dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-02--Dashed Mill Race Inn development plans leave future of Geneva site in question

For four years , the former Mill Race Inn site in Geneva has sat empty except for the remnants of a historic stone structure protected by a tarp .
It 'll stay that way -- at least for now -- after the city council rejected the latest development proposal for the prime parcel of land on the Fox River at Geneva 's eastern gateway .
At a meeting Monday , Geneva 's 10 aldermen voted unanimously to reject the proposal presented by the Shodeen Family Foundation , signaling the end of a $ 38 million project introduced nearly 18 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 116 rental apartments , eight townhouses , 2,000 square feet of commercial space , 155 covered parking spaces , deconstruction and reinterpretation of the original historic structure to adhere to its landmark status , and riverfront amenities .
The decision will cost the city $ 273,000 -- to come from tax increment financing funds -- to cover all the expenses to this point , including Shodeen 's .
That 's because a 2019 agreement between Geneva and Shodeen states the two entities would split the amount unless the city decided not to proceed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city is required to reimburse Shodeen for its half of the expenses .
What happens next with the site is unknown .
`` I 'm certain that I can speak for everybody involved that there will be deep breaths and moments to kind of regroup , '' Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said on Tuesday .
`` We will move forward and await to hear what plans the foundation has for that land . ''
Shodeen purchased the 1.4-acre former Mill Race Inn site at 4 E. State St. for $ 550,000 in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent property at 12 E. State St .
But the site 's history dates back to the 1800s .
An original blacksmith 's structure , built in 1846 , opened as a tearoom in 1933 .
Through the years , the Mill Race Inn was developed around the original structure before the restaurant closed in 2011 .
The Mill Race Inn was demolished in 2016 , leaving the historic structure alone on the site .
Geneva 's aldermen , who last year voted 6-4 to go ahead with a three-day planning session known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to oppose moving forward with the project .
The height of the residential buildings blocking views , the anticipated traffic congestion and the perceived lack of changes based on charrette suggestions were a few of the concerns .
More than anything , though , opposition from the community stood as the main stumbling block to granting approval for the next step .
Residents expressed many concerns during the online meeting Monday , including questions about flooding in the area and a belief that the facade did n't fit in with Geneva 's historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's negative impact on the environment .
`` We 've all seen in the emails that were sent from residents who were very adamantly asking us , 'Please do n't approve this , ' '' Fourth Ward Alderman Jeanne McGowan said at Monday 's meeting .
`` I have to represent those residents ' wishes and my own personal wishes .
I did n't receive a single email from anyone who said , ' I love this project .
Please vote yes . '
'' Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra engaged in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential flexibility with the development plans .
Patzelt , however , felt his group had gone above and beyond in responding to concerns and requests presented during the charrette .
`` It 's a little unfortunate that the council members have not seen the numerous changes and the extensive work that the entire design team and charrette team , including the staff , has put into this plan , '' Patzelt said .
`` Unfortunately you ca n't make everybody happy , and I do n't know that we 're going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process . ''
Given the high-profile nature of the location -- on the eastern bank of the Fox River -- there 's consensus about one aspect of the site 's future .
They want to get this right .
`` We had an 18-month courtship and we chose not to get married under these circumstances , '' Burns said .
`` I 'm certainly hoping we can rekindle the relationship at some point . ''

