dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-24--Dow drops 1,031 amid 'economic pandemic' of China virus

Financial markets sounded the alarm Monday about the relentless spread and widening economic impact of the coronavirus , which after ravaging China now threatens havoc on a global scale .
The Dow Jones industrial average sank by more than 1,000 points or 3.5 % , in the worst day for the stock market in two years , as Wall Street interpreted disease clusters in South Korea , Italy and Iran as a sign that the disease has outraced confinement efforts in China .
Traders sought safety in U.S. government bonds , gold and high-dividend stocks like utilities and real estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell to the lowest level in more than three years .
Technology stocks accounted for much of the broad market slide , which wiped out all of the Dow 's and S & P 500 's gains for the year .
Factories around the world are grappling with parts shortages as their Chinese suppliers struggle to resume normal operations .
As global economic engines sputter , the Federal Reserve and other central banks are facing calls for emergency help .
But central bank chiefs may be ill-equipped to battle the economic consequences of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already in negative territory in Europe and near historic lows in the United States .
And making credit less expensive -- the Fed 's standard tool for combating a slump -- may offset some of the financial upheaval , but will do little to remedy broken supply chains or ease worker and consumer fears of contagion .
`` There 's just growing angst in the investor community that this thing is more serious than we realized , '' said Chris Meekins , an analyst with Raymond James and former Trump administration preparedness official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catching a disease , you 're not going to go out to dinner ; you 're not going to go to the movies or sporting events or concerts .
The only question is how widespread this becomes . ''
After weeks of playing down the likely impact outside China , investors on Monday rushed into traditional safe havens , sending the price of gold soaring as government bond yields , which move opposite prices , plumbed new depths .
Oil also fell into bear market territory amid expectations of prolonged global weakness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic yet , but it 's an economic pandemic , '' said Diane Swonk , chief economist for Grant Thornton .
`` It 's global in scope and disrupting activity around the world . ''
Monday 's markets action showed the rapid evolution of the coronavirus from a limited threat to supply chains into an across-the-board tightening of financial conditions , said Gregory Daco , chief U.S. economist for Oxford Economics .
A spike in volatility may prompt businesses to hit the pause button on planned investments .
And as nervous global investors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed up the value of the U.S. dollar .
That will make imported goods for American consumers less expensive , chilling inflation and leaving the Fed farther from hitting its goal of 2 % annual price increases , which the central bank sees as a sign of a healthy economy .
As a result , some investors now expect the Fed to cut rates to counteract some of the economic weakness .
`` The Fed ca n't eliminate all the risks on its own , '' said Daco .
`` What the Fed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation . ''
Gold , a safe haven in times of turmoil , climbed 1.6 % to $ 1,675 an ounce .
Brent crude , the global benchmark , skidded 5.4 % on worries the outbreak will subdue demand for months to come .
China is the world 's largest energy consumer , but it has been buying less crude amid virus-related travel restrictions .
Meanwhile , major oil producers have yet to reach a deal on emergency measures to scale back output .
The drop in oil prices will ramp up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Petroleum Exporting Countries -- and Russia to reduce oil supplies at an upcoming meeting in March .
U.S. stock markets ended last week in decline , with the tech-heavy Nasdaq shedding 1.79 % on Friday .
Technology stocks like Apple , Amazon and Google parent Alphabet were hit particularly hard .
Meanwhile , the yield on the 30-year Treasury fell to an all-time low , suggesting investor confidence in the economy was on shaky ground .
Michael Farr , president of Farr , Miller & Washington , said that the Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` is very limited . ''
A reduction in U.S. rates wo n't address the supply problem coming out of Asia , Farr said , or reopen shuttered schools and factories .
`` The risk is n't so much morbidity and mortality , but it is the risk of business slowdown and perhaps even recession , Farr said .
Still , some say it was only a matter of time before global markets reacted sharply , and all at once , to the outbreak .
`` The bond market had been signaling danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climbing the wall of worry , '' said Nancy Tengler , chief investment officer of Laffer Tengler Investments .
`` We expected a much stronger correction on the initial coronavirus news -- stocks are due for a pullback , after all .
If we get a proper correction as the virus spreads , we think this will be constructive for stocks in the long-run . ''
The White House is preparing to request an emergency spending package from Congress to finance its response to the novel coronavirus outbreak and look for ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The request could be sent in the next few days and could seek nearly $ 1 billion in funds , according to two of the people briefed on the planning .
From the White House and the campaign trail , President Donald Trump often touts the economy 's strength , and he routinely points to the stock market as one of his administration 's top accolades .
U.S. stocks have reached record highs , even in the face of ongoing trade uncertainty .
Yet there are still worries that in the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central bank wo n't have as much leeway to boost the economy .
U.S. stocks have reached record highs despite ongoing trade uncertainty and other destabilizing like the coronavirus .
In a CNBC International interview that aired Monday , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said it would be difficult to `` have strong predictions on the economic issues without being able to predict the health outcome . ''
`` I think we need another three or four weeks to see how the virus reacts until we really have good statistical data , '' Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponed the National People 's Congress -- the most prominent event on their political calendar -- set for March 5 .
Beijing also reversed course after saying it would relax travel restrictions on the outbreak 's hotbed of Wuhan .
The Chinese government reported 409 new coronavirus cases and another 150 deaths by the end of Sunday .
There are now more than 77,000 confirmed cases , with a cumulative death toll of more than 2,500 .
Over the weekend , South Korea , Italy and Iran reported sharp increases in cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of Asia , with more than 200 confirmed cases and five deaths as of Monday .
Officials there are n't even sure how the virus arrived in the country .
South Korea 's caseload climbed to 833 .
And a spokesman for Iran 's health ministry said that the death toll from the new coronavirus has risen to 12 .
`` Whatever optimism in the markets recently about the coronavirus resolving quickly has evaporated with the spread to South Korea and other countries , '' said John Kilduff of Again Capital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has cratered in China and aviation traffic is plummeting as well . ''
Early on , analysts had hoped that any economic fallout from the coronavirus would be contained to China , based on what happened in the wake of the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak .
But today 's China is much more interconnected with the rest of the world , with supply chains on nearly every continent reliant on Chinese manufacturing and labor .
Now , economists and supply chain experts worry that the world 's economies will feel coronavirus ' sting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought under control .
Auto plants are running low on parts .
Chinese tourists are n't traveling the world , and American companies , already bruised from Trump 's nearly two-year trade war with Beijing , face additional uncertainty .
International airlines have suspended flights in and out of China , and many factories have yet to reopen since they shut down operations leading up to the Lunar New Year holiday .

