dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-07--Bears vs. Buccaneers preview: 5 things to watch during the Week 5 matchup

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit Soldier Field on Thursday night for a prime-time matchup against the Bears .
Here are five things to watch for during the Bears-Bucs game .
Only Russell Wilson and the electrifying Seattle Seahawks have scored more points in the first quarter ( 40 ) than Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 38 ) .
The Bucs have scored at least one touchdown in the first quarter of each game .
Tampa Bay is winning the first quarter 38-14 .
Not until Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers did the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter , and the defense has only allowed one touchdown ( Brady threw a pick-six for the other score ) .
The Bears , meanwhile , have been sluggish early in games .
They have scored 16 points in the first quarter , and 10 of those came in Week 2 against the New York Giants .
Robinson has had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games .
After a relatively slow ( by his standard ) first two games , he has been the most dynamic Bear on the field the past two weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in his general area and he 'll make plays , '' Bears quarterback Nick Foles said .
`` It reminds me a lot of when I played with Alshon Jeffery ( in Philadelphia ) , where you just throw him the ball and let him do his thing . ''
The Bears are going to need Robinson to continue that trend this week .
While the Buccaneers sport the No .
2 run defense in the NFL , they have n't fared as well against the pass .
Tampa ranks 19th in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards allowed per play .
Robinson will have opportunities .
The Bears need to take advantage of them .
Under center or in the gun ?
That Buccaneers defense is allowing only 64.3 rushing yards per game .
The Bears ' performance running the ball against the Colts on Sunday -- 28 yards total -- was underwhelming , to say the least .
Make no mistake , Matt Nagy is committed to this run game .
`` We just got to stay with it , '' Nagy said .
`` We ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sudden try to be one-dimensional , and that 's my job . ''
The Bears are playing from the shotgun more since Foles took over at QB .
Foles lined up under center just 27 % of plays against the Colts , according to SharpFootballStats.com .
In Weeks 1 and 2 , QB Mitch Trubisky was under center 57 % of the time .
Running back David Montgomery has had more success running the ball when the QB is under center .
Do n't be surprised if Foles lines up under center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tampa Bay running back Ronald Jones had a really good game last week against the Chargers , rushing for 111 yards on 20 carries .
Running mate Leonard Fournette , who is dealing with an ankle injury , is reportedly a game-time decision .
Tampa Bay is n't a great running team .
They rank 27th in the league in rushing yards per game .
But the last thing the Bears need is for the Bucs to develop a competent running game to complement Tom Brady .
Last week , the Bears did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colts rushing attack .
The Colts averaged only 2.7 yards per carry .
The Bears need that to continue Thursday .
The coaching tree is fun in this one .
Bucs head coach Bruce Arians filled in for Pagano in 2012 when Pagano took a leave from his head coaching position in Indianapolis to battle leukemia .
With Arians as the interim coach , the Colts made the playoffs just as Pagano returned .
It was the feel-good story of the 2012 season .
Now Arians , known for his offensive wizardry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reins of his offense to coordinator Byron Leftwich .
The former first-round draft pick is making a name for himself in the coaching ranks and is being pegged by many as a future head coach .
How Pagano and his defense scheme against Leftwich and his offense will be the coaching matchup to watch .
Tampa Bay will take deep shots .
The Bears will dial up the blitz .
The question is when and how do they counter each other ?

Bears vs. Buccaneers preview: 5 things to watch during the Week 5 matchup
Chicago Bears' Allen Robinson (12) makes a touchdown reception against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Chicago. Associated Press
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit Soldier Field on Thursday night for a prime-time matchup against the Bears. Here are five things to watch for during the Bears-Bucs game.
The first quarter
Only Russell Wilson and the electrifying Seattle Seahawks have scored more points in the first quarter (40) than Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (38).
The Bucs have scored at least one touchdown in the first quarter of each game. Tampa Bay is winning the first quarter 38-14. Not until Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers did the Bucs allow any points in the first quarter, and the defense has only allowed one touchdown (Brady threw a pick-six for the other score).
The Bears, meanwhile, have been sluggish early in games. They have scored 16 points in the first quarter, and 10 of those came in Week 2 against the New York Giants.
Allen Robinson
Robinson has had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games. After a relatively slow (by his standard) first two games, he has been the most dynamic Bear on the field the past two weeks.
"You've just got to throw it in his general area and he'll make plays," Bears quarterback Nick Foles said. "It reminds me a lot of when I played with Alshon Jeffery (in Philadelphia), where you just throw him the ball and let him do his thing."
The Bears are going to need Robinson to continue that trend this week. While the Buccaneers sport the No. 2 run defense in the NFL, they haven't fared as well against the pass. Tampa ranks 19th in passing yards allowed per game and passing yards allowed per play.
Robinson will have opportunities. The Bears need to take advantage of them.
Under center or in the gun?
That Buccaneers defense is allowing only 64.3 rushing yards per game. The Bears' performance running the ball against the Colts on Sunday -- 28 yards total -- was underwhelming, to say the least.
Make no mistake, Matt Nagy is committed to this run game.
"We just got to stay with it," Nagy said. "We can't get caught off guard and all of a sudden try to be one-dimensional, and that's my job."
The Bears are playing from the shotgun more since Foles took over at QB. Foles lined up under center just 27% of plays against the Colts, according to SharpFootballStats.com. In Weeks 1 and 2, QB Mitch Trubisky was under center 57% of the time.
Running back David Montgomery has had more success running the ball when the QB is under center. Don't be surprised if Foles lines up under center more frequently to facilitate the run.
Bears defensive front vs. Bucs running backs
Tampa Bay running back Ronald Jones had a really good game last week against the Chargers, rushing for 111 yards on 20 carries. Running mate Leonard Fournette, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is reportedly a game-time decision.
Tampa Bay isn't a great running team. They rank 27th in the league in rushing yards per game. But the last thing the Bears need is for the Bucs to develop a competent running game to complement Tom Brady.
Last week, the Bears did a decent job of slowing down the Colts rushing attack. The Colts averaged only 2.7 yards per carry. The Bears need that to continue Thursday.
Byron Leftwich vs. Chuck Pagano
The coaching tree is fun in this one. Bucs head coach Bruce Arians filled in for Pagano in 2012 when Pagano took a leave from his head coaching position in Indianapolis to battle leukemia. With Arians as the interim coach, the Colts made the playoffs just as Pagano returned. It was the feel-good story of the 2012 season.
Now Arians, known for his offensive wizardry and his blunt personality, has handed the reins of his offense to coordinator Byron Leftwich. The former first-round draft pick is making a name for himself in the coaching ranks and is being pegged by many as a future head coach.
How Pagano and his defense scheme against Leftwich and his offense will be the coaching matchup to watch. Tampa Bay will take deep shots. The Bears will dial up the blitz. The question is when and how do they counter each other?


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--Barrington District 220 moves return to in-person learning a week earlier, to Oct. 19

Students in Barrington Area Unit District 220 can go back to school Oct. 19 -- a week earlier than anticipated -- with a hybrid model of in-person and distance learning , if all proceeds well , district officials said .
About 68 % of families in the district said they plan to send kids back to school with hybrid learning -- a blend of in-person and remote learning -- while 31 % are opting to continue with only remote learning , which the district will provide for whoever wants it .
About 1 % remain undecided .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Superintendent Brian Harris told the district 's board of education Tuesday night .
Barrington High School and the two middle schools largely mirror the district average .
But at Hough Elementary School , as many as 89 % of families are choosing hybrid learning , while at Sunny Hill Elementary , only 30 % are doing so .
A total of 44 certified staff members asked for a leave of absence after the district announced its hybrid plan , Harris said .
Fifteen of those positions were filled and nine are being filled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in `` highly specialized areas '' are hard to replace , Harris said .
The district will continue looking for replacements , but meanwhile the plan is to reassign or hire staff members to supervise students in classrooms while their teachers continue virtual instruction , he said .
Overall , Harris said he 's `` very confident '' the district will have 95 % staffing on Oct. 19 .
Nine people , mostly parents , spoke at the board meeting Tuesday to advocate reopening immediately for full in-person learning .
They cited hardship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual learning on students ' performance and mental health .
`` Our district is spiraling downward .
Our children are regressing and losing knowledge , '' parent Heather Ewalt said .
Ewalt , also a substitute teacher in the district , said teachers say in private they have the same concerns .
Some of the parents pointed to other districts that reopened , such as Glenbrook High Schools District 225 and Lake Zurich Unit District 95 , as well as private schools like St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights .
But St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning because of its COVID-19 incidence rate .
`` I know that the community is frustrated , and we are all truly trying to do the best we can , '' board President Penny Kazmier said .
District 220 has a four-phase reopening plan based on five metrics posted online at barrington220.org/coronavirus .
Those metrics are now being updated daily , rather than weekly , after a suggestion from board member Barbara Wilcox .
The district plans to add a COVID-19 dashboard to its website -- like Palatine Township Elementary District 15 has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 positive cases and quarantine cases among students and staffers at each school , spokeswoman Samantha Ptashkin said .
Wilcox also suggested moving future board meetings to a larger room that can hold up to 50 people , the maximum allowed under current state COVID-19 guidelines , and having a meeting the first week of November , after the board canceled its Nov. 3 meeting because it is Election Day .
The rest of the board agreed ; specifics will be announced at a later date .
The board room can fit up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have to wait outside and be called to speak , Ptashkin said .
`` Anyone who wishes to speak during public comment has been able to do so , '' she said .

