dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-10--Indian Prairie District 204 to continue with remote learning through Thanksgiving break

With COVID-19 cases rising substantially in the suburbs , Indian Prairie Unit District 204 is again delaying its plan to start bringing students back to the classroom .
The district had been preparing to transition from an e-learning format into a hybrid model at the beginning of this month , but a recent surge in the number of positive tests prompted officials to delay the plan until Nov. 13 .
As coronavirus metrics in the Naperville and Aurora areas continue to trend in the wrong direction , Superintendent Adrian Talley announced Tuesday the district will continue with remote learning until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 .
District 204 also is postponing its basketball season , with hopes of starting it later in the academic year `` when it is safe to do so , '' Talley said in a letter to the community .
The Illinois High School Association board recently announced basketball could be held as a winter sport , despite a conflicting message from the Illinois Department of Public Health .
The lack of cohesive guidance is disappointing , said Talley , who has been in discussions with the district 's attorney , insurance company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conference .
`` All are in agreement that due to liability concerns , we will postpone basketball at this time , '' he said , noting student athletes will be notified soon of additional opportunities `` to progress and sharpen their skills . ''
DuPage County Health Department data shows a weekly infection rate of 312 new cases per 100,000 people , up from 152 two weeks ago .
The rate in Will County increased from 179 to 332 new cases per 100,000 residents in the same period , according to the Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have increased in both counties , which remain at a `` substantial '' level of community transmission .
The area must move from a `` substantial '' to a `` moderate '' transmission level for two consecutive weeks before the district transitions into hybrid learning , Talley said .
During a school board meeting Monday , district officials explained how social-emotional skills and mental health resources are being incorporated into the remote learning model at all grade levels .
Despite concerns expressed by some parents and community members , Talley said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been trained and are implementing strategies districtwide to address the needs of students through the pandemic .

Indian Prairie District 204 to continue with remote learning through Thanksgiving break
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 schools, including Metea Valley High School in Aurora, will continue with remote learning at least through Thanksgiving break due to a rise of COVID-19 cases, Superintendent Adrian Talley said Tuesday. Daily Herald file photo
With COVID-19 cases rising substantially in the suburbs, Indian Prairie Unit District 204 is again delaying its plan to start bringing students back to the classroom.
The district had been preparing to move from an e-learning format to a hybrid model at the beginning of this month, but a recent surge in the number of positive tests prompted officials to delay the plan until Friday.
Now as coronavirus metrics in the Naperville and Aurora areas continue to trend in the wrong direction, Superintendent Adrian Talley announced Tuesday the district will continue with remote learning until after Thanksgiving break, which ends Nov. 27.
District 204 also is postponing its basketball season, with hopes of starting it later in the academic year "when it is safe to do so," Talley said in a letter to the community.
The Illinois High School Association board recently announced basketball could be held as a winter sport, despite a conflicting message from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The lack of cohesive guidance is disappointing, said Talley, who has been in discussions with the district's attorney, insurance company and other superintendents in the DuPage Valley Conference.
"All are in agreement that due to liability concerns, we will postpone basketball at this time," he said, noting student-athletes will be notified soon of additional opportunities "to progress and sharpen their skills."
DuPage County Health Department data shows a weekly infection rate of 312 new cases per 100,000 people, up from 152 two weeks ago. The rate in Will County increased from 179 to 332 new cases per 100,000 residents in the same period, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Youth cases also have increased in both counties, remaining at a "substantial" level of community transmission. The area must move from a "substantial" to a "moderate" transmission level for two consecutive weeks before the district moves to hybrid learning, Talley said.
During a school board meeting Monday, district officials explained how social-emotional skills and mental health resources are being incorporated into the remote learning model at all grade levels. Despite concerns expressed by some parents and community members, Talley said, teachers, administrators and other staff members have been trained and are implementing strategies districtwide to address the needs of students through the pandemic.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-10--Religious conservatives object to 'Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading' standards

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Board of Education is considering a set of new standards for teachers and administrators that are aimed at making them more sensitive to students of different cultures and backgrounds , but the proposal is sparking controversy among some religious conservatives .
The `` Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading '' standards would amend current standards that apply to all teachers and administrators by adding a host of new requirements meant to ensure they understand how certain population groups have been marginalized in society and encourage them to adapt their teaching methods to be more inclusive of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , languages , sexual identity and orientation .
`` Every student deserves to feel welcome , included , and accepted at school and to see their cultural identity affirmed and represented in the curriculum , '' state board spokeswoman Jackie Matthews said in a statement about the proposed standards .
`` This feeling of belonging is critical to improving academic and behavioral outcomes for Illinois ' students . ''
But the proposed rules have run into opposition from the Peoria-based Illinois Pro-Family Alliance , a group that regularly lobbies at the Capitol to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principles from the word of God . ''
That group argues that the proposed standards are unconstitutionally vague , that they amount to a form of `` compelled speech , '' and that they infringe on the religious freedoms of individuals who adhere to what the group calls `` traditional beliefs about gender and sexuality . ''
`` The proposed rule , if enacted , requires , as a condition of licensure , that teachers take a definite ideological stance with respect to the political and social issues it addresses , '' Pro-Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated in written public comments on the proposal .
`` This requirement will create potential conflicts with the deeply held religious convictions of teachers , parents , and students in the state of Illinois .
Not all teachers would be able to comply with the new standards without violating their consciences . ''
Specifically , they point to language in the proposed standards that call on educators to , `` embrace and encourage progressive viewpoints and perspectives that leverage asset thinking toward traditionally marginalized populations , '' as well as to `` understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not one 'correct ' way of doing or understanding something , and that what is seen as 'correct ' is most often based on our lived experiences . ''
In their letter , Rivera and Malone argue that , `` many religious faiths believe in the concept of 'objective truth ' and would take issue with what appears to be a contradictory position that says , in effect , it is an objective truth that truth does not exist . ''
ISBE spokeswoman Matthews , however , said in a statement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards .
`` Culturally responsive practices are especially important in better supporting Illinois ' LGBTQ+ youth , who disproportionately experience bullying and are more likely to attempt suicide , '' she said .
`` The reality is that Illinois ' students are increasingly diverse -- with more than 52 % identifying as students of color , and English Learners making up the fastest growing student population -- while our teachers remain overwhelmingly white and female , '' Matthews continued .
`` The ability to reach students from different cultural backgrounds is an essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois today . ''
The proposed standards were developed by the state board 's Diverse and Learner Ready Teachers network , a group formed in 2018 as part of a national initiative of the Council of Chief State School Officers .
Illinois is one of 10 states taking part in that initiative , and it would be the first state to adopt new standards developed through the network , Matthews said .
The proposed standards were first published in the Illinois Register on Sept. 11 , opening up a 45-day public comment period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board is scheduled to act on them at its Dec. 16 meeting .
If the board approves them , the new rules would be published a second time , starting another 45-day period during which the proposed standards would be reviewed by the General Assembly 's Joint Committee on Administrative Rule .
If approved by that committee , the standards would become part of the standards by which all teachers and administrators are evaluated .
They would also be incorporated into teacher preparation programs at college and university schools of education , Matthews @ @

