dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-10--Analysis: The Senate seats most likely to flip parties in November

With less than a month until Election Day , Democrats are picking up momentum toward winning the Senate majority : Challengers are outraising Republican incumbents , and they are leading in polls .
They 've been helped along by Democrat Joe Biden 's widening lead over President Donald Trump , and some Senate Republicans seeking to distance themselves at the last minute from Trump , after spending years backing him .
But anything could happen .
Like this : the revelation of an affair involving the Democratic nominee in one of the most pivotal states , North Carolina , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And an increase in mail voting carries with it the risk that voters who do n't fill out their ballots correctly wo n't be able to vote at all .
Democrats need a net gain of at least four Senate seats to win the majority , or a Biden presidency and three net wins , which would give the vice president the deciding vote in any ties .
Democrats have a chance in a dozen of the 14 races on this list , but some are in solid Republican territory .
We removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , from our rankings - he 's ahead of Democratic challenger Amy McGrath despite the tens of millions of dollars she 's raised to make it competitive .
Here are the top races most likely to flip parties , categorized and ranked from most to least likely .
- More likely to flip than not : Alabama , Colorado and Arizona .
1 .
Alabama ( Democratic-held ) : There are no changes to the top of our list .
Sen. Doug Jones , D-Ala. , remains the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running for reelection in one of the most pro-Trump states in the nation .
And unlike in 2017 , he 's not going up against a seriously flawed Republican opponent .
Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville has a clear path to victory here .
2 .
Colorado ( Republican-held ) : Republican Sen. Cory Gardner is trying to pull away from Trump in this purple-blue state .
He was hoping his Democratic opponent , former governor John Hickenlooper , would be weakened by an ethics scandal , but that was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and anti-Trump sentiment on the left .
Said one Republican strategist : `` If the president is really struggling in Colorado , that makes the math difficult for Cory . ''
3 .
Arizona ( Republican-held ) : Republicans had hoped this race was tightening for them , but polls show the opposite .
A New York Times/Siena College poll in early October has Democratic challenger Mark Kelly up by an astounding 11 points over Republican Sen. Martha McSally , who was appointed to the seat left vacant following John McCain 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outlier , Kelly has been consistently leading and outraising McSally .
And Biden has led here by an average of three points in high-quality polls since September .
Democrats could have historic wins here in November .
In a sign of what trouble she 's in , McSally in a debate this week refused to say whether she was proud of her support for the president .
4 .
Maine ( Republican-held ) : The polls are just not breaking Sen. Susan Collins 's way .
Two high-quality polls in September had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sara Gideon , up by about five points .
Maine was never a state Trump was expected to win , so Collins always needed to get the votes of some Biden supporters .
But as Trump 's poll numbers sink , she will have to win over even more Biden voters to keep her job , and that just gets harder to do .
The Republican Collins became the subject of Democrats ' ire after a 2018 Supreme Court battle .
Now there 's another big one that Democrats are trying to leverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's likely why Collins wasted no time saying she opposes her party 's push to confirm a justice before the election .
5 .
North Carolina ( Republican-held ) : This swing state at nearly all levels of government has also been trending Democrats ' way , including the Senate race .
But what happens now that Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham 's affair - complete with salacious texts - has been revealed weeks before Election Day ?
It 's too soon to tell .
Republicans made a compelling argument when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central premise as a candidate about honor and duty as a veteran and family man .
In a disastrous interview Friday with North Carolina journalists , he refused to answer multiple direct questions about whether there were other women .
Now he 's under investigation by the Army Reserve for poor behavior .
A University of Massachusetts Lowell poll taken before the affair was revealed showed Cunningham up six points , and Cunningham had announced he had raised an insane $ 28 million in the past three months , while Republican Sen. Thom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the White House .
`` We do see this as a big break in a race that needed one , '' said a Republican strategist who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity .
6 .
Iowa ( Republican-held ) : Iowa still leans red , but Democrats now have a voter registration advantage over Republicans in the state .
One Democrat joked that may be the only good thing to come out of the disastrous Iowa presidential caucuses in February .
And as Senate Democrats ' campaign arm doubled its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Joni Ernst , a Quinnipiac University poll in early October had Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield up by five points and hitting the all-important 50 % mark .
Greenfield also just announced she raised a record-breaking $ 28.7 million over the past three months .
She 's helped by Biden having a two-point average lead here , based on high-quality polls tracked by The Washington Post .
This race will likely be close until the end , and it could decide the majority .
7 .
Georgia ( Republican-held ) : Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. David Perdue : 1 ) in November , 2 ) and then if neither candidate gets over 50 % of the vote , a runoff in early January .
Like all the other races in this toss-up category , it 's tight .
Democrat Jon Ossoff 's best chance to win would be to get 50 % in November , a feat that would probably require Biden to win the state at the presidential level by several percentage points .
High-quality polls show Biden is polling about even with Trump here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : That Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is in a toss-up race is probably the Senate 's biggest surprise of 2020 .
Some Trump supporters are peeling away from Graham , despite his overt embrace of the president .
Democrat Jaime Harrison has raised millions of dollars and flooded the airwaves with a personal story that is motivating Democratic-leaning voters in the suburbs - the early-voting lines are some of the longest South Carolina politicos have seen .
Polls have regularly shown the race tied .
A Republican super PAC just poured a precious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up Graham .
And Republicans are hoping that Graham leading the Senate hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett will help him , too .
9 .
Montana ( Republican-held ) : Trump won this state by 20 points four years ago , but a New York Times-Siena College poll last month found him with just a seven-point lead and the Senate race basically tied .
Still , Republicans have evidence showing GOP Sen. Steve Daines regaining his footing in these final weeks against his challenger , the popular Democratic Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ smack him with negative ads .
Montana voters are known for being OK voting for a Democrat and Republican on the same ballot - like they did in 2016 voting for Bullock for governor and Trump for president .
But in a hyperpartisan presidential year , there just may not be enough reason for Montana voters to kick out their sitting Republican senator .
- Could flip under the right conditions : Michigan , Georgia 's special election , Kansas , Alaska , Texas .
10 .
Michigan ( Democratic-held ) : Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race against Republican challenger John James , a veteran and conservative media darling .
But that may be changing as outside groups pour millions of dollars into this race , causing polls to tighten in a way that worry some Democrats .
As The Washington Post 's Rachael Bade and Paul Kane reported recently : `` Some allies of Peters have sent warnings to Democratic leaders that if they do not shore up what should be an easy victory , they could fall shy of the majority . ''
Still , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential level , with Biden leading by an average of seven points according to a Washington Post average .
11 .
Georgia special election ( Republican-held ) : Democrat Raphael Warnock has an infusion of cash that is helping him take the lead in some polling in this crowded special election race .
Two other Republicans are duking it out - Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Rep. Doug Collins - and it 's likely no one gets to 50 % , sending the top-two vote getters to a runoff .
If Warnock makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters to come out again in January , when there wo n't be a presidential race to help him overcome the conservative tilt of this state .
12 .
Kansas ( Republican-held ) : Republicans are n't happy with how their candidate , Rep. Roger Marshall , is doing against former-Republican-turned-Democrat state senator Barbara Bollier .
She 's outraising and outspending Marshall as she tries to seize the health-care mantle , forcing GOP outside groups to spend millions of dollars here to make sure they do n't lose this race - a possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here in 2018 .
13 .
Alaska ( Republican-held ) : Democrats are supporting independent Al Gross , a doctor and fisherman with money of his own to spend as he tries to unseat Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan , who narrowly beat a well-known Democrat six years ago .
Yet again , Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic is the top reason it has the potential to be competitive , with polling showing Trump leading by single digits and some private polling showing Gross down by about four points .
Alaska does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats to the Senate , but as a Republican strategist put it , this is a state that wants to vote Republican .
14 .
Texas ( Republican-held ) : We debated taking Texas off this list after Republican Sen. John Cornyn strengthened his lead over Democrat MJ Hegar in several recent polls .
But Hegar does currently have more ads on TV than he does , and Democrats argue that if the Latino community gets marshaled , she could be in a great position .
Biden is also behind Trump by just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Washington Post average of polls .
Both sides agree Texas could go blue - but it will probably take a much more concerted ( read : expensive ) investment on Democrats ' part to do it .
And even as Hegar raises millions of dollars , so far the outside money is n't there .

