dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-23--White House drops payroll tax cut as GOP unveils virus aid

WASHINGTON -- The White House has reluctantly dropped a bid to cut Social Security payroll taxes as Republicans unveil a $ 1 trillion COVID-19 rescue package on Thursday , ceding to opposition to the idea among top Senate allies .
`` It wo n't be in the base bill , '' said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , speaking on CNBC about the payroll tax cut , killing the idea for now .
The idea has been a major demand of President Donald Trump .
`` The president is very focused on getting money quickly to workers right now and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said at the Capitol .
Only Sunday , Trump said in a Fox News interview that `` I would consider not signing it if we do n't have a payroll tax cut . ''
The legislation , set to be released Thursday morning by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , comes amid alarming developments on the virus crisis .
McConnell 's package is an opening GOP bid in talks with top Capitol Hill Democrats in a negotiation that could be rockier than talks in March that produced a $ 2 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at odds over priorities , and Democrats say it 's not nearly enough to stem the health crisis , reopen schools and extend aid to jobless Americans .
The Republican leader is expected to deliver a speech shortly after the Senate opens , and then senators will begin rolling out their separate parts of the package , according to a Republican granted anonymity to discuss the plans .
Instead , Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows went to the Capitol for an unscheduled meeting with McConnell .
Afterward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` fundamental agreement '' with Senate Republicans .
The must-have centerpiece of the for McConnell is a liability shield to protect businesses , schools , and others from coronavirus-related lawsuits .
The package is not expected to provide any new money for cash-strapped states and cities , which are clamoring for funds , but Republicans propose giving $ 105 billion to help schools reopen and $ 15 billion for child care centers to create safe environments for youngsters during the pandemic .
But the GOP measure forges an immediate agreement with Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to most American adults .
The $ 600 weekly unemployment benefit boost that is expiring Friday would be cut back , and Mnuchin said it would ultimately be redesigned to provide a typical worker 70 % of his or her income .
Republicans say continuing the $ 600 benefit as Democrats is a disincentive to work , but some Republicans are pressing for a temporary extension of the current benefit if the talks drag .
`` We can not allow there to be a cliff in unemployment insurance given we 're still at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen .
Rob Portman , R-Ohio .
The bill is likely to be silent on the potential housing crisis as a federal eviction moratorium on millions of rental units expires in days .
One key holdup in the talks was Trump 's push for a payroll tax cut , according to a Republican granted anonymity to discuss the private talks .
Hardly any GOP senators support the idea .
Instead , McConnell and some other Republicans prefer the direct $ 1,200 cash payments to Americans .
Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business lending in the Paycheck Protection Program .
`` It 's going to be big , '' he said .
The bills will also include tax breaks for businesses to hire and retain workers and to help shops and workplaces retool with new safety protocols .
A document circulating among lobbyists claims the package would increase the deduction for business meals to 100 % , offering help to the restaurant industry .
The breakthrough on testing money was key after days of debate between Republicans and the White House .
Republicans wanted $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the $ 9 billion in unspent funds from a previous aid deal was sufficient .
The two sides settled on adding $ 16 billion to the unspent funds to reach $ 25 billion , senators said .
There will also be fresh funds for vaccines .
Of the $ 105 billion for education , Republicans want $ 70 billion to help K-12 schools reopen , $ 30 billion for colleges and $ 5 billion for governors to allocate .
The Trump administration wanted school money linked to reopenings , but in McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely be split between those that have in-person learning and those that do n't .
Democrats , who already approved House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's more sweeping $ 3 trillion package two months ago , said the GOP infighting with Trump was delaying needed relief to Americans during the crisis .
`` We are just days away from a housing crisis that could be prevented , '' said Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass .
In their package , Democrats are calling for $ 430 billion to reopen schools , bigger unemployment benefits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 trillion for state and local governments .
They also want a fresh round of mortgage and rental assistance and new federal health and safety requirements for workers .
McConnell calls his proposal a `` starting point '' in negotiations with Democrats .
Congress in March approved the massive $ 2.2 trillion CARES package , the biggest of its kind in U.S. history .
The severity of the prolonged virus outbreak is upending American life .
Schools are delaying fall openings , states are clamping down with new stay-home orders and the fallout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high unemployment and business uncertainty .
A new AP-NORC poll shows very few Americans want full school sessions without restrictions in the fall .
Still , some Republicans said they are unlikely to approve any new aid .
`` I just do n't see the need for it , '' Sen. Ron Johnson , R-Wis. , told reporters on Wednesday .
___ Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor , Mary Clare Jalonick and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

White House drops payroll tax cut as GOP unveils virus aid
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell replaces his face mask Tuesday after speaking at news conference after attending a Republican luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- The White House has reluctantly dropped a bid to cut Social Security payroll taxes as Republicans unveil a $1 trillion COVID-19 rescue package on Thursday, ceding to opposition to the idea among top Senate allies.
"It won't be in the base bill," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking on CNBC about the payroll tax cut, killing the idea for now. The idea has been a major demand of President Donald Trump.
"The president is very focused on getting money quickly to workers right now and the payroll tax takes time," Mnuchin said at the Capitol. Only Sunday, Trump said in a Fox News interview that "I would consider not signing it if we don't have a payroll tax cut."
The legislation, set to be released Thursday morning by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., comes amid alarming developments on the virus crisis.
McConnell's package is an opening GOP bid in talks with top Capitol Hill Democrats in a negotiation that could be rockier than talks in March that produced a $2 trillion rescue package. GOP senators and Trump are at odds over priorities, and Democrats say it's not nearly enough to stem the health crisis, reopen schools and extend aid to jobless Americans.
The Republican leader is expected to deliver a speech shortly after the Senate opens, and then senators will begin rolling out their separate parts of the package, according to a Republican granted anonymity to discuss the plans. Instead, Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows went to the Capitol for an unscheduled meeting with McConnell.
Afterward, Mnuchin declared that the administration had reached a "fundamental agreement" with Senate Republicans.
The must-have centerpiece of the for McConnell is a liability shield to protect businesses, schools, and others from coronavirus-related lawsuits.
The package is not expected to provide any new money for cash-strapped states and cities, which are clamoring for funds, but Republicans propose giving $105 billion to help schools reopen and $15 billion for child care centers to create safe environments for youngsters during the pandemic.
But the GOP measure forges an immediate agreement with Democrats on another round of $1,200 checks to most American adults.
The $600 weekly unemployment benefit boost that is expiring Friday would be cut back, and Mnuchin said it would ultimately be redesigned to provide a typical worker 70% of his or her income. Republicans say continuing the $600 benefit as Democrats is a disincentive to work, but some Republicans are pressing for a temporary extension of the current benefit if the talks drag.
"We cannot allow there to be a cliff in unemployment insurance given we're still at about 11% unemployment," said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.
The bill is likely to be silent on the potential housing crisis as a federal eviction moratorium on millions of rental units expires in days.
One key holdup in the talks was Trump's push for a payroll tax cut, according to a Republican granted anonymity to discuss the private talks. Hardly any GOP senators support the idea. Instead, McConnell and some other Republicans prefer the direct $1,200 cash payments to Americans.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said there will be another boost for small business lending in the Paycheck Protection Program. "It's going to be big," he said.
The bills will also include tax breaks for businesses to hire and retain workers and to help shops and workplaces retool with new safety protocols. A document circulating among lobbyists claims the package would increase the deduction for business meals to 100%, offering help to the restaurant industry.
The breakthrough on testing money was key after days of debate between Republicans and the White House. Republicans wanted $25 billion, but the Trump administration said the $9 billion in unspent funds from a previous aid deal was sufficient. The two sides settled on adding $16 billion to the unspent funds to reach $25 billion, senators said. There will also be fresh funds for vaccines.
Of the $105 billion for education, Republicans want $70 billion to help K-12 schools reopen, $30 billion for colleges and $5 billion for governors to allocate. The Trump administration wanted school money linked to reopenings, but in McConnell's package the money for K-12 would likely be split between those that have in-person learning and those that don't.
Democrats, who already approved House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's more sweeping $3 trillion package two months ago, said the GOP infighting with Trump was delaying needed relief to Americans during the crisis.
"We are just days away from a housing crisis that could be prevented," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
In their package, Democrats are calling for $430 billion to reopen schools, bigger unemployment benefits and direct aid checks and a sweeping $1 trillion for state and local governments. They also want a fresh round of mortgage and rental assistance and new federal health and safety requirements for workers.
McConnell calls his proposal a "starting point" in negotiations with Democrats. Congress in March approved the massive $2.2 trillion CARES package, the biggest of its kind in U.S. history.
The severity of the prolonged virus outbreak is upending American life. Schools are delaying fall openings, states are clamping down with new stay-home orders and the fallout is rippling through an economy teetering with high unemployment and business uncertainty. A new AP-NORC poll shows very few Americans want full school sessions without restrictions in the fall.
Still, some Republicans said they are unlikely to approve any new aid.
"I just don't see the need for it," Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told reporters on Wednesday.
___
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor, Mary Clare Jalonick and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-23--Vikings get entire 15-player draft class under contract