Dow drops 1,031 amid 'economic pandemic' of China virus
Financial markets sounded the alarm Monday about the relentless spread and widening economic impact of the coronavirus, which after ravaging China now threatens havoc on a global scale.
The Dow Jones industrial average sank by more than 1,000 points or 3.5%, in the worst day for the stock market in two years, as Wall Street interpreted disease clusters in South Korea, Italy and Iran as a sign that the disease has outraced confinement efforts in China.
Traders sought safety in U.S. government bonds, gold and high-dividend stocks like utilities and real estate. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to the lowest level in more than three years.
Technology stocks accounted for much of the broad market slide, which wiped out all of the Dow's and S&P 500's gains for the year.
Factories around the world are grappling with parts shortages as their Chinese suppliers struggle to resume normal operations. As global economic engines sputter, the Federal Reserve and other central banks are facing calls for emergency help.
But central bank chiefs may be ill-equipped to battle the economic consequences of the flu-like illness. Interest rates are already in negative territory in Europe and near historic lows in the United States. And making credit less expensive -- the Fed's standard tool for combating a slump -- may offset some of the financial upheaval, but will do little to remedy broken supply chains or ease worker and consumer fears of contagion.
"There's just growing angst in the investor community that this thing is more serious than we realized," said Chris Meekins, an analyst with Raymond James and former Trump administration preparedness official. "When you're worried about catching a disease, you're not going to go out to dinner; you're not going to go to the movies or sporting events or concerts. The only question is how widespread this becomes."
After weeks of playing down the likely impact outside China, investors on Monday rushed into traditional safe havens, sending the price of gold soaring as government bond yields, which move opposite prices, plumbed new depths. Oil also fell into bear market territory amid expectations of prolonged global weakness.
"It may not be an actual pandemic yet, but it's an economic pandemic," said Diane Swonk, chief economist for Grant Thornton. "It's global in scope and disrupting activity around the world."
Monday's markets action showed the rapid evolution of the coronavirus from a limited threat to supply chains into an across-the-board tightening of financial conditions, said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist for Oxford Economics. A spike in volatility may prompt businesses to hit the pause button on planned investments. And as nervous global investors sought safety in U.S. assets, they pushed up the value of the U.S. dollar.
That will make imported goods for American consumers less expensive, chilling inflation and leaving the Fed farther from hitting its goal of 2%annual price increases, which the central bank sees as a sign of a healthy economy. As a result, some investors now expect the Fed to cut rates to counteract some of the economic weakness.
"The Fed can't eliminate all the risks on its own," said Daco. "What the Fed can do it prevent a worsening of the situation."
Gold, a safe haven in times of turmoil, climbed 1.6% to $1,675 an ounce. Brent crude, the global benchmark, skidded 5.4% on worries the outbreak will subdue demand for months to come. China is the world's largest energy consumer, but it has been buying less crude amid virus-related travel restrictions. Meanwhile, major oil producers have yet to reach a deal on emergency measures to scale back output. The drop in oil prices will ramp up pressure on OPEC -- the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries -- and Russia to reduce oil supplies at an upcoming meeting in March.
U.S. stock markets ended last week in decline, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq shedding 1.79% on Friday. Technology stocks like Apple, Amazon and Google parent Alphabet were hit particularly hard. Meanwhile, the yield on the 30-year Treasury fell to an all-time low, suggesting investor confidence in the economy was on shaky ground.
Michael Farr, president of Farr, Miller & Washington, said that the Federal Reserve's ability to tackle the economic turmoil "is very limited." A reduction in U.S. rates won't address the supply problem coming out of Asia, Farr said, or reopen shuttered schools and factories.
"The risk isn't so much morbidity and mortality, but it is the risk of business slowdown and perhaps even recession, Farr said.
Still, some say it was only a matter of time before global markets reacted sharply, and all at once, to the outbreak.
"The bond market had been signaling danger while the stock market has been blithely climbing the wall of worry," said Nancy Tengler, chief investment officer of Laffer Tengler Investments. "We expected a much stronger correction on the initial coronavirus news -- stocks are due for a pullback, after all. If we get a proper correction as the virus spreads, we think this will be constructive for stocks in the long-run."
The White House is preparing to request an emergency spending package from Congress to finance its response to the novel coronavirus outbreak and look for ways to mitigate its effect on manufacturing supply chains. The request could be sent in the next few days and could seek nearly $1 billion in funds, according to two of the people briefed on the planning.
From the White House and the campaign trail, President Donald Trump often touts the economy's strength, and he routinely points to the stock market as one of his administration's top accolades. U.S. stocks have reached record highs, even in the face of ongoing trade uncertainty. Yet there are still worries that in the event of another downturn, the government and central bank won't have as much leeway to boost the economy.
U.S. stocks have reached record highs despite ongoing trade uncertainty and other destabilizing like the coronavirus.
In a CNBC International interview that aired Monday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said it would be difficult to "have strong predictions on the economic issues without being able to predict the health outcome."
"I think we need another three or four weeks to see how the virus reacts until we really have good statistical data," Mnuchin said.
On Monday, Chinese leaders postponed the National People's Congress -- the most prominent event on their political calendar -- set for March 5. Beijing also reversed course after saying it would relax travel restrictions on the outbreak's hotbed of Wuhan.
The Chinese government reported 409 new coronavirus cases and another 150 deaths by the end of Sunday. There are now more than 77,000 confirmed cases, with a cumulative death toll of more than 2,500.
Over the weekend, South Korea, Italy and Iran reported sharp increases in cases. Italy now has the largest known outbreak outside of Asia, with more than 200 confirmed cases and five deaths as of Monday. Officials there aren't even sure how the virus arrived in the country. South Korea's caseload climbed to 833. And a spokesman for Iran's health ministry said that the death toll from the new coronavirus has risen to 12.
"Whatever optimism in the markets recently about the coronavirus resolving quickly has evaporated with the spread to South Korea and other countries," said John Kilduff of Again Capital. "Demand for commodities of all stripes has cratered in China and aviation traffic is plummeting as well."
Early on, analysts had hoped that any economic fallout from the coronavirus would be contained to China, based on what happened in the wake of the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak. But today's China is much more interconnected with the rest of the world, with supply chains on nearly every continent reliant on Chinese manufacturing and labor.
Now, economists and supply chain experts worry that the world's economies will feel coronavirus' sting for months, even if the spread is brought under control. Auto plants are running low on parts. Chinese tourists aren't traveling the world, and American companies, already bruised from Trump's nearly two-year trade war with Beijing, face additional uncertainty. International airlines have suspended flights in and out of China, and many factories have yet to reopen since they shut down operations leading up to the Lunar New Year holiday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-24--East Dundee restaurant owners to open new Italian deli in former Piece-A-Cake Bakery

Owners of Aliano 's Ristorante in downtown East Dundee are creating a spinoff deli concept in an adjacent building that formerly housed Piece-A-Cake Bakery .
Nonno 's Italian Kitchen and Cafe is expected to open this spring at 304 N. River St. , where an extensive interior renovation is underway , operator Lisa Seng said .
The specialty shop will offer authentic Italian-style sandwiches , homemade soups , Italian ice and baked goods , she said .
A selection of grocery items -- pastas , olive oils , sauces and more -- also will be available .
Seng and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's about 2½ years ago and are now partnering with a private investor on the new business .
The Batavia couple have developed a strong customer base in the Dundee community , Seng said , and they have an understanding of the products and services desired by visitors .
`` There 's nothing else around like ( Nonno 's ) , '' she said , noting she wants the shop to emanate a sense of family .
`` That 's what East Dundee is about .
It 's a relationship-building kind of town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building in the heart of downtown East Dundee previously was home to Piece-A-Cake Bakery , which rented the space for 25 years before ceasing operations in December .
The mom-and-pop shop had been struggling for a while due to a changing industry and some family health issues , owners said .
When the site was sold last year to a local investor , they took it as a sign that `` we were free to move on and retire and go to the next season of life , '' said Diane Ahrens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Roger .
The property now belongs to Frank Tomasello , who also owns the Aliano 's building and outdoor patio next door at 310 N. River St .
Though the Nonno 's concept is technically being run as a separate entity , he said he believes the shop will complement the restaurant and build upon its success .
It is expected to have late-night hours and limited outdoor dining .
`` They 're going to do very well , '' Tomasello said .
`` I love the area .
I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like what the village is doing downtown . ''
The interior of the shop will get an entirely different look , from the floors to the lighting to new bathrooms , Seng said .
Operators hope to complete renovations and open the deli by May , just in time for summer events and festivals .
`` We 've been working really hard to put out a great product , '' Seng said .
`` At Aliano 's , it 's really about the quality , and we want to do the same thing @ @ @ @ @

East Dundee restaurant owners to open new Italian deli in former Piece-A-Cake Bakery
Nonno's Italian Kitchen and Cafe, a spinoff of the adjacent Aliano's Ristorante, is opening this spring at 304 N. River St. in downtown East Dundee. Courtesy of Lisa Seng
Owners of Aliano's Ristorante in downtown East Dundee are creating a spinoff deli concept in an adjacent building that formerly housed Piece-A-Cake Bakery.
Nonno's Italian Kitchen and Cafe is expected to open this spring at 304 N. River St., where an extensive interior renovation is underway, operator Lisa Seng said.
The specialty shop will offer authentic Italian-style sandwiches, homemade soups, Italian ice and baked goods, she said. A selection of grocery items -- pastas, olive oils, sauces and more -- also will be available.
Seng and her husband, Jim, took over Aliano's about 2½ years ago and are now partnering with a private investor on the new business. The Batavia couple have developed a strong customer base in the Dundee community, Seng said, and they have an understanding of the products and services desired by visitors.
"There's nothing else around like (Nonno's)," she said, noting she wants the shop to emanate a sense of family. "That's what East Dundee is about. It's a relationship-building kind of town."
The 304 N. River St. building in the heart of downtown East Dundee previously was home to Piece-A-Cake Bakery, which rented the space for 25 years before ceasing operations in December.
The mom-and-pop shop had been struggling for a while due to a changing industry and some family health issues, owners said. When the site was sold last year to a local investor, they took it as a sign that "we were free to move on and retire and go to the next season of life," said Diane Ahrens, who ran the bakery with her husband, Roger.
The property now belongs to Frank Tomasello, who also owns the Aliano's building and outdoor patio next door at 310 N. River St.
Though the Nonno's concept is technically being run as a separate entity, he said he believes the shop will complement the restaurant and build upon its success. It is expected to have late-night hours and limited outdoor dining.
"They're going to do very well," Tomasello said. "I love the area. I think it's a growing area, and I like what the village is doing downtown."
The interior of the shop will get an entirely different look, from the floors to the lighting to new bathrooms, Seng said. Operators hope to complete renovations and open the deli by May, just in time for summer events and festivals. "We've been working really hard to put out a great product," Seng said. "At Aliano's, it's really about the quality, and we want to do the same thing with the store."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-24--Should land near Nokia in Naperville be zoned for housing?

Some neighbors say the best use for the marshy , open property on the north side of the Nokia campus in Naperville is to remain as wetlands .
But the city council on March 17 is slated to discuss a recommendation to rezone it for residential use as houses , duplexes or townhouses .
The request comes as Nokia works to sell its 175-acre property at the corner of Naperville and Warrenville roads and lease back a 46-acre portion that contains its office and lab .
The planning and zoning commission granted preliminary approval in November to a request to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now the company is seeking a new zoning designation for the northernmost parcel .
Nokia representatives say the requested changes are part of a `` transformation '' planned for the property .
The southernmost plot -- a 41-acre site with a building constructed in 2001 -- will be turned into a multitenant office building , said Tom Gorman , senior vice president of Colliers International , who is representing Nokia .
A 20-acre portion on the west side of the property will remain as stormwater detention , and an electric substation also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 67 acres farthest from Warrenville Road and closest to Danada Forest Preserve is drawing different opinions .
Planning and zoning commission members last week gave preliminary approval to Nokia 's request for R2 zoning , which allows single-family homes and duplexes and townhouses with a conditional use .
Without a zoning change , the property 's designation for office , research or light industrial use could allow a warehouse or distribution facility -- uses Gorman said three developers have proposed but city leaders would like to avoid .
There is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the site , Gorman said .
But if the city council approves the zoning change , Nokia can pitch the property to developers with one major step toward permission to build homes already in place .
A future developer later would need to get its designs approved by seeking a major change to a planned unit development that would be established if the zoning change is granted .
The process means `` there 's going to be a lot of eyes on this , '' said Bruce Hanson , chairman of the planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unincorporated Fairmeadow subdivision on the east side of the Nokia property said they wanted a thorough review of the northern site 's suitability for housing now , not later .
The marshy area already poses drainage issues during heavy rains , so more houses could worsen the situation , neighbors said .
`` We 're trying to get you to stop going forward so that we do n't have to come back with these issues .
They 're not going to change , '' nearby resident Candy Parkin Rubens said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , 'Could you look at this more seriously ? '
before you think that some houses would fit back there . ''
The DuPage County Forest Preserve District also raised concerns in a letter to commissioners about damage to the ecosystems within Danada Forest Preserve that could result from new houses built nearby .
Development could lead to encroachment , mowing , dumping , sump pump discharges and the creation of new informal paths from backyards onto preserve trails if adjacent housing is built , preserve officials wrote in a letter .