Barrington District 220 moves return to in-person learning a week earlier, to Oct. 19
Barrington Area Unit District 220 students will return to some in-person learning Oct. 19 -- a week earlier than initially planned -- school officials said Tuesday. Daily Herald File Photo, 2019
Students in Barrington Area Unit District 220 can go back to school Oct. 19 -- a week earlier than anticipated -- with a hybrid model of in-person and distance learning, if all proceeds well, district officials said.
About 68% of families in the district said they plan to send kids back to school with hybrid learning -- a blend of in-person and remote learning -- while 31% are opting to continue with only remote learning, which the district will provide for whoever wants it. About 1% remain undecided.
However, the breakdown varies a lot by school, Superintendent Brian Harris told the district's board of education Tuesday night.
Barrington High School and the two middle schools largely mirror the district average. But at Hough Elementary School, as many as 89% of families are choosing hybrid learning, while at Sunny Hill Elementary, only 30% are doing so.
A total of 44 certified staff members asked for a leave of absence after the district announced its hybrid plan, Harris said. Fifteen of those positions were filled and nine are being filled, but 20 staff members that teach in "highly specialized areas" are hard to replace, Harris said.
The district will continue looking for replacements, but meanwhile the plan is to reassign or hire staff members to supervise students in classrooms while their teachers continue virtual instruction, he said.
Overall, Harris said he's "very confident" the district will have 95% staffing on Oct. 19.
Nine people, mostly parents, spoke at the board meeting Tuesday to advocate reopening immediately for full in-person learning. They cited hardship for families and the negative effects of virtual learning on students' performance and mental health.
"Our district is spiraling downward. Our children are regressing and losing knowledge," parent Heather Ewalt said. Ewalt, also a substitute teacher in the district, said teachers say in private they have the same concerns.
Some of the parents pointed to other districts that reopened, such as Glenbrook High Schools District 225 and Lake Zurich Unit District 95, as well as private schools like St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. But St. Viator closed Monday to switch to remote learning because of its COVID-19 incidence rate.
"I know that the community is frustrated, and we are all truly trying to do the best we can," board President Penny Kazmier said.
District 220 has a four-phase reopening plan based on five metrics posted online at barrington220.org/coronavirus. Those metrics are now being updated daily, rather than weekly, after a suggestion from board member Barbara Wilcox.
The district plans to add a COVID-19 dashboard to its website -- like Palatine Township Elementary District 15 has done -- showing the total number of COVID-19 positive cases and quarantine cases among students and staffers at each school, spokeswoman Samantha Ptashkin said.
Wilcox also suggested moving future board meetings to a larger room that can hold up to 50 people, the maximum allowed under current state COVID-19 guidelines, and having a meeting the first week of November, after the board canceled its Nov. 3 meeting because it is Election Day. The rest of the board agreed; specifics will be announced at a later date.
The board room can fit up to 25 people, which means sometimes people have to wait outside and be called to speak, Ptashkin said.
"Anyone who wishes to speak during public comment has been able to do so," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--Key takeaways from the VP debate between Pence, Harris

WASHINGTON -- In normal times , vice presidential debates do n't matter much .
But in an election year as wild as 2020 , everything is magnified .
Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday faced considerable pressure to boost coronavirus-stricken President Donald Trump 's flagging reelection hopes as he trails in national and battleground state polls .
California Sen. Kamala Harris stepped on stage having to balance her role as Joe Biden 's validator with her own historic presence as the first Black woman on a major party national ticket .
The candidates were separated by plexiglass out of concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emanating from the White House .
Here are key early takeaways from the only vice presidential debate ahead of the Nov. 3 Election Day .
Millions of Americans were aghast when Trump derailed the first presidential debate with incessant interruptions and a cascade of falsehoods , while Biden answered by calling the Republican incumbent a `` clown '' who needed to `` shut up . ''
The opening of Wednesday 's undercard matchup made clear that Pence and Harris were set for a much different encounter -- an actual debate .
To be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some modest interruptions and violations of the debate clock .
But the dynamics represented a rare 2020 return to some semblance of normal presidential politics .
Pence 's even temperament has been a signature of his political career and he has often served as a kind of translator for Trump 's bombast .
Harris had a long career as a prosecutor , comfortable arguing her case under pressure .
Both played to type .
In tone and content , their debate was like an alternate universe from the one Americans saw little more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign wants voters to focus on anything but the pandemic that has killed more than 210,000 people across the country and infected at least 7.5 million more .
But that subject dominated from the outset , with Trump and a growing list of White House aides , campaign staff and allies now sidelined with COVID-19 .
Harris immediately put Pence on the defensive , calling Trump 's pandemic response `` the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country . ''
Trump and Pence `` still do n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence shot back that much of Biden 's proposed coronavirus response is action the federal government already is taking .
More clearly than Trump perhaps ever has done , Pence expressed sympathy for all those affected by the pandemic , and he accused Harris of `` playing politics with people 's lives . ''
In fact , Biden 's plan does have elements that Trump 's does n't .
Biden has called for the president to issue a mask mandate on federal property and has urged governors and mayors to do the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal spending and regulatory power .
But Harris skipped those details .
One spoke proudly of joining racial justice protests ; the other denied the existence of systemic racism .
Harris , the first Black woman on a presidential ticket , spoke passionately about `` people around our country of every race , of every age , of every gender '' who `` marched , shoulder to shoulder , arm and arm , fighting for us to finally achieve that ideal of equal justice under law . ''
Still , she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence . ''
Pence , in contrast , proclaimed his trust for the justice system and put the focus on incidents of violence , saying there was `` no excuse for the rioting and looting . ''
And he argued that the idea that `` America 's systemically racist '' and that law enforcement has an implicit bias against minorities `` is a great insult to the men and women '' who serve in law enforcement .
Perhaps Pence 's most aggressive line of attack on Harris was pressing her for an answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pack '' the Supreme Court by adding liberal justices if they win the election .
Harris did n't take the bait , just as Biden has n't in recent weeks .
Pence clearly sees the court vacancy as a winning issue for the Republican ticket .
He hailed Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett , who would succeed the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg if she 's confirmed , as expected , before the election .
At least twice , he spoke directly to voters warning that Biden and Democrats would expand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way '' on blocking Barrett .
Harris seemingly missed an opportunity to remind Pence and the audience that the court 's Republican lean comes because the GOP-led Senate in 2016 refused to consider President Barack Obama 's nominee in the spring of 2016 , carrying over a vacancy that Trump filled in 2017 .
She did , however , invoke Abraham Lincoln , who declined to make a Supreme Court nomination less than a month before his reelection .
The senator did manage to turn Pence 's `` pack the court '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slate of federal court appointees has been overwhelmingly white .
And she underscored Democrats ' argument and public polling that suggests most voters think the Senate should wait until after the election to fill the current Supreme Court vacancy .
Harris was cautious about approaching the historic nature of her candidacy .
She referenced thinking about her mother , an immigrant from India , on the day Biden invited her to join the Democratic ticket .
But she stuck mostly to the talking points that any potential Democratic candidate could have offered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ embraced the opportunity to be magnanimous .
`` I also want to congratulate you … on the historic nature of your nomination , '' Pence told Harris .
`` I never expected to be on that stage four years ago so I know the feeling . ''
It was a grace note from Pence , something not heard from his boss the week before .
SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTIONS There were many questions about specific subjects .
There were many answers but not so much about those specific subjects .
Pence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate moderator Susan Page , answering questions however they wanted .
The vice president danced around the Rose Garden Supreme Court ceremony last weekend that is now considered a spreader event and instead pivoted to platitudes about personal responsibility .
He said he and the president `` trust the American people to make choices '' while accusing Harris of Biden of pushing mandates .
When both were asked whether they had discussed succession plans with their far older running mates in case they are incapacitated , Pence instead slammed Harris for her `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to fight the coronavirus .
Harris , meanwhile , used the question to share her biography , telling the story of her immigrant mother and her election as the first woman and the first Black person elected as attorney general in California .
Voters -- especially the critical bloc of suburban women likely to be the fulcrum of the election -- consistently say climate change is one of their top issues .
It hardly got a nod in the first presidential debate .
But Harris and Pence actually laid out clear differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shunning science .
Pence accused Harris of pushing a `` radical environmental agenda . ''
The two tangled at length over global warning , with Pence claiming a Democratic administration `` would crush American jobs '' and `` increase the energy costs of American families . ''
But Harris laid out Biden 's plan for creating new jobs connected to renewal energy and said one thing was clear about the Trump administration : `` They do n't believe in science . ''
Pence said the president cares about clean air and clean water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservation and to the environment . ''

