dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-17--Lake County reports surge in votes by mail

Though the election is still more than two weeks away , the Lake County Clerk 's office has already received 32,367 mail-in ballots .
For comparison , Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor said about 28,000 vote-by-mail ballots had been collected by Election Day in 2016 .
And though so far the county 's only early voting site is at the Waukegan courthouse , already 5,459 votes have been cast there .
`` That number is huge for the courthouse , '' O'Connor said Friday .
O'Connor said there has been a line to vote nearly every day since early voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days the line forms before voting starts at 9 a.m. On Monday , 16 more early voting locations will open to Lake County voters , one more than usual .
A list of sites can be found at lakecountyil.gov .
O'Connor said this time voters across the county , no matter their precinct , can vote at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake .
`` It will be happening in the great hall and there will be safe distance for voters to be from each other , '' O'Connor said .
`` However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it safe , secure , and I like to use the word 'comfortable . '
We want people to vote and make them feel good about voting . ''
In the midst of the pandemic , `` comfortable '' means voting by mail for many .
O'Connor said there have been 154,190 mail-in ballots requested by Lake County voters so far .
That is 31.8 % of the county 's 484,835 registered voters .
It 's likely -- but still too early to declare -- that the county will see a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The county received a total of 32,407 ballots in the mail in 2016 , including late-arriving and provisional ballots , according to O'Connor 's office .
To help count this election 's mail-in ballots , Lake County will receive about $ 187,000 in federal CARES Act grants made available through the Illinois State Board of Elections for a high-speed digital scanner and other equipment .
The Lake County Board on Tuesday approved three separate resolutions accepting the grants as reimbursement .
O'Connor said the office already has a high-speed digital scanner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's more software and it 's very user-friendly for our judges when they 're looking at signatures , '' O'Connor said .
All the vote-by-mail ballots received before Election Day will be counted and put into vote totals after polls close on Nov. 3 .
O'Connor said any ballots dropped off in collection boxes on Nov. 3 or any ballots that arrive by mail on Nov. 3 will be counted on Nov. 4 or after .
`` Everything we do involving ballots requires election judges needing to be involved , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Election Day , '' O'Connor said .
O'Connor said any ballot postmarked by Nov. 3 will be counted and added to the total by the time the election is made official on Nov. 17 .

Lake County reports surge in votes by mail
The Lake County clerk's office, at the Lake County courthouse annex in Waukegan, reported that it has already received 32,367 mail-in ballots. Daily Herald File Photo, 2019
Though the election is still more than two weeks away, the Lake County Clerk's office has already received 32,367 mail-in ballots.
For comparison, Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor said about 28,000 vote-by-mail ballots had been collected by Election Day in 2016.
And though so far the county's only early voting site is at the Waukegan courthouse, already 5,459 votes have been cast there.
"That number is huge for the courthouse," O'Connor said Friday.
O'Connor said there has been a line to vote nearly every day since early voting began on Sept. 24, and most days the line forms before voting starts at 9 a.m.
On Monday, 16 more early voting locations will open to Lake County voters, one more than usual. A list of sites can be found at lakecountyil.gov.
O'Connor said this time voters across the county, no matter their precinct, can vote at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.
"It will be happening in the great hall and there will be safe distance for voters to be from each other," O'Connor said. "However people vote, we are trying to make it safe, secure, and I like to use the word 'comfortable.' We want people to vote and make them feel good about voting."
In the midst of the pandemic, "comfortable" means voting by mail for many. O'Connor said there have been 154,190 mail-in ballots requested by Lake County voters so far. That is 31.8% of the county's 484,835 registered voters.
It's likely -- but still too early to declare -- that the county will see a significant spike in completed mail-in ballots this year. The county received a total of 32,407 ballots in the mail in 2016, including late-arriving and provisional ballots, according to O'Connor's office.
To help count this election's mail-in ballots, Lake County will receive about $187,000 in federal CARES Act grants made available through the Illinois State Board of Elections for a high-speed digital scanner and other equipment. The Lake County Board on Tuesday approved three separate resolutions accepting the grants as reimbursement.
O'Connor said the office already has a high-speed digital scanner, but the added equipment will increase efficiency.
"It's more software and it's very user-friendly for our judges when they're looking at signatures," O'Connor said.
All the vote-by-mail ballots received before Election Day will be counted and put into vote totals after polls close on Nov. 3. O'Connor said any ballots dropped off in collection boxes on Nov. 3 or any ballots that arrive by mail on Nov. 3 will be counted on Nov. 4 or after.
"Everything we do involving ballots requires election judges needing to be involved, and all of them will be busy on Election Day," O'Connor said.
O'Connor said any ballot postmarked by Nov. 3 will be counted and added to the total by the time the election is made official on Nov. 17.
The clerk's office maintains early voting statistics online at lakecountyil.gov/331/Press-Power.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-17--Project Daffodil aiming to plant 5,000 flowers in St. Charles

Mr. Eggward is about to have a bunch of company .
Beyond the 100 volunteers meeting Saturday at Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles , next spring the iconic Humpty Dumpty-esque statue will be surrounded by the blooms of 5,000 daffodil bulbs being planted this weekend to bring an eyeful of joy to those visiting the park along the Fox River .
Project Daffodil is the brainchild of John Rabchuk , a member of the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles .
In conjunction with the St. Charles Park District -- and thanks to a generous donation of bulbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- a team of volunteers will get their hands dirty starting at 9 a.m. Saturday with the goal of laying the groundwork for beautiful blossoms along the western edge of the park and the nearby bicycle trail .
Rabchuk believes that after a long winter continuing to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic , the public will appreciate the brightness .
`` Everybody we 've talked to thinks it 's just a great idea , '' Rabchuk said .
`` After such a horrible 2020 , we 're hoping in the spring of 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Mr. Eggward and bring smiles to people . ''
Dave Johnson , the St. Charles Park District 's assistant superintendent of parks , said the area around Mr. Eggward was mowed to prepare for the planting but the ground needs no clearing to accommodate the daffodils .
While they are n't native to the area , Johnson said they 'll do well in the exiting landscape .
`` We think it 'll make an impressive display and it 'll welcome people as they come into St. Charles from the south on Route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's a nice , happy greeting .
It 's a good place to have that kind of impact . ''
This could be just the beginning of the planting partnership at Mount St. Mary Park .
There 's still plenty of room around Mr. Eggward for different types of flowers in future seasons .
Depending how this planting session turns out , Mr. Eggward might have more flowery friends in the years to come .
`` If we go all the way from the Mr. Eggward sculpture down to the south parking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulbs , '' Rabchuk said .
`` The Fox River Valley is such a wonderful place , and it 's kind of a hidden gem .
Anything we can do to make it better , that 's our goal . ''

Project Daffodil aiming to plant 5,000 flowers in St. Charles
A team of volunteers will participate in Project Daffodil today with the goal of planting 5,000 daffodil bulbs at Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles. Courtesy of the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles
The Mr. Eggward statue in St. Charles will be the site of Project Daffodil as a team of volunteers plants 5,000 daffodil bulbs today at Mount St. Mary Park. Courtesy of the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles
Mr. Eggward is about to have a bunch of company.
Beyond the 100 volunteers meeting Saturday at Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles, next spring the iconic Humpty Dumpty-esque statue will be surrounded by the blooms of 5,000 daffodil bulbs being planted this weekend to bring an eyeful of joy to those visiting the park along the Fox River.
Project Daffodil is the brainchild of John Rabchuk, a member of the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles. In conjunction with the St. Charles Park District -- and thanks to a generous donation of bulbs from the Heinz Brothers Greenhouse Garden Center -- a team of volunteers will get their hands dirty starting at 9 a.m. Saturday with the goal of laying the groundwork for beautiful blossoms along the western edge of the park and the nearby bicycle trail.
Rabchuk believes that after a long winter continuing to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the public will appreciate the brightness.
"Everybody we've talked to thinks it's just a great idea," Rabchuk said. "After such a horrible 2020, we're hoping in the spring of 2021 we'll have a bunch of blossoms around Mr. Eggward and bring smiles to people."
Dave Johnson, the St. Charles Park District's assistant superintendent of parks, said the area around Mr. Eggward was mowed to prepare for the planting but the ground needs no clearing to accommodate the daffodils. While they aren't native to the area, Johnson said they'll do well in the exiting landscape.
"We think it'll make an impressive display and it'll welcome people as they come into St. Charles from the south on Route 31," Johnson said. "It's a nice, happy greeting. It's a good place to have that kind of impact."
This could be just the beginning of the planting partnership at Mount St. Mary Park. There's still plenty of room around Mr. Eggward for different types of flowers in future seasons.
Depending how this planting session turns out, Mr. Eggward might have more flowery friends in the years to come.
"If we go all the way from the Mr. Eggward sculpture down to the south parking lot, there's room for 100,000 bulbs," Rabchuk said. "The Fox River Valley is such a wonderful place, and it's kind of a hidden gem. Anything we can do to make it better, that's our goal."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-17--Pritzker extends moratorium on evictions