EAGAN , Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings will begin training camp with their entire 15-player draft class under contract after @ @ @ @ @ including first-round picks Justin Jefferson and Jeff Gladney .
The Vikings announced they signed Jefferson @ @ @ @ @ LSU taken 22nd overall , and Gladney , the cornerback from TCU who went 31st @ @ @ @ @ 12 other picks .
Seventh-round quarterback Nate Stanley of Iowa signed his contract earlier this @ @ @ @ @ were the most in the NFL since the draft was shortened to seven rounds in @ @ @ @ @ 202-pound Jefferson will compete for the No .
2 wide receiver spot on the depth @ @ @ @ @ The 5-foot-10 , 191-pound Gladney will be in line to start at cornerback with Mike @ @

Vikings get entire 15-player draft class under contract
FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates after scoring with wide receiver Justin Jefferson during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against Clemson in New Orleans. There are more bowl games scheduled for the coming season than ever before in major college football: 42, not including the College Football Playoff championship. College football leaders are in the process of piecing together plans to attempt to play a regular season during the COVID-19 pandemic. If it is even possible, everyone anticipates there will be disruptions, added expenses and loads of stress just to get through it. Associated Press
EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings will begin training camp with their entire 15-player draft class under contract after finalizing rookie deals Thursday, including first-round picks Justin Jefferson and Jeff Gladney.
The Vikings announced they signed Jefferson, the wide receiver from LSU taken 22nd overall, and Gladney, the cornerback from TCU who went 31st overall, as well as 12 other picks. Seventh-round quarterback Nate Stanley of Iowa signed his contract earlier this summer. The 15 selections were the most in the NFL since the draft was shortened to seven rounds in 1994.
The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Jefferson will compete for the No. 2 wide receiver spot on the depth chart behind Adam Thielen. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Gladney will be in line to start at cornerback with Mike Hughes.
___
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-23--Elgin will look for facilitator for task force on policing

The Elgin City Council has appointed two of its own as liaisons to a future task force on policing and has directed city staff members to craft a request for qualifications to find a facilitator .
Councilwoman Tish Powell , a Black woman who has criticized the police department in the wake of a fatal police shooting in 2018 , and Councilman Toby Shaw , a white man who often points to the successes of the department , were appointed to the task force during the council meeting Wednesday night .
`` Truth be told , they have more in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Councilman Corey Dixon , who made the motion to appoint Powell and Shaw , `` but to have two people with different ideas and different viewpoints and different experience to come together and be able to work , government does n't get any better than that . ''
The motion was approved 6-2 .
Shaw abstained , and council members Rose Martinez and Terry Gavin voted `` no . ''
Martinez said she would have liked to have been consulted on the selection of the council liaisons , who should n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formed , she said .
Also , Elgin 's population is 45 % Latino , but neither Powell nor Shaw is part of that ethnic group , Martinez said after the meeting .
`` I was n't even considered , '' she said .
`` I would have liked to give my input . ''
Since late May , the Elgin Police Department has been the target of several protests by Black Lives Matter activists who want , among other things , to divert funds from policing to community-based services .
Gavin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is necessary because Police Chief Ana Lalley already has implemented innovation and change within the department .
`` We are already way ahead of the curve when it comes to working within the community , '' Gavin said .
The task force would be charged with looking at opportunities to improve policing culture , ensure accountability and restore trust in the police , and re-examine how police resources are used , Powell said .
`` Where are we lacking resources and where should we do better ? ''
she said .
Shaw said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` continuation '' and `` celebration '' of the work and reforms done by the police department .
`` It 's a way for us to continue to take some of the input that we are hearing and discuss it with a group of folks that are just very focused on it , laser focused on it , looking at it from different aspects , looking at it from a data perspective , and being able to dig into some of those really tough conversations . ''
The idea of issuing a request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor David Kaptain , who also said there should be a connection between the task force and seven new resident-led community advisory boards being formed by the police department .
`` Everybody 's voice should be heard , and if we 're not careful , we will lose those voices , '' Kaptain said .
`` This is extremely important to the community .
I take it very seriously . ''
Council members said they want the task force to be formed as soon as possible and they likely will have a special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I want to make sure we are very intentional about getting this done as quickly as we can , '' Dixon said .

Elgin will look for facilitator for task force on policing
The Elgin City Council has appointed two of its own as liaisons to a future task force on policing and has directed city staff members to craft a request for qualifications to find a facilitator.
Councilwoman Tish Powell, a Black woman who has criticized the police department in the wake of a fatal police shooting in 2018, and Councilman Toby Shaw, a white man who often points to the successes of the department, were appointed to the task force during the council meeting Wednesday night.
"Truth be told, they have more in common than they don't," said Councilman Corey Dixon, who made the motion to appoint Powell and Shaw, "but to have two people with different ideas and different viewpoints and different experience to come together and be able to work, government doesn't get any better than that."
The motion was approved 6-2. Shaw abstained, and council members Rose Martinez and Terry Gavin voted "no."
Martinez said she would have liked to have been consulted on the selection of the council liaisons, who shouldn't be named until after the task force is formed, she said. Also, Elgin's population is 45% Latino, but neither Powell nor Shaw is part of that ethnic group, Martinez said after the meeting.
"I wasn't even considered," she said. "I would have liked to give my input."
Since late May, the Elgin Police Department has been the target of several protests by Black Lives Matter activists who want, among other things, to divert funds from policing to community-based services.
Gavin said he doesn't believe a task force is necessary because Police Chief Ana Lalley already has implemented innovation and change within the department. "We are already way ahead of the curve when it comes to working within the community," Gavin said.
The task force would be charged with looking at opportunities to improve policing culture, ensure accountability and restore trust in the police, and re-examine how police resources are used, Powell said. "Where are we lacking resources and where should we do better?" she said.
Shaw said he views the task force as a "continuation" and "celebration" of the work and reforms done by the police department. "It's a way for us to continue to take some of the input that we are hearing and discuss it with a group of folks that are just very focused on it, laser focused on it, looking at it from different aspects, looking at it from a data perspective, and being able to dig into some of those really tough conversations."
The idea of issuing a request for qualifications for a facilitator came from Mayor David Kaptain, who also said there should be a connection between the task force and seven new resident-led community advisory boards being formed by the police department.
"Everybody's voice should be heard, and if we're not careful, we will lose those voices," Kaptain said. "This is extremely important to the community. I take it very seriously."
Council members said they want the task force to be formed as soon as possible and they likely will have a special retreat to figure out its objectives.
"I want to make sure we are very intentional about getting this done as quickly as we can," Dixon said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--Changes could be coming to several restaurants outside Woodfield Mall

Changes are coming to the Bar Louie and former Panera Bread and Chevys Fresh Mex restaurant buildings on the outskirts of Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg .
And a requested rezoning of the 3.7-acre property at Golf and Meacham roads could expand the possibilities beyond restaurants to a variety of retail uses , if granted by the village board next week .
However , even if that is approved , it 's likely that the Chevys and Panera sites ' next use will be as restaurants .
Last winter , village trustees approved Shabu-You Japanese restaurant , an affiliate of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8,400-square-foot building that Chevys occupied for 23 years before its sudden closing in July 2018 .
Though those plans have n't changed , no work to transform the building into Shabu-You has occurred , Schaumburg Community Development Director Julie Fitzgerald said .
Tim Gallagher , a representative of the property 's owner , told village board members this week that a breakfast and lunch restaurant has signed a letter of intent to move into the building Panera left behind when it relocated to a new Meacham Road site with a drive-through .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restaurant , Gallagher said its owners hope to add a patio and four-season room before opening .
Gallagher said Bar Louie is in default on its payments and likely to be evicted within the next two weeks .
Its building , formerly the site of a proposed a recreational marijuana dispensary , more recently has received interest as office space for a financial advisor , Gallagher said .
Although that is permitted under the site 's current B-3 zoning , Gallagher is seeking a B-2 general business zoning .
With vacancies along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-year high , Gallagher argued that the zoning change would allow him to fill the vacancies more quickly under his control .
His property is the only one of the 38 along the corridor zoned B-3 .
Village trustees debated the request at length this week , with some citing concerns that B-2 zoning could allow uses the village would n't want at such a prominent corner , such as a car wash. Gallagher offered to meet with village staff before next week 's vote to come up with a list of uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B-2 zoning .
Whether such a list could be prepared in time remains in question , officials said .