Key takeaways from the VP debate between Pence, Harris
Members of the production crew work Tuesday on the stage near plexiglass barriers which will serve as a way to protect the spread of COVID-19 as preparations take place for the vice presidential debate at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., is scheduled for tonight. Associated Press
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., makes a point during the vice presidential debate Vice President Mike Pence Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Vice President Mike Pence speaks during the vice presidential debate Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. (Justin Sullivan/Pool via AP)
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., responds to a question during the vice presidential debate with Vice President Mike Pence Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., waves as she arrives on stage for the vice presidential debate with Vice President Mike Pence Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Vice President Mike Pence wave before the vice presidential debate Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Vice President Mike Pence listens as Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks during the vice presidential debate Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. (Justin Sullivan/Pool via AP)
WASHINGTON -- In normal times, vice presidential debates don't matter much. But in an election year as wild as 2020, everything is magnified.
Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday faced considerable pressure to boost coronavirus-stricken President Donald Trump's flagging reelection hopes as he trails in national and battleground state polls.
California Sen. Kamala Harris stepped on stage having to balance her role as Joe Biden's validator with her own historic presence as the first Black woman on a major party national ticket.
The candidates were separated by plexiglass out of concern for spread of the coronavirus from cases emanating from the White House.
Here are key early takeaways from the only vice presidential debate ahead of the Nov. 3 Election Day.
DEBATE, UNINTERRUPTED ... MOSTLY
Millions of Americans were aghast when Trump derailed the first presidential debate with incessant interruptions and a cascade of falsehoods, while Biden answered by calling the Republican incumbent a "clown" who needed to "shut up."
The opening of Wednesday's undercard matchup made clear that Pence and Harris were set for a much different encounter -- an actual debate.
To be sure, there were sharp moments, some modest interruptions and violations of the debate clock. But the dynamics represented a rare 2020 return to some semblance of normal presidential politics.
Pence's even temperament has been a signature of his political career and he has often served as a kind of translator for Trump's bombast. Harris had a long career as a prosecutor, comfortable arguing her case under pressure. Both played to type.
In tone and content, their debate was like an alternate universe from the one Americans saw little more than a week ago.
PANDEMIC, UNABATED
The Trump campaign wants voters to focus on anything but the pandemic that has killed more than 210,000 people across the country and infected at least 7.5 million more. But that subject dominated from the outset, with Trump and a growing list of White House aides, campaign staff and allies now sidelined with COVID-19.
Harris immediately put Pence on the defensive, calling Trump's pandemic response "the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country." Trump and Pence "still don't have a plan," she said.
Pence shot back that much of Biden's proposed coronavirus response is action the federal government already is taking. More clearly than Trump perhaps ever has done, Pence expressed sympathy for all those affected by the pandemic, and he accused Harris of "playing politics with people's lives."
In fact, Biden's plan does have elements that Trump's doesn't. Biden has called for the president to issue a mask mandate on federal property and has urged governors and mayors to do the same. He has called for using other federal spending and regulatory power. But Harris skipped those details.
RACIAL POLITICS
One spoke proudly of joining racial justice protests; the other denied the existence of systemic racism.
Harris, the first Black woman on a presidential ticket, spoke passionately about "people around our country of every race, of every age, of every gender" who "marched, shoulder to shoulder, arm and arm, fighting for us to finally achieve that ideal of equal justice under law."
Still, she said, "We are never going to condone violence."
Pence, in contrast, proclaimed his trust for the justice system and put the focus on incidents of violence, saying there was "no excuse for the rioting and looting."
And he argued that the idea that "America's systemically racist" and that law enforcement has an implicit bias against minorities "is a great insult to the men and women" who serve in law enforcement.
SUPREME COURT ARGUMENT
Perhaps Pence's most aggressive line of attack on Harris was pressing her for an answer on whether a Biden administration would "pack" the Supreme Court by adding liberal justices if they win the election. Harris didn't take the bait, just as Biden hasn't in recent weeks.
Pence clearly sees the court vacancy as a winning issue for the Republican ticket. He hailed Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett, who would succeed the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg if she's confirmed, as expected, before the election. At least twice, he spoke directly to voters warning that Biden and Democrats would expand the court if they "don't get their way" on blocking Barrett.
Harris seemingly missed an opportunity to remind Pence and the audience that the court's Republican lean comes because the GOP-led Senate in 2016 refused to consider President Barack Obama's nominee in the spring of 2016, carrying over a vacancy that Trump filled in 2017. She did, however, invoke Abraham Lincoln, who declined to make a Supreme Court nomination less than a month before his reelection.
The senator did manage to turn Pence's "pack the court" attack around by noting that Trump's slate of federal court appointees has been overwhelmingly white. And she underscored Democrats' argument and public polling that suggests most voters think the Senate should wait until after the election to fill the current Supreme Court vacancy.
HANDLING HISTORY
Harris was cautious about approaching the historic nature of her candidacy. She referenced thinking about her mother, an immigrant from India, on the day Biden invited her to join the Democratic ticket. But she stuck mostly to the talking points that any potential Democratic candidate could have offered.
Pence, on the other hand, embraced the opportunity to be magnanimous. "I also want to congratulate you … on the historic nature of your nomination," Pence told Harris. "I never expected to be on that stage four years ago so I know the feeling."
It was a grace note from Pence, something not heard from his boss the week before.
SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTIONS
There were many questions about specific subjects. There were many answers but not so much about those specific subjects.
Pence and Harris repeatedly dodged and sidestepped queries from debate moderator Susan Page, answering questions however they wanted.
The vice president danced around the Rose Garden Supreme Court ceremony last weekend that is now considered a spreader event and instead pivoted to platitudes about personal responsibility. He said he and the president "trust the American people to make choices" while accusing Harris of Biden of pushing mandates.
When both were asked whether they had discussed succession plans with their far older running mates in case they are incapacitated, Pence instead slammed Harris for her "continuous undermining of confidence in a vaccine" to fight the coronavirus.
Harris, meanwhile, used the question to share her biography, telling the story of her immigrant mother and her election as the first woman and the first Black person elected as attorney general in California.
CLIMATE GETS ITS MOMENT
Voters -- especially the critical bloc of suburban women likely to be the fulcrum of the election -- consistently say climate change is one of their top issues.
It hardly got a nod in the first presidential debate. But Harris and Pence actually laid out clear differences.
Harris accused the Trump administration of shunning science. Pence accused Harris of pushing a "radical environmental agenda."
The two tangled at length over global warning, with Pence claiming a Democratic administration "would crush American jobs" and "increase the energy costs of American families."
But Harris laid out Biden's plan for creating new jobs connected to renewal energy and said one thing was clear about the Trump administration: "They don't believe in science."
Pence said the president cares about clean air and clean water and has "made a commitment to conservation and to the environment."
Barrow reported from Wilmington, Delaware.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--When movie audiences return, will theaters still be there in the suburbs?

