dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Hearing in suit against stay-at-home order delayed

SPRINGFIELD -- A hearing in downstate Rep. Darren Bailey 's lawsuit challenging the governor 's authority to issue consecutive executive orders will not be held Friday as scheduled .
Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney 's July 2 ruling in the Xenia Republican 's case failed to address one issue -- whether the COVID-19 pandemic met the definition of a disaster in Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's April 30 state of emergency .
Thoms DeVore , Bailey 's attorney , requested the judge rule on that question without a trial .
McHaney declined , and now will await DeVore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call for the matter to be dismissed .
In a court document filed July 7 , the attorney general 's office , which is representing Pritzker , called this last active issue `` moot '' because any ruling `` would not have a practical effect . ''
The points raised in DeVore 's arguments that COVID-19 was not a disaster as specified in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act were `` incorporated '' into the two complaints Bailey won , the office added .
McHaney nullified all of the governor 's executive orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also decided that the Illinois Department of Public Health has the `` supreme authority '' to close businesses and restrict residents ' activities in a public health crisis .
Pritzker 's office , Bailey and legal experts disagree on the scope of that order -- some assert it affects only Clay County while others maintain it applies statewide .
Bailey , in an interview with Capitol News Illinois on Thursday , said the court set a deadline of July 22 for DeVore to file a response to the state 's request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding a new complaint to his lawsuit on the same day .
Republicans , Right to Life ask to combine lawsuits The Chicago-based legal aid foundation representing the Illinois Republican Party and Right to Life advocacy group asked a federal court Wednesday for permission to combine the two cases .
Consolidation is logical , Liberty Justice Center Attorney Daniel Suhr wrote in a filing , because `` the legal issues are nearly identical '' in both cases .
The Republican Party and Illinois Right to Life organization filed separate lawsuits on June 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
JB Pritzker 's ban on gatherings of more than 50 people is unconstitutional .
That restriction , implemented to combat the COVID-19 spread in the state , included an exception for houses of worship and seemingly did not apply to Black Lives Matter protests , Suhr argued in both cases .
Under the U.S. Constitution 's equal protection clause , restrictions should apply to all groups uniformly or not at all .
U.S. District Court judges in both lawsuits denied the GOP 's and anti-abortion organization 's request for an order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on gathering attendance .
In part , Judge Sara Ellis ruled in the Republican Party 's case that its `` interest in gathering as a political party ... does not outweigh the governor 's interest in protecting the health of Illinois ' residents during this unprecedented public health crisis . ''
Judge John Tharp Jr. , who presided in the Illinois Right to Life case , called Ellis ' opinion `` persuasive '' and did not add any details to his own .
According to a document Suhr filed , the attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case , does not object to his motion to combine the two lawsuits .
A St. Clair County resident dropped her federal lawsuit against the firm contracted to launch an unemployment claims portal she said was solely responsible for a data breach that made available the personal information of nearly 33,000 Illinoisans .
The web-based system built and maintained by Deloitte Consulting LLP to process some Illinois unemployment claims allowed public access of applicants ' names , Social Security numbers and street addresses , the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only accessed by one person , according to the state .
According to the lawsuit filed by Briana Julius on June 8 , at least three other states -- Ohio , Colorado and Arkansas -- also contracted Deloitte to construct similar portals .
Within five days of notice that Illinois ' system was compromised , both Colorado and Ohio made announcements their portals had the same flaw .
She was suing on behalf of herself and all other Americans who might have been harmed , and she asked a judge to allow a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys -- Tiffany Yiatras with Consumer Protection Legal LLC and Francis `` Casey '' Flynn Jr. based at a firm bearing his name in Missouri -- returned requests for comment about why their client dropped her case .
In a document filed June 26 , the lawyers wrote Deloitte never submitted arguments on its behalf or made other motions in court .
They informed the judge they were dismissing the case `` with each party to bear its own costs . ''

Hearing in suit against stay-at-home order delayed
SPRINGFIELD -- A hearing in downstate Rep. Darren Bailey's lawsuit challenging the governor's authority to issue consecutive executive orders will not be held Friday as scheduled.
Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney's July 2 ruling in the Xenia Republican's case failed to address one issue -- whether the COVID-19 pandemic met the definition of a disaster in Gov. J.B. Pritzker's April 30 state of emergency.
Thoms DeVore, Bailey's attorney, requested the judge rule on that question without a trial. McHaney declined, and now will await DeVore's written response to the state's call for the matter to be dismissed.
In a court document filed July 7, the attorney general's office, which is representing Pritzker, called this last active issue "moot" because any ruling "would not have a practical effect."
The points raised in DeVore's arguments that COVID-19 was not a disaster as specified in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act were "incorporated" into the two complaints Bailey won, the office added.
McHaney nullified all of the governor's executive orders related to COVID-19 made after April 8. He also decided that the Illinois Department of Public Health has the "supreme authority" to close businesses and restrict residents' activities in a public health crisis.
Pritzker's office, Bailey and legal experts disagree on the scope of that order -- some assert it affects only Clay County while others maintain it applies statewide.
Bailey, in an interview with Capitol News Illinois on Thursday, said the court set a deadline of July 22 for DeVore to file a response to the state's request.
The representative said he will be adding a new complaint to his lawsuit on the same day.
Republicans, Right to Life ask to combine lawsuits
The Chicago-based legal aid foundation representing the Illinois Republican Party and Right to Life advocacy group asked a federal court Wednesday for permission to combine the two cases.
Consolidation is logical, Liberty Justice Center Attorney Daniel Suhr wrote in a filing, because "the legal issues are nearly identical" in both cases.
The Republican Party and Illinois Right to Life organization filed separate lawsuits on June 15 and June 23, respectively, claiming Gov. JB Pritzker's ban on gatherings of more than 50 people is unconstitutional.
That restriction, implemented to combat the COVID-19 spread in the state, included an exception for houses of worship and seemingly did not apply to Black Lives Matter protests, Suhr argued in both cases. Under the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause, restrictions should apply to all groups uniformly or not at all.
U.S. District Court judges in both lawsuits denied the GOP's and anti-abortion organization's request for an order temporarily suspending enforcement of Pritzker's cap on gathering attendance.
In part, Judge Sara Ellis ruled in the Republican Party's case that its "interest in gathering as a political party...does not outweigh the governor's interest in protecting the health of Illinois' residents during this unprecedented public health crisis."
Judge John Tharp Jr., who presided in the Illinois Right to Life case, called Ellis' opinion "persuasive" and did not add any details to his own.
According to a document Suhr filed, the attorney general's office, which is representing Pritzker in the case, does not object to his motion to combine the two lawsuits.
Lawsuit against Deloitte abandoned
A St. Clair County resident dropped her federal lawsuit against the firm contracted to launch an unemployment claims portal she said was solely responsible for a data breach that made available the personal information of nearly 33,000 Illinoisans.
The web-based system built and maintained by Deloitte Consulting LLP to process some Illinois unemployment claims allowed public access of applicants' names, Social Security numbers and street addresses, the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced on May 18. The information was only accessed by one person, according to the state.
According to the lawsuit filed by Briana Julius on June 8, at least three other states -- Ohio, Colorado and Arkansas -- also contracted Deloitte to construct similar portals. Within five days of notice that Illinois' system was compromised, both Colorado and Ohio made announcements their portals had the same flaw.
She was suing on behalf of herself and all other Americans who might have been harmed, and she asked a judge to allow a jury trial.
Neither of Julius' attorneys -- Tiffany Yiatras with Consumer Protection Legal LLC and Francis "Casey" Flynn Jr. based at a firm bearing his name in Missouri -- returned requests for comment about why their client dropped her case.
In a document filed June 26, the lawyers wrote Deloitte never submitted arguments on its behalf or made other motions in court. They informed the judge they were dismissing the case "with each party to bear its own costs."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Governor hits road to push census