Changes could be coming to several restaurants outside Woodfield Mall
The Bar Louie restaurant at the southeast corner of Golf and Meacham roads in Schaumburg is likely to be evicted soon, according to a representative for the property's owner. The building has drawn interest as a potential office space for a financial adviser. Eric Peterson/epeterson@dailyherald.ocm
Changes are coming to the 3.7-acre site at the northwest gateway to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, as the property's owner is working to fill two building vacancies and a third that's expected soon. Courtesy of village of Schaumburg
The owner of the property at the southeast corner of Golf and Meacham roads in Schaumburg is seeking rezoning to broaden his options for filling vacancies there. Even so, it seems likely that new restaurants will replace the former Chevys Fresh Mex and Panera Bread there. Courtesy of village of Schaumburg
Changes are coming to the Bar Louie and former Panera Bread and Chevys Fresh Mex restaurant buildings on the outskirts of Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg.
And a requested rezoning of the 3.7-acre property at Golf and Meacham roads could expand the possibilities beyond restaurants to a variety of retail uses, if granted by the village board next week.
However, even if that is approved, it's likely that the Chevys and Panera sites' next use will be as restaurants.
Last winter, village trustees approved Shabu-You Japanese restaurant, an affiliate of the Skylark Group, to move into the 8,400-square-foot building that Chevys occupied for 23 years before its sudden closing in July 2018.
Though those plans haven't changed, no work to transform the building into Shabu-You has occurred, Schaumburg Community Development Director Julie Fitzgerald said.
Tim Gallagher, a representative of the property's owner, told village board members this week that a breakfast and lunch restaurant has signed a letter of intent to move into the building Panera left behind when it relocated to a new Meacham Road site with a drive-through.
Though he didn't reveal the name of the restaurant, Gallagher said its owners hope to add a patio and four-season room before opening.
Gallagher said Bar Louie is in default on its payments and likely to be evicted within the next two weeks. Its building, formerly the site of a proposed a recreational marijuana dispensary, more recently has received interest as office space for a financial advisor, Gallagher said.
Although that is permitted under the site's current B-3 zoning, Gallagher is seeking a B-2 general business zoning.
With vacancies along Schaumburg's Golf Road corridor at a 10-year high, Gallagher argued that the zoning change would allow him to fill the vacancies more quickly under his control. His property is the only one of the 38 along the corridor zoned B-3.
Village trustees debated the request at length this week, with some citing concerns that B-2 zoning could allow uses the village wouldn't want at such a prominent corner, such as a car wash.
Gallagher offered to meet with village staff before next week's vote to come up with a list of uses that wouldn't be sought under the B-2 zoning.
Whether such a list could be prepared in time remains in question, officials said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--Christopher Columbus statue taken down at Grant Park in Chicago

A statue of Christopher Columbus in downtown Chicago 's Grant Park was taken down early Friday , a week after protesters trying to topple the monument to the Italian explorer clashed with police .
Crews used a large crane to remove the statue from its pedestal as a small crowd gathered to watch .
The crowd cheered and passing cars honked as the statue came down about 3 a.m. Several work trucks were seen in the area , but it was unclear where the statue would be taken .
The Associated Press sent an email Friday seeking comment from Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove the statue were first reported Thursday night by the Chicago Tribune and the removal followed hours of vocal confrontations between opponents and supporters of the statue .
And on July 17 , protesters had clashed with police , who used batons to beat people and made arrests after they say protesters targeted them with fireworks , rocks and other items .
`` This statue coming down is because of the effort of Black and Indigenous activists who know the true history of Columbus and what he represents , '' Stefan Cuevas-Caizaguano , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago Sun-Times .
The removal also comes amid a plan by President Donald Trump to dispatch federal law enforcement agents to the city to respond to gun violence , prompting worries that the surge will inhibit residents ' ability to hold demonstrations .
A collection of activist groups had filed suit Thursday , seeking to block federal agents to combat violent crime from interfering in or policing protests .
State officials in Oregon had sued for similar requests following the arrival of federal law enforcement due to nearly two months of protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd in Minneapolis .
Protesters across the county have called for the removal of statues of Columbus , saying that he is responsible for the genocide and exploitation of native peoples in the Americas .
The Columbus statue in Chicago 's Grant Park and another in the city 's Little Italy neighborhood were vandalized last month , and statues of Columbus have also been toppled or vandalized in other U.S. cities .

Christopher Columbus statue taken down at Grant Park in Chicago
City municipal crews help guide the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park as it is removed by a crane early Friday. Associated Press
A statue of Christopher Columbus in downtown Chicago's Grant Park was taken down early Friday, a week after protesters trying to topple the monument to the Italian explorer clashed with police.
Crews used a large crane to remove the statue from its pedestal as a small crowd gathered to watch. The crowd cheered and passing cars honked as the statue came down about 3 a.m. Several work trucks were seen in the area, but it was unclear where the statue would be taken.
The Associated Press sent an email Friday seeking comment from Mayor Lori Lightfoot's office.
Plans to remove the statue were first reported Thursday night by the Chicago Tribune and the removal followed hours of vocal confrontations between opponents and supporters of the statue. And on July 17, protesters had clashed with police, who used batons to beat people and made arrests after they say protesters targeted them with fireworks, rocks and other items.
"This statue coming down is because of the effort of Black and Indigenous activists who know the true history of Columbus and what he represents," Stefan Cuevas-Caizaguano, a resident watching the removal, told the Chicago Sun-Times.
The removal also comes amid a plan by President Donald Trump to dispatch federal law enforcement agents to the city to respond to gun violence, prompting worries that the surge will inhibit residents' ability to hold demonstrations. A collection of activist groups had filed suit Thursday, seeking to block federal agents to combat violent crime from interfering in or policing protests.
State officials in Oregon had sued for similar requests following the arrival of federal law enforcement due to nearly two months of protests in Portland since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Protesters across the county have called for the removal of statues of Columbus, saying that he is responsible for the genocide and exploitation of native peoples in the Americas. The Columbus statue in Chicago's Grant Park and another in the city's Little Italy neighborhood were vandalized last month, and statues of Columbus have also been toppled or vandalized in other U.S. cities.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-23--Appeals court calls Aurora murder-for-hire plot conviction a "failure"