Should land near Nokia in Naperville be zoned for housing?
The northernmost 67 acres of the Nokia property in Naperville could be designated for residential use if the city council approves a zoning change. The council is slated to discuss the matter during its March 17 meeting. Daily Herald file photo April 2018
Some neighbors say the best use for the marshy, open property on the north side of the Nokia campus in Naperville is to remain as wetlands.
But the city council on March 17 is slated to discuss a recommendation to rezone it for residential use as houses, duplexes or townhouses.
The request comes as Nokia works to sell its 175-acre property at the corner of Naperville and Warrenville roads and lease back a 46-acre portion that contains its office and lab.
The planning and zoning commission granted preliminary approval in November to a request to subdivide the property into four parcels, and now the company is seeking a new zoning designation for the northernmost parcel.
Nokia representatives say the requested changes are part of a "transformation" planned for the property.
The southernmost plot -- a 41-acre site with a building constructed in 2001 -- will be turned into a multitenant office building, said Tom Gorman, senior vice president of Colliers International, who is representing Nokia.
A 20-acre portion on the west side of the property will remain as stormwater detention, and an electric substation also will stay put.
But the future of the 67 acres farthest from Warrenville Road and closest to Danada Forest Preserve is drawing different opinions.
Planning and zoning commission members last week gave preliminary approval to Nokia's request for R2 zoning, which allows single-family homes and duplexes and townhouses with a conditional use. Without a zoning change, the property's designation for office, research or light industrial use could allow a warehouse or distribution facility -- uses Gorman said three developers have proposed but city leaders would like to avoid.
There is not yet a specific plan for housing on the site, Gorman said. But if the city council approves the zoning change, Nokia can pitch the property to developers with one major step toward permission to build homes already in place.
A future developer later would need to get its designs approved by seeking a major change to a planned unit development that would be established if the zoning change is granted.
The process means "there's going to be a lot of eyes on this," said Bruce Hanson, chairman of the planning and zoning commission.
But neighbors in the unincorporated Fairmeadow subdivision on the east side of the Nokia property said they wanted a thorough review of the northern site's suitability for housing now, not later.
The marshy area already poses drainage issues during heavy rains, so more houses could worsen the situation, neighbors said.
"We're trying to get you to stop going forward so that we don't have to come back with these issues. They're not going to change," nearby resident Candy Parkin Rubens said. "We're trying to be proactive in saying, 'Could you look at this more seriously?' before you think that some houses would fit back there."
The DuPage County Forest Preserve District also raised concerns in a letter to commissioners about damage to the ecosystems within Danada Forest Preserve that could result from new houses built nearby. Development could lead to encroachment, mowing, dumping, sump pump discharges and the creation of new informal paths from backyards onto preserve trails if adjacent housing is built, preserve officials wrote in a letter.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-24--Harvey Weinstein found guilty in landmark #MeToo moment

NEW YORK -- Harvey Weinstein was convicted Monday of rape and sexual assault against two women and could be sent to prison for decades , sealing his dizzying fall from powerful Hollywood studio boss to archvillain of the # MeToo movement .
He was convicted on charges stemming from a 2006 sexual assault and a 2013 rape .
The jury found Weinstein not guilty on the most serious charge , predatory sexual assault , that could have resulted in a life sentence .
The most damaging conviction , for the sexual assault of production assistant Mimi Haleyi , would carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weinstein , 67 , had a look of resignation as the verdict came in , and was seen talking to his lawyers shortly after .
A judge ordered him to go to jail immediately .
Court officers surrounded Weinstein , handcuffed him and led him out of the courtroom .
The judge said he will request that Weinstein be held in the infirmary after his lawyers said he needs medical attention following an unsuccessful back surgery .
The verdict followed weeks of often harrowing and excruciatingly graphic testimony from a string of accusers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex , groping , masturbation , lewd propositions and that's-Hollywood excuses from Weinstein about how the casting couch works .
The conviction was seen as a long-overdue reckoning for Weinstein after years of whispers about his behavior turned into a torrent of accusations in 2017 that destroyed his career and gave rise to # MeToo , the global movement to encourage women to come forward and hold powerful men accountable for their sexual misconduct .
The jury of seven men and five women took five days to find him guilty .
The case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on three allegations : that he raped an aspiring actress in a New York City hotel room in 2013 , that he forcibly performed oral sex on Haleyi and that he raped and forcibly performed oral sex on `` Sopranos '' actress Annabella Sciorra in her apartment in the mid-1990s .
Three additional women who said they , too , were attacked by Weinstein also testified as part of an effort by prosecutors to show a pattern of brutish behavior on his part .
The Associated Press does not typically identify people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless they grant permission , as Haleyi and Sciorra did .
Jurors signaled their struggles with the Sciorra charges four days into deliberations .
On Friday , after reviewing sections of her testimony and related evidence , they sent a note to the judge indicating they were deadlocked on the counts but had reached a unanimous verdict on the others .
After some debate in the courtroom , the judge ordered jurors to keep deliberating .
While Weinstein did not testify , his lawyers contended that any sexual contact was consensual and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advance their careers .
The defense seized on the fact that two of the women central to the case stayed in contact with Weinstein through warm and even flirty emails -- and had sex with him -- well after he supposedly attacked them .
The hard-charging and phenomenally successful movie executive helped bring to the screen such Oscar winners as `` Good Will Hunting , '' `` Pulp Fiction , '' `` The King 's Speech '' and `` Shakespeare in Love '' and nurtured the careers of celebrated filmmakers like Quentin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces charges in Los Angeles .
In that case , announced just as the New York trial was getting under way on Jan. 6 , authorities allege Weinstein raped one woman and sexually assaulted another on back-to-back nights during Oscars week in 2013 .
One of those women testified as a supporting witness at the New York trial .
The trial was the first criminal case to arise from a barrage of allegations against Weinstein from more than 90 women , including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow , Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecute .
During the trial , Weinstein regularly trudged into the courthouse stooped and unshaven , using a walker after recently undergoing back surgery -- a far cry from the way he was depicted in court as a burly , intimidating figure whose eyes seemed to turn black with menace when his anger flared .
Many of Weinstein 's accusers described him as a `` Jekyll and Hyde '' character who could be incredibly charming at first , making jokes and showing interest in using his immense power to help their careers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , meant to gain their trust and get them to a place -- often a hotel room or an apartment -- where he could violate them .
`` If he heard the word 'no , ' it was like a trigger for him , '' his rape accuser testified .
Several women testified that Weinstein excused his behavior as the price for getting ahead in Hollywood .
One said that when she laughed off his advances , he sneered , `` You 'll never make it in this business .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury heard lurid testimony that Weinstein injected himself with a needle to get an erection , that his genitals appeared disfigured , that he sent Sciorra a box of chocolate penises and that he once showed up uninvited at her hotel room door in his underwear with a bottle of baby oil in one hand and a video in the other .
The prosecution 's task was made more complicated because two of the women at the very center of the case did n't just abandon Weinstein after the alleged encounters : Haleyi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks later , while the rape accuser whose name was withheld said she had a sexual encounter with him more than three years afterward .
Like Haleyi , she sent Weinstein friendly and sometimes flirtatious emails , such as `` Miss you big guy '' and `` I love you , always do .
But I hate feeling like a booty call . ''
During a cross-examination from Weinstein 's lawyers so exhaustive that she broke down in tears on the stand , the woman said she sent him flattering emails and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his unpredictable anger and `` I wanted him to believe I was n't a threat . ''
To blunt that line of questioning , prosecutors called to the witness stand a forensic psychiatrist who said that most sexual assault victims continue to have contact with their attackers and that they hope what happened to them `` is just an aberration . ''
During closing arguments , Weinstein lawyer Donna Rotunno charged that Weinstein had become `` the target of a cause and a movement '' -- # MeToo -- and asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` This is not a popularity contest , '' she said .
She said the case against Weinstein amounted to `` regret renamed as rape , '' arguing that the women exercised their free will to try to further their careers .
Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon told the jury that Weinstein considered himself such a big shot in Hollywood that he thought he could get away with treating women as `` complete disposables . ''
`` The universe is run by me and they do n't get to complain when they get stepped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yes , raped and abused by me -- the king , '' she said , mimicking Weinstein .
Rumors about Weinstein 's behavior swirled in Hollywood circles for a long time , but he managed to silence many accusers with payoffs , nondisclosure agreements and the constant fear that he could crush their careers if they spoke out .
Weinstein was finally arrested and led away in handcuffs in May 2018 , seven months after The New York Times and The New Yorker exposed his alleged misconduct in stories that would win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken down by the # MeToo movement since the scandal broke : news anchors Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose , actor Kevin Spacey and Sen. Al Franken .
Weinstein , the product of a working-class family from Queens , achieved success at two movie studios he created with his brother Bob : Miramax -- named for their parents , Miriam and Max -- and then the Weinstein Co .
The Weinstein Co. went bankrupt after his disgrace .
A tentative settlement was reached last year to resolve nearly all lawsuits stemming from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged victims about $ 25 million .
Under the proposed deal , Weinstein would not have to admit any wrongdoing or personally pay anything ; the studio 's insurance companies would cover the cost .
Weinstein 's efforts to silence his accusers and thwart journalists who sought to expose his secrets included hiring Black Cube , an Israeli spy agency staffed by former Mossad agents .
Asked one day as he left court why he hired that firm , Weinstein turned to a reporter and said : `` For days like this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at twitter.com/mikesisak and Tom Hays at twitter.com/aptomhays