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov .
J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order Friday extending the statewide moratorium on residential evictions for another 30 days .
Pritzker first put a hold on residential evictions through an executive order on March 20 , the same day he issued a statewide stay-at-home order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
He has reissued the order every 30 days , most recently on Sept 18 .
That order would have expired Saturday .
In addition to extending the eviction moratorium , Pritzker also reissued numerous other executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Remember , nothing really has changed in terms of the effect of COVID-19 and its effect on the economy , its effect on people 's jobs , and their ability or inability to pay rent or mortgage , '' Pritzker said during a news conference Friday in Elgin .
`` And it 's one of the reasons why we 've got more and more assistance for housing , as we 're announcing today . ''
Pritzker was in Elgin to announce that his administration is also committing $ 30 million to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which provide services primarily to immigrant communities .
Of that money , $ 18 million will be used for housing and utility assistance while $ 4.5 million will go toward employment and job training services and $ 4 million will be used to provide health care education , the administration said in a release .
The rest will be used for multilingual outreach and technical assistance .
`` We know that using personal information to apply for government services can bring additional stress to our immigrant communities , particularly in this climate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the greatest strengths of our country , our new immigrants , '' Pritzker said .
`` So for this program , our welcoming centers will work directly with the families and neighborhoods who already know and trust them , ensuring that those most in need will be able to stay in their homes without fear of federal government interference . ''
The $ 30 million is being distributed through the Department of Human Services with money appropriated in the current fiscal year 's budget .
In addition to the $ 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's office said , IDHS received another $ 30 in federal funds this year for immigrant-related services .
That includes $ 10 million to connect immigrants with critical services and citizenship support and $ 20 million for cash assistance for Illinoisans who are not eligible for the federal pandemic stimulus .

Pritzker extends moratorium on evictions
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces he is extending a statewide moratorium on residential evictions during a Friday news conference in Elgin. He also announced $30 million in pandemic relief funding for services that aid the state's immigrant community. Blueroomstream.com
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order Friday extending the statewide moratorium on residential evictions for another 30 days.
Pritzker first put a hold on residential evictions through an executive order on March 20, the same day he issued a statewide stay-at-home order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has reissued the order every 30 days, most recently on Sept 18. That order would have expired Saturday.
In addition to extending the eviction moratorium, Pritzker also reissued numerous other executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a moratorium on garnishments and wage deductions.
"Remember, nothing really has changed in terms of the effect of COVID-19 and its effect on the economy, its effect on people's jobs, and their ability or inability to pay rent or mortgage," Pritzker said during a news conference Friday in Elgin. "And it's one of the reasons why we've got more and more assistance for housing, as we're announcing today."
Pritzker was in Elgin to announce that his administration is also committing $30 million to the state's network of welcoming centers, which provide services primarily to immigrant communities.
Of that money, $18 million will be used for housing and utility assistance while $4.5 million will go toward employment and job training services and $4 million will be used to provide health care education, the administration said in a release. The rest will be used for multilingual outreach and technical assistance.
"We know that using personal information to apply for government services can bring additional stress to our immigrant communities, particularly in this climate, where the current president seeks to undermine one of the greatest strengths of our country, our new immigrants," Pritzker said. "So for this program, our welcoming centers will work directly with the families and neighborhoods who already know and trust them, ensuring that those most in need will be able to stay in their homes without fear of federal government interference."
The $30 million is being distributed through the Department of Human Services with money appropriated in the current fiscal year's budget.
In addition to the $30 million in state money, the governor's office said, IDHS received another $30 in federal funds this year for immigrant-related services. That includes $10 million to connect immigrants with critical services and citizenship support and $20 million for cash assistance for Illinoisans who are not eligible for the federal pandemic stimulus.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-17--Who decides when vaccine studies are done?

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease official , will oversee most of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine trials in the U.S. , but not that of the current front-runner made by Pfizer , documents obtained by ProPublica show .
According to a draft charter spelling out how most of the advanced COVID-19 vaccine trials will be monitored , Fauci is the `` designated senior representative '' of the U.S. government who will be part of the first look at the results .
That puts Fauci in the room with the companies -- including Moderna , Johnson & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccines are ready to seek approval from the Food and Drug Administration .
Fauci 's role , which has not been previously reported and was confirmed for ProPublica by the National Institutes of Health , could offer some reassurance in the face of widespread concerns that President Donald Trump wants to rush through an unproven vaccine .
As Sen. Kamala Harris , the Democratic nominee for vice president , put it at her recent debate , `` If the public health professionals , if Dr. Fauci , if the doctors tell us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll be the first in line to take it . ''
But there 's a big caveat .
Fauci does n't have the same hands-on role for the vaccine that seems poised to show results soonest : Pfizer 's .
That 's because Pfizer opted not to accept government funding and participate in the federal program to develop a coronavirus vaccine , known as Operation Warp Speed .
( The government did make an almost $ 2 billion deal with Pfizer to preorder up to 600 million doses of the company 's vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the vaccine 's development like it is for other companies . )
`` ( We ) offered opportunities for collaboration with Pfizer , '' said a spokesperson for the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , a branch of the NIH .
`` Pfizer chose to conduct their Phase 3 study without Operation Warp Speed or NIH support . ''
Pfizer 's CEO , Albert Bourla , said Friday that the earliest his company would be ready to apply for authorization would be the third week of November .
While Pfizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if its vaccine is effective , it would need additional time to gather sufficient safety data to present to the FDA , Bourla said in an open letter on the company 's website .
Fauci 's role in overseeing the companies that are participating in Operation Warp Speed arises from a unique arrangement that the government set up to monitor the trials .
Typically , clinical trials set up their own independent panels of scientists , known as a data safety monitoring board or DSMB , to watch out for safety concerns or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vaccine trials in Operation Warp Speed are sharing a common DSMB whose members were selected by Fauci 's agency , the NIAID .
They 're also sharing a network of clinical trial sites where some volunteers are recruited for the studies .
A DSMB is responsible for making recommendations such as halting the trial if there is a safety concern or letting the manufacturer know that there is enough evidence to submit an application to the FDA .
Ordinarily , a DSMB 's recommendation goes to the company running the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government -- which gets two representatives , one from the NIAID and one from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority -- will also have a seat at the table in deciding what to do next .
`` Once the DSMB makes a decision , the DSMB provides the recommendation to not only the study sponsor but also to the '' U.S. government , whose `` designated senior representative '' is Fauci , the NIAID confirmed in an email .
Fauci declined to be interviewed .
That 's not the same as saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company and the government are supposed to reach a consensus , the agency said .
But if they ca n't all agree , the ultimate decision belongs with the company .
Still , it would be an improbably brazen move for a company to move ahead over Fauci 's objection , given his public stature , experts said .
`` These are the most important trials in medical history , this is the ultimate fishbowl , '' said Dr. Eric Topol , director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute .
`` I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DSMB 's recommendation . ''
While the mechanics of a DSMB may be unfamiliar to most members of the public , people probably know and trust Fauci , according to Amy Pisani , executive director of the national nonprofit organization Vaccinate Your Family .
`` ( He 's ) the sweetheart of the nation right now , '' Pisani said .
`` I do think people have faith in Anthony Fauci . ''
`` Having Fauci with oversight is terrific , '' Topol added .
`` The more people who are experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ca n't be careful enough . ''
Other members of the DSMB for the COVID-19 vaccines , though not as well known as Fauci , are also widely respected in their fields .
DSMB members are typically kept confidential to shield them from outside influence , but ProPublica has been able to identify a few members .
The charter obtained by ProPublica described the group , which has about a dozen members , as having expertise in `` biostatistics , clinical trials , infectious diseases , vaccine development and ethics . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitley , a professor of pediatrics , microbiology , medicine and neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham .
His role became public when the university announced it , though the webpage was later taken down .
His leadership provides another level of comfort in the trustworthiness of the trials to those who know him .
`` He is not only famously bright but he is famously independent and outspoken , '' said Dr. William Schaffner , professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt Medicine .
`` He 'll look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he thinks . ''
Susan Ellenberg , professor of biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania and a former director at the FDA , told ProPublica in an interview that many people , including herself , were worried the NIH might be `` pushed by the political leadership at HHS to release data '' from trials prematurely , which could undermine the integrity of a trial .
HHS , the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , is the NIH 's parent agency .
Her concern was that political leaders might not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials when wanting to have data `` to be able to move quickly in an urgent situation , '' she said .
At the time of the interview , Ellenberg had not identified herself as a member of the NIH 's DSMB , but later acknowledged that she was a member .
Dr. Malegapuru William Makgoba , an immunologist based in South Africa , is one of a few international members of the DSMB .
Makgoba is well known for his work on public health initiatives around HIV/AIDS , including the South African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role on the DSMB but declined to comment further .
The common DSMB appears to be unprecedented , if only because there have not previously been multiple vaccines in development for the same disease at the same time .
Experts said the arrangement offers benefits such as bolstering the evidence available to show that any one shot is safe and effective .
Standardizing trial measurements should make the vaccines easier to compare head to head , which may be useful for knowing whether one is better or worse than another in certain subgroups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with compromised immune systems , according to Vanderbilt 's Schaffner .
`` To me , it 's better for public health to have a fairly common assessment , '' said Dr. Gregory Glenn , president of research and development at Novavax , which has received $ 1.6 billion from Operation Warp Speed and hopes to begin its Phase 3 trial in the U.S. this month as part of the NIH 's clinical trial network .
There may also be some benefits from a safety perspective .
If a potential safety issue appears in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety monitoring board for multiple trials means that the board knows to look out for that same issue across all the trials , said Dr. Tal Zaks , chief medical officer of Moderna .
`` When AstraZeneca had an adverse side effect , we have a DSMB looking at our trial -- the fact that it 's the same DSMB means that there 's not one DSMB that has to go educate another DSMB , '' Zaks said .
( ProPublica 's board chairman , Paul Sagan , is a member of Moderna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) AstraZeneca 's trial has been put on hold in the U.S. while the company and the FDA investigate what happened with a participant who had a bad reaction .
It 's not yet clear whether the reaction was due to the vaccine or unrelated .
`` AstraZeneca is committed to working with governments and key partners to ensure we develop and gain regulatory approval for an effective vaccine as quickly as possible , '' the company said in a statement .
AstraZeneca added that another benefit of joining the government 's consortium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites can help reach minority communities that are historically less represented in clinical trials and also more vulnerable to COVID-19 .
Pfizer 's decision not to participate means that it and the other companies may miss out on some of these benefits of pooling resources .
`` It 's at least unfortunate , and not very sporting , as the British would say , '' Schaffner said .
At the same time , there could be advantages to Pfizer 's going solo .
`` One of the greatest risks to this process is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that regard , having parallel efforts , especially efforts seen as independent of one another and/or independent of perceived sources of political influence , is a good thing , '' said Mani Foroohar , an analyst at the investment bank SVB Leerink .
Pfizer declined to comment on its decision not to join the government 's shared DSMB and trial network .
Whether it 's Pfizer or one of the companies participating in Operation Warp Speed , the final say on whether a vaccine is ready for public use belongs to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present the data to an advisory committee of external experts in a public meeting .
A preliminary meeting will be held on Oct. 22 to discuss , generally , the standards the FDA will seek to see before authorizing any vaccine .
The agency has also committed to holding advisory committee meetings to review data from individual vaccine candidates .
Between the independent trial safety monitoring boards and the public advisory committee meetings , `` any kind of hanky-panky there that people are worried about is going to ( go through ) multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview with Dr. Howard Bachner on the JAMA Network podcast on Sept. 25 .
`` The big elephant in the room is , is somebody going to try to make a political end run to interfere with the process ?
...
If you look at the standard process of how these things work , I think you can feel comfortable that it is really unlikely that that is going to happen . ''
• ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power .
Sign up to receive our biggest stories as @ @ @ @ @ @

