dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-25--Morris, Roldan to miss US exhibition against Costa Rica

CHICAGO -- Forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldan will miss the United States ' exhibition against Costa Rica on @ @ @ @ @ to preseason with Major League Soccer 's Seattle Sounders .
The U.S. Soccer Federation also @ @ @ @ @ Marcinkowski will report to the San Jose Earthquakes .
Twenty-two players remain with the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ Carson , California , including 12 who have never played for the national team .
@ @ @ @ @ than 10 international appearances : defenders Aaron Long and Walker Zimmerman , midfielder Sebastian Lletget @ @ @ @ @ Gyasi Zardes .
Midfielder Paxton Pomykal returned to Dallas on Jan. 16 to continue rehabilitation @ @ @ @ @ Most of the roster comes from Major League Soccer .
The full player pool will @ @ @ @ @ the Netherlands on March 26 and at Wales at March 30 .
The U.S. is @ @ @ @ @ League semifinal against Honduras in June and the start of World Cup qualifying in September @

Morris, Roldan to miss US exhibition against Costa Rica
Goalkeepers Matt Turner, center, JT Marcinkowski, second from right, and Sean Johnson, right, of the U.S. Men's National Soccer team, train Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. The team moved its training camp from Qatar to Florida in the wake of Iran's top military commander being killed during a U.S. airstrike in the Middle East. Associated Press
Paul Arriola, center, a forward on the U.S. Men's National Soccer team, kicks the ball during a scrimmage Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. The team moved its training camp from Qatar to Florida in the wake of Iran's top military commander being killed during a U.S. airstrike in the Middle East. Associated Press
Gyasi Zardes, a forward on the U.S. Men's National Soccer team, plays the ball during drills Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. The team moved its training camp from Qatar to Florida in the wake of Iran's top military commander being killed during a U.S. airstrike in the Middle East. Associated Press
Sean Johnson, a goalkeeper on the U.S. National Men's Soccer team, makes save Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. The team moved its training camp from Qatar to Florida in the wake of Iran's top military commander being killed during a U.S. airstrike in the Middle East. Associated Press
U.S. men's national team soccer players, including Paxton Pomykal, second from left, and Paul Arriola, second from right, team run through drills during training, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. The team moved its training camp from Qatar to Florida in the wake of Iran's top military commander being killed during a U.S. airstrike in the Middle East. Associated Press
Gregg Berhalter, right, head coach of the U.S. Men's National Soccer team, instructs some of his players during drills Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. The team moved its training camp from Qatar to Florida in the wake of Iran's top military commander being killed during a U.S. airstrike in the Middle East. Associated Press
CHICAGO -- Forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldan will miss the United States' exhibition against Costa Rica on Feb. 1 and will report to preseason with Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders.
The U.S. Soccer Federation also said Saturday that goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski will report to the San Jose Earthquakes.
Twenty-two players remain with the U.S. ahead of the match at Carson, California, including 12 who have never played for the national team.
Just five players have more than 10 international appearances: defenders Aaron Long and Walker Zimmerman, midfielder Sebastian Lletget and forwards Paul Arriola and Gyasi Zardes.
Midfielder Paxton Pomykal returned to Dallas on Jan. 16 to continue rehabilitation from offseason groin surgery.
Most of the roster comes from Major League Soccer. The full player pool will be available for exhibitions at the Netherlands on March 26 and at Wales at March 30.
The U.S. is preparing for a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Honduras in June and the start of World Cup qualifying in September.
The revised roster:
Goalkeepers: Sean Johnson (New York City), Bill Hamid (D.C.), Matt Turner (New England)
Defenders: Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy), Reggie Cannon (Dallas), Chase Gasper (Minnesota), Justen Glad (Salt Lake), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia), Sam Vines (Colorado), Walker Zimmerman (LA)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia), Christian Cappis (Hobro, Denmark), Bryang Kayo (no team), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Brandon Servania (Dallas), Jackson Yueill (San Jose)
Forwards: Paul Arriola (D.C.), Jesus Ferreira (Dallas), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado), Ulysses Llanez (Wolfsburg, Germany), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus)
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-25--High school classmate kills state trooper in Lisle, wounds 2 more, kills self

A 51-year-old woman shot and killed one retired state police officer and wounded two other troopers before taking her own life Friday night in a Lisle cigar lounge , police said .
Retired Trooper Gregory Rieves , 51 , died after Lisa V. McMullan of Chicago suddenly pulled out a gun inside a room of the lounge and shot the three others at close range , Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said at a Saturday morning news conference .
Off-duty Trooper Kaiton Bullock , 48 , who has been with the force 22 years and is assigned to District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable condition .
Retired Special Agent Lloyd Graham , 55 , suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized and stable , officials said .
`` Obviously for the men and women who serve in the Illinois State Police , it 's part and parcel of their job to have to deal with crime , violence and difficult circumstances on a regular basis , '' said Kelly , at the press briefing from the DuPage County coroner 's office .
`` It is not always expected that while they 're off duty that they may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Kelly , flanked by DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen and DuPage County State 's Attorney Bob Berlin , addressed news of the retired trooper 's death `` with much sadness and a heavy heart , '' he said .
Rieves retired in March 2019 after a 25-year career with state police .
`` I think he 's someone who was well-loved by all those who worked with him , '' Kelly said .
`` He was known to be a great personality and many people thought very fondly of him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham and Bullock -- who are recovering at local hospitals with their loved ones -- in their prayers .
Lisle police officers responded about 10:13 p.m. to the Humidor of Lisle , 1600 Ogden Ave. , for a report of a shooting in progress .
They arrived one minute later .
Responding officers found the woman dead at the scene and later identified her as McMullan , of Chicago 's Hyde Park neighborhood .
She has no known criminal history and no known local contacts with Lisle police .
McMullan and the slain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Proviso East in Maywood , in the 1980s .
`` They have also been known to frequent the humidor cigar lounge at the same time , '' police said in a statement Saturday night .
`` But we have not determined if their relationship was more than just acquaintances . ''
McMullan had a valid Firearm Owners Identification card and a concealed carry license through the Illinois State Police .
A total of seven bullets were recovered by police , including the one McMullan used to take her life .
The three victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Downers Grove and Edward Hospital in Naperville .
Rieves died in the hospital .
Police said they would not interview the surviving victims until at least Monday to allow them to recover and rest from their surgeries .
`` At that time any connection between the suspect and the victims will be looked into , '' police said in the statement .
Earlier Saturday , acting Lisle Police Chief Ron Wilke said the shooter knew the victims , but investigators were not yet sure of the extent of their relationship .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motive , but we can not provide one as of yet , '' Wilke said in an email .
The shooting was captured on a surveillance video and was reviewed by officers at the scene .
It shows several people seated in a media room watching a big-screen television .
Without apparent provocation , a woman seated in a chair behind the victims stands up , draws a handgun and shoots the first male victim in the back of the head , police said in a news release .
She then fires several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before fatally shooting herself in the head .
The shooting was contained to a single room within the building and no other people were injured or involved , police said .
`` We look at all our customers as family and we ask you to pray for the victim and the speedy healing of the injured , '' a Humidor Facebook post stated .
Several area police departments assisted with the response and investigation , including the DuPage Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team , the DuPage County state 's attorney 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` The quick thinking , decisive action by Lisle PD Officers and all responding personnel in this case is to be commended , '' Lisle police said in the Saturday night statement .
`` They acted without regard for their own safety , and entered a chaotic and dangerous scene not knowing what they were going to encounter .
Their courage is to be applauded !
`` Our hearts are heavy for the loss and injuries to our ISP colleagues , and they remain in our thoughts as we conduct this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Saturday night that she learned about the shooting at the airport after returning from an overseas trip .
`` It hurts my heart to have to address this act of senseless violence , '' she said in an emailed statement .
`` My husband and I are regulars at that lounge .
... My heart and thoughts are in Lisle with the families of the victims of this senseless crime . ''
The cigar lounge will remain closed Sunday , but a group of its regular patrons will hold a vigil for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Sun-Times reported .
• Daily Herald staff writers James Kane and Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report .