Harvey Weinstein found guilty in landmark #MeToo moment
Associated PressIn this courtroom drawing, Harvey Weinstein, center, sits Friday at the defense table surrounded by his attorneys as jurors file out of the courtroom after being told by the judge to go back and keep deliberating in Weinstein's rape case at Manhattan Supreme Court in New York.
NEW YORK -- Harvey Weinstein was convicted Monday of rape and sexual assault against two women and could be sent to prison for decades, sealing his dizzying fall from powerful Hollywood studio boss to archvillain of the #MeToo movement.
He was convicted on charges stemming from a 2006 sexual assault and a 2013 rape. The jury found Weinstein not guilty on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault, that could have resulted in a life sentence.
The most damaging conviction, for the sexual assault of production assistant Mimi Haleyi, would carry a maximum sentence of 25 years.
Weinstein, 67, had a look of resignation as the verdict came in, and was seen talking to his lawyers shortly after.
A judge ordered him to go to jail immediately. Court officers surrounded Weinstein, handcuffed him and led him out of the courtroom. The judge said he will request that Weinstein be held in the infirmary after his lawyers said he needs medical attention following an unsuccessful back surgery.
The verdict followed weeks of often harrowing and excruciatingly graphic testimony from a string of accusers who told of rapes, forced oral sex, groping, masturbation, lewd propositions and that's-Hollywood excuses from Weinstein about how the casting couch works.
The conviction was seen as a long-overdue reckoning for Weinstein after years of whispers about his behavior turned into a torrent of accusations in 2017 that destroyed his career and gave rise to #MeToo, the global movement to encourage women to come forward and hold powerful men accountable for their sexual misconduct.
The jury of seven men and five women took five days to find him guilty.
The case against the once-feared producer was essentially built on three allegations: that he raped an aspiring actress in a New York City hotel room in 2013, that he forcibly performed oral sex on Haleyi and that he raped and forcibly performed oral sex on "Sopranos" actress Annabella Sciorra in her apartment in the mid-1990s.
Three additional women who said they, too, were attacked by Weinstein also testified as part of an effort by prosecutors to show a pattern of brutish behavior on his part.
The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sex crimes unless they grant permission, as Haleyi and Sciorra did.
Jurors signaled their struggles with the Sciorra charges four days into deliberations. On Friday, after reviewing sections of her testimony and related evidence, they sent a note to the judge indicating they were deadlocked on the counts but had reached a unanimous verdict on the others. After some debate in the courtroom, the judge ordered jurors to keep deliberating.
While Weinstein did not testify, his lawyers contended that any sexual contact was consensual and that his accusers went to bed with him to advance their careers.
The defense seized on the fact that two of the women central to the case stayed in contact with Weinstein through warm and even flirty emails -- and had sex with him -- well after he supposedly attacked them.
The hard-charging and phenomenally successful movie executive helped bring to the screen such Oscar winners as "Good Will Hunting," "Pulp Fiction," "The King's Speech" and "Shakespeare in Love" and nurtured the careers of celebrated filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith.
Weinstein now faces charges in Los Angeles. In that case, announced just as the New York trial was getting under way on Jan. 6, authorities allege Weinstein raped one woman and sexually assaulted another on back-to-back nights during Oscars week in 2013. One of those women testified as a supporting witness at the New York trial.
The trial was the first criminal case to arise from a barrage of allegations against Weinstein from more than 90 women, including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman. Most of those cases were too old to prosecute.
During the trial, Weinstein regularly trudged into the courthouse stooped and unshaven, using a walker after recently undergoing back surgery -- a far cry from the way he was depicted in court as a burly, intimidating figure whose eyes seemed to turn black with menace when his anger flared.
Many of Weinstein's accusers described him as a "Jekyll and Hyde" character who could be incredibly charming at first, making jokes and showing interest in using his immense power to help their careers.
But that was an act, they said, meant to gain their trust and get them to a place -- often a hotel room or an apartment -- where he could violate them.
"If he heard the word 'no,' it was like a trigger for him," his rape accuser testified.
Several women testified that Weinstein excused his behavior as the price for getting ahead in Hollywood. One said that when she laughed off his advances, he sneered, "You'll never make it in this business. This is how this industry works."
The jury heard lurid testimony that Weinstein injected himself with a needle to get an erection, that his genitals appeared disfigured, that he sent Sciorra a box of chocolate penises and that he once showed up uninvited at her hotel room door in his underwear with a bottle of baby oil in one hand and a video in the other.
The prosecution's task was made more complicated because two of the women at the very center of the case didn't just abandon Weinstein after the alleged encounters: Haleyi testified that she had sex with him two weeks later, while the rape accuser whose name was withheld said she had a sexual encounter with him more than three years afterward.
Like Haleyi, she sent Weinstein friendly and sometimes flirtatious emails, such as "Miss you big guy" and "I love you, always do. But I hate feeling like a booty call."
During a cross-examination from Weinstein's lawyers so exhaustive that she broke down in tears on the stand, the woman said she sent him flattering emails and kept seeing him because she was afraid of his unpredictable anger and "I wanted him to believe I wasn't a threat."
To blunt that line of questioning, prosecutors called to the witness stand a forensic psychiatrist who said that most sexual assault victims continue to have contact with their attackers and that they hope what happened to them "is just an aberration."
During closing arguments, Weinstein lawyer Donna Rotunno charged that Weinstein had become "the target of a cause and a movement" -- #MeToo -- and asked the jury to ignore "outside forces."
"This is not a popularity contest," she said.
She said the case against Weinstein amounted to "regret renamed as rape," arguing that the women exercised their free will to try to further their careers.
Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon told the jury that Weinstein considered himself such a big shot in Hollywood that he thought he could get away with treating women as "complete disposables."
"The universe is run by me and they don't get to complain when they get stepped on, spit on, demoralized and, yes, raped and abused by me -- the king," she said, mimicking Weinstein.
Rumors about Weinstein's behavior swirled in Hollywood circles for a long time, but he managed to silence many accusers with payoffs, nondisclosure agreements and the constant fear that he could crush their careers if they spoke out.
Weinstein was finally arrested and led away in handcuffs in May 2018, seven months after The New York Times and The New Yorker exposed his alleged misconduct in stories that would win the Pulitzer Prize.
Among other men taken down by the #MeToo movement since the scandal broke: news anchors Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose, actor Kevin Spacey and Sen. Al Franken.
Weinstein, the product of a working-class family from Queens, achieved success at two movie studios he created with his brother Bob: Miramax -- named for their parents, Miriam and Max -- and then the Weinstein Co.
The Weinstein Co. went bankrupt after his disgrace. A tentative settlement was reached last year to resolve nearly all lawsuits stemming from the scandal. It would pay Weinstein's alleged victims about $25 million. Under the proposed deal, Weinstein would not have to admit any wrongdoing or personally pay anything; the studio's insurance companies would cover the cost.
Weinstein's efforts to silence his accusers and thwart journalists who sought to expose his secrets included hiring Black Cube, an Israeli spy agency staffed by former Mossad agents. Asked one day as he left court why he hired that firm, Weinstein turned to a reporter and said: "For days like this."
On Twitter, follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Tom Hays at twitter.com/aptomhays


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-28--How suburban schools are preparing for the coronavirus

Cleaning classrooms and monitoring student attendance and sickness are among the precautions suburban school districts and preschools are taking to prepare for a potential coronavirus outbreak .
Across the suburbs , schools officials are especially emphasizing good hygiene , such as hand-washing , as they brace for the virus ' spread to the region .
Most districts do n't have preparedness plans , but are using measures in place for flu and other communicable disease outbreaks .
Officials are looking to county and state health departments for guidance on how to protect students , families and employees .
At Round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tracking daily attendance across 10 schools and monitoring how many students call in sick with fever , cough , sore throat , shortness of breath , diarrhea and vomiting , encouraging parents to keep them home .
The district followed this protocol during the 2009 H1N1 ( swine flu ) pandemic , said Heather Bennett , district spokeswoman .
`` This is not something that we typically do , '' Bennett said , adding officials are tracking use of medical supplies and are more focused on influenza and other common illnesses around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak has infected 82,294 people in 47 countries and claimed the lives of 2,804 people -- 2,747 in China and 57 elsewhere as of Thursday , according to the World Health Organization .
The Illinois Department of Public Health reports two confirmed and two suspected cases of coronavirus , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of the potential for the virus spreading in communities nationwide .
Suburban school districts say they are working closely with health departments and urge following their directives to prevent the spread of illness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and water , using alcohol-based hand sanitizers , avoiding touching eyes , nose , and mouth with unwashed hands and close contact with sick people , staying home when sick , covering coughs and sneezes , and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces .
`` We have plans in place in the event of a pandemic , but that is not unique to this virus , '' Elgin Area School District U-46 CEO Tony Sanders said .
`` We are reviewing and seeing what may need to be adjusted as more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments . ''
Those precautions include tracking illness trends , proactively cleaning classrooms and schools , and sending sick students home to reduce exposure to others .
School superintendents have been trying to allay parents ' fears through email messages and communications posted on district websites .
`` We continue to be proactive in our cleaning practices , '' wrote Jeff Schuler , superintendent of Wheaton-Warrenville District 200 .
`` Over this long weekend , we are deep cleaning the surfaces at each of our schools .
Staff members are reminded to promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand washing .
In addition , we will monitor all travel for any school activities that may be affected . ''
Officials at Palatine Township District 15 say they are awaiting health departments ' guidance on coronavirus response .
In the meantime , they are taking the same precautions as for cold and flu season , spokeswoman Morgan Delack said .
`` If we have multiple cases of influenza in the building , we would definitely clean doorknobs and tabletops , '' Delack said .
`` We do n't proactively bleach things unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rivers Head Start Agency is making face masks available at its 10 sites , including preschools in Aurora , Carpentersville and Elgin , for students , employees and visitors exhibiting signs of illness .
The agency serves 893 children from 6 weeks up to 5 years old .
`` We have an emergency preparedness plan , '' Executive Director Diane Lacey said .
`` As people enter , we are having them wash their hands .
We do a wellness check when the children come in .
If staff are sick , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be as alarmed about the virus , as school districts report few inquiries .
Several U-46 parents downplayed concerns in comments made Thursday on a Facebook group .
`` Not concerned about the illness itself at all .
Concerned about the panic mongering and over reaction of paranoid people , '' wrote Todd Warren .
Christina Liptak-Riess echoed precautions district officials advise : `` Cover your mouth .
Wash your hands .
Stay home if you do n't feel well . ''