Who decides when vaccine studies are done?
Dr. Anthony Fauci is the "designated senior representative" of the U.S. government who will help monitor many advanced coronavirus vaccine trials. Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease official, will oversee most of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine trials in the U.S., but not that of the current front-runner made by Pfizer, documents obtained by ProPublica show.
According to a draft charter spelling out how most of the advanced COVID-19 vaccine trials will be monitored, Fauci is the "designated senior representative" of the U.S. government who will be part of the first look at the results. That puts Fauci in the room with the companies -- including Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca -- in deciding whether the vaccines are ready to seek approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Fauci's role, which has not been previously reported and was confirmed for ProPublica by the National Institutes of Health, could offer some reassurance in the face of widespread concerns that President Donald Trump wants to rush through an unproven vaccine. As Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for vice president, put it at her recent debate, "If the public health professionals, if Dr. Fauci, if the doctors tell us that we should take it, I'll be the first in line to take it."
But there's a big caveat. Fauci doesn't have the same hands-on role for the vaccine that seems poised to show results soonest: Pfizer's. That's because Pfizer opted not to accept government funding and participate in the federal program to develop a coronavirus vaccine, known as Operation Warp Speed. (The government did make an almost $2 billion deal with Pfizer to preorder up to 600 million doses of the company's vaccine, but it isn't contributing money to the vaccine's development like it is for other companies.)
"(We) offered opportunities for collaboration with Pfizer," said a spokesperson for the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a branch of the NIH. "Pfizer chose to conduct their Phase 3 study without Operation Warp Speed or NIH support."
Pfizer's CEO, Albert Bourla, said Friday that the earliest his company would be ready to apply for authorization would be the third week of November. While Pfizer might know by the end of October if its vaccine is effective, it would need additional time to gather sufficient safety data to present to the FDA, Bourla said in an open letter on the company's website.
Fauci's role in overseeing the companies that are participating in Operation Warp Speed arises from a unique arrangement that the government set up to monitor the trials. Typically, clinical trials set up their own independent panels of scientists, known as a data safety monitoring board or DSMB, to watch out for safety concerns or early signs of success. But all of the vaccine trials in Operation Warp Speed are sharing a common DSMB whose members were selected by Fauci's agency, the NIAID. They're also sharing a network of clinical trial sites where some volunteers are recruited for the studies.
A DSMB is responsible for making recommendations such as halting the trial if there is a safety concern or letting the manufacturer know that there is enough evidence to submit an application to the FDA. Ordinarily, a DSMB's recommendation goes to the company running the trial. In this case, the U.S. government -- which gets two representatives, one from the NIAID and one from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority -- will also have a seat at the table in deciding what to do next.
"Once the DSMB makes a decision, the DSMB provides the recommendation to not only the study sponsor but also to the" U.S. government, whose "designated senior representative" is Fauci, the NIAID confirmed in an email. Fauci declined to be interviewed.
That's not the same as saying Fauci has the last word. The company and the government are supposed to reach a consensus, the agency said. But if they can't all agree, the ultimate decision belongs with the company.
Still, it would be an improbably brazen move for a company to move ahead over Fauci's objection, given his public stature, experts said. "These are the most important trials in medical history, this is the ultimate fishbowl," said Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. "I don't think any sponsor would dare defy the DSMB's recommendation."
While the mechanics of a DSMB may be unfamiliar to most members of the public, people probably know and trust Fauci, according to Amy Pisani, executive director of the national nonprofit organization Vaccinate Your Family. "(He's) the sweetheart of the nation right now," Pisani said. "I do think people have faith in Anthony Fauci."
"Having Fauci with oversight is terrific," Topol added. "The more people who are experts looking at it, the better. You can't be careful enough."
Other members of the DSMB for the COVID-19 vaccines, though not as well known as Fauci, are also widely respected in their fields. DSMB members are typically kept confidential to shield them from outside influence, but ProPublica has been able to identify a few members. The charter obtained by ProPublica described the group, which has about a dozen members, as having expertise in "biostatistics, clinical trials, infectious diseases, vaccine development and ethics."
The panel's chairman is Dr. Richard Whitley, a professor of pediatrics, microbiology, medicine and neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His role became public when the university announced it, though the webpage was later taken down.
His leadership provides another level of comfort in the trustworthiness of the trials to those who know him. "He is not only famously bright but he is famously independent and outspoken," said Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt Medicine. "He'll look at the data and tell you exactly what he thinks."
Whitley declined to comment.
Susan Ellenberg, professor of biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania and a former director at the FDA, told ProPublica in an interview that many people, including herself, were worried the NIH might be "pushed by the political leadership at HHS to release data" from trials prematurely, which could undermine the integrity of a trial. HHS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the NIH's parent agency. Her concern was that political leaders might not understand scientific arguments to not disrupt the trials when wanting to have data "to be able to move quickly in an urgent situation," she said.
At the time of the interview, Ellenberg had not identified herself as a member of the NIH's DSMB, but later acknowledged that she was a member.
Dr. Malegapuru William Makgoba, an immunologist based in South Africa, is one of a few international members of the DSMB. Makgoba is well known for his work on public health initiatives around HIV/AIDS, including the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Makgoba confirmed his role on the DSMB but declined to comment further.
The common DSMB appears to be unprecedented, if only because there have not previously been multiple vaccines in development for the same disease at the same time. Experts said the arrangement offers benefits such as bolstering the evidence available to show that any one shot is safe and effective.
Standardizing trial measurements should make the vaccines easier to compare head to head, which may be useful for knowing whether one is better or worse than another in certain subgroups, such as the elderly or people with compromised immune systems, according to Vanderbilt's Schaffner.
"To me, it's better for public health to have a fairly common assessment," said Dr. Gregory Glenn, president of research and development at Novavax, which has received $1.6 billion from Operation Warp Speed and hopes to begin its Phase 3 trial in the U.S. this month as part of the NIH's clinical trial network.
There may also be some benefits from a safety perspective.
If a potential safety issue appears in one trial, having a common data safety monitoring board for multiple trials means that the board knows to look out for that same issue across all the trials, said Dr. Tal Zaks, chief medical officer of Moderna. "When AstraZeneca had an adverse side effect, we have a DSMB looking at our trial -- the fact that it's the same DSMB means that there's not one DSMB that has to go educate another DSMB," Zaks said. (ProPublica's board chairman, Paul Sagan, is a member of Moderna's board and a company stockholder.)
AstraZeneca's trial has been put on hold in the U.S. while the company and the FDA investigate what happened with a participant who had a bad reaction. It's not yet clear whether the reaction was due to the vaccine or unrelated.
"AstraZeneca is committed to working with governments and key partners to ensure we develop and gain regulatory approval for an effective vaccine as quickly as possible," the company said in a statement.
AstraZeneca added that another benefit of joining the government's consortium was that its large network of trial sites can help reach minority communities that are historically less represented in clinical trials and also more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Pfizer's decision not to participate means that it and the other companies may miss out on some of these benefits of pooling resources. "It's at least unfortunate, and not very sporting, as the British would say," Schaffner said.
At the same time, there could be advantages to Pfizer's going solo. "One of the greatest risks to this process is the perception of political influence, and in that regard, having parallel efforts, especially efforts seen as independent of one another and/or independent of perceived sources of political influence, is a good thing," said Mani Foroohar, an analyst at the investment bank SVB Leerink.
Pfizer declined to comment on its decision not to join the government's shared DSMB and trial network.
Whether it's Pfizer or one of the companies participating in Operation Warp Speed, the final say on whether a vaccine is ready for public use belongs to the FDA.
The FDA has promised to present the data to an advisory committee of external experts in a public meeting. A preliminary meeting will be held on Oct. 22 to discuss, generally, the standards the FDA will seek to see before authorizing any vaccine. The agency has also committed to holding advisory committee meetings to review data from individual vaccine candidates.
Between the independent trial safety monitoring boards and the public advisory committee meetings, "any kind of hanky-panky there that people are worried about is going to (go through) multiple checkpoints," Fauci said in an interview with Dr. Howard Bachner on the JAMA Network podcast on Sept. 25. "The big elephant in the room is, is somebody going to try to make a political end run to interfere with the process? ... If you look at the standard process of how these things work, I think you can feel comfortable that it is really unlikely that that is going to happen."
• ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they're published.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-17--Good News Sunday: Palatine students make contribution through art

