dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--11 years in prison for Aurora man guilty of attempted murder in 2019 break-up

An Aurora man was sentenced to 11 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to attempted murder and aggravated stalking in a June 2019 breakup with his girlfriend .
Jordi Nieto , 21 , of the 700 block of Spring Street , pleaded guilty to those two felonies , along with aggravated domestic battery , and was sentenced by Kane County Judge D.J .
Tegeler .
`` Cases like this are why we invest significant resources into addressing domestic violence .
Mr. Nieto is a violent criminal who believes it is OK to resort to violence when facing rejection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McMahon said .
`` It seems pretty clear that without the victim 's quick thinking and the parents ' intervention , this could well have ended with someone being killed . ''
According to prosecutors , Nieto was angry that his girlfriend , then 18 , broke up with him and he went to her place of employment on June 20 , 2019 , climbed a security fence and entered her vehicle .
When she came out on break and got into her car , Nieto grabbed her , threatened to kill her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house in Aurora , prosecutors said .
The two spent the night there and the victim left the next morning after her parents became concerned she did n't return home from work and later tracked her down , prosecutors said .
It was not reported to police at the time , prosecutors said .
Shortly after 1 a.m. on June 25 , 2019 , the woman arrived home on the 100 block of North Street and found Nieto waiting for her while holding what she believed was a weapon , prosecutors said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his car , followed her and rammed her vehicle .
The ex-girlfriend 's 42-year-old mother stepped into the street to help her daughter and Nieto swerved -- hitting his ex-girlfriend and running over her mother before hitting a parked car and then a tree , prosecutors said .
The ex-girlfriend sustained a minor leg injury , but her mother suffered a broken knee , heel and ankle and still needs physical therapy for her injuries , prosecutors said .
Aurora police officers responding to the area found Nieto wearing gloves and holding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Authorities found an ax in his vehicle , and a cellphone search showed he searched about a case from 2013 in which a woman was bludgeoned to death and her body set on fire .
Nieto gets credit for nearly a year served at the Kane County jail while the charges were pending .
Nieto also must pay $ 30,000 in restitution to the victim 's insurance company for medical bills and her hospitalization .

11 years in prison for Aurora man guilty of attempted murder in 2019 break-up
Jordi Nieto was sentenced to 11 years in prison Tuesday for attempted murder and other charges.
An Aurora man was sentenced to 11 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to attempted murder and aggravated stalking in a June 2019 breakup with his girlfriend.
Jordi Nieto, 21, of the 700 block of Spring Street, pleaded guilty to those two felonies, along with aggravated domestic battery, and was sentenced by Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler.
"Cases like this are why we invest significant resources into addressing domestic violence. Mr. Nieto is a violent criminal who believes it is OK to resort to violence when facing rejection," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said. "It seems pretty clear that without the victim's quick thinking and the parents' intervention, this could well have ended with someone being killed."
According to prosecutors, Nieto was angry that his girlfriend, then 18, broke up with him and he went to her place of employment on June 20, 2019, climbed a security fence and entered her vehicle. When she came out on break and got into her car, Nieto grabbed her, threatened to kill her and drove to Nieto's uncle's house in Aurora, prosecutors said.
The two spent the night there and the victim left the next morning after her parents became concerned she didn't return home from work and later tracked her down, prosecutors said. It was not reported to police at the time, prosecutors said.
Shortly after 1 a.m. on June 25, 2019, the woman arrived home on the 100 block of North Street and found Nieto waiting for her while holding what she believed was a weapon, prosecutors said. She ran, but Nieto got into his car, followed her and rammed her vehicle.
The ex-girlfriend's 42-year-old mother stepped into the street to help her daughter and Nieto swerved -- hitting his ex-girlfriend and running over her mother before hitting a parked car and then a tree, prosecutors said.
The ex-girlfriend sustained a minor leg injury, but her mother suffered a broken knee, heel and ankle and still needs physical therapy for her injuries, prosecutors said.
Aurora police officers responding to the area found Nieto wearing gloves and holding a knife with a 5½-inch blade, prosecutors said. Authorities found an ax in his vehicle, and a cellphone search showed he searched about a case from 2013 in which a woman was bludgeoned to death and her body set on fire.
Nieto gets credit for nearly a year served at the Kane County jail while the charges were pending.
Nieto also must pay $30,000 in restitution to the victim's insurance company for medical bills and her hospitalization.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--Colorful longtime Palatine community volunteer dies from COVID-19 complications

Olaf Schneider was known as a colorful character who participated in Palatine 's nonprofit community service organizations , including the village 's Rotary Club branch that stages the annual downtown Oktoberfest .
Schneider , 77 , died of COVID-19 complications Sunday at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights , according to Palatine Village Clerk Marg Duer , a longtime family friend .
She said Schneider , who lived in Palatine for more than 50 years , fought COVID-19 for about six weeks .
Last year , Schneider and his wife , Liesbeth , served as king and queen of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Germany and was proud he became a naturalized U.S. citizen , friends said .
Bob Brickman said he was living in Long Grove when he first met Schneider in the mid-1970s through his membership in the Rotary Club of Palatine .
Schneider was a character who donned lederhosen at the Palatine Rotary 's annual installation banquet , Brickman said .
He said Schneider , who was retired from a sales career , enjoyed Oktoberfest and worked hard on the fundraising event .
`` He was always involved , '' Brickman said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ required work , he 'll be there . ''
Along with volunteerism as past president of the Rotary Club , membership in the Palatine Jaycees and other endeavors , Schneider enjoyed being captain of his 32-foot sailboat , Charisma .
Brickman recalled how Schneider also piloted back to the Chicago area vessels that were in the Lake Michigan race to Mackinac Island because some participants did n't want to make the return trip .
`` He definitely was one of a kind , '' said Brickman , who co-founded a suburban landscaping company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when I went to visit when the boat was coming through that they were bringing down from Mackinac and he was at the harbor in South Haven ( Michigan ) and I had a cap on .
`` It started blowing away .
Immediately , I had to have one of Olaf 's patented caps , which had a thread and two safety pins that were pinned to the collar of my shirt and I did n't lose it again . ''
Duer described Schneider as a `` larger-than-life character in Palatine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schneider is survived by his daughter , Gabrielle , and son Christian .

Colorful longtime Palatine community volunteer dies from COVID-19 complications
Olaf Schneider was known as a colorful character who participated in Palatine's nonprofit community service organizations and enjoyed being captain on his 32-foot sailboat, Charisma. Schneider, 77, died of COVID-19 complications Sunday at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. Courtesy of Gabrielle Schneider Baker
Olaf Schneider was known as a colorful character who participated in Palatine's nonprofit community service organizations, including the village's Rotary Club branch that stages the annual downtown Oktoberfest.
Schneider, 77, died of COVID-19 complications Sunday at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, according to Palatine Village Clerk Marg Duer, a longtime family friend. She said Schneider, who lived in Palatine for more than 50 years, fought COVID-19 for about six weeks.
Last year, Schneider and his wife, Liesbeth, served as king and queen of the Rotary's Oktoberfest. Schneider was born in Germany and was proud he became a naturalized U.S. citizen, friends said.
Bob Brickman said he was living in Long Grove when he first met Schneider in the mid-1970s through his membership in the Rotary Club of Palatine.
Schneider was a character who donned lederhosen at the Palatine Rotary's annual installation banquet, Brickman said. He said Schneider, who was retired from a sales career, enjoyed Oktoberfest and worked hard on the fundraising event.
"He was always involved," Brickman said. "If you had a project that required work, he'll be there."
Along with volunteerism as past president of the Rotary Club, membership in the Palatine Jaycees and other endeavors, Schneider enjoyed being captain of his 32-foot sailboat, Charisma.
Brickman recalled how Schneider also piloted back to the Chicago area vessels that were in the Lake Michigan race to Mackinac Island because some participants didn't want to make the return trip.
"He definitely was one of a kind," said Brickman, who co-founded a suburban landscaping company. "I can remember one time when I went to visit when the boat was coming through that they were bringing down from Mackinac and he was at the harbor in South Haven (Michigan) and I had a cap on.
"It started blowing away. Immediately, I had to have one of Olaf's patented caps, which had a thread and two safety pins that were pinned to the collar of my shirt and I didn't lose it again."
Duer described Schneider as a "larger-than-life character in Palatine."
In addition to his wife, Schneider is survived by his daughter, Gabrielle, and son Christian.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--LGBTQ Pride flag might fly at Lake County center starting Friday

Lake County officials are finalizing a plan to fly a rainbow flag at the county government center in Waukegan starting Friday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride marches .
The proposal calls for the flag to be displayed through July 3 in Lincoln Plaza , which is off Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue on the west side of the county complex .
It would be the first time the LGBTQ flag is so prominently displayed at the complex , 18 N. County St. '' It 's a statement of respect and dignity for all humanity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday during a discussion of the plan by the financial and administrative committee .
That conversation came a few weeks after a resolution recognizing June as Lesbian , Gay , Bisexual , Transgender and Queer Pride Month was read aloud by board member Julie Simpson , a Vernon Hills Democrat , during the panel 's June 9 meeting .
The first Pride marches occurred in June 1970 -- one year after a police raid at a New York City gay bar called the Stonewall Inn triggered riots .
Pride parades and events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
`` Given the rolling tide of history , we are long overdue in recognizing this , '' said financial committee member John Wasik , a Grayslake Democrat .
All seven committee members voted to fly the flag .
But several voiced concern about the process in which the resolution was brought forth .
Antioch Republican Linda Pedersen questioned why the idea first was n't discussed by the board 's diversity and inclusion committee .
Pedersen and other board members also worried flying the flag will open the door for other groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their causes .
Board member Mike Rummel , a Lake Forest Republican , predicted the board will be sued if it supports some causes but rejects others , and he said a policy is needed .
Wasik said he 'd like to see the county adopt a comprehensive human rights policy that formally recognizes other groups and historical events , such as Juneteenth .
Board Chairwoman Sandy Hart , a Lake Bluff Democrat , said she 's purchased a six-striped flag and plans to donate it to the county for display .
Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the board should consider flying flags in the future that represent other gender or sexual identities with different color patterns .
The U.S. , Illinois and Lake County flags fly on three poles in Lincoln Plaza .
If the plan is approved , the Pride flag will be displayed on the pole for either the state or county flag , County Administrator Gary Gibson said .
The resolution authorizing the flag 's display requires the full county board 's approval .
The board is next set to meet at 9 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live at lakecounty.tv .