How suburban schools are preparing for the coronavirus
School districts across the suburbs are emphasizing preventive good hygiene practices as officials brace for coronavirus spreading in the region. Most districts don't have preparedness plans, but are using measures in place for flu and other communicable disease outbreaks. Daily Herald file photo
Cleaning classrooms and monitoring student attendance and sickness are among the precautions suburban school districts and preschools are taking to prepare for a potential coronavirus outbreak.
Across the suburbs, schools officials are especially emphasizing good hygiene, such as hand-washing, as they brace for the virus' spread to the region. Most districts don't have preparedness plans, but are using measures in place for flu and other communicable disease outbreaks.
Officials are looking to county and state health departments for guidance on how to protect students, families and employees.
At Round Lake Area Unit District 116, officials are tracking daily attendance across 10 schools and monitoring how many students call in sick with fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, diarrhea and vomiting, encouraging parents to keep them home.
The district followed this protocol during the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic, said Heather Bennett, district spokeswoman.
"This is not something that we typically do," Bennett said, adding officials are tracking use of medical supplies and are more focused on influenza and other common illnesses around this time of year.
The global coronavirus outbreak has infected 82,294 people in 47 countries and claimed the lives of 2,804 people -- 2,747 in China and 57 elsewhere as of Thursday, according to the World Health Organization.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reports two confirmed and two suspected cases of coronavirus, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of the potential for the virus spreading in communities nationwide.
Suburban school districts say they are working closely with health departments and urge following their directives to prevent the spread of illness.
That includes washing hands often with soap and water, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and close contact with sick people, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
"We have plans in place in the event of a pandemic, but that is not unique to this virus," Elgin Area School District U-46 CEO Tony Sanders said. "We are reviewing and seeing what may need to be adjusted as more information comes in from CDC and health departments."
Those precautions include tracking illness trends, proactively cleaning classrooms and schools, and sending sick students home to reduce exposure to others.
School superintendents have been trying to allay parents' fears through email messages and communications posted on district websites. "We continue to be proactive in our cleaning practices," wrote Jeff Schuler, superintendent of Wheaton-Warrenville District 200. "Over this long weekend, we are deep cleaning the surfaces at each of our schools. Staff members are reminded to promote universal precautions among students, including frequent hand washing. In addition, we will monitor all travel for any school activities that may be affected."
Officials at Palatine Township District 15 say they are awaiting health departments' guidance on coronavirus response. In the meantime, they are taking the same precautions as for cold and flu season, spokeswoman Morgan Delack said.
"If we have multiple cases of influenza in the building, we would definitely clean doorknobs and tabletops," Delack said. "We don't proactively bleach things unless a need arises."
Aurora-based Two Rivers Head Start Agency is making face masks available at its 10 sites, including preschools in Aurora, Carpentersville and Elgin, for students, employees and visitors exhibiting signs of illness. The agency serves 893 children from 6 weeks up to 5 years old.
"We have an emergency preparedness plan," Executive Director Diane Lacey said. "As people enter, we are having them wash their hands. We do a wellness check when the children come in. If staff are sick, we send them home."
Parents may not be as alarmed about the virus, as school districts report few inquiries. Several U-46 parents downplayed concerns in comments made Thursday on a Facebook group.
"Not concerned about the illness itself at all. Concerned about the panic mongering and over reaction of paranoid people," wrote Todd Warren.
Christina Liptak-Riess echoed precautions district officials advise: "Cover your mouth. Wash your hands. Stay home if you don't feel well."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-27--Place your bets? Rivers Casino expects sports betting in time for March Madness

Each machine at the lucrative Rivers Casino in Des Plaines generates more revenue than gambling terminals at other casinos in the country , Bill Carstanjen , CEO of Rivers parent company Churchill Downs , said Thursday .
It may be why the casino recently launched 24/7 operations , is ready to start taking bets on sports as soon as the NCAA March Madness tournament , and is drawing up building expansion plans for more slots and table games as well as an adjoining hotel .
During a quarterly earnings call with investors Thursday , Churchill officials reported strong earnings growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Rivers that was executed last March .
What made that investment potentially more valuable , Carstanjen said , is the gambling expansion bill approved by Illinois lawmakers last June that allows the casino to expand from 1,200 gambling positions to 2,000 .
The casino already has added 131 new positions , including 115 slot machines on the skywalk from the parking garage to the casino and near the front entrance , and eight new table games .
Rivers also is in the final stages of completing expansion plans to house the remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that more details would be revealed in April .
A Churchill spokesman said those plans would include an array of amenities as part of an expanded gambling floor , and an on-site hotel .
Talk of a possible expansion has been floated since the casino opened in 2011 .
Already , construction has begun on a parking garage addition .
Last week , the casino started its 24/7 gambling operations -- which was also granted under the new state law .
Previously , the casino was open 22 hours a day .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a 4,840-square-foot space just off the gambling floor , with plans for it to become an official sports wagering venue in March , Carstanjen said .
Rivers is currently working with the Illinois Gaming Board on getting final regulatory approvals , and is `` optimistic '' the sportsbook will be open in time for the March Madness college basketball tournament in mid-March , Churchill 's spokesman said .
Two other casinos , Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin and Argosy Casino in downstate Alton , have also applied for sports wagering licenses authorized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During his budget address last week , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker lent more credence to bettors ' hopes that they 'll be able to wager soon , saying sports betting `` appears on track to be up and running in time for March Madness . ''
Churchill has seen early positive returns from its other brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at casinos in Mississippi and Pennsylvania , Carstanjen said .
`` We really , really like the retail sports betting ... since the cost of acquisition of the customer base within the casino is nominal compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the online space , '' Carstanjen told analysts .
`` The margins are very good .
So we like that and we 'll do as much of that as we can . ''

Place your bets? Rivers Casino expects sports betting in time for March Madness
Each machine at the lucrative Rivers Casino in Des Plaines generates more revenue than gambling terminals at other casinos in the country, Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Rivers parent company Churchill Downs, said Thursday.
It may be why the casino recently launched 24/7 operations, is ready to start taking bets on sports as soon as the NCAA March Madness tournament, and is drawing up building expansion plans for more slots and table games as well as an adjoining hotel.
During a quarterly earnings call with investors Thursday, Churchill officials reported strong earnings growth thanks to their 61% equity investment in Rivers that was executed last March.
What made that investment potentially more valuable, Carstanjen said, is the gambling expansion bill approved by Illinois lawmakers last June that allows the casino to expand from 1,200 gambling positions to 2,000.
The casino already has added 131 new positions, including 115 slot machines on the skywalk from the parking garage to the casino and near the front entrance, and eight new table games.
Rivers also is in the final stages of completing expansion plans to house the remaining 670 positions, said Carstanjen, adding that more details would be revealed in April.
A Churchill spokesman said those plans would include an array of amenities as part of an expanded gambling floor, and an on-site hotel. Talk of a possible expansion has been floated since the casino opened in 2011. Already, construction has begun on a parking garage addition.
Last week, the casino started its 24/7 gambling operations -- which was also granted under the new state law. Previously, the casino was open 22 hours a day.
And in December, the BetRivers SportsBar opened within a 4,840-square-foot space just off the gambling floor, with plans for it to become an official sports wagering venue in March, Carstanjen said.
Rivers is currently working with the Illinois Gaming Board on getting final regulatory approvals, and is "optimistic" the sportsbook will be open in time for the March Madness college basketball tournament in mid-March, Churchill's spokesman said.
Two other casinos, Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin and Argosy Casino in downstate Alton, have also applied for sports wagering licenses authorized by the new state gambling law.
During his budget address last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker lent more credence to bettors' hopes that they'll be able to wager soon, saying sports betting "appears on track to be up and running in time for March Madness."
Churchill has seen early positive returns from its other brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at casinos in Mississippi and Pennsylvania, Carstanjen said.
"We really, really like the retail sports betting ... since the cost of acquisition of the customer base within the casino is nominal compared to the cost of reaching potential customers in the online space," Carstanjen told analysts. "The margins are very good. So we like that and we'll do as much of that as we can."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-27--Boxing royalty in Elk Grove Village for Night at the Fights fundraiser

Boxing royalty converged on Elk Grove Village to boost the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame 's Night at the Fights fundraiser Thursday night .
In one corner at Belvedere Events and Banquets was former lightweight champion Ray `` Boom Boom '' Mancini , who long has been active with the organization that late Bloomingdale resident George Randazzo started as a boxing hall of fame in Elmwood Park in 1977 .
Elsewhere in the spacious venue were former heavyweight champ Larry Holmes and `` Sugar '' Ray Seales , who was the lone American to win a boxing gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian American Sports Hall of Fame board Chairman Tony Ferraro said the special guests Thursday night were a testament to the pull of Randazzo , who was 77 when he died in July .
`` George had connections , '' Ferraro said .
`` Oh , my gosh , yeah .
All the guys -- ( George ) Foreman , ( Muhammad ) Ali .
We had Ali one year at the hall when he unveiled the Rocky Marciano statue . ''
About 375 guests noshed on an Italian buffet and got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matches featured Cassandra Rewucki , 18 , of Volo , who boxes out of the Conquer Fight Club in Libertyville .
Rewucki , a 120-pounder , even received pointers from Seales and got to hold his Olympic gold medal about an hour before the bouts began .
Mancini , Holmes and other boxers including former Golden Gloves champion Luis Mateo also were gracious toward the patrons .
Also on the card was Abimbola `` Bola '' Osundairo .
He and his brother have gained notoriety as likely prosecution witnesses in the Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who 's accused of paying the siblings to stage an attack on him .
Mancini has been involved with the hall of fame since about 1980 .
He said he 's eager to see the museum find a new home for visitors to see prized collectibles such as Marciano 's first heavyweight championship belt and Mario Andretti 's Indianapolis 500 race car '' They have my robe , my trunks from early in my career , '' said Mancini , who lived in Santa Monica , California , for about 30 years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's building a full digital media studio for original television and movie content .
Holmes said he still enjoys boxing and looked forward to visiting with Mancini .
`` I know Ray personally , '' Holmes said .
`` He 's my buddy , man .
He 's just a little guy .
He 's not a heavyweight , but it 's not his fault .
You got ta blame his parents . ''
From its humble start , the nonprofit hall of fame moved to Arlington Heights in 1988 and Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the museum 's brick-and-mortar home on Taylor Street closed in 2018 , and organization directors say they are committed to bringing prized collectibles Randazzo amassed out of storage .
They 've focused their efforts on opening a new permanent museum in Rosemont , but Ferraro said there are possibilities in other towns .
Hall of fame board member Ron Onesti , whose entertainment empire includes the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles , asked the crowd to stand and pay tribute to Randazzo when he spoke in the boxing ring before the fights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we dedicate the sportsmanship that 'll be shown tonight and we dedicate the memory of Mr. George Randazzo -- our president , our founder forever , '' Onesti said .
Night at the Fights Co-Chairman Bill Conforti then led a 10-bell memorial salute for Randazzo as the crowd stood in silence .

Boxing royalty in Elk Grove Village for Night at the Fights fundraiser
Boxing royalty converged on Elk Grove Village to boost the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame's Night at the Fights fundraiser Thursday night.
In one corner at Belvedere Events and Banquets was former lightweight champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, who long has been active with the organization that late Bloomingdale resident George Randazzo started as a boxing hall of fame in Elmwood Park in 1977.
Elsewhere in the spacious venue were former heavyweight champ Larry Holmes and "Sugar" Ray Seales, who was the lone American to win a boxing gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Italian American Sports Hall of Fame board Chairman Tony Ferraro said the special guests Thursday night were a testament to the pull of Randazzo, who was 77 when he died in July.
"George had connections," Ferraro said. "Oh, my gosh, yeah. All the guys -- (George) Foreman, (Muhammad) Ali. We had Ali one year at the hall when he unveiled the Rocky Marciano statue."
About 375 guests noshed on an Italian buffet and got to watch eight amateur bouts. One of the matches featured Cassandra Rewucki, 18, of Volo, who boxes out of the Conquer Fight Club in Libertyville.
Rewucki, a 120-pounder, even received pointers from Seales and got to hold his Olympic gold medal about an hour before the bouts began. Mancini, Holmes and other boxers including former Golden Gloves champion Luis Mateo also were gracious toward the patrons.
Also on the card was Abimbola "Bola" Osundairo. He and his brother have gained notoriety as likely prosecution witnesses in the Cook County case against actor Jussie Smollett, who's accused of paying the siblings to stage an attack on him.
Mancini has been involved with the hall of fame since about 1980. He said he's eager to see the museum find a new home for visitors to see prized collectibles such as Marciano's first heavyweight championship belt and Mario Andretti's Indianapolis 500 race car
"They have my robe, my trunks from early in my career," said Mancini, who lived in Santa Monica, California, for about 30 years and returned to Youngstown, Ohio, where he's building a full digital media studio for original television and movie content.
Holmes said he still enjoys boxing and looked forward to visiting with Mancini.
"I know Ray personally," Holmes said. "He's my buddy, man. He's just a little guy. He's not a heavyweight, but it's not his fault. You gotta blame his parents."
From its humble start, the nonprofit hall of fame moved to Arlington Heights in 1988 and Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood in 2000.
But the museum's brick-and-mortar home on Taylor Street closed in 2018, and organization directors say they are committed to bringing prized collectibles Randazzo amassed out of storage. They've focused their efforts on opening a new permanent museum in Rosemont, but Ferraro said there are possibilities in other towns.
Hall of fame board member Ron Onesti, whose entertainment empire includes the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, asked the crowd to stand and pay tribute to Randazzo when he spoke in the boxing ring before the fights.
"We dedicate this event, we dedicate the sportsmanship that'll be shown tonight and we dedicate the memory of Mr. George Randazzo -- our president, our founder forever," Onesti said.
Night at the Fights Co-Chairman Bill Conforti then led a 10-bell memorial salute for Randazzo as the crowd stood in silence.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-27--Hoffman Estates update: Spring Awakening won't be back; coronavirus has no negative impact on hospit

Hours after Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod said a second Spring Awakening Music Festival in the village was unlikely , festival organizers confirmed it Thursday with a post on their Facebook page .
The three-day fest , which brought about 30,000 electronic dance music fans to the Sears Centre Arena last June , will instead return to its former home at Chicago 's Union Park .
The festival 's future and various economic development projects around the village were among the highlights Thursday in McLeod 's annual community update .
`` It 's been an interesting year in Hoffman Estates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce & Industry during the breakfast gathering at the Sears Centre .
`` I say that every year , but every year is interesting in Hoffman Estates . ''
McLeod updated progress on the The Bell Works redevelopment of the former AT & T campus , which is expected to produce a 1.6-million-square-foot self-contained community over the next four to six years .
Current construction is concentrating on offices , retail space and the first of two piazzas -- or public squares -- where people can gather for events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event last June , McLeod said he did n't expect Spring Awakening back in 2020 , in part because the Sears Centre is booked for another event during the fest 's traditional weekend in June .
McLeod also addressed the village 's time in the national spotlight this year as Amita St. Alexius Medical Center successfully treated the only two coronavirus patients to date in the eastern half of the U.S .
He said there is no evidence of a negative impact on the hospital .
`` We have n't seen that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great job handling it . ''
On the commercial development front , Bystronic Inc. is about to open its new 163,000-square-foot North American headquarters on West Central Road , just west of Bell Works .
And work is expected to begin soon on the 53-acre Hoffman Technology Park immediately north of it .
Sears Centre General Manager Ben Gibbs reported an unanticipated level of success with the new village-owned beer garden in the Village Green just west of the arena .
About 40,000 visitors were expected last year , but with little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 people dropped by between May and October .
With further improvements and some marketing , attendance could double this year , Gibbs said .
Expanding transportation options is another issue the village has been working on , McLeod said .
With the Pace terminal on I-90 at Barrington Road now fully established , bus ridership grew 25 % in the past year , he reported .
In 2020 , the village , park district and forest preserve district -- with a significant amount of federal funding -- will fill gap in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue planning a bike path along Beverly Road that would allow cyclists to cross over the tollway .
The village is closely monitoring the bankruptcy proceedings for Sears Holdings , whose office campus in Hoffman Estates remains owned by Chairman Eddie Lampert 's new Transformco and occupied by its employees , McLeod said .
Minimizing the impact on the rest of the village is a priority of municipal leaders , he added .
Gibbs said there are no plans to change the name of the Sears Centre , where the transforming company has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the new Shop Your Way Lounge .
`` I have to be honest , we 've had them since '06 and they 've been a top-notch partner , '' Gibbs said .