Governor hits road to push census

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov .
J.B. Pritzker encouraged Illinoisans to complete the 2020 census and touted a state investment in youth employment programs Thursday during two public appearances in Rockford .
The state has a 66.9 percent census self-response rate currently .
That 's nearly 5 percentage points better than the 62.1 percent national rate , but well below the state 's 2010 final self-reporting tally of 70.5 percent .
In 2000 , the self-response rate in Illinois was 69 percent .
Pritzker 's message at the Rockford City Market was that filling out the census is `` an act of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect on the amount of federal funding the state receives .
In turn , an undercount often disproportionately impacts the neediest communities in the state , which typically have lower response rates .
`` The same ZIP codes that are impacted the worst by COVID-19 -- those that have been hurting for generations -- are on track to be the most undercounted at a time when frankly we need full funding , '' he said .
A 1 percent undercount for the state could result in it losing $ 195 million per year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pritzker said .
That equates to about $ 1,500 per year in federal funding lost for each person not counted in the census .
Based upon the 2010 count , the state collects $ 34 billion in federal funds annually , the governor added .
This year 's numbers have Illinois tied with Virginia for seventh among all states .
The response portal will be open until Oct. 31 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Pritzker signed an executive order last year dedicating $ 29 million to the census @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Services .
The outreach is done through a `` hub and spoke '' model in which funding passes through IDHS to 31 intermediary organizations that lead outreach efforts in 12 regions of the state .
Those organizations partner with other community groups to target outreach at a hyperlocal level .
`` We 're working with trusted messengers and grassroots community organizations to focus on personalized targeted outreach groups , '' Pritzker said .
While the governor said the census has historically `` not been an accessible tool , '' leaving `` too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he pointed out that there is no citizenship question on the census form and organizers are doing all they can to make communities that are fearful of such a question comfortable in filling out the form .
`` It 's been incredibly uplifting and inspiring to see so many Illinoisans taking to the streets to demand justice , so I need everyone to know , filling out the census is an act of engagement , '' he said .
In May , however , some of those census community organizers told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been stymied by the pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders .
Earlier Thursday , Pritzker spoke at the Lockwood Park equestrian center and children 's farm to tout a COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program .
The state dedicated $ 9.3 million through the Illinois Department of Human Services to support the program to employ 2,400 young adults statewide between June and August 2020 , helping them train for and find work .
The program is geared toward low-income youth who live in high-poverty communities and counties hardest hit by the pandemic .
Job opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations in partnership with IDHS .
`` COVID-19 has completely turned the working world on its head -- but young people still deserve a chance to start building their future .
In fact , it 's more important than ever to ensure the most vulnerable among us do n't slip through the cracks , '' Pritzker said .
`` That 's why last month , my administration announced a redesigned $ 9.3 million COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program , supporting dozens of projects across some of the counties hit hardest by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will employ thousands of young people in need of an opportunity . ''
Pritzker was also asked about the progress on a Rockford casino , and said while he does not have an exact date as to when the Illinois Gaming Board will sign off on applications from potential casino operators , he is hopeful it occurs `` certainly over the next couple of months . ''
He said it must be done by October , per the law 's deadlines .
The governor said the Gaming Board was affected by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now that it is back at work , it 's dealt with a number of backlogged issues .
It 's important , he said , because revenues from the gambling expansion bill passed last year are to fund infrastructure programs throughout the state .
`` ( IGB ) just got up and running the sports wagering in the state , … a difficult thing to get done but they did , and expanded video gaming terminals in the state , another part of our capital program , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very badly to make sure that our casinos get up and running .
It 's economic development , its job creation , it 's opportunity .
And of course , it 's also revenue for the capital projects that we so badly need . ''
The board operates independently , he said , and a major focus is ensuring there is no corruption in the licensing process .

Governor hits road to push census
blueroomstream.comGov. J.B. Pritzker speaks Thursday at the Rockford City Market to encourage more Illinoisans to complete the 202 census. The state has a 66.9% response rate currently, tying it with Virginia for seventh among all states.
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. J.B. Pritzker encouraged Illinoisans to complete the 2020 census and touted a state investment in youth employment programs Thursday during two public appearances in Rockford.
The state has a 66.9 percent census self-response rate currently. That's nearly 5 percentage points better than the 62.1 percent national rate, but well below the state's 2010 final self-reporting tally of 70.5 percent. In 2000, the self-response rate in Illinois was 69 percent.
Pritzker's message at the Rockford City Market was that filling out the census is "an act of civic engagement" that has a direct effect on the amount of federal funding the state receives. In turn, an undercount often disproportionately impacts the neediest communities in the state, which typically have lower response rates.
"The same ZIP codes that are impacted the worst by COVID-19 -- those that have been hurting for generations -- are on track to be the most undercounted at a time when frankly we need full funding," he said.
A 1 percent undercount for the state could result in it losing $195 million per year in federal funding for the next decade, Pritzker said. That equates to about $1,500 per year in federal funding lost for each person not counted in the census.
Based upon the 2010 count, the state collects $34 billion in federal funds annually, the governor added.
This year's numbers have Illinois tied with Virginia for seventh among all states. The response portal will be open until Oct. 31 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pritzker signed an executive order last year dedicating $29 million to the census outreach effort through the Illinois Department of Human Services.
The outreach is done through a "hub and spoke" model in which funding passes through IDHS to 31 intermediary organizations that lead outreach efforts in 12 regions of the state. Those organizations partner with other community groups to target outreach at a hyperlocal level.
"We're working with trusted messengers and grassroots community organizations to focus on personalized targeted outreach groups," Pritzker said.
While the governor said the census has historically "not been an accessible tool," leaving "too many people locked out and left behind," he pointed out that there is no citizenship question on the census form and organizers are doing all they can to make communities that are fearful of such a question comfortable in filling out the form.
"It's been incredibly uplifting and inspiring to see so many Illinoisans taking to the streets to demand justice, so I need everyone to know, filling out the census is an act of engagement," he said.
In May, however, some of those census community organizers told Capitol News Illinois their outreach efforts have been stymied by the pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders.
Youth Employment Program
Earlier Thursday, Pritzker spoke at the Lockwood Park equestrian center and children's farm to tout a COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program. The state dedicated $9.3 million through the Illinois Department of Human Services to support the program to employ 2,400 young adults statewide between June and August 2020, helping them train for and find work.
The program is geared toward low-income youth who live in high-poverty communities and counties hardest hit by the pandemic. Job opportunities through the program are coordinated by community-based organizations in partnership with IDHS.
"COVID-19 has completely turned the working world on its head -- but young people still deserve a chance to start building their future. In fact, it's more important than ever to ensure the most vulnerable among us don't slip through the cracks," Pritzker said. "That's why last month, my administration announced a redesigned $9.3 million COVID-19 Summer Youth Employment Program, supporting dozens of projects across some of the counties hit hardest by the pandemic -- projects that, across the board, will employ thousands of young people in need of an opportunity."
Pritzker was also asked about the progress on a Rockford casino, and said while he does not have an exact date as to when the Illinois Gaming Board will sign off on applications from potential casino operators, he is hopeful it occurs "certainly over the next couple of months." He said it must be done by October, per the law's deadlines.
The governor said the Gaming Board was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, just like everything else. Now that it is back at work, it's dealt with a number of backlogged issues. It's important, he said, because revenues from the gambling expansion bill passed last year are to fund infrastructure programs throughout the state.
"(IGB) just got up and running the sports wagering in the state,… a difficult thing to get done but they did, and expanded video gaming terminals in the state, another part of our capital program," he said. "And then of course, we want very badly to make sure that our casinos get up and running. It's economic development, its job creation, it's opportunity. And of course, it's also revenue for the capital projects that we so badly need."
The board operates independently, he said, and a major focus is ensuring there is no corruption in the licensing process.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Sentencing hearing: AJ's mom gives tearful statement; court sees video of her berating boy

`` Being a mother defines me , '' JoAnn Cunningham said through tears Thursday at her sentencing hearing for the murder of her 5-year-old son , AJ Freund .
Cunningham 's description of herself starkly contrasted that of witnesses who , throughout the day , painted her as a `` manipulative '' and `` disturbed '' person prone to fits of rage .
In videos played during the hearing , the 37-year-old mother could be heard berating and cursing at AJ , whom she described Thursday as `` smart , '' `` courageous , '' and `` absolutely loved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court seemed to disappoint surviving members of AJ 's family .
One by one they nodded their heads in disbelief as Cunningham spoke about the alleged abuse she endured at a young age , and the `` loving , kind , compassionate woman '' she believes herself to be now .
`` As much as I deserve punishment , I believe I deserve help , '' Cunningham said , weeping .
`` Help me . ''
Thursday marked one of the first times Cunningham has spoken on her own behalf since her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She and AJ 's father , Andrew Freund Sr. , are accused of beating and killing their son on April 15 , 2019 , in their Crystal Lake home .
For days afterward , Freund and Cunningham hid AJ 's body in a tote stored in their basement before burying the child and falsely reporting him missing on April 18 , McHenry County prosecutors have said .
McHenry County State 's Attorney Patrick Kenneally asked the judge to sentence Cunningham to the maximum 60 years in prison for AJ 's first-degree murder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to announce Cunningham 's sentence Friday afternoon .
The boy 's surviving family might have liked Cunningham to offer an apology or explanation for AJ 's death as she recited her public statement in court Thursday , McHenry County State 's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said .
`` I think we all are but I do n't think we 're going to get it , '' Kenneally said after the hearing .
`` I do n't think she 's capable of that . ''
A victim advocate from the McHenry County State 's Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not wish to comment after court .
Throughout the day , Wilbrandt heard testimony about text messages Cunningham and Freund exchanged in the days following AJ 's death , speaking about the boy as if he were still alive .
Alone in a Crystal Lake Police Department interview room , Cunningham quickly glanced at the camera recording her before bowing her head and reciting the Lord 's Prayer .
In one recorded jail phone call between Cunningham and her then-incarcerated fiance Daniel Nowicki , Cunningham paused to ask , `` AJ , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Thank you . ''
AJ 's battered body was tucked away in the basement at the time of the phone call , prosecutors said .
`` She had done things knowing that a few days earlier she had beaten this little boy to the brink and then literally locked him in his room where he had to endure the bleak process of death all by himself , '' Kenneally said in court Thursday .
The anger , impulsivity , and addictions that Cunningham self-reported during three jailhouse evaluations seemed to align with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychologist Robert Meyer testified .
Those diagnoses include anti-social personality disorder , borderline personality disorder and narcissism , Meyer said .
Cunningham 's demeanor might have further changed after an ex-husband broke her ankle during a domestic situation .
The narcotics she was prescribed to ease her ankle pain also numbed the emotional trauma from alleged abusive relationships , sexual assault , and general abandonment she claimed to experience throughout her life , Meyer said .
`` I think she just found that too attractive to stay away , '' Meyer said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , that Cunningham seemingly exaggerated some of her symptoms .
As for her relationship with AJ , the mother and son might have missed out on an important bonding period when AJ was placed in a foster home after he was born with opiates in his system , Meyer said .
`` The bonding with a mother and a child was interrupted , '' Meyer said .
`` She never got that . ''
A tense and somber mood filled the courtroom , where 11 of AJ 's family members were seated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cunningham , her blond hair pulled back into two tight braids , appeared to be wearing a ring with a cross on her left ring finger and had tissues packed into the pocket of her orange jail shirt .
Throughout the hearing , Cunningham sat almost motionless , but for her hands , which she wrung in apparent discomfort .
The mother of four seemed to become most upset and wiped away visible tears upon hearing her own voice on camera berating AJ .
In one March 27 , 2019 , video played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with AJ as he said in a soft , timid voice that he did n't want a family .
`` You do n't have one , '' Cunningham responded .
`` Do you really think ( your dad ) would choose you over me and ( your brother ? )
...
Shut up ! ''
Cunningham went on to ask AJ multiple times why he wanted her to go away .
`` Why do you want those bad people to hurt me ? ''
JoAnn said .
`` So I do n't ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The exchange was recorded about two weeks before AJ 's death .
On Thursday , Cunningham praised AJ for his creativity , and sense of humor , noting his love for Legos and chocolate sprinkle doughnuts .
Although she briefly mentioned having made `` horrendous choices , '' Cunningham never explicitly apologized for AJ 's death .
`` Nobody will ever understand unless they 've walked in my shoes or know the torment I 've suffered .
And I will try to rise above human scorn and judgment .
I never thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did I could n't help myself , '' Cunningham said .
`` I was mentally unavailable even to myself .
Unfortunately I managed to dispel my anxiety , depression and pain with drugs . ''
One of Cunningham 's attorneys , McHenry County Assistant Public Defender Richard Behof , said Cunningham `` became the person she despised the most as a child . ''
`` She was n't strong enough to overcome her childhood .
She was n't strong enough to overcome her poor choice in men .
She was n't strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and most importantly she was n't strong enough to protect AJ -- and that 's why we 're here , '' Behof said .
`` But I ask when you consider what sentence to give JoAnn , that you look at her life in its entirety . ''
Cunningham 's family has denied abusing her emotionally and physically as a child , Kenneally said , adding that Cunningham used her statement as an attempt to garner sympathy .
`` She has n't been sitting here crying for AJ , '' Kenneally said during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crying for herself . ''