Religious conservatives object to 'Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading' standards
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Board of Education is considering a set of new standards for teachers and administrators that are aimed at making them more sensitive to students of different cultures and backgrounds, but the proposal is sparking controversy among some religious conservatives.
The "Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading" standards would amend current standards that apply to all teachers and administrators by adding a host of new requirements meant to ensure they understand how certain population groups have been marginalized in society and encourage them to adapt their teaching methods to be more inclusive of students with diverse cultures, family backgrounds, languages, sexual identity and orientation.
"Every student deserves to feel welcome, included, and accepted at school and to see their cultural identity affirmed and represented in the curriculum," state board spokeswoman Jackie Matthews said in a statement about the proposed standards. "This feeling of belonging is critical to improving academic and behavioral outcomes for Illinois' students."
But the proposed rules have run into opposition from the Peoria-based Illinois Pro-Family Alliance, a group that regularly lobbies at the Capitol to advocate for what it calls "biblical principles from the word of God."
That group argues that the proposed standards are unconstitutionally vague, that they amount to a form of "compelled speech," and that they infringe on the religious freedoms of individuals who adhere to what the group calls "traditional beliefs about gender and sexuality."
"The proposed rule, if enacted, requires, as a condition of licensure, that teachers take a definite ideological stance with respect to the political and social issues it addresses," Pro-Family Alliance lobbyists Ralph Rivera and Molly Malone stated in written public comments on the proposal. "This requirement will create potential conflicts with the deeply held religious convictions of teachers, parents, and students in the state of Illinois. Not all teachers would be able to comply with the new standards without violating their consciences."
Specifically, they point to language in the proposed standards that call on educators to, "embrace and encourage progressive viewpoints and perspectives that leverage asset thinking toward traditionally marginalized populations," as well as to "understand and value the notion ... that there is not one 'correct' way of doing or understanding something, and that what is seen as 'correct' is most often based on our lived experiences."
In their letter, Rivera and Malone argue that, "many religious faiths believe in the concept of 'objective truth' and would take issue with what appears to be a contradictory position that says, in effect, it is an objective truth that truth does not exist."
ISBE spokeswoman Matthews, however, said in a statement that the state board stands behind the proposed standards.
"Culturally responsive practices are especially important in better supporting Illinois' LGBTQ+ youth, who disproportionately experience bullying and are more likely to attempt suicide," she said.
"The reality is that Illinois' students are increasingly diverse -- with more than 52% identifying as students of color, and English Learners making up the fastest growing student population -- while our teachers remain overwhelmingly white and female," Matthews continued. "The ability to reach students from different cultural backgrounds is an essential skill to succeed as a teacher in Illinois today."
The proposed standards were developed by the state board's Diverse and Learner Ready Teachers network, a group formed in 2018 as part of a national initiative of the Council of Chief State School Officers. Illinois is one of 10 states taking part in that initiative, and it would be the first state to adopt new standards developed through the network, Matthews said.
The proposed standards were first published in the Illinois Register on Sept. 11, opening up a 45-day public comment period that expired Oct. 25. The state board is scheduled to act on them at its Dec. 16 meeting. If the board approves them, the new rules would be published a second time, starting another 45-day period during which the proposed standards would be reviewed by the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rule.
If approved by that committee, the standards would become part of the standards by which all teachers and administrators are evaluated. They would also be incorporated into teacher preparation programs at college and university schools of education, Matthews said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-10--Actor Bert Belasco, who received alumni award from Waubonsie Valley, found dead at 38

Actor Bert Belasco , a Waubonsie Valley High School alumnus who starred in the BET sitcom `` Let 's Stay Together , '' was found dead Sunday in a Virginia hotel room .
He was 38 .
Variety reported Belasco was quarantining in a hotel before he was to begin filming a movie .
When friends and family could not reach him , Variety said , the hotel staff asked police to conduct a well-being check .
A statement from Henrico County police indicated foul play was not suspected , Variety reported .
Belasco 's father , Bert Sr. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an aneurysm , but the family was awaiting the results of an autopsy .
In 2011 , Belasco received the Distinguished Alumni award from Waubonsie Valley , where he was a member of the Class of 2001 .
The school 's website said Belasco was a member of the varsity basketball team and was `` a popular student with staff and peers because of his vibrant personality and charm . ''
During his junior year at Waubonsie , he was asked to impersonate Will Smith at an assembly , which convinced him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website said .
Belasco graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a theater degree in 2005 .
He was featured in the Betty White Snickers commercial that aired during the Super Bowl in 2010 .
Belasco also was an alumnus of Chicago 's famed Second City comedy troupe and participated in the TVI Actors Studio Summer Institute in Los Angeles .
His television credits include roles in the Fox series `` Pitch '' and the Showtime series `` I 'm Dying Up Here . ''

Actor Bert Belasco, who received alumni award from Waubonsie Valley, found dead at 38
Waubonsie Valley alumnus Bert Belasco, center, played Charles Whitmore in the BET series "Let's Stay Together," which aired from 2011 to 2014. Belasco was found dead in a Virginia hotel room on Sunday. BET
Actor Bert Belasco, a Waubonsie Valley High School alumnus who starred in the BET sitcom "Let's Stay Together," was found dead Sunday in a Virginia hotel room. He was 38.
Variety reported Belasco was quarantining in a hotel before he was to begin filming a movie. When friends and family could not reach him, Variety said, the hotel staff asked police to conduct a well-being check.
A statement from Henrico County police indicated foul play was not suspected, Variety reported.
Belasco's father, Bert Sr., told TMZ he believes his son died of an aneurysm, but the family was awaiting the results of an autopsy.
In 2011, Belasco received the Distinguished Alumni award from Waubonsie Valley, where he was a member of the Class of 2001.
The school's website said Belasco was a member of the varsity basketball team and was "a popular student with staff and peers because of his vibrant personality and charm."
During his junior year at Waubonsie, he was asked to impersonate Will Smith at an assembly, which convinced him acting was his true calling, the website said. Belasco graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a theater degree in 2005. He was featured in the Betty White Snickers commercial that aired during the Super Bowl in 2010.
Belasco also was an alumnus of Chicago's famed Second City comedy troupe and participated in the TVI Actors Studio Summer Institute in Los Angeles.
His television credits include roles in the Fox series "Pitch" and the Showtime series "I'm Dying Up Here."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-10--Des Plaines District 62 switching to remote learning after Thanksgiving break

Citing the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the suburbs , Des Plaines Elementary District 62 will switch from in-person to remote learning after Thanksgiving break , school officials announced Tuesday .
`` During this 'adaptive pause ' into full remote learning for all our students , we will continue to follow the data closely ; as a community , our metrics must start trending in a positive direction before we will consider returning to in-person learning , '' Superintendent Paul E. Hertel wrote in a letter to parents and staff .
The pivot to remote learning will begin Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The district will re-evaluate the decision Dec. 14 , with a possible return to in-person learning on Tuesday , Jan. 19 in mind .
The COVID-19 figures that led to the decision , released last week by the Illinois Department of Public Health , show that several key public health metrics anchoring the district 's return-to-school plan are now in the `` substantial community transmission '' level , officials said .
They include new cases per 100,000 people , positivity rate , and total new cases .
The district also cited staffing challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in quarantine , making it difficult to conduct day-to-day operations .
`` This decision to enter into an adaptive pause was not made lightly , '' Hertel wrote .
`` I fully understand the importance of having in-person learning for students .
Unfortunately , the cases of COVID in suburban Cook County and our community of Des Plaines continue to climb . ''

Des Plaines District 62 switching to remote learning after Thanksgiving break
Citing the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the suburbs, Des Plaines Elementary District 62 will switch from in-person to remote learning after Thanksgiving break, school officials announced Tuesday.
"During this 'adaptive pause' into full remote learning for all our students, we will continue to follow the data closely; as a community, our metrics must start trending in a positive direction before we will consider returning to in-person learning," Superintendent Paul E. Hertel wrote in a letter to parents and staff.
The pivot to remote learning will begin Monday, Nov. 30, Hertel wrote. The district will re-evaluate the decision Dec. 14, with a possible return to in-person learning on Tuesday, Jan. 19 in mind.
The COVID-19 figures that led to the decision, released last week by the Illinois Department of Public Health, show that several key public health metrics anchoring the district's return-to-school plan are now in the "substantial community transmission" level, officials said. They include new cases per 100,000 people, positivity rate, and total new cases.
The district also cited staffing challenges, as a large number of employees are in quarantine, making it difficult to conduct day-to-day operations.
"This decision to enter into an adaptive pause was not made lightly," Hertel wrote. "I fully understand the importance of having in-person learning for students. Unfortunately, the cases of COVID in suburban Cook County and our community of Des Plaines continue to climb."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-11--Rinehart beats Nerheim as another 'blue wave' washes over Lake County