Dashed Mill Race Inn development plans leave future of Geneva site in question
Flooding, seen here in 2013, has been a recurring issue at the former Mill Race Inn site in Geneva. Daily Herald file
This artist's rendering shows a proposed development at the Mill Race Inn site that was unanimously rejected in a vote by the Geneva City Council. Courtesy of the City of Geneva
For four years, the former Mill Race Inn site in Geneva has sat empty except for the remnants of a historic stone structure protected by a tarp.
It'll stay that way -- at least for now -- after the city council rejected the latest development proposal for the prime parcel of land on the Fox River at Geneva's eastern gateway.
At a meeting Monday, Geneva's 10 aldermen voted unanimously to reject the proposal presented by the Shodeen Family Foundation, signaling the end of a $38 million project introduced nearly 18 months ago.
The proposed project called for 116 rental apartments, eight townhouses, 2,000 square feet of commercial space, 155 covered parking spaces, deconstruction and reinterpretation of the original historic structure to adhere to its landmark status, and riverfront amenities.
The decision will cost the city $273,000 -- to come from tax increment financing funds -- to cover all the expenses to this point, including Shodeen's.
That's because a 2019 agreement between Geneva and Shodeen states the two entities would split the amount unless the city decided not to proceed. By not going forward, the city is required to reimburse Shodeen for its half of the expenses.
What happens next with the site is unknown.
"I'm certain that I can speak for everybody involved that there will be deep breaths and moments to kind of regroup," Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said on Tuesday. "We will move forward and await to hear what plans the foundation has for that land."
Shodeen purchased the 1.4-acre former Mill Race Inn site at 4 E. State St. for $550,000 in 2014 and was under contract to buy the adjacent property at 12 E. State St. But the site's history dates back to the 1800s.
An original blacksmith's structure, built in 1846, opened as a tearoom in 1933. Through the years, the Mill Race Inn was developed around the original structure before the restaurant closed in 2011. The Mill Race Inn was demolished in 2016, leaving the historic structure alone on the site.
Geneva's aldermen, who last year voted 6-4 to go ahead with a three-day planning session known as a charrette, offered different reasons to oppose moving forward with the project. The height of the residential buildings blocking views, the anticipated traffic congestion and the perceived lack of changes based on charrette suggestions were a few of the concerns.
More than anything, though, opposition from the community stood as the main stumbling block to granting approval for the next step.
Residents expressed many concerns during the online meeting Monday, including questions about flooding in the area and a belief that the facade didn't fit in with Geneva's historical identity. Others worried about the development's negative impact on the environment.
"We've all seen in the emails that were sent from residents who were very adamantly asking us, 'Please don't approve this,'" Fourth Ward Alderman Jeanne McGowan said at Monday's meeting. "I have to represent those residents' wishes and my own personal wishes. I didn't receive a single email from anyone who said, 'I love this project. Please vote yes.'"
Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra engaged in a back-and-forth with Shodeen President David Patzelt about potential flexibility with the development plans. Patzelt, however, felt his group had gone above and beyond in responding to concerns and requests presented during the charrette.
"It's a little unfortunate that the council members have not seen the numerous changes and the extensive work that the entire design team and charrette team, including the staff, has put into this plan," Patzelt said.
"Unfortunately you can't make everybody happy, and I don't know that we're going to be able to make everybody happy in this process."
Given the high-profile nature of the location -- on the eastern bank of the Fox River -- there's consensus about one aspect of the site's future.
They want to get this right.
"We had an 18-month courtship and we chose not to get married under these circumstances," Burns said. "I'm certainly hoping we can rekindle the relationship at some point."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-02--Rittenhouse due back in court today

Rittenhouse due back in court today

KENOSHA , Wis. -- An Antioch teen accused of killing two men during an August protest in Wisconsin is due in court today for a preliminary hearing in the case .
Kyle Rittenhouse , 17 , is also charged in the wounding of a third person on Aug. 25 during a night of unrest in Kenosha that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a local Black man .
Rittenhouse told police he was attacked while guarding a business and that he fired in self-defense .
He was freed from jail last month after posting $ 2 million bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a legal-defense fund set up by conservatives portraying him as a patriot protecting other people 's property .
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have painted Rittenhouse as a trigger-happy white supremacist .
Rittenhouse is charged with homicide and attempted homicide for fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding a third man , Gaige Grosskreutz .
A preliminary hearing is the stage at which a court decides whether enough evidence exists to proceed to trial .
The Kenosha County district attorney 's office did n't respond to interview requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview ahead of today 's hearing .
In a filing this week , Richards asked the court to dismiss two of the six counts against Rittenhouse .
He argued that a misdemeanor count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 is n't supported by the law -- an argument that the court already rejected once .
Richards also sought the dismissal of a felony count alleging Rittenhouse endangered the public 's safety by using a dangerous weapon .
Richards said the state offered no proof to substantiate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard McGinnis ' account .
The shootings happened two days after a white police officer trying to arrest Blake shot the 29-year-old seven times in the back , paralyzing him from the waist down .
Video of the shooting sparked several nights of protests in Kenosha .

Rittenhouse due back in court today
Kyle Rittenhouse, with backward cap, walks along Sheridan Road on Aug. 25 during a night of unrest in Kenosha, Wis. The Antioch teen fatally shot two people and wounded another in what his attorneys argue was a case of self-defense. Adam Rogan/The Journal Times via AP
KENOSHA, Wis. -- An Antioch teen accused of killing two men during an August protest in Wisconsin is due in court today for a preliminary hearing in the case.
Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, is also charged in the wounding of a third person on Aug. 25 during a night of unrest in Kenosha that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a local Black man.
Rittenhouse told police he was attacked while guarding a business and that he fired in self-defense. He was freed from jail last month after posting $2 million bond, with most of the money raised through a legal-defense fund set up by conservatives portraying him as a patriot protecting other people's property.
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have painted Rittenhouse as a trigger-happy white supremacist.
Rittenhouse is charged with homicide and attempted homicide for fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding a third man, Gaige Grosskreutz.
A preliminary hearing is the stage at which a court decides whether enough evidence exists to proceed to trial. The Kenosha County district attorney's office didn't respond to interview requests, and Rittenhouse attorney Mark Richards declined an interview ahead of today's hearing.
In a filing this week, Richards asked the court to dismiss two of the six counts against Rittenhouse. He argued that a misdemeanor count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 isn't supported by the law -- an argument that the court already rejected once.
Richards also sought the dismissal of a felony count alleging Rittenhouse endangered the public's safety by using a dangerous weapon. Richards said the state offered no proof to substantiate that charge, which was based on witness Richard McGinnis' account.
The shootings happened two days after a white police officer trying to arrest Blake shot the 29-year-old seven times in the back, paralyzing him from the waist down. Video of the shooting sparked several nights of protests in Kenosha.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-02--Proposed cannabis store in Wheeling clears procedural hurdle

A company called Mindful Illinois wants to open a store called Hatch in the former TGI Fridays restaurant at 1500 E. Lake-Cook Road .
The 5,800-square-foot , free-standing building is in the Schwind Crossings shopping center .
The village 's plan commission on Wednesday approved requests to change Wheeling 's zoning rules to allow a cannabis dispensary in the shopping center .
The commission also said the village board should grant the business a special-use permit .
The board will consider both measures when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday .
Mindful Illinois operates the Mindful pot shop in Addison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's name to Hatch , so both shops would have the same name , partner Gary Leff told the plan commission .
The company already is licensed to operate a second dispensary , Leff said .
At one point , a letter from a Buffalo Grove resident worried about traffic and crime was read into the record .
Leff said current available parking spots are `` ample . ''
The store would n't attract more customers than the restaurant did , he said .
Leff also described proposed security conditions at the shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21-and-over admission policy .
Additionally , Village Planner Marcy Knysz said Wheeling police have raised no crime-related concerns .
Leff said he and his partners are `` very excited to become part of the Wheeling business community . ''
Cannabis dispensaries operate in Arlington Heights , Buffalo Grove , Mount Prospect , Schaumburg , Mundelein and other suburbs .
Some , such as the ones in Buffalo Grove and Mount Prospect , serve only customers with medical prescriptions .
In October , the Wheeling village board approved a special-use permit for a proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road .
But that proposed business still needs a state craft growing license , and none have been issued yet .

Proposed cannabis store in Wheeling clears procedural hurdle
A plan to open Wheeling's first cannabis dispensary cleared a significant bureaucratic hurdle Wednesday.
A company called Mindful Illinois wants to open a store called Hatch in the former TGI Fridays restaurant at 1500 E. Lake-Cook Road. The 5,800-square-foot, free-standing building is in the Schwind Crossings shopping center.
The village's plan commission on Wednesday approved requests to change Wheeling's zoning rules to allow a cannabis dispensary in the shopping center. The commission also said the village board should grant the business a special-use permit.
The board will consider both measures when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Mindful Illinois operates the Mindful pot shop in Addison. The company is changing that store's name to Hatch, so both shops would have the same name, partner Gary Leff told the plan commission.
The company already is licensed to operate a second dispensary, Leff said.
At one point, a letter from a Buffalo Grove resident worried about traffic and crime was read into the record.
Leff said current available parking spots are "ample." The store wouldn't attract more customers than the restaurant did, he said.
Leff also described proposed security conditions at the shop, including a locked entrance and a 21-and-over admission policy. Additionally, Village Planner Marcy Knysz said Wheeling police have raised no crime-related concerns.
Leff said he and his partners are "very excited to become part of the Wheeling business community."
Cannabis dispensaries operate in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Schaumburg, Mundelein and other suburbs. Some, such as the ones in Buffalo Grove and Mount Prospect, serve only customers with medical prescriptions.
In October, the Wheeling village board approved a special-use permit for a proposed cannabis growing facility at 1480 S. Wolf Road. But that proposed business still needs a state craft growing license, and none have been issued yet.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Constable: Childhood fun in nature inspires Geneva writer's poetry