Woman fatally shoots state trooper in Lisle cigar lounge, wounds 2 more, kills self
Editor's note: This story has been changed to include new information Sunday from acting Lisle Police Chief Ron Wilke that police have learned McMullan and the slain trooper did not attend the same high school in the 1980s, as authorities originally reported.
A 51-year-old woman shot and killed one retired state police officer and wounded two other troopers before taking her own life Friday night in a Lisle cigar lounge, police said.
Retired Trooper Gregory Rieves, 51, died after Lisa V. McMullan of Chicago suddenly pulled out a gun inside a room of the lounge and shot the three others at close range, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said at a Saturday morning news conference.
Retired Illinois State Police Trooper Gregory Rieves, 51, was killed in the shooting at a Lisle cigar lounge Friday night. - Courtesy of Illinois State Police
Off-duty Trooper Kaiton Bullock, 48, who has been with the force 22 years and is assigned to District Chicago, is hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Retired Special Agent Lloyd Graham, 55, suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized and stable, officials said.
"Obviously for the men and women who serve in the Illinois State Police, it's part and parcel of their job to have to deal with crime, violence and difficult circumstances on a regular basis," said Kelly, at the press briefing from the DuPage County coroner's office. "It is not always expected that while they're off duty that they may have to face that type of violence."
Kelly, flanked by DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen and DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin, addressed news of the retired trooper's death "with much sadness and a heavy heart," he said.
Rieves retired in March 2019 after a 25-year career with state police.
"I think he's someone who was well-loved by all those who worked with him," Kelly said. "He was known to be a great personality and many people thought very fondly of him."
Kelly asked the public to keep Graham and Bullock -- who are recovering at local hospitals with their loved ones -- in their prayers.
Lisle police officers responded about 10:13 p.m. to the Humidor of Lisle, 1600 Ogden Ave., for a report of a shooting in progress. They arrived one minute later.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer A retired state police officer was killed and two others wounded in a shooting Friday night in a Lisle cigar lounge, police said.
Responding officers found the woman dead at the scene and later identified her as McMullan, of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. She has no known criminal history and no known local contacts with Lisle police. Acting Lisle Police Chief Ron Wilke said Sunday that police have learned McMullan and the slain trooper did not attend the same high school in the 1980s, as authorities originally reported.
"They have also been known to frequent the humidor cigar lounge at the same time," police said in a statement Saturday night. "But we have not determined if their relationship was more than just acquaintances."
Lisa V. McMullan
McMullan had a valid Firearm Owners Identification card and a concealed carry license through the Illinois State Police.
A total of seven bullets were recovered by police, including the one McMullan used to take her life.
The three victims were taken to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove and Edward Hospital in Naperville. Rieves died in the hospital.
Police said they would not interview the surviving victims until at least Monday to allow them to recover and rest from their surgeries.
"At that time any connection between the suspect and the victims will be looked into," police said in the statement.
Earlier Saturday, Wilke said the shooter knew the victims, but investigators were not yet sure of the extent of their relationship.
"We are continuing to investigate a possible motive, but we cannot provide one as of yet," Wilke said in an email.
- Christopher Placek | Staff Photographer Flags were flying at half-mast Saturday at Illinois State Police District 15 headquarters on Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove in honor of fallen retired Trooper Gregory Rieves.
The shooting was captured on a surveillance video and was reviewed by officers at the scene. It shows several people seated in a media room watching a big-screen television.
Without apparent provocation, a woman seated in a chair behind the victims stands up, draws a handgun and shoots the first male victim in the back of the head, police said in a news release. She then fires several rounds at two additional male victims, before fatally shooting herself in the head.
The shooting was contained to a single room within the building and no other people were injured or involved, police said.
The cigar lounge remained closed Saturday.
"We look at all our customers as family and we ask you to pray for the victim and the speedy healing of the injured," a Humidor Facebook post stated.
Several area police departments assisted with the response and investigation, including the DuPage Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team, the DuPage County state's attorney's office and DuPage coroner's office, police said.
"The quick thinking, decisive action by Lisle PD Officers and all responding personnel in this case is to be commended," Lisle police said in the Saturday night statement. "They acted without regard for their own safety, and entered a chaotic and dangerous scene not knowing what they were going to encounter. Their courage is to be applauded!
"Our hearts are heavy for the loss and injuries to our ISP colleagues, and they remain in our thoughts as we conduct this investigation."
Lisle Trustee Sara Sadat said Saturday night that she learned about the shooting at the airport after returning from an overseas trip.
"It hurts my heart to have to address this act of senseless violence," she said in an emailed statement. "My husband and I are regulars at that lounge. ... My heart and thoughts are in Lisle with the families of the victims of this senseless crime."
The cigar lounge will remain closed Sunday, but a group of its regular patrons will hold a vigil for Rieves outside the business at 10 a.m., the Sun-Times reported.
• Daily Herald staff writers James Kane and Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-25--Slain state trooper was a 'perfect teammate,' a family man who 'lived out his dream' to serve

It was n't an impressive stat that made Greg Rieves a respected teammate in his baseball league .
He owned a .390 lifetime batting average as a power hitter for rosters in the Chicago North Men 's Senior Baseball League .
But he had a way of snapping teammates out of a slump , a philosophy for the game that endeared him to players across the region , League President Max Reising said .
`` His number on my teams will never be worn by anybody else again , '' Reising said of Rieves ' No .
55 .
Rieves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lounge Friday , less than a year into his retirement from a 25-year career with the Illinois State Police .
Surveillance video showed that a woman , `` without apparent provocation , '' shot Rieves , 51 , in the back of the head , Lisle police said .
`` To go through that many years in a job situation where your life is on the line and then to lose your life in such a way , it 's just extremely tragic , '' Reising told the Daily Herald .
Longtime friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sun-Times that becoming a state trooper was Rieves ' dream job .
He retired in March last year and planned to spend his time traveling to warmer weather and enjoying cigars , she said .
`` Greg wanted to serve his community , and he lived out his dream , '' McKinnor said .
McKinnor described Rieves as a family man who loved sports , traveling and cigars .
`` Occasionally he 'd be out in Arizona , so we 'd meet up and talk about our families , '' McKinnor said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ same age .
He loved his son so much . ''
`` [ Rieves ] was the most gentle , kindhearted person that you could ever know , '' said his .
`` He is so loved and had endless love for others . ''
McKinnor attended Proviso East with Rieves and the two had kept in touch since .
`` Even back in school , his smile was infectious , '' McKinnor said .
`` You just could n't help but smile back if you looked at him . ''
Rieves was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the camaraderie of his Bluejays teammates , Reising said .
He could fill just about any position and pitched some , but he was primarily an outfielder , playing at a `` 110 % level . ''
`` He played the game the right way , '' said Reising , a close friend who knew the slain trooper since the early 2000s .
`` He played it hard , hustled . ''
Reising sent about 40 text messages to league players with the news of the shooting , and they shared the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was `` like the perfect teammate '' because he could rally players without resorting to a `` negative word to anybody about how they do things , '' Reising said .
`` Probably one of the most supportive guys I 've ever met on the field , '' said Reising , who last saw him in October .
Rieves ' mother , Hattie Rieves , recalled her son 's interest in baseball from a young age growing up in Maywood .
It was also as a child that he expressed an interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Greg Rieves graduated from Proviso East High School in 1986 and went on to Indiana State University , his mother said .
There , he became involved in the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity .
`` He had a lot of friends everywhere , '' Hattie Rieves said .
`` Everywhere he had friends , friends and friends . ''
Those who knew Rieves -- especially those from his fraternity and baseball circles -- shared memories and tributes about their friend on social media Saturday .
Later in the evening , Proviso @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ultimate Cigar Lounge in Villa Park .
They declined to comment .
Rieves ' mother said she does n't know much about what happened at the Lisle cigar lounge Friday night .
Family and friends were still trying to make sense of the situation as they gathered at her home Saturday night to cope with their loss .
`` Everybody 's OK , '' she said .
`` It 's very hard on the family . ''