Lake County State 's Attorney Mike Nerheim conceded victory Tuesday after the latest batch of processed votes put him further behind Democratic challenger Eric Rinehart .
`` I think certainly the blue wave that 's been hitting Lake County for the last couple election cycles was definitely a factor , '' said Nerheim , a Gurnee Republican .
`` When you look at the top of the ticket to the bottom , Republicans just got wiped out . ''
Democrats now lead in the races for four countywide elected offices and in seven of the eight Lake County Board district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor said fewer than 9,000 vote-by-mail ballots have yet to be tabulated .
She said that number did n't include provisional ballots or late-arriving ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 .
On Monday , Lake County Chief Deputy Clerk Todd Govain said there were 1,815 provisional ballots along with a `` couple thousand '' late-arriving mail-in ballots .
Rinehart , of Highwood , thanked Nerheim for his years of public service , for the race he ran , and for calling him and offering to help with the transition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office 's responsibility .
`` I want to ensure everyone , whether they voted for me or not , that my office will be transparent and will fight crime and racial injustice with a renewed sense of urgency , '' Rinehart said Tuesday .
Nerheim , who took office in December 2012 , initially led Rinehart 41,757 votes to 25,335 votes on election night when the results were mostly made up of ballots cast in person that day .
Since then , O'Connor 's office has processed tens of thousands of vote-by-mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 p.m. Tuesday , Nerheim trailed with 151,991 votes to Rinehart 's 163,501 votes in the unofficial tallies .
The story is the same for nearly every other Republican running in Lake County races .
Most were ahead initially before watching their leads vanish once the vote-by-mail ballots were processed .
Lauren Beth Gash , the chair of the Lake County Democrats , said the results show that voters in the area have rejected President Donald Trump and his `` Republican enablers . ''
`` There was tremendous energy among Democrats this cycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ' best volunteer recruiters of all time , '' Gash said .
In the race for Lake County coroner , Democratic challenger Jennifer Banek increased her lead over Republican incumbent Howard Cooper .
Banek now has 165,875 votes to Cooper 's 148,398. Cooper said Monday he 's content to wait until Nov. 17 when the vote is made official before either conceding or declaring victory .
For the county board , incumbent Republican Linda Pedersen of District 1 was the only member of her party with a lead .
She has 10,726 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,770 votes .
In District 7 , incumbent Steve Carlson conceded the race Tuesday to Carissa Casbon , a Democrat from Warren Township , who was leading 8,979 votes to 8,044 .
`` This election is over , '' Carlson wrote on Facebook .
`` To put it simply , the tide was simply too great for me to overcome .
I would like to thank those who have stuck with me over all the years and 12 elections .
To serve for 18 years has been the honor of my life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 8,722 votes to challenger Paul Christensen 's 3,462 votes in District 2 .
Republican incumbent Mike Rummel of Lake Forest trails Democrat Paras Parekh in District 12 , 9,585 votes to 10,719 .
Incumbent Democrat and county board Chair Sandy Hart of Lake Bluff had 7,203 votes to Republican Lauren Fleming 's 4,985 in District 13 .
District 16 incumbent Democrat Terry Wilke of Round Lake Beach tallied 5,720 votes to 4,074 for challenger John C. Frazier .
Incumbent Democrat Marah Altenberg of Buffalo Grove , appointed in March to fill a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to challenger Soojae Lee 's 6,506 in a race to fill an unexpired 2-year term in District 20 .
If Paxton , Rummel and Carlson lose , Democrats would hold a 15-6 majority on the county board .
A blue wave in 2018 gave Democrats a board majority for the first time in Lake County history .
Democrats also were elected sheriff , clerk and treasurer .
Incumbent Democrats Circuit Court Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein and Recorder of Deeds Mary Ellen Vanderventer lead their races .
O'Connor said Tuesday evening she intends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. on Thursday .

Rinehart beats Nerheim as another 'blue wave' washes over Lake County
Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim conceded victory Tuesday after the latest batch of processed votes put him further behind Democratic challenger Eric Rinehart.
"I think certainly the blue wave that's been hitting Lake County for the last couple election cycles was definitely a factor," said Nerheim, a Gurnee Republican. "When you look at the top of the ticket to the bottom, Republicans just got wiped out."
Democrats now lead in the races for four countywide elected offices and in seven of the eight Lake County Board district races on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Lake County Clerk Robin O'Connor said fewer than 9,000 vote-by-mail ballots have yet to be tabulated. She said that number didn't include provisional ballots or late-arriving ballots postmarked by Nov. 3. On Monday, Lake County Chief Deputy Clerk Todd Govain said there were 1,815 provisional ballots along with a "couple thousand" late-arriving mail-in ballots.
Rinehart, of Highwood, thanked Nerheim for his years of public service, for the race he ran, and for calling him and offering to help with the transition. He thanked voters for entrusting him with the office's responsibility.
"I want to ensure everyone, whether they voted for me or not, that my office will be transparent and will fight crime and racial injustice with a renewed sense of urgency," Rinehart said Tuesday.
Nerheim, who took office in December 2012, initially led Rinehart 41,757 votes to 25,335 votes on election night when the results were mostly made up of ballots cast in person that day. Since then, O'Connor's office has processed tens of thousands of vote-by-mail ballots.
After the latest update at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nerheim trailed with 151,991 votes to Rinehart's 163,501 votes in the unofficial tallies.
The story is the same for nearly every other Republican running in Lake County races. Most were ahead initially before watching their leads vanish once the vote-by-mail ballots were processed.
Lauren Beth Gash, the chair of the Lake County Democrats, said the results show that voters in the area have rejected President Donald Trump and his "Republican enablers."
"There was tremendous energy among Democrats this cycle and Donald Trump was one of the Democrats' best volunteer recruiters of all time," Gash said.
In the race for Lake County coroner, Democratic challenger Jennifer Banek increased her lead over Republican incumbent Howard Cooper. Banek now has 165,875 votes to Cooper's 148,398. Cooper said Monday he's content to wait until Nov. 17 when the vote is made official before either conceding or declaring victory.
For the county board, incumbent Republican Linda Pedersen of District 1 was the only member of her party with a lead. She has 10,726 votes to challenger Chase Andrew Thomas' 5,770 votes.
In District 7, incumbent Steve Carlson conceded the race Tuesday to Carissa Casbon, a Democrat from Warren Township, who was leading 8,979 votes to 8,044.
"This election is over," Carlson wrote on Facebook. "To put it simply, the tide was simply too great for me to overcome. I would like to thank those who have stuck with me over all the years and 12 elections. To serve for 18 years has been the honor of my life."
Democratic incumbent Diane Hewitt of Waukegan had 8,722 votes to challenger Paul Christensen's 3,462 votes in District 2.
Republican incumbent Mike Rummel of Lake Forest trails Democrat Paras Parekh in District 12, 9,585 votes to 10,719.
Incumbent Democrat and county board Chair Sandy Hart of Lake Bluff had 7,203 votes to Republican Lauren Fleming's 4,985 in District 13.
District 16 incumbent Democrat Terry Wilke of Round Lake Beach tallied 5,720 votes to 4,074 for challenger John C. Frazier. Incumbent Democrat Marah Altenberg of Buffalo Grove, appointed in March to fill a vacancy, was leading with 9,757 votes to challenger Soojae Lee's 6,506 in a race to fill an unexpired 2-year term in District 20.
If Paxton, Rummel and Carlson lose, Democrats would hold a 15-6 majority on the county board.
A blue wave in 2018 gave Democrats a board majority for the first time in Lake County history. Democrats also were elected sheriff, clerk and treasurer.
Incumbent Democrats Circuit Court Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein and Recorder of Deeds Mary Ellen Vanderventer lead their races.
O'Connor said Tuesday evening she intends to update the vote count again at 3 p.m. on Thursday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-10--Arlington Heights sets aside $2M to lure grocer, Raising Cane's to Town & Country center

Arlington Heights officials plan to set aside $ 2 million in tax increment financing dollars to attract a new grocery store and a popular fast food restaurant to the Town & Country Shopping Center , according to the proposed 2021 village budget .
The line item on the budget just released this week is for an anticipated redevelopment agreement that would pave the way for a still-undisclosed grocer to move into a vacant space in the shopping center .
The agreement would also bring Raising Cane 's , a quick-service chain restaurant with a simple menu of chicken fingers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's planned for a new 3,736-square-foot outlot building at 225 E. Palatine Road .
The village board granted a special use permit for the restaurant and drive-through in July 2019 , but it 's been slow to develop amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors , officials said .
Charles Witherington-Perkins , the village 's director of planning and community development , on Tuesday declined to reveal details about the proposed redevelopment agreement or potential grocery store .
`` The village has been working with Town & Country ownership for redevelopment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tenant improvements in the center , '' he said .
`` That 's all I 'm able to comment on . ''
The prospect of a new grocer -- and that village officials are considering the award of TIF funds to the project -- was disclosed within the 495-page proposed budget that village trustees began reviewing during virtual public meetings Monday and Tuesday nights .
Final consideration and approval is expected Dec. 7 .
In a TIF district , tax revenue generated by a property 's increasing value or new development is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land purchases , infrastructure improvements and other projects , rather than to local governments .
Town & Country , anchored by Dick 's Sporting Goods , LA Fitness and Best Buy , has two major vacancies of 50,000 and 41,700 square feet .
The former was the longtime home of Dominick 's , until the grocery chain went out of business in 2013 .
Joe Caputo & Sons operated there from June 2014 to November 2015 under a sublease with Safeway , the former Dominick 's owner .
Safeway , which merged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long-term lease for the store with options for multiple five-year extensions , one of which was agreed to in 2015 , Witherington-Perkins told the Daily Herald in a November 2015 story .
Witherington-Perkins on Tuesday said he is unsure of the status of that lease .
If approved , the new grocer would have competition at the busy Arlington Heights Road/Rand Road intersection , where Jewel-Osco operates in the Northpoint Shopping Center , Trader Joe 's in the Annex of Arlington , and Harvest Fresh Market in Arlington Plaza .