LGBTQ Pride flag might fly at Lake County center starting Friday
Lake County Board members are considering flying a rainbow flag at the county government center starting Friday to support the LGBT community. Getty Images/iStock Photo
Lake County officials are finalizing a plan to fly a rainbow flag at the county government center in Waukegan starting Friday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride marches.
The proposal calls for the flag to be displayed through July 3 in Lincoln Plaza, which is off Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue on the west side of the county complex.
It would be the first time the LGBTQ flag is so prominently displayed at the complex, 18 N. County St.
"It's a statement of respect and dignity for all humanity," Lake County Board member Paul Frank said Tuesday during a discussion of the plan by the financial and administrative committee.
That conversation came a few weeks after a resolution recognizing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month was read aloud by board member Julie Simpson, a Vernon Hills Democrat, during the panel's June 9 meeting.
The first Pride marches occurred in June 1970 -- one year after a police raid at a New York City gay bar called the Stonewall Inn triggered riots.
Pride parades and events now are held in communities across the world.
"Given the rolling tide of history, we are long overdue in recognizing this," said financial committee member John Wasik, a Grayslake Democrat.
All seven committee members voted to fly the flag. But several voiced concern about the process in which the resolution was brought forth.
Antioch Republican Linda Pedersen questioned why the idea first wasn't discussed by the board's diversity and inclusion committee.
Pedersen and other board members also worried flying the flag will open the door for other groups to ask the board to publicly support their causes.
Board member Mike Rummel, a Lake Forest Republican, predicted the board will be sued if it supports some causes but rejects others, and he said a policy is needed.
Wasik said he'd like to see the county adopt a comprehensive human rights policy that formally recognizes other groups and historical events, such as Juneteenth.
Board Chairwoman Sandy Hart, a Lake Bluff Democrat, said she's purchased a six-striped flag and plans to donate it to the county for display.
Committee member Jennifer Clark, a Libertyville Democrat, said the board should consider flying flags in the future that represent other gender or sexual identities with different color patterns.
The U.S., Illinois and Lake County flags fly on three poles in Lincoln Plaza. If the plan is approved, the Pride flag will be displayed on the pole for either the state or county flag, County Administrator Gary Gibson said.
The resolution authorizing the flag's display requires the full county board's approval. The board is next set to meet at 9 a.m. Friday. That meeting can be viewed live at lakecounty.tv.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--Police: At least one injured in shooting at a Virginia mall

RICHMOND , Va. -- Police in Virginia say at least one person was hurt Tuesday in a shooting inside a @ @ @ @ @ posted on their Twitter page that one person was taken to the hospital with injuries @ @ @ @ @ Towne Center outside of Richmond .
Police urged residents to avoid the area and for @ @ @ @ @ .
News sources report shots were fired in the vicinity of the center 's food @ @ @ @ @ known how many people were involved .
Video coverage showed police officers guarding at least @ @ @ @ @ to prevent patrons from entering .
The mall has more than 130 shops , services @ @ @ @ @ stores .

Police: At least one injured in shooting at a Virginia mall
RICHMOND, Va. -- A shooting erupted inside a Virginia shopping mall, leaving at least one person with life-threatening injuries, police said Tuesday.
Chesterfield County police said on their Twitter page that a person was taken to a hospital with serious injuries after the shooting inside Chesterfield Towne Center, near the state capital city of Richmond.
Chesterfield Police Maj. R.M. Louth said police received a call at 6:09 p.m. that there was a fight in the food court area of the mall, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Louth said the shooting victim had life-threatening injuries.
No one else was hurt and authorities said there was no active threat at the mall, according to police. According to Louth, there is no suspect in custody and police do not have a description of the suspect. Police are reviewing security footage at the mall.
Police urged residents to avoid the area and asked anyone with information to contact authorities.
Video coverage showed police officers guarding at least one entrance to the mall to prevent patrons from entering. Officers were later shown on live video entering the shopping center. Multiple police vehicles, some with lights flashing, converged at the mall's parking lot.
The mall has more than 100 stores and restaurants, including four anchor stores. It is owned by Brookfield Properties of Chicago. Their offices were closed Tuesday evening and no one was immediately available for comment.
Security officers at the mall also declined comment, referring all calls to Chesterfield County police.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--COVID-19 uncertainty means shorter District 25 contract

Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 and its teachers have inked a new labor agreement that 's shorter than originally anticipated in the wake of COVID-19 .
The two-year contract covering the 466 members of the Arlington Teachers ' Association is half as long as their expiring four-year pact .
And though union leaders and the school board say they wanted another four-year agreement , ultimately neither side was comfortable moving forward with a longer term because of the unpredictable future of the economy and consumer price index .
When bargaining sessions formally began Feb. 5 , they took place face-to-face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table , another five sessions had to be held over Zoom video conference , officials said .
Under terms of the agreement ratified by teachers June 4 and approved by the school board June 18 , teachers hired after 2014 will get 3.5 % salary increases in each of the two years .
Most of those hired before 2014 will get 3.5 % raises in the first year and 3 % the following year .
Another 41 teachers who are off the salary schedules because of longevity will get 1 % raises .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.25-an-hour each year and pay more for teachers who take additional postgraduate courses , though the courses have to be approved by a committee .
The wage increases during the two-year agreement will cost the district $ 1.6 million , officials said .

COVID-19 uncertainty means shorter District 25 contract
Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 and its teachers have inked a new labor agreement that's shorter than originally anticipated in the wake of COVID-19.
The two-year contract covering the 466 members of the Arlington Teachers' Association is half as long as their expiring four-year pact. And though union leaders and the school board say they wanted another four-year agreement, ultimately neither side was comfortable moving forward with a longer term because of the unpredictable future of the economy and consumer price index.
When bargaining sessions formally began Feb. 5, they took place face-to-face. But after four meetings across the table, another five sessions had to be held over Zoom video conference, officials said.
Under terms of the agreement ratified by teachers June 4 and approved by the school board June 18, teachers hired after 2014 will get 3.5% salary increases in each of the two years. Most of those hired before 2014 will get 3.5% raises in the first year and 3% the following year.
Another 41 teachers who are off the salary schedules because of longevity will get 1% raises.
The district will also increase stipends by $1.25-an-hour each year and pay more for teachers who take additional postgraduate courses, though the courses have to be approved by a committee.
The wage increases during the two-year agreement will cost the district $1.6 million, officials said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--7-year-old Lombard girl providing masks for the homeless, with an even bigger goal in mind

Two things happened during the stay-at-home order that transformed Olivia Dru Tyler 's desire to help homeless people from what her mom calls `` kid talk '' into a fledgling nonprofit handing out masks and raising money toward a bigger goal .
Olivia , 7 , said she has wanted to help the homeless since she was 5 or 6 , especially after learning her father 's story of experiencing homelessness when he was a teenager in Minnesota .
Her parents , Andrew and Linda Tyler , say Olivia started about a year ago wanting to give money or help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also began dreaming of establishing some type of hotel where homeless people could come and go as they please , a place with a welcoming sign and a playground for kids .
`` It 's not very right for people to be homeless , because they get treated badly a lot of the time , '' Olivia said .
`` Everyone should be able to have a home , including homeless people . ''
Olivia 's mother said she had n't put a lot of energy into her daughter 's ideas until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shelter at home .
When the family took walks around their Lombard neighborhood , Olivia often would ask if they could buy the houses they 'd see for sale and let homeless people stay there .
Then Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced face coverings would be required in indoor public places beginning May 1 , and Olivia asked , `` How will the homeless get covered ? ''
`` Then I was like , 'OK , I need to pay attention to this , ' '' her mother said .
Paying attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both a vehicle to raise money for the more challenging goal of a homeless hotel and as an immediate way to help people in need follow public health guidelines .
Olivia and her mother searched online , finding a supplier of bandanna masks and ordering en masse .
Linda Tyler , recently let go from her job in medical association fundraising , set up a board of directors and applied for 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit status .
Then OliviaDruCares , the name of the charity , started selling masks online for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For each mask the charity sells , it donates one to the homeless .
The colorful bandanna masks feature Christian sayings , a natural for a family that worships at DuPage AME Church in Lisle .
OliviaDruCares has given roughly 820 free masks to organizations including DuPagePads , the Salvation Army , Pacific Garden Mission and a Native American group in Omaha , Nebraska , where Linda Tyler grew up and has relatives .
Olivia and her family keep fresh masks with them wherever they go and hand them out to essential workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering .
`` Having a mask is the best choice right now , '' Olivia said .
Olivia , an only child growing up in a sprawling neighborhood with a school around the corner , is seemingly in a world far away from homelessness , said her father , who runs his own digital media and film company .
But the pandemic has shown how so many in the suburbs are really only a paycheck away from falling into poverty or losing their homes , he said .
`` Her genius , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old and having a heart for other people , '' Andrew Tyler said .
`` If a 7-year-old is concerned about people in the world , we need to get on board . ''