Slain state trooper was a 'perfect teammate,' a family man who 'lived out his dream' to serve
"You can't replace somebody like that. He's going to be missed by everybody," Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League President Max Reising said of Gregory Rieves, right. The Oaks are mostly players from Chicago in Florida for the Fall Classic tournament. Courtesy of Max Reising
Gregory Rieves, a retired state trooper who died in a shooting late Friday, aimed to enjoy retirement in warmer weather with cigars, friends say. Provided photo via Chicago Sun-Times
"He was an excellent, outstanding hitter, great power hitter," Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League President Max Reising said of Gregory Rieves, right, pictured with two other state troopers, Master Sgt. George Jimenez and Sgt. Ruben Santiago. Courtesy of Max Reising
Retired Illinois State Police Trooper Gregory Rieves wore No. 55 in the Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League. Courtesy of Max Reising
Retired Illinois State Police Trooper Gregory Rieves, 51, was killed in the shooting at a Lisle cigar lounge Friday night. Courtesy of Illinois State Police
Gregory Rieves, a retired state trooper who died in a shooting late Friday, loved sports and played in an adult baseball league. Provided photo via Chicago Sun-Times
It wasn't an impressive stat that made Greg Rieves a respected teammate in his baseball league.
He owned a .390 lifetime batting average as a power hitter for rosters in the Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League.
But he had a way of snapping teammates out of a slump, a philosophy for the game that endeared him to players across the region, League President Max Reising said.
"His number on my teams will never be worn by anybody else again," Reising said of Rieves' No. 55.
Rieves was fatally shot in a Lisle cigar lounge Friday, less than a year into his retirement from a 25-year career with the Illinois State Police. Surveillance video showed that a woman, "without apparent provocation," shot Rieves, 51, in the back of the head, Lisle police said.
"To go through that many years in a job situation where your life is on the line and then to lose your life in such a way, it's just extremely tragic," Reising told the Daily Herald.
Longtime friend Keisha McKinnor of Phoenix told the Chicago Sun-Times that becoming a state trooper was Rieves' dream job. He retired in March last year and planned to spend his time traveling to warmer weather and enjoying cigars, she said.
"Greg wanted to serve his community, and he lived out his dream," McKinnor said.
McKinnor described Rieves as a family man who loved sports, traveling and cigars.
"Occasionally he'd be out in Arizona, so we'd meet up and talk about our families," McKinnor said. "We both have boys around the same age. He loved his son so much."
"[Rieves] was the most gentle, kindhearted person that you could ever know," said his. "He is so loved and had endless love for others."
McKinnor attended Proviso East with Rieves and the two had kept in touch since.
"Even back in school, his smile was infectious," McKinnor said. "You just couldn't help but smile back if you looked at him."
Rieves was looking forward to the next baseball season and the camaraderie of his Bluejays teammates, Reising said. He could fill just about any position and pitched some, but he was primarily an outfielder, playing at a "110% level."
"He played the game the right way," said Reising, a close friend who knew the slain trooper since the early 2000s. "He played it hard, hustled."
Reising sent about 40 text messages to league players with the news of the shooting, and they shared the same sentiments of respect for Rieves.
He was "like the perfect teammate" because he could rally players without resorting to a "negative word to anybody about how they do things," Reising said.
"Probably one of the most supportive guys I've ever met on the field," said Reising, who last saw him in October.
Rieves' mother, Hattie Rieves, recalled her son's interest in baseball from a young age growing up in Maywood. It was also as a child that he expressed an interest in the law enforcement profession, she said.
Greg Rieves graduated from Proviso East High School in 1986 and went on to Indiana State University, his mother said. There, he became involved in the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
"He had a lot of friends everywhere," Hattie Rieves said. "Everywhere he had friends, friends and friends."
Those who knew Rieves -- especially those from his fraternity and baseball circles -- shared memories and tributes about their friend on social media Saturday.
Later in the evening, Proviso East classmates gathered to remember him at Ultimate Cigar Lounge in Villa Park. They declined to comment.
Rieves' mother said she doesn't know much about what happened at the Lisle cigar lounge Friday night. Family and friends were still trying to make sense of the situation as they gathered at her home Saturday night to cope with their loss.
"Everybody's OK," she said. "It's very hard on the family."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-25--Towns spending 33% of property taxes on pensions

In 2018 , the average amount spent on public pensions by 74 suburbs was equal to one-third of what those towns collected in property taxes .
In a few suburbs , the amount spent on pension debt was almost as much as the total amount property owners paid in taxes that year .
That 's the case in Lombard , which collected more than $ 9.3 million in property taxes in 2018 while it contributed nearly $ 8.6 million toward pensions , roughly 91 % of what the village received in property taxes .
Towns like Bloomingdale , Kildeer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Winfield all paid pension obligations in excess of 60 % of their property tax collections .
That money goes to retirees ' pensions and to cover anticipated future pensions for police officers , firefighters and other municipal employees .
In Lombard , the high ratio devoted to pensions actually arises from the town 's broad revenue base .
Property taxes make up just 12.5 % of Lombard 's total annual revenue .
`` We are fortunate to not rely heavily on property taxes for all operations of the village , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And we have a program that allots any surplus revenue to our pension obligations . ''
Since 2013 , Lombard has exceeded the minimum recommended contributions to its two public safety pension programs in an effort to fully fund retirement benefits for police and fire ahead of a 2040 deadline .
Still , the village 's police pension plan is barely 70 % funded and the fire pension program is only 64 % funded .
The pension program for all other municipal workers -- the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund -- is required by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Daily Herald analysis of property tax records on Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza 's government finance tracking website and the towns ' annual financial audits showed the amount of money 42 suburbs contributed to pension obligations in 2018 was equal to more than a third of what those towns received in property taxes .
Municipal leaders say that as pension obligations grow , there is less money to spend on other services .
As more property taxes are dedicated to pensions , towns have to raise fees and other taxes to pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis pay into three pension programs , as Lombard does .
Several only pay police and IMRF pension obligations because they are in a separate fire protection district .
`` It 's fair to say that rising pension costs are driving property tax increases , '' said Naperville City Manager Doug Krieger , `` especially in smaller communities without as much of a diverse revenue base . ''
Naperville spent $ 22.3 million on pension contributions in 2018 , an amount equal to 45.3 % of the $ 49.2 million in property taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue increased by less than $ 1 million from 2017 to 2018 , but pension payments increased by more than $ 2 million in that same time .
Krieger said stronger sales tax revenue and charges for city services help reduce the city 's reliance on property taxes .
Collectively , the 74 suburbs in the analysis received more than $ 910 million in property taxes in 2018 , according to state financial records .
Those suburbs spent almost $ 309 million on pensions .
Some recent changes could result in curbing costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investments of the state 's nearly 650 fire and police pensions into two funds .
The move was intended to cut investment costs and maximize returns , but the savings wo n't be immediate .
`` It was a meaningful piece of legislation because it showed a willingness to work together , but it will be years before you see any impact , '' Niehaus said .
The average IMRF pension is a little more than $ 22,000 a year , according to the program 's website .
Statewide , the average police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 66,000 , while the average firefighter pension was just under $ 68,000 a year , according to Illinois Department of Insurance financial reports .
The fire and police pensions automatically grow 3 % each year .
The IMRF pensions grow by 3 % of the original pension amount each year , but those retirees also get a special 13th payment annually to make up for the lack of a compounded cost-of-living increase .
State Sen. Dan McConchie , a Hawthorn Woods Republican , advocates eliminating pensions altogether for future public employees because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be less expensive to give new workers Social Security and a 401 ( k ) , '' he said .
`` And these significant costs are eventually going to crowd out other services . ''
When Oak Park Democrat Don Harmon was elected as the new state Senate president last week , he said property tax reform is one of the top legislative priorities .
A bipartisan Illinois Property Tax Relief Task Force draft report has been making the rounds in Springfield but has not been publicly released .
`` Senate President Harmon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change from the property tax task force , '' said John Patterson , a spokesman for Harmon .
`` As he 's talked to his colleagues from across the state in recent weeks , it 's clear the homeowners of Illinois feel overburdened . ''
That 's something municipal leaders have heard many times throughout the years from legislative leaders .
They know there 's no simple remedy .
`` The idea that you can accomplish property tax reform without causing some pain does n't exist , '' Niehaus said .

Towns spending 33% of property taxes on pensions
In 2018, the average amount spent on public pensions by 74 suburbs was equal to one-third of what those towns collected in property taxes.
In a few suburbs, the amount spent on pension debt was almost as much as the total amount property owners paid in taxes that year.
That's the case in Lombard, which collected more than $9.3 million in property taxes in 2018 while it contributed nearly $8.6 million toward pensions, roughly 91% of what the village received in property taxes.
Towns like Bloomingdale, Kildeer, Oakbrook Terrace, Schaumburg, West Chicago and Winfield all paid pension obligations in excess of 60% of their property tax collections. That money goes to retirees' pensions and to cover anticipated future pensions for police officers, firefighters and other municipal employees.
In Lombard, the high ratio devoted to pensions actually arises from the town's broad revenue base. Property taxes make up just 12.5% of Lombard's total annual revenue.
"We are fortunate to not rely heavily on property taxes for all operations of the village," said Lombard Village Manager Scott Niehaus. "And we have a program that allots any surplus revenue to our pension obligations."
Since 2013, Lombard has exceeded the minimum recommended contributions to its two public safety pension programs in an effort to fully fund retirement benefits for police and fire ahead of a 2040 deadline. Still, the village's police pension plan is barely 70% funded and the fire pension program is only 64% funded.
The pension program for all other municipal workers -- the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund -- is required by state law to be fully funded.
A Daily Herald analysis of property tax records on Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza's government finance tracking website and the towns' annual financial audits showed the amount of money 42 suburbs contributed to pension obligations in 2018 was equal to more than a third of what those towns received in property taxes.
Municipal leaders say that as pension obligations grow, there is less money to spend on other services. As more property taxes are dedicated to pensions, towns have to raise fees and other taxes to pay for municipal operations.
Many suburbs in the analysis pay into three pension programs, as Lombard does. Several only pay police and IMRF pension obligations because they are in a separate fire protection district.
"It's fair to say that rising pension costs are driving property tax increases," said Naperville City Manager Doug Krieger, "especially in smaller communities without as much of a diverse revenue base."
Naperville spent $22.3 million on pension contributions in 2018, an amount equal to 45.3% of the $49.2 million in property taxes collected. The city's property tax revenue increased by less than $1 million from 2017 to 2018, but pension payments increased by more than $2 million in that same time.
Krieger said stronger sales tax revenue and charges for city services help reduce the city's reliance on property taxes.
Collectively, the 74 suburbs in the analysis received more than $910 million in property taxes in 2018, according to state financial records. Those suburbs spent almost $309 million on pensions.
Some recent changes could result in curbing costs to municipalities.
The legislature recently consolidated investments of the state's nearly 650 fire and police pensions into two funds. The move was intended to cut investment costs and maximize returns, but the savings won't be immediate.
"It was a meaningful piece of legislation because it showed a willingness to work together, but it will be years before you see any impact," Niehaus said.
The average IMRF pension is a little more than $22,000 a year, according to the program's website. Statewide, the average police pension in 2018 was slightly less than $66,000, while the average firefighter pension was just under $68,000 a year, according to Illinois Department of Insurance financial reports.
The fire and police pensions automatically grow 3% each year. The IMRF pensions grow by 3% of the original pension amount each year, but those retirees also get a special 13th payment annually to make up for the lack of a compounded cost-of-living increase.
State Sen. Dan McConchie, a Hawthorn Woods Republican, advocates eliminating pensions altogether for future public employees because of the costs.
"It would be less expensive to give new workers Social Security and a 401(k)," he said. "And these significant costs are eventually going to crowd out other services."
When Oak Park Democrat Don Harmon was elected as the new state Senate president last week, he said property tax reform is one of the top legislative priorities. A bipartisan Illinois Property Tax Relief Task Force draft report has been making the rounds in Springfield but has not been publicly released.
"Senate President Harmon looks forward to reviewing the recommendations for change from the property tax task force," said John Patterson, a spokesman for Harmon. "As he's talked to his colleagues from across the state in recent weeks, it's clear the homeowners of Illinois feel overburdened."
That's something municipal leaders have heard many times throughout the years from legislative leaders. They know there's no simple remedy.
"The idea that you can accomplish property tax reform without causing some pain doesn't exist," Niehaus said.
Got a tip?
Contact Jake at jgriffin@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4602.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-25--Donate a kidney to a stranger? Sure, Lakemoor police officer says