Analysis: The Senate seats most likely to flip parties in November
FILE - In this Thursday, May 7, 2020, file photo, U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., speaks during a Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on new coronavirus tests on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democratic Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama has called Republican challenger Tommy Tuberville "Coach Clueless" for the former football coach's recent comments about the coronavirus. Jones attacked Tuberville in a campaign appearance Friday, Sept. 11, 2020.
FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2020, file photo Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner speaks during a debate with Democratic former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper in Denver. Gardner's re-election hinges on convincing the state's crucial slice of independent voters he's a nonpartisan problem-solver who will look out for the state. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via AP, Pool, File)
With less than a month until Election Day, Democrats are picking up momentum toward winning the Senate majority: Challengers are outraising Republican incumbents, and they are leading in polls. They've been helped along by Democrat Joe Biden's widening lead over President Donald Trump, and some Senate Republicans seeking to distance themselves at the last minute from Trump, after spending years backing him.
But anything could happen. Like this: the revelation of an affair involving the Democratic nominee in one of the most pivotal states, North Carolina, as many voters there are casting ballots. And an increase in mail voting carries with it the risk that voters who don't fill out their ballots correctly won't be able to vote at all.
Democrats need a net gain of at least four Senate seats to win the majority, or a Biden presidency and three net wins, which would give the vice president the deciding vote in any ties.
Democrats have a chance in a dozen of the 14 races on this list, but some are in solid Republican territory. We removed the reelection campaign of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., from our rankings - he's ahead of Democratic challenger Amy McGrath despite the tens of millions of dollars she's raised to make it competitive.
Here are the top races most likely to flip parties, categorized and ranked from most to least likely.
- More likely to flip than not: Alabama, Colorado and Arizona.
1. Alabama (Democratic-held): There are no changes to the top of our list. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., remains the most vulnerable senator of 2020. He's running for reelection in one of the most pro-Trump states in the nation. And unlike in 2017, he's not going up against a seriously flawed Republican opponent. Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville has a clear path to victory here.
2. Colorado (Republican-held): Republican Sen. Cory Gardner is trying to pull away from Trump in this purple-blue state. He was hoping his Democratic opponent, former governor John Hickenlooper, would be weakened by an ethics scandal, but that wasn't enough of an issue to overcome partisanship - and anti-Trump sentiment on the left. Said one Republican strategist: "If the president is really struggling in Colorado, that makes the math difficult for Cory."
3. Arizona (Republican-held): Republicans had hoped this race was tightening for them, but polls show the opposite. A New York Times/Siena College poll in early October has Democratic challenger Mark Kelly up by an astounding 11 points over Republican Sen. Martha McSally, who was appointed to the seat left vacant following John McCain's death. Even if that poll is an outlier, Kelly has been consistently leading and outraising McSally. And Biden has led here by an average of three points in high-quality polls since September. Democrats could have historic wins here in November. In a sign of what trouble she's in, McSally in a debate this week refused to say whether she was proud of her support for the president.
- Toss-ups: Maine, North Carolina, Iowa, Georgia, South Carolina, Montana.
4. Maine (Republican-held): The polls are just not breaking Sen. Susan Collins's way. Two high-quality polls in September had Democratic challenger, Maine Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon, up by about five points. Maine was never a state Trump was expected to win, so Collins always needed to get the votes of some Biden supporters. But as Trump's poll numbers sink, she will have to win over even more Biden voters to keep her job, and that just gets harder to do. The Republican Collins became the subject of Democrats' ire after a 2018 Supreme Court battle. Now there's another big one that Democrats are trying to leverage to further tie Collins to Trump. That's likely why Collins wasted no time saying she opposes her party's push to confirm a justice before the election.
5. North Carolina (Republican-held): This swing state at nearly all levels of government has also been trending Democrats' way, including the Senate race. But what happens now that Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham's affair - complete with salacious texts - has been revealed weeks before Election Day? It's too soon to tell. Republicans made a compelling argument when they said Cunningham single-handedly managed to undercut his central premise as a candidate about honor and duty as a veteran and family man. In a disastrous interview Friday with North Carolina journalists, he refused to answer multiple direct questions about whether there were other women. Now he's under investigation by the Army Reserve for poor behavior. A University of Massachusetts Lowell poll taken before the affair was revealed showed Cunningham up six points, and Cunningham had announced he had raised an insane $28 million in the past three months, while Republican Sen. Thom Tillis had just contracted coronavirus after being at the White House. "We do see this as a big break in a race that needed one," said a Republican strategist who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity.
6. Iowa (Republican-held): Iowa still leans red, but Democrats now have a voter registration advantage over Republicans in the state. One Democrat joked that may be the only good thing to come out of the disastrous Iowa presidential caucuses in February. And as Senate Democrats' campaign arm doubled its investment here to try to unseat Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, a Quinnipiac University poll in early October had Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield up by five points and hitting the all-important 50% mark. Greenfield also just announced she raised a record-breaking $28.7 million over the past three months. She's helped by Biden having a two-point average lead here, based on high-quality polls tracked by The Washington Post. This race will likely be close until the end, and it could decide the majority.
7. Georgia (Republican-held): Democrats have two shots to try to unseat Republican Sen. David Perdue: 1) in November, 2) and then if neither candidate gets over 50% of the vote, a runoff in early January. Like all the other races in this toss-up category, it's tight. Democrat Jon Ossoff's best chance to win would be to get 50% in November, a feat that would probably require Biden to win the state at the presidential level by several percentage points. High-quality polls show Biden is polling about even with Trump here.
8. South Carolina (Republican-held): That Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is in a toss-up race is probably the Senate's biggest surprise of 2020. Some Trump supporters are peeling away from Graham, despite his overt embrace of the president. Democrat Jaime Harrison has raised millions of dollars and flooded the airwaves with a personal story that is motivating Democratic-leaning voters in the suburbs - the early-voting lines are some of the longest South Carolina politicos have seen. Polls have regularly shown the race tied. A Republican super PAC just poured a precious $10 million to try to shore up Graham. And Republicans are hoping that Graham leading the Senate hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett will help him, too.
9. Montana (Republican-held): Trump won this state by 20 points four years ago, but a New York Times-Siena College poll last month found him with just a seven-point lead and the Senate race basically tied. Still, Republicans have evidence showing GOP Sen. Steve Daines regaining his footing in these final weeks against his challenger, the popular Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, as Republicans try to smack him with negative ads. Montana voters are known for being OK voting for a Democrat and Republican on the same ballot - like they did in 2016 voting for Bullock for governor and Trump for president. But in a hyperpartisan presidential year, there just may not be enough reason for Montana voters to kick out their sitting Republican senator.
- Could flip under the right conditions: Michigan, Georgia's special election, Kansas, Alaska, Texas.
10. Michigan (Democratic-held): Democratic Sen. Gary Peters has had a sleepy race against Republican challenger John James, a veteran and conservative media darling. But that may be changing as outside groups pour millions of dollars into this race, causing polls to tighten in a way that worry some Democrats. As The Washington Post's Rachael Bade and Paul Kane reported recently: "Some allies of Peters have sent warnings to Democratic leaders that if they do not shore up what should be an easy victory, they could fall shy of the majority." Still, this is the most Democratic-friendly swing state at the presidential level, with Biden leading by an average of seven points according to a Washington Post average.
11. Georgia special election (Republican-held): Democrat Raphael Warnock has an infusion of cash that is helping him take the lead in some polling in this crowded special election race. Two other Republicans are duking it out - Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Rep. Doug Collins - and it's likely no one gets to 50%, sending the top-two vote getters to a runoff. If Warnock makes it, he'll have to convince Democratic-leaning voters to come out again in January, when there won't be a presidential race to help him overcome the conservative tilt of this state.
12. Kansas (Republican-held): Republicans aren't happy with how their candidate, Rep. Roger Marshall, is doing against former-Republican-turned-Democrat state senator Barbara Bollier. She's outraising and outspending Marshall as she tries to seize the health-care mantle, forcing GOP outside groups to spend millions of dollars here to make sure they don't lose this race - a possibility after Democrats won the governor's race here in 2018.
13. Alaska (Republican-held): Democrats are supporting independent Al Gross, a doctor and fisherman with money of his own to spend as he tries to unseat Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, who narrowly beat a well-known Democrat six years ago. Yet again, Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic is the top reason it has the potential to be competitive, with polling showing Trump leading by single digits and some private polling showing Gross down by about four points. Alaska does have an independent streak and has elected Democrats to the Senate, but as a Republican strategist put it, this is a state that wants to vote Republican.
14. Texas (Republican-held): We debated taking Texas off this list after Republican Sen. John Cornyn strengthened his lead over Democrat MJ Hegar in several recent polls. But Hegar does currently have more ads on TV than he does, and Democrats argue that if the Latino community gets marshaled, she could be in a great position. Biden is also behind Trump by just about three points here, according to a Washington Post average of polls. Both sides agree Texas could go blue - but it will probably take a much more concerted (read: expensive) investment on Democrats' part to do it. And even as Hegar raises millions of dollars, so far the outside money isn't there.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-09--Erin Wall, a veteran Lyric Opera and CSO soprano, dies at 44