This is Good News Sunday , a compilation of some of the more upbeat and inspiring stories published by the Daily Herald during the previous week : Palatine is home to two uplifting and heartwarming art projects done by local students who wanted to make a positive contribution during difficult times .
Courtney Murphy , a senior at Fremd High School , spearheaded the `` Painting Peace '' project over the summer that resulted in 200 hand-painted `` peace poles '' being installed throughout the village and Palatine Township Elementary District 15 , from which she graduated .
Sofia Commodaro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School , did an art project last month that consisted of writing `` We are in this together '' in chalk in front of the district 's 15 elementary schools plus John G. Conyers Learning Academy and the main office .
Both girls were recognized for their efforts Wednesday night during the District 15 board meeting .
`` This really just resonates ... with what we stand for as a district , '' Superintendent Laurie Heinz said .
For the full story , click here .
People are drawn to the house by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within that can not be denied .
At 714 Morton St. in Batavia , the colors grow stronger as the night grows longer .
Visitors stand with mouths open , as their eyes wander from one figure to the next .
The journey ends when one of the youngest speaks : `` Thank you , that was cool ! ''
So goes each evening this time of year for Zachary and Andrea Sage , proprietors of the `` Midnight on Morton '' Halloween house .
`` Halloween is so much fun for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to see all the smiles on the kids ' faces . ''
For several years the couple has been adding handmade figures and lights to their front yard to celebrate Halloween , and for the second year in a row , they are asking for donations to Animal House Shelter in Huntley , where they adopted their orange cat , Finnegan Pumpkin .
`` Last year we ended up giving them cat food , dog food , toys , towels and other stuff , '' Andrea says of the donated items .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to the shelter .
For the full story , click here .
Teacher up for Grammy two years in a row Months after she was one of 10 nationwide finalists for the 2020 Grammy Music Educator Award Award , Buffalo Grove High School teacher Elizabeth Bennett is now a semifinalist for the 2021 edition of the prize .
The school 's director of orchestras is among 25 people vying for the award , which recognizes those who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of maintaining music education in the schools , officials said .
Bennett , who lives in Libertyville , was named a finalist for the 2020 accolade last January for her direction of Buffalo Grove 's innovative music programming .
That includes creating a Music Workshop class aimed at giving more students an experience in music ; launching a series that showcases different career paths in music ; bringing AP Music Theory to Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and starting Buffalo Grove 's annual Winter Celebration outreach to the community .
Finalists will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full story , click here .
Jack Fitzharris and his friends had a feeling something was n't quite right .
Somewhere out there , a man might owe them his life for noticing .
Fitzharris , a senior at Glenbrook North , was driving home from a friend 's house earlier this summer with two friends in his car .
Driving through Bannockburn , at the intersection of Half Day and Waukegan roads , they saw a car that had driven off the road and onto railroad tracks just west of the intersection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a person in the vehicle , but said there was no movement inside .
`` The first thing that went through my mind when I saw the car on the tracks was suicide , '' Fitzharris said .
`` I got scared and it just kind of kicked in , like I had to call the cops . ''
A Deerfield police officer saw an oncoming train and flashed his spotlight at the engineer .
He sped along Waukegan Road to attempt to draw the engineer 's attention and stop the train .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ car stalled on the tracks .
The train stopped about 600 feet from the car .
The man , who was charged with DUI , did n't know he was on the tracks .
For the full story , click here .
• Good News Sunday will run each weekend .
Please visit dailyherald.com/newsletters to sign up for our Good News Sunday newsletter .

Good News Sunday: Palatine students make contribution through art
This is Good News Sunday, a compilation of some of the more upbeat and inspiring stories published by the Daily Herald during the previous week:
Palatine is home to two uplifting and heartwarming art projects done by local students who wanted to make a positive contribution during difficult times.
Courtney Murphy, a senior at Fremd High School, spearheaded the "Painting Peace" project over the summer that resulted in 200 hand-painted "peace poles" being installed throughout the village and Palatine Township Elementary District 15, from which she graduated.
Sofia Commodaro, a sixth-grader at Pleasant Hill Elementary School, did an art project last month that consisted of writing "We are in this together" in chalk in front of the district's 15 elementary schools plus John G. Conyers Learning Academy and the main office.
Both girls were recognized for their efforts Wednesday night during the District 15 board meeting.
"This really just resonates ... with what we stand for as a district," Superintendent Laurie Heinz said.
For the full story, click here.
Halloween scares benefit animal shelter
People are drawn to the house by an unseen force, a feeling from within that cannot be denied.
At 714 Morton St. in Batavia, the colors grow stronger as the night grows longer. Visitors stand with mouths open, as their eyes wander from one figure to the next. The journey ends when one of the youngest speaks: "Thank you, that was cool!"
So goes each evening this time of year for Zachary and Andrea Sage, proprietors of the "Midnight on Morton" Halloween house.
"Halloween is so much fun for us," says Zachary. "We want to see all the smiles on the kids' faces."
For several years the couple has been adding handmade figures and lights to their front yard to celebrate Halloween, and for the second year in a row, they are asking for donations to Animal House Shelter in Huntley, where they adopted their orange cat, Finnegan Pumpkin.
"Last year we ended up giving them cat food, dog food, toys, towels and other stuff," Andrea says of the donated items. They also collected about $100 that went to the shelter.
For the full story, click here.
Teacher up for Grammy two years in a row
Months after she was one of 10 nationwide finalists for the 2020 Grammy Music Educator Award Award, Buffalo Grove High School teacher Elizabeth Bennett is now a semifinalist for the 2021 edition of the prize.
The school's director of orchestras is among 25 people vying for the award, which recognizes those who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools, officials said.
Bennett, who lives in Libertyville, was named a finalist for the 2020 accolade last January for her direction of Buffalo Grove's innovative music programming. That includes creating a Music Workshop class aimed at giving more students an experience in music; launching a series that showcases different career paths in music; bringing AP Music Theory to Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and starting Buffalo Grove's annual Winter Celebration outreach to the community.
Finalists will be named in December.
For the full story, click here.
Glenbrook North senior gets lifesaving award
Jack Fitzharris and his friends had a feeling something wasn't quite right.
Somewhere out there, a man might owe them his life for noticing.
Fitzharris, a senior at Glenbrook North, was driving home from a friend's house earlier this summer with two friends in his car.
Driving through Bannockburn, at the intersection of Half Day and Waukegan roads, they saw a car that had driven off the road and onto railroad tracks just west of the intersection parallel to Waukegan Road. Fitzharris noticed a person in the vehicle, but said there was no movement inside.
"The first thing that went through my mind when I saw the car on the tracks was suicide," Fitzharris said. "I got scared and it just kind of kicked in, like I had to call the cops."
A Deerfield police officer saw an oncoming train and flashed his spotlight at the engineer. He sped along Waukegan Road to attempt to draw the engineer's attention and stop the train. Meanwhile, Bannockburn police attended to the car stalled on the tracks.
The train stopped about 600 feet from the car.
The man, who was charged with DUI, didn't know he was on the tracks.
For the full story, click here.
• Good News Sunday will run each weekend. Please visit dailyherald.com/newsletters to sign up for our Good News Sunday newsletter.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-17--Former pastor removed from Chicago church over sex abuse allegation

The Rev .
Daniel McCarthy , former pastor at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish and School , has been @ @ @ @ @ the Norwood Park church while the Archdiocese of Chicago investigates a decades-old sexual abuse allegation @ @ @ @ @ sexually abusing a minor about 50 years ago during his time at the now-closed Angel @ @ @ @ @ , Cardinal Blase Cupich wrote in a letter to the St. Elizabeth community .