7-year-old Lombard girl providing masks for the homeless, with an even bigger goal in mind
Two things happened during the stay-at-home order that transformed Olivia Dru Tyler's desire to help homeless people from what her mom calls "kid talk" into a fledgling nonprofit handing out masks and raising money toward a bigger goal.
Olivia, 7, said she has wanted to help the homeless since she was 5 or 6, especially after learning her father's story of experiencing homelessness when he was a teenager in Minnesota.
Her parents, Andrew and Linda Tyler, say Olivia started about a year ago wanting to give money or help whenever she saw homeless people. She also began dreaming of establishing some type of hotel where homeless people could come and go as they please, a place with a welcoming sign and a playground for kids.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Andrew Tyler of Lombard has shared stories about being homeless for a time as a teenager in Minnesota with his 7-year-old daughter, Olivia. Now Olivia is working through her nonprofit organization, OliviaDruCares, to donate masks to homeless people and raise money to open a hotel where they can come and go.
"It's not very right for people to be homeless, because they get treated badly a lot of the time," Olivia said. "Everyone should be able to have a home, including homeless people."
Olivia's mother said she hadn't put a lot of energy into her daughter's ideas until the COVID-19 pandemic began and everyone was required to shelter at home.
When the family took walks around their Lombard neighborhood, Olivia often would ask if they could buy the houses they'd see for sale and let homeless people stay there. Then Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced face coverings would be required in indoor public places beginning May 1, and Olivia asked, "How will the homeless get covered?"
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Olivia Tyler, 7, of Lombard, works with her mother Linda Tyler on Tuesday to package bandanna masks the family is selling through Olivia's charity, OliviaDruCares.
"Then I was like, 'OK, I need to pay attention to this,'" her mother said.
Paying attention meant taking action, using masks as both a vehicle to raise money for the more challenging goal of a homeless hotel and as an immediate way to help people in need follow public health guidelines.
Olivia and her mother searched online, finding a supplier of bandanna masks and ordering en masse. Linda Tyler, recently let go from her job in medical association fundraising, set up a board of directors and applied for 501(c)3 nonprofit status.
Then OliviaDruCares, the name of the charity, started selling masks online for $5 at https://www.oliviadrucares.com/. For each mask the charity sells, it donates one to the homeless.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Andrew and Linda Tyler of Lombard are supporting the charitable work of their 7-year-old daughter, Olivia, who is selling masks to raise money toward her goal of establishing a hotel for homeless people.
The colorful bandanna masks feature Christian sayings, a natural for a family that worships at DuPage AME Church in Lisle.
OliviaDruCares has given roughly 820 free masks to organizations including DuPagePads, the Salvation Army, Pacific Garden Mission and a Native American group in Omaha, Nebraska, where Linda Tyler grew up and has relatives. Olivia and her family keep fresh masks with them wherever they go and hand them out to essential workers or others they see without a face covering.
"Having a mask is the best choice right now," Olivia said.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer This drawing by Olivia Tyler, 7, of Lombard will be featured as the design on a mask she'll soon by selling to help homeless people through her nonprofit organization OliviaDruCares.
Olivia, an only child growing up in a sprawling neighborhood with a school around the corner, is seemingly in a world far away from homelessness, said her father, who runs his own digital media and film company. But the pandemic has shown how so many in the suburbs are really only a paycheck away from falling into poverty or losing their homes, he said.
"Her genius, in my mind, is being 7 years old and having a heart for other people," Andrew Tyler said. "If a 7-year-old is concerned about people in the world, we need to get on board."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--Schaumburg breaks fast with approval of Mediterranean restaurant

Schaumburg trustees Tuesday approved a new restaurant in the village for the first time in months , just days before Friday 's expected start of Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan that would allow a limited amount of indoor dining .
L'Olive Mediterranean Cuisine will be located at 9 W. Schaumburg Road , in a 2,624-square-foot area of the building it will share with Baird & Warner in Town Square at the intersection of Roselle Road .
According to the proposal , the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily once renovations have been completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she recognizes a feeling of optimism in the restaurant , particularly as it has been working its way through the village review process since the height of the restaurant closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
That any new restaurant is opening in the village is good news , but Fitzgerald said what makes L'Olive Mediterranean Cuisine even better is that it 's contributing to the vision and potential of Town Square .
Owner Taoufik Boujbel could not be reached for comment or to provide an expected opening date Tuesday .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he stated that the restaurant is likely to start with 12 employees and be able to serve 80 to 100 customers at a time -- at least before occupancy restrictions were set for Phase 4 .
`` We believe that our business will participate in increasing consumer attractivity and families ' entertainment in the neighborhood of Town Square Shopping Center location of Schaumburg , '' Boujbel wrote .
Though no structural changes are planned for the space , it will likely take some time to convert it from its former use as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Though the original proposal does n't include a request for outdoor seating , the village had a provision to allow it in some places even before the pandemic and this location would n't be prohibitive , Fitzgerald said .

New Mediterranean restaurant coming to Schaumburg
Schaumburg trustees Tuesday approved a new restaurant in the village for the first time in months, just days before Friday's expected start of Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan that would allow a limited amount of indoor dining.
L'Olive Mediterranean Cuisine will be located at 9 W. Schaumburg Road, in a 2,624-square-foot area of the building it will share with Baird & Warner in Town Square at the intersection of Roselle Road.
According to the proposal, the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily once renovations have been completed.
Schaumburg Community Development Director Julie Fitzgerald said she recognizes a feeling of optimism in the restaurant, particularly as it has been working its way through the village review process since the height of the restaurant closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That any new restaurant is opening in the village is good news, but Fitzgerald said what makes L'Olive Mediterranean Cuisine even better is that it's contributing to the vision and potential of Town Square.
Owner Taoufik Boujbel could not be reached for comment or to provide an expected opening date Tuesday. But in an earlier letter to the village, he stated that the restaurant is likely to start with 12 employees and be able to serve 80 to 100 customers at a time -- at least before occupancy restrictions were set for Phase 4.
"We believe that our business will participate in increasing consumer attractivity and families' entertainment in the neighborhood of Town Square Shopping Center location of Schaumburg," Boujbel wrote.
Though no structural changes are planned for the space, it will likely take some time to convert it from its former use as a martial arts school into a restaurant.
Though the original proposal doesn't include a request for outdoor seating, the village had a provision to allow it in some places even before the pandemic and this location wouldn't be prohibitive, Fitzgerald said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--At least one killed in fiery Wheeling crash

A fiery crash in Wheeling has left at least one person dead Tuesday night .
The crash happened at Lake-Cook @ @ @ @ @ The circumstances of the crash , and what caused it , were not immediately clear @ @ @ @ @ in the crash .
Several other people were reported injured .
Witnesses said they heard @ @ @ @ @ walking in the neighborhood .
They said it caused a boom so loud they thought @ @ @ @ @ electrical component blew .
It was n't until they walked to the area of the @ @ @ @ @ was from cars .
No further details about the victims or the crash have been @ @

At least one killed in fiery Wheeling crash
Firefighters tend to some of the wreckage in a fiery fatal crash involving two vehicles Tuesday night at Lake-Cook Road and Northgate Parkway. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
A fiery crash in Wheeling left at least one person dead and others injured Tuesday night at Lake-Cook Road and Northgate Parkway. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
A fiery crash in Wheeling has left at least one person dead Tuesday night.
The crash happened at Lake-Cook Road and Northgate Parkway. The circumstances of the crash, and what caused it, were not immediately clear.
Two cars were involved in the crash. Several other people were reported injured.
Witnesses said they heard the crash when they were walking in the neighborhood. They said it caused a boom so loud they thought a transformer or some other electrical component blew. It wasn't until they walked to the area of the crash that they realized it was from cars.
No further details about the victims or the crash have been released.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--Black Lives Matter activists in Elgin list six demands about police

Activists in Elgin have generated a list of demands to the city related to policing , including diverting funds to mental health and other social services , and forcing the resignation of an officer who fatally shot a woman in 2018 .
The group `` Elgin in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter '' formed in early June as protests swept the country after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
The demands , which group members have emailed to the city council , city manager and police chief , also include forming a citizens body that would oversee police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracts ; removing police from U-46 schools ; adding clear body camera procedures and strict enforcement ; and allowing listening to police radio communications that currently are encrypted .
`` It 's about accountability , '' said resident Sandy Davila , who created the Facebook page for the group , now with more than 750 members , that held a protest outside city hall two weeks ago , with another planned Wednesday .
`` The police is a racist institution .
The mistrust of the community comes from the individuals , because people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mistrust mainly comes from the institution . ''
Mayor David Kaptain and Police Chief Ana Lalley said Elgin has worked hard to build a police department that acts professionally and is responsive to the community .
Lt. Chris Jensen , who fatally shot resident Decynthia Clements in 2018 , was cleared of wrongdoing , and forcing him to retire would cost `` a couple of million dollars '' including that for buying out his pension , Kaptain said .
`` Chris Jensen will have to decide when to retire , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to `` reallocate taxpayer dollars from the police to community-based mental health services , substance abuse treatment services , affordable housing programs and education . ''
The police department 's budget is $ 47.5 million , or 37 % of the city 's general fund .
`` We understand this is an extremely complex issues , '' said group member Paige Roeber of Elgin .
`` Rewriting policy , redistributing funds and educating the community , and completely changing the way the police force operates ... we understand that takes time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is needed in those areas , but it 's up to the state and federal governments to restore that funding .
The police department has a social services unit that works with the homeless and a collaborative crisis services unit that follows up with individuals who need mental health assistance , he said .
As for body cameras , Elgin has had them for three years -- a rarity in the suburbs -- and their use is spelled out by policies that in some cases are more stringent than required by state law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discipline if they do n't wear their body cameras or turn them off inappropriately .
Jensen had his body camera on during the shooting and afterward turned it off twice .
Lalley determined he did n't violate policy because of exceptions that mirror state law .
Lalley said she plans to give a presentation at the council meeting Wednesday about different types of civilian police oversight .
The decision is ultimately up to the council , which first discussed the issue after Clements ' shooting .
The activists say that de-encrypting police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye on police activity , particularly if officers discriminate against residents .
Lalley and Kaptain said that de-encrypting , particularly in the age of social media , would raise privacy issues for those involved in police calls who may be cleared later , and safety issues if crowds start showing up when there are armed and dangerous individuals .
There are other mechanisms , such as complaints , to hold officers accountable for their behavior , and the public can obtain police data at cityprotect.com and via the Freedom of Information Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U-46 contracts with police departments in Elgin , South Elgin , Bartlett and Streamwood for school resource officers at all its middle schools and high schools .
The contracts for 2020-2021 have not been finalized , U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said .
Both Sanders and Lalley said they are willing to meet with anyone who wants to discuss the demands .
City Manager Rick Kozal declined to comment on specifics .
`` Community engagement and reasoned discussion is necessary for making informed decisions on these matters of public concern .
I welcome opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these issues , '' he said .
The members of `` Elgin in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter '' said there are about 50 active individuals and about 10 `` core organizers '' including Davila , a part-time kindergarten through sixth-grade teacher at U-46 , and Roeber , who used to work for the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin and now works in event planning .
The group says it has reached out to the Black Lives Matter national organization to possibly become a chapter .
It has created divisions for research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the latter featuring Sarah Wokurka , a student at Elgin Community College .
It is also building a youth division .
The group said it also wants to build trust within Elgin 's Black community , many of whose members protested the police department after Clements ' shooting .
It 's especially important for white people to step up and actively work to break down barriers to racial justice , Roeber said .
There is also work to be done within the Latino community , where there can be racism but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to police presence , Davila said .
The group plans to be actively involved in the spring 2021 election , when four city council seats will be on the ballot .
`` If they do n't listen to our demands , '' Roeber said , `` we are going to fight harder to get the 'no ' votes out of the city council . ''