Arlington Heights sets aside $2M to lure grocer, Raising Cane's to Town & Country center
Arlington Heights officials plan to set aside $2 million in tax increment financing dollars to attract a new grocery store and a popular fast food restaurant to the Town & Country Shopping Center, according to the proposed 2021 village budget.
The line item on the budget just released this week is for an anticipated redevelopment agreement that would pave the way for a still-undisclosed grocer to move into a vacant space in the shopping center.
The agreement would also bring Raising Cane's, a quick-service chain restaurant with a simple menu of chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw and Texas toast. It's planned for a new 3,736-square-foot outlot building at 225 E. Palatine Road.
The village board granted a special use permit for the restaurant and drive-through in July 2019, but it's been slow to develop amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, officials said.
Charles Witherington-Perkins, the village's director of planning and community development, on Tuesday declined to reveal details about the proposed redevelopment agreement or potential grocery store.
"The village has been working with Town & Country ownership for redevelopment of the outlot for Raising Cane's and tenant improvements in the center," he said. "That's all I'm able to comment on."
The prospect of a new grocer -- and that village officials are considering the award of TIF funds to the project -- was disclosed within the 495-page proposed budget that village trustees began reviewing during virtual public meetings Monday and Tuesday nights. Final consideration and approval is expected Dec. 7.
In a TIF district, tax revenue generated by a property's increasing value or new development is diverted to a fund that pays for land purchases, infrastructure improvements and other projects, rather than to local governments.
Town & Country, anchored by Dick's Sporting Goods, LA Fitness and Best Buy, has two major vacancies of 50,000 and 41,700 square feet. The former was the longtime home of Dominick's, until the grocery chain went out of business in 2013.
Joe Caputo & Sons operated there from June 2014 to November 2015 under a sublease with Safeway, the former Dominick's owner. Safeway, which merged with Jewel-Osco parent company Albertson's, had a long-term lease for the store with options for multiple five-year extensions, one of which was agreed to in 2015, Witherington-Perkins told the Daily Herald in a November 2015 story.
Witherington-Perkins on Tuesday said he is unsure of the status of that lease.
If approved, the new grocer would have competition at the busy Arlington Heights Road/Rand Road intersection, where Jewel-Osco operates in the Northpoint Shopping Center, Trader Joe's in the Annex of Arlington, and Harvest Fresh Market in Arlington Plaza.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-10--Schaumburg trustee questions relocating Friendship Village polling place

Schaumburg Village Trustee George Dunham is raising concerns about what he considers the unnecessary relocation of Friendship Village residents from their usual polling place within their retirement community on Election Day .
But the Cook County clerk 's office says COVID-19 guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health make the necessity of the move clear .
James Nally , legal counsel for the county clerk 's office , noted that IDPH guidelines issued Aug. 25 state that `` local election authorities are encouraged to relocate polling places previously stationed in nursing homes , long-term care facilities , and senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among vulnerable individuals , including older individuals and those with chronic medical conditions . ''
Dunham questioned the wisdom of sending residents of the retirement community to a school where four other precincts also were voting .
However , Nally said that with the number of election workers , judges and poll watchers who would normally have gone to Friendship Village on Election Day , the retirement community would not have been a bubble for its residents .
Friendship Village officials did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday as to how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have been for its residents .
Dunham said he still believes it made little sense for residents to go to a polling place with enough election workers and judges for five precincts .
`` This was n't well thought out as far as Friendship Village is concerned , '' he said .
`` The concept is flawed . ''
Nally said that when the threat of COVID-19 is over , the return to traditional polling places remains likely .

Schaumburg trustee questions relocating Friendship Village polling place
Schaumburg Village Trustee George Dunham is questioning the state's COVID-19 guidance that led to the traditional polling place for Friendship Village residents being relocated on Election Day last week. Courtesy of Friendship Village, 2017
Schaumburg Village Trustee George Dunham is raising concerns about what he considers the unnecessary relocation of Friendship Village residents from their usual polling place within their retirement community on Election Day.
But the Cook County clerk's office says COVID-19 guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health make the necessity of the move clear.
James Nally, legal counsel for the county clerk's office, noted that IDPH guidelines issued Aug. 25 state that "local election authorities are encouraged to relocate polling places previously stationed in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and senior living residences, to minimize COVID-19 exposure among vulnerable individuals, including older individuals and those with chronic medical conditions."
Dunham questioned the wisdom of sending residents of the retirement community to a school where four other precincts also were voting.
However, Nally said that with the number of election workers, judges and poll watchers who would normally have gone to Friendship Village on Election Day, the retirement community would not have been a bubble for its residents.
Friendship Village CEO Stephen Yenchek said both the community and its residents received sufficient notice of the change, and he believes no one experienced any hardship in exercising his or her right to vote.
Dunham said he still believes it made little sense for residents to go to a polling place with enough election workers and judges for five precincts.
"This wasn't well thought out as far as Friendship Village is concerned," he said. "The concept is flawed."
Nally said that when the threat of COVID-19 is over, the return to traditional polling places remains likely.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-10--Marquardt District 15 teachers push for all-remote learning

Teachers in Marquardt Elementary School District 15 pressed the school board Tuesday night to return to all-remote learning out of concern for a surge in COVID-19 cases in DuPage County .
Teachers union brass called for suspending in-person instruction , calling attention to the pandemic 's disproportionate toll on Black and Latino communities .
Black and Latino students comprise more than 60 % of the district 's population .
The COVID-19 hospitalization rate among the county 's Latino residents is 2.8 times higher than that of other groups , DuPage health department figures show .
`` We need to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we are calling for an immediate switch to remote learning , '' said Mary Lundquist , co-president of the union that represents about 200 teachers in the district .
Rank-and-file teachers questioned why the district has been an outlier among neighboring elementary and high school districts that have temporarily halted classroom instruction .
The Glendale Heights-based system feeds into Glenbard North and South high schools , where students on Monday shifted to entirely remote learning after the county posted a weekly infection rate of 312 new cases per 100,000 people -- a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounded the alarm over the test positivity rate in Glendale Heights , now at more than 22 % based on a seven-day rolling average .
`` We are not opposed to in-person learning , but we are against unsafe learning , '' Lundquist said during the school board meeting Tuesday .
The district later this week will decide whether to continue in-person classes or take an instructional pause , Superintendent Jerry O'Shea said .
Since Oct. 19 , the county health department has recommended schools operate with 100 % remote learning as COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' level of community transmission .
Still , it 's up to individual districts to decide whether to do so .
`` We strongly believe that we should be following the advice of our experts , '' Lundquist said .
While teachers urged the board to publicly release the number of COVID-19 cases within the district , O'Shea said the district participates in weekly virtual calls with superintendents of DuPage schools and the county health department to review COVID-19 trends .
`` Through the county and the data , they continue to assure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurring in schools , and that the majority of the positive cases are related to community activity that are not adhering to the safety guidelines , '' he said .
Last week , the district launched an elementary hybrid learning model .
The district 's safety protocols are `` up and running and running pretty smoothly at this point , '' O'Shea said .
`` We closely monitor health data and metrics , staffing , quarantine restrictions , and safety protocols and equipment to determine the district 's learning model and are mindful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person and remote learning based on our ability to meet these criteria , '' O'Shea said in a statement before the meeting .
But Lundquist said teachers were told the district would move to remote learning if Queen Bee Elementary District 16 paused face-to-face instruction because both share the same community .
`` We were then told that if all the Glenbards went remote , we would then as well , and all of these things have come to pass , '' she said .