Former pastor removed from Chicago church over sex abuse allegation
The Rev. Daniel McCarthy, former pastor at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish and School, has been removed from his duties at the Norwood Park church while the Archdiocese of Chicago investigates a decades-old sexual abuse allegation.
McCarthy was accused of sexually abusing a minor about 50 years ago during his time at the now-closed Angel Guardian Orphanage in West Ridge, Cardinal Blase Cupich wrote in a letter to the St. Elizabeth community.
For the complete story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Pritzker slams president, as new Illinois COVID-19 cases again exceed 4,000

As Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker reacted to criticism from President Donald Trump of his restrictions aimed at fighting COVID-19 , the Illinois Department of Public Health Sunday announced 4,245 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state , including 22 additional deaths .
Nine deaths were in Chicago , seven in suburban Cook County , one in Lake and another in Kane .
On CNN 's State of the Union with Jake Tapper , Pritzker Sunday was asked about comments the president directed at him during a Saturday rally in Wisconsin .
`` Illinois could use a new governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That guy does n't know what 's happening .
They got to open up that state . ''
Pritzker replied , `` Well , frankly the president has made it nearly impossible for states to open up any more than they are now . ''
And he defended the state 's performance , saying , `` This pandemic has been around now for seven to eight months , and without much help from the federal government , we 've been fighting it off .
Illinois has one of the lowest positivity rates among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state is bordered by Wisconsin , which has a 27 % test positivity rate .
`` Ours is about a fourth of that , '' he said .
Tapper pointed to things the president has done right , including ramping up efforts to find a vaccine , and pressed Pritzker for specifics .
Pritzker responded , `` Well , you just saw one of them , which is he 's modeling bad behavior .
He does n't wear a mask in public .
He has rallies where they do n't encourage people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois broke its single-case record on Friday with 4,554 new cases , and the Illinois Department of Public Health also reported that 34 counties in the state were at warning level .
Pritzker said , `` We 're trying to continue to convince people to do the right thing , but it is the president 's allies in our state , all across the state , who are simply saying to people , 'Do n't pay any attention to the mitigations .
Do n't follow the rules . '
'' He noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoring restrictions on indoor service and `` just filling the place up . ''
Currently , IDPH is reporting a total of 344,048 cases , including 9,214 deaths , in 102 counties in Illinois .
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases during the last week is 5.3 % .
As of Saturday night , 2,012 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19 .
Of those , 408 patients were in the ICU and 157 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators .

Pritzker slams president, as new Illinois COVID-19 cases again exceed 4,000
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during a news conference on the coronavirus in April at the Thompson Center in Chicago. On Sunday on CNN, he reacted to criticism of his COVID-19 response by President Donald Trump. Associated Press/April 2020
As Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker reacted to criticism from President Donald Trump of his restrictions aimed at fighting COVID-19, the Illinois Department of Public Health Sunday announced 4,245 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, including 22 additional deaths.
Nine deaths were in Chicago, seven in suburban Cook County, one in Lake and another in Kane.
On CNN's State of the Union with Jake Tapper, Pritzker Sunday was asked about comments the president directed at him during a Saturday rally in Wisconsin. "Illinois could use a new governor," the president said. "That guy doesn't know what's happening. They got to open up that state."
Pritzker replied, "Well, frankly the president has made it nearly impossible for states to open up any more than they are now."
And he defended the state's performance, saying, "This pandemic has been around now for seven to eight months, and without much help from the federal government, we've been fighting it off. Illinois has one of the lowest positivity rates among the Midwest."
He said that the state is bordered by Wisconsin, which has a 27% test positivity rate. "Ours is about a fourth of that," he said.
Tapper pointed to things the president has done right, including ramping up efforts to find a vaccine, and pressed Pritzker for specifics.
Pritzker responded, "Well, you just saw one of them, which is he's modeling bad behavior. He doesn't wear a mask in public. He has rallies where they don't encourage people to wear masks in public."
Illinois broke its single-case record on Friday with 4,554 new cases, and the Illinois Department of Public Health also reported that 34 counties in the state were at warning level.
Pritzker said, "We're trying to continue to convince people to do the right thing, but it is the president's allies in our state, all across the state, who are simply saying to people, 'Don't pay any attention to the mitigations. Don't follow the rules.'"
He noted that there are bars and restaurants that are ignoring restrictions on indoor service and "just filling the place up."
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 344,048 cases, including 9,214 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases during the last week is 5.3%. As of Saturday night, 2,012 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 408 patients were in the ICU and 157 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Rolling Meadows school shuts down in-person learning until Nov. 4 because of COVID-19

Due to concerns raised by recent confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 , Kimball Hill Elementary School in Rolling Meadows @ @ @ @ @ until Friday , Oct. 30 , and to students until Wednesday , Nov. 4 .
@ @ @ @ @ learn and work remotely beginning Monday .
Palatine Township Elementary District 15 calls the decision @ @ @ @ @ the Cook County Health Department , an `` adaptive pause '' to in-person instruction .
@ @ @ @ @ students and staff will work or learn from home .
The decision was announced Sunday @ @ @ @ @ Hill parents and staff .
The letter said that , over the weekend , there @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 connected to cases that have already been reported .
The confirmed cases referenced took @ @ @ @ @ and were communicated directly to close contacts and the classrooms impacted .
The suspected cases @ @ @ @ @ locations within the building that are not contained within a classroom ( s ) which @ @ @ @ @ according to the letter .

Rolling Meadows school shuts down in-person learning until Nov. 4 because of COVID-19
Due to concerns raised by recent confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19, Kimball Hill Elementary School in Rolling Meadows will be closed to students until Wednesday, Nov. 4. Daily Herald file photo
Due to concerns raised by recent confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19, Kimball Hill Elementary School in Rolling Meadows will be closed to staff until Friday, Oct. 30, and to students until Wednesday, Nov. 4.
All students and staff will learn and work remotely beginning Monday.
Palatine Township Elementary District 15 calls the decision, made in collaboration with the Cook County Health Department, an "adaptive pause" to in-person instruction. During the interim, all students and staff will work or learn from home.
The decision was announced Sunday in a letter to Kimball Hill parents and staff.
The letter said that, over the weekend, there have been suspected cases of COVID-19 connected to cases that have already been reported. The confirmed cases referenced took place over the last week and were communicated directly to close contacts and the classrooms impacted.
The suspected cases occurred partly "in key locations within the building that are not contained within a classroom(s) which is especially concerning," according to the letter.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Suburbs to ramp up early voting starting Monday

Suburban voters already have cast more than 266,000 early or mail-in ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election , with early voting slated to expand across the region starting Monday .
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a heated political climate , advance voting counts have far exceeded the volume reported in previous election years , state and local election authorities say .
Voters have encountered large crowds and long wait times since early voting began at limited locations Sept. 24 in the collar counties and Oct. 7 in suburban Cook County .
With dozens of additional sites opening Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering a word of advice to early voters who want to cast their ballots in person : Do n't procrastinate .
`` Typically , lines become longer at early voting closer to Election Day , '' she said in a statement .
`` If a voter intends to go to an early voting site , the sooner the better . ''
Since the March primary , DuPage has increased the number of early voting locations from 12 to 18 to include previously underserved areas , Kaczmarek said .
The DuPage County Fairgrounds in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than three weeks .
As of Thursday , roughly 13,709 DuPage voters had cast their ballots in person , the second most of all Illinois election agencies , behind the city of Chicago , according to data compiled by the Illinois State Board of Elections .
Records show 12,461 early votes have been cast in Kane County , 8,486 in suburban Cook , 4,715 in Lake , 5,198 in McHenry and 6,376 in Will .
At 210,253 votes as of Thursday , the state total was more than double the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 election , State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich said .
And those counts do n't include mail-in ballots .
About 1.1 million suburban residents have requested to vote by mail , accounting for half the applications received statewide .
The Illinois total is more than eight times the number of applications reported at this time in the last presidential election cycle , Dietrich said .
So far , 583,280 mail-in ballots have been returned , 215,417 of which were completed by voters in suburban Cook and the collar counties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 29 , though Dietrich said waiting that long `` really cuts it close '' to Election Day .
Ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and received within 14 days to be counted in final tallies .
County clerks are bracing for the number of outstanding ballots not yet received by Election Day , warning that it could be days or weeks before candidates in tight races know whether they 've won .
The State Board of Elections is keeping track of the unreturned mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for vote totals to change .
Those who have put off the vote-by-mail process are encouraged to vote in person , whether it be on Election Day or at an early voting site , Kaczmarek said .
County clerks are ramping up early voting Monday , with 17 sites available in Lake County , 11 in McHenry , 24 in Will , and more than 50 in suburban Cook .
Kane County offers seven permanent early voting sites , eight alternative sites and various mobile locations starting Monday through Oct. 28 .
Voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the State Board of Elections website at www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/EarlyVotingLocationsSearch.aspx .