Hoffman Estates update: Spring Awakening won't be back; coronavirus has no negative impact on hospital
Hours after Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod said a second Spring Awakening Music Festival in the village was unlikely, festival organizers confirmed it Thursday with a post on their Facebook page.
The three-day fest, which brought about 30,000 electronic dance music fans to the Sears Centre Arena last June, will instead return to its former home at Chicago's Union Park.
The festival's future and various economic development projects around the village were among the highlights Thursday in McLeod's annual community update.
"It's been an interesting year in Hoffman Estates," McLeod told members of the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce & Industry during the breakfast gathering at the Sears Centre. "I say that every year, but every year is interesting in Hoffman Estates."
McLeod updated progress on the The Bell Works redevelopment of the former AT&T campus, which is expected to produce a 1.6-million-square-foot self-contained community over the next four to six years. Current construction is concentrating on offices, retail space and the first of two piazzas -- or public squares -- where people can gather for events, McLeod said.
Despite its problem-free event last June, McLeod said he didn't expect Spring Awakening back in 2020, in part because the Sears Centre is booked for another event during the fest's traditional weekend in June.
McLeod also addressed the village's time in the national spotlight this year as Amita St. Alexius Medical Center successfully treated the only two coronavirus patients to date in the eastern half of the U.S. He said there is no evidence of a negative impact on the hospital.
"We haven't seen that," McLeod said. "They did a great job handling it."
On the commercial development front, Bystronic Inc. is about to open its new 163,000-square-foot North American headquarters on West Central Road, just west of Bell Works. And work is expected to begin soon on the 53-acre Hoffman Technology Park immediately north of it.
Sears Centre General Manager Ben Gibbs reported an unanticipated level of success with the new village-owned beer garden in the Village Green just west of the arena. About 40,000 visitors were expected last year, but with little more than word-of-mouth advertising, more than 100,000 people dropped by between May and October.
With further improvements and some marketing, attendance could double this year, Gibbs said.
Expanding transportation options is another issue the village has been working on, McLeod said. With the Pace terminal on I-90 at Barrington Road now fully established, bus ridership grew 25% in the past year, he reported.
In 2020, the village, park district and forest preserve district -- with a significant amount of federal funding -- will fill gap in the bike path along Shoe Factory Road and continue planning a bike path along Beverly Road that would allow cyclists to cross over the tollway.
The village is closely monitoring the bankruptcy proceedings for Sears Holdings, whose office campus in Hoffman Estates remains owned by Chairman Eddie Lampert's new Transformco and occupied by its employees, McLeod said. Minimizing the impact on the rest of the village is a priority of municipal leaders, he added.
Gibbs said there are no plans to change the name of the Sears Centre, where the transforming company has had a greater presence of late -- including the new Shop Your Way Lounge.
"I have to be honest, we've had them since '06 and they've been a top-notch partner," Gibbs said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-27--Appeals court again denies new trial for killer of McHenry County sheriff's deputy

It was different argument , same result this week for Scott Peters , the Holiday Hills man serving a 135-year prison term for shooting a pair of McHenry County sheriff 's deputies , one fatally , in 2014 .
A unanimous Second District Appellate Court of Illinois on Tuesday upheld a lower court 's denial of Peters ' request for a new trial , rejecting his claims that his conviction was the result of fraud , misrepresentation and suppression of evidence .
The decision comes almost exactly two years after the Second District denied Peters ' initial appeal , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prejudiced jurors by calling Peters a `` lying liar '' during closing arguments of his 2015 trial .
That trial ended with Peters , 57 , convicted on seven counts of attempted murder in the shootings of sheriff 's deputies Dwight Maness and Khalia Satkiewicz on Oct. 16 , 2014 .
Authorities say Peters opened fire on the deputies with an AR-15 rifle after they responded to a domestic disturbance at his home , striking Maness in the back and Satkiewicz in the leg .
Both survived initially , but Maness , 47 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 months later .
By then , Peters already had been convicted and given a virtual life sentence , so prosecutors chose not to charge him with murder .
His latest bid for a new trial centers around numerous allegations of wrongdoing by prosecutors and investigators , including that they suppressed video surveillance and concealed facts .
But the appellate court ruled Peters offered nothing to support his claims .
`` The bottom line , however , is that , while the defendant has provided speculation , he has not provided any evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ruling was welcome news to McHenry County Sheriff Bill Primm .
`` Mr. Peters should be kept where he belongs for a very long time , '' Primm told us .
For the record , `` a very long time '' in this case is until March 25 , 2130 -- the earliest possible date of parole for Peters .
The seemingly smallest of errors can have a huge impact on the outcome of a case .
That 's what happened this week when an Aurora man serving a 27-year sentence on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new trial , all because a judge forgot to ask a juror some key questions before his first trial .
The beneficiary of that error is Orane Foster , who was found guilty in May 2017 of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse stemming from allegations he repeatedly abused an 8-year-old girl in 2015 .
The mistake that won him a second chance occurred before his first trial even began , when attorneys and presiding Judge James C. Hallock were quizzing potential jurors .
As part of that questioning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he or she understands what are known as Zehr principles -- basic tenets of criminal law like the presumption of innocence , guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and the defendant 's right not to testify .
According to an appellate court decision Tuesday ordering a new trial , at least one of Foster 's jurors was n't asked those questions .
`` The record is clear that the court did not recite the Zehr principles to them , nor did it ask whether they understood and accepted the Zehr principles .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kathryn E. Zenoff wrote in the unanimous ruling .
What 's next for Foster ?
Likely a return to the Kane County jail , where he 'll await prosecutors ' decision on a retrial .
Prosecutors said Thursday they 're reviewing their options .
Ralston P. , left , the first graduate of the Kane County Veterans Treatment Court , receives a pin during commencement ceremonies from Nathaniel Johnson , a veterans service officer with the county 's Veterans Assistance Commission .
Small , class big accomplishment The graduating class was n't the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student , in fact -- but the commencement ceremony this week at the Kane County courthouse in St. Charles was a big deal .
The Kane County Veterans Treatment Court held its inaugural graduation Monday , recognizing a veteran who completed its rigorous program to free himself from the criminal justice system .
Formed in January 2018 , the court offers an intensive program of substance abuse and mental health treatment and accountability for combat veterans facing nonviolent criminal charges .
Veterans admitted to the court plead guilty and receive probation .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program 's requirements while on probation , they can graduate and have their records cleared .
The ceremony Monday for a graduate identified only as Ralston P. included a color guard and him receiving a Quilt of Valor for completing the program .
Such courts were mandated by state law in 2018 as a way to assist veterans caught up in the criminal justice system due to substance use , mental health disorders or trauma .
According to the Kane County court officials , research shows that Veterans Treatment Courts work better than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment alone .
• Have a question , tip or comment ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Appeals court again denies new trial for killer of McHenry County sheriff's deputy
The home of Scott Peters in Holiday Hills after he opened fire on McHenry County sheriff's deputies responding to a domestic disturbance in October 2014. One of the deputies died 11 months later, and Peters is serving a 135-year prison term. Daily Herald File Photo, 2014
It was different argument, same result this week for Scott Peters, the Holiday Hills man serving a 135-year prison term for shooting a pair of McHenry County sheriff's deputies, one fatally, in 2014.
A unanimous Second District Appellate Court of Illinois on Tuesday upheld a lower court's denial of Peters' request for a new trial, rejecting his claims that his conviction was the result of fraud, misrepresentation and suppression of evidence.
The decision comes almost exactly two years after the Second District denied Peters' initial appeal, which centered around arguments that McHenry County prosecutors prejudiced jurors by calling Peters a "lying liar" during closing arguments of his 2015 trial.
That trial ended with Peters, 57, convicted on seven counts of attempted murder in the shootings of sheriff's deputies Dwight Maness and Khalia Satkiewicz on Oct. 16, 2014. Authorities say Peters opened fire on the deputies with an AR-15 rifle after they responded to a domestic disturbance at his home, striking Maness in the back and Satkiewicz in the leg.
Dwight Maness
Both survived initially, but Maness, 47, succumbed to complications from his injuries 11 months later. By then, Peters already had been convicted and given a virtual life sentence, so prosecutors chose not to charge him with murder.
His latest bid for a new trial centers around numerous allegations of wrongdoing by prosecutors and investigators, including that they suppressed video surveillance and concealed facts. But the appellate court ruled Peters offered nothing to support his claims.
"The bottom line, however, is that, while the defendant has provided speculation, he has not provided any evidence," Judge Mary Seminara-Schostok wrote.
The ruling was welcome news to McHenry County Sheriff Bill Primm.
"Mr. Peters should be kept where he belongs for a very long time," Primm told us.
For the record, "a very long time" in this case is until March 25, 2130 -- the earliest possible date of parole for Peters.
Orane Foster -
The seemingly smallest of errors can have a huge impact on the outcome of a case.
That's what happened this week when an Aurora man serving a 27-year sentence on child sex abuse charges was awarded a new trial, all because a judge forgot to ask a juror some key questions before his first trial.
The beneficiary of that error is Orane Foster, who was found guilty in May 2017 of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse stemming from allegations he repeatedly abused an 8-year-old girl in 2015.
The mistake that won him a second chance occurred before his first trial even began, when attorneys and presiding Judge James C. Hallock were quizzing potential jurors. As part of that questioning, state law requires each juror be asked if he or she understands what are known as Zehr principles -- basic tenets of criminal law like the presumption of innocence, guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and the defendant's right not to testify.
According to an appellate court decision Tuesday ordering a new trial, at least one of Foster's jurors wasn't asked those questions.
"The record is clear that the court did not recite the Zehr principles to them, nor did it ask whether they understood and accepted the Zehr principles. This was clear error," appellate Judge Kathryn E. Zenoff wrote in the unanimous ruling.
What's next for Foster? Likely a return to the Kane County jail, where he'll await prosecutors' decision on a retrial. Prosecutors said Thursday they're reviewing their options.
Ralston P., left, the first graduate of the Kane County Veterans Treatment Court, receives a pin during commencement ceremonies from Nathaniel Johnson, a veterans service officer with the county's Veterans Assistance Commission. - Courtesy of the 16th Judicial Circuit
The graduating class wasn't the largest we've seen -- just one student, in fact -- but the commencement ceremony this week at the Kane County courthouse in St. Charles was a big deal.
The Kane County Veterans Treatment Court held its inaugural graduation Monday, recognizing a veteran who completed its rigorous program to free himself from the criminal justice system.
Formed in January 2018, the court offers an intensive program of substance abuse and mental health treatment and accountability for combat veterans facing nonviolent criminal charges. Veterans admitted to the court plead guilty and receive probation. Then, if they meet all of the program's requirements while on probation, they can graduate and have their records cleared.
The ceremony Monday for a graduate identified only as Ralston P. included a color guard and him receiving a Quilt of Valor for completing the program.
Such courts were mandated by state law in 2018 as a way to assist veterans caught up in the criminal justice system due to substance use, mental health disorders or trauma.
According to the Kane County court officials, research shows that Veterans Treatment Courts work better than jail or prison, and better than treatment alone.
• Have a question, tip or comment? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-27--Two people seriously hurt in crash near St. Charles

Two people were seriously injured after crashing into a tree near St. Charles , officials said .
One person was @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in Geneva and the other was airlifted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers @ @ @ @ @ River and Countryside Fire/Rescue Battalion Chief Jim Niesel .
The crash happened about 4:10 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ River Drive and Weber Drive , according to a news release from the Kane County @ @ @ @ @ roads near the scene will be closed `` for some time '' while the sheriff @ @ @ @ @ is a developing story .
Check back for updates .