Imagine reading a Facebook post and deciding to donate a kidney to a stranger .
Crazy ?
Not for 27-year-old Nicole Gaborek , a Lakemoor police officer who did exactly that in December .
`` She just kind of decided , 'Eh , I just think I 'll donate a kidney , ' '' said the recipient , Navy veteran Rachel Schultz , 31 , of Belvidere .
`` That 's amazing . ''
Gaborek said she saw a July Facebook post by Rockford radio station 95.3 The Bull that detailed Schultz 's plight .
`` I felt a kinship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both love cats , traveling and spending time with friends .
Both had traveled to South Africa and are big readers .
Gaborek signed up for testing and found she was a match .
She and Schultz met a day after the Dec. 4 surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago .
Nearly eight weeks after surgery , both said they feel great .
Schultz , who works as an engineer for Baxter International in Round Lake , was in the hospital for three days .
Gaborek was released the day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cardio six days later .
Both were back at work in just over four weeks .
Life has turned around , Schultz said .
Last year , she was working full time , doing dialysis after work four times a week , running errands when she could , but mostly being very , very tired .
`` I did n't have much of a life , '' she said .
Schultz was diagnosed in 2016 with IgA nephropathy , or Berger 's disease .
She began looking for a donor shortly after starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eight years via the kidney transplant list , she said -- spreading the message via bumper stickers , flyers , T-shirts and email .
Schultz said she took the news of a potential donor `` with a grain of salt , '' because donors often do n't qualify or back out .
Another stranger had expressed interest but never circled back , she said .
She 's an only sibling , and her best friend and relatives were disqualified because of health factors , she said .
When Gaborek announced her intention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shocked but quickly became supportive , she said .
Her father is a retired firefighter/paramedic from Des Plaines , so `` no medical stuff really concerns him all that much , '' she said .
Gaborek said she regularly donated blood platelets and registered as a bone marrow donor , but never had surgery .
The thought did give her last-minute jitters , she acknowledged .
All surgery costs for both women were covered by Medicare because Schultz was in stage 5 kidney failure .
Illinois has special protections for organ donors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask for time off and insurance companies ca n't decline , limit coverage or raise insurance costs .
Gaborek said her reward is seeing Schultz have a normal life , like being able to eat cheese and chocolate that were once off-limits .
So what would Gaborek say to someone who is considering donating a kidney ?
`` That it 's easier than you could imagine . ''
Schultz said it 's still hard to wrap her mind around it all .
`` You hope that you can find someone like that ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Do you know any Suburban Heroes ?
Share your story at heroes @ dailyherald.com .

Donate a kidney to a stranger? Sure, Lakemoor police officer says
Lakemoor police officer Nicole Gaborek, right, decided to donate a kidney to Navy veteran Rachel Schultz of Belvidere after reading a Facebook post. The two met only after the surgery Dec. 4. Photo COURTESY of AMANDA VerHagen
Lakemoor police officer Nicole Gaborek, left, decided to donate a kidney to Navy veteran Rachel Schultz of Belvidere after reading a Facebook post. The two met only after the surgery Dec. 4. photo courtesy of Nicole Gaborek
Imagine reading a Facebook post and deciding to donate a kidney to a stranger.
Crazy? Not for 27-year-old Nicole Gaborek, a Lakemoor police officer who did exactly that in December.
"She just kind of decided, 'Eh, I just think I'll donate a kidney,'" said the recipient, Navy veteran Rachel Schultz, 31, of Belvidere. "That's amazing."
Gaborek said she saw a July Facebook post by Rockford radio station 95.3 The Bull that detailed Schultz's plight. "I felt a kinship with her," Gaborek said.
Both love cats, traveling and spending time with friends. Both had traveled to South Africa and are big readers.
Gaborek signed up for testing and found she was a match.
She and Schultz met a day after the Dec. 4 surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Nearly eight weeks after surgery, both said they feel great.
Schultz, who works as an engineer for Baxter International in Round Lake, was in the hospital for three days. Gaborek was released the day after surgery and was in the gym doing cardio six days later. Both were back at work in just over four weeks.
Life has turned around, Schultz said. Last year, she was working full time, doing dialysis after work four times a week, running errands when she could, but mostly being very, very tired. "I didn't have much of a life," she said.
Schultz was diagnosed in 2016 with IgA nephropathy, or Berger's disease. She began looking for a donor shortly after starting dialysis in 2018 -- it takes five to eight years via the kidney transplant list, she said -- spreading the message via bumper stickers, flyers, T-shirts and email.
Schultz said she took the news of a potential donor "with a grain of salt," because donors often don't qualify or back out. Another stranger had expressed interest but never circled back, she said. She's an only sibling, and her best friend and relatives were disqualified because of health factors, she said.
When Gaborek announced her intention to donate a kidney, her mother was shocked but quickly became supportive, she said. Her father is a retired firefighter/paramedic from Des Plaines, so "no medical stuff really concerns him all that much," she said.
Gaborek said she regularly donated blood platelets and registered as a bone marrow donor, but never had surgery. The thought did give her last-minute jitters, she acknowledged.
All surgery costs for both women were covered by Medicare because Schultz was in stage 5 kidney failure. Illinois has special protections for organ donors: employers can't retaliate if people ask for time off and insurance companies can't decline, limit coverage or raise insurance costs.
Gaborek said her reward is seeing Schultz have a normal life, like being able to eat cheese and chocolate that were once off-limits.
So what would Gaborek say to someone who is considering donating a kidney? "That it's easier than you could imagine."
Schultz said it's still hard to wrap her mind around it all. "You hope that you can find someone like that ... but it's kind of surreal."
Do you know any Suburban Heroes? Share your story at heroes@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Republican senate candidates disagree about whether a border wall is the solution to illegal immigra