Suburbs to ramp up early voting starting Monday
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.comA long line of early voters wraps around the building Oct. 2 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. More than 13,700 DuPage voters have cast their ballots in person so far, state data shows.
Suburban voters already have cast more than 266,000 early or mail-in ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election, with early voting slated to expand across the region starting Monday.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a heated political climate, advance voting counts have far exceeded the volume reported in previous election years, state and local election authorities say. Voters have encountered large crowds and long wait times since early voting began at limited locations Sept. 24 in the collar counties and Oct. 7 in suburban Cook County.
With dozens of additional sites opening Monday, DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek is offering a word of advice to early voters who want to cast their ballots in person: Don't procrastinate.
"Typically, lines become longer at early voting closer to Election Day," she said in a statement. "If a voter intends to go to an early voting site, the sooner the better."
Since the March primary, DuPage has increased the number of early voting locations from 12 to 18 to include previously underserved areas, Kaczmarek said. The DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton has been open for early voting for more than three weeks.
As of Thursday, roughly 13,709 DuPage voters had cast their ballots in person, the second most of all Illinois election agencies, behind the city of Chicago, according to data compiled by the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Records show 12,461 early votes have been cast in Kane County, 8,486 in suburban Cook, 4,715 in Lake, 5,198 in McHenry and 6,376 in Will.
At 210,253 votes as of Thursday, the state total was more than double the number of early votes cast three weeks before the 2016 election, State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich said. And those counts don't include mail-in ballots.
About 1.1 million suburban residents have requested to vote by mail, accounting for half the applications received statewide. The Illinois total is more than eight times the number of applications reported at this time in the last presidential election cycle, Dietrich said.
So far, 583,280 mail-in ballots have been returned, 215,417 of which were completed by voters in suburban Cook and the collar counties, data shows.
The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 29, though Dietrich said waiting that long "really cuts it close" to Election Day. Ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and received within 14 days to be counted in final tallies.
County clerks are bracing for the number of outstanding ballots not yet received by Election Day, warning that it could be days or weeks before candidates in tight races know whether they've won. The State Board of Elections is keeping track of the unreturned mail ballots so voters can see the potential for vote totals to change.
Those who have put off the vote-by-mail process are encouraged to vote in person, whether it be on Election Day or at an early voting site, Kaczmarek said.
County clerks are ramping up early voting Monday, with 17 sites available in Lake County, 11 in McHenry, 24 in Will, and more than 50 in suburban Cook. Kane County offers seven permanent early voting sites, eight alternative sites and various mobile locations starting Monday through Oct. 28.
Voters can find early voting locations and hours on the State Board of Elections website at www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/EarlyVotingLocationsSearch.aspx.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--If a fellow veteran needs something, Herschel Luckinbill gets it done

If it is a day that ends in `` Y , '' Herschel Luckinbill of Montgomery is probably helping fellow veterans .
He 's a leader of the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club .
He 's organized two visits to Aurora by the Moving Wall , a half-size replica of the Vietnam War veterans memorial .
He 's escorted veterans on 25 Honor Flights to see monuments in Washington , D.C .
He served several terms on the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council .
If a veteran needs something and Luckinbill ca n't do it himself , he has the contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done .
`` I just enjoy doing what I can for other veterans , '' he said after helping a veteran move some belongings to a storage unit .
Luckinbill , now 75 , grew up in a small town in Oklahoma .
In 1964 , shortly after high school , he joined the Navy .
He figured it was less risky than be drafted into the Army ( where his father had served ) or Air Force ( where his brother had served ) .
`` I thought it was the safest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the only one to get shot at , '' he said .
He was a machinist 's mate on the USS O'Brien , including two stints where it was stationed off the North Vietnam coast .
On Dec. 23 , 1966 , it was directly hit by shore batteries , killing two men , including one of his bunkmates .
Aside from that , `` I enjoyed every day in the Navy , '' said Luckinbill , who was discharged in 1967 as a petty officer second class .
He returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and looked up the closest Veterans of Foreign Wars post .
`` They took me under their wings , and they made me feel so welcome , '' he said .
He quickly became a post commander and by 1973 was a district commander .
The Luckinbills moved around , from Chicago to Buffalo Grove to Fox Lake .
He continued membership in the VFW while raising two sons and a daughter , in Oswego , then in Arizona , then in Montgomery .
He gave his time to other community organizations also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and football organizations .
In 2008 , he joined the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club .
The group meets once a month .
`` It 's just a way for veterans to more or less get out of the house , show brotherhood , show companionship , show respect and honor , '' Luckinbill said .
Besides the social aspect , the group does charitable work .
It figures out ways to make veterans ' homes fully accessible for the disabled , loans out wheelchairs , attends funeral services , and raised money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aurora .
Luckinbill has been an escort on Honor Flight trips , and helped organize a fundraising concert at the Paramount Theater for the group .
The breakfast club also arranged for a Spanish-American War cannon at an Aurora cemetery to be refurbished , and to replace a flat gravestone for Aurora 's only Medal of Honor recipient , Walter Truemper , with a monument , including a 25-foot flagpole .
`` The main thing is just if a fellow veteran needs something , we will try to find out a way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As I tell the veterans , I do n't do much myself .
But I just know who can do it . ''

If a fellow veteran needs something, Herschel Luckinbill gets it done
Herschel Luckinbill, a Navy veteran and chairman of the Moving Wall committee in Aurora, moves his hand over every name as he leads the final walk for veterans during the closing ceremony. The wall was set up at West Aurora High School. Daily Herald file photo/2013
If it is a day that ends in "Y," Herschel Luckinbill of Montgomery is probably helping fellow veterans.
He's a leader of the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club. He's organized two visits to Aurora by the Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam War veterans memorial. He's escorted veterans on 25 Honor Flights to see monuments in Washington, D.C. He served several terms on the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council.
If a veteran needs something and Luckinbill can't do it himself, he has the contacts to see that someone else gets it done.
"I just enjoy doing what I can for other veterans," he said after helping a veteran move some belongings to a storage unit.
Luckinbill, now 75, grew up in a small town in Oklahoma. In 1964, shortly after high school, he joined the Navy. He figured it was less risky than be drafted into the Army (where his father had served) or Air Force (where his brother had served).
"I thought it was the safest branch of the service -- but I was the only one to get shot at," he said.
He was a machinist's mate on the USS O'Brien, including two stints where it was stationed off the North Vietnam coast. On Dec. 23, 1966, it was directly hit by shore batteries, killing two men, including one of his bunkmates.
Aside from that, "I enjoyed every day in the Navy," said Luckinbill, who was discharged in 1967 as a petty officer second class.
He returned to Chicago with his wife, Eva, and looked up the closest Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
"They took me under their wings, and they made me feel so welcome," he said. He quickly became a post commander and by 1973 was a district commander.
The Luckinbills moved around, from Chicago to Buffalo Grove to Fox Lake. He continued membership in the VFW while raising two sons and a daughter, in Oswego, then in Arizona, then in Montgomery. He gave his time to other community organizations also, including the Jaycees and youth baseball and football organizations.
In 2008, he joined the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club. The group meets once a month.
"It's just a way for veterans to more or less get out of the house, show brotherhood, show companionship, show respect and honor," Luckinbill said.
Besides the social aspect, the group does charitable work. It figures out ways to make veterans' homes fully accessible for the disabled, loans out wheelchairs, attends funeral services, and raised money to twice bring the Moving Wall to Aurora.
Luckinbill has been an escort on Honor Flight trips, and helped organize a fundraising concert at the Paramount Theater for the group.
The breakfast club also arranged for a Spanish-American War cannon at an Aurora cemetery to be refurbished, and to replace a flat gravestone for Aurora's only Medal of Honor recipient, Walter Truemper, with a monument, including a 25-foot flagpole.
"The main thing is just if a fellow veteran needs something, we will try to find out a way of getting things done," Luckinbill said. "As I tell the veterans, I don't do much myself. But I just know who can do it."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Rozner: Foles does things Trubisky can't as Bears beat Carolina