Marquardt District 15 teachers push for all-remote learning
Teachers in Marquardt Elementary School District 15 pressed the school board Tuesday night to return to all-remote learning out of concern for a surge in COVID-19 cases in DuPage County.
Teachers union brass called for suspending in-person instruction, calling attention to the pandemic's disproportionate toll on Black and Latino communities.
Black and Latino students comprise more than 60% of the district's population. The COVID-19 hospitalization rate among the county's Latino residents is 2.8 times higher than that of other groups, DuPage health department figures show.
"We need to do better. This is absolutely unacceptable, and we are calling for an immediate switch to remote learning," said Mary Lundquist, co-president of the union that represents about 200 teachers in the district.
Rank-and-file teachers questioned why the district has been an outlier among neighboring elementary and high school districts that have temporarily halted classroom instruction.
The Glendale Heights-based system feeds into Glenbard High School District 87, where students on Monday shifted to entirely remote learning after the county posted a weekly infection rate of 312 new cases per 100,000 people -- a new high.
District 15 teachers also sounded the alarm over the test positivity rate in Glendale Heights, now at more than 22% based on a seven-day rolling average.
"We are not opposed to in-person learning, but we are against unsafe learning," Lundquist said during the school board meeting Tuesday.
The district later this week will decide whether to continue in-person classes or take an instructional pause, Superintendent Jerry O'Shea said.
Since Oct. 19, the county health department has recommended schools operate with 100% remote learning as COVID-19 metrics keep DuPage at a "substantial" level of community transmission. Still, it's up to individual districts to decide whether to do so.
"We strongly believe that we should be following the advice of our experts," Lundquist said.
While teachers urged the board to publicly release the number of COVID-19 cases within the district, O'Shea said the district participates in weekly virtual calls with superintendents of DuPage schools and the county health department to review COVID-19 trends.
"Through the county and the data, they continue to assure us that the spread is not likely occurring in schools, and that the majority of the positive cases are related to community activity that are not adhering to the safety guidelines," he said.
Last week, the district launched an elementary hybrid learning model. The district's safety protocols are "up and running and running pretty smoothly at this point," O'Shea said.
"We closely monitor health data and metrics, staffing, quarantine restrictions, and safety protocols and equipment to determine the district's learning model and are mindful that we may need to shift between in-person and remote learning based on our ability to meet these criteria," O'Shea said in a statement before the meeting.
But Lundquist said teachers were told the district would move to remote learning if Queen Bee School District 16 paused face-to-face instruction because both share the same community.
"We were then told that if all the Glenbards went remote, we would then as well, and all of these things have come to pass," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-11--Largest teachers union says educators leaving profession in droves due to safety concerns, burnout

Mariah Klein first considered leaving the teaching profession at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the spring .
Eight months later , Klein says she has had enough navigating in-person classes at Charles G. Reskin Elementary School in Glendale Heights within Marquardt District 15 , which serves 2,600 students in Glendale Heights , Addison , Lombard , Bloomingdale and Glen Ellyn .
`` Teaching during a pandemic is hard .
It 's stressful , it 's unpredictable and it 's overwhelming , '' said Klein , of Glendale Heights , who has been teaching for four years .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I 'm sure in many other buildings , is incredibly low .
It 's really hard to watch my colleagues struggle day to day . ''
Klein spoke Wednesday during an Illinois Education Association news conference .
The state 's largest union representing 135,000 school employees says a recent poll of more than 1,300 members shows one-third of educators are considering leaving the profession over safety concerns and stress related to in-person instruction and remote learning amid an existing teacher shortage .
Marquardt District 15 Superintendent Jerry O'Shea said the district is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this unprecedented time . ''
`` The past eight months have been beyond challenging for the students , families , teachers , administrators , staff , and school board in our community and in school systems across the state and nation , '' O'Shea said .
`` We are working hard to provide every student a high-quality public education and opportunity to succeed during the pandemic and want to acknowledge the incredible work , talent , and commitment of our teachers . ''
IEA President Kathi Griffin said roughly 35 % of education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or are reevaluating their career path .
`` This should sound the alarm for every person in Illinois who values our children and their education , '' Griffin said .
`` Teacher retirements are at their highest rates in five years , and others are considering switching careers .
We need to figure out how to keep our talented professionals in education .
And we think the best way to do that is by asking local health departments to intervene when school boards and/or administrations are making decisions that are not keeping their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Herald surveyed several suburban school districts that did n't report large numbers of teachers leaving due to the pandemic environment .
A few districts did see some educators take early retirement this year because of it .
`` We did have a couple of teachers retire or resign in July , and it 's likely that concerns around the virus may have caused this to happen , '' said Steve Pearce , chief human resources officer for Batavia Unit District 101 .
`` We have certainly seen fewer substitute teachers and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paraprofessional positions .
Both of these are atypical for us in Batavia and is undoubtedly related to the coronavirus . ''
Other suburban districts are seeing a shortage of substitute teachers willing to take on work due to the pandemic , which is even more critical when existing employees are affected by the virus .
`` We have seen less availability in our current staff because of quarantines and symptoms related to COVID-19 , '' said Tom Petersen , spokesman for Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 .
Petersen said so far only one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year earlier than originally planned because of the pandemic .
`` We have had just one newly hired teacher choose to leave the profession within the first couple weeks of employment because he was experiencing difficulty in adjusting to his role as a teacher , '' he added .
Nearly 52 % of teachers IEA surveyed said their workloads are considerably heavier now and 40 % said they do n't have any extra planning time to prepare for remote learning , teaching in person or doing both simultaneously .
Teachers also complained of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day , survey results show .
Griffin said teachers now also must worry about ensuring in-person students keep their masks on and wash hands , monitoring for symptoms , assessing for anxiety and often teaching from home while supervising their own children 's learning .
About two thirds of educators are experiencing burnout due to the increased workload and about 27 % of educators statewide have considered leaving the profession , she added .
With rising COVID-19 positivity rates in communities , the IEA is threatening health and safety strikes if school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have some administrators or school boards , most who are not medical professionals or experts in infectious diseases , making decisions for in-person learning , '' Griffin said .
`` It 's pushing our members to the brink .
We are not against in-person learning .
We are against unsafe learning .
Based on the metrics alone , in 75 of Illinois ' 102 counties and the city of Chicago , it is not safe for many to be gathering in schools right now . ''

Largest teachers union says educators leaving profession in droves due to safety concerns, burnout
Signs in a hallway reminds students to wear masks and distance themselves at Fox Trail Elementary School in Davie, Florida. The Illinois Education Association says roughly 35% of education employees statewide have considered leaving the profession or are reevaluating their career path. Associated Press
Mariah Klein first considered leaving the teaching profession at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the spring.
Eight months later, Klein says she has had enough navigating in-person classes at Charles G. Reskin Elementary School in Glendale Heights within Marquardt District 15, which serves 2,600 students in Glendale Heights, Addison, Lombard, Bloomingdale and Glen Ellyn.
"Teaching during a pandemic is hard. It's stressful, it's unpredictable and it's overwhelming," said Klein, of Glendale Heights, who has been teaching for four years. "Morale, at least in my building and I'm sure in many other buildings, is incredibly low. It's really hard to watch my colleagues struggle day to day."
Klein spoke Wednesday during an Illinois Education Association news conference. The state's largest union representing 135,000 school employees says a recent poll of more than 1,300 members shows one-third of educators are considering leaving the profession over safety concerns and stress related to in-person instruction and remote learning amid an existing teacher shortage.
Marquardt District 15 Superintendent Jerry O'Shea said the district is working hard to support teachers "during this unprecedented time."
"The past eight months have been beyond challenging for the students, families, teachers, administrators, staff, and school board in our community and in school systems across the state and nation," O'Shea said. "We are working hard to provide every student a high-quality public education and opportunity to succeed during the pandemic and want to acknowledge the incredible work, talent, and commitment of our teachers."
IEA President Kathi Griffin said roughly 35% of education employees statewide have considered leaving the profession or are reevaluating their career path.
"This should sound the alarm for every person in Illinois who values our children and their education," Griffin said. "Teacher retirements are at their highest rates in five years, and others are considering switching careers. We need to figure out how to keep our talented professionals in education. And we think the best way to do that is by asking local health departments to intervene when school boards and/or administrations are making decisions that are not keeping their students and staff safe."
The Daily Herald surveyed several suburban school districts that didn't report large numbers of teachers leaving due to the pandemic environment. A few districts did see some educators take early retirement this year because of it.
"We did have a couple of teachers retire or resign in July, and it's likely that concerns around the virus may have caused this to happen," said Steve Pearce, chief human resources officer for Batavia Unit District 101. "We have certainly seen fewer substitute teachers and we have had some difficulty in filling some paraprofessional positions. Both of these are atypical for us in Batavia and is undoubtedly related to the coronavirus."
Other suburban districts are seeing a shortage of substitute teachers willing to take on work due to the pandemic, which is even more critical when existing employees are affected by the virus.
"We have seen less availability in our current staff because of quarantines and symptoms related to COVID-19," said Tom Petersen, spokesman for Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211.
Petersen said so far only one district teacher has chosen to retire a year earlier than originally planned because of the pandemic. "We have had just one newly hired teacher choose to leave the profession within the first couple weeks of employment because he was experiencing difficulty in adjusting to his role as a teacher," he added.
Nearly 52% of teachers IEA surveyed said their workloads are considerably heavier now and 40% said they don't have any extra planning time to prepare for remote learning, teaching in person or doing both simultaneously. Teachers also complained of having to work 12 to 14 hours a day, survey results show.
Griffin said teachers now also must worry about ensuring in-person students keep their masks on and wash hands, monitoring for symptoms, assessing for anxiety and often teaching from home while supervising their own children's learning. About two thirds of educators are experiencing burnout due to the increased workload and about 27% of educators statewide have considered leaving the profession, she added.
With rising COVID-19 positivity rates in communities, the IEA is threatening health and safety strikes if school districts aren't following health guidelines.
"We have some administrators or school boards, most who are not medical professionals or experts in infectious diseases, making decisions for in-person learning," Griffin said. "It's pushing our members to the brink. We are not against in-person learning. We are against unsafe learning. Based on the metrics alone, in 75 of Illinois' 102 counties and the city of Chicago, it is not safe for many to be gathering in schools right now."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-11--Deaths from COVID-19 surge, cases stand at 12,657