Growing up on Chicago 's Gold Coast as the son of a prestigious doctor , Rick Holinger of Geneva had his `` epiphany '' on the edge of the Catskill Mountains while he was a student at Hartwick College in Oneonta , New York .
`` I discovered that I loved reading and writing , '' says Holinger , who was enthralled with Elia Kazan 's novel `` The Arrangement . ''
Holinger remembers being so thrilled with that revelation about what he wanted to do with his life that he walked across campus singing Chicago 's `` Only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only the beginning of what I want to feel forever . ''
This year , Holinger turned 71 years old , retired after 40 years as an English teacher at Marmion Academy in Aurora , and had his first book of poetry , `` North of Crivitz , '' published by Kelsay Books .
The book includes a poem titled `` Bluebells in the Time of Coronavirus , '' which is about a walk in April with his wife , Tia , but the roots of his poetry run deeper than the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poems since I was in my 20s , '' says Holinger , who has kept a handwritten journal since he was 19 .
`` I started my coronavirus journal on the Ides of March . ''
Many of the poems in the book grew out of weekends as a boy on his grandparents ' land on a wooded floodplain in Plano , where his `` Pop '' installed the retired luxury Pullman One railroad car , once used by presidents , on a bluff overlooking Rock Creek .
`` It was a wonderful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says Holinger , who played with his three older brothers and heroes and villains of his imagination .
He also took in the sights during summer trips to his family 's cabin on a lake in the Northwoods just north of Crivitz , Wisconsin .
He writes about box elder bugs and monarch butterflies , snapping turtles and cowbirds , fishermen and poets .
`` Because poets and anglers sit side by side in the boat , equally at ease floating over paper or water , conforming to conscience and imagined invisibles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the less , the loner , the lost , '' Holinger writes in his poem `` Artists and Anglers . ''
For high school , his parents sent him to a boarding school in Connecticut `` for kids who were n't living up to their potential , '' Holinger says .
After college , he worked a night shift as a security guard and wrote short stories .
He still remembers his first rejection letter from Esquire , which read , `` I love the story , but the telling leaves me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get his master 's degree in English at Washington University in St. Louis and taught at St. Louis University High School , until his wife landed a job as a French teacher at Glenbard West High School and they moved to the Fox Valley , where they raised their children , Jay and Molly .
Tia Holinger now teaches art at St. Francis High School in Wheaton .
Seeking the input of `` good people to read my work , '' Holinger got his doctoral degree in creative writing at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1995 , he founded the St. Charles Writers Group , and through his work with libraries has been a leader in the Elgin Community College Writers Center and the Night Writers Workshop of Geneva .
His poems have been nominated for three Pushcart Prize awards , and he has won numerous writing awards for his poetry and fiction writing .
He started writing a newspaper column about his life in the suburbs 20 years ago in the now-defunct Geneva Sun and still writes a bimonthly column for the Kane County Chronicle .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection of columns in a book titled `` Kangaroo Rabbits and Galvanized Fences : Views of a Guy Who Wants To Know , 'What Do They Make Pinewood Derby Cars Out Of ? '
'' Both his books are available at richardholinger.net .
He 's currently working on a collection of poems about `` people who changed the way human beings imagine , '' from Homer to Steve Jobs .
But he still writes short stories and adds to his journals .
There is joy in `` the rhythm , the imagery '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I write whatever the muse is offering me . ''