Erin Wall , one of the world 's leading opera sopranos , died Thursday from complications of metastatic breast cancer .
She was 44 .
Wall was born in Calgary , Canada , to American parents , and she maintained dual citizenship through her life .
Her singing career received a jump-start in 2001 when she was chosen to be a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago 's Ryan Opera Center , a professional artist-development program .
Wall also made her Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut that year singing Mozart and Lehár selections for a New Year 's Eve concert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on for the star '' moment in 2004 for a new Lyric staging of Mozart 's `` Don Giovanni . ''
She stepped in at the last minute as Donna Anna for an indisposed Karita Mattila for the gala opening night marking the start of the Lyric 's 50th-anniversary season .
Wall would go on to perform with the world 's leading opera companies and symphony orchestras in North America , Europe and Asia .
Yet Wall also maintained strong ties to Chicago throughout her career .
Wall 's two appearances with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Highland Park were both performing Beethoven 's Ninth Symphony -- first in 2005 with conductor Christoph Eschenbach , and then in 2009 with conductor James Conlon .
Wall performed 13 roles at Lyric , including Pamina in Mozart 's `` The Magic Flute , '' Helena in Britten 's `` A Midsummer Night 's Dream '' and Antonia in Offenbach 's `` The Tales of Hoffmann . ''
In early 2018 , Wall was set to return to the role of Marguerite in a new Lyric production of Gounod 's `` Faust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to undergo chemotherapy treatments when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 42 .
Wall was open about her cancer battle , extensively writing about her experiences in a February 2019 blog post when she was appearing in `` Elektra '' for the Canadian Opera Company .
Wall candidly shared photos of herself with and without wigs , and she even posted a photo after completing the 2018 New York Marathon .
Two of Wall 's final Chicago performances were at the end of 2018 .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Princess Elettra in a Lyric revival of Mozart 's `` Idomeneo . ''
Wall then performed the `` Four Last Songs '' -- a farewell to life by composer Richard Strauss -- with the Chicago Symphony in December .
`` All of us at Lyric Opera of Chicago are heartbroken at the news of Erin Wall 's death , '' Lyric general director Anthony Freud said in a statement .
`` All of us were inspired by her artistry , her spirit and her commitment to the art form and her colleagues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Erin Wall, a veteran Lyric Opera and CSO soprano, dies at 44
Soprano Erin Wall portrayed Freia, right, opposite Russian mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova as Fricka in a 2004 Lyric Opera of Chicago revival of Wagner's "Das Rheingold." Wall, 44, died Thursday after a long illness. Courtesy of Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Soprano Erin Wall was a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center. She would go on to star in leading roles like Fiordiligi in a 2007 Lyric revival of Mozart's "Cosi fan tutti." Courtesy of Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago
Soprano Erin Wall, 44, died Thursday. Wall was a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center and went on to star in leading roles. Courtesy of Kristin Hoebermann
Erin Wall, one of the world's leading opera sopranos, died Thursday from complications of metastatic breast cancer. She was 44.
Wall was born in Calgary, Canada, to American parents, and she maintained dual citizenship through her life. Her singing career received a jump-start in 2001 when she was chosen to be a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center, a professional artist-development program.
Wall also made her Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut that year singing Mozart and Lehár selections for a New Year's Eve concert.
Wall had a breakout "understudy going on for the star" moment in 2004 for a new Lyric staging of Mozart's "Don Giovanni." She stepped in at the last minute as Donna Anna for an indisposed Karita Mattila for the gala opening night marking the start of the Lyric's 50th-anniversary season.
Wall would go on to perform with the world's leading opera companies and symphony orchestras in North America, Europe and Asia. Yet Wall also maintained strong ties to Chicago throughout her career.
Wall's two appearances with the Chicago Symphony at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park were both performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony -- first in 2005 with conductor Christoph Eschenbach, and then in 2009 with conductor James Conlon.
Wall performed 13 roles at Lyric, including Pamina in Mozart's "The Magic Flute," Helena in Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and Antonia in Offenbach's "The Tales of Hoffmann."
In early 2018, Wall was set to return to the role of Marguerite in a new Lyric production of Gounod's "Faust." But Wall had to drop out to undergo chemotherapy treatments when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 42.
Wall was open about dealing with cancer, extensively writing about her experiences in a February 2019 blog post when she was appearing in "Elektra" for the Canadian Opera Company. Wall candidly shared photos of herself with and without wigs, and she even posted a photo after completing the 2018 New York Marathon.
Two of Wall's final Chicago performances were at the end of 2018. In October and November, Wall starred as Princess Elettra in a Lyric revival of Mozart's "Idomeneo." Wall then performed the "Four Last Songs" -- a farewell to life by composer Richard Strauss -- with the Chicago Symphony in December.
"All of us at Lyric Opera of Chicago are heartbroken at the news of Erin Wall's death," Lyric general director Anthony Freud said in a statement. "All of us were inspired by her artistry, her spirit and her commitment to the art form and her colleagues. She will be very, very missed."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-10--Doctor says Trump no longer at risk of transmitting virus

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump 's doctor said Saturday the president is no longer at risk of transmitting the coronavirus .
In a memo , Navy Cmdr .
Dr. Sean Conley says Trump meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for safely discontinuing isolation and that by `` currently recognized standards '' he is no longer considered a transmission risk .
The memo follows Trump 's first public appearance since returning to the White House after being treated for the coronavirus .
Hundreds of people gathered Saturday afternoon on the South Lawn for a Trump address on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House balcony .
Trump took off a mask moments after he emerged on the balcony to address the crowd on the lawn below , his first step back onto the public stage with just more than three weeks to go until Election Day .
He flouted , once more , the safety recommendations of his own government just days after acknowledging that he was on the brink of `` bad things '' from the virus and claiming that his bout with the illness brought him a better understanding of it .
His return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visible on his hands , likely from an intravenous injection , Trump spoke for 18 minutes , far less than at his normal hour-plus rallies .
He appeared healthy , if perhaps a little hoarse , as he delivered what was , for all intents and purposes , a short version of his campaign speech despite the executive mansion setting .
Though billed as an official event , Trump offered no policy proposals and instead delivered the usual attacks on Democrat Joe Biden while praising law enforcement to a crowd of several hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few adhered to social distancing guidelines .
`` I 'm feeling great , '' said Trump , who said he was thankful for their good wishes and prayers as he recovered .
He then declared that the pandemic , which has killed more than 210,000 Americans , was `` disappearing '' even though he is still recovering from the virus .
In either an act of defiance or simply tempting fate , officials organized the crowd just steps from the Rose Garden , where exactly two weeks ago the president held another large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
That event is now being eyed as a possible COVID-19 superspreader as more than two dozen people in attendance have contracted the virus .
Trump had hoped to hold campaign rallies this weekend but settled for the White House event .
But even as his health remained unclear , he planned to ramp up his travel with a rally in Florida on Monday , followed by trips to Pennsylvania and Iowa on subsequent days .
It was not clear if Trump posed a risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force One or encounter at the rally sites .
Before the speech , White House officials said they had no information to release on whether the president was tested for COVID-19 , meaning he made his first public appearance without the White House verifying that he 's no longer contagious .
Security was stepped up around the White House before the event , which was called a `` peaceful protest for law & order '' and predominantly attended by Black and Latino supporters .
Police and the Secret Service closed surrounding streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the park near the White House that has long been a gathering place for public protest .
As questions linger about his health -- and Democratic opponent Joe Biden steps up his own campaigning -- Trump has more frequently called into radio and TV programs to speak with conservative interviewers , hoping to make up for lost time with just over three weeks until Election Day and millions already voting .
Biden 's campaign said he again tested negative on Saturday for COVID-19 .
Biden was potentially exposed to the coronavirus during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who announced his positive diagnosis barely 48 hours after the debate .
The president had not been seen in public -- other than in White House-produced videos -- since his return five days ago from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where he received experimental treatments for the coronavirus .
On Saturday , all attendees were required to bring masks or were provided with them , and were given temperature checks and asked to fill out a brief questionnaire .
Some in the crowd removed their mask to listen to Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida , what he 's described as a `` BIG RALLY , '' was originally scheduled to be held on Oct. 2 , the day after he tested positive .
Ahead of his Saturday event , Trump used Twitter to share news articles about problems with mail-in ballots in New Jersey , Ohio and Texas .
Trump has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that universal mail-in voting is beset by widespread fraud .
Trump 's return to public activity came as Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government 's top infectious-disease expert , cautioned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people without masks .
He said of the Barrett event in an interview with The Associated Press , `` I was not surprised to see a superspreader event given the circumstances . ''
That means `` crowded , congregate setting , not wearing masks .
It is not surprising to see an outbreak , '' he said .
District of Columbia virus restrictions prohibit outdoor gatherings larger than 50 people , although that rule has not been strictly enforced .
Masks are mandatory outdoors for most people , but the regulations do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump White House has openly flouted them for months .
Confined to the White House as he recovers , Trump spent sizable chunks of the past few days making the rounds of friendly conservative media , calling in to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night and spending two hours live on air with radio host Rush Limbaugh on Friday in what his campaign billed as a `` radio rally . ''
Holding court on his reelection battle , his fight against the coronavirus and revived negotiations with Democrats to pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a direct appeal to his base of loyal supporters , whom he needs to turn out to the polls in droves .
In a Friday night interview on Fox 's Tucker Carlson 's show , Trump was asked if he has been retested for COVID-19 .
`` I have been retested , and I have n't even found out numbers or anything yet .
But I 've been retested , and I know I 'm at either the bottom of the scale or free , '' he said .
White House officials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump last tested negative for the virus before his diagnosis or release detailed information about lung scans taken while Trump was hospitalized .
Aides to the president insist that it is safe for Trump to return to his regular activities , including campaigning .
CDC guidelines call for the infected to wait at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms , Fauci noted in the AP interview .
That onset for Trump was Oct. 1 , according to his doctors .
Conley added that Trump was showing no evidence of his illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of therapy he has received .
While reports of reinfection in COVID-19 victims are rare , the CDC recommends that even people who recover from the disease continue to wear masks , stay distanced and follow other precautions .
It was unclear if Trump , who has refused mask wearing in most settings , would abide by that guidance as he resumes his campaign .