Black Lives Matter activists in Elgin list six demands about police
Activists in Elgin have generated a list of demands to the city related to policing, including diverting funds to mental health and other social services, and forcing the resignation of an officer who fatally shot a woman in 2018.
The group "Elgin in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter" formed in early June as protests swept the country after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The demands, which group members have emailed to the city council, city manager and police chief, also include forming a citizens body that would oversee police internal investigations, discipline, hiring and contracts; removing police from U-46 schools; adding clear body camera procedures and strict enforcement; and allowing listening to police radio communications that currently are encrypted.
"It's about accountability," said resident Sandy Davila, who created the Facebook page for the group, now with more than 750 members, that held a protest outside city hall two weeks ago, with another planned Wednesday. "The police is a racist institution. The mistrust of the community comes from the individuals, because people have been hurt from officers, but the mistrust mainly comes from the institution."
Mayor David Kaptain and Police Chief Ana Lalley said Elgin has worked hard to build a police department that acts professionally and is responsive to the community.
Lt. Chris Jensen, who fatally shot resident Decynthia Clements in 2018, was cleared of wrongdoing, and forcing him to retire would cost "a couple of million dollars" including that for buying out his pension, Kaptain said.
"Chris Jensen will have to decide when to retire," he said.
Reallocating funds
The activists' broadest demand is to "reallocate taxpayer dollars from the police to community-based mental health services, substance abuse treatment services, affordable housing programs and education." The police department's budget is $47.5 million, or 37% of the city's general fund.
"We understand this is an extremely complex issues," said group member Paige Roeber of Elgin. "Rewriting policy, redistributing funds and educating the community, and completely changing the way the police force operates ... we understand that takes time."
Kaptain said he agrees more money is needed in those areas, but it's up to the state and federal governments to restore that funding. The police department has a social services unit that works with the homeless and a collaborative crisis services unit that follows up with individuals who need mental health assistance, he said.
Body cameras
As for body cameras, Elgin has had them for three years -- a rarity in the suburbs -- and their use is spelled out by policies that in some cases are more stringent than required by state law, Lalley said.
Officers are subject to discipline if they don't wear their body cameras or turn them off inappropriately.
Jensen had his body camera on during the shooting and afterward turned it off twice. Lalley determined he didn't violate policy because of exceptions that mirror state law.
Lalley said she plans to give a presentation at the council meeting Wednesday about different types of civilian police oversight. The decision is ultimately up to the council, which first discussed the issue after Clements' shooting.
Listening in
The activists say that de-encrypting police communications would allow residents to keep an eye on police activity, particularly if officers discriminate against residents.
Lalley and Kaptain said that de-encrypting, particularly in the age of social media, would raise privacy issues for those involved in police calls who may be cleared later, and safety issues if crowds start showing up when there are armed and dangerous individuals.
There are other mechanisms, such as complaints, to hold officers accountable for their behavior, and the public can obtain police data at cityprotect.com and via the Freedom of Information Act, Lalley said.
Elgin Area School District U-46 contracts with police departments in Elgin, South Elgin, Bartlett and Streamwood for school resource officers at all its middle schools and high schools. The contracts for 2020-2021 have not been finalized, U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said.
Both Sanders and Lalley said they are willing to meet with anyone who wants to discuss the demands.
City Manager Rick Kozal declined to comment on specifics. "Community engagement and reasoned discussion is necessary for making informed decisions on these matters of public concern. I welcome opportunities for providing a meaningful exchange of views on these issues," he said.
The group
The members of "Elgin in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter" said there are about 50 active individuals and about 10 "core organizers" including Davila, a part-time kindergarten through sixth-grade teacher at U-46, and Roeber, who used to work for the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin and now works in event planning.
The group says it has reached out to the Black Lives Matter national organization to possibly become a chapter. It has created divisions for research, technology/media, education and direct action, the latter featuring Sarah Wokurka, a student at Elgin Community College. It is also building a youth division.
The group said it also wants to build trust within Elgin's Black community, many of whose members protested the police department after Clements' shooting.
It's especially important for white people to step up and actively work to break down barriers to racial justice, Roeber said. There is also work to be done within the Latino community, where there can be racism but also fear of showing support for protesters due to police presence, Davila said.
The group plans to be actively involved in the spring 2021 election, when four city council seats will be on the ballot. "If they don't listen to our demands," Roeber said, "we are going to fight harder to get the 'no' votes out of the city council."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-24--Feder: WGN Radio's Ji Suk Yi moving to 'News Nation'

`` News Nation , '' the national news startup at WGN America , has tapped Chicago media personality Ji Suk @ @ @ @ @ voice of breaking news cut-ins in the morning for NewsNationNow.com and its app , Robert @ @ @ @ @ appearance as evening host at news/talk WGN 720-AM will be July 10 .
After stints @ @ @ @ @ Windy City Live '' on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 , Yi joined WGN Radio as a @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .

Feder: WGN Radio's Ji Suk Yi moving to 'News Nation'
"News Nation," the national news startup at WGN America, has tapped Chicago media personality Ji Suk Yi as the face and voice of breaking news cut-ins in the morning for NewsNationNow.com and its app, Robert Feder reports.
Her last appearance as evening host at news/talk WGN 720-AM will be July 10. After stints with the Sun-Times and "Windy City Live" on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7, Yi joined WGN Radio as a morning show contributor in July 2019.
Read the full story here.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-23--A song to make you smile: 'Shiny Happy People' by R.E.M.

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Shiny Happy People '' by R.E.M.
, released in 1991 .

A song to make you smile: 'Shiny Happy People' by R.E.M.
Michael Stipe performs with R.E.M. in 2004 at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Shiny Happy People" by R.E.M., released in 1991.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-24--Illinois deaths skyrocketed in April, but were they all COVID-19?

More Illinois residents died in April than in any other month since at least 1999 , but not all the additional deaths are attributed to known COVID-19 cases .
Illinois Department of Public Health figures shows 12,417 people died in April .
From 2015 to 2019 , the state averaged 8,875 deaths each April .
That 's an increase this year of almost 40 % above what the state averaged in the previous five Aprils .
Confirmed COVID-19 cases account for 2,256 of this year 's additional April deaths .
But that still leaves almost 1,300 more deaths than what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Public health officials believe those deaths resulted from uncounted COVID-19 cases , heart attacks and strokes in recovered or asymptomatic COVID-19 patients , seasonal influenza , drug overdoses and people who succumbed because they did not seek medical attention while COVID-19 was rampant .
`` There 's not going to be one single thing , '' said Dr. Emily Landon , head of the University of Chicago 's infectious disease prevention and control program .
`` But the body count , the effect of the pandemic , is so much bigger than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both experienced higher than average death counts , but the spikes can be largely attributed to COVID-19 diagnoses .
In May , 12,139 Illinoisans died , 3,035 from COVID-19 , according to IDPH figures .
Without those deaths , the May death toll in Illinois would be 2.9 % higher than the average for May from the previous five years .
In March 10,105 people died in Illinois .
Only 99 were confirmed COVID-19 cases as the outbreak began to ramp up .
Even without the coronavirus deaths , the March figures would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years of 9,573 .
IDPH officials called the death tallies for 2019 and the first five months of 2020 `` provisional '' because the figures have n't gone through the standard rigors of data compilation .
However , IDPH officials note they are aware of the `` excess deaths '' over the past three months .
`` The data does show there are 'excess deaths , ' and potential reasons could be deaths that were exacerbated by COVID-19 such as heart disease or other chronic diseases , '' an IDPH spokesperson wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spike in death totals statewide .
`` Although less likely , there could be more COVID-19 deaths than are being reported . ''
The state 's confirmed death toll from COVID-19 is more than 6,700 .
However , another 204 deaths are listed as `` probable '' COVID-19 fatalities because the deceased exhibited symptoms but were never tested .
During April , the height of Illinois ' outbreak , there was a shortage of testing supplies and equipment , which made it difficult for caregivers to test symptomatic people .
The virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were infected and were either asymptomatic or recovered from the disease , Landon noted .
`` We know COVID causes blood clotting , '' she said .
`` Based on what we know now , some of those people who died of myocardial infarctions ( heart attacks ) and strokes probably were infected and got a blood clot . ''
Some people put off seeing their doctors and the consequences could linger , said Courtney Hughes , an associate professor of public health at Northern Illinois University .
`` There 's no doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health welfare decisions either because of the disruption it would have on their work lives or their fear of contracting the disease at the hospital , '' she said .
`` The idea that so many people are not electing to have procedures could have a snowball effect on their health and become a bigger and bigger problem down the road . ''
According to death figures for Illinois from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , only once since 1999 has the state recorded more than 11,000 deaths in a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January 2018 during a particularly nasty flu season , Landon noted .
This year 's flu season was also notably rough , and it came on later than normal , she said .
Landon believes some of the excess deaths in March , April and May might have been from seasonal influenza .
Natalia Derevyanny , a spokeswoman at the Cook County medical examiner 's office , said , `` We 've seen a dramatic uptick in opioid-related overdose deaths . ''
She estimated the office has seen double the opioid deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year compared to the same time period last year .
`` The isolation , we believe , really affected people in rehabilitation and among those who were trying to remain clean and sober from addiction during this , '' Jorgensen said .
`` There has been without question a big uptick . ''
Public health officials said it will take years to sort out the death figures from this outbreak .
`` I do n't think we 're really going to know everything about this until afterward , when it 's all over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's vitally important to understand for the sake of preparing for future pandemics . ''
Since 1999 the state averages 8,721 deaths each month , according to IDPH and CDC figures .
From March to May of this year , the state is averaging 11,554 deaths , most of them in Cook County and the surrounding collar counties .
`` To be honest , with everything going on , we have not had the time to look at the numbers and figure out what is up , '' said Howard Cooper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have n't been able to catch our breath . ''