A Kane County jury did n't believe it six years ago when an Aurora woman said she was duped into a murder-for-hire plot by an overzealous informant and federal agent , but Maricela Arciga may get another chance to make her case .
Citing a litany of errors by her defense attorney and the judge who presided over her trial , a state appeals court this week threw out Arciga 's conviction and 20-year prison sentence , sending the case back to Kane County for a new trial .
Arciga , now 33 , was found guilty of solicitation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prosecutors alleged she made a $ 200 down payment , and promised $ 1,800 more once the deed was done , to an undercover agent posing as a hitman willing to take out her ex-boyfriend .
The Aurora woman claimed entrapment , saying she was talked into the plot first by another man with whom she was in a relationship -- unbeknownst to her , a police informant -- then the federal agent .
In its unanimous 26-page ruling , the appellate court used unusually harsh language in describing the numerous errors that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her defense lawyer 's decision not to present evidence that she had no criminal history was `` an obvious failure '' and his performance `` fell below an objective standard of competence , '' Justice Robert D. McLaren wrote .
`` Defendant was , without doubt , prejudiced by this failure , '' he said .
McLaren also sharply criticized presiding Judge Susan Clancy Boles , first for confusing questions during jury selection and then for refusing to answer jurors ' questions while they deliberated Arciga 's fate .
`` A trial court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a confused jury , and a court 's failure to answer or the giving of a response that provides no answer to the particular question of law posed is prejudicial error , '' McLaren wrote .
A date for Arciga 's return to Kane County has not been set .
A group of suburban residents , including an active-duty Marine from Buffalo Grove , filed a federal lawsuit this week against Illinois State Police , accusing the agency of `` dragging its feet '' on granting residents approval to own a gun .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a legal requirement that they issue a Firearm Owner 's Identification card to qualified residents within 30 days of receiving an application .
Instead , the lawsuit alleges , applicants are waiting as long as 60 to 90 days .
`` This has been going on for years and it has to stop , '' said Alan M. Gottlieb , founder of the Second Amendment Foundation , another plaintiff in the lawsuit .
`` It is especially important now , with the surge in FOID applications as a response to recent civil unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Among the four suburban plaintiffs is Brett O. Shelton , a 21-year-old Buffalo Grove resident and machine gunner with the U.S. Marine Corps , according to court documents .
He applied for a FOID card in March and is still awaiting approval , the lawsuit states .
Other plaintiffs include a husband and wife from Oak Forest and a Chicago Heights man .
Their suit calls the delays `` a matter of life and death '' for FOID card applicants and seeks a court order requiring state police to immediately approve their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a written response , state police officials blamed the delays on past state budget woes and a recent surge in FOID applications .
The agency 's Firearms Services Bureau has processed 65,969 new FOID applications already this year , officials said .
`` Nonetheless , with an explosion of applications and firearms purchases during the pandemic and current events -- 63,823 FOID applications and 65,222 FTIP ( Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program ) applications just last month -- broader legislative remedies to streamline and modernize the FOID process will be necessary to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We look forward to working with all interested parties and members of the General Assembly to reach those solutions . ''
If you 've received a state KeyBank debit card for unemployment benefits you do n't need and did n't ask for , be wary … you may be the target of scammers .
A host of suburban police departments -- Arlington Heights , Palatine , Glenview , St. Charles and Geneva among them -- recently have joined state officials in warning that the unsolicited debit cards could be a gateway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private information .
The debit cards , which feature the Illinois Department of Employment Security insignia , are used to load unemployment benefit payments after a claim has been approved .
Anyone who receives one unsolicited should destroy it and contact IDES at ( 800 ) 814-0513 .
Anybody who 's been called for jury duty on a criminal case knows that one of the questions the judge asks you is whether you 've had contact with the criminal justice system .
Jaws dropped Tuesday in a DuPage County courtroom at one prospective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the middle-aged woman said .
`` They brought an indictment against me for a murder . ''
Asked to explain , the woman said it was more than 25 years ago in DuPage County , that she did n't do the crime , that she was held in custody without having her rights read to her , and that she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge .
The judge asked her if she could be a fair juror given her experiences .
`` I do n't feel that I can be unbiased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … So yeah , I 'm very , very biased , unfortunately , '' she said .
After a quick private consultation with prosecutors and defense attorneys , the judge dismissed her .
Also in that first panel of people questioned : a woman whose brother had been murdered 50 years ago .
• Have a question , tip or comment ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Appeals court calls Aurora murder-for-hire plot conviction a "failure"
Be careful if you've received a KeyBank debit card as an unemployment benefit you didn't apply for - you may be the target of scammers, suburban police say. Courtesy of Illinois Department of Employment Security
Marciela Arciga of Aurora has been awarded a new trial on allegations she paid a hit man to kill her former boyfriend in 2010.
A Kane County jury didn't believe it six years ago when an Aurora woman said she was duped into a murder-for-hire plot by an overzealous informant and federal agent, but Maricela Arciga may get another chance to make her case.
Citing a litany of errors by her defense attorney and the judge who presided over her trial, a state appeals court this week threw out Arciga's conviction and 20-year prison sentence, sending the case back to Kane County for a new trial.
Arciga, now 33, was found guilty of solicitation of murder for hire in July 2014. Prosecutors alleged she made a $200 down payment, and promised $1,800 more once the deed was done, to an undercover agent posing as a hitman willing to take out her ex-boyfriend.
The Aurora woman claimed entrapment, saying she was talked into the plot first by another man with whom she was in a relationship -- unbeknownst to her, a police informant -- then the federal agent.
In its unanimous 26-page ruling, the appellate court used unusually harsh language in describing the numerous errors that deprived Arciga of a fair trial.
Her defense lawyer's decision not to present evidence that she had no criminal history was "an obvious failure" and his performance "fell below an objective standard of competence," Justice Robert D. McLaren wrote.
"Defendant was, without doubt, prejudiced by this failure," he said.
McLaren also sharply criticized presiding Judge Susan Clancy Boles, first for confusing questions during jury selection and then for refusing to answer jurors' questions while they deliberated Arciga's fate.
"A trial court has a duty to provide clarification to a confused jury, and a court's failure to answer or the giving of a response that provides no answer to the particular question of law posed is prejudicial error," McLaren wrote.
A date for Arciga's return to Kane County has not been set.
Suburbanites suing state police
A group of suburban residents, including an active-duty Marine from Buffalo Grove, filed a federal lawsuit this week against Illinois State Police, accusing the agency of "dragging its feet" on granting residents approval to own a gun.
The suit claims state police are ignoring a legal requirement that they issue a Firearm Owner's Identification card to qualified residents within 30 days of receiving an application. Instead, the lawsuit alleges, applicants are waiting as long as 60 to 90 days.
"This has been going on for years and it has to stop," said Alan M. Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, another plaintiff in the lawsuit. "It is especially important now, with the surge in FOID applications as a response to recent civil unrest that has included looting and violence."
Among the four suburban plaintiffs is Brett O. Shelton, a 21-year-old Buffalo Grove resident and machine gunner with the U.S. Marine Corps, according to court documents. He applied for a FOID card in March and is still awaiting approval, the lawsuit states. Other plaintiffs include a husband and wife from Oak Forest and a Chicago Heights man.
Their suit calls the delays "a matter of life and death" for FOID card applicants and seeks a court order requiring state police to immediately approve their applications and pay their legal fees.
In a written response, state police officials blamed the delays on past state budget woes and a recent surge in FOID applications. The agency's Firearms Services Bureau has processed 65,969 new FOID applications already this year, officials said.
"Nonetheless, with an explosion of applications and firearms purchases during the pandemic and current events -- 63,823 FOID applications and 65,222 FTIP (Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program) applications just last month -- broader legislative remedies to streamline and modernize the FOID process will be necessary to meet statutory timelines," the statement reads. "We look forward to working with all interested parties and members of the General Assembly to reach those solutions."
Unemployment scam
If you've received a state KeyBank debit card for unemployment benefits you don't need and didn't ask for, be wary … you may be the target of scammers.
A host of suburban police departments -- Arlington Heights, Palatine, Glenview, St. Charles and Geneva among them -- recently have joined state officials in warning that the unsolicited debit cards could be a gateway for scammers to access your finances or private information.
The debit cards, which feature the Illinois Department of Employment Security insignia, are used to load unemployment benefit payments after a claim has been approved.
Anyone who receives one unsolicited should destroy it and contact IDES at (800) 814-0513.
Heard in court
Anybody who's been called for jury duty on a criminal case knows that one of the questions the judge asks you is whether you've had contact with the criminal justice system. Jaws dropped Tuesday in a DuPage County courtroom at one prospective juror's answer.
"Yes," the middle-aged woman said. "They brought an indictment against me for a murder."
Asked to explain, the woman said it was more than 25 years ago in DuPage County, that she didn't do the crime, that she was held in custody without having her rights read to her, and that she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
The judge asked her if she could be a fair juror given her experiences.
"I don't feel that I can be unbiased at all, under the circumstances. … So yeah, I'm very, very biased, unfortunately," she said.
After a quick private consultation with prosecutors and defense attorneys, the judge dismissed her.
Also in that first panel of people questioned: a woman whose brother had been murdered 50 years ago.
• Have a question, tip or comment? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-23--Hawthorn Mall redevelopment nearing milestone

The plan for a $ 250 million makeover of Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills is taking shape , with the end of October a target for village leaders to decide whether to designate most of the property as a special financing district as an incentive to its owner .
Discussions of how Dallas-based Centennial Real Estate can reinvent the vintage mall at Townline Road and Milwaukee Avenue - and how the village will help make that happen - have continued for months .
The next step is an Aug. 13 hearing for representatives from the various entities that receive mall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increment financing district around the property .
This joint review board is tasked with making a recommendation to the village within 30 days and issuing a written report .
That will be followed by a public hearing on the proposal Oct. 6 .
Both are required by state law and represent a milestone for a project considered essential to the village 's future .
If all goes as planned , the village board would vote on the TIF designation and redevelopment plan Oct. 27 .
`` It 's significant in the fact the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manager Mark Fleischhauer said of the two meetings .
`` I think everyone in the community realizes the importance of this project . ''
A TIF district is an economic development incentive in which property tax disbursements to schools , libraries and other local governments are frozen at current levels .
Any additional tax revenue generated by rising property values goes into a special fund to pay for improvements within the district .
It has been more than a year since Centennial executives hosted a town hall meeting in the vacant Carson 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outdated mall , which opened in 1973 .
Company officials since have reiterated they are committed to a long-term investment in Hawthorn , despite questions about the future of malls .
`` Yes , we are continuing to move forward with our plans for redevelopment , '' said Jon Meshel , senior vice president for Centennial .
`` It 's important to note , however , that COVID-19 has provided a real ( wakeup ) call for shopping centers nationwide . ''
People want a retail destination like Hawthorn to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and enjoy new experiences , he added .
But a financial incentive will be needed , Centennial has emphasized .
How much that will be is to be determined .
`` That 's still one of the items under consideration , ' Fleischhauer said .
`` That will be part of the redevelopment agreement . ''
In March , the village hired a consultant .
to analyze whether the mall area would qualify for a TIF district under state law .
The results , posted two weeks ago on the village website , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says private investment in the mall without a TIF district is unlikely .
The 63-acre study area covers most of the shopping mall , including the vacant Sears and Carson 's anchors , which closed two years ago .
Macy 's and JCPenney , which are not owned by Centennial , are not included .
Sears and Penney account for 26 % percent of the space in the 1.27 million square foot mall .
Other vacancies bring the amount of empty space to 36 % .
Altogether , 45 % of the mall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term , temporary lease agreements , the consultant found .

Hawthorn Mall redevelopment nearing milestone
The plan for a $250 million makeover of Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills is taking shape, with the end of October a target for village leaders to decide whether to designate most of the property as a special financing district as an incentive to its owner.
Discussions of how Dallas-based Centennial Real Estate can reinvent the vintage mall at Townline Road and Milwaukee Avenue - and how the village will help make that happen - have continued for months.
The next step is an Aug. 13 hearing for representatives from the various entities that receive mall property taxes to review a proposed tax increment financing district around the property. This joint review board is tasked with making a recommendation to the village within 30 days and issuing a written report.
That will be followed by a public hearing on the proposal Oct. 6. Both are required by state law and represent a milestone for a project considered essential to the village's future.
If all goes as planned, the village board would vote on the TIF designation and redevelopment plan Oct. 27.
"It's significant in the fact the timeline has been established," Village Manager Mark Fleischhauer said of the two meetings. "I think everyone in the community realizes the importance of this project."
A TIF district is an economic development incentive in which property tax disbursements to schools, libraries and other local governments are frozen at current levels. Any additional tax revenue generated by rising property values goes into a special fund to pay for improvements within the district.
It has been more than a year since Centennial executives hosted a town hall meeting in the vacant Carson's anchor space to outline their vision for the outdated mall, which opened in 1973. Company officials since have reiterated they are committed to a long-term investment in Hawthorn, despite questions about the future of malls.
"Yes, we are continuing to move forward with our plans for redevelopment," said Jon Meshel, senior vice president for Centennial. "It's important to note, however, that COVID-19 has provided a real (wakeup) call for shopping centers nationwide."
People want a retail destination like Hawthorn to be a gathering place where they can spend time and enjoy new experiences, he added.
But a financial incentive will be needed, Centennial has emphasized. How much that will be is to be determined.
"That's still one of the items under consideration,' Fleischhauer said. "That will be part of the redevelopment agreement."
In March, the village hired a consultant. to analyze whether the mall area would qualify for a TIF district under state law. The results, posted two weeks ago on the village website, say it does.
The study also says private investment in the mall without a TIF district is unlikely. The 63-acre study area covers most of the shopping mall, including the vacant Sears and Carson's anchors, which closed two years ago.
Macy's and JCPenney, which are not owned by Centennial, are not included.
Sears and Penney account for 26% percent of the space in the 1.27 million square foot mall. Other vacancies bring the amount of empty space to 36%. Altogether, 45% of the mall is either vacant or subject to short term, temporary lease agreements, the consultant found.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--Feder: Ex-anchor recalls earlier era when WGN made news at 10 o'clock