The question that haunts me most about our endangered local movie theaters is this : What if by the time audiences finally return , there are n't any theaters to return to ?
America 's movie theaters , already hanging on by their financial fingernails during the COVID-19 pandemic , face an even bleaker future now that 2020 's last surefire blockbuster , 007 's `` No Time to Die , '' has abandoned its November release date and fled to 2021 .
It joins Steven Spielberg 's `` West Side Story , '' Denis Villeneuve 's `` Dune , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and other eagerly anticipated films seeking economic asylum in 2021 to dodge the virus that has crippled America 's theater industry .
Monday gave us a bleak peek at this possible future when Regal Cinemas -- the nation 's second-largest theater chain after AMC -- announced the closing of its 536 cinemas in the U.S. , including theaters in Lake Zurich , Lincolnshire , Warrenville , Round Lake Beach , Crystal Lake and Glenview .
Chris Johnson summed up the situation in three words : `` It 's been horrible ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Classic Cinemas , said exhibitors need two things to stay solvent until the virus subsides or someone creates a vaccine : partners and support .
That , plus a few blockbusters to shore up the finances .
Classic Cinemas ' Illinois locations , including those in Carpentersville , St. Charles , Elk Grove Village , Elmhurst , Downers Grove and Fox Lake , reopened in June but closed again July 9 `` because we did n't have any compelling tentpole movies on the schedule , '' he said .
`` If we ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movies , we wo n't be able to maintain our businesses . ''
But that will not be easy .
Especially because Johnson and other exhibitors are trapped in a dire , Catch-22 scenario .
To lure audiences back into theaters , exhibitors need spectacular blockbusters such as `` No Time to Die . ''
For theaters to get those spectacular blockbusters , the studios need big , BIG audiences so they can recoup their spectacular budgets .
( `` Tenet '' reportedly cost $ 205 million .
`` No Time to Die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the move to 2021 cost up to $ 50 million in wasted promotions and advertising . )
That brings us to the huge New York movie market , which remains closed .
`` As long as New York is closed , the studios wo n't release their blockbusters , '' Johnson said .
`` That affects all of us . ''
With little relief in sight , the National Association of Theatre Owners sized up the situation in this written statement : `` If the status quo continues , 69 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be forced to file for bankruptcy or to close permanently . ''
Along with Regal 's U.S. locations , its 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse venues in the U.K. are closing , with a total of about 45,000 employees losing their jobs .
Even if New York suddenly opened its theater doors , exhibitors face yet another obstacle to financial solvency : Will the public feel safe enough to return to their local movie houses in sufficient numbers ?
They should , Johnson said .
He points to restaurants and bars as the sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as some of the safest places for people to be for several reasons : 1 .
Everyone in the auditorium is facing the same direction .
2 .
Patrons generally do n't talk to each other during the film .
( `` They text , maybe , but they do n't talk , '' he said . )
3 .
Auditoriums have been redesigned for social distancing .
5 .
New equipment provides improved air circulation in theaters .
`` You can tell in 30 seconds if you feel safe in a theater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take safety seriously .
We have to .
Otherwise how can we expect anyone to come back ? ''
Still , I keep coming back to my original question : Can theaters survive long enough to get those patrons back in the seats ?
Marvel Studios is betting on it , with eight film releases between the new May 7 date for `` Black Widow '' and `` Captain Marvel 2 '' on July 8 , 2022 , Variety reported Wednesday .
Johnson is hoping that a Federal Reserve program called Main Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial condition before the pandemic ) can provide Classic Cinemas and other theaters with loans to keep them afloat .
Meanwhile , the theater owners association is campaigning to have movie theaters added to the federal coronavirus relief package implemented earlier this year and the proposed RESTART Act that would send stimulus packages to the exhibition industry .
For now , exhibitors are focused on the most important time of the year for box office returns : Christmas week .
`` It 's a huge week for us , '' Johnson said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas holidays by going to the movies . ''
Can `` Wonder Woman 1984 '' pull off a wonder by attracting huge crowds on Dec. 25 ?
For the moment at least , movie theaters have time to die another day .

When movie audiences return, will theaters still be there in the suburbs?
The question that haunts me most about our endangered local movie theaters is this: What if by the time audiences finally return, there aren't any theaters to return to?
America's movie theaters, already hanging on by their financial fingernails during the COVID-19 pandemic, face an even bleaker future now that 2020's last surefire blockbuster, 007's "No Time to Die," has abandoned its November release date and fled to 2021.
It joins Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story," Denis Villeneuve's "Dune," Cate Shortland's "Black Widow" and other eagerly anticipated films seeking economic asylum in 2021 to dodge the virus that has crippled America's theater industry.
Monday gave us a bleak peek at this possible future when Regal Cinemas -- the nation's second-largest theater chain after AMC -- announced the closing of its 536 cinemas in the U.S., including theaters in Lake Zurich, Lincolnshire, Warrenville, Round Lake Beach, Crystal Lake and Glenview.
Chris Johnson summed up the situation in three words: "It's been horrible!"
Johnson, CEO of the Downers Grove-based Classic Cinemas, said exhibitors need two things to stay solvent until the virus subsides or someone creates a vaccine: partners and support.
That, plus a few blockbusters to shore up the finances.
Classic Cinemas' Illinois locations, including those in Carpentersville, St. Charles, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Downers Grove and Fox Lake, reopened in June but closed again July 9 "because we didn't have any compelling tentpole movies on the schedule," he said. "If we can't get a consistent supply of attractive movies, we won't be able to maintain our businesses."
But that will not be easy. Especially because Johnson and other exhibitors are trapped in a dire, Catch-22 scenario.
To lure audiences back into theaters, exhibitors need spectacular blockbusters such as "No Time to Die."
For theaters to get those spectacular blockbusters, the studios need big, BIG audiences so they can recoup their spectacular budgets. ("Tenet" reportedly cost $205 million. "No Time to Die" reportedly cost $250 million -- and the move to 2021 cost up to $50 million in wasted promotions and advertising.)
That brings us to the huge New York movie market, which remains closed.
"As long as New York is closed, the studios won't release their blockbusters," Johnson said. "That affects all of us."
With little relief in sight, the National Association of Theatre Owners sized up the situation in this written statement: "If the status quo continues, 69% of small and mid-size movie theater companies will be forced to file for bankruptcy or to close permanently."
Along with Regal's U.S. locations, its 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse venues in the U.K. are closing, with a total of about 45,000 employees losing their jobs.
Even if New York suddenly opened its theater doors, exhibitors face yet another obstacle to financial solvency: Will the public feel safe enough to return to their local movie houses in sufficient numbers?
They should, Johnson said. He points to restaurants and bars as the sources of COVID-19 outbreaks and pitches movie theaters as some of the safest places for people to be for several reasons:
1. Everyone in the auditorium is facing the same direction.
2. Patrons generally don't talk to each other during the film. ("They text, maybe, but they don't talk," he said.)
3. Auditoriums have been redesigned for social distancing.
4. Wearing masks is mandatory.
5. New equipment provides improved air circulation in theaters.
"You can tell in 30 seconds if you feel safe in a theater," Johnson said. "We take safety seriously. We have to. Otherwise how can we expect anyone to come back?"
Still, I keep coming back to my original question: Can theaters survive long enough to get those patrons back in the seats?
Marvel Studios is betting on it, with eight film releases between the new May 7 date for "Black Widow" and "Captain Marvel 2" on July 8, 2022, Variety reported Wednesday.
Johnson is hoping that a Federal Reserve program called Main Street Lending (to support businesses in sound financial condition before the pandemic) can provide Classic Cinemas and other theaters with loans to keep them afloat.
Meanwhile, the theater owners association is campaigning to have movie theaters added to the federal coronavirus relief package implemented earlier this year and the proposed RESTART Act that would send stimulus packages to the exhibition industry.
For now, exhibitors are focused on the most important time of the year for box office returns: Christmas week.
"It's a huge week for us," Johnson said. "Massive. People kick off the Christmas holidays by going to the movies."
Can "Wonder Woman 1984" pull off a wonder by attracting huge crowds on Dec. 25?
For the moment at least, movie theaters have time to die another day.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--Feder: Stefan Holt rejoins NBC 5 'like he had never left'

In a week of happy homecomings for Chicago television news anchors , Stefan Holt made his comeback to NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel @ @ @ @ @ , Robert Feder writes .
Beginning next week Holt will co-anchor weekdays with Marion Brooks @ @ @ @ @ Rosati at 10 p.m .
Rob Stafford continues to co-anchor with Rosati at 5 and @ @ @ @ @ Chicago native and son of `` NBC Nightly News '' anchor Lester Holt , spent @ @ @ @ @ anchor at NBC 5 before moving to WNBC in New York in 2016 .
Get @ @ @ @ @ more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Stefan Holt rejoins NBC 5 'like he had never left'
Stefan Holt is returning to WMAQ-Channel 5 after four years away.
In a week of happy homecomings for Chicago television news anchors, Stefan Holt made his comeback to NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 after four years away, Robert Feder writes.
Beginning next week Holt will co-anchor weekdays with Marion Brooks at 4 p.m. and Allison Rosati at 10 p.m.
Rob Stafford continues to co-anchor with Rosati at 5 and 6 p.m.
Holt, a Chicago native and son of "NBC Nightly News" anchor Lester Holt, spent five years as morning news anchor at NBC 5 before moving to WNBC in New York in 2016.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--Are barn, fire station upgrades worth sales tax hike? Lake Zurich voters to decide

A sales tax increase on the Lake Zurich ballot would pay for rebuilding the Paulus Park Barn , improving the 38-year-old Fire Station No .
1 and financing other projects .
In deciding the issue , voters will weigh the importance of the upgrades versus increasing the total amount paid in sales tax on purchases in town from 7.5 % to 8 % .
Claire Slattery , executive director of the Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce , said the chamber has not taken a position on the referendum and she is unaware of organized opposition within the local business community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will review the proposal and decide if there should be a survey of chamber members .
`` We certainly work very closely with the village of Lake Zurich and know they put a lot of time and effort to coming to this point with the referendum , '' Slattery said .
`` They have definitely done all their due diligence . ''
The village has been soliciting feedback from residents for much of the year about improvements they would like to see to the barn -- which was gutted by fire last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of August , 1,263 members of the community had been surveyed through virtual community engagement sessions , community committee meetings , online feedback forms , phone polls and more .
As part of the village surveys , residents were presented with four options for the Paulus Park Barn : rebuilding it using primarily insurance money and about $ 500,000 in village funds ; rebuilding the barn along with a one-story addition ; rebuilding the barn with a two-story addition ; or demolishing the barn and replacing it with a new , larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large multipurpose room with partitions , as well as more restrooms and an exterior patio .
According to a village analysis of the feedback , the plan has strong support among all demographics , especially middle-aged adults , seniors , women , moderates and minorities .
The current 7.5 % local sales tax rate is split among the village , which gets 0.5 % , the Regional Transportation Authority , which gets 0.75 % , and the state , which gets the remaining 6.25 % .
Kyle Kordell , assistant to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if village voters approve the request , the extra tax would generate about $ 2 million annually .
The question to voters will read : `` Shall the Village of Lake Zurich be authorized to increase its current one-half percent ( 0.5 % ) sales tax by another one-half percent ( 0.5 % ) to levy a 1 % sales tax to be used for public infrastructure , municipal operations , or property tax relief ? ''
The village board voted 5-1 in August to put the question to voters .
Trustee Janice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she thinks the state is going to raise taxes soon because of COVID-19 and it is a bad time for a local hike as well .
In November 2010 , Lake Zurich voters authorized the village to implement the initial nonhome-rule sales tax rate of 0.5 % , with 3,438 voting `` yes '' and 2,845 voting `` no . ''