The list of things Mitch Trubisky ca n't do on a football field is so long that the interwebs would run out of space before getting to all of them .
But all you need to watch is the Bears ' first touchdown Sunday in their 23-16 win at Carolina to understand it .
Not that the Trubisky apologists will ever accept it , but Nick Foles ' throw for a TD after the Bears ' defense set up the offense inside the 10 is a perfect example .
As Foles approached the line on third-and-9 , he read the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cole Kmet .
When he dropped back under pressure , Foles saw the route , stepped into the throw with a hand in his face and split triple-coverage with a perfect pass .
The tight window did not bother him , nor did the coverage .
If the receiver runs the route properly , the play should work .
And it did .
This is n't complicated stuff in a league -- and with a coach -- that tries every week to make the game harder than it is , but this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foles had his bad moments the first couple games , to be expected given his limited time with the offense , but with 10 days off it appeared The Genius Formerly Known as Matt Nagy has found a little rhythm with a veteran quarterback who does not panic and does n't look confused on every play .
On the next possession , 2 more throws Trubisky could n't make , hitting open receivers while putting the ball only in a spot where a guy wearing the same uniform could catch it .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor throw on an interception that Foles called a `` dumb '' decision .
Interesting that he did n't use the stock Trubisky line of needing to `` look at the film '' to know it was dumb , and he said more in four minutes postgame than Trubisky has said in four years .
`` It 's easy to be satisfied and say we 're 5-1 , but that 's not what we 're doing , '' Foles said .
`` We are not satisfied .
We were sitting there after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better .
We 're not complacent . ''
Up 10-6 near the end of the first half , Foles got the Bears another field goal in the 2-minute drill after Nagy had blown all 3 timeouts , including the last one just outside the 2-minute warning .
Despite his physical limitations , Foles may be the best offensive coach the Bears have and he should run the no-huddle as often as he can get away with it , but it does n't mean he can fix Nagy .
Try as he might , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nothing about Foles is great .
In fact , mostly everything about him is average .
The fact that he makes simple plays look simple and easy throws look easy should not be impressive .
It 's not impressive .
It 's that Trubisky had more than three years -- an absurd amount of time in today 's NFL -- to prove he could read a defense and make simple plays and he could not do it .
Poise at the position is also not special , just professional , and after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- because he would not choose reality over a personal project -- it is comforting to watch an NFL quarterback in a Bears uniform .
With a defense this good , giving the offense consistent field position , all you need is a QB who can make the easy play and you can win a lot of games in a terrible league .
Foles was granted a pass after having little time with the offense , but now with 10 days off since the last game to confer with the Bears ' magical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making progress on the field and in the meeting room .
There 's work to be done , of course .
The Bears are giving up too much on the ground defensively and the offense is barely better than it was under Trubisky .
They do n't even try to establish the run , but if you 're waiting for Nagy to commit to the run , you best not hold your breath .
It 's just not who he is .
`` At some point , we point we have to figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nagy said of the run game .
`` We got to fix it .
We 're doing enough right now to get the wins . ''
Nagy will never be a coach who keeps the ball on the ground , not even when the game situation or the clock dictates it , or at the risk of giving up the lead , his time management becoming the stuff of legend for a franchise with a history of terrible clock management .
Nevertheless , with a real quarterback in charge it 's a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time in 2020 the Bears were n't lucky to win a game .
And unlike the feeling of a dread that accompanied each contest just a few weeks ago , the season suddenly has some promise .
That is a surprising and pleasant turn of events .

Rozner: Foles does things Trubisky can't as Bears beat Carolina
Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles (9) reaches for the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. Associated Press
The list of things Mitch Trubisky can't do on a football field is so long that the interwebs would run out of space before getting to all of them.
But all you need to watch is the Bears' first touchdown Sunday in their 23-16 win at Carolina to understand it.
Not that the Trubisky apologists will ever accept it, but Nick Foles' throw for a TD after the Bears' defense set up the offense inside the 10 is a perfect example.
As Foles approached the line on third-and-9, he read the defense and communicated with rookie tight end Cole Kmet. When he dropped back under pressure, Foles saw the route, stepped into the throw with a hand in his face and split triple-coverage with a perfect pass.
The tight window did not bother him, nor did the coverage. If the receiver runs the route properly, the play should work.
And it did.
This isn't complicated stuff in a league -- and with a coach -- that tries every week to make the game harder than it is, but this is not a play Trubisky can make.
Foles had his bad moments the first couple games, to be expected given his limited time with the offense, but with 10 days off it appeared The Genius Formerly Known as Matt Nagy has found a little rhythm with a veteran quarterback who does not panic and doesn't look confused on every play.
On the next possession, 2 more throws Trubisky couldn't make, hitting open receivers while putting the ball only in a spot where a guy wearing the same uniform could catch it.
This went on all day, save one poor throw on an interception that Foles called a "dumb" decision. Interesting that he didn't use the stock Trubisky line of needing to "look at the film" to know it was dumb, and he said more in four minutes postgame than Trubisky has said in four years.
"It's easy to be satisfied and say we're 5-1, but that's not what we're doing," Foles said. "We are not satisfied. We were sitting there after the game having discussions about how to get better. We're not complacent."
Up 10-6 near the end of the first half, Foles got the Bears another field goal in the 2-minute drill after Nagy had blown all 3 timeouts, including the last one just outside the 2-minute warning.
Despite his physical limitations, Foles may be the best offensive coach the Bears have and he should run the no-huddle as often as he can get away with it, but it doesn't mean he can fix Nagy.
Try as he might, it doesn't mean it will happen.
Nothing about Foles is great. In fact, mostly everything about him is average. The fact that he makes simple plays look simple and easy throws look easy should not be impressive.
It's not impressive. It's that Trubisky had more than three years -- an absurd amount of time in today's NFL -- to prove he could read a defense and make simple plays and he could not do it.
Poise at the position is also not special, just professional, and after so many years of Ryan Pace-imposed misery -- because he would not choose reality over a personal project -- it is comforting to watch an NFL quarterback in a Bears uniform.
With a defense this good, giving the offense consistent field position, all you need is a QB who can make the easy play and you can win a lot of games in a terrible league.
Foles was granted a pass after having little time with the offense, but now with 10 days off since the last game to confer with the Bears' magical offensive coach, Foles seems to be making progress on the field and in the meeting room.
There's work to be done, of course. The Bears are giving up too much on the ground defensively and the offense is barely better than it was under Trubisky.
They don't even try to establish the run, but if you're waiting for Nagy to commit to the run, you best not hold your breath.
It's just not who he is.
"At some point, we point we have to figure out what those answers are," Nagy said of the run game. "We got to fix it. We're doing enough right now to get the wins."
Nagy will never be a coach who keeps the ball on the ground, not even when the game situation or the clock dictates it, or at the risk of giving up the lead, his time management becoming the stuff of legend for a franchise with a history of terrible clock management.
Nevertheless, with a real quarterback in charge it's a lot easier to watch the locals and for the first time in 2020 the Bears weren't lucky to win a game.
They deserved this victory.
And unlike the feeling of a dread that accompanied each contest just a few weeks ago, the season suddenly has some promise.
That is a surprising and pleasant turn of events.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Halloween Spooktacular in Schaumburg limits the contact but not the fun

The gym at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg was transformed into an alternate universe for Sunday 's family-friendly Halloween @ @ @ @ @ a Halloween-themed musical show .
They received 3-D glasses , pumpkins with decorating supplies , @ @ @ @ @ , and photo opportunities with movie characters .
And there was a costume contest .
@ @ @ @ @ 's no way we ca n't do something fun for Halloween so we were trying @ @ @ @ @ way we felt would be safe for everyone , '' said Beth Waller , cultural @ @ @ @ @ Park District .
`` And that 's where this whole idea came from , that @ @ @ @ @ pods , with their own family members , there 's not a lot of interaction @ @ @ @ @ they 're getting to see a show and they 're getting to get treats , @ @ @ @ @ So , it 's just a fun , safe time . ''

Halloween Spooktacular in Schaumburg limits the contact but not the fun
Kyle Smith, 7, of Niles, who was dressed as a taco, was selected as best costume winner. "Tacos are the best," Kyle said shortly after his win Sunday at the Halloween Spooktacular at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Dominic Luzwick of Hoffman Estates is the scarecrow Sunday at the Halloween Spooktacular at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Eric and Vicki Pingul of Schaumburg sit with their children, Emma, 6, and Brianna, 9, on Sunday at the Halloween Spooktacular at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
The dance ensemble performs to "Thriller" Sunday at the Halloween Spooktacular at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg. photos by Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Sara Bendel, 17, of Hoffman Estates is Anna from the movie "Frozen," while Chris Mininni, 15, of Schaumburg is the prince at the Halloween Spooktacular Sunday in Schaumburg. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Emma Pingul, 6, of Schaumburg dons a unicorn mask with her clown costume Sunday. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Dominic Luzwick of Hoffman Estates is airborne as the scarecrow at the Halloween Spooktacular Sunday at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
The gym at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg was transformed into an alternate universe for Sunday's family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular party.
Guests enjoyed a Halloween-themed musical show. They received 3-D glasses, pumpkins with decorating supplies, goody bags for the kids, and photo opportunities with movie characters. And there was a costume contest.
"We were thinking there's no way we can't do something fun for Halloween so we were trying to come up with a way we felt would be safe for everyone," said Beth Waller, cultural arts supervisor with the Schaumburg Park District.
"And that's where this whole idea came from, that keeping everybody in their own pods, with their own family members, there's not a lot of interaction with other folks, but they're getting to see a show and they're getting to get treats," she said.
"So, it's just a fun, safe time."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--100th birthday party in Grayslake draws a crowd

More than 100 people on helped Julia Karkenen of Zion celebrate her 100th birthday after the worship service Sunday at @ @ @ @ @ .
`` She 's terrific , '' said Senior Pastor Richard Valkanet of Lindenhurst .
@ @ @ @ @ the church for over 20 years , and until just about a year or two @ @ @ @ @ here in the summer , sit on the back of a bucket , and she @ @ @ @ @ the garden for us , just so the church would look nice . ''
Karkenen @ @ @ @ @ Peninsula of Michigan on a small farm without electricity and moved to the area in @ @ @ @ @ her husband , Valkanet said .