Doctor says Trump no longer at risk of transmitting virus
President Donald Trump supporters walk to the gate of the White House after a rally at The Ellipse, where Trump held an event on Saturday.
President Donald Trump removes his face mask to speak from the Blue Room Balcony of the White House to a crowd of supporters, Saturday.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's doctor said Saturday the president is no longer at risk of transmitting the coronavirus.
In a memo, Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley says Trump meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for safely discontinuing isolation and that by "currently recognized standards" he is no longer considered a transmission risk.
The memo follows Trump's first public appearance since returning to the White House after being treated for the coronavirus. Hundreds of people gathered Saturday afternoon on the South Lawn for a Trump address on his support for law enforcement from a White House balcony.
Trump took off a mask moments after he emerged on the balcony to address the crowd on the lawn below, his first step back onto the public stage with just more than three weeks to go until Election Day. He flouted, once more, the safety recommendations of his own government just days after acknowledging that he was on the brink of "bad things" from the virus and claiming that his bout with the illness brought him a better understanding of it.
His return was a brief one. With bandages visible on his hands, likely from an intravenous injection, Trump spoke for 18 minutes, far less than at his normal hour-plus rallies. He appeared healthy, if perhaps a little hoarse, as he delivered what was, for all intents and purposes, a short version of his campaign speech despite the executive mansion setting.
Though billed as an official event, Trump offered no policy proposals and instead delivered the usual attacks on Democrat Joe Biden while praising law enforcement to a crowd of several hundred, most of whom wore masks while few adhered to social distancing guidelines.
"I'm feeling great," said Trump, who said he was thankful for their good wishes and prayers as he recovered. He then declared that the pandemic, which has killed more than 210,000 Americans, was "disappearing" even though he is still recovering from the virus.
In either an act of defiance or simply tempting fate, officials organized the crowd just steps from the Rose Garden, where exactly two weeks ago the president held another large gathering to formally announce his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. That event is now being eyed as a possible COVID-19 superspreader as more than two dozen people in attendance have contracted the virus.
Trump had hoped to hold campaign rallies this weekend but settled for the White House event. But even as his health remained unclear, he planned to ramp up his travel with a rally in Florida on Monday, followed by trips to Pennsylvania and Iowa on subsequent days. It was not clear if Trump posed a risk to those he would fly with on Air Force One or encounter at the rally sites.
Before the speech, White House officials said they had no information to release on whether the president was tested for COVID-19, meaning he made his first public appearance without the White House verifying that he's no longer contagious.
Security was stepped up around the White House before the event, which was called a "peaceful protest for law & order" and predominantly attended by Black and Latino supporters. Police and the Secret Service closed surrounding streets to vehicles and shut down Lafayette Square, the park near the White House that has long been a gathering place for public protest.
As questions linger about his health -- and Democratic opponent Joe Biden steps up his own campaigning -- Trump has more frequently called into radio and TV programs to speak with conservative interviewers, hoping to make up for lost time with just over three weeks until Election Day and millions already voting.
Biden's campaign said he again tested negative on Saturday for COVID-19. Biden was potentially exposed to the coronavirus during his Sept. 29 debate with Trump, who announced his positive diagnosis barely 48 hours after the debate.
The president had not been seen in public -- other than in White House-produced videos -- since his return five days ago from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he received experimental treatments for the coronavirus.
On Saturday, all attendees were required to bring masks or were provided with them, and were given temperature checks and asked to fill out a brief questionnaire. Some in the crowd removed their mask to listen to Trump.
Trump's Monday event in Sanford, Florida, what he's described as a "BIG RALLY," was originally scheduled to be held on Oct. 2, the day after he tested positive. Ahead of his Saturday event, Trump used Twitter to share news articles about problems with mail-in ballots in New Jersey, Ohio and Texas. Trump has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that universal mail-in voting is beset by widespread fraud.
Trump's return to public activity came as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious-disease expert, cautioned the White House again to avoid large-scale gatherings of people without masks.
He said of the Barrett event in an interview with The Associated Press, "I was not surprised to see a superspreader event given the circumstances." That means "crowded, congregate setting, not wearing masks. It is not surprising to see an outbreak," he said.
District of Columbia virus restrictions prohibit outdoor gatherings larger than 50 people, although that rule has not been strictly enforced. Masks are mandatory outdoors for most people, but the regulations don't apply on federal land, and the Trump White House has openly flouted them for months.
Confined to the White House as he recovers, Trump spent sizable chunks of the past few days making the rounds of friendly conservative media, calling in to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night and spending two hours live on air with radio host Rush Limbaugh on Friday in what his campaign billed as a "radio rally."
Holding court on his reelection battle, his fight against the coronavirus and revived negotiations with Democrats to pass an economic stimulus bill, Trump made a direct appeal to his base of loyal supporters, whom he needs to turn out to the polls in droves.
In a Friday night interview on Fox's Tucker Carlson's show, Trump was asked if he has been retested for COVID-19. "I have been retested, and I haven't even found out numbers or anything yet. But I've been retested, and I know I'm at either the bottom of the scale or free," he said.
White House officials, however, have declined to answer when Trump last tested negative for the virus before his diagnosis or release detailed information about lung scans taken while Trump was hospitalized.
Aides to the president insist that it is safe for Trump to return to his regular activities, including campaigning. CDC guidelines call for the infected to wait at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms, Fauci noted in the AP interview. That onset for Trump was Oct. 1, according to his doctors.
Conley added that Trump was showing no evidence of his illness progressing or adverse reactions to the aggressive course of therapy he has received.
While reports of reinfection in COVID-19 victims are rare, the CDC recommends that even people who recover from the disease continue to wear masks, stay distanced and follow other precautions. It was unclear if Trump, who has refused mask wearing in most settings, would abide by that guidance as he resumes his campaign.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--St. Charles man charged in hit-and-run that killed woman in wheelchair

A St. Charles man has been charged in the hit-and-run crash that killed a woman in a wheelchair Friday , @ @ @ @ @ J. Jensen , 23 , of the 100 block of South 13th Street , faces @ @ @ @ @ of an accident resulting in personal injury or death and failure to report an accident @ @ @ @ @ -- as well as failure to yield at a crosswalk .
Helen Radnoti , 88 @ @ @ @ @ fatally struck by Jensen 's pickup truck about 4 p.m. Friday at Third Street and @ @ @ @ @ Charles , police said .
Radnoti was crossing the street with her adult son when @ @ @ @ @ truck , which was turning right from southbound Third on to westbound Main , police @ @ @ @ @ did n't stop , police said .
Radnoti later was pronounced dead at an area @ @ @ @ @ the police station late Friday night .
Charges were approved Sunday by the Kane County @ @ @ @ @ .

St. Charles man charged in hit-and-run that killed woman in wheelchair
A St. Charles man has been charged in the hit-and-run crash that killed a woman in a wheelchair Friday, police announced Sunday.
Andrew J. Jensen, 23, of the 100 block of South 13th Street, faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury or death and failure to report an accident or death -- both felonies -- as well as failure to yield at a crosswalk.
Helen Radnoti, 88, of Chicago, was fatally struck by Jensen's pickup truck about 4 p.m. Friday at Third Street and West Main Street in St. Charles, police said.
Radnoti was crossing the street with her adult son when she was hit by the truck, which was turning right from southbound Third on to westbound Main, police said. The pickup truck didn't stop, police said.
Radnoti later was pronounced dead at an area hospital.
Jensen surrendered at the police station late Friday night. Charges were approved Sunday by the Kane County state's attorney's office.
Jensen remains in custody pending a scheduled court appearance Monday for a bond hearing.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--State reports 2,727 more COVID-19 cases, but death totals fall

High totals of new COVID-19 infections in Illinois continued for another day Sunday , but there was some good news as state health authorities reported the smallest daily death toll in nearly three weeks .
The state reported 2,727 new confirmed cases Sunday , maintaining a trend of five consecutive days with more than 2,500 additional infections .
There were only two days of 2,500 or more infections in the previous 30 days .
But the nine deaths reported Sunday were the fewest since Sept. 21 , when state health officials reported six deaths .
Among the deaths confirmed Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their 90s , two DuPage County residents , a woman in her 70s and a woman , and a Will County woman in her 50s .
Sunday 's figures bring the state 's totals to 319,150 cases and 8,984 deaths .
Along with case totals , the seven-day test positivity rate also is trending up , with the rate standing at 4.2 % from Oct. 4-10 .
That 's up from 4 % reported Saturday and 3.3 % the previous Sunday .
Within the previous 24 hours , 64,047 tests were reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Saturday night , 1,776 people were hospitalized in Illinois with COVID-19 , according to the state .
Of those , 388 were in intensive care and 159 patients were on ventilators .

State reports 2,727 more COVID-19 cases, but death totals fall
Illinois health officials reported another 2,727 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, along with nine more deaths from the coronavirus. It's the fifth straight day with more than 2,500 new infections, but lowest daily death toll in nearly three weeks. Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP
High totals of new COVID-19 infections in Illinois continued for another day Sunday, but there was some good news as state health authorities reported the smallest daily death toll in nearly three weeks.
The state reported 2,727 new confirmed cases Sunday, maintaining a trend of five consecutive days with more than 2,500 additional infections. There were only two days of 2,500 or more infections in the previous 30 days.
But the nine deaths reported Sunday were the fewest since Sept. 21, when state health officials reported six deaths. Among the deaths confirmed Sunday were two Cook County residents, both in their 90s, two DuPage County residents, a woman in her 70s and a woman, and a Will County woman in her 50s.
Sunday's figures bring the state's totals to 319,150 cases and 8,984 deaths.
Along with case totals, the seven-day test positivity rate also is trending up, with the rate standing at 4.2% from Oct. 4-10. That's up from 4% reported Saturday and 3.3% the previous Sunday. Within the previous 24 hours, 64,047 tests were reported, state officials said Sunday.
As of Saturday night, 1,776 people were hospitalized in Illinois with COVID-19, according to the state. Of those, 388 were in intensive care and 159 patients were on ventilators.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--ESPN: Bears practice squad player tests positive for coronavirus

A Bears practice squad player has tested positive for COVID-19 , according to a report from ESPN 's Adam Schefter @ @ @ @ @ ongoing .
The Bears have not practiced since Wednesday , prior to Thursday night 's @ @ @ @ @ Buccaneers .
Practice squad members are not typically allowed on the sidelines during games , @ @ @ @ @ optimism .
It 's unclear if this is a confirmed positive test or if it @ @ @ @ @ a false positive , which has happened to the Bears in the past .
As @ @ @ @ @ Bears players had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
According to Schefter , it @ @ @ @ @ across the league Saturday .
ESPN is also reporting that a conditioning coach for the @ @ @ @ @ positive .
Schefter reported that the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots , both @ @ @ @ @ positive this week , have not seen any new positive tests .

ESPN: Bears practice squad player tests positive for coronavirus
Bears players' helmets sit on the field during an NFL football camp practice in Lake Forest, Ill., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. Associated Press
A Bears practice squad player has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, and contact tracing is ongoing.
The Bears have not practiced since Wednesday, prior to Thursday night's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Practice squad members are not typically allowed on the sidelines during games, which is another reason for optimism.
It's unclear if this is a confirmed positive test or if it's potentially being investigated as a false positive, which has happened to the Bears in the past. As of Saturday afternoon, no Bears players had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
According to Schefter, it was the second new positive across the league Saturday. ESPN is also reporting that a conditioning coach for the Kansas City Chiefs has tested positive.
Schefter reported that the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots, both of which had players test positive this week, have not seen any new positive tests.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--Trump supporters rally in Algonquin, calling for 'four more years'

A crowd alongside Algonquin 's Countryside Lane chanted `` four more years '' and rallied in support of President Donald Trump on Saturday .
Glenn Rabick , of Huntley , said he supports Trump because he `` cares about America and he 's not socialist , '' adding that he likes the president 's lessened regulations on businesses and how he helped the oil industry .
Chris Miszczak , from Huntley , said a `` red wave '' is needed to turn things around .
`` I think if Trump gets reelected it will be another good four years for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Huntley resident Marlene Koerner said she supports Trump because `` he has guts . ''
Some of the aspects of Trump 's presidency Koerner said she liked are his loosening of business restrictions , and how he wants to build a wall across the United States and Mexican border .
Trump takes a lot of criticism , Koerner said .
Recently , much of the criticism of Trump has to do with his response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Still , at Saturday 's rally , Woodstock resident Jeannie Hanetmann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 `` great , '' citing his travel restrictions on China .
She also agrees with Trump 's push to reopen schools and for states to reopen their economies .
As a Hispanic woman , Hanetmann said , she also thinks Trump has done a lot for Hispanics , including opening up the job market for them .
A counter protester , Crystal Lake resident Julia Pappalardo , part of the Facebook group Activists for Racial Equity , stood across the street with a sign to show that not everyone in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're the loudest , that does n't mean that everyone agrees with them in the community , '' Pappalardo said .

Trump supporters rally in Algonquin, calling for 'four more years'
A crowd alongside Algonquin's Countryside Lane chanted "four more years" and rallied in support of President Donald Trump on Saturday.
Glenn Rabick, of Huntley, said he supports Trump because he "cares about America and he's not socialist," adding that he likes the president's lessened regulations on businesses and how he helped the oil industry.
Chris Miszczak, from Huntley, said a "red wave" is needed to turn things around.
"I think if Trump gets reelected it will be another good four years for the country as a whole," he said.
Huntley resident Marlene Koerner said she supports Trump because "he has guts."
Some of the aspects of Trump's presidency Koerner said she liked are his loosening of business restrictions, and how he wants to build a wall across the United States and Mexican border. Trump takes a lot of criticism, Koerner said.
Recently, much of the criticism of Trump has to do with his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, at Saturday's rally, Woodstock resident Jeannie Hanetmann called Trump's actions when it comes to COVID-19 "great," citing his travel restrictions on China. She also agrees with Trump's push to reopen schools and for states to reopen their economies.
As a Hispanic woman, Hanetmann said, she also thinks Trump has done a lot for Hispanics, including opening up the job market for them.
"I'm hoping for a landslide win."
Saturday's rally wasn't completely without opposition.
A counter protester, Crystal Lake resident Julia Pappalardo, part of the Facebook group Activists for Racial Equity, stood across the street with a sign to show that not everyone in the area supports Trump.
"Just because they're the loudest, that doesn't mean that everyone agrees with them in the community," Pappalardo said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--Woman in critical condition after being hit by vehicle in Wheeling

A woman remained in critical condition Sunday after being struck by a car in Wheeling , police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ Friday on the 1400 block of East Lake-Cook Road , near a vehicle entrance to @ @ @ @ @ woman was walking from the north side of the road to the south side when @ @ @ @ @ eastbound car , Wheeling Deputy Police Chief Joseph Licari said .
She was taken by @ @ @ @ @ Center in Libertyville , where she remained Sunday , police said .
The driver cooperated @ @ @ @ @ have been issued , Licari said .
`` At this time , there is nothing @ @ @ @ @ terrible crash , '' he said in an email .

Woman in critical condition after being hit by vehicle in Wheeling
A woman remained in critical condition Sunday after being struck by a car in Wheeling, police said.
The crash occurred about 10:45 p.m. Friday on the 1400 block of East Lake-Cook Road, near a vehicle entrance to the Walmart there.
The woman was walking from the north side of the road to the south side when she was struck by an eastbound car, Wheeling Deputy Police Chief Joseph Licari said.
She was taken by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where she remained Sunday, police said.
The driver cooperated with investigators and no tickets have been issued, Licari said.
"At this time, there is nothing indicative of anything beyond a terrible crash," he said in an email.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--Aurora police investigating early Sunday morning shooting

Aurora police are investigating the shooting of a man in a residential area early Sunday morning , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ a.m. on the 500 block of North Park Avenue , according to police .
The @ @ @ @ @ nearby hospital with a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound , police said .
Authorities are asking anyone @ @ @ @ @ Police Department Investigations at ( 630 ) 256-5500 or Crime Stoppers at ( 630 ) @ @

Aurora police investigating early Sunday morning shooting
Aurora police are investigating the shooting of a man in a residential area early Sunday morning, officials said.
The shooting occurred at 4 a.m. on the 500 block of North Park Avenue, according to police. The victim took himself to a nearby hospital with a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound, police said.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to call Aurora Police Department Investigations at (630) 256-5500 or Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--Analysis: The Senate seats most likely to flip parties in November


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--Dallas' Prescott leaves against Giants with ankle injury

Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the third quarter against the New York Giants on Sunday and was immediately taken to a hospital for evaluation .
Prescott was hurt at the end of a run in the third quarter , his right ankle bending awkwardly as defensive back Logan Ryan 's right foot made contact with it as the two went to the turf .
After medical personnel tended to him on the field , Prescott was helped up and hopped on his left foot to get onto the cart .
He buried his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over to wish him well .
He was given a standing ovation as he was taken off the field .
Prescott has never missed a start in four-plus seasons with the Cowboys and was on track to have a career year .
His 1,690 yards passing in the first four games put him on pace to become the first NFL quarterback to throw for more than 6,000 in a season .
Prescott was 14 of 21 for 166 yards and a touchdown before leaving with the Cowboys ahead 24-23 .
Andy Dalton finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37-34 on a field goal as time ran out .
Dallas also lost defensive tackle Trysten Hill to an undisclosed injury .
He was hurt in the third quarter when , trying to avoid a roughing penalty , he appeared to hold up as he ran into quarterback Daniel Jones .
Kyle Allen , who was making his first start for Washington after replacing Dwayne Haskins , injured his arm when was hit by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey .
Alex Smith , who replaced Allen , saw his first NFL game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fibula 23 months ago .
A couple of offensive linemen were hurt in the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia game .
The Steelers lost Pro Bowler David DeCastro in the first quarter with an abdominal injury .
The Eagles ' Lane Johnson was carted to the locker room in the third quarter with an ankle injury .
Johnson has been dealing with a balky ankle all season and underwent a procedure last week to remove a cyst that had been bothering him .
Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson left with a back injury and did not return after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return .
Eagles linebacker Duke Reily left in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury .
The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs had offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele ( knee ) , linebacker Anthony Hitchens ( hand ) and receiver Sammy Watkins ( hamstring ) leave early in their loss to Las Vegas .
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen walked off dizzily after his helmet hit Travis Kelce 's shoulder pads while making a tackle and defensive end Carl Nassib ( foot ) , free safety Lamarcus Joyner ( hamstring ) and cornerback Keisean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones went out against the New York Jets with a bicep injury .
Jets receiver Chris Hogan was carted off in the fourth quarter with what coach Adam Gase said was an ankle injury .
The Carolina Panthers lost two starters on defense against Atlanta .
End Brian Burns suffered a concussion late in the first half and cornerback Donte Jackson hurt a toe .
Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley suffered a groin injury and cornerback Kendal Sheffield , who missed the first three games of the season with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured right ankle .
Jacksonville WR D.J .
Chark injured his ankle in the fourth quarter against Houston .

Dallas' Prescott leaves against Giants with ankle injury
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, right, is receives medical assistance from first responders and team medical personnel after Prescott suffered a lower right leg injury running the ball against the New York Giants in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Associated Press
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, right, looks off as first responders and team medical personnel assist Prescott after he suffered a lower right leg injury running the ball against the New York Giants in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Associated Press
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) lifts his fist to cheers from fans as he is carted off the field after suffering a lower right leg injury running the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Associated Press
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is assisted by first responders and team medical staff onto a cart after suffering a leg injury running the ball against the New York Giants in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Associated Press
An emotional Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, wipes his face with a towel as he is carted off the field after suffering an unknown right lower leg injury in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. The Giants' Nate Ebner (43) and staff look on. Associated Press
Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the third quarter against the New York Giants on Sunday and was immediately taken to a hospital, where surgery for a fracture dislocation was planned.
Prescott was hurt at the end of a run in the third quarter, his right ankle bending awkwardly as defensive back Logan Ryan's right foot made contact with it as the two went to the turf.
After medical personnel tended to him on the field, Prescott was helped up and hopped on his left foot to get onto the cart. He buried his face in a towel as teammates came over to wish him well. He was given a standing ovation as he was taken off the field.
Prescott has never missed a start in four-plus seasons with the Cowboys and was on track to have a career year. His 1,690 yards passing in the first four games put him on pace to become the first NFL quarterback to throw for more than 6,000 in a season.
Prescott was 14 of 21 for 166 yards and a touchdown before leaving with the Cowboys ahead 24-23. Andy Dalton finished for Prescott, and the Cowboys won 37-34 on a field goal as time ran out.
Dallas also lost defensive tackle Trysten Hill to an undisclosed injury. He was hurt in the third quarter when, trying to avoid a roughing penalty, he appeared to hold up as he ran into quarterback Daniel Jones.
Kyle Allen, who was making his first start for Washington after replacing Dwayne Haskins, injured his arm when was hit by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Alex Smith, who replaced Allen, saw his first NFL game action since breaking his right tibia and fibula 23 months ago.
A couple of offensive linemen were hurt in the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia game. The Steelers lost Pro Bowler David DeCastro in the first quarter with an abdominal injury.
The Eagles' Lane Johnson was carted to the locker room in the third quarter with an ankle injury. Johnson has been dealing with a balky ankle all season and underwent a procedure last week to remove a cyst that had been bothering him.
Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson left with a back injury and did not return after getting hit awkwardly during a first-quarter punt return. Eagles linebacker Duke Reily left in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury.
The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs had offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele (knee), linebacker Anthony Hitchens (hand) and receiver Sammy Watkins (hamstring) leave early in their loss to Las Vegas.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen walked off dizzily after his helmet hit Travis Kelce's shoulder pads while making a tackle and defensive end Carl Nassib (foot), free safety Lamarcus Joyner (hamstring) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (hip) left early.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones went out against the New York Jets with a bicep injury. Jets receiver Chris Hogan was carted off in the fourth quarter with what coach Adam Gase said was an ankle injury.
The Carolina Panthers lost two starters on defense against Atlanta. End Brian Burns suffered a concussion late in the first half and cornerback Donte Jackson hurt a toe.
Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley suffered a groin injury and cornerback Kendal Sheffield, who missed the first three games of the season with a foot injury, left with an injured right ankle.
Jacksonville WR D.J. Chark injured his ankle in the fourth quarter against Houston.
___
AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--'I think I made the right decision': Former Montini lineman Kuczynski is playing football in Florida

Besides the sticky humidity , and temperatures in the 80s , Friday nights feel like Friday nights again for Brett Kuczynski .
Friday nights have football .
Under the lights .
And for Kuczynski , that has made saying goodbye to his friends , leaving his home and moving nearly 1,200 miles across the country , very much worth it .
`` I 'm really enjoying my time so far .
When I ran out onto the field for our first game , I was like , 'Wow , I 'm playing football again , ' `` Kuczynski said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the right decision . ''
It was n't an easy decision , though .
He would have been a senior at Montini High School in Lombard , and should have been in the middle of his senior season with all of his friends on the football team .
Kuczynski is a lineman and longsnapper , ranked No .
41 in the nation by Chris Rubio Long Snapping ( rubiolongsnapping.com ) , in fact .
But the COVID-19 pandemic , and the state 's restrictions on contact sports , blew up the fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and postponing it to a possible spring of 2021 season .
Like a vast majority of high school football players in Illinois , Kuczynski , who was hoping to use the fall season to cement a college scholarship , did n't like the idea of no fall football .
But unlike the vast majority of high school football players in Illinois , Kuczynski had recourse , and an alternative .
His grandfather Jim bought a Florida vacation house in New Smyrna Beach about two years ago , and once rumblings began this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not happen , the family started mulling the possibilities .
A move to New Smyrna Beach ?
With Grandpa ?
`` At first , it was something that seemed really obscure , it 's something you would n't have thought of in a million years , '' Kuczynski said .
`` But the more we thought about it , and the more ( football in Illinois became in doubt ) , the more it grew on me .
`` It was nice to know we had that in our back pocket . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ move to Florida to become a reality rather than an intriguing , `` back pocket '' option .
Kuczynski and his mother Denise , Jim 's daughter , moved there in late July while Brett 's dad Mike and younger sister Brooke , a freshman at Montini , stayed back in Illinois to hold down the fort at home .
Now , it 's three months later , and Kuczynski has already played in four games for New Smyrna Beach High School , which is about 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barracudas are 3-1 and just celebrated a 47-9 road victory on Friday over Eustis , a school that is located in the suburbs of Orlando .
Games are well attended in that area of Florida , but there are restrictions .
Masks are required of fans for entry .
Every other row in the stands is closed off to encourage social distancing .
Concessions are limited .
Players must take daily temperature checks , and there is sanitizing upon sanitizing upon sanitizing .
But hey , it 's football .
In the fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Brett has started every game for us and played every play this season as our center and long snapper , '' said New Smyrna Beach head coach John Wilkinson , who added three other out-of-state players to his roster this season because of family moves due to COVID-19 .
`` You can tell he comes from a good program and that he has been coached by really good coaches .
He also has a toughness about him , and he has really good technique and good feet , and you could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pads that he is really good . ''
Kuczynski was a little worried about transitioning to a new high school , and to a new team , and making new friends , especially as a senior .
But here 's a positive about social media : it allowed him to make connections with his future teammates before he even stepped foot in Florida .
`` I got to know a bunch of the boys because I reached out to them on Twitter when I first decided that I was moving , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coach Wilkinson and saw him retweeting things from his players , and I reached out to those players and I looked them up on MaxPreps and pretty soon we were all going back and forth asking each other a bunch of questions , telling each other about our lives and then they added me to the football group text and that 's how I got to know pretty much everyone .
`` I was definitely a little nervous before my first actual practice , but I did kind of already know most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great thing . ''
`` Our kids have embraced him .
Brett has fit right in , '' Wilkinson said .
The timing for Kuczynski 's move to Florida was pretty great , too .
Wilkinson had just moved his starting center from last year to guard , so there was an opening at center , and Kuczynski slid right in .
Meanwhile , all of his credits from Montini transferred right over and Kuczynski , who was aiming throughout high school to graduate early , is still on track to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the midterm .
`` The schools down here are open and I like that , '' Kuczynski said .
`` You have the option to do remote , but I 'm doing full-time school in person and I like that .
I 'd say the majority of kids are doing that .
We have to wear a mask all day , but at least we 're in school . ''
And as an added bonus , it turns out that Coach Wilkinson has a lot of ties to special teams coaches at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his former players is now the starting longsnapper at the University of Miami , and some of those same coaches who recruited that player are already in touch with Wilkinson about Kuczynski .
`` That ( Wilkinson 's college connections ) was a really great part of this , too , '' said Kuczynski , who has already been getting a lot of attention from schools such as Louisville and Florida International .
`` This has been like the perfect fit . ''
There have been sacrifices Kuczynski says that he definitely misses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 'm missing out on my senior year there and that hurts , '' Kuczynski said .
`` I text all my pals back home all the time , seeing what 's going on back at Montini .
Everyone is very supportive , but that part of it has been hard . ''
The move has also been hard on the family .
Kuczynski 's dad and sister Brooke make frequent trips to Florida to watch him play , but leaving to go back to Illinois is never easy .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separating husband and wife , father and son , mother and daughter , and even siblings , '' Mike Kuczynski said .
`` But we know it 's been exciting for Brett to have the opportunity to play .
We 've been watching things back home in Illinois and I feel bad for the parents and kids there .
I just saw there were parents and kids rallying the other day at Lyons Township .
`` When you see things like that , it just reiterates to us that no matter the challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we made a good decision .
We feel really good that we were able to take advantage of this opportunity . ''
It certainly is not lost on the Kuczynski family that the opportunity before them was rare , that their family was fortunate to have an opportunity that so many others do not have .
`` I feel very blessed to have this opportunity , '' Brett Kuczynski said .
`` I think this might have been a crazy destiny kind of thing .
Somewhere along the way when my grandpa purchased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be that something big like this would come out of it .
`` It was like the stars aligned or something . ''