Are barn, fire station upgrades worth sales tax hike? Lake Zurich voters to decide
A sales tax increase on the Lake Zurich ballot would pay for rebuilding the Paulus Park Barn, improving the 38-year-old Fire Station No. 1 and financing other projects.
In deciding the issue, voters will weigh the importance of the upgrades versus increasing the total amount paid in sales tax on purchases in town from 7.5% to 8%.
Claire Slattery, executive director of the Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has not taken a position on the referendum and she is unaware of organized opposition within the local business community. The chamber's governmental affairs committee will review the proposal and decide if there should be a survey of chamber members.
"We certainly work very closely with the village of Lake Zurich and know they put a lot of time and effort to coming to this point with the referendum," Slattery said. "They have definitely done all their due diligence."
The village has been soliciting feedback from residents for much of the year about improvements they would like to see to the barn -- which was gutted by fire last year -- and other areas of town.
As of August, 1,263 members of the community had been surveyed through virtual community engagement sessions, community committee meetings, online feedback forms, phone polls and more.
As part of the village surveys, residents were presented with four options for the Paulus Park Barn: rebuilding it using primarily insurance money and about $500,000 in village funds; rebuilding the barn along with a one-story addition; rebuilding the barn with a two-story addition; or demolishing the barn and replacing it with a new, larger building.
The preferred option would add a large multipurpose room with partitions, as well as more restrooms and an exterior patio.
According to a village analysis of the feedback, the plan has strong support among all demographics, especially middle-aged adults, seniors, women, moderates and minorities.
The current 7.5% local sales tax rate is split among the village, which gets 0.5%, the Regional Transportation Authority, which gets 0.75%, and the state, which gets the remaining 6.25%.
Kyle Kordell, assistant to the village manager, said this summer that if village voters approve the request, the extra tax would generate about $2 million annually.
The question to voters will read: "Shall the Village of Lake Zurich be authorized to increase its current one-half percent (0.5%) sales tax by another one-half percent (0.5%) to levy a 1% sales tax to be used for public infrastructure, municipal operations, or property tax relief?"
The village board voted 5-1 in August to put the question to voters. Trustee Janice Gannon cast the dissenting vote. She said she thinks the state is going to raise taxes soon because of COVID-19 and it is a bad time for a local hike as well.
In November 2010, Lake Zurich voters authorized the village to implement the initial nonhome-rule sales tax rate of 0.5%, with 3,438 voting "yes" and 2,845 voting "no."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--Constable: Downers Grove teen's sex assault database earns her Girl Scouts' highest honor

A middle school friend 's `` sexual assault crisis '' and the lasting and traumatic effects it had on the girl inspired Therese Malinowski of Downers Grove to make a difference .
`` That 's what made me passionate about sexual assault , '' says Malinowski , 18 , who will receive the Girl Scouts ' highest national honor tonight in a private online ceremony for recipients and their families .
Malinowski 's groundbreaking project created an online database that tracks sexual assaults on college campuses .
`` The fact that people treat the problem as taboo was further fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Malinowski used that fuel to get her project off the ground during her junior year at Downers Grove South High School , and finished it in her senior year in January 2020 .
Being a Girl Scout is n't rocket science , but Malinowski says she needed the same organization , leadership , commitment and team-building skills she now needs as a freshman engineering student at Purdue University , where she plans to study aeronautical and astronautical engineering .
`` Girl Scouts in my older years taught me about leadership and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It really prepares you for real-world events . ''
Spending more than 100 hours researching campus assaults and creating the database , Malinowski worked with the domestic violence experts at Metropolitan Family Services DuPage , and also recruited 25 volunteers who attended three two-hour research events .
`` We ate food , listened to music and crunched numbers , '' she says .
The result is Project Dandelion , a comprehensive online database at projectdandelion.weebly.com that catalogs sexual assaults on 170 colleges in Illinois .
The website lists the number of rapes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 23 % of attacks are reported , and provides details on any action taken by authorities .
It also includes tips on how to prevent assaults , details on times and places such assaults are most likely to occur , lists groups on campus working to stop sexual assaults , and gives names and phone numbers of officials ( from police to Title IX coordinators ) who can help victims .
`` This is the first of its kind in the world , '' Malinowski says , noting some colleges are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's hard to find and even harder to interpret . ''
She initially sent emails to 100 colleges and got only one response , from the College of DuPage .
So she started her online searches .
`` It 's important now more than ever .
There 's so much more behind every number , '' Malinowski says .
She 's hoping to continue her project by teaming with a national group that could expand the database to colleges across the nation .
That effort made Malinowski one of 10 National Gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world of Girl Scouting , '' says Nancy Wright , CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana , which boasts 53,000 members and another 25,000 volunteers .
`` You think about the 11-year-old selling cookies , but we 're so much more than that , '' says Wright , who sees Malinowski as a role model for younger girls .
Malinowski is the first teen from the Chicago area to receive the Gold Award in more than a decade .
She and the other Gold Award recipients will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scouts Change the World '' program in celebration of International Day of the Girl at 3 p.m. Saturday .
Instead of attending a lavish ceremony in New York City , Malinowski will participate online from her dorm room in West Lafayette , Indiana .
In addition to receiving a $ 20,000 scholarship as part of the Gold Award , Malinowski says she earned another $ 18,000 in scholarship money by writing essays about her project .
She got the phone call telling her she 'd receive the Gold Award this summer after coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counselor at the Summer Science Camp at Morton Arboretum in Lisle .
`` I do n't think a heart is supposed to beat that fast , '' Malinowski says .
The only people she could tell were her parents , Mary and Michael Malinowski , and her 17-year-old sister , Eleanore , who also is in Girl Scouts .
`` I 've been a Girl Scout since kindergarten , '' says Malinowski , who progressed from Daisies to Brownies to Juniors to Cadettes to Seniors to Ambassadors .
As a Gold Award recipient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scouts .
`` I really enjoyed the opportunities the Girl Scouts gave to me , '' she says .
`` I really wanted to be a change-maker and take full advantage of what Girl Scouts had to offer me . ''