Illinois deaths skyrocketed in April, but were they all COVID-19?
Cook County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar enters an autopsy room where she will personally perform four autopsies in as many hours at the county morgue in Chicago. Associated Press File Photo/May 5, 2020
Cook County medical examiner's office forensic technician Pero Paunovich wheels the body of a COVID-19 victim from an emergency-management truck that just arrived at the medical examiner's auxiliary surge storage center in Chicago. Associated Press File Photo/May 5, 2020
Cook County medical examiner's office forensic technician William Cherry, right, stands on a small ladder to photograph the body of a COVID-19 victim as his colleague Pero Paunovich steadies the gurney at the medical examiner's auxiliary surge storage center in Chicago. Associated Press File Photo/May 5, 2020
More Illinois residents died in April than in any other month since at least 1999, but not all the additional deaths are attributed to known COVID-19 cases.
Illinois Department of Public Health figures shows 12,417 people died in April. From 2015 to 2019, the state averaged 8,875 deaths each April. That's an increase this year of almost 40% above what the state averaged in the previous five Aprils.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases account for 2,256 of this year's additional April deaths. But that still leaves almost 1,300 more deaths than what the state sees during the average April.
Public health officials believe those deaths resulted from uncounted COVID-19 cases, heart attacks and strokes in recovered or asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, seasonal influenza, drug overdoses and people who succumbed because they did not seek medical attention while COVID-19 was rampant.
-
"There's not going to be one single thing," said Dr. Emily Landon, head of the University of Chicago's infectious disease prevention and control program. "But the body count, the effect of the pandemic, is so much bigger than just COVID."
March and May both experienced higher than average death counts, but the spikes can be largely attributed to COVID-19 diagnoses. In May, 12,139 Illinoisans died, 3,035 from COVID-19, according to IDPH figures. Without those deaths, the May death toll in Illinois would be 2.9% higher than the average for May from the previous five years.
In March 10,105 people died in Illinois. Only 99 were confirmed COVID-19 cases as the outbreak began to ramp up. Even without the coronavirus deaths, the March figures would have exceeded the average for the previous five years of 9,573.
IDPH officials called the death tallies for 2019 and the first five months of 2020 "provisional" because the figures haven't gone through the standard rigors of data compilation. However, IDPH officials note they are aware of the "excess deaths" over the past three months.
"The data does show there are 'excess deaths,' and potential reasons could be deaths that were exacerbated by COVID-19 such as heart disease or other chronic diseases," an IDPH spokesperson wrote in an email response to questions about the spike in death totals statewide. "Although less likely, there could be more COVID-19 deaths than are being reported."
The state's confirmed death toll from COVID-19 is more than 6,700. However, another 204 deaths are listed as "probable" COVID-19 fatalities because the deceased exhibited symptoms but were never tested. During April, the height of Illinois' outbreak, there was a shortage of testing supplies and equipment, which made it difficult for caregivers to test symptomatic people.
The virus can cause lingering problems in patients who were infected and were either asymptomatic or recovered from the disease, Landon noted.
"We know COVID causes blood clotting," she said. "Based on what we know now, some of those people who died of myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) and strokes probably were infected and got a blood clot."
Some people put off seeing their doctors and the consequences could linger, said Courtney Hughes, an associate professor of public health at Northern Illinois University.
"There's no doubt that the pandemic is impacting people's health welfare decisions either because of the disruption it would have on their work lives or their fear of contracting the disease at the hospital," she said. "The idea that so many people are not electing to have procedures could have a snowball effect on their health and become a bigger and bigger problem down the road."
According to death figures for Illinois from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only once since 1999 has the state recorded more than 11,000 deaths in a month before the COVID outbreak. That was in January 2018 during a particularly nasty flu season, Landon noted.
This year's flu season was also notably rough, and it came on later than normal, she said. Landon believes some of the excess deaths in March, April and May might have been from seasonal influenza.
Natalia Derevyanny, a spokeswoman at the Cook County medical examiner's office, said, "We've seen a dramatic uptick in opioid-related overdose deaths." She estimated the office has seen double the opioid deaths during the first five months of this year compared to the same time period last year.
DuPage County Coroner Rich Jorgensen echoed her assessment.
"The isolation, we believe, really affected people in rehabilitation and among those who were trying to remain clean and sober from addiction during this," Jorgensen said. "There has been without question a big uptick."
Public health officials said it will take years to sort out the death figures from this outbreak.
"I don't think we're really going to know everything about this until afterward, when it's all over," Hughes said. "But it's vitally important to understand for the sake of preparing for future pandemics."
Since 1999 the state averages 8,721 deaths each month, according to IDPH and CDC figures. From March to May of this year, the state is averaging 11,554 deaths, most of them in Cook County and the surrounding collar counties.
"To be honest, with everything going on, we have not had the time to look at the numbers and figure out what is up," said Howard Cooper, Lake County coroner. "We still haven't been able to catch our breath."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-24--Infection rate up slightly as state surpasses 138,000 cases

Test results for COVID-19 showed the positivity rate ticked up slightly , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported Wednesday , but hospitalizations for the respiratory disease dipped as the state stands poised to ease more virus-related restrictions on Friday .
Daily cases of the respiratory disease rose by 715 with 64 more deaths in the last 24 hours , the state health department reported .
But the number of people hospitalized with the disease dipped from 1,648 announced Tuesday to 1,614 on Wednesday .
The COVID-19 testing positivity rate increased to a seven-day average of 3 % Wednesday after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The statistic measures how many of the tests performed have positive results .
Meanwhile , all public testing sites in Illinois will remain open despite funding cuts by the federal government , a spokeswoman for Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said .
While health experts agree testing is essential to combat the spread of COVID-19 , President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the effort .
A state health official said the agency asked the federal government to extend funding for two testing sites in Harwood Heights and Peoria , `` but unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the state `` will ensure operations at the two federal testing sites continue , '' Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said .
The statewide tally of Illinoisans dying from COVID-19 is 6,770 , and total cases number 138,540 since the pandemic began .
The state is still on track to enter Phase 4 , or Revitalization , of a five-phase , four-region reopening plan on Friday .
Phase 4 relaxes stay-at-home rules by allowing gatherings of up to 50 people to occur and more businesses to open .
To transition , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declining hospitalizations , staying under a 20 % positivity rate for the virus , and having available hospital beds .
State officials `` do n't look at positivity rates from day to day , '' Abudayyeh said .
`` We look at them over a span of a week on a rolling average basis because there are factors that change day to day and the experts do n't look at day-to-day data .
They look at trends . ''
Testing for COVID-19 has surpassed 1.4 million .
The daily positivity rate has swung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last week .
Edward Hospital Infection Control & Prevention Medical Director Jonathan Pinsky noted that it has been more than three weeks since May 29 , when the state entered Phase 3 .
That stage reopened many businesses shut during the stay-at-home order and allowed people to gather in groups of 10 or fewer .
Some COVID-19 patients he 's currently seeing include ones who had attended group gatherings .
Meanwhile , `` the hospitalization number is a good metric of how much infection there is , '' Pinsky added .
Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days from the onset of symptoms to going to hospital .
Reports indicate the White House will end funding for 13 public testing sites in Colorado , Illinois , New Jersey , Pennsylvania and Texas .
At a rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , on Saturday , the president said extensive testing means `` you 're going to find more people , you 're going to find more ( COVID-19 ) cases .
So I said to my people , 'slow the testing down , please . '
'' This week he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sword .
In one way , it tells you ( that ) you have cases .
In another way , you find out where the cases are and you do a good job .
We are doing a great job . ''
Abudayyeh said , `` President Donald Trump admitted he wants to slow down coronavirus testing , and now the federal government will no longer support two testing sites in Illinois .
Illinois has risen from 30th to fifth in the nation for the average number of tests completed over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to control the spread of the virus ( that ) families , workers and businesses need to know testing is widely available . ''

Infection rate up slightly as state surpasses 138,000 cases
Test results for COVID-19 showed the positivity rate ticked up slightly, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported Wednesday, but hospitalizations for the respiratory disease dipped as the state stands poised to ease more virus-related restrictions on Friday.
Daily cases of the respiratory disease rose by 715 with 64 more deaths in the last 24 hours, the state health department reported.
But the number of people hospitalized with the disease dipped from 1,648 announced Tuesday to 1,614 on Wednesday.
The COVID-19 testing positivity rate increased to a seven-day average of 3% Wednesday after sitting at 2% Sunday through Tuesday. The statistic measures how many of the tests performed have positive results.
Meanwhile, all public testing sites in Illinois will remain open despite funding cuts by the federal government, a spokeswoman for Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.
While health experts agree testing is essential to combat the spread of COVID-19, President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the effort. A state health official said the agency asked the federal government to extend funding for two testing sites in Harwood Heights and Peoria, "but unfortunately, the request was denied."
However, the state "will ensure operations at the two federal testing sites continue," Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said.
The statewide tally of Illinoisans dying from COVID-19 is 6,770, and total cases number 138,540 since the pandemic began.
The state is still on track to enter Phase 4, or Revitalization, of a five-phase, four-region reopening plan on Friday. Phase 4 relaxes stay-at-home rules by allowing gatherings of up to 50 people to occur and more businesses to open.
To transition, Illinois must hit health metrics including stable or declining hospitalizations, staying under a 20% positivity rate for the virus, and having available hospital beds.
State officials "don't look at positivity rates from day to day," Abudayyeh said. "We look at them over a span of a week on a rolling average basis because there are factors that change day to day and the experts don't look at day-to-day data. They look at trends."
Testing for COVID-19 has surpassed 1.4 million. The daily positivity rate has swung from 2.3% to 2.9% in the last week.
Edward Hospital Infection Control & Prevention Medical Director Jonathan Pinsky noted that it has been more than three weeks since May 29, when the state entered Phase 3. That stage reopened many businesses shut during the stay-at-home order and allowed people to gather in groups of 10 or fewer.
Some COVID-19 patients he's currently seeing include ones who had attended group gatherings.
Meanwhile, "the hospitalization number is a good metric of how much infection there is," Pinsky added. Research shows it takes an average of seven days from the onset of symptoms to going to hospital.
Reports indicate the White House will end funding for 13 public testing sites in Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas.
At a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, the president said extensive testing means "you're going to find more people, you're going to find more (COVID-19) cases. So I said to my people, 'slow the testing down, please.'"
This week he told reporters, "testing is a double-edged sword. In one way, it tells you (that) you have cases. In another way, you find out where the cases are and you do a good job. We are doing a great job."
Abudayyeh said, "President Donald Trump admitted he wants to slow down coronavirus testing, and now the federal government will no longer support two testing sites in Illinois. Illinois has risen from 30th to fifth in the nation for the average number of tests completed over the last week because the governor knows in order to control the spread of the virus (that) families, workers and businesses need to know testing is widely available."
• Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-24--Family: Hoffman soccer star Ken Snow believed he had lingering COVID-19 but didn't get tested

For most of his 50 years , Ken Snow was the picture of health .
In fact , as a soccer legend at Hoffman Estates High School and Indiana University , he was an entire gallery of health .
But something did n't feel right the last few months .
The lingering cold symptoms , especially the cough that would n't go away , concerned him .
Unfortunately , Snow declined to see a doctor , according to his sister , Stephanie Snow .
The fear of being diagnosed with COVID-19 and being put on a ventilator kept him from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Snow , who was living in Fishers , Indiana , tried to properly distance himself from friends and family , especially his three children .
He was visiting his children in Port Huron , Michigan -- staying in a hotel instead of the family house -- when he died Sunday in his hotel room .
An autopsy is pending , but the family believes the cause of death will be deemed COVID-19 .
`` He would still go jogging and stuff , but he had a cough and just did n't feel well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Me and my dad kept telling him to go to the doctor , but he said he did n't want to go in because he thought he had COVID .
`` He was just all about his kids , that 's what he cared about most , '' she said .
`` He did n't want to see the kids until he was better , but then he just died . ''
Ken Snow scored 128 goals at Hoffman Estates High and added 84 goals at Indiana University while twice being named national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four times Snow was named an All-American , and the Hoosiers won the 1988 NCAA national title led by Snow .
Until his death , he operated the Ken Snow Goalscoring Camp .
He was planning camps this summer throughout the Midwest before the pandemic struck and forced them to be canceled .
While several notable athletes have contracted COVID-19 , few have died from it .
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health , of the 6,770 COVID-19 deaths reported in Illinois through Wednesday , fewer than 1,000 have occurred in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nearly 70 % of deaths have been among patients age 70 and older .
Dr. Phillip Cozzi , the medical director of critical care at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital , believes Snow 's death serves as a reminder for everyone to be vigilant in the fight against COVID-19 .
`` One person might be able to fight off the virus efficiently , and another individual ca n't fight off the virus at all , '' Cozzi said .
`` It 's a wake-up call to the world that anybody might be susceptible .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection can be . ''
Snow is survived by his three children , Ashley , Matthew and Lauren ; his sister Stephanie and brother Steve , who was also a standout soccer player at Hoffman Estates High ; his father , Ken ; and several nieces and nephews .
His mother , Suzanne , died in 2014 .
Stephanie Snow said her brother loved watching his daughter Lauren play soccer at Youngstown State University .
Among Matthew Snow 's fondest memories was a simple beer he 'd occasionally enjoy with his dad .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a unique bond with their father .
`` Dad was somebody all three of us could count on no matter what time of day , '' he said .
`` He never missed a chance to let us know how proud he was of us .
Each of us had our own special relationship with him that we will always cherish . ''
A visitation is 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Smith Family Funeral Home in Port Huron .
Stephanie Snow said a bigger memorial is being planned in Carmel , Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is owned by Steve Snow .
`` I still ca n't believe it , '' Stephanie said .
`` He was healthy .
He was always working out .
It 's just a shock to all of us . ''

Family: Hoffman soccer star Ken Snow believed he had lingering COVID-19 but didn't get tested
Hoffman Estates High School soccer legend Ken Snow, left, died Sunday from what family members believe was a bout with COVID-19. Snow, left, is pictured here with his son Matthew Fox and daughter Lauren Snow. Courtesy of the Snow family
Hoffman Estates High School soccer legend Ken Snow, left, pictured with his three children, Matthew Fox, Lauren Snow and Ashley Fox, died Sunday and family members believe the cause of death was COVID-19. Courtesy of the Snow family
For most of his 50 years, Ken Snow was the picture of health.
In fact, as a soccer legend at Hoffman Estates High School and Indiana University, he was an entire gallery of health.
But something didn't feel right the last few months. The lingering cold symptoms, especially the cough that wouldn't go away, concerned him.
Unfortunately, Snow declined to see a doctor, according to his sister, Stephanie Snow. The fear of being diagnosed with COVID-19 and being put on a ventilator kept him from being tested, she said.
Ken Snow, who was living in Fishers, Indiana, tried to properly distance himself from friends and family, especially his three children. He was visiting his children in Port Huron, Michigan -- staying in a hotel instead of the family house -- when he died Sunday in his hotel room. An autopsy is pending, but the family believes the cause of death will be deemed COVID-19.
"He would still go jogging and stuff, but he had a cough and just didn't feel well," Stephanie Snow said. "Me and my dad kept telling him to go to the doctor, but he said he didn't want to go in because he thought he had COVID.
"He was just all about his kids, that's what he cared about most," she said. "He didn't want to see the kids until he was better, but then he just died."
Ken Snow scored 128 goals at Hoffman Estates High and added 84 goals at Indiana University while twice being named national college soccer player of the year. Four times Snow was named an All-American, and the Hoosiers won the 1988 NCAA national title led by Snow.
Until his death, he operated the Ken Snow Goalscoring Camp. He was planning camps this summer throughout the Midwest before the pandemic struck and forced them to be canceled.
While several notable athletes have contracted COVID-19, few have died from it. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, of the 6,770 COVID-19 deaths reported in Illinois through Wednesday, fewer than 1,000 have occurred in patients younger than 60 years old. Nearly 70% of deaths have been among patients age 70 and older.
Dr. Phillip Cozzi, the medical director of critical care at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, believes Snow's death serves as a reminder for everyone to be vigilant in the fight against COVID-19.
"One person might be able to fight off the virus efficiently, and another individual can't fight off the virus at all," Cozzi said. "It's a wake-up call to the world that anybody might be susceptible. It's a testimony of how severe the infection can be."
Snow is survived by his three children, Ashley, Matthew and Lauren; his sister Stephanie and brother Steve, who was also a standout soccer player at Hoffman Estates High; his father, Ken; and several nieces and nephews. His mother, Suzanne, died in 2014.
Stephanie Snow said her brother loved watching his daughter Lauren play soccer at Youngstown State University. Among Matthew Snow's fondest memories was a simple beer he'd occasionally enjoy with his dad.
Matthew Snow said all three children enjoyed a unique bond with their father.
"Dad was somebody all three of us could count on no matter what time of day," he said. "He never missed a chance to let us know how proud he was of us. Each of us had our own special relationship with him that we will always cherish."
A visitation is 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Smith Family Funeral Home in Port Huron. Stephanie Snow said a bigger memorial is being planned in Carmel, Indiana, at Roselli's Pizzeria, which is owned by Steve Snow.
"I still can't believe it," Stephanie said. "He was healthy. He was always working out. It's just a shock to all of us."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-24--Downers Grove South community remembers 15-year-old Evan Melau

He was a little guy with a big positive spirit and ever-present smile .
He played three sports , and gave his heart to all three .
Evan , a 15-year-old Downers Grove boy who just completed his freshman year at Downers Grove South High School , is being remembered this week by those around the school 's athletic programs and the community .
Evan was struck by a car in a hit-and-run crash at 1535 W. 75th St. in Woodridge about 8:25 p.m. June 19 , police said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
Evan was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struck in the eastbound lane , police said .
Woodridge police are investigating with assistance from the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team , a countywide major crash reconstruction team .
Evan , the middle of three siblings , played football , basketball and baseball at Downers Grove South .
His basketball coach , Eric Baugh , remembered a boy who was `` always smiling . ''
`` When I met him , it 's funny , he 's small , and he 's got this smile on his face , '' Baugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him as a coach , and he still had this smile on his face .
It makes you love him . ''
Baugh remembered , starting with tryouts , telling other coaches , `` I got this kid , and there is something about him . ''
`` He was always just so positive of a young man , '' Baugh said .
`` His personality , all the kids loved him .
I said to the other coaches , ' I got to have him on our team . '
He worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better every day in practice on top of being a great young man .
Everybody loved him .
That is why this is so hard . ''
Evan attended O'Neill Middle School in Downers Grove before high school and played travel basketball with the Nomads basketball program from 2016 to 2019 .
The Nomads organization has started a GoFundMe fundraising campaign in Evan 's memory .
As of Wednesday morning , it had raised $ 17,665 .
Meanwhile , the RakeCity Baseball program 's GoFundMe account has raised $ 9,260 .
Mike Crowley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Nomads , first met him when Evan was in the fifth grade .
Right away , Crowley saw something in him .
`` I knew he was a little spark plug , a little smaller in stature all the way through eighth grade , but he never let anything bother him .
He never gave in , '' Crowley said .
`` There were times that he played with a chip on his shoulder and was so competitive .
Beyond that he was an amazing teammate .
He would stick up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Baseball to Evan was life , a sport he was devoted to back to the third or fourth grade .
Basketball was his second love .
`` He had a passion for it , '' Crowley said .
`` Sixth or seventh grade , when we started running plays , I would teach the kids five or six plays to take home and learn .
He would come back to the next practice and know them .
There was never a question about his passion .
He wanted to be the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roll student both semesters at Downers Grove South , Evan played receiver and defensive back for the Mustangs ' freshman football team .
His position coach , Arthur Drenth , remembered a boy who was always on time , ready to go .
`` He was just a very dedicated football player , '' Drenth said .
`` He was never late , always there , and when it was time to go , you never had to worry .
He was very respectful of his teammates and coaches and he was just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a game against Willowbrook in which Evan took a handoff and was 10 yards down the field before anyone knew it .
`` He was there from Day 1 of summer camp , always ready to work , he was just a fun kid to be around , '' Drenth said .
`` We 're going to miss him . ''
Brett Wolf , freshman baseball coach at Downers Grove South , said it was common for Evan to come to offseason baseball workouts after his basketball games were done .
`` Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortcuts , Evan would be at school from 8 a.m. in the morning to 10 p.m. at night , '' Wolf said .
`` And you could n't even tell because he did n't look tired .
He was the hardest-working kid in the gym .
The way he lifted weights compared to his peers , he got after it .
His teammates looked up to him and he challenged himself . ''
Wolf said he 's heard from Evan 's peers how much he loved baseball .
Crowley never coached Evan in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge baseball fan , '' a middle infielder `` quick as blazes . ''
`` I think baseball meant a lot to him , personally , '' Wolf said .
`` He was just an incredible kid , extremely friendly and nice .
He was one of the shorter guys on the field and nobody messed with him .
That is not what defined him , though .
He was a really kindhearted kid . ''
Memories from Evan 's former teachers and friends , and neighboring schools have flowed throughout social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' tweeted Robert Mueller , a science teacher at O'Neill .
`` He and I bonded over sports , but he was always willing to learn and put himself out there in class . ''
`` Evan was such a pleasure to have at O'Neill in eighth grade , '' tweeted Haley Vermeer , O'Neill assistant principal .
`` He always greeted me with a smile and was always willing to stop and let me know how he was doing .
Such a kind young man . ''
Beyond sports , Crowley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved to be with his friends .
Crowley remembered a core group of kids who stuck together like glue .
`` He had a lot of really close friends , '' Crowley said .
`` That was his thing .
He loved to be with his friends and he loved his family . ''
A visitation For Evan is scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday with the funeral service at 8 p.m. at Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services , Ltd. , 7000 S. Madison St. , in Willowbrook .

Downers Grove South community remembers 15-year-old Evan Melau
He was a little guy with a big positive spirit and ever-present smile.
He played three sports, and gave his heart to all three.
And teammates loved Evan Melau.
Evan, a 15-year-old Downers Grove boy who just completed his freshman year at Downers Grove South High School, is being remembered this week by those around the school's athletic programs and the community.
Evan was struck by a car in a hit-and-run crash at 1535 W. 75th St. in Woodridge about 8:25 p.m. June 19, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Evan was attempting to cross 75th Street and was struck in the eastbound lane, police said.
Woodridge police are investigating with assistance from the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team, a countywide major crash reconstruction team.
Evan, the middle of three siblings, played football, basketball and baseball at Downers Grove South. His basketball coach, Eric Baugh, remembered a boy who was "always smiling."
"When I met him, it's funny, he's small, and he's got this smile on his face," Baugh said. "I could get on him as a coach, and he still had this smile on his face. It makes you love him."
Baugh remembered, starting with tryouts, telling other coaches, "I got this kid, and there is something about him."
"He was always just so positive of a young man," Baugh said. "His personality, all the kids loved him. I said to the other coaches, 'I got to have him on our team.' He worked very hard. He wanted to get better every day in practice on top of being a great young man. Everybody loved him. That is why this is so hard."
Evan attended O'Neill Middle School in Downers Grove before high school and played travel basketball with the Nomads basketball program from 2016 to 2019. The Nomads organization has started a GoFundMe fundraising campaign in Evan's memory. As of Wednesday morning, it had raised $17,665. Meanwhile, the RakeCity Baseball program's GoFundMe account has raised $9,260.
Mike Crowley, who coached Evan for four years with the Nomads, first met him when Evan was in the fifth grade. Right away, Crowley saw something in him.
"I knew he was a little spark plug, a little smaller in stature all the way through eighth grade, but he never let anything bother him. He never gave in," Crowley said. "There were times that he played with a chip on his shoulder and was so competitive. Beyond that he was an amazing teammate. He would stick up for his friends no matter what."
Baseball to Evan was life, a sport he was devoted to back to the third or fourth grade. Basketball was his second love.
"He had a passion for it," Crowley said. "Sixth or seventh grade, when we started running plays, I would teach the kids five or six plays to take home and learn. He would come back to the next practice and know them. There was never a question about his passion. He wanted to be the best he possibly can."
An honor roll student both semesters at Downers Grove South, Evan played receiver and defensive back for the Mustangs' freshman football team.
His position coach, Arthur Drenth, remembered a boy who was always on time, ready to go.
"He was just a very dedicated football player," Drenth said. "He was never late, always there, and when it was time to go, you never had to worry. He was very respectful of his teammates and coaches and he was just fun to watch."
Drenth recalled a game against Willowbrook in which Evan took a handoff and was 10 yards down the field before anyone knew it.
"He was there from Day 1 of summer camp, always ready to work, he was just a fun kid to be around," Drenth said. "We're going to miss him."
Brett Wolf, freshman baseball coach at Downers Grove South, said it was common for Evan to come to offseason baseball workouts after his basketball games were done.
"Where some kids might be looking to take shortcuts, Evan would be at school from 8 a.m. in the morning to 10 p.m. at night," Wolf said. "And you couldn't even tell because he didn't look tired. He was the hardest-working kid in the gym. The way he lifted weights compared to his peers, he got after it. His teammates looked up to him and he challenged himself."
Wolf said he's heard from Evan's peers how much he loved baseball. Crowley never coached Evan in baseball but said "he was a huge baseball fan," a middle infielder "quick as blazes."
Evan played second base at Downers Grove South.
"I think baseball meant a lot to him, personally," Wolf said. "He was just an incredible kid, extremely friendly and nice. He was one of the shorter guys on the field and nobody messed with him. That is not what defined him, though. He was a really kindhearted kid."
Memories from Evan's former teachers and friends, and neighboring schools have flowed throughout social media.
"Evan was an amazing kid," tweeted Robert Mueller, a science teacher at O'Neill. "He and I bonded over sports, but he was always willing to learn and put himself out there in class."
"Evan was such a pleasure to have at O'Neill in eighth grade," tweeted Haley Vermeer, O'Neill assistant principal. "He always greeted me with a smile and was always willing to stop and let me know how he was doing. Such a kind young man."
Beyond sports, Crowley said Evan was a kid who just loved to be with his friends. Crowley remembered a core group of kids who stuck together like glue.
"He had a lot of really close friends," Crowley said. "That was his thing. He loved to be with his friends and he loved his family."
A visitation For Evan is scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday with the funeral service at 8 p.m. at Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Ltd., 7000 S. Madison St., in Willowbrook.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-24--Blackhawks Cup winner Marian Hossa gets into Hockey Hall of Fame on first try