The five Republicans running for the chance to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin all call for stronger efforts to thwart illegal immigration -- but they disagree about whether a wall across the Mexican border is the best solution .
During a joint endorsement interview Friday at the Daily Herald offices in Arlington Heights , three of the GOP hopefuls enthusiastically supported President Donald Trump 's plan to build that border wall , sections of which have been erected .
Two said they prefer other options , such as airborne drones .
The candidates in the March 17 primary are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Glenview ; former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran of Libertyville ; former police officer Peggy Hubbard of Belleville ; Dr. Robert Marshall , a physician from Burr Ridge ; and Dr. Tom Tarter , a urological oncologist from Springfield .
The winner will face Durbin , a three-tern incumbent from Springfield , in November .
Tarter said walls have reduced illegal immigration where they 've been built along the border .
He wants the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to get enough funding to complete 450 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` This is why Democrats do n't want them -- at least the open-border Democrats . ''
Tarter said the government should implement technology that will help detect the attempted importation of illegal drugs and track migrants .
Additionally , Tarter said immigration applications should use a merit-based system that awards points for work history , education , speaking English , community service and `` evidence of assimilation . ''
Marshall said he 's `` 100 % in favor '' of completing the border wall .
He called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprehensive immigration reform , calling it `` a code word for amnesty . ''
Marshall said immigrants should have to meet three criteria to live in the U.S. : they should be able to support themselves ; they should be able to speak English `` to a minimal degree '' or be willing to learn ; and they `` should love us and not want to blow us up . ''
Hubbard said she supports Trump 's efforts to secure U.S. borders .
Like Tarter , she said walls work -- but she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more boots on the ground '' at the border .
Hubbard lauded the president for sending military troops to the border in 2018 as a caravan of migrants from Central America approached the U.S. Curran was an outspoken advocate of immigration reform during the last eight years of his 12-year tenure as sheriff , which concluded in 2018 .
In 2011 , Curran said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should `` quit wasting time breaking up families , because it makes America a lesser country . ''
The following year , he backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here illegally to get driver 's licenses so they could get to work .
On Friday , Curran said a wall across the southern border makes a statement about American sovereignty -- `` but it 's going to be very expensive . ''
Curran said drones and other high-tech security equipment could more effectively stop border incursions .
`` We 've seen all the videos of people going underneath the walls , and creating these tunnels , '' he said .
Curran also voiced concerns about radical Islamists getting into the U.S. `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep America safe , '' he said .
Chlebek wants a different approach to protecting U.S. borders , too .
Walls can be breached , he said , and the project is too costly .
`` People are ready for it and expect it , '' he said .
If high-tech programs are n't implemented , however , Chlebek said he 'd support completing the wall .

Republican senate candidates disagree about whether a border wall is the solution to illegal immigration
The five Republicans running for the chance to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin all call for stronger efforts to thwart illegal immigration -- but they disagree about whether a wall across the Mexican border is the best solution.
During a joint endorsement interview Friday at the Daily Herald offices in Arlington Heights, three of the GOP hopefuls enthusiastically supported President Donald Trump's plan to build that border wall, sections of which have been erected. Two said they prefer other options, such as airborne drones.
The candidates in the March 17 primary are: retired information technology professional Casey Chlebek of Glenview; former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran of Libertyville; former police officer Peggy Hubbard of Belleville; Dr. Robert Marshall, a physician from Burr Ridge; and Dr. Tom Tarter, a urological oncologist from Springfield.
The winner will face Durbin, a four-tern incumbent from Springfield, in November.
Tarter said walls have reduced illegal immigration where they've been built along the border. He wants the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to get enough funding to complete 450 miles of wall.
"Walls work," he said. "This is why Democrats don't want them -- at least the open-border Democrats."
Tarter said the government should implement technology that will help detect the attempted importation of illegal drugs and track migrants.
Additionally, Tarter said immigration applications should use a merit-based system that awards points for work history, education, speaking English, community service and "evidence of assimilation."
Marshall said he's "100% in favor" of completing the border wall. He called for tighter immigration policies and said he opposes comprehensive immigration reform, calling it "a code word for amnesty."
Marshall said immigrants should have to meet three criteria to live in the U.S.: they should be able to support themselves; they should be able to speak English "to a minimal degree" or be willing to learn; and they "should love us and not want to blow us up."
Hubbard said she supports Trump's efforts to secure U.S. borders. Like Tarter, she said walls work -- but she also advocated using technology and putting "more boots on the ground" at the border.
Hubbard lauded the president for sending military troops to the border in 2018 as a caravan of migrants from Central America approached the U.S.
Hubbard supported shifting to a merit-based immigration system, too.
Curran was an outspoken advocate of immigration reform during the last eight years of his 12-year tenure as sheriff, which concluded in 2018.
In 2011, Curran said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should "quit wasting time breaking up families, because it makes America a lesser country." The following year, he backed a proposal that would allow people living here illegally to get driver's licenses so they could get to work.
On Friday, Curran said a wall across the southern border makes a statement about American sovereignty -- "but it's going to be very expensive."
Curran said drones and other high-tech security equipment could more effectively stop border incursions.
"We've seen all the videos of people going underneath the walls, and creating these tunnels," he said.
Curran also voiced concerns about radical Islamists getting into the U.S. "The wall alone is not going to keep America safe," he said.
Chlebek wants a different approach to protecting U.S. borders, too. Walls can be breached, he said, and the project is too costly.
Technology should make a border wall "irrelevant," Chlebek said.
"People are ready for it and expect it," he said.
If high-tech programs aren't implemented, however, Chlebek said he'd support completing the wall.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-25--Facts Matter: Harry and Meghan not starting new lives in RV

Prince Harry and his wife , Meghan , recently said they will step back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family .
Queen Elizabeth II was caught off guard by the couple 's decision and immediately scheduled a crisis family meeting to discuss the matter , according to The Associated Press .
The duke and duchess of Sussex said they will work to become financially independent while splitting their time between England and North America .
But they wo n't be doing it in an RV , according to Snopes.com .
Following their announcement , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of an RV camper began making the rounds on social media , Snopes said .
The doctored image is actually a composite of at least three different photos , including a picture of an RV and a photo of a casually dressed couple manipulated to incorporate Meghan 's and Harry 's heads .
According to Snopes , some RV dealers have used the photo in advertising on Facebook accompanied by captions such as , `` This nice , young couple from England certainly knows where to shop when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have just sold our first seasonal touring pitch of 2020 to a lovely couple who just want to get away from the hustle and bustle . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi used about 30 pens to sign her name to the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump .
The custom-made black pens , featuring Pelosi 's signature and used during the Jan. 15 event , were laid out in two small trays , according to The Associated Press .
She used each pen to compose a piece of her signature and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee chairmen who had taken part in the impeachment proceedings .
Pelosi was criticized by White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham for not appearing somber as she gave the pens away `` like prizes '' during the proceedings .
`` Nancy Pelosi 's souvenir pens served up on silver platters to sign the sham articles of impeachment , '' Grisham said on Twitter .
But false criticism appeared on Facebook in a post that greatly exaggerated the cost of the pens , according to PolitiFact.com .
`` $ 2,025 per pen paid for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Now we know why ( Pelosi ) delayed sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate ... she was waiting for her gold-plated impeachment pens . ''
The pens , however , cost less than $ 15 each , Pelosi 's chief of staff Drew Hammill told PolitiFact .
According to a recent Statement of Disbursements of the House , a quarterly report that tracks lawmakers ' spending , the speaker 's office spent nearly $ 29,000 on supplies and materials from July 1 to Sept. 30 , PolitiFact said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ line item for pens .
The post was flagged by Facebook as part of its effort to combat false news and misinformation , PolitiFact said .
While attending the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland , last week , President Donald Trump said there has been a recent redistribution of wealth .
`` For the first time in decades we are no longer simply concentrating wealth in the hands of a few , '' he said .
`` We are concentrating and creating the most inclusive economy to ever exist . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The Associated Press .
Unchanged from 2017 when Trump took office , the richest 1 % of Americans still own 32 % of the U.S. wealth and the middle class share remains at 29 % , the AP said .
During Trump 's tenure , there has been an increase in the percentage of Americans who own their own homes , the AP said .
Biden did n't claim to eat the stick in a corn dog A recent Twitter post , appearing to be an excerpt from The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to include a quote in which Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden claims he eats the wooden sticks in corn dogs .
The quote , attributed to Biden talking about the election , says , `` I was eating a corn dog the other day , this is like a corn dog , with some mustard .
When you get to the middle , it 's hard and tough , and dry ( chuckles ) but you have to eat that , too .
You have to eat that to finish it . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this quote is not from that interview and there is no evidence the former vice president ever said this about corn dogs , according to Snopes.com .
The interview did n't include any conversations about corn dogs or sticks .
The user who tweeted the false quote was also responsible for a different hoax last year on Twitter , Snopes said .
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News .
Contact him at boboswald33 @ gmail.com .