100th birthday party in Grayslake draws a crowd
Darlene Rajala of Zion, right, gives a hug to Julia Karkenen of Zion during a celebration Sunday of her 100th birthday at Living Waters Church in Grayslake. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
More than 100 people on helped Julia Karkenen of Zion celebrate her 100th birthday after the worship service Sunday at Living Waters Church in Grayslake.
"She's terrific," said Senior Pastor Richard Valkanet of Lindenhurst. "They've been in the church for over 20 years, and until just about a year or two ago, she would come here in the summer, sit on the back of a bucket, and she would pick weeds out of the garden for us, just so the church would look nice."
Karkenen grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on a small farm without electricity and moved to the area in 1991 with her daughter and her husband, Valkanet said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Round Lake man dies in crash near Antioch

A 39-year-old Round Lake man died after he lost control of his vehicle while trying to pass another vehicle on Route 45 in an unincorporated area near Antioch Saturday , according to the Lake County Sheriff 's office .
Sheriff 's deputies were called to Route 45 north of Route 173 at approximately 4:05 p.m. and found two vehicles with major damage .
After examining the evidence on the scene and talking to witnesses , deputies said the man was driving a Ford Taurus , headed north on Route 45 north of Route 173 when he attempted to pass a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Deputies said the driver of the Dodge , a 23-year-old Bristol , Wisconsin man , swerved toward the Ford , causing the driver of the Ford to maneuver toward the shoulder of the southbound lanes .
The driver of the Ford then lost control , and while correcting , struck the Dodge , causing the Ford to roll , ejecting the Round Lake man , deputies said .
He was rushed to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with critical injuries and later died .
Two of his passengers , a 36-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries .
The Wisconsin man was sent to St. Catherine 's Hospital in Kenosha , Wisconsin , with non-life-threating injuries .
An autopsy of the Round Lake man is pending .
The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff 's Office Technical Crash Investigations Unit .

Round Lake man dies in crash near Antioch
A 39-year-old Round Lake man died after he lost control of his vehicle while trying to pass another vehicle on Route 45 in an unincorporated area near Antioch Saturday, according to the Lake County Sheriff's office.
Sheriff's deputies were called to Route 45 north of Route 173 at approximately 4:05 p.m. and found two vehicles with major damage.
After examining the evidence on the scene and talking to witnesses, deputies said the man was driving a Ford Taurus, headed north on Route 45 north of Route 173 when he attempted to pass a Dodge Caliber that also was headed north.
Deputies said the driver of the Dodge, a 23-year-old Bristol, Wisconsin man, swerved toward the Ford, causing the driver of the Ford to maneuver toward the shoulder of the southbound lanes.
The driver of the Ford then lost control, and while correcting, struck the Dodge, causing the Ford to roll, ejecting the Round Lake man, deputies said. He was rushed to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with critical injuries and later died.
Two of his passengers, a 36-year-old woman and a 6-year-old girl, were also taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Wisconsin man was sent to St. Catherine's Hospital in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with non-life-threating injuries.
An autopsy of the Round Lake man is pending.
The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office Technical Crash Investigations Unit.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Maybe left field is the spot for Cubs to add a contact hitter

Kyle Schwarber set his own expectations high by belting 5 home runs in the 2015 playoffs , including the renowned `` Schwarboard '' shot that landed on top of the Big Board in right field .
At the time , people might have been carried away to the point of suggesting a player comp of Babe Ruth .
Now at the end of the 2020 season , the comparison for Schwarber might be former Cubs draft pick Daniel Vogelbach , another husky power hitter who does n't make much contact .
Do n't take those players comparisons too seriously .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just an illustration of Schwarber 's reputation as a hitter and potential Cubs legend .
So far , Vogelbach is a mere one-year wonder , with 30 home runs in 2019 .
There 's a longer track record of success for Schwarber , along with an upward trajectory in his stats until 2020 happened .
Schwarber hit just .188 , with 11 home runs and 24 RBI in the shortened season .
He went 0-for-4 with 3 walks in the wild-card series .
It 's been obvious for a few years that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lineup and left field is a potential spot for one .
They could make room by either trading Schwarber or making him a full-time DH .
The Cubs might have been on the right track by adding veterans Cameron Maybin and Billy Hamilton at the end of this season .
They needed some veterans who could help manufacture runs with versatile hitting and aggressive baserunning .
Maybe that pair , or similar players , would be the right fit in the Cubs outfield .
At the same time , management ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he hit career-highs with a .250 average , 38 home runs and 92 RBI .
For three straight years , from 2017-19 , Schwarber 's production increased and his strikeout rate dropped .
For all the failures of the Cubs offense in recent season , MLB still puts heavy emphasis on power hitters to counter the rising number of rifle-armed pitchers .
According to baseball-reference.com , Schwarber actually fared better against power pitchers this year , hitting .222 .
His home runs were spread evenly among all types of pitchers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schwarber ranked 15th in all of MLB in average exit velocity at 92.8 piles per hour .
His hard-hit swing percentage was just slightly above average , ranking 118th in the league at 14.5 percent .
Still , he hit the ball hard more frequently than Kris Bryant , Javy Baez or Anthony Rizzo .
It 's also worth noting Schwarber was not charged with an error in left field this season .
He 's not a great outfielder , but he has gotten better .
For the second time in three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the NL in outfield assists .
So while left field might be a good place for a contact hitter , it 's still a tough call on whether Schwarber has a better chance at bouncing back than Bryant , Baez or Rizzo .
All four of those players are set to become free agents after next season .
The same questions apply to all four players -- can he rebound in 2021 and what could the Cubs get back in a trade ?

Maybe left field is the spot for Cubs to add a contact hitter
Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber has been improving, but he hit a slump at the plate this season. He hit just .188, with 11 home runs and 24 RBI. AP File Photo
Kyle Schwarber set his own expectations high by belting 5 home runs in the 2015 playoffs, including the renowned "Schwarboard" shot that landed on top of the Big Board in right field.
At the time, people might have been carried away to the point of suggesting a player comp of Babe Ruth.
Now at the end of the 2020 season, the comparison for Schwarber might be former Cubs draft pick Daniel Vogelbach, another husky power hitter who doesn't make much contact.
Don't take those players comparisons too seriously. They're not meant to be accurate, just an illustration of Schwarber's reputation as a hitter and potential Cubs legend.
So far, Vogelbach is a mere one-year wonder, with 30 home runs in 2019. There's a longer track record of success for Schwarber, along with an upward trajectory in his stats until 2020 happened. Schwarber hit just .188, with 11 home runs and 24 RBI in the shortened season. He went 0-for-4 with 3 walks in the wild-card series.
It's been obvious for a few years that the Cubs need more contact hitters in their lineup and left field is a potential spot for one. They could make room by either trading Schwarber or making him a full-time DH.
The Cubs might have been on the right track by adding veterans Cameron Maybin and Billy Hamilton at the end of this season. They needed some veterans who could help manufacture runs with versatile hitting and aggressive baserunning. Maybe that pair, or similar players, would be the right fit in the Cubs outfield.
At the same time, management can't ignore Schwarber's improvement. In 2019, he hit career-highs with a .250 average, 38 home runs and 92 RBI.
For three straight years, from 2017-19, Schwarber's production increased and his strikeout rate dropped. For all the failures of the Cubs offense in recent season, MLB still puts heavy emphasis on power hitters to counter the rising number of rifle-armed pitchers.
According to baseball-reference.com, Schwarber actually fared better against power pitchers this year, hitting .222. His home runs were spread evenly among all types of pitchers.
The NextGen stats tell a mixed story. Schwarber ranked 15th in all of MLB in average exit velocity at 92.8 piles per hour. His hard-hit swing percentage was just slightly above average, ranking 118th in the league at 14.5 percent. Still, he hit the ball hard more frequently than Kris Bryant, Javy Baez or Anthony Rizzo.
It's also worth noting Schwarber was not charged with an error in left field this season. He's not a great outfielder, but he has gotten better. For the second time in three years, he finished in the top five in the NL in outfield assists.
So while left field might be a good place for a contact hitter, it's still a tough call on whether Schwarber has a better chance at bouncing back than Bryant, Baez or Rizzo. All four of those players are set to become free agents after next season.
The same questions apply to all four players -- can he rebound in 2021 and what could the Cubs get back in a trade?
• Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls