dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-15--Aurora man charged with firing on 4 people in car

A 30-year-old Aurora man has been charged with opening fire Monday night on four people in a car on the city 's northwest side .
No one was hit and Aurora police spokesman Paris Lewbel said the shooting was not `` random , '' but authorities did n't elaborate on a motive .
Jose A. Herrera , of the 1400 block of Randall Court , is charged with felony aggravated discharge of a firearm at a person or vehicle and reckless discharge of a firearm , according to Kane County court records .
According to Lewbel , officers were called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Randall Road where four people in a vehicle told police they were driving on Randall Court when a man walked into the street and fired multiple shots at their car .
Lewbel said the people in the car drove off , called police and told investigators the man had been seen near some houses on Randall Court .
Police questioned Herrera , took him into custody and seized a handgun , Lewbel said .
Lewbel said no one was hit and the car was not damaged .
Herrera was released from Kane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next due in court on April 24 .
If convicted of the most severe charge , he faces a sentence ranging from six to 30 years in prison .

Aurora man charged with firing on 4 people in car
A 30-year-old Aurora man has been charged with opening fire Monday night on four people in a car on the city's northwest side.
No one was hit and Aurora police spokesman Paris Lewbel said the shooting was not "random," but authorities didn't elaborate on a motive.
Jose A. Herrera, of the 1400 block of Randall Court, is charged with felony aggravated discharge of a firearm at a person or vehicle and reckless discharge of a firearm, according to Kane County court records.
According to Lewbel, officers were called shortly after 8:45 p.m. to Plum Street and Randall Road where four people in a vehicle told police they were driving on Randall Court when a man walked into the street and fired multiple shots at their car.
Lewbel said the people in the car drove off, called police and told investigators the man had been seen near some houses on Randall Court. Police questioned Herrera, took him into custody and seized a handgun, Lewbel said.
Lewbel said no one was hit and the car was not damaged.
Herrera was released from Kane County jail after posting bond and is next due in court on April 24. If convicted of the most severe charge, he faces a sentence ranging from six to 30 years in prison.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-15--Elgin arts nonprofit donates hundreds of art kits

Erin Rehberg and Tanner Melvin surveyed Side Street Studio Arts , their nonprofit in Elgin that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic , and decided they needed to put their supplies to good use .
The couple sent an email blast asking people if their children needed materials and donated about 50 kits containing pencils , crayons , paint , paper and more .
The effort now has grown to more than 400 art kits donated to more than 1,000 young artists , Rehberg said .
`` It 's a completely donation-based and a completely volunteer-based beautiful situation that has grown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
The kits are being assembled thanks to a $ 600 contribution from Elgin 's cultural arts commission , a Facebook fundraiser that yielded more than $ 2,500 , donations of supplies from individuals and groups , and donations via an Amazon `` wish list '' updated daily , Rehberg said .
The nonprofit also got nearly $ 3,000 in donations via its website , some of it used for art kits , she said .
About 20 volunteers have helped assemble and deliver the kits , with mileage reimbursement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studio .
The kits differ based on the child 's age , such as glue sticks , beads and Play-Doh for the little ones , and higher-quality pencils , canvas and paint palettes for older kids .
Six-year-old Bella Trujillo of Elgin has been happily making art since she got her kit Friday .
`` I have been painting waves .
They are blue .
Sometimes I make fish in there , '' she said .
She 's also had fun playing tricks on her father , Carlos Trujillo , by painting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fake red blood on her arm .
Carlos Trujillo said the art kit donation was `` awesome . ''
Like other closed businesses , Side Street Studio Arts has suffered financial losses in the last few weeks , Rehberg said .
It employs 21 independent contractors , including co-founders Rehberg and Melvin , many of whom donated their March paychecks to help the business , she said .
Its landlords have agreed to a modified rent plan -- contingent on a now-unlikely May 1 opening , however -- and the studio has applied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Focusing efforts into the art kit donation has been the right thing to do , Rehberg said .
`` We receive amazing feedback from the families that are getting them ... We know this is exactly the place we are serving this community right now . ''

Elgin arts nonprofit donates hundreds of art kits
Elgin's Side Street Studio Arts co-founders Tanner Melvin, left, and Erin Rehberg, started an effort that has distributed more than 400 free art kits to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. photo courtesy side street studio arts
Bella Trujillo, 6, of Elgin, has been happily painting since she got a donated art kit from Side Street Studio Arts in Elgin. photo courtesy of Carlos Trujillo
Erin Rehberg and Tanner Melvin surveyed Side Street Studio Arts, their nonprofit in Elgin that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and decided they needed to put their supplies to good use.
The couple sent an email blast asking people if their children needed materials and donated about 50 kits containing pencils, crayons, paint, paper and more. The effort now has grown to more than 400 art kits donated to more than 1,000 young artists, Rehberg said.
"It's a completely donation-based and a completely volunteer-based beautiful situation that has grown out of a tiny idea," she said.
The kits are being assembled thanks to a $600 contribution from Elgin's cultural arts commission, a Facebook fundraiser that yielded more than $2,500, donations of supplies from individuals and groups, and donations via an Amazon "wish list" updated daily, Rehberg said. The nonprofit also got nearly $3,000 in donations via its website, some of it used for art kits, she said.
About 20 volunteers have helped assemble and deliver the kits, with mileage reimbursement, to homes within 10 miles of the studio. The kits differ based on the child's age, such as glue sticks, beads and Play-Doh for the little ones, and higher-quality pencils, canvas and paint palettes for older kids.
Six-year-old Bella Trujillo of Elgin has been happily making art since she got her kit Friday. "I have been painting waves. They are blue. Sometimes I make fish in there," she said. She's also had fun playing tricks on her father, Carlos Trujillo, by painting a fake black spider on toilet paper and fake red blood on her arm.
Carlos Trujillo said the art kit donation was "awesome."
Like other closed businesses, Side Street Studio Arts has suffered financial losses in the last few weeks, Rehberg said. It employs 21 independent contractors, including co-founders Rehberg and Melvin, many of whom donated their March paychecks to help the business, she said. Its landlords have agreed to a modified rent plan -- contingent on a now-unlikely May 1 opening, however -- and the studio has applied for emergency art funding, she said.
Focusing efforts into the art kit donation has been the right thing to do, Rehberg said.
"We receive amazing feedback from the families that are getting them ... We know this is exactly the place we are serving this community right now."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-15--Barrington Hills wants to recover costs from murder investigation

Barrington Hills officials may seek reimbursement from a property owner , an online home rental service and others for police costs related to a fatal shooting last month during a house party they say violated village code .
Police spokesman William Walsh said no new information has surfaced regarding the killing of Sean B. Patton , 28 , of Chicago , during the March 7 party on the 300 block of Old Sutton Road .
Walsh said three other men suffered gunshot wounds , but their injuries were not life-threatening .
Officials said the home was advertised for rent on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrington Hills zoning regulations do n't allow for the use of a residential property for commercial purposes , such as short-term rentals for lodging and special events .
That 's why the reimbursement of the police expenses should be sought , said Trustee Brian Cecola , who chairs the village board 's public safety committee .
`` In a recent meeting with the village president and administrator , and in conjunction with the treasurer and the police chief , I am advocating to move forward with presenting the costs associated with this investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ( online ) rental company agencies and the responsible party who rented this property , '' said Cecola , who raised the issue during a recent village board session .
Village Attorney Mary Dickson said the potential for recouping the unspecified police costs will be studied .
The village had contact with the property owner before the short-term rental occurred and `` they were fully aware of their use of the property in that manner being in violation '' of village ordinance .
`` We will follow up on this with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police called to the house at 3:22 a.m. March 7 for a report of shots fired arrived to find Patton dead from gunshot wounds .
A preliminary investigation revealed a large party was held at the house by people who live outside the village , police said .
Walsh said police have investigated at least 70 leads in the case .
Barrington Hills has received assistance from the Cook County Major Case Assistance Team .
At the last Barrington Hills village board meeting , Cecola said the Old Sutton Road home was for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late March .
According to a current Zillow real estate listing , the price for the four-bedroom , five-bathroom house with a heated indoor pool was reduced to $ 848,000 on April 2 .
`` If someone were to sell it , I want to make sure we have some legal recourse with the owners , whether that 's a lien or some ( other ) legal recourse , that the village ought to get some of these costs back .
I 'm a firm believer on that .
And I will stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , '' said Cecola , who could not be reached for additional comment Wednesday .
Officials have not publicly identified the home 's owners .
The Cook County treasurer 's office lists a mailing address for the latest property tax bill at a Clarendon Hills business on Ogden Avenue .

Barrington Hills wants to recover costs from murder investigation
Barrington Hills officials may seek reimbursement from a property owner, an online home rental service and others for police costs related to a fatal shooting last month during a house party they say violated village code.
Police spokesman William Walsh said no new information has surfaced regarding the killing of Sean B. Patton, 28, of Chicago, during the March 7 party on the 300 block of Old Sutton Road.
Walsh said three other men suffered gunshot wounds, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
Officials said the home was advertised for rent on multiple online marketplaces before the shooting.
Barrington Hills zoning regulations don't allow for the use of a residential property for commercial purposes, such as short-term rentals for lodging and special events. That's why the reimbursement of the police expenses should be sought, said Trustee Brian Cecola, who chairs the village board's public safety committee.
"In a recent meeting with the village president and administrator, and in conjunction with the treasurer and the police chief, I am advocating to move forward with presenting the costs associated with this investigation for immediate reimbursement from the property owner, the (online) rental company agencies and the responsible party who rented this property," said Cecola, who raised the issue during a recent village board session.
Village Attorney Mary Dickson said the potential for recouping the unspecified police costs will be studied. The village had contact with the property owner before the short-term rental occurred and "they were fully aware of their use of the property in that manner being in violation" of village ordinance.
"We will follow up on this with the owners," Dickson said.
Police called to the house at 3:22 a.m. March 7 for a report of shots fired arrived to find Patton dead from gunshot wounds. A preliminary investigation revealed a large party was held at the house by people who live outside the village, police said.
Walsh said police have investigated at least 70 leads in the case. Barrington Hills has received assistance from the Cook County Major Case Assistance Team.
At the last Barrington Hills village board meeting, Cecola said the Old Sutton Road home was for sale and listed at $880,000 in late March. According to a current Zillow real estate listing, the price for the four-bedroom, five-bathroom house with a heated indoor pool was reduced to $848,000 on April 2.
"If someone were to sell it, I want to make sure we have some legal recourse with the owners, whether that's a lien or some (other) legal recourse, that the village ought to get some of these costs back. I'm a firm believer on that. And I will stand by that until I'm out of office," said Cecola, who could not be reached for additional comment Wednesday.
Officials have not publicly identified the home's owners. The Cook County treasurer's office lists a mailing address for the latest property tax bill at a Clarendon Hills business on Ogden Avenue.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-16--April 15 COVID-19 cases per county, some towns, and search by ZIP code

• As of Wednesday , suburban Cook County had 7,114 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 269 deaths .
In Chicago : 10,192 cases and 361 fatalities .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health listed 281 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines , 186 in Glenview , 92 each in Park Ridge and Mount Prospect , 84 in Schaumburg , 80 in Wheeling , 78 in Palatine , 76 in Arlington Heights , 58 in Streamwood , 48 in Hoffman Estates , 47 in Elk Grove Village , 29 in Rolling Meadows , 21 in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heights .
• The Cook County sheriff 's office website reports 3 jail inmates have died from COVID-19 ; 181 inmates are currently positive for the virus , including 18 who are hospitalized ; 156 inmates are recovering at the jail and 56 have tested negative .
In addition , 203 correctional officers and 35 other sheriff 's employees have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Twenty workers who previously tested positive now have recovered and returned to work .
• The Lake County Health Department lists 1,721 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County towns : 430 to 434 in Waukegan , 70 to 74 in Round Lake , 65 to 69 in Gurnee , 55 to 59 in Mundelein , 40 to 44 in Libertyville , 35 to 39 each in Vernon Hills and Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 25 to 29 each in Grayslake , Wauconda , Lake Zurich and Lake Villa .
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 473 cases of COVID-19 with 24 deaths at kanehealth.com .
• Cases per town include 173 in Aurora ( Kane County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kane portion ) , 42 in St. Charles , 15 each in Batavia and South Elgin , 14 in Geneva , 13 in North Aurora , 11 in Gilberts , and eight in Sugar Grove .
• Cases per suburb include 110 in Naperville ( DuPage portion ) , 94 in Addison , 90 in Carol Stream , 85 in Bensenville , 79 in Lombard , 71 in Willowbrook , 67 in Elmhurst , 66 in Glendale Heights , 54 in Downers Grove , 48 in West Chicago , and 46 in Aurora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are 274 cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department .
• There have been 1,440 cases of COVID-19 and 86 deaths , the health department says .
• Cases per town include 101 in Naperville in ZIP codes 60565 and 60564 , and 50 in Aurora in ZIP codes 60503 and 60504 ( Will County portion ) .

April 15 COVID-19 cases per county, some towns, and search by ZIP code
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website, shown here at the end of March, that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Interactive map
Cook County
• As of Wednesday, suburban Cook County had 7,114 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 269 deaths. In Chicago: 10,192 cases and 361 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health listed 281 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines, 186 in Glenview, 92 each in Park Ridge and Mount Prospect, 84 in Schaumburg, 80 in Wheeling, 78 in Palatine, 76 in Arlington Heights, 58 in Streamwood, 48 in Hoffman Estates, 47 in Elk Grove Village, 29 in Rolling Meadows, 21 in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion), and 20 in Prospect Heights.
• The Cook County sheriff's office website reports 3 jail inmates have died from COVID-19; 181 inmates are currently positive for the virus, including 18 who are hospitalized; 156 inmates are recovering at the jail and 56 have tested negative. In addition, 203 correctional officers and 35 other sheriff's employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Twenty workers who previously tested positive now have recovered and returned to work.
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department lists 1,721 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 65 deaths.
• Cases in some Lake County towns: 430 to 434 in Waukegan, 70 to 74 in Round Lake, 65 to 69 in Gurnee, 55 to 59 in Mundelein, 40 to 44 in Libertyville, 35 to 39 each in Vernon Hills and Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 25 to 29 each in Grayslake, Wauconda, Lake Zurich and Lake Villa.
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 473 cases of COVID-19 with 24 deaths at kanehealth.com.
• Cases per town include 173 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 95 in Elgin (Kane portion), 42 in St. Charles, 15 each in Batavia and South Elgin, 14 in Geneva, 13 in North Aurora, 11 in Gilberts, and eight in Sugar Grove.
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reported 1,393 confirmed cases and 64 deaths.
• Cases per suburb include 110 in Naperville (DuPage portion), 94 in Addison, 90 in Carol Stream, 85 in Bensenville, 79 in Lombard, 71 in Willowbrook, 67 in Elmhurst, 66 in Glendale Heights, 54 in Downers Grove, 48 in West Chicago, and 46 in Aurora (DuPage County portion).
McHenry County
• There are 274 cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department.
Will County
• There have been 1,440 cases of COVID-19 and 86 deaths, the health department says.
• Cases per town include 101 in Naperville in ZIP codes 60565 and 60564, and 50 in Aurora in ZIP codes 60503 and 60504 (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-15--Libertyville approves new sales tax, drops its restaurant tax

At any other time , the series of financial-related actions taken Tuesday by the Libertyville village board would be considered part of normal business .
But what lies ahead will be anything but routine .
Following strong voter approval in March , trustees formally enacted a 1 % villagewide sales tax Tuesday .
In turn , as promised , they eliminated a 1 % Places for Eating tax -- two months earlier than originally expected .
Telecommunications and electric utility taxes were kept at current levels , and a 2020-21 budget of $ 62.3 million was approved .
The budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not rely on reserves or one-time revenue sources for operating purposes , according to a March 24 memo to the board from Finance Director Nick Mostardo .
However , the coronavirus pandemic has skewed daily operations and plans .
`` I think we should all be ready to hang onto our seats , '' Trustee Pat Carey said .
Libertyville is particularly vulnerable to a drop in sales tax from restaurants and auto dealers .
`` It 's hurting everybody , '' Mayor Terry Weppler said Wednesday .
So a planned village board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overtones .
Some projects may be delayed , capital purchases deferred and other adjustments recommended .
That meeting will include a closed executive session in which the status of village employees is likely to be discussed .
`` Unfortunately , that 's going to be part of the issue , too , '' Weppler said .
The village board later this week will receive an overview of the economic impact of COVID-19 and potential options .
`` I am positive we 'll have to make changes , '' said Trustee Rich Moras , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this point , Libertyville is fortunate voters approved the villagewide sales tax .
The new tax was expected to generate $ 2 million a year in new revenue .
But its impact may be muted due to the drop in sales of all kinds .
The new tax does not apply to medicines , most groceries and titled products such as cars .
Officials said the sales tax would be a huge boost to village efforts to fix roads and pursue other projects .
It will go into effect July 1 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
The sales tax was pitched to voters as a reliable revenue stream to be invested exclusively in the village 's aging infrastructure .
The board Tuesday also created a special fund to show that $ 2 million of the proceeds would be used for capital projects and an estimated $ 875,000 per year would replace operating revenues from the repealed Places for Eating tax .
The Places for Eating tax had been scheduled to run through June 30 , but the board agreed to end it April 30 .
Most restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the business they were before the state 's stay-at-home order and have laid off 80 % of their employees , said Trustee Scott Adams , who also is the president/CEO of the GLMV Chamber of Commerce .
`` This is an important thing for us to do , '' he said of eliminating the tax early .

Libertyville approves new sales tax, drops its restaurant tax
At any other time, the series of financial-related actions taken Tuesday by the Libertyville village board would be considered part of normal business. But what lies ahead will be anything but routine.
Following strong voter approval in March, trustees formally enacted a 1% villagewide sales tax Tuesday. In turn, as promised, they eliminated a 1% Places for Eating tax -- two months earlier than originally expected.
Telecommunications and electric utility taxes were kept at current levels, and a 2020-21 budget of $62.3 million was approved.
The budget is balanced for village operations and does not rely on reserves or one-time revenue sources for operating purposes, according to a March 24 memo to the board from Finance Director Nick Mostardo.
However, the coronavirus pandemic has skewed daily operations and plans.
"I think we should all be ready to hang onto our seats," Trustee Pat Carey said.
Libertyville is particularly vulnerable to a drop in sales tax from restaurants and auto dealers.
"It's hurting everybody," Mayor Terry Weppler said Wednesday.
So a planned village board finance committee next week comes with ominous overtones. Some projects may be delayed, capital purchases deferred and other adjustments recommended.
That meeting will include a closed executive session in which the status of village employees is likely to be discussed.
"Unfortunately, that's going to be part of the issue, too," Weppler said.
The village board later this week will receive an overview of the economic impact of COVID-19 and potential options.
"I am positive we'll have to make changes," said Trustee Rich Moras, who chairs the finance committee.
At this point, Libertyville is fortunate voters approved the villagewide sales tax. The new tax was expected to generate $2 million a year in new revenue. But its impact may be muted due to the drop in sales of all kinds.
The new tax does not apply to medicines, most groceries and titled products such as cars.
Officials said the sales tax would be a huge boost to village efforts to fix roads and pursue other projects. It will go into effect July 1, with the first distribution of funds expected in October.
The sales tax was pitched to voters as a reliable revenue stream to be invested exclusively in the village's aging infrastructure.
The board Tuesday also created a special fund to show that $2 million of the proceeds would be used for capital projects and an estimated $875,000 per year would replace operating revenues from the repealed Places for Eating tax.
The Places for Eating tax had been scheduled to run through June 30, but the board agreed to end it April 30.
Most restaurants are doing 20% to 25% of the business they were before the state's stay-at-home order and have laid off 80% of their employees, said Trustee Scott Adams, who also is the president/CEO of the GLMV Chamber of Commerce.
"This is an important thing for us to do," he said of eliminating the tax early.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-16--Constable: Learning the business of business during COVID-19

COVID-19 restrictions already have messed with summer plans for many college students .
Stay-at-home orders have canceled studies abroad , as well as jobs and internships at home .
But Katie Kenny , a University of Illinois sophomore from Mount Prospect , already is hard at work as an intern running her own business .
An advertising major , the 19-year-old was hired at the end of December by College Works Painting , a national company that hires and trains students to manage their own local house-painting businesses .
Ahead of Illinois ' stay-at-home order , Kenny trained on Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interns in a group setting , learning skills that included going door-to-door to drum up sales .
`` The following weekend , I was out from 9 a.m. to around 7:30 p.m. , '' knocking on doors and meeting with homeowners , Kenny says .
On March 12 , she left the campus at Urbana-Champaign to come home for spring break .
`` All spring break I was able to do marketing and estimates , '' she says .
`` I would have gone back to school and come home every weekend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told students not to return after spring break , and , as with every other school , now is conducting its spring classes online .
So Kenny is home for the duration , hoping to return to campus in August if the coronavirus restrictions allow schools to reopen by then .
`` As bad as this is , it 's an awesome opportunity for me to be working more , '' Kenny says .
`` We can still do all the painting and estimates ; it 's just up to us to figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is no meeting with customers around their kitchen table and sealing the deal with a handshake .
Instead , she generally makes contact by phone and conducts a much different sales call in person .
`` I 'll drive out to Hawthorn Woods or Barrington , '' Kenny says .
`` When I get there , I still knock on the door . ''
Then she backs away .
`` We wear gloves and stand 12 feet back from the door , '' Kenny says .
`` I would never tell them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some customers do go outside and point out the areas they want painted , and discuss what colors they want used for the fascia and window trim .
Others prefer to stay in the safety of their homes .
`` It 's not hard to explain it over the phone because I did get extensive training , '' Kenny says .
`` And I have taught a couple of customers how to do a Zoom chat . ''
Unlike the job she 's had in previous summers where her salary was guaranteed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District 's Big Surf Wave Pool , Kenny 's income depends on how many houses the painters she hires can paint .
`` It makes me feel really good being able to provide jobs to painters during this time , '' Kenny says .
With so many people out of work and watching their expenses , Kenny says people still want to paint those homes they are stuck in .
`` For every two people who are scared to spend the money , there is one person who does , '' she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discounts during the coronavirus shutdown .
`` I just feel very fortunate I have a job and an internship , '' she says , suggesting the skills she 's learning during COVID-19 could come in handy in the future .
`` The constantly changing status of this pandemic is giving me the real-world business experience that I could never have predicted I would receive when I applied for this internship . ''
Who knows what the summer of 2020 will do for her career ?
Maybe , in a decade or so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during COVID-19 to figure out how her own company will survive as the world grapples with the new pandemic of COVID-31 .

Constable: Learning the business of business during COVID-19
Still making house calls as part of her internship with College Works Painting, Katie Kenny of Mount Prospect says she stays 12 feet away from homeowners, or works out the painting details by phone or online. Courtesy of Adam Columbus
In an economy where traditional business practices have been shut down, Katie Kenny does most of her work on a laptop in her Mount Prospect home. As an intern with College Works Painting, she interviews painters and gives estimates to customers online. Courtesy of Adam Columbus
While COVID-19 has canceled internships and summer jobs for many college students, Katie Kenny of Mount Prospect is learning how to run a business during trying times as part of the College Works Painting program. Courtesy of Adam Columbus
COVID-19 restrictions already have messed with summer plans for many college students. Stay-at-home orders have canceled studies abroad, as well as jobs and internships at home.
But Katie Kenny, a University of Illinois sophomore from Mount Prospect, already is hard at work as an intern running her own business.
An advertising major, the 19-year-old was hired at the end of December by College Works Painting, a national company that hires and trains students to manage their own local house-painting businesses. Ahead of Illinois' stay-at-home order, Kenny trained on Feb. 29 and March 1 with 100 other interns in a group setting, learning skills that included going door-to-door to drum up sales.
"The following weekend, I was out from 9 a.m. to around 7:30 p.m.," knocking on doors and meeting with homeowners, Kenny says.
On March 12, she left the campus at Urbana-Champaign to come home for spring break.
"All spring break I was able to do marketing and estimates," she says. "I would have gone back to school and come home every weekend to work."
But U of I told students not to return after spring break, and, as with every other school, now is conducting its spring classes online. So Kenny is home for the duration, hoping to return to campus in August if the coronavirus restrictions allow schools to reopen by then.
"As bad as this is, it's an awesome opportunity for me to be working more," Kenny says. "We can still do all the painting and estimates; it's just up to us to figure out how to do that."
There is no meeting with customers around their kitchen table and sealing the deal with a handshake. Instead, she generally makes contact by phone and conducts a much different sales call in person.
"I'll drive out to Hawthorn Woods or Barrington," Kenny says. "When I get there, I still knock on the door."
Then she backs away.
"We wear gloves and stand 12 feet back from the door," Kenny says. "I would never tell them they have to come outside."
Some customers do go outside and point out the areas they want painted, and discuss what colors they want used for the fascia and window trim. Others prefer to stay in the safety of their homes.
"It's not hard to explain it over the phone because I did get extensive training," Kenny says. "And I have taught a couple of customers how to do a Zoom chat."
Unlike the job she's had in previous summers where her salary was guaranteed as a lifeguard at the Mount Prospect Park District's Big Surf Wave Pool, Kenny's income depends on how many houses the painters she hires can paint.
"It makes me feel really good being able to provide jobs to painters during this time," Kenny says.
With so many people out of work and watching their expenses, Kenny says people still want to paint those homes they are stuck in.
"For every two people who are scared to spend the money, there is one person who does," she says, saying she can offer 15% discounts during the coronavirus shutdown.
"I just feel very fortunate I have a job and an internship," she says, suggesting the skills she's learning during COVID-19 could come in handy in the future. "The constantly changing status of this pandemic is giving me the real-world business experience that I could never have predicted I would receive when I applied for this internship."
Who knows what the summer of 2020 will do for her career? Maybe, in a decade or so, Kenny will use the skills she learned during COVID-19 to figure out how her own company will survive as the world grapples with the new pandemic of COVID-31.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-15--Don't release Elk Grove killer, retired lawman urges

In the midst of an international pandemic , retired Lake County undersheriff and former Elk Grove Village Deputy Police Chief Raymond Rose kept the vow he made more than three decades ago to do everything in his power to ensure convicted killers Patricia Columbo , 63 , and Frank DeLuca , 81 , remain behind bars for the rest of their lives .
Rose , one of the officers who investigated the 1976 killings of Columbo 's parents and brother , testified Wednesday during an online `` protest hearing '' before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board , during which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
A protest hearing allows victims and others to testify in advance of an inmate 's parole hearing .
Columbo 's parole hearing will be scheduled for May or later in accordance with statewide COVID-19 precautions .
Former lovers Columbo and DeLuca each were sentenced to 300 years in prison for one of the Northwest suburbs ' grisliest crimes : the May 1976 shooting deaths of Columbo 's parents , Frank and Mary , and the death of her brother Michael , 13 , who was stabbed 87 times with scissors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which included crime scene photographs , Rose said what he encountered in the family 's Brantwood Avenue home remains vivid today .
`` I see the crime scene , the horrific sight .
...
They are always with me like they are always with the jurors , family and friends of the Columbos , the Elk Grove community and the officers who were there , '' Rose told the board members .
According to Rose , Columbo instigated , planned and participated in the crime , attempting to recruit two hit men eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Columbo , 19 , manipulated DeLuca , her married 37-year-old lover , into killing her family by falsely claiming her father planned to have her and DeLuca killed , Rose said .
`` She has never admitted she committed the crimes .
She has never shown any remorse , '' Rose said in his statement , adding there is no atonement without an expression of culpability .
Elk Grove Village Police Chief Charles Walsh echoed Rose 's sentiments in a separate letter to the parole board .
`` To allow her freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother of life would be a mockery of our judicial system , '' Walsh wrote , adding the 200- to 300-year sentence the judge imposed on Columbo `` made it obvious that the judge never intended nor foresaw the release of Patricia Columbo from prison . ''
Columbo has sought parole more than a dozen times , arguing she is a changed person and can be a contributing member of society .
DeLuca will appear before the parole board at a later date .

Don't release Elk Grove killer, retired lawman urges
In the midst of an international pandemic, retired Lake County undersheriff and former Elk Grove Village Deputy Police Chief Raymond Rose kept the vow he made more than three decades ago to do everything in his power to ensure convicted killers Patricia Columbo, 63, and Frank DeLuca, 81, remain behind bars for the rest of their lives.
Rose, one of the officers who investigated the 1976 killings of Columbo's parents and brother, testified Wednesday during an online "protest hearing" before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, during which he urged board members to deny Columbo's release.
A protest hearing allows victims and others to testify in advance of an inmate's parole hearing. Columbo's parole hearing will be scheduled for May or later in accordance with statewide COVID-19 precautions.
Former lovers Columbo and DeLuca each were sentenced to 300 years in prison for one of the Northwest suburbs' grisliest crimes: the May 1976 shooting deaths of Columbo's parents, Frank and Mary, and the death of her brother Michael, 13, who was stabbed 87 times with scissors.
In his presentation to the board, which included crime scene photographs, Rose said what he encountered in the family's Brantwood Avenue home remains vivid today.
"I see the crime scene, the horrific sight. ... They are always with me like they are always with the jurors, family and friends of the Columbos, the Elk Grove community and the officers who were there," Rose told the board members.
According to Rose, Columbo instigated, planned and participated in the crime, attempting to recruit two hit men eight months before the murders occurred. Eventually, Columbo, 19, manipulated DeLuca, her married 37-year-old lover, into killing her family by falsely claiming her father planned to have her and DeLuca killed, Rose said.
"She has never admitted she committed the crimes. She has never shown any remorse," Rose said in his statement, adding there is no atonement without an expression of culpability.
Elk Grove Village Police Chief Charles Walsh echoed Rose's sentiments in a separate letter to the parole board.
"To allow her freedom after she denied her parents and younger brother of life would be a mockery of our judicial system," Walsh wrote, adding the 200- to 300-year sentence the judge imposed on Columbo "made it obvious that the judge never intended nor foresaw the release of Patricia Columbo from prison."
Columbo has sought parole more than a dozen times, arguing she is a changed person and can be a contributing member of society.
DeLuca will appear before the parole board at a later date.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-15--A song to make you smile: 'Back in My Arms Again' by the Supremes

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Back in My Arms Again '' by the Supremes , released in 1965 .

A song to make you smile: 'Back in My Arms Again' by the Supremes
The Supremes (from right, Diana Ross, Cindy Birdsong and Mary Wilson) sing and dance during a performance in Munich, West Germany, in 1968. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Back in My Arms Again" by the Supremes, released in 1965.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-15--Towns seek COVID-19 patient names from Cook County

Northwest Central Dispatch System and Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson want the Cook County Department of Public Health to release the names of people with the coronavirus to local first responders , but the request has so far been denied .
The rejection -- which Johnson said came from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle -- led the mayor to accuse the county 's chief executive of being `` more concerned about convicted criminals than first responders '' after the release of some inmates from the jail over COVID-19 concerns .
`` No one wants guards in prisons or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday .
`` But to put the priority of a convicted known criminal above protecting our first responders I think is insulting and embarrassing for her office . ''
A Preckwinkle spokesman referred comment to the health department , which did not respond Wednesday .
Johnson and officials from the Arlington Heights-based dispatch system , which answers 911 calls for 11 Northwest suburban towns including Elk Grove Village , say having information on coronavirus patients would help increase the safety precautions paramedics , police and firefighters take before they arrive on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar controversy last week in McHenry County , where Sheriff Bill Prim -- along with police departments in Algonquin , Lake in the Hills , Woodstock and the city of McHenry -- sought the names of those infected with COVID-19 from the county health department .
Officials at the health agency argued that providing names would `` confer a false sense of security '' to police , who they said should be taking extra protective steps with all people they encounter .
After the department refused , the sheriff filed suit .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be provided .
But they must be kept confidential and purged from the 911 dispatch system seven days after the health department deems a patient no longer contagious , the judge ordered .
Johnson said he plans to push Cook County harder , even if it means similarly going to court .
`` If we have to take the next step , we will , '' he said .
John Ferraro , executive director of the Northwest Central Dispatch System , said for now his staff continues to negotiate with county health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released , knowing the addresses where there have been COVID-19-related illnesses would be helpful .
Ferraro said .
Also up for discussion with the county , Ferraro said , is the amount of time a name or address could remain in the dispatch computer system , with an expiration date of perhaps seven or 10 days .

Towns seek COVID-19 patient names from Cook County
Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson criticized Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle for refusing to provide names of COVID-19 patients to Northwest suburban 911 dispatchers. Johnson is pictured during a 2015 ribbon cutting event in Busse Woods attended by Preckwinkle, third from right. Daily Herald File Photo, 2015
Northwest Central Dispatch System and Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson want the Cook County Department of Public Health to release the names of people with the coronavirus to local first responders, but the request has so far been denied.
The rejection -- which Johnson said came from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle -- led the mayor to accuse the county's chief executive of being "more concerned about convicted criminals than first responders" after the release of some inmates from the jail over COVID-19 concerns.
"No one wants guards in prisons or anybody to get sick," Johnson said Wednesday. "But to put the priority of a convicted known criminal above protecting our first responders I think is insulting and embarrassing for her office."
A Preckwinkle spokesman referred comment to the health department, which did not respond Wednesday.
Johnson and officials from the Arlington Heights-based dispatch system, which answers 911 calls for 11 Northwest suburban towns including Elk Grove Village, say having information on coronavirus patients would help increase the safety precautions paramedics, police and firefighters take before they arrive on an emergency call.
The debate follows a similar controversy last week in McHenry County, where Sheriff Bill Prim -- along with police departments in Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Woodstock and the city of McHenry -- sought the names of those infected with COVID-19 from the county health department.
Officials at the health agency argued that providing names would "confer a false sense of security" to police, who they said should be taking extra protective steps with all people they encounter.
After the department refused, the sheriff filed suit. A judge ruled last Friday that the names must be provided. But they must be kept confidential and purged from the 911 dispatch system seven days after the health department deems a patient no longer contagious, the judge ordered.
Johnson said he plans to push Cook County harder, even if it means similarly going to court.
"If we have to take the next step, we will," he said.
John Ferraro, executive director of the Northwest Central Dispatch System, said for now his staff continues to negotiate with county health officials. Even if names are not released, knowing the addresses where there have been COVID-19-related illnesses would be helpful. Ferraro said.
Also up for discussion with the county, Ferraro said, is the amount of time a name or address could remain in the dispatch computer system, with an expiration date of perhaps seven or 10 days.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-15--'Dad Vader' surprises Arlington Heights girl on her birthday

`` Star Wars '' fan Bianca Carr received a big surprise on her fourth birthday when Darth Vader made an @ @ @ @ @ front of her home Wednesday in Arlington Heights .
Her dad , Eric , made @ @ @ @ @ in time to dress up as the movie villain and bring up the rear of @ @ @ @ @ than a dozen cars with family members and friends inside , as well as two @ @ @ @ @ `` She 's a big fan of Darth Vader , and he was supposed to @ @ @ @ @ said Jennifer Carr , Bianca 's mom .
`` She did n't know he was @ @ @ @ @ '' Bianca 's sister , Marissa , 7 , knew that it was their dad @ @ @ @ @ was n't until Eric unmasked that Bianca realized it was indeed her dad .
`` @ @ @ @ @ '' Jennifer said .
Shortly afterward , Bianca and Darth Vader engaged in a mock @ @ @ @ @ .

'Dad Vader' surprises Arlington Heights girl on her birthday
"Star Wars" fan Bianca Carr received a big surprise on her fourth birthday when Darth Vader made an appearance at a parade in front of her home Wednesday in Arlington Heights.
Her dad, Eric, made it home from work just in time to dress up as the movie villain and bring up the rear of a parade consisting of more than a dozen cars with family members and friends inside, as well as two Arlington Heights police vehicles.
"She's a big fan of Darth Vader, and he was supposed to be at work," said Jennifer Carr, Bianca's mom. "She didn't know he was going to be here."
Bianca's sister, Marissa, 7, knew that it was their dad under the costume. It wasn't until Eric unmasked that Bianca realized it was indeed her dad.
"She loves the villains," Jennifer said.
Shortly afterward, Bianca and Darth Vader engaged in a mock battle with foam-covered light sabers.
The family's birthday celebration included a "Star Wars" cake.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-16--5 things to know today - that aren't about the virus

Your daily look at late-breaking news , upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today : Israel @ @ @ @ @ to choose a new prime minister , giving parliament three weeks to agree upon a @ @ @ @ @ into an unprecedented fourth consecutive election .
Syria 's close ally Russia clashes with European @ @ @ @ @ Council over a watchdog report blaming the Syrian air force for a series of attacks @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
4 .
US JUDGE CANCELS PERMIT FOR KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE FROM CANADA A @ @ @ @ @ permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline that 's expected to stretch from Canada to @ @ @ @ @ : HALLADAY ON DRUGS , DOING STUNTS WHEN PLANE CRASHED A federal report says Baseball @ @ @ @ @ had drugs in his system and was doing extreme acrobatics in his small plane when @ @ @ @ @

5 things to know today - that aren't about the virus
FILE- In this Oct. 6, 2010 file photo, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay delivers to a Cincinnati Reds batter during the fifth inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series, in Philadelphia. Halladay had high levels of amphetamines in his system and was doing extreme acrobatics when he lost control of his small plane and nosedived into the Gulf of Mexico in 2017, killing him, a National Transportation Safety Board report issued Wednesday said. Associated Press
FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, a child rides a scooter past barricades at an entrance to Tower Grove Park in St. Louis. The entrance to the park has been closed to vehicle traffic in an effort to give visitors on foot more room to practice social distancing and help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Associated Press
The sun begins to rise through trees as Bluebells, also known as wild Hyacinth, bloom in the Hallerbos forest in Halle, Belgium, on Thursday, April 16, 2020. Bluebells are particularly associated with ancient woodland where it can dominate the forest floor to produce carpets of violet'"blue flowers. Associated Press
Thae Yong Ho, former North Korean diplomat, who defected to South Korea in 2016 and a candidate of the main opposition United Future Party, wipes his tear after he was certain to secure victory in the parliamentary elections in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 16, 2020. Thae on Thursday won a constituency seat in South Korea's parliamentary elections, the first such achievement among tens of thousands of North Koreans who have fled their authoritarian, impoverished homeland. (Shin Jun-hee/Yonhap via AP) Associated Press
FILE - In this March. 1, 2020 file photo, people walk next to election campaign billboards showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Benny Gantz, left, in Bnei Brak, Israel. Israel's president on Sunday, April 12, 2020, turned down a request from Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz for a two-week extension to form a new coalition government. The announcement means that Gantz and Netanyahu have a midnight deadline on Monday night to reach a power-sharing deal. If they fail, the country could be forced into a fourth consecutive election in just over a year. Associated Press
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
1. ISRAELI PRESIDENT ASKS PARLIAMENT TO CHOOSE PRIME MINISTER
Israel's president asks the Knesset to choose a new prime minister, giving parliament three weeks to agree upon a leader or plunge the country into an unprecedented fourth consecutive election.
2. NORTH DEFECTOR WINS SOUTH KOREAN PARLIAMENT SEAT
A former senior North Korean diplomat wins a constituency seat in South Korea's parliamentary elections.
3. RUSSIA, EUROPEANS CLASH OVER SYRIA CHEMICAL WEAPONS
Syria's close ally Russia clashes with European nations in the U.N. Security Council over a watchdog report blaming the Syrian air force for a series of attacks using sarin and chlorine in 2017.
4. US JUDGE CANCELS PERMIT FOR KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE FROM CANADA
A U.S. judge cancels a key permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline that's expected to stretch from Canada to Nebraska.
5. REPORT: HALLADAY ON DRUGS, DOING STUNTS WHEN PLANE CRASHED
A federal report says Baseball Hall of Famer Roy Halladay had drugs in his system and was doing extreme acrobatics in his small plane when it crashed in 2017.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-06--Already a day off for marijuana stores? Closures reflect scheduling, hiring challenges

It was time for a break Monday for employees of two shops selling recreational marijuana in the Northwest and West suburbs .
After launching to long lines on New Year 's Day and continuing sales the next four days , Rise Mundelein and Verilife in North Aurora joined some others across the state in closing Monday to give workers a day off .
In the first five days of the year , dispensaries across the state sold more than $ 10.8 million in recreational cannabis in 271,169 transactions , according to figures released Monday by the Illinois Department of Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year 's Day , the people of Illinois saw firsthand what is possible when we all come together in a spirit of compassion and unity around the power of cannabis to spread well-being , '' Rise Mundelein said on its website .
`` We believe that wellness is a right -- for everyone .
On Monday , Jan. 6 , we will be closing # RiseMundelein so that our dedicated staff may have a day to care for themselves and their families . ''
Store operators say their supply of dry flower cannabis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's closures had more to do with employee scheduling and low staffing than with product shortages in the state-regulated market .
Corporate employees of Pharmacann , which runs Verilife dispensaries , including one in North Aurora , have been helping fill retail shifts in an all-hands-on-deck approach since Jan. 1 , said Jeremy Unruh , director of public and regulatory affairs .
Qualified employees are at a premium as the recreational market launches , Unruh said , because they must have a `` dispensary agent '' card from the state , proving they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation .
Receiving an agent card can take weeks , Unruh said , making the hiring process slower for dispensaries than for other retail businesses .
So after five days of sales , Pharmacann closed its dispensaries Monday `` to give our employees a much-needed break , '' Unruh said .
EarthMed in Addison , however , was open on Monday .
The store had taken a breather Sunday , remaining open then only for medical patients , for whom all dispensaries are required to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whatever flower we get is pretty much dedicated to them , '' EarthMed 's Chief Operating Officer Mike Perez said .
So by Monday , EarthMed -- a dispensary that is not `` vertically integrated '' with a cultivator as part of the same business -- was selling primarily edibles and vapes to recreational customers .
`` Right now it 's a scramble just to get product from anybody , '' Perez said .
EarthMed and other stores have dealt with flower cannabis shortages from licensed Illinois growers by limiting the amount each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that meant many customers could n't get as much as they wanted of their top-choice product , but `` nobody was turned away if they wanted to purchase some type of cannabis . ''
News stories warning of potential shortages as the state 's 16 growers ramp up production told customers what they could encounter in search of their first legal marijuana , Unruh said .
`` It was chilly , it was crowded and there were n't as many products as we would have liked to have available , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody had a smile on their face .
Most people had a pretty good grasp of what to expect . ''

Already a day off for marijuana stores? Closures reflect scheduling, hiring challenges
A screen grab of Rise Mundelein's website tells customers it is closed Monday to give its employees rest following a busy first five days of selling recreational marijuana. Courtesy of Rise Mundelein
It was time for a break Monday for employees of two shops selling recreational marijuana in the Northwest and West suburbs.
After launching to long lines on New Year's Day and continuing sales the next four days, Rise Mundelein and Verilife in North Aurora joined some others across the state in closing Monday to give workers a day off.
In the first five days of the year, dispensaries across the state sold more than $10.8 million in recreational cannabis in 271,169 transactions, according to figures released Monday by the Illinois Department of Federal and Professional Regulation.
"On New Year's Day, the people of Illinois saw firsthand what is possible when we all come together in a spirit of compassion and unity around the power of cannabis to spread well-being," Rise Mundelein said on its website. "We believe that wellness is a right -- for everyone. On Monday, Jan. 6, we will be closing #RiseMundelein so that our dedicated staff may have a day to care for themselves and their families."
Store operators say their supply of dry flower cannabis continues to be limited, but Monday's closures had more to do with employee scheduling and low staffing than with product shortages in the state-regulated market.
Corporate employees of Pharmacann, which runs Verilife dispensaries, including one in North Aurora, have been helping fill retail shifts in an all-hands-on-deck approach since Jan. 1, said Jeremy Unruh, director of public and regulatory affairs.
Qualified employees are at a premium as the recreational market launches, Unruh said, because they must have a "dispensary agent" card from the state, proving they've been fingerprinted, background-checked and registered with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Receiving an agent card can take weeks, Unruh said, making the hiring process slower for dispensaries than for other retail businesses.
So after five days of sales, Pharmacann closed its dispensaries Monday "to give our employees a much-needed break," Unruh said.
EarthMed in Addison, however, was open on Monday. The store had taken a breather Sunday, remaining open then only for medical patients, for whom all dispensaries are required to keep a one-month supply in stock.
"Whatever flower we get is pretty much dedicated to them," EarthMed's Chief Operating Officer Mike Perez said.
So by Monday, EarthMed -- a dispensary that is not "vertically integrated" with a cultivator as part of the same business -- was selling primarily edibles and vapes to recreational customers.
"Right now it's a scramble just to get product from anybody," Perez said.
EarthMed and other stores have dealt with flower cannabis shortages from licensed Illinois growers by limiting the amount each recreational customer can buy. Unruh said that meant many customers couldn't get as much as they wanted of their top-choice product, but "nobody was turned away if they wanted to purchase some type of cannabis."
News stories warning of potential shortages as the state's 16 growers ramp up production told customers what they could encounter in search of their first legal marijuana, Unruh said.
"It was chilly, it was crowded and there weren't as many products as we would have liked to have available," he said. "But by and large, everybody had a smile on their face. Most people had a pretty good grasp of what to expect."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-06--Peppa Pig play center to replace Rainforest Cafe at Woodfield

Work is under way on the transformation of the 24-year-old Rainforest Cafe site at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg into the third Peppa Pig Indoor Play Center in the nation , and the fourth in the world .
The business -- with existing U.S. locations in Grapevine , Texas ; Auburn Hills , Michigan ; and Shanghai -- is based on the British animated children 's TV program `` Peppa Pig . ''
It 's expected to feature 14 themed areas of free-roaming play for preschool-aged children .
The Schaumburg location is expected to occupy the entire 23,000-square-foot space on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by Rainforest Cafe before it closed New Year 's Day , Woodfield Mall spokeswoman Bonni Pear said .
It is no coincidence that one kid-friendly venue at the mall is being replaced by another , she added .
`` This was a strategic decision based on meeting the needs of the Woodfield shopper -- specifically the Woodfield family shopper , '' Pear said .
Woodfield officials do not have an exact date for the opening of the new business and representatives of Peppa Pig World of Play did not immediately respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pig World of Play website lists a Spring 2020 opening for the Woodfield location .

Peppa Pig play center to replace Rainforest Cafe at Woodfield
Work is under way on the transformation of the 24-year-old Rainforest Cafe site at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg into the third Peppa Pig World of Play Indoor Play Center in the nation, and the fourth in the world.
The business -- with existing U.S. locations in Grapevine, Texas; Auburn Hills, Michigan; and Shanghai -- is based on the British animated children's TV program "Peppa Pig." It's expected to feature 14 themed areas of free-roaming play for preschool-aged children.
The Schaumburg location is expected to occupy the entire 23,000-square-foot space on the lower level of the Sears wing previously used by Rainforest Cafe before it closed New Year's Day, Woodfield Mall spokeswoman Bonni Pear said.
It is no coincidence that one kid-friendly venue at the mall is being replaced by another, she added.
"This was a strategic decision based on meeting the needs of the Woodfield shopper -- specifically the Woodfield family shopper," Pear said.
Representatives of Peppa Pig World of Play said the Woodfield venue is slated to open in summer 2020 and will include some new additions the earlier play centers don't have.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-07--Constable: Where do you go after being king at Medieval Times?

Actor Dave Gordon of Bartlett started his professional theater career in 1981 as the jester in `` The King 's Manor , '' Chicago's defunct but groundbreaking medieval dinner theater .
In 2007 , he got quite the promotion .
`` I got the best job in the world , '' Gordon says .
`` I started as king at Medieval Times . ''
His rise through the ranks of royalty resulted in rousing renditions of Gordon reigning over knights ' battles of steeds and swords at the iconic Medieval Times in Schaumburg .
The king rode in on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the knights and presided over the action from his throne .
Fans would praise him during the cast 's post-show meet-and-greet with the audience .
Children would ask him if he was really king and lived in the castle .
`` Sure .
In that tower over there , '' Gordon would tell them for more than a decade .
Then came a revolution of sorts in all 10 Medieval Times castles nationwide and in Canada .
`` They decided we were going to have a queen in charge , '' Gordon says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being ruled by a man , the princess character explained her promotion by announcing `` the passing of my father , the king '' to the crowd .
`` I 'm going to say , looking at me , '' the 63-year-old Gordon says as he strokes his white beard , `` the king died of old age . ''
While some men bemoan the erosion of traditional male power , Gordon embraces the matriarchal new look with a queen and female falconers that started in 2018 .
`` I really thought it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Gordon , a father of adult twin daughters .
He has a fondness for strong female characters , and his daughters , Erin and Caty , also act in theater productions .
His wife , Mollie , acts .
Her son , Zac Clark , is a filmmaker .
Gordon had a nice run as king .
The king is dead .
Long live Gordon the actor .
`` They could have just eliminated us , '' Gordon says of the actors who portrayed the king at Medieval Times , which often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gordon now plays Lord Chancellor , a wise and traditional adviser to the queen .
Sometimes , he plays Lord Marshall , the master of ceremonies , who spends about half his time on horseback .
With a career in mortgage banking , Gordon has a job with benefits at U.S. Bank as a senior trainer who works in the classroom and online .
But he 's taken side jobs as an actor for nearly 40 years .
Growing up in Mount Prospect and Elk Grove Village , Gordon , a gymnast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School Class of 1974 , did n't get involved with theater until his senior year .
He credits then-theater director Judee Ross with igniting his passion .
`` She turned me on to acting , '' Gordon says .
`` She gave me the bug . ''
With his mother , Ginie Rood , working in the airline industry , Gordon planned on becoming a commercial pilot .
But his less than perfect vision and a glut of pilots returning home from the Vietnam War changed those plans .
He studied at Harper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared in `` Godspell '' under the direction of Mary Jo Willis , founder of the theater program at Harper .
He played Sheriff Bob at the defunct Dry Gulch Dinner Theater in Schiller Park , the gangster Vito at Tommy Gun 's Garage in Chicago , and John Adams in a production of `` 1776 . ''
In 2014 , he landed the title role as the murderous barber in Harper 's production of `` Sweeney Todd . ''
That role was so physically demanding , Gordon gave up his four-decade smoking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his gig at Medieval Times , Gordon grew a ponytail and his white beard to give him some gravitas .
He was thrown from a horse once -- backstage , of course -- at Medieval Times , but avoided serious injury .
He says his roles at Medieval Times are rewarding , and he hopes to do them for as long as he is able .
`` I get to work with horses and tremendously talented athletes , '' says Gordon , who feeds off the reaction of the crowd .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole thing .
It 's magical . ''

Constable: Where do you go after being king at Medieval Times?
In his first professional acting gig in 1981, Dave Gordon, kneeling in front, landed the role as jester in The King's Manor dinner theater in Chicago. In 2007, the Bartlett actor started an 11-year career as king at Medieval Times in Schaumburg. Courtesy of Dave Gordon
Posing with his twin daughters, Erin, left, and Caty, Dave Gordon starred as Sheriff Bob at the Dry Gulch Dinner Theater in Schiller Park from 1988 until 1994. Courtesy of Dave Gordon
Actor Dave Gordon of Bartlett started his professional theater career in 1981 as the jester in "The King's Manor," Chicago's defunct but groundbreaking medieval dinner theater. In 2007, he got quite the promotion.
"I got the best job in the world," Gordon says. "I started as king at Medieval Times."
His rise through the ranks of royalty resulted in rousing renditions of Gordon reigning over knights' battles of steeds and swords at the iconic Medieval Times in Schaumburg. The king rode in on a horse, greeted the crowd, commanded the knights and presided over the action from his throne.
Fans would praise him during the cast's post-show meet-and-greet with the audience. Children would ask him if he was really king and lived in the castle.
"Sure. In that tower over there," Gordon would tell them for more than a decade.
Then came a revolution of sorts in all 10 Medieval Times castles nationwide and in Canada.
"They decided we were going to have a queen in charge," Gordon says. Ending 34 years of the castle being ruled by a man, the princess character explained her promotion by announcing "the passing of my father, the king" to the crowd.
For more than a decade, actor Dave Gordon of Bartlett played the king at Medieval Times in Schaumburg. But he praises the decision to kill off his character and promote the princess. Now, Gordon plays an adviser to the queen. - Courtesy of Dave Gordon
"I'm going to say, looking at me," the 63-year-old Gordon says as he strokes his white beard, "the king died of old age."
While some men bemoan the erosion of traditional male power, Gordon embraces the matriarchal new look with a queen and female falconers that started in 2018.
"I really thought it was cool of Medieval Times," says Gordon, a father of adult twin daughters. He has a fondness for strong female characters, and his daughters, Erin and Caty, also act in theater productions. His wife, Mollie, acts. Her son, Zac Clark, is a filmmaker.
Gordon had a nice run as king. The king is dead. Long live Gordon the actor.
"They could have just eliminated us," Gordon says of the actors who portrayed the king at Medieval Times, which often has three shows a day. Instead, Gordon now plays Lord Chancellor, a wise and traditional adviser to the queen. Sometimes, he plays Lord Marshall, the master of ceremonies, who spends about half his time on horseback.
With a career in mortgage banking, Gordon has a job with benefits at U.S. Bank as a senior trainer who works in the classroom and online. But he's taken side jobs as an actor for nearly 40 years.
A member of the Class of 1974, Dave Gordon, right, appeared in this Forest View High School production of "Plaza Suite" as a senior. In the four decades since, the Bartlett actor has played a jester, sheriff, gangster, founding father, murderer and king in many productions. - Courtesy of Dave Gordon
Growing up in Mount Prospect and Elk Grove Village, Gordon, a gymnast and member of the Forest View High School Class of 1974, didn't get involved with theater until his senior year. He credits then-theater director Judee Ross with igniting his passion.
"She turned me on to acting," Gordon says. "She gave me the bug."
With his mother, Ginie Rood, working in the airline industry, Gordon planned on becoming a commercial pilot. But his less than perfect vision and a glut of pilots returning home from the Vietnam War changed those plans. He studied at Harper College in Palatine instead, where he appeared in "Godspell" under the direction of Mary Jo Willis, founder of the theater program at Harper.
He played Sheriff Bob at the defunct Dry Gulch Dinner Theater in Schiller Park, the gangster Vito at Tommy Gun's Garage in Chicago, and John Adams in a production of "1776." In 2014, he landed the title role as the murderous barber in Harper's production of "Sweeney Todd."
The title role as the murderous barber in this 2014 production of "Sweeney Todd" at Harper College was so physically demanding, actor Dave Gordon says it forced him to quit smoking. - Courtesy of Dave Gordon
That role was so physically demanding, Gordon gave up his four-decade smoking habit to handle the rigors. For his gig at Medieval Times, Gordon grew a ponytail and his white beard to give him some gravitas.
He was thrown from a horse once -- backstage, of course -- at Medieval Times, but avoided serious injury.
He says his roles at Medieval Times are rewarding, and he hopes to do them for as long as he is able.
"I get to work with horses and tremendously talented athletes," says Gordon, who feeds off the reaction of the crowd. "When their eyes light up, that's the whole thing. It's magical."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-06--Buffalo Grove trustees OK marijuana dispensary on Milwaukee Avenue

A new combination recreational and medical marijuana dispensary in Buffalo Grove passed its final test Monday , when the village board voted to allow PDI Medical to set up quarters at 830-840 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the Shops of Buffalo Grove .
PDI Medical will move out of the medical dispensary it operates at 1623 Barclay Blvd .
and shift its operation to a new 4,900-square-foot facility sandwiched between a Starbucks and a T-Mobile store .
The store could open as early as March .
The vote was 4-1 , with Trustee David Weidenfeld casting the lone no vote and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's meeting .
Trustees Gregory Pike , Eric Smith , Joanne Johnson and Andrew Stein voted in favor .
The lopsided vote did not reflect the sharply divided opinion of the village 's planning and zoning commission , which , with a split 4-4 vote , punted to the trustees by declining to make a recommendation .
But some of the issues raised by the commissioners and the public surfaced during the discussion before the village board .
Dennis Lubchenko , who operates Attention to Wellness , an addiction treatment facility in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his center is only 350 feet away from the new dispensary location .
The proximity , he said , could hurt the treatment of his patients struggling with marijuana use disorder .
`` These people are very vulnerable , and going to counseling sessions near a marijuana dispensary would be detrimental to their treatment , '' he said .
The zoning regulations , out of courtesy to OMNI Youth Services , created a 1,000-foot buffer from substance abuse treatment or counseling centers .
But Deputy Village Manager Christopher Stilling pointed out that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the village 's boundaries .
Trustee Joanne Johnson , noting that the ordinance was created out of consideration for OMNI , pointed out that `` OMNI itself was located right across the street from a Dominick 's that sold lottery tickets and liquor for decades , and if they were treating people with addictions to those things , why was n't that an issue ? ''
Regarding concerns about the impact on teenage use , Trustee Andrew Stein said the only people under 21 allowed to enter the facility will be those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffalo Grove residents are being treated at Attention to Wellness , so it does n't matter whether the treatment center is outside the border .
`` It has more to do with how we 're going to treat these folks and whether we care what the impact is beyond our borders , '' he said .

Buffalo Grove trustees OK marijuana dispensary on Milwaukee Avenue
Medical marijuana retailer PDI Medical will move out of the medical dispensary it operates at 1623 Barclay Blvd. and shift its operation to a new 4,900-square-foot facility on Milwaukee Avenue. daily herald file photo, 2016
A new combination recreational and medical marijuana dispensary in Buffalo Grove passed its final test Monday, when the village board voted to allow PDI Medical to set up quarters at 830-840 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the Shops of Buffalo Grove.
PDI Medical will move out of the medical dispensary it operates at 1623 Barclay Blvd. and shift its operation to a new 4,900-square-foot facility sandwiched between a Starbucks and a T-Mobile store. The store could open as early as March.
The vote was 4-1, with Trustee David Weidenfeld casting the lone no vote and Trustee Lester Ottenheimer III absent from Monday's meeting. Trustees Gregory Pike, Eric Smith, Joanne Johnson and Andrew Stein voted in favor.
The lopsided vote did not reflect the sharply divided opinion of the village's planning and zoning commission, which, with a split 4-4 vote, punted to the trustees by declining to make a recommendation.
But some of the issues raised by the commissioners and the public surfaced during the discussion before the village board.
Dennis Lubchenko, who operates Attention to Wellness, an addiction treatment facility in an unincorporated area near Buffalo Grove, said his center is only 350 feet away from the new dispensary location. The proximity, he said, could hurt the treatment of his patients struggling with marijuana use disorder.
"These people are very vulnerable, and going to counseling sessions near a marijuana dispensary would be detrimental to their treatment," he said.
The zoning regulations, out of courtesy to OMNI Youth Services, created a 1,000-foot buffer from substance abuse treatment or counseling centers. But Deputy Village Manager Christopher Stilling pointed out that the buffer applies only to treatment facilities within the village's boundaries.
Trustee Joanne Johnson, noting that the ordinance was created out of consideration for OMNI, pointed out that "OMNI itself was located right across the street from a Dominick's that sold lottery tickets and liquor for decades, and if they were treating people with addictions to those things, why wasn't that an issue?"
Regarding concerns about the impact on teenage use, Trustee Andrew Stein said the only people under 21 allowed to enter the facility will be those with a medical card.
But Weidenfeld said Buffalo Grove residents are being treated at Attention to Wellness, so it doesn't matter whether the treatment center is outside the border.
"It has more to do with how we're going to treat these folks and whether we care what the impact is beyond our borders," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-06--State will stop helping towns collect on red-light camera tickets

SPRINGFIELD -- Pressure is mounting on red-light camera operators as Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Monday that , beginning Feb. 6 , her office will no longer assist municipalities in collecting fines for violations caught by the devices .
`` Over the years , it has become clear that these red-light cameras were less about keeping people safe and more about collecting revenue , '' Mendoza said in a street-corner Chicago news conference overlooked by a red-light camera .
The cameras are automated devices that photograph vehicles if they pass through a red light without stopping , and generate a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Local governments typically split the revenue from citations with vendors that place the cameras .
`` They were sold as a way to prevent motorists from racing through the intersections , but the stories have shown they are now more about charging people high fines for failing to come to a complete stop as they make a right turn on red at intersections where right turns on red are allowed , '' said Mendoza , a Chicago Democrat .
Mendoza said the comptroller 's office has been helping collect red-light fines since 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the comptroller 's offset system -- which withholds state income tax refunds or other state payments -- to collect traffic fines including red-light violations .
Historically , this system had been used to collect child support , overpayment of benefits and other types of debt , the comptroller 's office said .
Mendoza said her office helped collect about $ 11 million in revenue specific to red-light cameras last year .
The comptroller 's office said it does not collect red-light camera fines for Chicago , but a growing percentage of offset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's suburbs .
Beginning Feb. 6 , that arrangement , which Mendoza called `` plain rotten , '' will end .
`` It exploits taxpayers and especially those who struggle to pay the fines imposed , often the working poor and communities of color , '' she said .
Beyond that , red-light cameras have been a source of public corruption and FBI scrutiny , the comptroller said .
When federal agents in September raided the statehouse office of Sen. Martin Sandoval , a Chicago Democrat , they were looking for information on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera company based in Chicago .
Sandoval has since resigned .
The company has been named in several other news reports regarding the ongoing federal corruption probe of several statehouse insiders and local government officials , although its CEO denied any wrongdoing from the company in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times in October .
In a news release , Mendoza urged municipalities to `` take a second look at any contracts with red-light camera companies and determine if those contracts were procured properly in light of recent news reports and criminal investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship with government officials . ''
Otherwise , she said , municipalities can contract with private debt collectors .
`` We ca n't unilaterally end this program , but we can certainly end our participation in anything that would take money away from people who can least afford to pay it , '' Mendoza said .
Pressure on red-light camera operators continues to mount in the General Assembly as well .
State Sen. Emil Jones III , a Chicago Democrat , advanced Senate Bill 1297 in a Senate committee during the fall veto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois Department of Transportation to study `` automated traffic law enforcement systems '' and report back to lawmakers `` on the overall operation , usage , permit process , and regulation '' of the devices .
It did not , however , receive a vote from the full chamber .
Multiple bills providing for an outright ban of the devices -- including Barrington Hills Republican Rep. David Mcsweeney 's House Bill 323 and Naperville Republican Rep. Grant Wehrli 's House Bill 3909 -- have gained bipartisan support .
Rep. Kambium Buckner , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which would ban the devices as well .
Those bills await assignment to a substantial committee in the Illinois House .

State will stop helping towns collect on red-light camera tickets
Courtesy of Illinois Comptroller's OfficeState Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces Monday in Chicago that her office will end its participation in the collection of red-light camera fines.
SPRINGFIELD -- Pressure is mounting on red-light camera operators as Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Monday that, beginning Feb. 6, her office will no longer assist municipalities in collecting fines for violations caught by the devices.
"Over the years, it has become clear that these red-light cameras were less about keeping people safe and more about collecting revenue," Mendoza said in a street-corner Chicago news conference overlooked by a red-light camera.
The cameras are automated devices that photograph vehicles if they pass through a red light without stopping, and generate a citation to the vehicle's owner. Local governments typically split the revenue from citations with vendors that place the cameras.
"They were sold as a way to prevent motorists from racing through the intersections, but the stories have shown they are now more about charging people high fines for failing to come to a complete stop as they make a right turn on red at intersections where right turns on red are allowed," said Mendoza, a Chicago Democrat.
Mendoza said the comptroller's office has been helping collect red-light fines since 2012 after the General Assembly allowed municipalities to use the comptroller's offset system -- which withholds state income tax refunds or other state payments -- to collect traffic fines including red-light violations.
Historically, this system had been used to collect child support, overpayment of benefits and other types of debt, the comptroller's office said.
Mendoza said her office helped collect about $11 million in revenue specific to red-light cameras last year.
The comptroller's office said it does not collect red-light camera fines for Chicago, but a growing percentage of offset collections have involved violations from the city's suburbs. Beginning Feb. 6, that arrangement, which Mendoza called "plain rotten," will end.
"It exploits taxpayers and especially those who struggle to pay the fines imposed, often the working poor and communities of color," she said.
Beyond that, red-light cameras have been a source of public corruption and FBI scrutiny, the comptroller said.
When federal agents in September raided the statehouse office of Sen. Martin Sandoval, a Chicago Democrat, they were looking for information on SafeSpeed LLC, a politically connected red-light camera company based in Chicago. Sandoval has since resigned.
The company has been named in several other news reports regarding the ongoing federal corruption probe of several statehouse insiders and local government officials, although its CEO denied any wrongdoing from the company in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times in October.
In a news release, Mendoza urged municipalities to "take a second look at any contracts with red-light camera companies and determine if those contracts were procured properly in light of recent news reports and criminal investigations concerning the red-light camera industry and its relationship with government officials."
Otherwise, she said, municipalities can contract with private debt collectors.
"We can't unilaterally end this program, but we can certainly end our participation in anything that would take money away from people who can least afford to pay it," Mendoza said.
Pressure on red-light camera operators continues to mount in the General Assembly as well.
State Sen. Emil Jones III, a Chicago Democrat, advanced Senate Bill 1297 in a Senate committee during the fall veto session. That bill calls on the Illinois Department of Transportation to study "automated traffic law enforcement systems" and report back to lawmakers "on the overall operation, usage, permit process, and regulation" of the devices.
It did not, however, receive a vote from the full chamber.
Multiple bills providing for an outright ban of the devices -- including Barrington Hills Republican Rep. David Mcsweeney's House Bill 323 and Naperville Republican Rep. Grant Wehrli's House Bill 3909 -- have gained bipartisan support. Rep. Kambium Buckner, a Chicago Democrat, sponsored House Bill 3927, which would ban the devices as well.
Those bills await assignment to a substantial committee in the Illinois House.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-06--Barrington's Catlow Theater plans to resume movies Friday

While the owner of downtown Barrington 's historic Catlow Theater continues to seek financial assistance to keep the cinema afloat , plans call for movies to resume Friday .
Catlow owner Tim O'Connor announced that `` Little Women '' will be shown at the single-screen movie house , with showings at 5:10 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday , and 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday .
`` Future movies here will be a week-to-week thing until we get back on our feet , so , of course , we will need heavy , heavy , heavy support during this feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Catlow , '' O'Connor wrote in an email to customers Monday .
The email comes just days after a message was posted on the theater 's website announcing it was closed `` until further notice . ''
When it opened in 1927 , the Catlow featured silent films and hosted vaudeville performances with stars such as Gene Autry and Sally Rand .
It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989 .
O'Connor has said the Catlow is falling into disrepair and that there has been a lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revival-style , one-screen theater on Main Street .
`` We still need your help to get us to the next level -- a live stage venue , '' O'Connor said in his request for donations in an online fundraising effort .
Catlow Theater LP filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in U.S. District Court in Chicago on Oct. 8 , records show .
Movie studios make up the majority of the 17 creditors listed in the federal filing .

Barrington's Catlow Theater plans to resume movies Friday
While the owner of downtown Barrington's historic Catlow Theater continues to seek financial assistance to keep the cinema afloat, plans call for movies to resume Friday.
Catlow owner Tim O'Connor announced that "Little Women" will be shown at the single-screen movie house, with showings at 5:10 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
"Future movies here will be a week-to-week thing until we get back on our feet, so, of course, we will need heavy, heavy, heavy support during this feature's run to keep things moving along at the Catlow," O'Connor wrote in an email to customers Monday.
The email comes just days after a message was posted on the theater's website announcing it was closed "until further notice."
When it opened in 1927, the Catlow featured silent films and hosted vaudeville performances with stars such as Gene Autry and Sally Rand. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989.
O'Connor has said the Catlow is falling into disrepair and that there has been a lack of interest in movies at the Tudor Revival-style, one-screen theater on Main Street.
"We still need your help to get us to the next level -- a live stage venue," O'Connor said in his request for donations in an online fundraising effort.
Catlow Theater LP filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in U.S. District Court in Chicago on Oct. 8, records show. Movie studios make up the majority of the 17 creditors listed in the federal filing.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-06--Vietnamese restaurant to open in far north Palatine

Banh mi sandwiches , pho and other Vietnamese cuisine should be available by summer in a revitalized Palatine strip mall at Lake-Cook and Hicks roads .
Palatine village council members Monday night approved a special-use permit for Viet Taste , paving the way for it to fill vacant space at Lake Cook Commons .
Palatine will be Viet Taste 's third location , joining restaurants in Libertyville and Norridge .
Viet Taste will take over space previously occupied by the Lal Qila restaurant , which served Pakistani and Indian cuisine at the northeast corner of Hicks and Lake-Cook bordering Long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats for the restaurant .
Terry Yormark II 's TRY Real Estate Management LLC of Inverness purchased what was a rundown strip mall about three years ago .
He said Viet Taste will bring the occupancy to 70 % when it opens in late spring or early summer .
Yormark said it takes a significant capital and staffing commitment for a 4,800-square-foot eatery and that it was a `` no brainer '' when Viet Taste owner Binh `` Tony '' Nguyen showed interest in the Lake Cook Commons space .
`` There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you own a mall , '' Yormark said after Monday 's village council session .
`` One is filling it up , obviously , but the second thing you want to do it fill it up with the right people and the right tenants . ''
In addition to the pho -- a beef-stock noodle soup typically served with a choice of add-ins and topped with cilantro and onion -- and banh mi sandwiches , Viet Taste 's menu has vermicelli noodle salads , rice plates and bubble tea .
Nguyen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viet Taste 's aggressive expansion plan for this year .
`` For my team , we plan to open eight to 10 of them this year , '' Nguyen said .
`` In Palatine , we do n't have any Vietnamese food here . ''
Lake Cook Commons has received a new roof , renovated parking lot , improved lighting and other upgrades since TRY Real Estate bought it .
Yormark helped to increase the center 's occupancy by starting Fast Laundry , which he said has had promotions such as a Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa Claus .

Vietnamese restaurant to open in far north Palatine
Banh mi sandwiches, pho and other Vietnamese cuisine should be available by summer in a revitalized Palatine strip mall at Lake-Cook and Hicks roads.
Palatine village council members Monday night approved a special-use permit for Viet Taste, paving the way for it to fill vacant space at Lake Cook Commons. Palatine will be Viet Taste's third location, joining restaurants in Libertyville and Norridge.
Viet Taste will take over space previously occupied by the Lal Qila restaurant, which served Pakistani and Indian cuisine at the northeast corner of Hicks and Lake-Cook bordering Long Grove. Viet Taste projects about 100 seats for the restaurant.
Terry Yormark II's TRY Real Estate Management LLC of Inverness purchased what was a rundown strip mall about three years ago. He said Viet Taste will bring the occupancy to 70% when it opens in late spring or early summer.
Yormark said it takes a significant capital and staffing commitment for a 4,800-square-foot eatery and that it was a "no brainer" when Viet Taste owner Binh "Tony" Nguyen showed interest in the Lake Cook Commons space.
"There's two things you want to look at when you own a mall," Yormark said after Monday's village council session. "One is filling it up, obviously, but the second thing you want to do it fill it up with the right people and the right tenants."
In addition to the pho -- a beef-stock noodle soup typically served with a choice of add-ins and topped with cilantro and onion -- and banh mi sandwiches, Viet Taste's menu has vermicelli noodle salads, rice plates and bubble tea.
Nguyen said the Palatine location will be part of Viet Taste's aggressive expansion plan for this year.
"For my team, we plan to open eight to 10 of them this year," Nguyen said. "In Palatine, we don't have any Vietnamese food here."
Lake Cook Commons has received a new roof, renovated parking lot, improved lighting and other upgrades since TRY Real Estate bought it. Yormark helped to increase the center's occupancy by starting Fast Laundry, which he said has had promotions such as a Chicago Bulls ticket giveaway and an appearance by Santa Claus.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-06--At last, a master plan for Lakewood Forest Preserve?

The future look of the Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda is coming into focus with the pending approval of the first master plan for the preserve since its creation more than 50 years ago .
Planned changes at Lake County 's largest forest preserve are intended to improve accessibility , consolidate uses in a smaller area and take other steps to downsize and reduce operation and maintenance costs .
The plan , a blend of two alternatives , calls for $ 5.1 million in public improvements .
A forest preserve team from six different departments began a detailed study of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years ago .
The process included an open house and public comment period that drew more than 350 observations .
`` The important thing is we did hear and listen to the comments and did respond to those , '' said Randy Seebach , director of planning and land preservation for the forest preserve district .
Among the changes : Lakewood would have six access points instead of 10 ; 461 parking stalls instead of 805 ; 14,759 square feet of buildings rather than 46,540 square feet ; 17.6 acres of lawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more acres of proposed reforestation .
Three shelters and a group camping area would be removed , but new shelters , including a three-season structure overlooking Taylor Lake , would be built .
An accessible asphalt loop trail is planned , as are connections to a proposed Wauconda bike path and a 1.6-mile trail from Milton Road to Lakewood 's core area .
Forest preserve commissioners were briefed Monday , and the master plan for public improvements and habitat restoration was recommended for approval .
An official vote by the full board is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the preserve that is now a sprawling expansive bisected by two main roads -- Route 176 and Fairfield Road -- has been a long time coming .
`` We 've been trying to do a master plan for 15 years or more -- maybe 20 , '' Seebach said .
In 1968 , the then-fledgling district bought the 1,020-acre Lakewood Farms , which operated from 1937 to 1965 .
As a result of 51 land transactions since , Lakewood has grown to 2,835 acres .
The preserve has an abundance of natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it expanded without a coordinated approach .
`` It really became a model of inefficiency because of that , '' according to Seebach .
Efforts to begin a master plan process were stalled about 15 years ago because of a lack of direction regarding 16 former dairy farm buildings and the presence since the mid-1970s of what then was known as the Lake County Discovery Museum .
The slate for changes was cleared with board direction to demolish all buildings but the main dairy barn and silos , and the museum 's move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pending board approval , engineering on the changes proposed by the plan will begin shortly , but construction is not anticipated to begin until next year .
The work would take 18 months .

At last, a master plan for Lakewood Forest Preserve?
The future look of the Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda is coming into focus with the pending approval of the first master plan for the preserve since its creation more than 50 years ago.
Planned changes at Lake County's largest forest preserve are intended to improve accessibility, consolidate uses in a smaller area and take other steps to downsize and reduce operation and maintenance costs.
The plan, a blend of two alternatives, calls for $5.1 million in public improvements.
A forest preserve team from six different departments began a detailed study of the facilities and conditions at Lakewood nearly three years ago. The process included an open house and public comment period that drew more than 350 observations.
"The important thing is we did hear and listen to the comments and did respond to those," said Randy Seebach, director of planning and land preservation for the forest preserve district.
Among the changes: Lakewood would have six access points instead of 10; 461 parking stalls instead of 805; 14,759 square feet of buildings rather than 46,540 square feet; 17.6 acres of lawn rather than 40 acres; and 1,000 more acres of proposed reforestation.
Three shelters and a group camping area would be removed, but new shelters, including a three-season structure overlooking Taylor Lake, would be built. An accessible asphalt loop trail is planned, as are connections to a proposed Wauconda bike path and a 1.6-mile trail from Milton Road to Lakewood's core area.
Forest preserve commissioners were briefed Monday, and the master plan for public improvements and habitat restoration was recommended for approval. An official vote by the full board is expected Jan. 14.
A big-picture plan for the preserve that is now a sprawling expansive bisected by two main roads -- Route 176 and Fairfield Road -- has been a long time coming.
"We've been trying to do a master plan for 15 years or more -- maybe 20," Seebach said.
In 1968, the then-fledgling district bought the 1,020-acre Lakewood Farms, which operated from 1937 to 1965. As a result of 51 land transactions since, Lakewood has grown to 2,835 acres.
The preserve has an abundance of natural features, trails and activities. But it expanded without a coordinated approach.
"It really became a model of inefficiency because of that," according to Seebach.
Efforts to begin a master plan process were stalled about 15 years ago because of a lack of direction regarding 16 former dairy farm buildings and the presence since the mid-1970s of what then was known as the Lake County Discovery Museum.
The slate for changes was cleared with board direction to demolish all buildings but the main dairy barn and silos, and the museum's move to district's headquarters in Libertyville.
Pending board approval, engineering on the changes proposed by the plan will begin shortly, but construction is not anticipated to begin until next year. The work would take 18 months.