'Being a mother defines me': AJ's mom gives tearful statement at sentencing hearing
"Being a mother defines me," JoAnn Cunningham said through tears Thursday at her sentencing hearing for the murder of her 5-year-old son, AJ Freund.
Cunningham's description of herself starkly contrasted that of witnesses who, throughout the day, painted her as a "manipulative" and "disturbed" person prone to fits of rage. In videos played during the hearing, the 37-year-old mother could be heard berating and cursing at AJ, whom she described Thursday as "smart," "courageous," and "absolutely loved."
A handwritten statement she read aloud in court seemed to disappoint surviving members of AJ's family. One by one they nodded their heads in disbelief as Cunningham spoke about the alleged abuse she endured at a young age, and the "loving, kind, compassionate woman" she believes herself to be now.
"As much as I deserve punishment, I believe I deserve help," Cunningham said, weeping. "Help me."
Thursday marked one of the first times Cunningham has spoken on her own behalf since her April 24, 2019, arrest. She and AJ's father, Andrew Freund Sr., are accused of beating and killing their son on April 15, 2019, in their Crystal Lake home.
For days afterward, Freund and Cunningham hid AJ's body in a tote stored in their basement before burying the child and falsely reporting him missing on April 18, McHenry County prosecutors have said.
McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally asked the judge to sentence Cunningham to the maximum 60 years in prison for AJ's first-degree murder. McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt is expected to announce Cunningham's sentence Friday afternoon.
The boy's surviving family might have liked Cunningham to offer an apology or explanation for AJ's death as she recited her public statement in court Thursday, McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said.
"I think we all are but I don't think we're going to get it," Kenneally said after the hearing. "I don't think she's capable of that."
A victim advocate from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office indicated that AJ's family did not wish to comment after court.
Throughout the day, Wilbrandt heard testimony about text messages Cunningham and Freund exchanged in the days following AJ's death, speaking about the boy as if he were still alive. Alone in a Crystal Lake Police Department interview room, Cunningham quickly glanced at the camera recording her before bowing her head and reciting the Lord's Prayer.
In one recorded jail phone call between Cunningham and her then-incarcerated fiance Daniel Nowicki, Cunningham paused to ask, "AJ, can you get me another Red Bull? Thank you." AJ's battered body was tucked away in the basement at the time of the phone call, prosecutors said.
"She had done things knowing that a few days earlier she had beaten this little boy to the brink and then literally locked him in his room where he had to endure the bleak process of death all by himself," Kenneally said in court Thursday.
The anger, impulsivity, and addictions that Cunningham self-reported during three jailhouse evaluations seemed to align with a number of personality disorders, clinical psychologist Robert Meyer testified. Those diagnoses include anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder and narcissism, Meyer said.
Cunningham's demeanor might have further changed after an ex-husband broke her ankle during a domestic situation. The narcotics she was prescribed to ease her ankle pain also numbed the emotional trauma from alleged abusive relationships, sexual assault, and general abandonment she claimed to experience throughout her life, Meyer said.
"I think she just found that too attractive to stay away," Meyer said.
The psychologist went on to testify, however, that Cunningham seemingly exaggerated some of her symptoms. As for her relationship with AJ, the mother and son might have missed out on an important bonding period when AJ was placed in a foster home after he was born with opiates in his system, Meyer said.
"The bonding with a mother and a child was interrupted," Meyer said. "She never got that."
A tense and somber mood filled the courtroom, where 11 of AJ's family members were seated directly behind the defense's table. Cunningham, her blond hair pulled back into two tight braids, appeared to be wearing a ring with a cross on her left ring finger and had tissues packed into the pocket of her orange jail shirt.
Throughout the hearing, Cunningham sat almost motionless, but for her hands, which she wrung in apparent discomfort. The mother of four seemed to become most upset and wiped away visible tears upon hearing her own voice on camera berating AJ. In one March 27, 2019, video played in court, Cunningham was heard arguing with AJ as he said in a soft, timid voice that he didn't want a family.
"You don't have one," Cunningham responded. "Do you really think (your dad) would choose you over me and (your brother?) ... Shut up!"
Cunningham went on to ask AJ multiple times why he wanted her to go away.
"Why do you want those bad people to hurt me?" JoAnn said.
"So I don't ever see you again," AJ responded.
The exchange was recorded about two weeks before AJ's death.
On Thursday, Cunningham praised AJ for his creativity, and sense of humor, noting his love for Legos and chocolate sprinkle doughnuts.
Although she briefly mentioned having made "horrendous choices," Cunningham never explicitly apologized for AJ's death.
"Nobody will ever understand unless they've walked in my shoes or know the torment I've suffered. And I will try to rise above human scorn and judgment. I never thought of my own well-being and even if I did I couldn't help myself," Cunningham said. "I was mentally unavailable even to myself. Unfortunately I managed to dispel my anxiety, depression and pain with drugs."
One of Cunningham's attorneys, McHenry County Assistant Public Defender Richard Behof, said Cunningham "became the person she despised the most as a child."
"She wasn't strong enough to overcome her childhood. She wasn't strong enough to overcome her poor choice in men. She wasn't strong enough to overcome her drug addiction, and most importantly she wasn't strong enough to protect AJ -- and that's why we're here," Behof said. "But I ask when you consider what sentence to give JoAnn, that you look at her life in its entirety."
Cunningham's family has denied abusing her emotionally and physically as a child, Kenneally said, adding that Cunningham used her statement as an attempt to garner sympathy.
"She hasn't been sitting here crying for AJ," Kenneally said during his closing argument. "She's crying for herself."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-17--Attorney who worked at DuPage courthouse while awaiting COVID-19 test result causes a stir