A note here the other day about the ratings success of WGN-Channel 9 's 10 p.m. newscast prompted a gentle correction from Jack Taylor , the legendary Chicago broadcaster who anchored `` Chicago 's Very Own '' throughout the 1970s , Robert Feder writes .
It seems this is n't the first time the station finished second at that hour .
Taylor , 91 , recalled : `` In the early '70s , [ WGN station boss ] Sheldon Cooper called me to congratulate me .
He said : 'Our 10 o'clock news has beaten Channel 2 and Channel 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time an independent station has topped stations owned and operated by CBS and NBC .
We went head to head with them and beat them in the ratings . '
We were , however , unable to get a larger audience than Fahey Flynn and his 'Happy Talk ' gang at Channel 7 .
`` Harry Volkman , Rick Talley and Len O'Connor joined me each night in our effort to present a telecast that had wide appeal and integrity .
They are gone now , as is Jack Brickhouse and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air when Rick Talley was not available .
It is only fair to recognize that WGN News was outstanding in attracting a large audience in the past as well as the present . ''
Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Ex-anchor recalls earlier era when WGN made news at 10 o'clock
A note here the other day about the ratings success of WGN-Channel 9's 10 p.m. newscast prompted a gentle correction from Jack Taylor, the legendary Chicago broadcaster who anchored "Chicago's Very Own" throughout the 1970s, Robert Feder writes.
It seems this isn't the first time the station finished second at that hour.
Taylor, 91, recalled: "In the early '70s, [WGN station boss] Sheldon Cooper called me to congratulate me. He said: 'Our 10 o'clock news has beaten Channel 2 and Channel 5 in the ratings. This is the first time an independent station has topped stations owned and operated by CBS and NBC. We went head to head with them and beat them in the ratings.' We were, however, unable to get a larger audience than Fahey Flynn and his 'Happy Talk' gang at Channel 7.
"Harry Volkman, Rick Talley and Len O'Connor joined me each night in our effort to present a telecast that had wide appeal and integrity. They are gone now, as is Jack Brickhouse and the other sports people who were on the air when Rick Talley was not available. It is only fair to recognize that WGN News was outstanding in attracting a large audience in the past as well as the present."
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--Longmeadow Parkway project nearing completion

The opening of Longmeadow Parkway from White Chapel Lane to Route 31 in the past week marked the completion of about 85 % of the work on a project in the making for three decades .
As some residents look forward to a more expeditious commute on the north end of Kane County , others are falling deeper into their mourning for the lost landscape .
County board member Drew Frasz is firmly in the camp of people who believe the addition of another crossing over the Fox River is long overdue .
His lengthy , zig-zag travels and circuitous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check on the progress of the project only entrenches that idea further in his mind .
`` It 's been a long time coming , '' Frasz said .
`` Like most projects , all the concepts and approval and funding take the longest time .
But once it 's done , I think the motoring public will appreciate it .
If you 're coming from the eastern terminus on Route 62 , which is almost at the Cook County line , you can turn onto Longmeadow and get almost all the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes . ''
That 's a key part of the vision , as is drawing people down from McHenry County , driving the economic support and development aspect of the project .
But for many other residents , like county board member Chris Kious , the cost of both the 5.6-mile corridor and bridge far exceed the advantages in two major ways .
`` As the bridge project nears completion , it becomes ever more apparent just how massive the project is , '' said Kious , who won his seat on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It cuts a huge swath through the Brunner Forest Preserve , reducing the aesthetics of the area . ''
The project has included significant tree plantings and other landscaping to help soothe some of those concerns .
Perhaps the most begrudging aspect of the project for people is the one furthest from completion - the toll collection system .
The toll to cross the bridge , which has been discounted for Kane County residents who buy an annual pass , will be put in place to pay off the construction and maintenance costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridge will finish before the collection system is done .
That means there will likely be some period where drivers can use the bridge for free and decide for themselves if the convenience is worth the price .
But Kious said the price of a toll he expects will never go away ( despite promises to the contrary from the county board ) will do little to help ease lingering bad feelings about the project .
`` Residents of northern Kane County will be paying a hefty price just to get across town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's interesting that the board thinks it 's logical to have a toll on our bridge , but when I propose that we add a toll to bridges on other county-controlled bridges it 's dismissed as 'ridiculous . '
'' Work will continue on the project through 2021 with detail work lingering through 2022 .

Longmeadow Parkway project nearing completion
The opening of Longmeadow Parkway from White Chapel Lane to Route 31 in the past week marked the completion of about 85% of the work on a project in the making for three decades.
As some residents look forward to a more expeditious commute on the north end of Kane County, others are falling deeper into their mourning for the lost landscape.
County board member Drew Frasz is firmly in the camp of people who believe the addition of another crossing over the Fox River is long overdue. His lengthy, zig-zag travels and circuitous routes taken on his regular rounds to check on the progress of the project only entrenches that idea further in his mind.
"It's been a long time coming," Frasz said. "Like most projects, all the concepts and approval and funding take the longest time. But once it's done, I think the motoring public will appreciate it. If you're coming from the eastern terminus on Route 62, which is almost at the Cook County line, you can turn onto Longmeadow and get almost all the way out to Gilberts in a matter of minutes."
That's a key part of the vision, as is drawing people down from McHenry County, driving the economic support and development aspect of the project.
But for many other residents, like county board member Chris Kious, the cost of both the 5.6-mile corridor and bridge far exceed the advantages in two major ways.
"As the bridge project nears completion, it becomes ever more apparent just how massive the project is," said Kious, who won his seat on the board with an anti-Longmeadow platform. "It cuts a huge swath through the Brunner Forest Preserve, reducing the aesthetics of the area."
The project has included significant tree plantings and other landscaping to help soothe some of those concerns. Perhaps the most begrudging aspect of the project for people is the one furthest from completion - the toll collection system.
The toll to cross the bridge, which has been discounted for Kane County residents who buy an annual pass, will be put in place to pay off the construction and maintenance costs of the project. Frasz said the bridge will finish before the collection system is done. That means there will likely be some period where drivers can use the bridge for free and decide for themselves if the convenience is worth the price.
But Kious said the price of a toll he expects will never go away (despite promises to the contrary from the county board) will do little to help ease lingering bad feelings about the project.
"Residents of northern Kane County will be paying a hefty price just to get across town," Kious said. "It's interesting that the board thinks it's logical to have a toll on our bridge, but when I propose that we add a toll to bridges on other county-controlled bridges it's dismissed as 'ridiculous.'"
Work will continue on the project through 2021 with detail work lingering through 2022.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--Neighbors furious over removal of trees in Glenview

A pile of wood chips and a stack of logs are all that remains of what had been about 80 trees at the site of retail development in Glenview , and neighbors are upset by their removal .
Adam Sidoti , who lives nearby on Miller Drive , was alerted by a neighbor that trees at site , near Willow and Pfingsten roads , were being removed by a subcontractor .
They tried to stop the work , even producing plans for the site that indicated the wrong trees were being taken out .
But the subcontractor working at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It was clear when we looked at the mapping , because the trees were numbered , that one of the trees that was numbered to stay was clearly taken out , '' Sidoti said .
Further study of the map indicated that other trees , including those along the western border of the property , had also been removed , he added .
After a phone call to the developer also did n't halt the work , Sidoti and his neighbor called the police and , within an hour , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the site .
Jeff Rogers , planning division manager for the Village of Glenview , said the developer received a permit for tree removal on the property , and work started Friday , July 17 .
When the subcontractors continued the work Monday morning , they exceeded the scope of the approved work on that permit .
Monday was when Sidoti and his neighbor attempted to stop the tree removal .
About three dozen trees that were supposed to be retained were instead removed , Rogers said .
`` That 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with a fine , and require the replacement of trees , '' Rogers said .
`` The subcontractor was working off the wrong plan set . ''
Among the numerous trees that were removed , many of them were buckthorn , and the permit allowed them to be removed , Rogers said .
Buckthorn is generally regarded as invasive and is often removed by forest preserves and prairie restoration groups .
Sidoti said people in the neighborhood understood the need to remove buckthorn and unhealthy trees .
But part of the concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ density of the project , and that now is compounded by the removal of trees that would otherwise shield nearby homes from the retail development , he said .
`` They put in something that 's going to be more dense , and within the first week they take away the stuff that shields us from this monstrosity , '' Sidoti said .
The property is part of a large area that is within the Village of Glenview , but has a Northbrook mailing address and zip code , 60062 , Rogers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commonly known as the Hart Estate , an 8.55-acre site at 2660 Pfingsten Road , according to information provided by the Village of Glenview .
The single-story retail development includes 3 multi-tenant retail buildings and a grocery store , which Rogers said is a speculative development .