Constable: Downers Grove Girl Scout wins National Gold Award for creating sex assault database
As a kid, Therese Malinowski sold cookies with her Girl Scout peers. Now the Downers Grove 18-year-old is one of Girl Scouts' 10 National Gold Award-winners for her groundbreaking research and creation of a sexual abuse database for colleges. Courtesy of Therese Malinowski
A Girl Scout since kindergarten, 18-year-old Therese Malinowski of Downers Grove is one of 10 women across the nation receiving the National Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts. Malinowski developed an online database of sexual assaults on college campuses. Courtesy of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
A middle school friend's "sexual assault crisis" and the lasting and traumatic effects it had on the girl inspired Therese Malinowski of Downers Grove to make a difference.
"That's what made me passionate about sexual assault," says Malinowski, 18, who will receive the Girl Scouts' highest national honor tonight in a private online ceremony for recipients and their families. Malinowski's groundbreaking project created an online database that tracks sexual assaults on college campuses.
"The fact that people treat the problem as taboo was further fuel to create this project," she says. Malinowski used that fuel to get her project off the ground during her junior year at Downers Grove South High School, and finished it in her senior year in January 2020.
Being a Girl Scout isn't rocket science, but Malinowski says she needed the same organization, leadership, commitment and team-building skills she now needs as a freshman engineering student at Purdue University, where she plans to study aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
"Girl Scouts in my older years taught me about leadership and positive growth," she says. "It really prepares you for real-world events."
Spending more than 100 hours researching campus assaults and creating the database, Malinowski worked with the domestic violence experts at Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, and also recruited 25 volunteers who attended three two-hour research events.
"We ate food, listened to music and crunched numbers," she says.
The result is Project Dandelion, a comprehensive online database at projectdandelion.weebly.com that catalogs sexual assaults on 170 colleges in Illinois. The website lists the number of rapes and assaults each year, explains that only 23% of attacks are reported, and provides details on any action taken by authorities. It also includes tips on how to prevent assaults, details on times and places such assaults are most likely to occur, lists groups on campus working to stop sexual assaults, and gives names and phone numbers of officials (from police to Title IX coordinators) who can help victims.
"This is the first of its kind in the world," Malinowski says, noting some colleges are not forthcoming about sexual assault numbers. "It's hard to find and even harder to interpret."
In creating the first database listing sexual assaults on college campuses, Therese Malinowski, right, of Downers Grove, worked with volunteers to gather the statistics for her project. - Courtesy of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
She initially sent emails to 100 colleges and got only one response, from the College of DuPage. So she started her online searches.
"It's important now more than ever. There's so much more behind every number," Malinowski says. She's hoping to continue her project by teaming with a national group that could expand the database to colleges across the nation.
That effort made Malinowski one of 10 National Gold Award recipients. "The ultimate accomplishment in the world of Girl Scouting," says Nancy Wright, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, which boasts 53,000 members and another 25,000 volunteers.
"You think about the 11-year-old selling cookies, but we're so much more than that," says Wright, who sees Malinowski as a role model for younger girls. Malinowski is the first teen from the Chicago area to receive the National Gold Award in more than a decade. She and the other Gold Award recipients will be featured in an online "Girl Scouts Change the World" program in celebration of International Day of the Girl at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Instead of attending a lavish ceremony in New York City, Malinowski will participate online from her dorm room in West Lafayette, Indiana. In addition to receiving a $20,000 scholarship as part of the Gold Award, Malinowski says she earned another $18,000 in scholarship money by writing essays about her project.
She got the phone call telling her she'd receive the Gold Award this summer after coming home from a day working as a counselor at the Summer Science Camp at Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
"I don't think a heart is supposed to beat that fast," Malinowski says. The only people she could tell were her parents, Mary and Michael Malinowski, and her 17-year-old sister, Eleanore, who also is in Girl Scouts.
"I've been a Girl Scout since kindergarten," says Malinowski, who progressed from Daisies to Brownies to Juniors to Cadettes to Seniors to Ambassadors.
As a Gold Award recipient she receives a life membership in Girl Scouts.
"I really enjoyed the opportunities the Girl Scouts gave to me," she says. "I really wanted to be a change-maker and take full advantage of what Girl Scouts had to offer me."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--With District 73's OK, special tax district designation next for Hawthorn Mall

The table is set for Vernon Hills to establish a special financing district to spark the $ 250 million redevelopment of the faltering Hawthorn Mall , a retail centerpiece since 1973 .
How much mall owner Centennial Real Estate could receive is still being negotiated , but the groundwork allowing the Dallas-based company to proceed with a three-phased plan is nearly in place .
A public hearing Tuesday was the final requirement before village officials could designate most of the mall property as a tax increment financing district , a mechanism that would provide millions for eligible expenses .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishing the TIF district on Nov. 3 .
TIFs are sometimes controversial because property values are frozen for taxing purposes for up to 23 years .
Taxes are imposed on the increased value as development occurs , but the difference -- the increment -- goes into a special fund that is used for site improvements and other expenses in the designated area .
That can be of concern for entities like school districts that rely heavily on property taxes .
The counterargument is that not providing a TIF incentive would cause the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- to continue to decline .
Hawthorn Elementary District 73 , for example , is part of a required advisory panel of nine taxing bodies and voted against establishing the TIF when the group met Aug. 23 .
However , school board Vice President Wes Polen said during the public hearing Tuesday those concerns have been resolved as a result of a pending agreement with the village .
Details were not disclosed , but the pact calls for the village to look for opportunities to declare a TIF surplus , remove parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide access to new taxes , and consider ending the TIF early .
The agreement will provide strong economic development for the village while providing needed resources to educate students , she said .
District 73 , Polen added , hopes TIF financing does not become the village 's `` default tool for economic development in other areas of the village '' as it would erode the tax base .
This would be the third TIF district in the village .
No opposition surfaced during the public hearing , but the questions posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will happen going forward .
For example , the arrangement will be different from the TIF established for the new Mellody Farm retail center directly east of Hawthorn Mall , which required the village to borrow $ 20 million by issuing bonds to provide upfront payments .
In this case , the developer will be paid only if the property value increases and construction proceeds .
`` So , it 's pay as you go .
In other words , a pay-for-performance type of TIF district , '' village Trustee Jim Schultz said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's no village money at risk and no taxpayer money at risk , '' Trustee Thom Koch added .
The amount of the incentive will be outlined in an agreement with the mall owner that will require a separate vote and be subject to public review .
`` The incentive that ultimately will be agreed upon will be one that 's on par with a TIF incentive for a development of this size and that meets the gap in finances that the developer had to prove up to our financial people , '' @ @ @ @ @ @

With District 73's OK, special tax district designation next for Hawthorn Mall
A rendering shows Centennial's redevelopment plan for the former Sears area at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. Courtesy of Blackford & Associates/Centennial, 2019
The table is set for Vernon Hills to establish a special financing district to spark the $250 million redevelopment of the faltering Hawthorn Mall, a retail centerpiece since 1973.
How much mall owner Centennial Real Estate could receive is still being negotiated, but the groundwork allowing the Dallas-based company to proceed with a three-phased plan is nearly in place.
A public hearing Tuesday was the final requirement before village officials could designate most of the mall property as a tax increment financing district, a mechanism that would provide millions for eligible expenses.
The village board is expected to consider ordinances establishing the TIF district on Nov. 3.
TIFs are sometimes controversial because property values are frozen for taxing purposes for up to 23 years. Taxes are imposed on the increased value as development occurs, but the difference -- the increment -- goes into a special fund that is used for site improvements and other expenses in the designated area.
That can be of concern for entities like school districts that rely heavily on property taxes. The counterargument is that not providing a TIF incentive would cause the property value -- and in turn property taxes -- to continue to decline.
Hawthorn Elementary District 73, for example, is part of a required advisory panel of nine taxing bodies and voted against establishing the TIF when the group met Aug. 23.
However, school board Vice President Wes Polen said during the public hearing Tuesday those concerns have been resolved as a result of a pending agreement with the village.
Details were not disclosed, but the pact calls for the village to look for opportunities to declare a TIF surplus, remove parts of the property from the TIF early to provide access to new taxes, and consider ending the TIF early.
The agreement will provide strong economic development for the village while providing needed resources to educate students, she said.
District 73, Polen added, hopes TIF financing does not become the village's "default tool for economic development in other areas of the village" as it would erode the tax base.
This would be the third TIF district in the village. No opposition surfaced during the public hearing, but the questions posed resulted in a clearer picture of what will happen going forward.
For example, the arrangement will be different from the TIF established for the new Mellody Farm retail center directly east of Hawthorn Mall, which required the village to borrow $20 million by issuing bonds to provide upfront payments.
In this case, the developer will be paid only if the property value increases and construction proceeds.
"So, it's pay as you go. In other words, a pay-for-performance type of TIF district," village Trustee Jim Schultz said.
"What it means is there's no village money at risk and no taxpayer money at risk," Trustee Thom Koch added.
The amount of the incentive will be outlined in an agreement with the mall owner that will require a separate vote and be subject to public review.
"The incentive that ultimately will be agreed upon will be one that's on par with a TIF incentive for a development of this size and that meets the gap in finances that the developer had to prove up to our financial people," Village Attorney James Ferolo said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--Toronto beats Revolution 1-0, boasts best record in MLS