An attorney who continued to attend to criminal cases at the main DuPage County courthouse while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test prompted a lengthy letter to all the courthouse workers .
On Wednesday , Chief Judge Daniel Guerin notified scores of courthouse personnel they might have come in contact from mid-June to early July with the attorney , who tested positive for the virus .
The letter names the attorney , with the attorney 's permission .
The attorney agreed to speak to the Daily Herald on condition of anonymity .
The letter notes the DuPage County Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 24 to July 6 , and that his last appearance during that period was July 1 .
The letter says the attorney experienced symptoms of the disease .
But the attorney says he did not .
He took the test June 28 .
Late in the afternoon July 1 , he received word he was positive .
He retook the test and was told July 3 he was negative .
`` I was never sick , '' he said , adding he relied on `` bad advice '' from medical experts when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work while awaiting results .
He said he also expected the June test to come back negative .
He declined to say why he got tested .
When he found out he was positive , he notified assistant state 's attorneys with whom he had dealt in Kane and DuPage counties .
They in turn notified the respective chief judges .
Guerin was told July 13 .
The letter was sent to all courthouse personnel -- lawyers , clerks , support workers , deputies , probation officers and more -- plus to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no policy or law requiring lawyers to tell his office if they have tested positive .
His office is taking guidance from the DuPage County Health Department on COVID-19 matters , he said .
Guerin 's letter points out that the attorney wore a mask ; that everyone in the courtroom wore a mask ; that the court dates were brief ; and that no evidence or paperwork was passed around .
As in every other court in Illinois , there are notices posted on the courthouse entrances saying you should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever .
There are body scanners that detect temperatures , and anyone who has a temperature of 100.4 or higher is to be denied entrance .
In Kane County , Chief Judge Clint Hull said that he notified only specific people who were in courtrooms with the attorney .
In Kane County , everyone who enters a courtroom has to give his or her name and email address to a bailiff , in case the county 's health department wants to do contact tracing .
Hull 's office figured out where the attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and notified people .
He also turned the information over to the Kane County Health Department .
Steve Splitt , spokesman for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission , said he would n't expect the agency to bring a complaint against a lawyer under such circumstances .
`` Disciplinary action would not be likely unless it 's absolutely clear the attorney tried to infect people on purpose or acted maliciously , '' Splitt said .
Overheard in a DuPage courtroom this week : a defense attorney objecting to COVID-19 rules for jurors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial .
The judge agreed to prosecutors ' requests that attorneys be allowed to take off their masks during the trial , and that witnesses be told to remove their masks .
They also asked that jurors be told to take off their masks , but the judge refused , saying that jurors can remove them if they want .
The defense attorney strenuously objected to the orders , saying he wanted everyone in the room to be wearing a mask .
As for the plastic glass separating the witness box , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clerk from each other and the rest of the room ?
`` Plexiglas is not a force field '' of protection , he said .
Back when he was supervisor of the Kane County sheriff 's narcotics unit , Ron Hain saw firsthand the benefits of the office 's participation in the federal Homeland Security Investigations Task Force .
So when he was elected sheriff in 2018 , Hain told us this week , he made it a priority to reverse his predecessor 's decision to leave the task force .
The decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big dividends .
Since two of his deputies joined the task force in January -- one full time , the other part time -- they and their partners have seized more than 1,100 pounds of illegal drugs and 11 firearms .
The task force also includes members from the Elgin , Aurora and Hoffman Estates police departments , as well as the Cook County sheriff 's office and federal Homeland Security agents .
Its mission is to target high-level narcotics operations active in the Chicago area .
Among its successes was helping to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ El Chapo '' Guzmán .
`` It gets a large amount of drugs off the street and stops high-level activity in our area , '' Hain said .
As part of their work with the task force , Deputies Ryan Wasson and Ryan Monaghan last week officially received federal credentials .
That 's key , Hain said , because their work often takes them outside their current jurisdiction .
• Have a question , tip or comment ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Attorney who worked at DuPage courthouse while awaiting COVID-19 test result causes a stir
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.comThe DuPage County Court building or otherwise known at The Henry J. Hyde Judicial Office Facility in Wheaton.
An attorney who continued to attend to criminal cases at the main DuPage County courthouse while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test prompted a lengthy letter to all the courthouse workers.
On Wednesday, Chief Judge Daniel Guerin notified scores of courthouse personnel they might have come in contact from mid-June to early July with the attorney, who tested positive for the virus.
The letter names the attorney, with the attorney's permission. The attorney agreed to speak to the Daily Herald on condition of anonymity.
The letter notes the DuPage County Health Department calculated the man was contagious from June 24 to July 6, and that his last appearance during that period was July 1.
The letter says the attorney experienced symptoms of the disease. But the attorney says he did not.
He took the test June 28. Late in the afternoon July 1, he received word he was positive. He retook the test and was told July 3 he was negative.
"I was never sick," he said, adding he relied on "bad advice" from medical experts when he decided to continue to go to work while awaiting results. He said he also expected the June test to come back negative.
He declined to say why he got tested.
When he found out he was positive, he notified assistant state's attorneys with whom he had dealt in Kane and DuPage counties. They in turn notified the respective chief judges.
Guerin was told July 13. The letter was sent to all courthouse personnel -- lawyers, clerks, support workers, deputies, probation officers and more -- plus to the DuPage County Bar Association.
Guerin said there is no policy or law requiring lawyers to tell his office if they have tested positive. His office is taking guidance from the DuPage County Health Department on COVID-19 matters, he said.
Guerin's letter points out that the attorney wore a mask; that everyone in the courtroom wore a mask; that the court dates were brief; and that no evidence or paperwork was passed around.
As in every other court in Illinois, there are notices posted on the courthouse entrances saying you should not come in if you have a fever. There are body scanners that detect temperatures, and anyone who has a temperature of 100.4 or higher is to be denied entrance.
In Kane County, Chief Judge Clint Hull said that he notified only specific people who were in courtrooms with the attorney. In Kane County, everyone who enters a courtroom has to give his or her name and email address to a bailiff, in case the county's health department wants to do contact tracing. Hull's office figured out where the attorney had been, reviewed the contact sheets and notified people. He also turned the information over to the Kane County Health Department.
Steve Splitt, spokesman for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, said he wouldn't expect the agency to bring a complaint against a lawyer under such circumstances.
"Disciplinary action would not be likely unless it's absolutely clear the attorney tried to infect people on purpose or acted maliciously," Splitt said.
Activate Plexiglas!
Overheard in a DuPage courtroom this week: a defense attorney objecting to COVID-19 rules for jurors, witnesses and attorneys in an upcoming trial. The judge agreed to prosecutors' requests that attorneys be allowed to take off their masks during the trial, and that witnesses be told to remove their masks. They also asked that jurors be told to take off their masks, but the judge refused, saying that jurors can remove them if they want.
The defense attorney strenuously objected to the orders, saying he wanted everyone in the room to be wearing a mask.
As for the plastic glass separating the witness box, the court reporter, the judge and the clerk from each other and the rest of the room?
"Plexiglas is not a force field" of protection, he said.
Task force paying off
Back when he was supervisor of the Kane County sheriff's narcotics unit, Ron Hain saw firsthand the benefits of the office's participation in the federal Homeland Security Investigations Task Force.
Courtesy of Kane County sheriff's officeA member of the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force poses with drugs seized through one of its operations. After several years away from the task force, the Kane County sheriff's office recently rejoined, sending one deputy to work with it full time and another part time.
So when he was elected sheriff in 2018, Hain told us this week, he made it a priority to reverse his predecessor's decision to leave the task force.
The decision, Hain said, already has paid big dividends. Since two of his deputies joined the task force in January -- one full time, the other part time -- they and their partners have seized more than 1,100 pounds of illegal drugs and 11 firearms.
The task force also includes members from the Elgin, Aurora and Hoffman Estates police departments, as well as the Cook County sheriff's office and federal Homeland Security agents. Its mission is to target high-level narcotics operations active in the Chicago area. Among its successes was helping to take down notorious cartel boss Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.
"It gets a large amount of drugs off the street and stops high-level activity in our area," Hain said.
As part of their work with the task force, Deputies Ryan Wasson and Ryan Monaghan last week officially received federal credentials. That's key, Hain said, because their work often takes them outside their current jurisdiction.
• Have a question, tip or comment? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--District 214 outlines reopening plan

District 214 outlines reopening plan

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 announced Thursday night that it will shift to a block schedule when it reopens for the new school year .
The switch will limit movement in the buildings for students who attend classes in person , although parents can opt to keep their children home for distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The block schedule -- in which students attend will four extended classes each day instead of eight classes of 48 minutes each -- also will be `` an efficient and effective way to deliver instruction in the event the district is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment at some point this fall , '' the district said in a news release .
The block schedule will alternate every two days .
`` Designing the school day and first semester this way allows for a rigorous and equitable academic experience whether the students are in the building or participating remotely , '' Superintendent David Schuler said .
Zero-hour classes will start at 8:45 a.m. , with first period following at 10 a.m .
The school day will end at 3:25 p.m. Teachers will report for professional development days on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freshman orientation will be held Friday , Aug. 14 .
Classes for sophomores , juniors and seniors will begin Monday , Aug. 17 .
`` We look forward to seeing our students and staff back in the classroom in a safe way when we begin school again in the fall , '' Schuler said .

District 214 outlines reopening plan
Northwest Suburban High School District 214 announced Thursday night that it will shift to a block schedule when it reopens for the new school year.
The switch will limit movement in the buildings for students who attend classes in person, although parents can opt to keep their children home for distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The block schedule -- in which students attend will have four extended classes each day instead of eight classes of 48 minutes each -- also will be "an efficient and effective way to deliver instruction in the event the district is required to go to a fully remote environment at some point this fall," the district said in a news release.
The block schedule will alternate every two days.
"Designing the school day and first semester this way allows for a rigorous and equitable academic experience whether the students are in the building or participating remotely," Superintendent David Schuler said.
Zero-hour classes will start at 8:45 a.m., with first period following at 10 a.m. The school day will end at 3:25 p.m.
Teachers will report for professional development days on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 12-13, and freshman orientation will be held Friday, Aug. 14. Classes for sophomores, juniors and seniors will begin Monday, Aug. 17.
"We look forward to seeing our students and staff back in the classroom in a safe way when we begin school again in the fall," Schuler said.
District 214 serves 12,000 students in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--District 211 fires Palatine High School teacher over controversial Facebook post

Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board members Thursday voted 5-2 to fire a tenured Palatine High School social studies teacher who had been investigated for a controversial Facebook post just after the end of the school year about Black Lives Matter protests .
Most of the board members gave their reasons for their votes on the resolution to dismiss longtime teacher Jeanne Hedgepeth .
`` The demonstrated lack of professionalism is disturbing to me as a teacher myself , '' board member Kim Cavill said before voting in support of the firing .
In early June District 211 officials started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests that followed the police shooting death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
The investigation began after screenshots of what purported to be the teacher 's remarks were shared on social media .
`` The statements in the post do not reflect the values or principles of District 211 , '' the district said in a statement at the time , without further describing the post .
`` We are truly sorry for any harm or disrespect that this may have caused . ''
A week later , the teacher said she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescinded her retirement request before the board could vote on it .
Several emails sent to district officials and read aloud at board meetings called for her to be fired rather than be allowed to quietly retire .
Others , including some by family members and longtime acquaintances , defended the teacher 's character and care for her students , if not specifically the words of her social media post .
Board member Anna Klimkowicz said she believed all people have the right to express themselves but that in the era of social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ careful of the words they choose because of the impact they have on others .
She also said the position of teacher carried more responsibility .
Cramer said he did n't feel the accusations met the burden of proof for dismissal .
He characterized them as subjective opinions in a social media post without evidence of wrongdoing that were emailed to the administration by activists eager to orchestrate such a firing .
Dombrowski said that while Hedgepeth 's failure to represent the district through her actions may have led to the board 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook post should be the deciding factor in ending a career .
Board member Ed Yung said that not firing Hedgepeth would be inconsistent with earlier disciplinary action against employees , while fellow member Steven Rosenblum said he recognized a pattern of behavior with Hedgepeth going back to 2016 that had repeated itself .
On March 14 , 2019 , the board voted unanimously to suspend Hedgepeth for four days without pay and issue a `` notice to remedy . ''
The meeting minutes of that vote do not describe the reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emails that had been sent to the district criticized it for a lack of action on a matter of intolerance that they argued even a student would have been disciplined for .

District 211 fires Palatine High School teacher over controversial Facebook post
This article has been corrected to properly characterize the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board members Thursday voted 5-2 to fire a tenured Palatine High School social studies teacher who had been investigated for a controversial Facebook post just after the end of the school year about Black Lives Matter protests.
Most of the board members gave their reasons for their votes on the resolution to dismiss longtime teacher Jeanne Hedgepeth.
"The demonstrated lack of professionalism is disturbing to me as a teacher myself," board member Kim Cavill said before voting in support of the firing.
In early June District 211 officials started investigating the since-deleted Facebook post about the protests that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The investigation began after screenshots of what purported to be the teacher's remarks were shared on social media.
"The statements in the post do not reflect the values or principles of District 211," the district said in a statement at the time, without further describing the post. "We are truly sorry for any harm or disrespect that this may have caused."
A week later, the teacher said she would retire. Another week later, she rescinded her retirement request before the board could vote on it.
Several emails sent to district officials and read aloud at board meetings called for her to be fired rather than be allowed to quietly retire. Others, including some by family members and longtime acquaintances, defended the teacher's character and care for her students, if not specifically the words of her social media post.
Board member Anna Klimkowicz said she believed all people have the right to express themselves but that in the era of social media people also have to be more careful of the words they choose because of the impact they have on others. She also said the position of teacher carried more responsibility.
Board members Mark Cramer and Pete Dombrowski voted against firing Hedgepeth.
Cramer said he didn't feel the accusations met the burden of proof for dismissal. He characterized them as subjective opinions in a social media post without evidence of wrongdoing that were emailed to the administration by activists eager to orchestrate such a firing.
Dombrowski said that while Hedgepeth's failure to represent the district through her actions may have led to the board's vote, he didn't feel a Facebook post should be the deciding factor in ending a career.
Board member Ed Yung said that not firing Hedgepeth would be inconsistent with earlier disciplinary action against employees, while fellow member Steven Rosenblum said he recognized a pattern of behavior with Hedgepeth going back to 2016 that had repeated itself.
On March 14, 2019, the board voted unanimously to suspend Hedgepeth for four days without pay and issue a "notice to remedy." The meeting minutes of that vote do not describe the reason for the disciplinary action.
Some of the emails that had been sent to the district criticized it for a lack of action on a matter of intolerance that they argued even a student would have been disciplined for.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Make that three U.S. Olympic teams Elk Grove will sponsor: track, wrestling, triathlon

Elk Grove Village will be a sponsor for not one but three U.S. teams at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics : track and field , wrestling and triathlon .
Initially Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said the village would award a single $ 100,000 sponsorship to help promote Elk Grove 's massive village business park and `` Makers Wanted '' tagline .
On Thursday , Johnson said the village would give out `` gold , '' `` silver '' and `` bronze '' sponsorship levels , with the silver sponsor receiving $ 50,000 and the bronze receiving $ 25,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the gold .
The track team gets the gold , the wrestling squad won the silver and the triathletes have the bronze .
The six trustees and mayor unanimously selected USA Track & Field for the top sponsorship .
In a slickly produced video , the team promised that if selected the village would be featured in seven commercials on NBC and have the village 's Makers Wanted branding on the infield of one or more of their fields .
In addition , track and field athletes will host a run , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Village community youths and participate in other local events .
`` Even though they are one of the bigger ones , they wanted this , '' Johnson said .
`` They wanted this big time . ''
Five trustees voted for wrestling to receive the silver level sponsorship .
Johnson noted that the Midwest is a major hub for the sport and it has a huge rabid local fan base .
Johnson said the team will host a wrestling clinic for the Elk Grove Village community and name one or more of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the village 's Makers Wanted branding .
Four trustees voted for the triathlon team to receive bronze , and two voted for the diving team .
Twelve teams made proposals for the sponsorships , believed to be the first time a municipality will financially back an Olympic team that operates under a national governing body .
At the special meeting Thursday , the elected village officials watched videos submitted by the teams and chose their three favorite proposals .
The other teams vying for sponsorships were archery , artistic swimming , fencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water polo and weightlifting .
Chicago-based 4FRONT -- the sports marketing agency that brokered the village 's sponsorship of the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl in 2018 and 2019 -- sent requests for proposals to teams last month .
Village officials decided not to renew the $ 300,000 sponsorship for the bowl game earlier this year .
Before the village board watched the 12 Olympic teams ' videos , Johnson said 4FRONT ranked the proposals from the track and wrestling teams as the best of the 12 based on the village 's criteria .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the judo , artistic swimming , triathlon , diving and fencing teams .
`` Some of them were very heartfelt , '' Franke said , noting several of the less funded teams .
`` I wish we had money to give to everyone , but our goal is to get our name out there , and I would have to say that track and field gives us the biggest bang for our dollar . ''
Johnson said the $ 100,000 for the gold level sponsorship would come from a tax increment financing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Busse and Elmhurst roads , where property tax money is funneled into development rather than to local governments .
That money can be used for marketing or infrastructure public improvements .
Johnson said Thursday the $ 75,000 total to fund the silver and bronze level sponsorships will come from the money set aside for the village 's 2020 concert series , which was canceled by the global pandemic .

Make that three U.S. Olympic teams Elk Grove will sponsor: track, wrestling, triathlon
Courtesy of Elk Grove VillageThe village of Elk Grove Village updated its Makers Wanted logo for sponsorships of three U.S. Olympics teams in 2021.
In this Aug. 15, 2019, photo, athletes dive into the water at the start line during a women's triathlon test event at Odaiba Marine Park, a venue for marathon swimming and triathlon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, in Tokyo.
J'Den Michael Tbory Cox of the United States, left, and Alireza Mohammad Karimimachiani of Iran compete at the gold match of the men's 92 kg category during the 2019 Wrestling World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Associated Press
The United States' Robby Andrews, right, runs on the inside of the track as Kenya's Ronald Kwemoi, third left, leads the field in a men's 1500-meter semifinal during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Associated Press
An earlier version of this article did not clarify that Elk Grove Village is sponsoring the national governing bodies of each of the three teams, as opposed to the teams themselves.
Elk Grove Village will be a sponsor for not one but three U.S. teams at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics: track and field, wrestling and triathlon.
Initially Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said the village would award a single $100,000 sponsorship to help promote Elk Grove's massive village business park and "Makers Wanted" tagline. On Thursday, Johnson said the village would give out "gold," "silver" and "bronze" sponsorship levels, with the silver sponsor receiving $50,000 and the bronze receiving $25,000, on top of the $100,000 for the gold.
The track team gets the gold, the wrestling squad won the silver and the triathletes have the bronze.
The six trustees and mayor unanimously selected USA Track & Field for the top sponsorship. In a slickly produced video, the team promised that if selected the village would be featured in seven commercials on NBC and have the village's Makers Wanted branding on the infield of one or more of their fields.
In addition, track and field athletes will host a run, throw and jump event with Elk Grove Village community youths and participate in other local events.
"Even though they are one of the bigger ones, they wanted this," Johnson said. "They wanted this big time."
Five trustees voted for wrestling to receive the silver level sponsorship. Johnson noted that the Midwest is a major hub for the sport and it has a huge rabid local fan base.
Johnson said the team will host a wrestling clinic for the Elk Grove Village community and name one or more of their training camps leading up to the Olympics after the village's Makers Wanted branding.
Four trustees voted for the triathlon team to receive bronze, and two voted for the diving team.
National governing bodies for 12 teams made proposals for the sponsorships, believed to be the first time a municipality will financially back an Olympic team that operates under a national governing body. At the special meeting Thursday, the elected village officials watched videos submitted by the teams and chose their three favorite proposals.
The other teams vying for sponsorships were archery, artistic swimming, fencing, judo, sailing, softball, water polo and weightlifting.
Chicago-based 4FRONT -- the sports marketing agency that brokered the village's sponsorship of the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl in 2018 and 2019 -- sent requests for proposals to the teams' national governing bodies last month. Village officials decided not to renew the $300,000 sponsorship for the bowl game earlier this year.
Before the village board watched the 12 Olympic teams' videos, Johnson said 4FRONT ranked the proposals from the track and wrestling teams as the best of the 12 based on the village's criteria. Johnson said the second highest ratings went to the judo, artistic swimming, triathlon, diving and fencing teams.
Trustee Jeff Franke said every team submitted a fantastic proposal.
"Some of them were very heartfelt," Franke said, noting several of the less funded teams. "I wish we had money to give to everyone, but our goal is to get our name out there, and I would have to say that track and field gives us the biggest bang for our dollar."
Johnson said the $100,000 for the gold level sponsorship would come from a tax increment financing fund for the business park area around Busse and Elmhurst roads, where property tax money is funneled into development rather than to local governments. That money can be used for marketing or infrastructure public improvements.
Johnson said Thursday the $75,000 total to fund the silver and bronze level sponsorships will come from the money set aside for the village's 2020 concert series, which was canceled by the global pandemic.
Officials from 4FRONT clarified Friday that Elk Grove Village is sponsoring the the national governing bodies of each of the three teams, as opposed to the teams themselves.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Black Lives Matter demonstrators call out Dist. 211