Deaths from COVID-19 rose by nearly 59 % in a week , state data showed Wednesday , as an additional 145 Illinoisans succumbed to the respiratory disease , the highest daily number since May 27 .
The Illinois Department of Public Health also reported 12,657 new virus cases .
An average of 72 people a day died from COVID-19 between Wednesday and Nov. 5 , compared with 45 individuals from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4 .
Of the Illinoisans succumbing to COVID-19 , most -- 87.4 % -- are age 60 and older .
More than 46 % of fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those aged 30 to 59 make up 12.1 % of virus deaths , while children , teenagers and young people up to age 29 total less than 1 % , or 47 fatalities since the pandemic began .
Total fatalities statewide are at 10,434 .
`` This infection does not discriminate for age , or race or sex , '' said physician Jeff Huml , medical director of critical care at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield .
`` You can be very young and still get critically ill and die from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple comorbidities ( serious health conditions ) and do reasonably well .
We have n't quite figured that out . ''
But Central DuPage Hospital experts have learned from the last eight months , decreasing days patients are on ventilators by 50 % , for example , he noted .
`` You save lives by anticipating what will happen next .
We 're better at anticipating , '' Huml said .
COVID-19 patients in hospitals reached a record 5,042 as of Tuesday night .
The second-highest hospitalizations occurred April 28 with 5,037 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge in Illinois .
A year ago , Batavia Overseas VFW Post 1197 marked Veterans Day with a 30-piece band playing hymns from all the services , a one-hour ceremony observed by a crowd , then food and games for the kids .
This year , it was a meaningful `` but very much abbreviated '' ceremony without a band , Post Commander Jay Davis said .
The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting veterans ' organizations hard , as fundraising revenues drop and `` we 're seeing an adverse mental impact , '' Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thread .
Most ca n't share that experience with a spouse , with a friend , with an employer .
They need to be around people with similar experiences -- that get it , '' he explained .
Post 1197 has rallied to hold socially distanced concerts and a Fourth of July parade but ca n't provide the camaraderie from typical get-togethers it did pre-COVID-19 .
`` The lockdown , the isolation , the restrictions really take a toll , '' Davis noted .
The state 's virus test positivity rate stands at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
State labs processed 93,464 tests in the last 24 hours .
What baffles experts sometimes is how COVID-19 can kill people who would seem to fit all the criteria to make a full recovery .
`` They can die of stroke , '' Huml said , `` they can die of a secondary respiratory infection , they can die from heart failure .
That 's what makes this virus incredibly challenging . ''
New and cumulative case totals spiked last week when the state began lumping a previously separate category -- probable @ @ @ @ @

Deaths from COVID-19 surge, cases stand at 12,657
People line up for COVID-19 testing at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
Deaths from COVID-19 rose by nearly 59% in a week, state data showed Wednesday, as an additional 145 Illinoisans succumbed to the respiratory disease, the highest daily number since May 27.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also reported 12,657 new virus cases.
An average of 72 people a day died from COVID-19 between Wednesday and Nov. 5, compared with 45 individuals from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4.
Of the Illinoisans succumbing to COVID-19, most -- 87.4% -- are age 60 and older. More than 46% of fatalities comprise people age 80 and older.
Those aged 30 to 59 make up 12.1% of virus deaths, while children, teenagers and young people up to age 29 total less than 1%, or 47 fatalities since the pandemic began. Total fatalities statewide are at 10,434.
"This infection does not discriminate for age, or race or sex," said physician Jeff Huml, medical director of critical care at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.
"You can be very young and still get critically ill and die from the virus, or older and have multiple comorbidities (serious health conditions) and do reasonably well. We haven't quite figured that out."
But Central DuPage Hospital experts have learned from the last eight months, decreasing days patients are on ventilators by 50%, for example, he noted.
"You save lives by anticipating what will happen next. We're better at anticipating," Huml said.
COVID-19 patients in hospitals reached a record 5,042 as of Tuesday night. The second-highest hospitalizations occurred April 28 with 5,037 patients at the height of the first virus surge in Illinois.
A year ago, Batavia Overseas VFW Post 1197 marked Veterans Day with a 30-piece band playing hymns from all the services, a one-hour ceremony observed by a crowd, then food and games for the kids.
This year, it was a meaningful "but very much abbreviated" ceremony without a band, Post Commander Jay Davis said.
The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting veterans' organizations hard, as fundraising revenues drop and "we're seeing an adverse mental impact," Davis said.
"Veterans share a common thread. Most can't share that experience with a spouse, with a friend, with an employer. They need to be around people with similar experiences -- that get it," he explained.
Post 1197 has rallied to hold socially distanced concerts and a Fourth of July parade but can't provide the camaraderie from typical get-togethers it did pre-COVID-19.
"The lockdown, the isolation, the restrictions really take a toll," Davis noted.
The state's virus test positivity rate stands at 12.4%, reflecting a continuous rise. State labs processed 93,464 tests in the last 24 hours.
What baffles experts sometimes is how COVID-19 can kill people who would seem to fit all the criteria to make a full recovery.
"They can die of stroke," Huml said, "they can die of a secondary respiratory infection, they can die from heart failure. That's what makes this virus incredibly challenging."
Illinois' virus caseload is 523,840.
New and cumulative case totals spiked last week when the state began lumping a previously separate category -- probable cases into the mix.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-11--Will County votes push Underwood further ahead of Oberweis in reelection bid

Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood 's lead in the race for the 14th Congressional District seat grew again Wednesday .
With 2,910 additional votes counted in the Will County portion of the district , Underwood is ahead of Republican challenger Jim Oberweis 200,037 to 195,749 , unofficial results show .
That 's a home-county boost for Underwood , who lives in the Will County portion of Naperville .
With that 4,288-vote advantage , Underwood has 50.54 % of the vote so far , while Oberweis has 49.46 % .
The race remains too close to call .
The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a state senator and dairy owner from Sugar Grove , had the lead on Election Day .
But as the counting of vote-by-mail ballots proceeded , the scales shifted to favor Underwood , who took the lead Saturday night and has stayed in front , her lead growing with each update .
The latest tally does n't include all the votes cast in the race .
Ballots postmarked by Election Day that arrive at election offices by Nov. 17 will be counted , as will provisional ballots .
Will County officials had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release votes from all mailed-in and provisional ballots , but that changed Wednesday .
Kendall County is waiting until Nov. 17 to update its count , while DeKalb and McHenry county officials are expected to do so Nov. 18 .
Lake County will release final counts Nov. 17 but could update before then , County Clerk Robin O'Connor said .
DuPage and Kane county officials have regularly updated totals since Election Day .
Underwood leads in DuPage , Kane , Lake and Will counties .
Oberweis , whose home is in Kane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kendall and McHenry counties .
Underwood won her seat in 2018 as part of the blue wave that swept the Democrats into a House majority .
Although her political fate is still unclear , the Democrats have held every other suburban congressional post .