FOXBOROUGH , Mass .
-- Ayo Akinola scored and Toronto FC beat the New England Revolution 1-0 on Wednesday night to break a tie with Eastern Conference rival Columbus for the MLS lead .
Akinola , a 20-year-old homegrown , sprinted onto a through ball and outmuscled defender Andrew Farrell before flicking in a side-netter in the 29th minute .
Toronto ( 10-2-4 ) has won four in a row and is unbeaten in its last six games .
New England ( 5-4-7 ) , which had 60 % possession and outshot Toronto 13-6 , had its four-game unbeaten streak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New England .
COLUMBUS , Ohio -- Bojan Krkic scored on a penalty kick in the 74th minute to help Montreal beat Columbus .
The Impact ( 6-8-2 ) have won two straight after a four-match losing streak .
The Crew ( 9-3-4 ) are winless in their last three matches .
Krkic nearly scored in the the 24th minute .
He fired a shot that hit the crossbar .
The ball deflected to Lassi Lappalainen , whose header attempt hit a defender , but Lappalainen scored off the deflection .
The Crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that deflected off his head and bounced into the net from close range in the 45th .
HARRISON , N.J. -- Gonzalo Higuain scored his first MLS goal off a free kick in the 81st minute to lift Miami past New York .
Matias Pellegrini , also scored for Inter Miami ( 4-10-2 ) , which snapped a three-match losing streak .
The Red Bulls ( 6-8-2 ) have lost two straight .
Omir Fernandez scored in the 53rd minute for the Red Bulls .
ATLANTA -- Brad Guzan made a diving stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saves , and Atlanta settled for a scoreless draw with Orlando .
It was Guzan 's fifth shutout of the season and his third in the last five games for Atlanta ( 5-8-3 ) .
Goalkeeper Brian Rowe made his first start of the season and had three saves for Orlando City ( 8-2-6 ) , which is unbeaten in 10 games .
CHESTER , Pa. -- Ilsinho scored for the second time in three games and Philadelphia beat Cincinnati .
Cincinnati was shut out for the fourth consecutive game and has n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Red Bulls on Sept. 19 .
Cincinnati ( 3-9-4 ) has lost three in a row and is winless in its last four games .
Alejandro Bedoya scored in the 73rd minute , and Jack Elliott capped the scoring in the 80th for Philadelphia ( 9-3-4 ) .
NEW YORK -- Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored twice and New York beat D.C. United in its return to Yankee Stadium for the first time in eight months .
NYCFC ( 8-6-2 ) has won three straight matches , outscoring opponents 11-3 during the stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four consecutive matches and is winless in seven .
Valentin Castellanos also scored on a penalty kick in the 4th minute for NYCFC .
Keaton Parks capped the scoring with his second goal of the season in the 88th .
Ola Kamara scored on a penalty kick for D.C. United in the 12th minute .
Houston 's Maruo Manotas was shown a red card for a serious foul in first-half stoppage time and the Dynamo played a man down the rest of the way .
Houston ( 4-5-7 ) snapped six-game winless streak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kansas City on Sept. 5 .
Dallas ( 5-4-6 ) is winless in four games .
KANSAS CITY , Kan. -- Winston Reid scored his first MLS goal in the 67th minute and Kansas City beat Chicago .
Sporting Kansas City ( 8-5-2 ) has won two straight matches .
The Fire ( 4-8-4 ) have lost two in a row .
Goalkeepers Bobby Shuttleworth of Chicago and Tim Melia of Sporting KC each finished with two saves .

Toronto beats Revolution 1-0, boasts best record in MLS
Toronto FC goalkeeper Alex Bono makes a save during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against the New England Revolution, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. Associated Press
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Ayo Akinola scored and Toronto FC beat the New England Revolution 1-0 on Wednesday night to break a tie with Eastern Conference rival Columbus for the MLS lead.
Akinola, a 20-year-old homegrown, sprinted onto a through ball and outmuscled defender Andrew Farrell before flicking in a side-netter in the 29th minute.
Toronto (10-2-4) has won four in a row and is unbeaten in its last six games.
New England (5-4-7), which had 60% possession and outshot Toronto 13-6, had its four-game unbeaten streak snapped.
Toronto improved to 3-10-5 against New England.
IMPACT 2, CREW 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Bojan Krkic scored on a penalty kick in the 74th minute to help Montreal beat Columbus.
The Impact (6-8-2) have won two straight after a four-match losing streak. The Crew (9-3-4) are winless in their last three matches.
Krkic nearly scored in the the 24th minute. He fired a shot that hit the crossbar. The ball deflected to Lassi Lappalainen, whose header attempt hit a defender, but Lappalainen scored off the deflection.
The Crew's Gyasi Zardes scored from a cross that deflected off his head and bounced into the net from close range in the 45th.
INTER MIAMI 2, RED BULLS 1
HARRISON, N.J. -- Gonzalo Higuain scored his first MLS goal off a free kick in the 81st minute to lift Miami past New York.
Matias Pellegrini, also scored for Inter Miami (4-10-2), which snapped a three-match losing streak. The Red Bulls (6-8-2) have lost two straight.
Omir Fernandez scored in the 53rd minute for the Red Bulls.
ATLANTA UNITED 0, ORLANDO CITY 0
ATLANTA -- Brad Guzan made a diving stop in the 86th minute among his six saves, and Atlanta settled for a scoreless draw with Orlando.
It was Guzan's fifth shutout of the season and his third in the last five games for Atlanta (5-8-3).
Goalkeeper Brian Rowe made his first start of the season and had three saves for Orlando City (8-2-6), which is unbeaten in 10 games.
UNION 3, CINCINNATI 0
CHESTER, Pa. -- Ilsinho scored for the second time in three games and Philadelphia beat Cincinnati.
Cincinnati was shut out for the fourth consecutive game and hasn't scored since a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 19. Cincinnati (3-9-4) has lost three in a row and is winless in its last four games.
Alejandro Bedoya scored in the 73rd minute, and Jack Elliott capped the scoring in the 80th for Philadelphia (9-3-4) .
NYCFC 4, D.C. UNITED 1
NEW YORK -- Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored twice and New York beat D.C. United in its return to Yankee Stadium for the first time in eight months.
NYCFC (8-6-2) has won three straight matches, outscoring opponents 11-3 during the stretch. D.C. (2-9-5) has lost four consecutive matches and is winless in seven.
Valentin Castellanos also scored on a penalty kick in the 4th minute for NYCFC. Keaton Parks capped the scoring with his second goal of the season in the 88th.
Ola Kamara scored on a penalty kick for D.C. United in the 12th minute.
DYNAMO 2, FC DALLAS 0
HOUSTON -- Darwin Quintero and Darwin Cerén scored and short-handed Houston beat Dallas.
Houston's Maruo Manotas was shown a red card for a serious foul in first-half stoppage time and the Dynamo played a man down the rest of the way.
Houston (4-5-7) snapped six-game winless streak dating to a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 5.
Dallas (5-4-6) is winless in four games.
SPORTING KC 1, FIRE O
KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Winston Reid scored his first MLS goal in the 67th minute and Kansas City beat Chicago.
Sporting Kansas City (8-5-2) has won two straight matches. The Fire (4-8-4) have lost two in a row.
Goalkeepers Bobby Shuttleworth of Chicago and Tim Melia of Sporting KC each finished with two saves.
SOUNDERS 2, REAL SALT LAKE 1
SEATTLE -- Jordan Morris scored his eighth goal of the season midway through the first half, Yeimar Gómez Andrade added a goal on a header early in the second half, and Seattle beat Salt Lake.
Seattle (9-3-3) padded its lead atop the Western Conference with its third straight win and fifth in the last six matches.
Real Salt Lake (4-6-6) lost its second straight match and dropped into ninth place in the Western Conference after Houston's win over FC Dallas earlier Wednesday.
Real Salt Lake controlled the final 20 minutes after a Seattle own goal in the 68th minute cut the deficit in half.
TIMBERS 6, GALAXY 3
CARSON, Calif. -- Felipe Mora and Jeremy Ebobisse each scored twice, leading Portland to a win over Los Angeles.
Portland (8-4-3) has won three consecutive matches. The Galaxy (4-8-3) are winless in their last five, including four straight losses.
Larrys Mabiala and Diego Valeri also scored for the Timbers.
Julian Araujo scored his first goal of the season in the 34th minute for the Galaxy. Ethan Zubak added a goal in the 55th and Cristian Pavon another in the 70th.
EARTHQUAKES 3, WHITECAPS 0
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cristian Espinoza scored, James Marcinkowski recorded his second career shutout, and San Jose beat Vancouver for its third straight win.
Andrés Ríos and Paul Marie also scored for San Jose (5-6-5).
Vancouver (5-11-0) has lost four games in a row.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--New COVID-19 cases exceed 3,000 for the first time since May