Carrying signs with such messages as `` Eyes Wide Open , '' `` Color is Not a Crime '' and @ @ @ @ @ '' about 75 people participated in a Black Lives Matter rally Thursday near the grounds @ @ @ @ @ .
As police watched from the steps of the school , Palatine resident Tim McGowan @ @ @ @ @ 211 Community for Justice hoped to achieve .
`` We 've been going back and @ @ @ @ @ for maybe the last month and a half in regards to diversifying the hiring practices @ @ @ @ @ ( requiring ) anti-bias and anti-racist training for all District 211 staff , '' he @ @ @ @ @ has been our list of demands , or things that need to be implemented to @ @ @ @ @ for all students inside the schools . ''

Black Lives Matter demonstrators call out Dist. 211
Carrying signs with such messages as "Eyes Wide Open," "Color is Not a Crime" and "Defund the Police," about 75 people participated in a Black Lives Matter rally Thursday near the grounds of Hoffman Estates High School.
As police watched from the steps of the school, Palatine resident Tim McGowan explained what the group District 211 Community for Justice hoped to achieve.
"We've been going back and forth with the school board for maybe the last month and a half in regards to diversifying the hiring practices, diversifying the curriculum and (requiring) anti-bias and anti-racist training for all District 211 staff," he said.
"That essentially has been our list of demands, or things that need to be implemented to better the quality of life for all students inside the schools."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-17--'Must now be responsible for his death': Cunningham gets 35 years for murdering AJ Freund, her son

After months of denying beating and killing her 5-year-old son , JoAnn Cunningham sat motionless as a judge sentenced her to 35 years in prison for AJ Freund 's murder .
The sentence came as a disappointment to the McHenry County state 's attorney Office , which asked the judge to issue the maximum 60-year sentence .
The Crystal Lake mother , 37 , who had pleaded guilty to murder in December , must serve the full 35-year prison term .
`` Miss Cunningham was responsible for that life and must now be responsible for his death , '' McHenry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed no reaction when Wilbrandt announced her sentence for causing AJ 's death on April 15 , 2019 .
Some family members hung their heads and cried silently from the seats directly behind Cunningham .
In a prepared statement issued by the family 's attorney after court Friday , the family said they were saddened by the judge 's ruling .
`` We know that whatever the punishment , it will not ease the loss and pain we feel .
AJ was an innocent , precious little boy whose life was taken from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now know , was much pain and suffering , '' the statement read .
`` We had expected JoAnn would pay for that by spending her natural life in prison . ''
The judge noted that he was aware that as part of her plea that particular language `` exceptional cruelty or heinous behavior indicative of a wanton cruelty '' was removed .
He noted , though , that she `` repeatedly struck her son on the head with a metal shower ( head ) , '' took him out of the shower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he died alone .
`` It was a horrible death preceded by a horrible life , '' Wilbrandt said .
Upon release from prison , she will serve at least three years of mandatory supervised release and be required to register as a violent offender against youth .
AJ 's father , Andrew Freund Sr. , also faces murder charges tied to the boy 's death and the false missing person report he is accused of filing days after the boy 's death .
During a seven-hour hearing on Thursday , prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse AJ endured at the hands of his parents .
In his decision , Wilbrandt said the court considered Cunningham 's tough childhood and loss of her brother , who killed himself in 2001 .
He also addressed her `` long and sordid history of drug abuse '' that worsened her mental health issues .
She has been addicted to heroin , Adderall and a number of other substances for many years , he said .
He further noted her son was born with heroin in his system , and though she sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' that treatment was not successful .
He said she lived `` drug-filled , lying , cheating and manipulating her way through life while terrorizing her small son . ''
Cunningham grew tearful each time she heard audio clips where she berated AJ , whose own voice was careful and timid as the 5-year-old attempted to stand up for himself .
For months , Cunningham denied any involvement in AJ 's death and publicly pleaded for him to return home .
`` There 's so many creeps out there .
Oh my God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police interview that was played in court Thursday .
`` He 's probably so scared . ''
Throughout the day Thursday , prosecutors showed photographs of Cunningham and Freund 's dilapidated home , which Crystal Lake police officers described as `` filthy '' and filled with garbage .
Photographs of AJ 's bedroom offered a glimpse at the living conditions within the home , which has since been demolished .
White letters spelling out `` love '' adorned the door frame inside AJ 's teal-walled bedroom , where he slept in a modified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ninja Turtle curtains , chipped and peeling paint , and a dirty potty training seat .
Officers testified to seeing a pile of soiled diapers , padlocks outside the bedroom and closet doors , and nails and hooks holding the boy 's windows shut .
Members of AJ 's family listened in apparent disbelief Thursday as prosecutors played video and audio recordings of Cunningham screaming at AJ in the months leading up to his death .
When it came time for Cunningham to read a handwritten statement on her own behalf , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical , emotional and sexual abuse she experienced throughout her life .
Motherhood and her children were God 's `` greatest gift '' to her , she said .
`` My heart belongs entirely to them .
All of my children are sacred , most precious treasures , '' Cunningham said .
`` I miss all of them so much words can not describe it . ''

'Must now be responsible for his death': Cunningham gets 35 years for murdering AJ Freund, her son
After months of denying beating and killing her 5-year-old son, JoAnn Cunningham sat motionless as a judge sentenced her to 35 years in prison for AJ Freund's murder.
The sentence came as a disappointment to the McHenry County state's attorney Office, which asked the judge to issue the maximum 60-year sentence.
The Crystal Lake mother, 37, who had pleaded guilty to murder in December, must serve the full 35-year prison term.
"Miss Cunningham was responsible for that life and must now be responsible for his death," McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt said.
Cunningham showed no reaction when Wilbrandt announced her sentence for causing AJ's death on April 15, 2019. Some family members hung their heads and cried silently from the seats directly behind Cunningham. In a prepared statement issued by the family's attorney after court Friday, the family said they were saddened by the judge's ruling.
"We know that whatever the punishment, it will not ease the loss and pain we feel. AJ was an innocent, precious little boy whose life was taken from him after he endured, what we now know, was much pain and suffering," the statement read. "We had expected JoAnn would pay for that by spending her natural life in prison."
The judge noted that he was aware that as part of her plea that particular language "exceptional cruelty or heinous behavior indicative of a wanton cruelty" was removed.
He noted, though, that she "repeatedly struck her son on the head with a metal shower (head)," took him out of the shower and locked him in his bedroom, where he died alone.
"It was a horrible death preceded by a horrible life," Wilbrandt said.
Upon release from prison, she will serve at least three years of mandatory supervised release and be required to register as a violent offender against youth.
AJ's father, Andrew Freund Sr., also faces murder charges tied to the boy's death and the false missing person report he is accused of filing days after the boy's death.
During a seven-hour hearing on Thursday, prosecutors presented graphic photos and videos of the abuse AJ endured at the hands of his parents.
In his decision, Wilbrandt said the court considered Cunningham's tough childhood and loss of her brother, who killed himself in 2001. He also addressed her "long and sordid history of drug abuse" that worsened her mental health issues.
She has been addicted to heroin, Adderall and a number of other substances for many years, he said.
He further noted her son was born with heroin in his system, and though she sought treatment "a number of times," that treatment was not successful.
He said she lived "drug-filled, lying, cheating and manipulating her way through life while terrorizing her small son."
Cunningham grew tearful each time she heard audio clips where she berated AJ, whose own voice was careful and timid as the 5-year-old attempted to stand up for himself.
For months, Cunningham denied any involvement in AJ's death and publicly pleaded for him to return home.
"There's so many creeps out there. Oh my God," Cunningham said during a recorded police interview that was played in court Thursday. "He's probably so scared."
Throughout the day Thursday, prosecutors showed photographs of Cunningham and Freund's dilapidated home, which Crystal Lake police officers described as "filthy" and filled with garbage. Photographs of AJ's bedroom offered a glimpse at the living conditions within the home, which has since been demolished.
White letters spelling out "love" adorned the door frame inside AJ's teal-walled bedroom, where he slept in a modified crib. Snapshots of the room showed Ninja Turtle curtains, chipped and peeling paint, and a dirty potty training seat. Officers testified to seeing a pile of soiled diapers, padlocks outside the bedroom and closet doors, and nails and hooks holding the boy's windows shut.
"I had sensory overload," Crystal Lake police officer Brian Burr testified Thursday.
Members of AJ's family listened in apparent disbelief Thursday as prosecutors played video and audio recordings of Cunningham screaming at AJ in the months leading up to his death.
When it came time for Cunningham to read a handwritten statement on her own behalf, the mother of four spoke about the alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse she experienced throughout her life.
Motherhood and her children were God's "greatest gift" to her, she said.
"My heart belongs entirely to them. All of my children are sacred, most precious treasures," Cunningham said. "I miss all of them so much words cannot describe it."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-17--35-year sentence 'isn't justice for AJ,' boy's family, supporters say