Marian Hossa scored 525 goals over his illustrious career , 186 of which came with the Blackhawks .
He also dished out 609 assists .
But according to former teammate Kris Versteeg , none of those numbers adequately illustrate why Hossa was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday in his first year of eligibility .
`` If you watched his entire game , that 's where you get the true appreciation of the extra dynamic he could bring to a team , '' Versteeg said .
`` That alone gets him into the Hall of Fame .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the puck changed outcomes of each and every game .
... '' And not only that , I think it changed a little bit of hockey in itself .
Just seeing a star player work that hard to get back was so impressive .
... That was always attributed to him because anywhere I went they always showed clips of Marian Hossa . ''
Hossa was golfing Tuesday when he got a call from his agent that Wednesday could indeed be a special one .
The winger did n't want to get his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buzzed at 9 p.m. Slovakian time , he got awfully excited .
`` It was a phone call that I will never forget for the rest of my life .
It was an amazing moment and I 'm still processing what 's happening , '' Hossa said during a 90-minute teleconference that included this year 's five other inductees .
`` It 's 1 a.m. ( now ) and I 'm having the first bottle of wine already done .
`` I do n't know how long this press conference is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Also elected were former Blackhawks defenseman Doug Wilson , Jarome Iginla , Kevin Lowe , Ken Holland and Kim St-Pierre .
Wilson , a left-shot defenseman , was drafted sixth overall by the Hawks in 1977 .
A Norris Trophy winner after his 39-goal campaign in 1981-82 , he finished with 225 goals and 554 assists for the franchise from 1977-91 .
Hossa , who was forced out of the game due to a skin condition , had eight 30-goal seasons and three times had 40 or more .
He played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and '09 , ending up on the losing side each time .
Using those setbacks to grow as a person and a player , Hossa then helped spearhead the Hawks to their first Stanley Cup title in 49 years in 2010 .
`` Going through the failures make you stronger , '' Hossa said .
`` I learned from my previous mistakes maybe .
I just tried to take the Games 6 or Games 7s a little bit easier ; prepare for the game like it was a regular game . ''
Hossa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cup after captain Jonathan Toews sought out the veteran on the Wells Fargo Center ice .
`` We were all screaming as loud as we could for Hoss , '' Versteeg said .
`` For him to win and to be the person he is , first and foremost .
Never met a better guy in the game .
`` But ( also ) a player that 's been through everything .
For us to all see that ; I mean I remember screaming like I was a child . ''
Said Hossa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've still got a picture in my office from when I first touched the Stanley Cup . ''
The Hawks signed Hossa to a 12-year contract during the 2009 off-season .
It is considered by most the best free-agent signing in Chicago sports history .
His influence on and off the ice helped propel a solid group of young , emerging players to an epic six-year run unmatched in team annals .
Versteeg still remembers what it was like the first time he saw Hossa practice .
`` He did n't play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was like watching a Ferrari skate down the ice , '' Versteeg said .
`` I still remember me and ( Patrick ) Kane looked at each other and we 're like , 'That 's a professional player right there .
Look at him . '
`` Hossa scored 24 goals and had 27 assists in just 57 games that season , then added 3 scores and 12 assists in the playoffs .
The one everyone remembers came in Game 5 of the first round against Nashville -- a goal that gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seconds after Hossa served a five-minute boarding penalty .
Ten weeks later Hossa and Versteeg were sitting next to each other in the United Center dressing room with the Stanley Cup Final tied at two games a piece .
Versteeg -- as he did before every game -- went to grab them both energy bars .
And then disaster struck as Versteeg spilled coffee in Hossa 's stall .
`` I remember before the game , I was so nervous and shaking because I do n't know if Hoss is mad at me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Versteeg said .
`` I 've got to play the game of my life tonight to make up for spilling Hoss ' coffee .
`` And I did .
I had a goal and 2 assists , and he played well ( in a 7-4 Hawks victory ) .
I was like , 'OK .
Thank goodness that spilling his coffee did n't screw us over . '
`` Three nights later , the two were sitting together just before Game 6 and Versteeg thinks : `` Should I spill his coffee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And guess what ?
He did .
Said Versteeg : `` I went by again and spilled it , and he goes : 'What the heck , Steegy !
? '
`` I spilled it on purpose .
He probably does n't know that to this day .
Obviously we won .
So that was kind of a story between me and him that no one knows . ''
Hossa made the Hawks a dangerous team all the way through 2016-17 when he poured in 26 goals despite turning 38 that January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swept by Nashville in the playoffs , the Hawks said Hossa would not play during the 2017-18 season due to a skin condition .
He never returned to the ice and was traded to Arizona on July 12 , 2018 , in a salary-cap move .
Versteeg remembers seeing rashes on Hossa 's shins and elbows `` a lot '' -- even going back to 2009 .
So when the news broke that Hossa was out , Versteeg had a different reaction than most .
`` Everyone 's like , 'It 's sad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Versteeg said .
`` But I mean to be brutally honest , what else was he going to accomplish ?
`` That 's what I just think .
I mean you can add to the legacy , but the legacy 's already written . ''
One that just culminated with an invitation to the Hall of Fame .

Blackhawks Cup winner Marian Hossa gets into Hockey Hall of Fame on first try
Marian Hossa celebrates with Kris Versteeg and Brian Campbell (51) after the Blackhawks beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime to win Game 6 and the Stanley Cup in June 2010 in Philadelphia. Associated Press
Marian Hossa holds tight to the Stanley Cup after the Blackhawks beat Tampa Bay in Game 6 of the 2015 finals. Associated Press
Marian Hossa was elected to the NHL Hall of Fame Wednesday. Associated Press
Marian Hossa scored 525 goals over his illustrious career, 186 of which came with the Blackhawks.
He also dished out 609 assists.
And won three Stanley Cups.
But according to former teammate Kris Versteeg, none of those numbers adequately illustrate why Hossa was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday in his first year of eligibility.
"If you watched his entire game, that's where you get the true appreciation of the extra dynamic he could bring to a team," Versteeg said. "That alone gets him into the Hall of Fame. Because everything that he did away from the puck changed outcomes of each and every game. ...
"And not only that, I think it changed a little bit of hockey in itself. Just seeing a star player work that hard to get back was so impressive. ... That was always attributed to him because anywhere I went they always showed clips of Marian Hossa."
Hossa was golfing Tuesday when he got a call from his agent that Wednesday could indeed be a special one. The winger didn't want to get his hopes up, but when his phone buzzed at 9 p.m. Slovakian time, he got awfully excited.
"It was a phone call that I will never forget for the rest of my life. It was an amazing moment and I'm still processing what's happening," Hossa said during a 90-minute teleconference that included this year's five other inductees. "It's 1 a.m. (now) and I'm having the first bottle of wine already done.
"I don't know how long this press conference is going to go, so good luck to me."
Also elected were former Blackhawks defenseman Doug Wilson, Jarome Iginla, Kevin Lowe, Ken Holland and Kim St-Pierre. Wilson, a left-shot defenseman, was drafted sixth overall by the Hawks in 1977. A Norris Trophy winner after his 39-goal campaign in 1981-82, he finished with 225 goals and 554 assists for the franchise from 1977-91.
Hossa, who was forced out of the game due to a skin condition, had eight 30-goal seasons and three times had 40 or more.
He played in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 and '09, ending up on the losing side each time. Using those setbacks to grow as a person and a player, Hossa then helped spearhead the Hawks to their first Stanley Cup title in 49 years in 2010.
"Going through the failures make you stronger," Hossa said. "I learned from my previous mistakes maybe. I just tried to take the Games 6 or Games 7s a little bit easier; prepare for the game like it was a regular game."
Hossa was the first one to touch the Cup after captain Jonathan Toews sought out the veteran on the Wells Fargo Center ice.
"We were all screaming as loud as we could for Hoss," Versteeg said. "For him to win and to be the person he is, first and foremost. Never met a better guy in the game.
"But (also) a player that's been through everything. For us to all see that; I mean I remember screaming like I was a child."
Said Hossa: "What a great memory. I've still got a picture in my office from when I first touched the Stanley Cup."
The Hawks signed Hossa to a 12-year contract during the 2009 off-season. It is considered by most the best free-agent signing in Chicago sports history. His influence on and off the ice helped propel a solid group of young, emerging players to an epic six-year run unmatched in team annals.
Versteeg still remembers what it was like the first time he saw Hossa practice.
"He didn't play until November and -- I swear -- it was like watching a Ferrari skate down the ice," Versteeg said. "I still remember me and (Patrick) Kane looked at each other and we're like, 'That's a professional player right there. Look at him.' "
Hossa scored 24 goals and had 27 assists in just 57 games that season, then added 3 scores and 12 assists in the playoffs. The one everyone remembers came in Game 5 of the first round against Nashville -- a goal that gave the Hawks a 5-4 OT victory just seconds after Hossa served a five-minute boarding penalty.
Ten weeks later Hossa and Versteeg were sitting next to each other in the United Center dressing room with the Stanley Cup Final tied at two games a piece. Versteeg -- as he did before every game -- went to grab them both energy bars.
And then disaster struck as Versteeg spilled coffee in Hossa's stall.
"I remember before the game, I was so nervous and shaking because I don't know if Hoss is mad at me. Is this a bad omen?" Versteeg said. "I've got to play the game of my life tonight to make up for spilling Hoss' coffee.
"And I did. I had a goal and 2 assists, and he played well (in a 7-4 Hawks victory). I was like, 'OK. Thank goodness that spilling his coffee didn't screw us over.' "
Three nights later, the two were sitting together just before Game 6 and Versteeg thinks: "Should I spill his coffee because it worked last time?' "
And guess what? He did.
Said Versteeg: "I went by again and spilled it, and he goes: 'What the heck, Steegy!?'
"I spilled it on purpose. He probably doesn't know that to this day. Obviously we won. So that was kind of a story between me and him that no one knows."
Hossa made the Hawks a dangerous team all the way through 2016-17 when he poured in 26 goals despite turning 38 that January. Two months after the Hawks were swept by Nashville in the playoffs, the Hawks said Hossa would not play during the 2017-18 season due to a skin condition.
He never returned to the ice and was traded to Arizona on July 12, 2018, in a salary-cap move.
Versteeg remembers seeing rashes on Hossa's shins and elbows "a lot" -- even going back to 2009. So when the news broke that Hossa was out, Versteeg had a different reaction than most.
"Everyone's like, 'It's sad the way it ended,'" Versteeg said. "But I mean to be brutally honest, what else was he going to accomplish?
"That's what I just think. I mean you can add to the legacy, but the legacy's already written."
One that just culminated with an invitation to the Hall of Fame.