'I think I made the right decision': Former Montini lineman Kuczynski is playing football in Florida
Brett Kuczynski, left, a former Montini football player, now plays for New Smyrna Beach High School in Florida. He made the decision to leave Montini when the IHSA football season was moved to COURTESY OF DENISE KUCZYNSKI
Brett Kuczynski, a former Montini football player, now plays for New Smyrna Beach High School in Florida. He made the decision to leave Montini when the IHSA football season was moved to spring. COURTESY OF DENISE KUCZYNSKI
Brett Kuczynski, left, and his mom Denise. Brett, a former Montini football player, now plays for New Smyrna Beach High School in Florida. He made the decision to leave Montini when the IHSA football season was moved to spring. COURTESY OF DENISE KUCZYNSKI
The Kuczynski family. Brooke, a freshman, dad Brett, dad Mike and mom Denise. Brett, a former Montini football player, now plays for New Smyrna Beach High School in Florida. He made the decision to leave Montini when the IHSA football season was moved to spring. COURTESY OF DENISE KUCZYNSKI
Brett Kuczynski, left, and his dad Mike. Brett, a former Montini football player, now plays for New Smyrna Beach High School in Florida. He made the decision to leave Montini when the IHSA football season was moved to spring. COURTESY OF DENISE KUCZYNSKI
Brett Kuczynski, a former Montini football player, now plays for New Smyrna Beach High School in Florida. He made the decision to leave Montini when the IHSA football season was moved to COURTESY OF DENISE KUCZYNSKI
Besides the sticky humidity, and temperatures in the 80s, Friday nights feel like Friday nights again for Brett Kuczynski.
Friday nights have football. Under the lights.
And for Kuczynski, that has made saying goodbye to his friends, leaving his home and moving nearly 1,200 miles across the country, very much worth it.
"I'm really enjoying my time so far. When I ran out onto the field for our first game, I was like, 'Wow, I'm playing football again,' " Kuczynski said. "So far, I think I made the right decision."
It wasn't an easy decision, though.
Kuczynski is a high school senior.
He would have been a senior at Montini High School in Lombard, and should have been in the middle of his senior season with all of his friends on the football team. Kuczynski is a lineman and longsnapper, ranked No. 41 in the nation by Chris Rubio Long Snapping (rubiolongsnapping.com), in fact.
But the COVID-19 pandemic, and the state's restrictions on contact sports, blew up the fall IHSA football season in Illinois, canceling it and postponing it to a possible spring of 2021 season.
Like a vast majority of high school football players in Illinois, Kuczynski, who was hoping to use the fall season to cement a college scholarship, didn't like the idea of no fall football.
Thought becomes reality
But unlike the vast majority of high school football players in Illinois, Kuczynski had recourse, and an alternative.
His grandfather Jim bought a Florida vacation house in New Smyrna Beach about two years ago, and once rumblings began this summer that fall football in Illinois might not happen, the family started mulling the possibilities.
A move to New Smyrna Beach? With Grandpa?
"At first, it was something that seemed really obscure, it's something you wouldn't have thought of in a million years," Kuczynski said. "But the more we thought about it, and the more (football in Illinois became in doubt), the more it grew on me.
"It was nice to know we had that in our back pocket."
It didn't take long for a move to Florida to become a reality rather than an intriguing, "back pocket" option.
Kuczynski and his mother Denise, Jim's daughter, moved there in late July while Brett's dad Mike and younger sister Brooke, a freshman at Montini, stayed back in Illinois to hold down the fort at home.
Now, it's three months later, and Kuczynski has already played in four games for New Smyrna Beach High School, which is about 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach and 45 minutes east of Orlando.
The Barracudas are 3-1 and just celebrated a 47-9 road victory on Friday over Eustis, a school that is located in the suburbs of Orlando.
Games are well attended in that area of Florida, but there are restrictions. Masks are required of fans for entry. Every other row in the stands is closed off to encourage social distancing. Concessions are limited.
Players must take daily temperature checks, and there is sanitizing upon sanitizing upon sanitizing.
But hey, it's football. In the fall. And Kuczynski is seizing the opportunity.
"Brett has started every game for us and played every play this season as our center and long snapper," said New Smyrna Beach head coach John Wilkinson, who added three other out-of-state players to his roster this season because of family moves due to COVID-19. "You can tell he comes from a good program and that he has been coached by really good coaches. He also has a toughness about him, and he has really good technique and good feet, and you could just tell after a day or two in pads that he is really good."
Fitting in
Kuczynski was a little worried about transitioning to a new high school, and to a new team, and making new friends, especially as a senior.
But here's a positive about social media: it allowed him to make connections with his future teammates before he even stepped foot in Florida.
"I got to know a bunch of the boys because I reached out to them on Twitter when I first decided that I was moving," Kuczynski said. "I looked up Coach Wilkinson and saw him retweeting things from his players, and I reached out to those players and I looked them up on MaxPreps and pretty soon we were all going back and forth asking each other a bunch of questions, telling each other about our lives and then they added me to the football group text and that's how I got to know pretty much everyone.
"I was definitely a little nervous before my first actual practice, but I did kind of already know most of the kids. It's been a great thing."
"Our kids have embraced him. Brett has fit right in," Wilkinson said.
The timing for Kuczynski's move to Florida was pretty great, too.
Wilkinson had just moved his starting center from last year to guard, so there was an opening at center, and Kuczynski slid right in.
Meanwhile, all of his credits from Montini transferred right over and Kuczynski, who was aiming throughout high school to graduate early, is still on track to do so, with straight-As at New Smyrna Beach at the midterm.
"The schools down here are open and I like that," Kuczynski said. "You have the option to do remote, but I'm doing full-time school in person and I like that. I'd say the majority of kids are doing that. We have to wear a mask all day, but at least we're in school."
And as an added bonus, it turns out that Coach Wilkinson has a lot of ties to special teams coaches at colleges in the southeast. One of his former players is now the starting longsnapper at the University of Miami, and some of those same coaches who recruited that player are already in touch with Wilkinson about Kuczynski.
"That (Wilkinson's college connections) was a really great part of this, too," said Kuczynski, who has already been getting a lot of attention from schools such as Louisville and Florida International. "This has been like the perfect fit."
There have been sacrifices
Kuczynski says that he definitely misses his friends and teammates from Montini.
"I'm missing out on my senior year there and that hurts," Kuczynski said. "I text all my pals back home all the time, seeing what's going on back at Montini. Everyone is very supportive, but that part of it has been hard."
The move has also been hard on the family. Kuczynski's dad and sister Brooke make frequent trips to Florida to watch him play, but leaving to go back to Illinois is never easy.
"It's been challenging for the family, separating husband and wife, father and son, mother and daughter, and even siblings," Mike Kuczynski said. "But we know it's been exciting for Brett to have the opportunity to play. We've been watching things back home in Illinois and I feel bad for the parents and kids there. I just saw there were parents and kids rallying the other day at Lyons Township.
"When you see things like that, it just reiterates to us that no matter the challenges as a family, we feel like we made a good decision. We feel really good that we were able to take advantage of this opportunity."
It certainly is not lost on the Kuczynski family that the opportunity before them was rare, that their family was fortunate to have an opportunity that so many others do not have.
"I feel very blessed to have this opportunity," Brett Kuczynski said. "I think this might have been a crazy destiny kind of thing. Somewhere along the way when my grandpa purchased this house, maybe it was meant to be that something big like this would come out of it.
"It was like the stars aligned or something."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-11--Traffic, crashes and congestion rebounding after COVID-19 spring slump