Neighbors furious over removal of trees in Glenview
A pile of wood chips and a stack of logs are all that remains of what had been about 80 trees at the site of retail development in Glenview, and neighbors are upset by their removal.
Adam Sidoti, who lives nearby on Miller Drive, was alerted by a neighbor that trees at site, near Willow and Pfingsten roads, were being removed by a subcontractor. They tried to stop the work, even producing plans for the site that indicated the wrong trees were being taken out. But the subcontractor working at the site refused to stop, he said.
"It was clear when we looked at the mapping, because the trees were numbered, that one of the trees that was numbered to stay was clearly taken out," Sidoti said. Further study of the map indicated that other trees, including those along the western border of the property, had also been removed, he added.
After a phone call to the developer also didn't halt the work, Sidoti and his neighbor called the police and, within an hour, an arborist from the Village of Glenview arrived at the site.
Jeff Rogers, planning division manager for the Village of Glenview, said the developer received a permit for tree removal on the property, and work started Friday, July 17. When the subcontractors continued the work Monday morning, they exceeded the scope of the approved work on that permit. Monday was when Sidoti and his neighbor attempted to stop the tree removal.
About three dozen trees that were supposed to be retained were instead removed, Rogers said.
"That's a violation that we're going to follow up with a fine, and require the replacement of trees," Rogers said. "The subcontractor was working off the wrong plan set."
Among the numerous trees that were removed, many of them were buckthorn, and the permit allowed them to be removed, Rogers said. Buckthorn is generally regarded as invasive and is often removed by forest preserves and prairie restoration groups.
Sidoti said people in the neighborhood understood the need to remove buckthorn and unhealthy trees. But part of the concern for people in the neighborhood is the density of the project, and that now is compounded by the removal of trees that would otherwise shield nearby homes from the retail development, he said.
"They put in something that's going to be more dense, and within the first week they take away the stuff that shields us from this monstrosity," Sidoti said.
The property is part of a large area that is within the Village of Glenview, but has a Northbrook mailing address and zip code, 60062, Rogers said.
GW Property Group owns the property commonly known as the Hart Estate, an 8.55-acre site at 2660 Pfingsten Road, according to information provided by the Village of Glenview.
The single-story retail development includes 3 multi-tenant retail buildings and a grocery store, which Rogers said is a speculative development.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--State warns of suburban uptick in new COVID-19 cases

Kane County is the only Chicago-area metropolitan county that did n't exceed the state 's warning level for new cases per capita last week .
The metric shows Chicago , suburban Cook County , and DuPage , Lake , McHenry and Will counties all saw more than 50 new cases per 100,000 residents for the week ending July 18 , according to Illinois Department of Public Health reports .
Meanwhile , state health officials announced Friday that 19 more people have died from COVID-19 and an additional 1,532 residents have been infected .
That brings the death toll to 7,385 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been infected .
The new cases come from a batch of 44,330 tests , which represents a 3.5 % infection rate for the day .
The state has averaged 1,303 new cases during the past seven days for an average infection rate for the week of 3.4 % .
Kane County barely missed triggering the warning with 48 new cases per 100,000 residents .
Statewide , 35 counties and Chicago exceeded the warning level .
For comparison , St. Clair County , on the east side of St. Louis , experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , IDPH reported .
That was the highest level of any county in the report .
The per capita metric is just one of eight the state uses to monitor the overall COVID-19 risk in a county .
`` Individuals , families and community groups can use these critical data to help inform their choices about personal and family gatherings , as well as what activities they choose to do , '' IDPH officials wrote on the agency 's county risk metric website .
Chicago 's rate was 64 new cases per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in other suburban counties was : suburban Cook County , 56 ; DuPage County , 51 ; Lake County , 63 ; McHenry County , 64 ; and , Will County , 54 .
The per capita rate was the only metric exceeded by Chicago and the suburban counties .
Elsewhere in the state , four counties -- Adams , LaSalle , Peoria and Randolph -- exceeded warning levels for multiple metrics .
`` These counties saw outbreaks associated with business and risky behavior , '' IDPH officials wrote in a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the warning level was exceeded in three metrics , IDPH officials blamed `` congregate settings , numerous bars not complying with distancing and masking , a large party with more than 200 people '' and infections spreading among households .
The other metrics include the county 's positivity rate for testing , the number of tests administered , hospital visits and admissions , as well as deaths and medical facility availability .
IDPH officials also reported hospitalizations for COVID-19 infections were fairly stable Friday .
Statewide , 4.2 % of all hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among the intensive care units throughout the state , 8.4 % of those beds were occupied by 325 COVID-19 patients .

State warns of suburban uptick in new COVID-19 cases
State health officials announced 19 more people have died from COVID-19 while an additional 1,532 residents have been infected. Daily Herald file photo
Kane County is the only Chicago-area metropolitan county that didn't exceed the state's warning level for new cases per capita last week.
The metric shows Chicago, suburban Cook County, and DuPage, Lake, McHenry and Will counties all saw more than 50 new cases per 100,000 residents for the week ending July 18, according to Illinois Department of Public Health reports.
Meanwhile, state health officials announced Friday that 19 more people have died from COVID-19 and an additional 1,532 residents have been infected.
That brings the death toll to 7,385, with the state now reporting 168,457 people have been infected.
The new cases come from a batch of 44,330 tests, which represents a 3.5% infection rate for the day.
-
The state has averaged 1,303 new cases during the past seven days for an average infection rate for the week of 3.4%.
Kane County barely missed triggering the warning with 48 new cases per 100,000 residents.
Statewide, 35 counties and Chicago exceeded the warning level. For comparison, St. Clair County, on the east side of St. Louis, experienced 160 new cases per 100,000 residents last week, IDPH reported. That was the highest level of any county in the report.
The per capita metric is just one of eight the state uses to monitor the overall COVID-19 risk in a county.
"Individuals, families and community groups can use these critical data to help inform their choices about personal and family gatherings, as well as what activities they choose to do," IDPH officials wrote on the agency's county risk metric website.
Chicago's rate was 64 new cases per 100,000 residents. The number of new cases in other suburban counties was: suburban Cook County, 56; DuPage County, 51; Lake County, 63; McHenry County, 64; and, Will County, 54.
The per capita rate was the only metric exceeded by Chicago and the suburban counties.
Elsewhere in the state, four counties -- Adams, LaSalle, Peoria and Randolph -- exceeded warning levels for multiple metrics.
"These counties saw outbreaks associated with business and risky behavior," IDPH officials wrote in a news release Friday.
In Randolph County, where the warning level was exceeded in three metrics, IDPH officials blamed "congregate settings, numerous bars not complying with distancing and masking, a large party with more than 200 people" and infections spreading among households.
The other metrics include the county's positivity rate for testing, the number of tests administered, hospital visits and admissions, as well as deaths and medical facility availability.
IDPH officials also reported hospitalizations for COVID-19 infections were fairly stable Friday. Statewide, 4.2% of all hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients. Among the intensive care units throughout the state, 8.4% of those beds were occupied by 325 COVID-19 patients.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--Feder: Former ABC 7 meteorologist Jerry Taft dies

Jerry Taft , who was a trusted and engaging presence as a top meteorologist on Chicago television and radio for more than 40 years , died Thursday , according to ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 .
He was 77 .
No cause of death of immediately reported , but ABC 7 said he died peacefully surrounded by family members .
Taft retired in January 2018 after 33 years at ABC 7 , telling colleagues : `` While I still have my health , wit and vitality it 's time to hang out with my real family , assuming they still remember me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the golf course while I still have a single digit handicap . ''
The following month Taft moved full-time to Naples , Florida , where he kept busy golfing and working as an Uber driver .
`` It 's not about the money -- it 's about getting out of the house and talking to people , '' he explained .
Taft 's interest in weather began in the U.S. Air Force , which he joined as a 19-year-old radar technician .
He eventually became a combat pilot , spent a year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and earned a degree in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin in 1969 .
Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Former ABC 7 meteorologist Jerry Taft dies
Jerry Taft, who was a trusted and engaging presence as a top meteorologist on Chicago television and radio for more than 40 years, died Thursday, according to ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. He was 77.
Jerry Taft, who was a trusted and engaging presence as a top meteorologist on Chicago television and radio for more than 40 years, died Thursday, according to ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. He was 77.
No cause of death of immediately reported, but ABC 7 said he died peacefully surrounded by family members.
Taft retired in January 2018 after 33 years at ABC 7, telling colleagues: "While I still have my health, wit and vitality it's time to hang out with my real family, assuming they still remember me. And I also need to hit the golf course while I still have a single digit handicap."
The following month Taft moved full-time to Naples, Florida, where he kept busy golfing and working as an Uber driver. "It's not about the money -- it's about getting out of the house and talking to people," he explained.
Taft's interest in weather began in the U.S. Air Force, which he joined as a 19-year-old radar technician. He eventually became a combat pilot, spent a year in Vietnam, taught aviation and flight planning, and earned a degree in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin in 1969.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--St. Viator reopening for in-person classes in August

August will see a full return to school for students at St. Viator High School , the Arlington Heights high school announced in an email to school families Friday .
Families will have the option of having their children participate via eLearning .
Students will be split for the first two days of school Aug. 19 and 20 and will begin in-full attendance on Aug. 24 .
The schedule will feature fewer but longer classes each day .
`` We feel that this format allows for the best in-classroom opportunity while minimizing movement throughout the building and student to student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Liedlich .
The decision was based on the recommendation of a 21-person task force of administrators , faculty , parents and alumni and was reviewed by a series of medical professionals .
Liedlich cautioned that directives from the Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , various government health departments or the Archdiocese of Chicago could force changes to the plan at any point .
`` Our task force has also laid out plans for a hybrid approach in which students only attend classes in-person on certain days or a return to full eLearning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we are looking forward to a safe and productive return to the classroom in August , '' he said .