Two people seriously hurt in crash near St. Charles
Two people were seriously injured after crashing into a tree near St. Charles, officials said.
One person was taken by ambulance to Delnor Hospital in Geneva and the other was airlifted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, according to Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue Battalion Chief Jim Niesel.
The crash happened about 4:10 p.m. near the intersection of Fox River Drive and Weber Drive, according to a news release from the Kane County sheriff's office.
The roads near the scene will be closed "for some time" while the sheriff's office investigates.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-27--Truck driver killed in Long Grove crash

Truck driver killed in Long Grove crash

A semitrailer truck driver was killed Thursday in a crash in Long Grove that shut down a 2-mile stretch of @ @ @ @ @ was reported about 11:10 a.m. near Westmoreland Drive .
The truck , reportedly loaded with @ @ @ @ @ cargo , was traveling north on Route 83 when it collided with a 2015 Toyota @ @ @ @ @ southbound Route 83 onto eastbound Westmoreland , Lake County sheriff 's police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ lightpole and drove into a ditch .
The truck driver was pronounced dead at the @ @ @ @ @ , a 45-year-old Vernon Hills woman , was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in @ @ @ @ @ to be life-threatening , according to the sheriff 's office .
Southbound and northbound lanes @ @ @ @ @ to traffic between Gilmer Road and Route 45 for hours after the crash .
Southbound @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , while northbound lanes were expected to remain closed until about 11 p.m. An @ @ @ @ @ is planned for Friday morning , authorities said .

Truck driver killed in Long Grove crash
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.comAuthorities are investigating a crash Thursday at the intersection of Route 83 and Westmoreland Drive in Long Grove that killed a truck driver. A long stretch of Route 83 was closed as a result of the collision and investigation.
A semitrailer truck driver was killed Thursday in a crash in Long Grove that shut down a 2-mile stretch of Route 83.
The crash was reported about 11:10 a.m. near Westmoreland Drive.
The truck, reportedly loaded with approximately 20 tons of unspecified cargo, was traveling north on Route 83 when it collided with a 2015 Toyota minivan that was turning from southbound Route 83 onto eastbound Westmoreland, Lake County sheriff's police said. The truck then hit a traffic lightpole and drove into a ditch.
The truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The minivan driver, a 45-year-old Vernon Hills woman, was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, according to the sheriff's office.
Southbound and northbound lanes of Route 83 were closed to traffic between Gilmer Road and Route 45 for hours after the crash. Southbound lanes were reopened about 7 p.m., while northbound lanes were expected to remain closed until about 11 p.m.
An autopsy on the truck driver is planned for Friday morning, authorities said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-27--Batavia teen bomb-making suspect charged with terrorism, could face life in prison

A former Batavia High School student arrested on charges that he possessed explosives now faces 14 total charges , the most severe being terrorism , which carries a top sentence of life in prison if the student is transferred to and convicted in adult court .
In juvenile court Thursday , Kane County prosecutors outlined the updated charges against the boy , who was 15 when he was arrested in late November at his parent 's house .
He has since turned 16 while being held at the county ' Juvenile Justice Center .
In addition to the terrorism charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-degree murder , another but less-severe terrorism count , attempt to cause a catastrophe , and eight counts of possession of explosives or incendiary devices , Kane County Assistant State 's Attorney Bridget Sabbia said .
The teen also faces two misdemeanor counts of an attempted hate crime .
In December , prosecutors initially had filed charges of possession of explosives or incendiary devices .
Prosecutors also have petitioned to move the case to adult court .
Under state law , if the teen is convicted in juvenile court , he can been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns 21 .
If he 's moved to adult court , he could face 20 years to life in prison on the most severe terrorism charge .
After the teen 's arrest , authorities searched the high school and did not find any bombs and no one was injured .
Judge Kathryn Karayannis ruled Thursday that prosecutors and the teen 's defense attorney , Gary Johnson , should have access to a psychological evaluation done by the Kane County Diagnostic Center on the condition that statements the teen made in the evaluation could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also granted a move by prosecutors to have the teen provide a handwriting sample and to be fingerprinted again .
Sabbia said new prints were needed because fingerprint tests on materials found at the boy 's parent 's Batavia house were inconclusive .
Prosecutors also have entered a notebook into evidence .
`` It 's a critical piece of evidence , '' Sabbia said .
`` The notebook provides a number of important pieces of information for the court which is relevant to his intent and identity . ''
The teen is next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date has been set for attorneys to argue whether the case should be transferred to adult court .

Batavia teen bomb-making suspect charged with terrorism, could face life in prison
A former Batavia High School student arrested in November 2019 on charges he possessed explosives is now charged with 12 felonies and two misdemeanors. The most severe charge against him is terrorism, which carries a sentence ranging from 20 years to life in prison if the student, now 16, is transferred to and convicted in adult court. HARRY HITZEMAN/Daily Herald file
A former Batavia High School student arrested on charges that he possessed explosives now faces 14 total charges, the most severe being terrorism, which carries a top sentence of life in prison if the student is transferred to and convicted in adult court.
In juvenile court Thursday, Kane County prosecutors outlined the updated charges against the boy, who was 15 when he was arrested in late November at his parent's house. He has since turned 16 while being held at the county' Juvenile Justice Center.
In addition to the terrorism charge, the teen is charged with attempted first-degree murder, another but less-severe terrorism count, attempt to cause a catastrophe, and eight counts of possession of explosives or incendiary devices, Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Bridget Sabbia said.
The teen also faces two misdemeanor counts of an attempted hate crime.
In December, prosecutors initially had filed charges of possession of explosives or incendiary devices.
Prosecutors also have petitioned to move the case to adult court. Under state law, if the teen is convicted in juvenile court, he can been confined to a juvenile facility until he turns 21. If he's moved to adult court, he could face 20 years to life in prison on the most severe terrorism charge.
After the teen's arrest, authorities searched the high school and did not find any bombs and no one was injured.
Judge Kathryn Karayannis ruled Thursday that prosecutors and the teen's defense attorney, Gary Johnson, should have access to a psychological evaluation done by the Kane County Diagnostic Center on the condition that statements the teen made in the evaluation could not be used against him.
Karayannis also granted a move by prosecutors to have the teen provide a handwriting sample and to be fingerprinted again.
Sabbia said new prints were needed because fingerprint tests on materials found at the boy's parent's Batavia house were inconclusive.
Prosecutors also have entered a notebook into evidence.
"It's a critical piece of evidence," Sabbia said. "The notebook provides a number of important pieces of information for the court which is relevant to his intent and identity."
The teen is next due in court March 12. No date has been set for attorneys to argue whether the case should be transferred to adult court.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-28--Feder: Before he became 'Mayor Pete,' Buttigieg worked as NBC 5 investigative intern

For six weeks during the summer of 2002 , a 20-year-old college student named Peter Buttigieg toiled in the background @ @ @ @ @ 5 , the NBC-owned station in Chicago , Robert Feder writes .
Few could have @ @ @ @ @ become mayor of his hometown of South Bend , Indiana , or that 18 years @ @ @ @ @ the March 17 Illinois Democratic primary ballot as a candidate for president of the United @ @ @ @ @ his employment at NBC 5 -- which ran from June 17 to July 28 , @ @ @ @ @ received an `` outstanding '' rating on his evaluation form as an intern with the @ @ @ @ @ Otherwise the files provide no other details about his time there .
But Renee Ferguson @ @ @ @ @ reporter who supervised Buttigieg that summer , recalled that the Harvard sophomore worked with her @ @ @ @ @ sex offender who was believed to be working at a day care center in Chicago @ @ @ @ @ , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Before he became 'Mayor Pete,' Buttigieg worked as NBC 5 investigative intern
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, worked as an intern for NBC 5 for more than a month in 2002. Associated Press/Feb. 5, 2020
For six weeks during the summer of 2002, a 20-year-old college student named Peter Buttigieg toiled in the background as an intern at WMAQ-Channel 5, the NBC-owned station in Chicago, Robert Feder writes.
Few could have imagined then that he would become mayor of his hometown of South Bend, Indiana, or that 18 years later he would be on the March 17 Illinois Democratic primary ballot as a candidate for president of the United States.
The record of his employment at NBC 5 -- which ran from June 17 to July 28, 2002 -- shows that Buttigieg received an "outstanding" rating on his evaluation form as an intern with the station's investigative unit. Otherwise the files provide no other details about his time there.
But Renee Ferguson, the Unit 5 investigative reporter who supervised Buttigieg that summer, recalled that the Harvard sophomore worked with her on an investigation of a sex offender who was believed to be working at a day care center in Chicago.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.