Will County votes push Underwood further ahead of Oberweis in reelection bid
Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood's lead in the race for the 14th Congressional District seat grew again Wednesday.
With 2,910 additional votes counted in the Will County portion of the district, Underwood is ahead of Republican challenger Jim Oberweis 200,037 to 195,749, unofficial results show.
That's a home-county boost for Underwood, who lives in the Will County portion of Naperville.
With that 4,288-vote advantage, Underwood has 50.54% of the vote so far, while Oberweis has 49.46%.
The race remains too close to call. The Associated Press hasn't projected a victor.
Oberweis, a state senator and dairy owner from Sugar Grove, had the lead on Election Day. But as the counting of vote-by-mail ballots proceeded, the scales shifted to favor Underwood, who took the lead Saturday night and has stayed in front, her lead growing with each update.
The latest tally doesn't include all the votes cast in the race. Ballots postmarked by Election Day that arrive at election offices by Nov. 17 will be counted, as will provisional ballots.
Will County officials had said they were waiting until Nov. 17 to release votes from all mailed-in and provisional ballots, but that changed Wednesday.
Kendall County is waiting until Nov. 17 to update its count, while DeKalb and McHenry county officials are expected to do so Nov. 18.
Lake County will release final counts Nov. 17 but could update before then, County Clerk Robin O'Connor said.
DuPage and Kane county officials have regularly updated totals since Election Day.
Underwood leads in DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties. Oberweis, whose home is in Kane County, is leading in DeKalb, Kendall and McHenry counties.
Underwood won her seat in 2018 as part of the blue wave that swept the Democrats into a House majority. Although her political fate is still unclear, the Democrats have held every other suburban congressional post.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-11--24 days of beer: The Beer Cellar counts down to Christmas with Advent calendar

An Advent calendar may just be indispensable this year .
It can restore a sense of time warped by the pandemic , reminding us that we 're nudging ever closer to Christmas , or the beginning of the end of 2020 .
Proving that Advent calendars are a must-have , there are about 200 left of the version created by Dave Hawley , a bearded guy with a twinkle in his eye .
`` I feel like we have a lot more fervor around this year 's Advent calendar than we have in previous years , '' said the owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellyn and Geneva .
His Advent calendar contains a surprise behind every perforated door : 24 cans of craft beer to toast to each passing day of the holiday season .
Hawley traditionally features breweries from around the country .
But his 2020 selection -- curated as a `` labor of love '' -- supports Illinois breweries trying to cope with COVID-19 restrictions on bar service .
`` Because of COVID , we 've seen the local breweries kind of band together with us , and we wanted to keep as many dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Hawley said .
He began working on the fifth edition of The Beer Cellar Advent calendar in May .
Hawley chooses some beers based on flavor profiles or prestige .
In other cases , he wants his loyal fan base to make a new discovery .
Art History Brewing , for instance , opened this year in Geneva and now has its product in the calendar .
Hawley said Art History is making some of the best lagers in the state `` right out of the gate . ''
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so I want people to know about Art History because I think they are important to the fabric of Illinois craft beer , '' Hawley said .
The calendar lineup also showcases Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village , Hopewell Brewing Co. in Chicago 's Logan Square neighborhood and the city 's Saint Errant Brewing .
Three beers were featured in the medal competition at the Great American Beer Festival .
Hoppy beer , a special dark lager and a cranberry wild ale add to the variety .
`` We try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also try to bring some of the best styles in the area to this thing , '' Hawley said .
The calendars have become a holiday ritual for customers who buy the boxes for themselves , their business clients or the beer connoisseurs in their life .
In pre-pandemic times , Advent calendars would bring a line of customers to The Beer Cellar .
But while the tap room remains closed , Hawley adapted by offering a pandemic-proof way of enjoying limited edition beers at home .
Customers can arrange for free pickup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they live within a 7-mile radius of either store .
Preorders of the $ 100 calendars will run online at Beercellarchicago.com through Nov. 23 .
Hawley takes care to stock the calendars with fresh brews , the way the brewer intended it .
`` We 're ordering all the beer fresh the week of building the calendars , '' he said .
`` Some other places will use old stock they ca n't get rid of or stuff from the shelves .
No .
We order all fresh beer . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MC Johnsen .
A winter Glen Ellyn scene shows two landmarks on a starry night : the Civic Center and the Glen Art Theatre .

24 days of beer: The Beer Cellar counts down to Christmas with Advent calendar
An Advent calendar may just be indispensable this year.
It can restore a sense of time warped by the pandemic, reminding us that we're nudging ever closer to Christmas, or the beginning of the end of 2020.
Proving that Advent calendars are a must-have, there are about 200 left of the version created by Dave Hawley, a bearded guy with a twinkle in his eye.
- Paul Valade | Staff Photographer Dave Hawley's 2020 craft beer Advent calendar spotlights suds from Hopewell Brewing Co. in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood.
"I feel like we have a lot more fervor around this year's Advent calendar than we have in previous years," said the owner of The Beer Cellar shops in Glen Ellyn and Geneva.
His Advent calendar contains a surprise behind every perforated door: 24 cans of craft beer to toast to each passing day of the holiday season.
Hawley traditionally features breweries from around the country. But his 2020 selection -- curated as a "labor of love" -- supports Illinois breweries trying to cope with COVID-19 restrictions on bar service.
"Because of COVID, we've seen the local breweries kind of band together with us, and we wanted to keep as many dollars in our local economy as possible," Hawley said.
He began working on the fifth edition of The Beer Cellar Advent calendar in May. Hawley chooses some beers based on flavor profiles or prestige. In other cases, he wants his loyal fan base to make a new discovery.
- Paul Valade | Staff Photographer The Beer Cellar owner Dave Hawley is once again offering 2020 craft beer Advent calendars at his Glen Ellyn and Geneva shops.
Art History Brewing, for instance, opened this year in Geneva and now has its product in the calendar. Hawley said Art History is making some of the best lagers in the state "right out of the gate."
"We have a huge customer base that exists already, so I want people to know about Art History because I think they are important to the fabric of Illinois craft beer," Hawley said.
The calendar lineup also showcases Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village, Hopewell Brewing Co. in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood and the city's Saint Errant Brewing.
Three beers were featured in the medal competition at the Great American Beer Festival. Hoppy beer, a special dark lager and a cranberry wild ale add to the variety.
"We try to make it festive and fun but we also try to bring some of the best styles in the area to this thing," Hawley said.
The calendars have become a holiday ritual for customers who buy the boxes for themselves, their business clients or the beer connoisseurs in their life. In pre-pandemic times, Advent calendars would bring a line of customers to The Beer Cellar.
- Paul Valade | Staff Photographer The Beer Cellar in downtown Glen Ellyn.
But while the tap room remains closed, Hawley adapted by offering a pandemic-proof way of enjoying limited edition beers at home.
Customers can arrange for free pickup or pay $10 extra for delivery if they live within a 7-mile radius of either store. Preorders of the $100 calendars will run online at Beercellarchicago.com through Nov. 23.
Hawley takes care to stock the calendars with fresh brews, the way the brewer intended it.
"We're ordering all the beer fresh the week of building the calendars," he said. "Some other places will use old stock they can't get rid of or stuff from the shelves. No. We order all fresh beer."
The box itself depicts artwork by returning artist MC Johnsen. A winter Glen Ellyn scene shows two landmarks on a starry night: the Civic Center and the Glen Art Theatre.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-11--Cannabis growing facility approved in Mundelein -- but state permit still needed

Entrepreneurs have received permission from Mundelein officials to open one of Illinois ' first craft cannabis businesses on the village 's east side .
But the proposal from a Chicago-based partnership called CAJD Illinois Ventures ca n't move forward until it gets a state license to grow and process cannabis for recreational use -- and Illinois officials have n't granted any of those yet .
The business has been proposed for an existing building on the 900 block of East Orchard Street .
It would grow , infuse and process marijuana for recreational users , according to village documents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special-use permit for the proposed business .
The next step is getting a state craft growing license .
The initial batch of licenses was supposed to be issued this summer but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Charlotte Hanna , a managing partner with CAJD Illinois Ventures , sounded excited about the opportunity in Mundelein but called the state process `` really difficult to navigate . ''
`` There is n't a lot of transparency , '' Hanna said in a telephone interview .
The partners who make up CAJD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , California and Oregon , Hanna said .
Before Monday 's vote , Orenchuk fielded a few questions from trustees about the proposal .
Trustee Kara Lambert asked about security in what would be a loading area .
Orenchuk said a police department review of security measures would be needed for the business to open .
Trustee Robin Meier asked if the business would produce any sales tax for the village .
Trustee Kerston Russell responded by explaining manufacturers and wholesalers are n't assessed sales tax on their products , only retailers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules will be different for cannabis growers .
The proposed business would n't be the first cannabis operation in Mundelein .
A dispensary called Rise operates at 1325 Armour Blvd .
The two businesses would n't compete for customers .
If approved , the growing facility would produce its own strain of marijuana and sell that product to dispensaries , not directly to consumers .
In addition to Mundelein , craft growing businesses have been proposed in Schaumburg , Wheeling and other communities .