The number of new COVID-19 cases in a day exceeded 3,000 Thursday for the first time since mid-May .
State health officials announced 32 more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19 , while another 3,059 new cases were diagnosed .
The new cases come from 72,491 test results , moving the state 's seven-day rolling average infection rate to 3.7 % .
The state reported 5,368 new cases on one day in early September , but that was after computer issues were remedied , allowing the Illinois Department of Public Health to finally input several days ' worth of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state recorded more than 3,000 new cases for a single day , according to IDPH records .
The state 's death toll now stands at 8,910 from the respiratory disease as 310,700 people have been infected by the virus since the outbreak began .
The state is averaging 2,180 new cases a day over the past seven days .
Less than a month ago , the state was averaging less than 1,700 new cases a day .
More than a third of Thursday 's new cases came from Chicago and suburban Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The five suburban collar counties accounted for another 20 % of the new cases .
The remaining 46 % of the new cases were reported in downstate counties .
Tiny Johnson County , near the southern tip of the state , had never seen the number of new cases reported in a single day reach double digits until today , when 41 of the 44 tests returned were positive .
The county has recorded 240 cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began , and more than half of those have been diagnosed since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IDPH records .
`` We are looking at this as community spread for the most part , '' said Shawnna Rhine , community outreach coordinator at the Southern Seven Health Department .
`` We 're seeing it widespread and we 're just advising everyone that lives in the county to follow safety guidelines . ''
Rhine said she did n't have information about what might have caused the uptick .
IDPH is bringing a mobile testing clinic to Anna on Friday to offer free testing to individuals in the area .
Johnson County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders of both Missouri and Kentucky , which are among 22 states -- including Illinois -- where the seven-day average number of new cases exceeds 15 for every 100,000 people .
Illinois ' rate is 17 new cases per 100,000 residents .
Missouri and Kentucky are averaging 22 and 20 new cases a day this week for every 100,000 residents , respectively .
Indiana 's rate is 16 per 100,000 .
Iowa is averaging 24 new cases a day for the past week for every 100,000 residents .
But Wisconsin has one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation , averaging 41 new cases a day for every 100,000 residents , which has worried health officials in Illinois .
`` Illinois has the lowest positivity rate compared to our neighboring states , and the governor has warned Illinoisans traveling to those states to abide by the mitigations we have in place in Illinois , like wearing a mask and watching your distance , '' said Jordan Abudayyeh , press secretary for Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
`` The discrepancies in responses we see across state lines only highlight the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science , instead of a patchwork of state policies during an international pandemic . ''
According to figures released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Wisconsin has recorded the fourth highest number of new cases in the United States over the past week with 17,066 new infections .
Only California , Texas and Florida have reported more new cases during that time , but those are the three most populated states in the country .
Wisconsin ranks 20th in population , according to the most recently available census data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in neighboring Wisconsin closely and are in close communication with our hospital systems to assure that Lake County residents will continue to have access to the care they need , '' said Hannah Goering , a Lake County Health Department spokeswoman .
`` At this time , hospital admissions over the past month have been stable in our region .
In the meantime , we urge all residents to continue to take precautions wherever they go . ''

New COVID-19 cases exceed 3,000 for the first time since May
The number of new COVID-19 cases in a day exceeded 3,000 Thursday for the first time since mid-May.
State health officials announced 32 more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19, while another 3,059 new cases were diagnosed. The new cases come from 72,491 test results, moving the state's seven-day rolling average infection rate to 3.7%.
The state reported 5,368 new cases on one day in early September, but that was after computer issues were remedied, allowing the Illinois Department of Public Health to finally input several days' worth of cases. May 14 was the last time the state recorded more than 3,000 new cases for a single day, according to IDPH records.
The state's death toll now stands at 8,910 from the respiratory disease as 310,700 people have been infected by the virus since the outbreak began.
The state is averaging 2,180 new cases a day over the past seven days. Less than a month ago, the state was averaging less than 1,700 new cases a day.
More than a third of Thursday's new cases came from Chicago and suburban Cook County, according to IDPH figures. The five suburban collar counties accounted for another 20% of the new cases. The remaining 46% of the new cases were reported in downstate counties.
Tiny Johnson County, near the southern tip of the state, had never seen the number of new cases reported in a single day reach double digits until today, when 41 of the 44 tests returned were positive. The county has recorded 240 cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began, and more than half of those have been diagnosed since the beginning of September, according to IDPH records.
"We are looking at this as community spread for the most part," said Shawnna Rhine, community outreach coordinator at the Southern Seven Health Department. "We're seeing it widespread and we're just advising everyone that lives in the county to follow safety guidelines."
Rhine said she didn't have information about what might have caused the uptick. IDPH is bringing a mobile testing clinic to Anna on Friday to offer free testing to individuals in the area.
Johnson County is just a few miles from the borders of both Missouri and Kentucky, which are among 22 states -- including Illinois -- where the seven-day average number of new cases exceeds 15 for every 100,000 people.
Illinois' rate is 17 new cases per 100,000 residents. Missouri and Kentucky are averaging 22 and 20 new cases a day this week for every 100,000 residents, respectively. Indiana's rate is 16 per 100,000. Iowa is averaging 24 new cases a day for the past week for every 100,000 residents.
But Wisconsin has one of the highest per capita infection rates in the nation, averaging 41 new cases a day for every 100,000 residents, which has worried health officials in Illinois.
"Illinois has the lowest positivity rate compared to our neighboring states, and the governor has warned Illinoisans traveling to those states to abide by the mitigations we have in place in Illinois, like wearing a mask and watching your distance," said Jordan Abudayyeh, press secretary for Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. "The discrepancies in responses we see across state lines only highlight the need for a national response rooted in science, instead of a patchwork of state policies during an international pandemic."
According to figures released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wisconsin has recorded the fourth highest number of new cases in the United States over the past week with 17,066 new infections. Only California, Texas and Florida have reported more new cases during that time, but those are the three most populated states in the country. Wisconsin ranks 20th in population, according to the most recently available census data.
"We're monitoring the situation in neighboring Wisconsin closely and are in close communication with our hospital systems to assure that Lake County residents will continue to have access to the care they need," said Hannah Goering, a Lake County Health Department spokeswoman. "At this time, hospital admissions over the past month have been stable in our region. In the meantime, we urge all residents to continue to take precautions wherever they go."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-08--Athletes at Huntley High School test positive for COVID-19

Huntley High School halted contact days for its freshman football and freshman boys basketball teams last week after `` a small number of individuals '' tested positive for COVID-19 , Dan Armstrong , Director of Communications for District 158 , confirmed in a statement Thursday .
`` In conjunction with the McHenry County Department of Health , Huntley High School received reports of positive COVID-19 tests among a small number of individuals associated with the freshman football and freshman boys basketball teams , '' the statement said .
`` As a result of the contact tracing process conducted with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all members of these teams should quarantine for 14 days from the date of potential exposure .
All individuals who were determined to have been potentially exposed were notified in accordance with the contact tracing process .
During the quarantine period , the teams will not be participating in any contact days . ''
An email was sent to parents notifying them of the positive tests on Thursday , Oct. 1 .
The quarantine period will be over on Thursday , Oct. 15 .
The email stated : `` In conjunction with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , it was determined that your child may have been exposed to a positive case of Coronavirus .
The exposure was possible during the week of September 26th-October 1st .
Quarantine is warranted at this time from 10/1 thru 10/15/2020 .
`` A period of quarantine is a time when a potentially exposed individual separates and monitors their symptoms to determine if they contract the contagious illness .
Your child should remain at home and avoid seeing friends or other family members .
Please monitor your child for symptoms daily and contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any symptoms . ''
The IHSA moved the football , volleyball and boys soccer seasons from the fall to a condensed spring season scheduled for Feb. 16 through May 1 because those sports were deemed higher-risk than others .
Basketball is currently set to compete from Nov. 16 to Feb. 13 .
Those sports currently in their offseasons can practice for a limited number of contact days with their coaches while wearing masks .
The higher-level football and boys basketball teams are continuing their fall contact days .
They were not affected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freshman teams were practicing separately .
This fall , boys and girls cross country , boys and girls golf , girls tennis and girls swimming , considered lower-risk sports where athletes can keep safer distances , have competed on their regular schedules while adhering to IHSA 's safety guidelines .

Athletes at Huntley High School test positive for COVID-19
Freshman boys football and basketball players at Huntley High School have tested positive for COVID-19, District 158 confirmed Thursday. Courtesy of Huntley Community School District 158
Huntley High School halted contact days for its freshman football and freshman boys basketball teams last week after "a small number of individuals" tested positive for COVID-19, Dan Armstrong, Director of Communications for District 158, confirmed in a statement Thursday.
"In conjunction with the McHenry County Department of Health, Huntley High School received reports of positive COVID-19 tests among a small number of individuals associated with the freshman football and freshman boys basketball teams," the statement said.
"As a result of the contact tracing process conducted with the support of MCDH, it was determined that all members of these teams should quarantine for 14 days from the date of potential exposure. All individuals who were determined to have been potentially exposed were notified in accordance with the contact tracing process. During the quarantine period, the teams will not be participating in any contact days."
An email was sent to parents notifying them of the positive tests on Thursday, Oct. 1. The quarantine period will be over on Thursday, Oct. 15.
The email stated: "In conjunction with the McHenry County Health Department (MCDH), it was determined that your child may have been exposed to a positive case of Coronavirus. The exposure was possible during the week of September 26th-October 1st. Quarantine is warranted at this time from 10/1 thru 10/15/2020.
"A period of quarantine is a time when a potentially exposed individual separates and monitors their symptoms to determine if they contract the contagious illness. Your child should remain at home and avoid seeing friends or other family members. Please monitor your child for symptoms daily and contact your health care provider if he/she has any symptoms."
The IHSA moved the football, volleyball and boys soccer seasons from the fall to a condensed spring season scheduled for Feb. 16 through May 1 because those sports were deemed higher-risk than others.
Basketball is currently set to compete from Nov. 16 to Feb. 13.
Those sports currently in their offseasons can practice for a limited number of contact days with their coaches while wearing masks.
The higher-level football and boys basketball teams are continuing their fall contact days. They were not affected by the positive tests for coronavirus since the freshman teams were practicing separately.
This fall, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, girls tennis and girls swimming, considered lower-risk sports where athletes can keep safer distances, have competed on their regular schedules while adhering to IHSA's safety guidelines.