JoAnn Cunningham 's 35-year sentence Friday for beating her 5-year old son , AJ Freund , to death in their Crystal Lake home disappointed those who have closely followed the case and advocated for changes in the child welfare system .
`` Mad .
Hurt , '' said Tracy Kotzman , who founded the ROAR for AJ group .
She and a small corps of supporters have spent hours in silent demonstration outside the McHenry County courthouse during proceedings involving Cunningham or AJ 's father , Andrew Freund Sr .
They were there Friday for Cunningham 's sentencing by Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it 's enough , '' Kotzman added .
`` So many people knew and could have done something but they did n't .
This is n't justice for AJ . ''
Jeff Berggren , a ROAR member and father of two from Huntley , said Cunningham should have received a life sentence .
`` What she did to this little boy -- everybody should be outraged .
I was disappointed , '' he said .
AJ 's family members , through attorney Peter J .
Flowers , said they were `` disappointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had expected Cunningham , 37 , to pay for what AJ endured by spending her natural life in prison .
Others had become personally invested in the life and death of a boy they never met .
`` I was hopeful for 60 years but was thinking along the lines of 45 , '' said ROAR member Rosa Mallette .
`` When he ( Wilbrandt ) said 35 , it hit hard . ''
AJ 's battered body , which had been wrapped in garbage bags , was recovered April 24 , 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woodstock , six days after he was reported missing .
For eight months , Cunningham asserted her innocence .
On Dec. 5 , she pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and signed an 11-page document that outlined the excruciating last day of AJ 's life .
She was facing 20 to 60 years as prosecutors Thursday presented often-disturbing evidence and testimony as to why Cunningham should get the maximum .
At the end of the daylong proceeding , a sobbing Cunningham spoke in her own defense .
She said mental and physical abuse in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the pain away .
`` As much as I deserve punishment , I believe I deserve help , '' she told Wilbrandt on Thursday .
`` I would give my life to have AJ back .
This is something I will never escape from . ''
Crystal Lake resident Randy Funk , who was one of the onlookers in early March when the Freund home at 94 Dole Ave. was demolished , said he was disappointed in the sentence .
`` He ( Wilbrandt ) did n't even go halfway , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who knew Freund Sr. in high school and is part of a group that has been raising money to help AJ 's siblings .
`` Thirty-five years was an insult to the community and the police , '' he said .
Tracy Calhoun and some friends organized a vigil at Main Beach in Crystal Lake when AJ was still missing and founded Ribbons for AJ .
Royal blue ribbons became a ubiquitous community rallying symbol .
`` AJ 's life is worth a lot more than that .
It 's a grave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35-year sentence .
`` I understand she had a hard life , '' Calhoun said of Cunningham .
`` I do n't think that justifies killing her son . ''
Kotzman said the group will be there for Freund Sr. 's proceedings .
He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial .
Kotzman and others also plan to keep pushing for change within the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services , which she said was `` deliberately indifferent '' to AJ 's circumstances .

35-year sentence 'isn't justice for AJ,' boy's family, supporters say
JoAnn Cunningham's 35-year sentence Friday for beating her 5-year old son, AJ Freund, to death in their Crystal Lake home disappointed those who have closely followed the case and advocated for changes in the child welfare system.
"Mad. Hurt," said Tracy Kotzman, who founded the ROAR for AJ group. She and a small corps of supporters have spent hours in silent demonstration outside the McHenry County courthouse during proceedings involving Cunningham or AJ's father, Andrew Freund Sr.
They were there Friday for Cunningham's sentencing by Judge Robert Wilbrandt.
"I don't think it's enough," Kotzman said. "So many people knew and could have done something, but they didn't. This isn't justice for AJ."
Jeff Berggren, a ROAR member and father of two from Huntley, said Cunningham should have received a life sentence.
"What she did to this little boy -- everybody should be outraged. I was disappointed," he said.
AJ's family members, through attorney Peter J. Flowers, said they were "disappointed and saddened" by the ruling and had expected Cunningham, 37, to pay for what AJ endured by spending her natural life in prison.
Others had become personally invested in the life and death of a boy they never met.
"I was hopeful for 60 years but was thinking along the lines of 45," said ROAR member Rosa Mallette. "When he (Wilbrandt) said 35, it hit hard."
AJ's battered body, which had been wrapped in garbage bags, was recovered April 24, 2019, from a shallow grave in rural Woodstock, six days after he was reported missing.
For eight months, Cunningham asserted her innocence. On Dec. 5, she pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and signed an 11-page document that outlined the excruciating last day of AJ's life. She was facing 20 to 60 years as prosecutors Thursday presented often disturbing evidence and testimony as to why Cunningham should get the maximum.
At the end of the daylong proceeding, a sobbing Cunningham spoke in her own defense. She said mental and physical abuse in her life led her to drugs to take the pain away.
"As much as I deserve punishment, I believe I deserve help," she told Wilbrandt on Thursday. "I would give my life to have AJ back. This is something I will never escape from."
Crystal Lake resident Randy Funk, who was one of the onlookers in early March when the Freund home at 94 Dole Ave. was demolished, said he was disappointed in the sentence.
"He (Wilbrandt) didn't even go halfway" in the sentencing range, said Funk, who knew Freund Sr. in high school and is part of a group that has been raising money to help AJ's siblings.
"Thirty-five years was an insult to the community and the police," he said.
Tracy Calhoun and some friends organized a vigil at Main Beach in Crystal Lake when AJ was still missing and founded Ribbons for AJ. Royal blue ribbons became a ubiquitous community rallying symbol.
"AJ's life is worth a lot more than that. It's a grave injustice," she said of the 35-year sentence.
"I understand she had a hard life," Calhoun said of Cunningham. "I don't think that justifies killing her son."
Kotzman said the group will be there for Freund Sr.'s proceedings. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
Kotzman and others also plan to keep pushing for change within the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which she said was "deliberately indifferent" to AJ's circumstances.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-17--State issues warning to 4 suburban counties after 1,384 new COVID-19 cases reported Friday

The state reported 1,384 new cases of COVID-19 Friday , the highest tally since June 2 , and 22 more people died from the disease as the state also issued health alerts to four counties in the suburbs .
Suburban Cook , Kendall , Lake and Will counties each received a warning from the Illinois Department of Public Health because the number of COVID-19 cases surpassed the targeted level of fewer than 50 per 100,000 people .
Cook recorded 54 cases per 100,000 , Kendall 52 , Lake 60 , and Will 51 , from July 5 through July 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public and help people make decisions to protect themselves , the agency says .
Cook County , following the lead of Chicago , on Friday directed travelers entering or returning to suburban Cook County from states with high COVID-19 counts to quarantine for 14 days .
County public health officials exempted essential workers and those traveling for medical care or parental custody .
The `` emergency travel guidance '' comes with no enforcement mechanisms but with a warning that surging cases could lead to `` closing places we 've only just reopened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will be updated every Tuesday , include neighboring Iowa as well as Alabama , Arkansas , Arizona , California , Florida , Georgia , Idaho , Louisiana , Mississippi , North Carolina , Nevada , Oklahoma , South Carolina , Tennessee , Texas and Utah .
An infectious disease specialist flagged trends in suburban COVID-19 patients returning from virus hot spots like Florida , Georgia and Texas , and warned Illinoisans to avoid those locations .
A number of COVID-19 hospitalizations are `` being driven by travel , and if that occurs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to community spread '' in Illinois , said Dr. Jonathan Pinsky , Edward Hospital medical director of infection control and prevention .
The IDPH reported a seven-day positivity test rate Friday of 3 % , a slight dip from Thursday 's 3.1 % result .
The total case count statewide now stands at 159,334 with 7,272 deaths .
This week , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker redrew boundaries for monitoring COVID-19 conditions , expanding from four to 11 regions that separates the suburbs from Chicago and divides them into suburban Cook , DuPage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kendall and Will counties .
If health metrics raise alarms , the state can restrict activities by region to reduce the spread of the virus .
Triggers for interventions include a sustained increase in the positivity rate for COVID-19 tests based on a seven-day rolling average ( for seven out of 10 days ) plus a seven-day hike in hospital admissions for related symptoms or a reduction in ICU and hospital bed capacity of 20 % or higher .
Another cause would be three consecutive days with 8 % or higher rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state 's COVID-19 testing average has hovered around 3 % since July 10 ; Friday 's daily rate is about 3.2 % .
Weekly county data shows test rates as follows : Cook at 4.3 % , DuPage at 3.8 % , Kane at 4.2 % , Kendall at 4.4 % , Lake at 3.4 % , McHenry at 5.2 % , and Will at 4.3 % .
All but Kendall are seeing some increases in hospitalizations but not by enough to cause an alert status , and all seven report a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an event Friday , Pritzker was asked why he preemptively filed a lawsuit Thursday to ensure schoolchildren wear face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus when schools reopen .
`` We 've got to make sure that school districts follow the rules that we set out -- that is a mandatory thing , wearing a mask , '' Pritzker said .