Cannabis growing facility approved in Mundelein -- but state permit still needed
Entrepreneurs have received permission from Mundelein officials to open one of Illinois' first craft cannabis businesses on the village's east side.
But the proposal from a Chicago-based partnership called CAJD Illinois Ventures can't move forward until it gets a state license to grow and process cannabis for recreational use -- and Illinois officials haven't granted any of those yet.
The business has been proposed for an existing building on the 900 block of East Orchard Street. It would grow, infuse and process marijuana for recreational users, according to village documents.
The village board on Monday unanimously approved a special-use permit for the proposed business.
The next step is getting a state craft growing license. The initial batch of licenses was supposed to be issued this summer but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"They're in a holding pattern," Mundelein Community Development Director Amanda Orenchuk told the village board Monday.
Charlotte Hanna, a managing partner with CAJD Illinois Ventures, sounded excited about the opportunity in Mundelein but called the state process "really difficult to navigate."
"There isn't a lot of transparency," Hanna said in a telephone interview.
The partners who make up CAJD Illinois Ventures have cannabis-relate businesses in Massachusetts, California and Oregon, Hanna said.
Before Monday's vote, Orenchuk fielded a few questions from trustees about the proposal.
Trustee Kara Lambert asked about security in what would be a loading area. Orenchuk said a police department review of security measures would be needed for the business to open.
Trustee Robin Meier asked if the business would produce any sales tax for the village. Trustee Kerston Russell responded by explaining manufacturers and wholesalers aren't assessed sales tax on their products, only retailers.
But officials didn't know if the rules will be different for cannabis growers.
The proposed business wouldn't be the first cannabis operation in Mundelein. A dispensary called Rise operates at 1325 Armour Blvd.
The two businesses wouldn't compete for customers. If approved, the growing facility would produce its own strain of marijuana and sell that product to dispensaries, not directly to consumers.
In addition to Mundelein, craft growing businesses have been proposed in Schaumburg, Wheeling and other communities.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-11--College of DuPage prepares for mostly online spring semester

The state 's largest community college will keep most classes online for the spring semester while administrators hope to stave off further enrollment declines during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Fall enrollment fell across the board at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn , mirroring a trend in higher education .
The college has about 21,000 for-credit students enrolled this fall .
Latino student enrollment is down more than 17 % compared to last fall .
Among Black students , enrollment dipped 8 % .
COD also saw a 9 % decline in enrollment among white students .
Community colleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students decide to take a gap year or put their education on hold because of pandemic concerns , challenges with remote learning and technology access or job obligations .
An October report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center showed freshman student enrollment at community colleges fell 22.7 % .
COD officials predicted an overall decline of 8.5 % in fall enrollment after running through several scenarios .
The school eventually saw a 9.4 % drop .
COD President Brian Caputo strongly discouraged students from taking a gap year to avoid online instruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' that pushes back career plans and could reduce future earning potential .
`` What it does is it sets back the student 's education and who knows how long it 's going to be before we really get back to normal , '' Caputo said .
The college will open registration for spring courses to new and returning students Thursday as officials seek to maintain the enrollment level now .
`` I think that 's a reasonable expectation , '' Caputo said .
`` Usually our spring enrollment is pretty strong and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast majority of classes will be held online , but COD is adding nine sections of hybrid courses that combine some in-person and online instruction .
The hybrid sections , mostly in the area of computer information technology , are expected to enroll about 75 students .
`` These are small sections , '' Caputo said .
`` Because of the social distancing , there 's not a lot of people that you put in those rooms . ''
The college has closed the campus to the general public as part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures are checked .
Hall monitors make sure people wear masks and do n't congregate .
`` What we 've done is we 're keeping the density of employees low .
We 're keeping the density of students low , '' Caputo said .
`` And the only students that are coming on campus are those that absolutely must come on campus to do labs and the like .
We 're relaxing that ever so slightly in the spring but not a great deal . ''
Beyond that , loosening restrictions would put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot spot , Caputo said .
There have been two instances in which a class section temporarily closed for two weeks due to a COVID-19 case , he said .
`` Setting up the precautions as we have , we give ourselves the best chance of being able to actually deliver the instruction and not have to close the institution down , '' he said .
To help with technology barriers , the college is loaning out laptops and individual Wi-Fi hot spots for students to take home in addition to providing hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are held in real-time , while online classes adhere to `` instructor timelines , '' school officials say .
`` We are reaching out and making sure all of these options are known by all students , '' Caputo said .
The spring semester catalog includes more than 3,400 courses .
The new semester starts Jan. 25 .
`` We 're just going to offer the full menu of course offerings that we have in the past , '' Caputo said .
`` The modes of delivery are different of course , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the students ' education moving forward and getting their educational goals accomplished . ''

College of DuPage prepares for mostly online spring semester
Instructor Mark Pearson leads an architecture class this call at the College of DuPage. The school will hold most classes online for the spring term. Courtesy of Art Carrillo
A College of DuPage manufacturing technology class taught by instructor Tom Lanagan has an in-person component. The school will hold most classes online for the spring semester. Courtesy of Art Carrillo
The state's largest community college will keep most classes online for the spring semester while administrators hope to stave off further enrollment declines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fall enrollment fell across the board at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, mirroring a trend in higher education.
The college has about 21,000 for-credit students enrolled this fall. Latino student enrollment is down more than 17% compared to last fall. Among Black students, enrollment dipped 8%. COD also saw a 9% decline in enrollment among white students.
Community colleges have faced an enrollment slump as would-be students decide to take a gap year or put their education on hold because of pandemic concerns, challenges with remote learning and technology access or job obligations.
An October report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center showed freshman student enrollment at community colleges fell 22.7%.
COD officials predicted an overall decline of 8.5% in fall enrollment after running through several scenarios. The school eventually saw a 9.4% drop.
COD President Brian Caputo strongly discouraged students from taking a gap year to avoid online instruction, calling it a "terrible idea" that pushes back career plans and could reduce future earning potential.
"What it does is it sets back the student's education and who knows how long it's going to be before we really get back to normal," Caputo said.
The college will open registration for spring courses to new and returning students Thursday as officials seek to maintain the enrollment level now.
"I think that's a reasonable expectation," Caputo said. "Usually our spring enrollment is pretty strong and flows from fall enrollment."
The vast majority of classes will be held online, but COD is adding nine sections of hybrid courses that combine some in-person and online instruction. The hybrid sections, mostly in the area of computer information technology, are expected to enroll about 75 students.
"These are small sections," Caputo said. "Because of the social distancing, there's not a lot of people that you put in those rooms."
The college has closed the campus to the general public as part of a series of COVID-19 precautions. Students' temperatures are checked. Hall monitors make sure people wear masks and don't congregate.
"What we've done is we're keeping the density of employees low. We're keeping the density of students low," Caputo said. "And the only students that are coming on campus are those that absolutely must come on campus to do labs and the like. We're relaxing that ever so slightly in the spring but not a great deal."
Beyond that, loosening restrictions would put the college at risk of becoming a hot spot, Caputo said. There have been two instances in which a class section temporarily closed for two weeks due to a COVID-19 case, he said.
"Setting up the precautions as we have, we give ourselves the best chance of being able to actually deliver the instruction and not have to close the institution down," he said.
To help with technology barriers, the college is loaning out laptops and individual Wi-Fi hot spots for students to take home in addition to providing hot spots on campus.
Some virtual classes are held in real-time, while online classes adhere to "instructor timelines," school officials say.
"We are reaching out and making sure all of these options are known by all students," Caputo said.
The spring semester catalog includes more than 3,400 courses. The new semester starts Jan. 25.
"We're just going to offer the full menu of course offerings that we have in the past," Caputo said. "The modes of delivery are different of course, but there's still an opportunity to keep the students' education moving forward and getting their educational goals accomplished."