St. Viator reopening for in-person classes in August
St. Viator students will be split for the first two days of school Aug. 19 and 20 and will begin in-full attendance on Aug. 24. Daily Herald file photo
August will see a full return to school for students at St. Viator High School, the Arlington Heights high school announced in an email to school families Friday.
Families will have the option of having their children participate via eLearning.
Students will be split for the first two days of school Aug. 19 and 20 and will begin in-full attendance on Aug. 24.
The schedule will feature fewer but longer classes each day.
"We feel that this format allows for the best in-classroom opportunity while minimizing movement throughout the building and student to student contact," said St. Viator President Brian Liedlich.
The decision was based on the recommendation of a 21-person task force of administrators, faculty, parents and alumni and was reviewed by a series of medical professionals.
Liedlich cautioned that directives from the Gov. J.B. Pritzker, various government health departments or the Archdiocese of Chicago could force changes to the plan at any point.
"Our task force has also laid out plans for a hybrid approach in which students only attend classes in-person on certain days or a return to full eLearning, so we can pivot quickly if needed, but we are looking forward to a safe and productive return to the classroom in August," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--Mixed views in suburbs, too, about Columbus statue coming down in Chicago

Fraught emotions involving Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot 's mothballing of two Christopher Columbus statues is n't just confined to the city -- it also resonates in the suburbs .
Early Friday while much of the region slept , city workers removed one Columbus statue in Grant Park that had sparked a violent clash between police and protesters July 17 , and a second in Chicago 's Little Italy neighborhood .
`` Columbus was n't actually a hero for our people , '' said Native American Joseph Standing Bear Schranz , president of the Midwest SOARRING Foundation , based in Lockport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We were already here . ''
But for St. Charles businessman Ron Onesti , the statue is a symbol of the hard work and dreams of his forefathers when they arrived in America as immigrants from Italy .
`` We are obviously deeply saddened not only by what happened ( removal of the statues ) but the method by which it happened , '' said Onesti , president of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame .
`` We as a community have worked very hard to keep our heritage alive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are disrespecting the contributions Italian Americans made to the development of the city and the country . ''
Lightfoot 's action `` comes in response to demonstrations that became unsafe for both protesters and police , as well as efforts by individuals to independently pull the Grant Park statue down in an extremely dangerous manner , '' the mayor said in a statement .
Renewed action to stop systemic racism this summer spurred calls to eliminate Columbus statues across the nation , with proponents saying the Italian explorer is responsible for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. and elsewhere .
`` I 'm very happy it was taken down , and it should have been many years ago , '' said Schranz , who is half Ojibwe and half German .
`` I was never sure why there are statues in his honor .
He never did anything very honorable . ''
Lightfoot said the decision was `` about an effort to protect safety , '' and she called for a dialogue in the coming days about the future of all Chicago 's statues , memorials and murals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's history and diversity .
Onesti , CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp. that manages the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles , said he understood wanting to remove the statues as a short-term solution to stop the violence , `` but it 's crucial the Italian American community be involved in discussions about their future . ''
`` We , too , as a culture have been discriminated against and stereotyped , '' Onesti said .
His grandparents arrived in America with `` just a few dollars in their pockets , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new life for their children .
`` We will not let their efforts go by the wayside .
You can take our statues , but you ca n't take our spirit away . ''
Schranz , who celebrates his heritage one way by helping to organize an annual Harvest PowWow at Naper Settlement , noted the high suicide rate among Native Americans .
`` There 's a lack of self-esteem from living in a country that 's ours and is not ours .
It was always thrown in our face that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet we love this country , '' Schranz said .
The Rev .
Michelle Oberwise Lacock , who was born in McHenry County and is of Lakota heritage , supports taking down the statues .
But she suggested they should offer a history lesson rather than be stowed away from public view .
One solution would be `` if some museum took the statues or they were put on display to explain the history of Columbus and how the settlers came over and treated native people , so it puts it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a co-chair of the United Methodist Church 's Northern Illinois Conference Committee on Native American Ministries .

Mixed views in suburbs, too, about Columbus statue coming down in Chicago
City of Chicago crews inspect the straps that are around the Christopher Columbus Statue in Grant Park as they begin to remove it, Friday. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Fraught emotions involving Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's mothballing of two Christopher Columbus statues isn't just confined to the city -- it also resonates in the suburbs.
Early Friday while much of the region slept, city workers removed one Columbus statue in Grant Park that had sparked a violent clash between police and protesters July 17, and a second in Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood.
"Columbus wasn't actually a hero for our people," said Native American Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, president of the Midwest SOARRING Foundation, based in Lockport. "He didn't discover America. We were already here."
But for St. Charles businessman Ron Onesti, the statue is a symbol of the hard work and dreams of his forefathers when they arrived in America as immigrants from Italy.
"We are obviously deeply saddened not only by what happened (removal of the statues) but the method by which it happened," said Onesti, president of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
"We as a community have worked very hard to keep our heritage alive. By just taking away those statues, you are disrespecting the contributions Italian Americans made to the development of the city and the country."
Lightfoot's action "comes in response to demonstrations that became unsafe for both protesters and police, as well as efforts by individuals to independently pull the Grant Park statue down in an extremely dangerous manner," the mayor said in a statement.
Renewed action to stop systemic racism this summer spurred calls to eliminate Columbus statues across the nation, with proponents saying the Italian explorer is responsible for the deaths of millions of Indigenous people in the U.S. and elsewhere.
"I'm very happy it was taken down, and it should have been many years ago," said Schranz, who is half Ojibwe and half German. "I was never sure why there are statues in his honor. He never did anything very honorable."
Lightfoot said the decision was "about an effort to protect safety," and she called for a dialogue in the coming days about the future of all Chicago's statues, memorials and murals, and how to elevate the city's history and diversity.
Onesti, CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp. that manages the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, said he understood wanting to remove the statues as a short-term solution to stop the violence, "but it's crucial the Italian American community be involved in discussions about their future."
"We, too, as a culture have been discriminated against and stereotyped," Onesti said. His grandparents arrived in America with "just a few dollars in their pockets," he said, and worked hard to create a new life for their children.
"We will not let their efforts go by the wayside. You can take our statues, but you can't take our spirit away."
Schranz, who celebrates his heritage one way by helping to organize an annual Harvest PowWow at Naper Settlement, noted the high suicide rate among Native Americans.
"There's a lack of self-esteem from living in a country that's ours and is not ours. It was always thrown in our face that we are second- or third-class (citizens). Yet we love this country," Schranz said.
The Rev. Michelle Oberwise Lacock, who was born in McHenry County and is of Lakota heritage, supports taking down the statues. But she suggested they should offer a history lesson rather than be stowed away from public view.
One solution would be "if some museum took the statues or they were put on display to explain the history of Columbus and how the settlers came over and treated native people, so it puts it in context," said Oberwise Lacock, a co-chair of the United Methodist Church's Northern Illinois Conference Committee on Native American Ministries.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--Dist. 155 rolls out red carpet for grads

It was a red carpet experience for Crystal Lake High School District 155 graduates Friday .
Cary-Grove , Prairie Ridge , Crystal Lake South and Crystal Lake Central high schools held their commencement ceremonies Friday in an outdoor , drive-through ceremony .
`` We are providing graduation ceremonies for all of our seniors ... to get their diplomas and have a chance to finish up their experience here , '' Crystal Lake South Principal Josh Nobilio said .
`` It was great to have individual conversations with the students as they walk through picking up their diplomas and having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was a great day . ''
Graduate Maya Alvarez , 18 , of Crystal Lake walked the red carpet at Crystal Lake South High to the applause of her large family , which stood in attendance taking pictures .
`` It 's exciting that they put this on for us , '' she said .
Graduates at Cary-Grove High School drove up to a small tent in the parking lot and were greeted by Principal Neil Lesinski .
`` Today is our second day of drive-up graduations , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to each kid .
Usually we shake their hand , hand them their diploma in a normal graduation and they are on their way . ''
`` This is a really special thing we got to do for our senior class , '' Lesinski added , referring to the drive-up aspect of the ceremony .
Cary-Grove graduate Lydia Forney , 18 , of Cary kept the tradition alive by tossing her cap into the air to the cheers of her family .