Facts Matter: Harry and Meghan not starting new lives in RV
In this Jan. 7 file photo, Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, leave after visiting Canada House in London after their recent stay in Canada. Associated Press
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, recently said they will step back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family.
Queen Elizabeth II was caught off guard by the couple's decision and immediately scheduled a crisis family meeting to discuss the matter, according to The Associated Press.
The duke and duchess of Sussex said they will work to become financially independent while splitting their time between England and North America.
But they won't be doing it in an RV, according to Snopes.com.
Following their announcement, a fake photo of the royal pair standing in front of an RV camper began making the rounds on social media, Snopes said.
The doctored image is actually a composite of at least three different photos, including a picture of an RV and a photo of a casually dressed couple manipulated to incorporate Meghan's and Harry's heads.
According to Snopes, some RV dealers have used the photo in advertising on Facebook accompanied by captions such as, "This nice, young couple from England certainly knows where to shop when it comes to buying a camper" and "We have just sold our first seasonal touring pitch of 2020 to a lovely couple who just want to get away from the hustle and bustle."
Pelosi's custom pens didn't cost $2,000 each
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi used about 30 pens to sign her name to the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
The custom-made black pens, featuring Pelosi's signature and used during the Jan. 15 event, were laid out in two small trays, according to The Associated Press. She used each pen to compose a piece of her signature and then handed them out to House prosecutors and committee chairmen who had taken part in the impeachment proceedings.
Pelosi was criticized by White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham for not appearing somber as she gave the pens away "like prizes" during the proceedings.
"Nancy Pelosi's souvenir pens served up on silver platters to sign the sham articles of impeachment," Grisham said on Twitter.
But false criticism appeared on Facebook in a post that greatly exaggerated the cost of the pens, according to PolitiFact.com.
"$2,025 per pen paid for by taxpayers," the post said. "Now we know why (Pelosi) delayed sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate ... she was waiting for her gold-plated impeachment pens."
The pens, however, cost less than $15 each, Pelosi's chief of staff Drew Hammill told PolitiFact.
According to a recent Statement of Disbursements of the House, a quarterly report that tracks lawmakers' spending, the speaker's office spent nearly $29,000 on supplies and materials from July 1 to Sept. 30, PolitiFact said. The review doesn't have a separate line item for pens.
"The $2,025 figure is ridiculous," Brown University political science professor Richard Arenberg told PolitiFact.
The post was flagged by Facebook as part of its effort to combat false news and misinformation, PolitiFact said.
Top 1% still controls majority of wealth
While attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week, President Donald Trump said there has been a recent redistribution of wealth.
"For the first time in decades we are no longer simply concentrating wealth in the hands of a few," he said. "We are concentrating and creating the most inclusive economy to ever exist."
That's not the case, according to The Associated Press.
Unchanged from 2017 when Trump took office, the richest 1% of Americans still own 32% of the U.S. wealth and the middle class share remains at 29%, the AP said.
During Trump's tenure, there has been an increase in the percentage of Americans who own their own homes, the AP said.
Biden didn't claim to eat the stick in a corn dog
A recent Twitter post, appearing to be an excerpt from The New York Times editorial board's interview series, seems to include a quote in which Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden claims he eats the wooden sticks in corn dogs.
The quote, attributed to Biden talking about the election, says, "I was eating a corn dog the other day, this is like a corn dog, with some mustard. When you get to the middle, it's hard and tough, and dry (chuckles) but you have to eat that, too. You have to eat that to finish it."
Biden did an interview with the Times but this quote is not from that interview and there is no evidence the former vice president ever said this about corn dogs, according to Snopes.com. The interview didn't include any conversations about corn dogs or sticks.
The user who tweeted the false quote was also responsible for a different hoax last year on Twitter, Snopes said.
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News. Contact him at boboswald33@gmail.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-25--Chris Christie makes appearance at Barrington 'town-warming' event

Barrington 's Cultural Commission re-created a 1940s-era Barrington `` town-warming '' tradition Saturday at the village 's White House , featuring a speaker series keynoted by former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie .
The occasion , dubbed `` Vision 2020 Part II : Media , Politics , and the Arts in the New Decade , '' was sponsored by Greg Brown , the chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions and Northern Trust .
It hosted 180 people , according to a news release from the village .
The event featured a panel discussion on media in the modern era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anchor for Fox-owned WFLD .
Panelists included Daily Herald Editor and Senior Vice President John Lampinen , WFLD political editor Mike Flannery and Derrick Blakley , formerly an anchor for CBS-owned WBBM and NBC-owned WMAQ .
The panelists discussed `` fairness , truth and accurate reporting in the hyperpartisan environment of an election year , '' according to the release .
Another panel focused on the importance of arts in an `` increasingly polarized and always-on culture , '' according to the release , and later in the day WGN radio personality John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aka humanities scholar and character actor Clay Jenkinson .
They discussed the state of politics today through the lens of early 1900s politics , the release said .
Later , Brown and Christie had a `` fireside chat '' where Christie talked about his governorship and his relationship with President Donald Trump .
Village President Karen Darch said she was glad the community was glad to bring the 1930s and 1940s tradition back for the third year in a row .
`` I am so thrilled that we have been able to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to provide our community with an opportunity to gather in the spirit of broadening our perspectives and learning something new each year , '' Darch said .

Chris Christie makes appearance at Barrington 'town-warming' event
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, right, speaks with Motorola Chairman and CEO Greg Brown at Barrington's third annual "town-warming" Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. About 180 people attended the event, according to the village. Courtesy of the Village of Barrington
Barrington's Cultural Commission re-created a 1940s-era Barrington "town-warming" tradition Saturday at the village's White House, featuring a speaker series keynoted by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
The occasion, dubbed "Vision 2020 Part II: Media, Politics, and the Arts in the New Decade," was sponsored by Greg Brown, the chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions and Northern Trust. It hosted 180 people, according to a news release from the village.
The event featured a panel discussion on media in the modern era, moderated by Corey McPherrin, an anchor for Fox-owned WFLD. Panelists included Daily Herald Editor and Senior Vice President John Lampinen, WFLD political editor Mike Flannery and Derrick Blakley, formerly an anchor for CBS-owned WBBM and NBC-owned WMAQ. The panelists discussed "fairness, truth and accurate reporting in the hyperpartisan environment of an election year," according to the release.
Another panel focused on the importance of arts in an "increasingly polarized and always-on culture," according to the release, and later in the day WGN radio personality John Williams interviewed "Teddy Roosevelt," aka humanities scholar and character actor Clay Jenkinson. They discussed the state of politics today through the lens of early 1900s politics, the release said.
Later, Brown and Christie had a "fireside chat" where Christie talked about his governorship and his relationship with President Donald Trump.
Village President Karen Darch said she was glad the community was glad to bring the 1930s and 1940s tradition back for the third year in a row.
"I am so thrilled that we have been able to bring this tradition back in the modern day in order to provide our community with an opportunity to gather in the spirit of broadening our perspectives and learning something new each year," Darch said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter Gianna killed in helicopter crash

CALABASAS , Calif. -- NBA legend Kobe Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash on a steep hillside in dense morning fog in Southern California on Sunday , his sudden death at age 41 touching off an outpouring of grief for a star whose celebrity transcended basketball .
The chopper went down in Calabasas , about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles .
Authorities said that nine people were aboard the helicopter and presumed dead , after earlier putting the death toll at five .
Bryant , an all-time basketball great who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles Lakers , was among the victims , a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press .
Bryant 's 13-year-old daughter Gianna also was killed , a different person familiar with the case said .
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva would not confirm the identities of the victims Sunday afternoon pending official word from the coroner .
`` God bless their souls , '' Villanueva said at a news conference .
News of the charismatic superstar 's death rocketed around the sports and entertainment worlds , with many taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disbelief and anguish .
`` There 's no words to express the pain Im going through , '' tweeted former Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal , who won three consecutive NBA titles with Bryant .
`` @ kobebryant I love u and u will be missed .
... IM SICK RIGHT NOW . ''
Retired NBA great Michael Jordan , to whom Bryant was often compared , expressed similar sentiments .
`` Words ca n't describe the pain I am feeling .
I loved Kobe -- he was like a little brother to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We used to talk often , and I will miss those conversations very much .
He was a fierce competitor , one of the greats of the game and a creative force . ''
NBA players were in tears during pre-game warmups as crowds chanted `` Kobe !
Kobe ! ''
Tiger Woods was unaware of the news during his final round at Torrey Pines in San Diego when he started hearing the gallery yell , `` Do it for Mamba , '' referring to Bryant by his nickname .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screens all around the world as news of the crash spread and networks broke into programming with live coverage .
A visibly shaken LeBron James wiped his eyes with tissues and walked away alone from the Lakers plane that had just landed in Southern California .
Bryant retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history , finishing two decades with the Lakers as a prolific shot-maker with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic .
He held that spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third place during a game in Philadelphia , Bryant 's hometown .
`` Continuing to move the game forward @ KingJames , '' Bryant wrote in his last tweet .
`` Much respect my brother . ''
Bryant had one of the greatest careers in recent NBA history and became one of the game 's most popular players as the face of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers franchise .
He was the league MVP in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion , and he earned 12 selections to the NBA 's All-Defensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a combustible partnership to lead the Lakers to NBA titles in 2000 , 2001 and 2002 .
He later teamed with Pau Gasol to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010 .
Bryant retired in 2016 after scoring 60 points in his final NBA game .
Bryant 's death was felt particularly painfully in Los Angeles , where he was unquestionably the most popular athlete and one of the city 's most beloved public figures .
Hundreds of fans -- many in Bryant jerseys and Lakers gear -- spontaneously gathered at Staples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment complex on Sunday , weeping and staring at video boards with Bryant 's image .
`` Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired , amazed , and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court -- and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father , husband , creative genius , and ambassador for the game he loved .
He will live forever in the heart of Los Angeles , and will be remembered through the ages as one of our greatest heroes , '' Los Angeles Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted condolences to Bryant 's family , saying that `` despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time , ( Bryant ) was just getting started in life . ''
The cause of the crash was unknown .
The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team of investigators to the site .
The NTSB typically issues a preliminary report within about 10 days that will give a rough summary of what investigators have learned .
A ruling on the cause can take a year or more .
Colin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calabasas when he heard what sounded to him like a low-flying airplane or helicopter .
`` Ït was very foggy so we could n't see anything , '' he said .
`` But then we heard some sputtering , and then a boom . ''
The fog cleared a bit , and Storm could see smoke rising from the hillside in front of his home .
Juan Bonilla of Calabasas said he was working on his roof Sunday morning when he heard a helicopter flying low nearby .
He said he thought it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training mission .
He heard nothing amiss with the engine or rotors and said he did not see any mechanical issue with the chopper .
It was foggy Sunday morning , but he said visibility did n't seem to be low at the time of the crash .
Firefighters hiked in with medical equipment and hoses , and medical personnel rappelled to the site from a helicopter , but found no survivors , Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said .
Firefighters worked to douse flames that spread through about a quarter-acre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the downed chopper was a Sikorsky S-76 .
Among other things , investigators will look at the pilot 's history , the chopper 's maintenance history , and the records of its owner and operator , NTSB board member Jennifer Homendy said at a news conference .
`` The S-76 is a pretty expensive , sophisticated helicopter .
...
It 's certainly a quality helicopter , '' said Justin Green , an aviation attorney in New York who flew helicopters in the Marine Corps .
Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crash .
Pilots can become disoriented in bad weather , losing track of which direction is up .
Green said a pilot flying an S-76 would be instrument-rated , meaning they could fly the helicopter without relying on visual cues from outside .
Along with his work boosting women 's sports , Bryant opened a production company and entered the entertainment field in retirement .
He won an Academy Award in 2018 for his contributions to `` Dear Basketball , '' an animated short about his relationship to the game .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bryant was charged with attacking a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort .
He said the two had consensual sex , and prosecutors later dropped the felony sexual assault charge against Bryant at the request of the accuser .
The woman later filed a civil suit against Bryant that was settled out of court .

Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter among 9 killed in helicopter crash
A makeshift memorial honoring former NBA basketball player Kobe Bryant appears outside of Staples center prior to the start of the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, Calif. He was 41. Associated Press
In this April 13, 2016 file photo a giant banner congratulating Kobe Bryant is draped around Staples Center before his last NBA basketball game, a contest against the Utah Jazz, in downtown Los Angeles. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. He was 41. Associated Press
Dharma Brown, 8, of Los Angeles, writes a note to the late Kobe Bryant outside of the Staples Center prior to the start of the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, Calif. He was 41. Associated Press
In this March 28, 2016, file photo, a fan holds a sign for Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, in Salt Lake City. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. He was 41. Associated Press
Gennesys Cabral, of Los Angeles, wears a Kobe Bryant jersey outside of the Staples Center at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, Calif. He was 41. Associated Press
Firefighters work the scene of a helicopter crash where former NBA star Kobe Bryant died, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, Calif. Associated Press
Firefighters work the scene of a helicopter crash where former NBA star Kobe Bryant died, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, Calif. Associated Press
In this June 14, 2009 file photo Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant holds his daughter, Gianna, after defeating the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 to win the NBA basketball finals in Orlando, Fla. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Gianna also died in the crash. Associated Press
In this March 2, 2019 photo, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna watch the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Connecticut and Houston in Storrs, Conn. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Gianna also died in the crash. Associated Press
CALABASAS, Calif. -- Kobe Bryant inspired a generation of basketball players worldwide with both his sublime skills and his unquenchable competitive fire.
He also earned Los Angeles' eternal adoration during his two decades as the fierce soul of the city's beloved Lakers.
Less than four years into his retirement from the NBA, Bryant was seeking new challenges and working to inspire his daughters' generation through sports and storytelling when his next act ended shockingly early.
Bryant, the 18-time All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was 41.
The crash occurred in the foggy hills above Calabasas, California, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. A different person familiar with the case confirmed Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna also was killed.
Both of the AP's unnamed sources spoke on condition of anonymity because few details of the crash had been released publicly.
Authorities said nine people were on the helicopter, and all were presumed dead. No names were released, but the brother of Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli confirmed that Altobelli, his wife and daughter were among those killed. Friends and players gathered at the school's baseball field Sunday afternoon. Flowers and baseball caps were placed on home plate.
Tony Altobelli, the sports information director at the school, said his 56-year-old brother died along with his wife, Keri, and daughter, Alyssa, who was about 13 and played on the same basketball team as Bryant's daughter, Gianna.
John Altobelli was entering his 28th season as coach at the community college in Costa Mesa, California. The team won a state championship last year and John Altobelli was named national coach of the year.
Bryant lived south of Los Angeles in coastal Orange County for much of his adult life, and he often used helicopters to save time and avoid Southern California's notorious traffic. He often traveled to practices and games by helicopter before his playing career ended in 2016, and he kept up the practice after retirement as he attended to his many new ventures, which included a burgeoning entertainment company that recently produced an Academy Award-winning animated short film.
The crash occurred about 20 miles from Mamba Sports Academy, Bryant's basketball training complex in Thousand Oaks, California. A girls basketball tournament was scheduled for Sunday at the facility.
Bryant, who had four daughters with his wife, Vanessa, dedicated himself to boosting women's sports in recent years, coaching and mentoring basketball players around the world. Gianna, better known as Gigi, had a promising youth career.
Bryant sat with her courtside at a Brooklyn Nets game late last year, clearly passing along his wisdom to his daughter.
Bryant told Jimmy Kimmel in 2018 that Gianna wanted to play in the WNBA and recalled how fans would often approach him saying "you gotta have a boy, you gotta someone to carry on the tradition, the legacy."
Gianna took exception: "She's like, 'Oy, I got this,'" Bryant recalled.
Bryant retired nearly four years ago as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing two decades in Lakers purple and gold as a prolific shooter with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic that inspired strong reactions from fans and opponents alike. He held that No. 3 spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night, when the Lakers' LeBron James passed him during a game in Philadelphia, Bryant's hometown.
"Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames," Bryant wrote in his last tweet. "Much respect my brother."
On Saturday night, James said he was "happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant, one of the all-time greatest basketball player to ever play. One of the all-time greatest Lakers."
News of Bryant's death inspired an outpouring of grief around the sports world and beyond, but it was felt particularly painfully in Los Angeles, where Bryant was unquestionably the sprawling city's most popular athlete and one of its most beloved public figures.
The Lakers' next game isn't until Tuesday night against the crosstown rival Clippers, but hundreds of fans -- many in Bryant jerseys and Lakers gear -- spontaneously gathered at Staples Center and in the surrounding LA Live entertainment complex on Sunday, weeping and staring at video boards with Bryant's image before the Grammy Awards ceremony.
"I thought he was going to live forever," Lakers great Magic Johnson told KCBS-TV. "I thought he was invincible. ... There was nobody who took more pride in putting on that Laker uniform than Kobe. Nobody. He was just special. We will miss him and we'll remember him for his greatness, but let's not forget how he impacted the world, too."
The NBA kept its games on as scheduled when the news broke, but the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors both took voluntary 24-second shot clock violations at the start of their game in honor of Bryant, who wore No. 24 for the second half of his career.
Several other teams followed up by deliberately taking delays of 24 and 8 seconds, honoring both of his jersey numbers. Many players were seen crying before their games, and James looked emotional on the tarmac when he got off the Lakers' team plane from Philadelphia.
Bryant's future appeared to be limitless in retirement, whether in sports or entertainment. He opened a production company shortly after leaving the Lakers, saying he was just as passionate about storytelling as he had been about his sport. He won an Oscar in 2018 for his contributions to "Dear Basketball," an animated short about his relationship to the game. He also produced content for ESPN.
In 2003, Bryant was charged with attacking a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort. He had said the two had consensual sex, and the charge was eventually dropped. The woman later filed a civil suit against Bryant that was settled out of court. Bryant's adulation remained strong in Los Angeles even during the sexual assault allegations.
Bryant became one of the game's most popular players as the face of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers franchise. He was the league MVP in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion, but he also earned 12 selections to the NBA's All-Defensive teams.
He teamed with Shaquille O'Neal in a combustible partnership to lead the Lakers to NBA titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He later teamed with Pau Gasol to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist with the dominant U.S. team, Bryant retired in 2016 after scoring 60 points in his final NBA game. In December 2017, the Lakers hung banners retiring his No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys in the Staples Center rafters in an unprecedented double honor.
Bryant looms large over the current generation of NBA players, most of whom grew up either idolizing Bryant or absorbing his work ethic and competitive spirit in the same way Bryant's generation learned from Michael Jordan. After James passed Bryant on Saturday, he remembered listening in awe to Bryant when the superstar came to speak at a childhood basketball camp.
"I remember one thing he said: If you want to be great at it, or want to be one of the greats, you've got to put the work in," James said.
James later teamed up with Bryant on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in Beijing.
"He had zero flaws offensively," James said. "Zero. You backed off of him, he could shoot the 3. You body him up a little bit, he could go around you. He could shoot from midrange. He could post. He could make free throws. ... He was just immortal offensively because of his skill set and his work ethic."
Bryant was a basketball superstar for his entire adult life, and he grew up from a teenager to a respected veteran in the unforgiving Hollywood spotlight.
He entered the NBA draft straight out of high school in 1996 after a childhood spent partly in Italy, where his father, former NBA player Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, played professionally. He spoke four languages and played a major role in the NBA's international growth over his two decades in the league, traveling the world and connecting with athletes in other sports and celebrities.
The Lakers acquired the 17-year-old Bryant in a trade shortly after Charlotte drafted him, and he immediately became one of the most exciting and intriguing players in the sport alongside O'Neal, who had signed with the Lakers as a free agent. Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie, and the Lakers gradually grew into a team that won three consecutive championships.
Bryant and Gasol, the Spanish star, formed the nucleus of another championship team in 2008, reaching three straight NBA Finals and winning two more titles.
Between those title runs and before the quiet final years of his career, Bryant accomplished innumerable feats including an 81-point game against Toronto in January 2006. Bryant's final NBA seasons were dogged by injuries, but he still went into retirement with that jaw-dropping 60-point performance against Utah.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Rozner: He will always be known as Kobe

Rozner: He will always be known as Kobe

It was only Saturday night that we were watching Kobe Bryant highlights .
Appropriate , of course , given that LeBron James passed Bryant for third on the NBA 's all-time scoring list .
Yeah , Kobe had become one of the singular names in NBA history , on a first-name only basis among the greatest .
Bryant tweeted congrats to James and his message went viral on social media .
About 12 hours later , Bryant -- only 41 years old -- died in a helicopter crash in Southern California along with one of his four daughters .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote to the Hall of Fame , Bryant had moved on to so many post-career ventures that his life was only beginning in many ways .
Like others before him , he hung around the game too long , refusing to retire when his best days were behind him , but it appeared as if he had found happiness with his family in retirement and in producing many media and business ventures .
And now he is gone .
So young .
So tragic for those closest to him .
The public Kobe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next Michael Jordan , not that anyone will ever have the title , but he did all he could in trying .
Everything about him eventually looked like Michael , from the walk to the talk to the tongue to the ferocious mentality on the court .
Though no one will match Jordan 's six titles in six tries with six NBA Finals MVPs and five regular season MVPs , Bryant nevertheless retired with five rings , two Finals MVPs , one regular season MVP , two scoring titles and nine times all-NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also credited to watching Jordan develop into one of the best defenders the game has ever known .
There were comparisons to Jordan from early in his career to the time he finished .
There was no avoiding it .
And while at times he seemed obsessed with Michael , I asked him in late 1997 about that .
His response was something along the lines of wanting to be his own man , but that if he were ever compared to Jordan , there could n't be a better compliment .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed that the comparison to Michael was as important to him as anything else he accomplished .
`` When I came into the league I wanted to take him on , '' Bryant told Shaquille O'Neal in a TV interview two years ago .
`` But what happened was ( Jordan ) wound up becoming a big brother to me .
`` He saw something in me that reminded him of himself when he was coming up .
He took me under his wing and showed me a lot of things , taught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of leadership things .
`` So when I passed him ( on the scoring list ) I remember talking to him afterward and saying , 'This is kind of like he 's still here . '
The information he passed on to me , I 'm breathing that spirit back into the game all over again , which is a lot of the reason I try to do that now with the next generation . ''
The breakup with Shaq in L.A. was an unfortunate clash of egos and probably cost both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the two of them sat down for a 1-on-1 interview two years ago , all fences seemingly mended as the two giants looked happy to be together again .
They talked openly about personal rivalry , about Shaq winning first in Miami without Bryant , and then Bryant getting two more without Shaq in Los Angeles , and how Bryant was absolutely serious about moving to Chicago before Shaq was traded to Miami in July 2004 .
But that final score of five rings to four mattered much to both of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated Bryant , while admitting the `` beef '' was most mostly a great marketing ploy after they had separated .
There were a lot of hugs and there was a lot of love in that room between two of the best to ever play .
It felt right for one of the most dominating partnerships ever .
NBA fans will always argue about the best of all time , and in Chicago there is no argument , but any way you slice it , regardless of who did it with great players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's no way Bryant is n't on the list of the 10 greatest of all time .
Most probably have him in the Top 5 .
No longer here to make his own case , gone at such a horribly young age , the legends of the game spoke Sunday for Bryant , and about Bryant , crushing eulogies of a man who achieved so much , who meant so much to the game .
The sadness for his family ca n't be overstated , his wife losing a husband and a daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a sister .
Hardly any solace , but his place in the annals is secure as you do n't achieve a one-name designation without true greatness .
He 's gone .
But he will always be Kobe .

Rozner: He will always be known as Kobe
Kobe Bryant heads for a breather in 2015 game in Philadelphia. Bryant died in helicopter crash Sunday in Southern California. Associated Press Photo
The Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal try to figure things out in a 2003 loss to the Bulls at the United Center. Daily Herald Photo
It was only Saturday night that we were watching Kobe Bryant highlights.
Appropriate, of course, given that LeBron James passed Bryant for third on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
There was Bryant passing Doc. Bryant passing Wilt. Bryant passing Michael.
And finally LeBron passing Kobe.
Yeah, Kobe had become one of the singular names in NBA history, on a first-name only basis among the greatest.
Bryant tweeted congrats to James and his message went viral on social media.
About 12 hours later, Bryant -- only 41 years old -- died in a helicopter crash in Southern California along with one of his four daughters.
A few months away from a certain first-ballot vote to the Hall of Fame, Bryant had moved on to so many post-career ventures that his life was only beginning in many ways.
Like others before him, he hung around the game too long, refusing to retire when his best days were behind him, but it appeared as if he had found happiness with his family in retirement and in producing many media and business ventures.
And now he is gone. So young. So tragic for those closest to him.
The public Kobe we knew was all about becoming the next Michael Jordan, not that anyone will ever have the title, but he did all he could in trying.
Everything about him eventually looked like Michael, from the walk to the talk to the tongue to the ferocious mentality on the court.
Though no one will match Jordan's six titles in six tries with six NBA Finals MVPs and five regular season MVPs, Bryant nevertheless retired with five rings, two Finals MVPs, one regular season MVP, two scoring titles and nine times all-NBA first defensive team.
The latter he also credited to watching Jordan develop into one of the best defenders the game has ever known.
There were comparisons to Jordan from early in his career to the time he finished. There was no avoiding it. And while at times he seemed obsessed with Michael, I asked him in late 1997 about that.
His response was something along the lines of wanting to be his own man, but that if he were ever compared to Jordan, there couldn't be a better compliment.
To the end of his career, it seemed that the comparison to Michael was as important to him as anything else he accomplished.
"When I came into the league I wanted to take him on," Bryant told Shaquille O'Neal in a TV interview two years ago. "But what happened was (Jordan) wound up becoming a big brother to me.
"He saw something in me that reminded him of himself when he was coming up. He took me under his wing and showed me a lot of things, taught me a lot of things, a lot of leadership things.
"So when I passed him (on the scoring list) I remember talking to him afterward and saying, 'This is kind of like he's still here.' The information he passed on to me, I'm breathing that spirit back into the game all over again, which is a lot of the reason I try to do that now with the next generation."
The breakup with Shaq in L.A. was an unfortunate clash of egos and probably cost both more titles, but it was heartwarming when the two of them sat down for a 1-on-1 interview two years ago, all fences seemingly mended as the two giants looked happy to be together again.
They talked openly about personal rivalry, about Shaq winning first in Miami without Bryant, and then Bryant getting two more without Shaq in Los Angeles, and how Bryant was absolutely serious about moving to Chicago before Shaq was traded to Miami in July 2004.
But that final score of five rings to four mattered much to both of them.
O'Neal apologized for the way he treated Bryant, while admitting the "beef" was most mostly a great marketing ploy after they had separated.
There were a lot of hugs and there was a lot of love in that room between two of the best to ever play.
It felt right for one of the most dominating partnerships ever.
NBA fans will always argue about the best of all time, and in Chicago there is no argument, but any way you slice it, regardless of who did it with great players alongside and who did not, there's no way Bryant isn't on the list of the 10 greatest of all time.
Most probably have him in the Top 5.
No longer here to make his own case, gone at such a horribly young age, the legends of the game spoke Sunday for Bryant, and about Bryant, crushing eulogies of a man who achieved so much, who meant so much to the game.
The sadness for his family can't be overstated, his wife losing a husband and a daughter, and three children losing a father and a sister.
Hardly any solace, but his place in the annals is secure as you don't achieve a one-name designation without true greatness.
He's gone. But he will always be Kobe.