State issues warning to 4 suburban counties after 1,384 new COVID-19 cases reported Friday
The state reported 1,384 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, the highest tally since June 2, and 22 more people died from the disease as the state also issued health alerts to four counties in the suburbs.
Suburban Cook, Kendall, Lake and Will counties each received a warning from the Illinois Department of Public Health because the number of COVID-19 cases surpassed the targeted level of fewer than 50 per 100,000 people.
Cook recorded 54 cases per 100,000, Kendall 52, Lake 60, and Will 51, from July 5 through July 11. The warnings are intended to inform the public and help people make decisions to protect themselves, the agency says.
Cook County, following the lead of Chicago, on Friday directed travelers entering or returning to suburban Cook County from states with high COVID-19 counts to quarantine for 14 days. County public health officials exempted essential workers and those traveling for medical care or parental custody.
The "emergency travel guidance" comes with no enforcement mechanisms but with a warning that surging cases could lead to "closing places we've only just reopened."
The list of states, which will be updated every Tuesday, include neighboring Iowa as well as Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
An infectious disease specialist flagged trends in suburban COVID-19 patients returning from virus hot spots like Florida, Georgia and Texas, and warned Illinoisans to avoid those locations.
A number of COVID-19 hospitalizations are "being driven by travel, and if that occurs it can have a downstream effect and lead to community spread" in Illinois, said Dr. Jonathan Pinsky, Edward Hospital medical director of infection control and prevention.
The IDPH reported a seven-day positivity test rate Friday of 3%, a slight dip from Thursday's 3.1% result.
The total case count statewide now stands at 159,334 with 7,272 deaths.
This week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker redrew boundaries for monitoring COVID-19 conditions, expanding from four to 11 regions that separates the suburbs from Chicago and divides them into suburban Cook, DuPage and Kane, Lake and McHenry, and Kendall and Will counties.
If health metrics raise alarms, the state can restrict activities by region to reduce the spread of the virus.
Triggers for interventions include a sustained increase in the positivity rate for COVID-19 tests based on a seven-day rolling average (for seven out of 10 days) plus a seven-day hike in hospital admissions for related symptoms or a reduction in ICU and hospital bed capacity of 20% or higher.
Another cause would be three consecutive days with 8% or higher rates of positive results on COVID-19 tests.
The state's COVID-19 testing average has hovered around 3% since July 10; Friday's daily rate is about 3.2%.
Weekly county data shows test rates as follows: Cook at 4.3%, DuPage at 3.8%, Kane at 4.2%, Kendall at 4.4%, Lake at 3.4%, McHenry at 5.2%, and Will at 4.3%.
All but Kendall are seeing some increases in hospitalizations but not by enough to cause an alert status, and all seven report a bed capacity of 37.9%.
At an event Friday, Pritzker was asked why he preemptively filed a lawsuit Thursday to ensure schoolchildren wear face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus when schools reopen.
"We've got to make sure that school districts follow the rules that we set out -- that is a mandatory thing, wearing a mask," Pritzker said.
• Daily Herald staff writer Robert Sanchez contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-17--District 214 solicits feedback, says its reopening plan is still taking shape

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 officials and teachers union leaders say a draft reopening plan announced this week should not be considered final for the 2020-21 academic year .
As proposed , the reopening would align with public health guidance to meet the needs and expectations of families , District 214 Superintendent David Schuler said .
He said the early summary released Thursday night was formed after receiving insight and ideas from students and parents over the past six to eight weeks .
The 2020-21 fall semester would offer in-person classes for all teenagers whose families are comfortable sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Students also would be allowed to take classes remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic , with parents possibly getting to choose between the two options daily .
Schuler said the plan is being developed with input from the Illinois Department of Public Health , Illinois State Board of Education and other entities to ensure the safety of students and staff , along with quality learning .
There is no timetable for when the final plan will be released .
`` In addition to union members , we are asking parents and others to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Our staff , rightfully so , have expressed concerns around their safety and the plan 's details , which are forthcoming .
We have received a variety of responses from parents and students . ''
Mixed opinions were received during the district 's planning process about whether students should return to school every day .
Some called for new content and accountability for students -- along with allotting more planning and preparation time for instructors -- in a remote learning setting , Schuler said .
Nichole Anderson , vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reopening plan in a letter to union members .
The association is part of Northwest Suburban Teachers Union Local 1211 and represents about 860 certified instructors , counselors , nurses , specialists and non-classroom personnel .
Anderson encouraged members to provide input via an online form that can be reviewed by union officials and district administrators because `` many components of the plan have not been finalized , '' including `` decisions on the health , safety and wellness of the entire school community . ''
`` The plan is very fluid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` and both the district and the ( union ) acknowledge we may need to make adjustments that include reducing capacity in the building , a blended/hybrid model or full remote learning based on community spread or other health concerns . ''
What 's known as a block schedule might be used to begin the school season .
That means students would attend four extended classes each day instead of eight classes of 48 minutes each in an effort to limit movement in buildings , with the day starting at 8:45 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ juniors and seniors would be able to leave campus in the first semester if they do n't have class -- similar to a college setting -- provided they have permission from parents or guardians and are meeting academic targets .
To ensure not more than 50 people are in a space , tentative plans call for multiple food pickup locations throughout each school and several locations where students can eat .
The teens would be able to purchase one of two different prepackaged meals each day .
Schuler said the district knew going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-size-fits all approach to the reopening plan .
`` We believe our plan is in the best interest of our families , allowing flexibility and choice , '' he said .
`` By not having all students in school every day , we will be able to create classrooms with fewer desks and tables , and have them separated for distancing purposes to protect students and staff .
`` We have even gone so far as to ensure programs like our nationally recognized internship program continues , but in this case on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning experiences by working through problems of practice with individuals and companies remotely , '' he said .
Teachers will report for professional development days on Aug. 12 and 13 , and freshman orientation will occur Aug. 14 .
Classes for sophomores , juniors and seniors will begin Aug. 17 .

District 214 solicits feedback, says its reopening plan is still taking shape
Northwest Suburban High School District 214 officials and teachers union leaders say a draft reopening plan announced this week should not be considered final for the 2020-21 academic year.
As proposed, the reopening would align with public health guidance to meet the needs and expectations of families, District 214 Superintendent David Schuler said. He said the early summary released Thursday night was formed after receiving insight and ideas from students and parents over the past six to eight weeks.
The 2020-21 fall semester would offer in-person classes for all teenagers whose families are comfortable sending them to school five days a week. Students also would be allowed to take classes remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, with parents possibly getting to choose between the two options daily.
Schuler said the plan is being developed with input from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois State Board of Education and other entities to ensure the safety of the students and staff, along with quality learning. There is no timetable for when the final plan will be released.
"In addition to union members, we are asking parents and others to provide feedback as well," he said. "Our staff, rightfully so, have expressed concerns around their safety and the plan's details, which are forthcoming. We have received a variety of responses from parents and students."
Mixed opinions were received during the district's planning process about whether students should return to school every day. Some called for new content and accountability for students -- along with allotting more planning and preparation time for instructors -- in a remote learning setting, Schuler said.
Nichole Anderson, vice president of the 214 Education Association, addressed the reopening plan in a letter to union members. The association is part of Northwest Suburban Teachers Union Local 1211 and represents about 860 certified instructors, counselors, nurses, specialists and non-classroom personnel.
Anderson encouraged members to provide input via an online form that can be reviewed by union officials and district administrators because "many components of the plan have not been finalized," including "decisions on the health, safety and wellness of the entire school community."
"The plan is very fluid at this point," Anderson wrote, "and both the district and the (union) acknowledge we may need to make adjustments that include reducing capacity in the building, a blended/hybrid model or full remote learning based on community spread or other health concerns."
What's known as a block schedule might be used to begin the school season. That means students would attend four extended classes each day instead of eight classes of 48 minutes each in an effort to limit movement in buildings, with the day starting at 8:45 a.m. and ending at 3:25 p.m.
Sophomores, juniors and seniors would be able to leave campus in the first semester if they don't have class -- similar to a college setting -- provided they have permission from parents or guardians and are meeting academic targets.
To ensure not more than 50 people are in a space, tentative plans call for multiple food pickup locations throughout each school and several locations where students can eat. The teens would be able to purchase one of two different prepackaged meals each day.
Schuler said the district knew going in that there could not be a one-size-fits-all approach to the reopening plan.
"We believe our plan is in the best interest of our families, allowing flexibility and choice," he said. "By not having all students in school every day, we will be able to create classrooms with fewer desks and tables, and have them separated for distancing purposes to protect students and staff.
"We have even gone so far as to ensure programs like our nationally recognized internship program continues, but in this case on a virtual basis, with students gaining workplace learning experiences by working through problems of practice with individuals and companies remotely," he said.
Teachers will report for professional development days on Aug. 12 and 13, and freshman orientation will occur Aug. 14. Classes for sophomores, juniors and seniors will begin Aug. 17.