Trucks are up , cars are down .
Lower income earners take the most daily trips .
More people died in vehicle crashes this year than in 2019 .
And , yes , folks are driving faster in 2020 .
It 's the third quarter of our COVID-19 year -- here are five take-aways about transportation trends shaped by the pandemic .
• How many Illinoisans are driving ?
Passenger car traffic on expressways plummeted to 47 % below normal in late March , a few days after Illinois ' stay-at-home order began .
It climbed back but was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , a Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning recent analysis shows .
In contrast , heavy truck traffic , such as semitrailers , fell by 25 % in April but bounced back in August to normal .
Smaller truck traffic declined by 27 % this spring , then reached volumes of 8 % above average in August as home deliveries surged .
With thousands working from home and avoiding outings , the trends are `` honestly a little surprising -- that traffic is only down by the amount that it is -- given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , '' CMAP Deputy Executive Director Jesse Elam said .
• How fast are we driving ?
Before COVID-19 , traffic on state highways chugged along at 48 mph in the morning rush hour and 41 mph in the afternoon .
But after Illinois ' stay-at-home order began March 21 , speeds zipped up to averages of 63 mph from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 62.7 mph from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. , an increase of 31 % to 53 % .
In September , the thrill was slightly gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and afternoons clocking 50.7 mph , CMAP researchers found .
• Who 's staying at home ?
White-collar workers hunkered down more than blue-collar this spring , CMAP found .
Compared to pre-pandemic conditions , lower-income households decreased travel by 35 % compared to higher-income earners who reduced trips by about 60 % .
`` That 's been driven primarily by them having white-collar jobs that could be readily moved to telecommuting , '' Elam noted .
`` People with lower incomes often were in the essential worker type jobs , where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a privilege to telecommute . ''
• What 's the public transit toll ?
Systemwide ridership has slipped by nearly 70 % .
On Pace , passenger traffic has dropped by 40 % as of late August .
For Metra , it was closer to 90 % .
And CTA train travel was down by about 75 % with bus ridership declining by close to 60 % , CMAP reported .
The fact trains stay empty as expressways fill up spells trouble , Elam thinks .
`` You have to be worried we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are n't going to get on transit . ''
• How many people are dying in crashes ?
As of Sunday , IDOT recorded 786 fatalities in vehicle crashes , a 16-person increase from 770 on Oct. 11 , 2019 .
Crash numbers actually shot up in January and February of 2020 , dove March through May and grew again in June , IDOT spokeswoman Maria Castaneda said .
`` While we ca n't speculate and do n't know all the reasons why the overall numbers are aligning from last year with fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have noticed an increase in higher speeds , '' Castaneda explained .
Illinois State Police Sgt .
Christopher Wilson added , `` it is extremely difficult to make assumptions as to traffic trends , and even more difficult in these unprecedented times as we have no frame of reference to compare . ''
Hey teen artists -- here 's a chance for thousands to see your work .
The Illinois tollway on Friday launched its 10th annual map cover contest for high school students .
The competition will be conducted virtually this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Facebook page for the public to vote on .
This year 's theme is `` Everyday heroes , '' marking people who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The deadline to submit artwork is Oct. 28 .
Visit illinoistollway.com for more info .
Find a Plan B if you 're driving near Route 83/Ivanhoe Road and Route 137/Buckley Road in Grayslake .
Metra is repairing the Milwaukee District North Line crossing , which means the interchange is closed through Oct. 15 .
Detour signs will be posted and drivers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternate .
Gib VanDine of West Chicago weighs in regarding last week 's column on trains transporting liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) .
`` It would be crazy to allow all of the cars in a long train to be those containing LNG , '' he wrote .
`` If a derailment ignited even one of those cars ... the result could incinerate a medium-sized town .
`` What would make reasonable sense is for each of those cars to be separated by six or seven other cars that are not carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the cars were to ignite , it would be separated from the others . ''

Traffic, crashes and congestion rebounding after COVID-19 spring slump
Trucks are up, cars are down. Lower income earners take the most daily trips. More people died in vehicle crashes this year than in 2019. And, yes, folks are driving faster in 2020.
It's the third quarter of our COVID-19 year -- here are five take-aways about transportation trends shaped by the pandemic.
• How many Illinoisans are driving? Passenger car traffic on expressways plummeted to 47% below normal in late March, a few days after Illinois' stay-at-home order began. It climbed back but was still 12% below norms as of late August, a Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning recent analysis shows.
In contrast, heavy truck traffic, such as semitrailers, fell by 25% in April but bounced back in August to normal. Smaller truck traffic declined by 27% this spring, then reached volumes of 8% above average in August as home deliveries surged.
With thousands working from home and avoiding outings, the trends are "honestly a little surprising -- that traffic is only down by the amount that it is -- given the restrictions that we still have in place," CMAP Deputy Executive Director Jesse Elam said.
• How fast are we driving? Before COVID-19, traffic on state highways chugged along at 48 mph in the morning rush hour and 41 mph in the afternoon. But after Illinois' stay-at-home order began March 21, speeds zipped up to averages of 63 mph from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 62.7 mph from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., an increase of 31% to 53%.
In September, the thrill was slightly gone with morning rush speeds of 58.5 mph and afternoons clocking 50.7 mph, CMAP researchers found.
• Who's staying at home? White-collar workers hunkered down more than blue-collar this spring, CMAP found. Compared to pre-pandemic conditions, lower-income households decreased travel by 35% compared to higher-income earners who reduced trips by about 60%.
"That's been driven primarily by them having white-collar jobs that could be readily moved to telecommuting," Elam noted. "People with lower incomes often were in the essential worker type jobs, where they could not work off-site. It's a privilege to telecommute."
• What's the public transit toll? Systemwide ridership has slipped by nearly 70%. On Pace, passenger traffic has dropped by 40% as of late August. For Metra, it was closer to 90%. And CTA train travel was down by about 75% with bus ridership declining by close to 60%, CMAP reported.
The fact trains stay empty as expressways fill up spells trouble, Elam thinks. "You have to be worried we have a congestion rebound -- because people aren't going to get on transit."
• How many people are dying in crashes? As of Sunday, IDOT recorded 786 fatalities in vehicle crashes, a 16-person increase from 770 on Oct. 11, 2019. Crash numbers actually shot up in January and February of 2020, dove March through May and grew again in June, IDOT spokeswoman Maria Castaneda said.
"While we can't speculate and don't know all the reasons why the overall numbers are aligning from last year with fewer cars on the roads, anecdotally we have noticed an increase in higher speeds," Castaneda explained.
Illinois State Police Sgt. Christopher Wilson added, "it is extremely difficult to make assumptions as to traffic trends, and even more difficult in these unprecedented times as we have no frame of reference to compare."
Got a comment on pandemic traffic? Email mpyke@dailyherald.com.
Hey teen artists -- here's a chance for thousands to see your work. The Illinois tollway on Friday launched its 10th annual map cover contest for high school students. The competition will be conducted virtually this year, with entries displayed on the tollway's Facebook page for the public to vote on. This year's theme is "Everyday heroes," marking people who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline to submit artwork is Oct. 28. Visit illinoistollway.com for more info.
Gridlock alert
Find a Plan B if you're driving near Route 83/Ivanhoe Road and Route 137/Buckley Road in Grayslake. Metra is repairing the Milwaukee District North Line crossing, which means the interchange is closed through Oct. 15. Detour signs will be posted and drivers are encouraged to use Midlothian Road as an alternate.
Your voice
Gib VanDine of West Chicago weighs in regarding last week's column on trains transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG). "It would be crazy to allow all of the cars in a long train to be those containing LNG," he wrote. "If a derailment ignited even one of those cars ... the result could incinerate a medium-sized town.
"What would make reasonable sense is for each of those cars to be separated by six or seven other cars that are not carrying fuel. This way, if one of the cars were to ignite, it would be separated from the others."