating in the Wuhan region of China.
The Chicago resident, who is "clinically doing well," had traveled to Wuhan earlier in the month and her diagnosis was confirmed late Thursday, Chicago officials said at a news conference Friday.
The woman is being treated at Amita St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, Amita Health spokesman Timothy Nelson said. ABC 7 Chicago reported that the Chicago woman is at this hospital because her regular doctor works there.
"The patient is being monitored in isolation, in accordance with established infection control protocols," read part of a statement Friday from Nelson. "We have contacted the small number of patients and staff who may have come into contact with the patient."
"Given the advanced information and training provided by the CDC, our staff was well-prepared to care for this patient," the statement said. Amita Health is "working closely" with the CDC as well as the state and Chicago health departments.
The general public is not at risk and the news should not cause alarm, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said. But "we're taking this very seriously as with any coronavirus."
She noted the city and state benefitted from lessons learned during the Ebola virus outbreak in 2014 when health and airport officials were on alert for potential cases in Illinois.
CDC workers began health screenings of people on flights from the Wuhan area Thursday night at O'Hare International Airport. O'Hare is one of five airports across the U.S. where screenings are occurring.
The woman arrived at O'Hare Jan. 13 and "started developing symptoms three to four days later," said Arwady, a physician.
After visiting her doctor, the woman was hospitalized and is being kept in a special isolation unit. The "patient was never critically ill, at least at this point," Arwady said.
Experts believe the incubation period for the coronavirus can be as long as 14 days, and people on the plane with her were not at risk.
Chicago health authorities are checking contacts she made after arrival but said the woman stayed mostly at home after returning to the U.S. The people she did interact with are currently well, officials said.
Sixty-three Americans across 22 states are being monitored for the virus, authorities said.
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth said in a joint statement that CDC experts were talking with the patient and her family "in order to quarantine any potential spread."
"We are in the earliest stages of measuring the impact of novel coronavirus, but it is being taken very seriously."
Meanwhile, Gov. J.B. Pritzer advised residents to use precautions as they do during flu season -- washing hands and checking with a doctor if symptoms such as fever, coughing and shortness of breath occur.
Screening at O'Hare by federal health workers "will impact a very limited group of travelers, and the broader traveling public and airport employees are not at risk," Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee said this week.
Travelers at O'Hare do not need to take special precautions and will not be affected unless their flights are departing to or arriving from the Wuhan region of China, officials said.
"Travelers from Wuhan, China, will be escorted to an area of the airport set aside for screening," CDC spokesman Scott Pauley said.
Passengers will complete a brief questionnaire that asks about their travel history and health, and collects contact information.
"CDC staff will observe these travelers for signs of illness and take travelers' temperatures using noncontact thermometers," Pauley said.
Travelers with fever, cough or trouble breathing might undergo additional assessments.
The CDC also is screening passengers at San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York's John F. Kennedy and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta international airports.
"In coordination with the CDC, Customs and Border Protection has measures already in place to identify travelers with overt signs of illness at ports of entry who may be potentially infected with a communicable disease and to minimize the risk to the traveling public," CDC spokesman Steven Bansbach said.
Coronaviruses are described as a "family" of viruses causing respiratory problems that include the common cold.
One coronavirus, however, was severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, a respiratory infection that resulted in a global outbreak in 2003, killing 774 people, according to the World Health Organization.
There's a lot scientists don't yet know about the new coronavirus.
"While originally thought to be spreading from animal to person, there are growing indications that limited person-to-person spread is happening. It's unclear how easily this virus is spreading between people," CDC officials said.
Chinese authorities estimate the virus, first detected in December, has infected about more than 1,200 people people in China and caused more than 40 deaths. Other cases have been reported in Thailand, Japan and South Korea.
Those most susceptible are older people and those with health problems and compromised immune systems, preliminary information indicates.
Authorities noted that despite the fatalities, other patients have been treated and released.
• Daily Herald staff writer Harry Hitzeman contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-24--What can you do in response to coronavirus?

First , stay calm .
There is no need to panic , health officials advise .
The chance of contracting coronavirus through casual contact with an infected person is extremely slim , says Dr. Robert Citronberg , infectious diseases director for Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge .
While donning masks would protect against infection , it 's also unnecessary for most people at this point , he added .
`` The risk of transmission to the general public is extremely low , '' Citronberg said .
`` The only people we are really concerned about are people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected , which is mostly Wuhan City , China , or anywhere else the virus is found , and people who are close contacts to those who have traveled to the area . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says coronaviruses are a large family of viruses , some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals , including camels , cats and bats .
Unlike Middle East respiratory syndrome ( MERS ) and severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS ) , animal coronaviruses rarely evolve and spread among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close contact -- within six feet -- with an infected person for a prolonged period of time to wear masks .
That prolonged exposure could be anything above 20 minutes .
That means for someone walking through O'Hare International Airport past someone who happened to be infected .
`` Your risk of catching that virus in that type of setting is extremely low .
It 's totally unnecessary for anyone in the general public to be wearing masks at this time , '' Citronberg said .
He said people should expect more cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country during the next few days and weeks , but there is no need to stay indoors or avoid public spaces .
`` The CDC and local health departments have been in front of this , '' he said .
`` We are well prepared to identify and handle people who may have been exposed to the virus . ''
He also cautioned against freaking out when someone coughs nearby .
`` We are right in the middle of the influenza season , '' he said .
`` There are going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respiratory infections . ''
He urged people take the same precautions recommended to guard against catching the flu : washing hands , covering the mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze , and carrying a bottle of alcohol sanitizer .
`` You are hundreds of times more likely to get influenza than this coronavirus , '' he said .
`` Have confidence in our local and national public health agencies . ''

What can you do in response to coronavirus?
First, stay calm. There is no need to panic, health officials advise.
The chance of contracting coronavirus through casual contact with an infected person is extremely slim, says Dr. Robert Citronberg, infectious diseases director for Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
While donning masks would protect against infection, it's also unnecessary for most people at this point, he added.
"The risk of transmission to the general public is extremely low," Citronberg said. "The only people we are really concerned about are people who have traveled to the areas that are affected, which is mostly Wuhan City, China, or anywhere else the virus is found, and people who are close contacts to those who have traveled to the area."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Unlike Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), animal coronaviruses rarely evolve and spread among people.
The CDC recommends people in close contact -- within six feet -- with an infected person for a prolonged period of time to wear masks. That prolonged exposure could be anything above 20 minutes.
That means for someone walking through O'Hare International Airport past someone who happened to be infected. "Your risk of catching that virus in that type of setting is extremely low. It's totally unnecessary for anyone in the general public to be wearing masks at this time," Citronberg said.
He said people should expect more cases of coronavirus to pop up across the country during the next few days and weeks, but there is no need to stay indoors or avoid public spaces.
"The CDC and local health departments have been in front of this," he said. "We are well prepared to identify and handle people who may have been exposed to the virus."
He also cautioned against freaking out when someone coughs nearby.
"We are right in the middle of the influenza season," he said. "There are going to be a lot of people walking around with respiratory infections."
He urged people take the same precautions recommended to guard against catching the flu: washing hands, covering the mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and carrying a bottle of alcohol sanitizer.
"You are hundreds of times more likely to get influenza than this coronavirus," he said. "Have confidence in our local and national public health agencies."