It was a red carpet experience for Crystal Lake High School District 155 graduates Friday.
Cary-Grove, Prairie Ridge, Crystal Lake South and Crystal Lake Central high schools held their commencement ceremonies Friday in an outdoor, drive-through ceremony.
"We are providing graduation ceremonies for all of our seniors ... to get their diplomas and have a chance to finish up their experience here," Crystal Lake South Principal Josh Nobilio said. "It was great to have individual conversations with the students as they walk through picking up their diplomas and having a chance to talk to every family member. It was a great day."
Graduate Maya Alvarez, 18, of Crystal Lake walked the red carpet at Crystal Lake South High to the applause of her large family, which stood in attendance taking pictures. "It's exciting that they put this on for us," she said.
Graduates at Cary-Grove High School drove up to a small tent in the parking lot and were greeted by Principal Neil Lesinski.
"Today is our second day of drive-up graduations," he said. "It's great to say something to each kid. Usually we shake their hand, hand them their diploma in a normal graduation and they are on their way."
"This is a really special thing we got to do for our senior class," Lesinski added, referring to the drive-up aspect of the ceremony.
Cary-Grove graduate Lydia Forney, 18, of Cary kept the tradition alive by tossing her cap into the air to the cheers of her family.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--July 24 COVID-19 cases per county

July 24 COVID-19 cases per county

Since the outbreak began , there have been 84,138 cases in the suburbs as of Friday , 49.9 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 3,762 deaths in the suburbs , representing almost 50.9 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Friday , suburban Cook County had 42,966 cases and 2,075 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 58,445 cases and 2,747 fatalities .
• Top suburban Cook County counts from the county health department and medical examiner 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Des Plaines , 885 cases and 62 deaths in Wheeling , 824 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine , 735 cases and 23 deaths in Streamwood , 727 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 690 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg , 695 cases and 49 deaths in Glenview , 667 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights , 564 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 538 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 401 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove Village , 394 cases and 42 deaths in Northbrook , 292 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 135 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 10,705 cases and 504 deaths as of Friday .
• Top counts : 891 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 850 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago , 735 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights , 656 cases and 36 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 596 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 504 cases and 26 deaths in Lombard , 481 cases and 39 deaths in Elmhurst , 418 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 361 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton , 297 cases and 5 deaths in Villa Park , 281 cases and 3 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) , 254 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn .
Lake County • The county reported 11,257 cases and 426 deaths as of Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 2,895 to 2,899 in Waukegan , 650 to 654 in Round Lake Beach , 415 to 419 in Mundelein , 350 to 354 in Gurnee , 260 to 264 in Round Lake , 225 to 229 in Lake Zurich , 220 to 224 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 200 to 204 in Vernon Hills , 175 to 179 in Wauconda , 165 to 169 in Libertyville , 130 to 134 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 8,694 cases with 294 deaths on its website Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 2,056 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 809 in Carpentersville , 432 in St. Charles , 373 in South Elgin , 237 in Geneva , 236 in North Aurora , 181 in Batavia , and 65 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 2,630 cases and 108 deaths , as of Friday .
Will County • 7,977 cases and 338 deaths , as of Friday .
• Cases per town include 519 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion ) .

July 24 COVID-19 cases per county
Since the outbreak began, there have been 84,138 cases in the suburbs as of Friday, 49.9% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 3,762 deaths in the suburbs, representing almost 50.9% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County
• As of Friday, suburban Cook County had 42,966 cases and 2,075 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 58,445 cases and 2,747 fatalities.
• Top suburban Cook County counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,897 cases and 101 deaths in Des Plaines, 885 cases and 62 deaths in Wheeling, 824 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine, 735 cases and 23 deaths in Streamwood, 727 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 690 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg, 695 cases and 49 deaths in Glenview, 667 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights, 564 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 538 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 401 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 396 cases and 39 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 394 cases and 42 deaths in Northbrook, 292 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 135 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County
• The county reported 10,705 cases and 504 deaths as of Friday.
• Top counts: 891 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 850 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago, 735 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights, 656 cases and 36 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 586 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 596 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 504 cases and 26 deaths in Lombard, 481 cases and 39 deaths in Elmhurst, 418 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 361 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton, 297 cases and 5 deaths in Villa Park, 281 cases and 3 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion), 254 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County
• The county reported 11,257 cases and 426 deaths as of Friday.
• Top counts as of Thursday: 2,895 to 2,899 in Waukegan, 650 to 654 in Round Lake Beach, 415 to 419 in Mundelein, 350 to 354 in Gurnee, 260 to 264 in Round Lake, 225 to 229 in Lake Zurich, 220 to 224 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 200 to 204 in Vernon Hills, 175 to 179 in Wauconda, 165 to 169 in Libertyville, 130 to 134 in Grayslake.
Kane County
• The county confirmed 8,694 cases with 294 deaths on its website Friday.
• Top counts: 3,608 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 2,056 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 809 in Carpentersville, 432 in St. Charles, 373 in South Elgin, 237 in Geneva, 236 in North Aurora, 181 in Batavia, and 65 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County
• 2,630 cases and 108 deaths, as of Friday.
Will County
• 7,977 cases and 338 deaths, as of Friday.
• Cases per town include 519 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 103 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--Comcast, Marquee Network reach deal to air Cubs games

Comcast customers will be able to watch the Cubs season opener tonight against Milwaukee at Wrigley Field .
Though specifics had not been announced early this morning , the Cubs ' Marquee Network was part of the Comcast lineup on Channel 202 Friday morning .
Marquee is already available on AT & T U-Verse , DirectTV and Hulu plus live TV .
It 's also on Spectrum Cable , which is available in some outer suburbs and Kenosha , Wis. ; along with many cable networks in Iowa and northern Indiana .
Crane Kenney , president of business operations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Marquee in multiple media interviews , but details were not disclosed , Robert Feder is reporting .
Saturday 's 12:05 p.m. game against the Brewers is a national broadcast on Fox , with Addison native Adam Amin on the call .
Today 's game is being televised by ESPN , but a network spokesperson said that game is subject to blackout rules in Chicago .
The blackout rules do n't apply to Sunday night ESPN games , which are not on Marquee , and there are two of those -- Aug. 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cardinals .
There 's another game on the Fox schedule , Aug. 6 at Kansas City .
The six games against the White Sox will be available on NBC Sports Chicago , which is televising 59 of the 60 Sox games this season and is available on most providers .
You 'll need a provider account to stream Cubs games via Marquee .
Some other carriers without a Marquee agreement are Dish , YouTube TV and Sling TV .
But everything 's negotiable , so stay tuned .

Comcast, Marquee Network reach deal to air Cubs games
Comcast customers will be able to watch the Cubs season opener tonight against Milwaukee at Wrigley Field.
Comcast customers will be able to watch the Cubs season opener tonight against Milwaukee at Wrigley Field.
Though specifics had not been announced early this morning, the Cubs' Marquee Network was part of the Comcast lineup on Channel 202 Friday morning.
Marquee is already available on AT&T U-Verse, DirectTV and Hulu plus live TV. It's also on Spectrum Cable, which is available in some outer suburbs and Kenosha, Wis.; along with many cable networks in Iowa and northern Indiana.
Crane Kenney, president of business operations for the Cubs, confirmed a multiyear deal with Marquee in multiple media interviews, but details were not disclosed, Robert Feder is reporting.
Comcast has not released a statement.
Saturday's 12:05 p.m. game against the Brewers is a national broadcast on Fox, with Addison native Adam Amin on the call.
Today's game is being televised by ESPN, but a network spokesperson said that game is subject to blackout rules in Chicago.
The blackout rules don't apply to Sunday night ESPN games, which are not on Marquee, and there are two of those -- Aug. 9 at St. Louis and Sept. 6 against the Cardinals. There's another game on the Fox schedule, Aug. 6 at Kansas City.
The six games against the White Sox will be available on NBC Sports Chicago, which is televising 59 of the 60 Sox games this season and is available on most providers.
You'll need a provider account to stream Cubs games via Marquee. Some other carriers without a Marquee agreement are Dish, YouTube TV and Sling TV. But everything's negotiable, so stay tuned.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-24--11 years prison for former Elgin man guilty of child sexual assault from decade ago

A former Elgin man was sentenced this week to 11 years in prison after his conviction earlier this year of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child younger than 13 from April 2009 through October 2010 .
James J .
Boots , 50 , now of Freeport , must serve 85 % of his sentence , or a little over nine years , and must register as a sex offender for life .
Kane County Judge D.J .
Tegeler , who found Boots guilty in a January bench trial , issued the sentence Thursday .
Boots faced a sentence ranging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gets credit for about 28 months being held at the Kane County jail while the case was pending .
`` Jamie Boots caused great harm to this victim , and yet when given the opportunity to accept responsibility , he engaged in victim blaming and minimized her behavior , '' State 's Attorney Joe McMahon said .
`` I am pleased that justice has been served in this case and hope this prison sentence is a big step toward healing for this victim. ''
.
Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexually assaulted the victim , who he knew and was younger than 13 years old at the time .
The sexual assaults took place when Boots lived in Elgin and he later moved to Freeport .
Boots was arrested and charged in spring 2018 .

11 years prison for former Elgin man guilty of child sexual assault from decade ago
A former Elgin man was sentenced this week to 11 years in prison after his conviction earlier this year of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child younger than 13 from April 2009 through October 2010.
James J. Boots, 50, now of Freeport, must serve 85% of his sentence, or a little over nine years, and must register as a sex offender for life.
Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler, who found Boots guilty in a January bench trial, issued the sentence Thursday. Boots faced a sentence ranging from six to 30 years in prison and gets credit for about 28 months being held at the Kane County jail while the case was pending.
"Jamie Boots caused great harm to this victim, and yet when given the opportunity to accept responsibility, he engaged in victim blaming and minimized her behavior," State's Attorney Joe McMahon said. "I am pleased that justice has been served in this case and hope this prison sentence is a big step toward healing for this victim.".
Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that between April 2009 and October 2010, Boots sexually assaulted the victim, who he knew and was younger than 13 years old at the time. The sexual assaults took place when Boots lived in Elgin and he later moved to Freeport. Boots was arrested and charged in spring 2018.