Constable: Childhood fun in nature inspires Geneva writer's poetry
Growing up on Chicago's Gold Coast as the son of a prestigious doctor, Rick Holinger of Geneva had his "epiphany" on the edge of the Catskill Mountains while he was a student at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York.
"I discovered that I loved reading and writing," says Holinger, who was enthralled with Elia Kazan's novel "The Arrangement."
Holinger remembers being so thrilled with that revelation about what he wanted to do with his life that he walked across campus singing Chicago's "Only the Beginning," with the lyrics "Only the beginning of what I want to feel forever."
This year, Holinger turned 71 years old, retired after 40 years as an English teacher at Marmion Academy in Aurora, and had his first book of poetry, "North of Crivitz," published by Kelsay Books. The book includes a poem titled "Bluebells in the Time of Coronavirus," which is about a walk in April with his wife, Tia, but the roots of his poetry run deeper than the pandemic.
"I've been writing these poems since I was in my 20s," says Holinger, who has kept a handwritten journal since he was 19. "I started my coronavirus journal on the Ides of March."
Many of the poems in the book grew out of weekends as a boy on his grandparents' land on a wooded floodplain in Plano, where his "Pop" installed the retired luxury Pullman One railroad car, once used by presidents, on a bluff overlooking Rock Creek.
"It was a wonderful time for a kid to imagine," says Holinger, who played with his three older brothers and heroes and villains of his imagination.
He also took in the sights during summer trips to his family's cabin on a lake in the Northwoods just north of Crivitz, Wisconsin. He writes about box elder bugs and monarch butterflies, snapping turtles and cowbirds, fishermen and poets.
"Because poets and anglers sit side by side in the boat, equally at ease floating over paper or water, conforming to conscience and imagined invisibles, never succumbing to belittling the little, the less, the loner, the lost," Holinger writes in his poem "Artists and Anglers."
For high school, his parents sent him to a boarding school in Connecticut "for kids who weren't living up to their potential," Holinger says. After college, he worked a night shift as a security guard and wrote short stories. He still remembers his first rejection letter from Esquire, which read, "I love the story, but the telling leaves me cold."
He went on to get his master's degree in English at Washington University in St. Louis and taught at St. Louis University High School, until his wife landed a job as a French teacher at Glenbard West High School and they moved to the Fox Valley, where they raised their children, Jay and Molly. Tia Holinger now teaches art at St. Francis High School in Wheaton.
Seeking the input of "good people to read my work," Holinger got his doctoral degree in creative writing at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1993. In 1995, he founded the St. Charles Writers Group, and through his work with libraries has been a leader in the Elgin Community College Writers Center and the Night Writers Workshop of Geneva.
His poems have been nominated for three Pushcart Prize awards, and he has won numerous writing awards for his poetry and fiction writing. He started writing a newspaper column about his life in the suburbs 20 years ago in the now-defunct Geneva Sun and still writes a bimonthly column for the Kane County Chronicle.
In November, Dreaming Big Press published a collection of columns in a book titled "Kangaroo Rabbits and Galvanized Fences: Views of a Guy Who Wants To Know, 'What Do They Make Pinewood Derby Cars Out Of?'" Both his books are available at richardholinger.net.
He's currently working on a collection of poems about "people who changed the way human beings imagine," from Homer to Steve Jobs. But he still writes short stories and adds to his journals.
There is joy in "the rhythm, the imagery" of writing, Holinger says. "I write whatever the muse is offering me."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-02--Elgin council unanimously supports ongoing renovation of historic home

Elgin 's Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House saw one of its last remaining obstacles to becoming a new hot spot for art , education and community meetings fall Wednesday night .
City council members unanimously approved plans to add parking , landscaping and a privacy fence .
That leaves only one more obstacle before the house can open for public use -- money .
Renovations on one of the oldest buildings left in the city are now going on six years into the 174-year-old home .
That includes more than $ 475,000 in donations and countless volunteer hours into the actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's what it 's taken to find yet another rebirth for a structure that was divided into small apartments and fell into disrepair before the city purchased the home at the behest of neighbors and the Elgin History Museum .
The property still needs at least $ 100,000 worth of donations and work before it will open , possibly , in 2021 .
City council members said the 78-person capacity home will be worth the wait .
Council member Rose Martinez said the home , at the intersection of Chicago Street and Crystal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during her former days of driving a school bus .
`` I 'd drive kids by there and explain to them that this is the oldest house ( on this side ) of Elgin , '' Martinez said .
`` The oohs and ahhs were priceless .
It 's such a big part of our history . ''
Council member Cory Dixon said the transformation of the home , including all its highs and lows , is the essence of Elgin .
`` This property has a lot of historical significance , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a representation of the transformation we 've made as a city .
This property was chopped up into apartments .
The neighborhood surrounding it was not the best .
And since then things have improved in the neighborhood .
That 's a reflection of Elgin .
The city has improved as well . ''
People interested in tracking the progress of the renovations or donating to the effort can do so by searching @ NancyKimballHouseProject on Facebook .

Elgin council unanimously supports ongoing renovation of historic home
Elgin's Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House saw one of its last remaining obstacles to becoming a new hot spot for art, education and community meetings fall Wednesday night. City council members unanimously approved plans to add parking, landscaping and a privacy fence.
That leaves only one more obstacle before the house can open for public use -- money.
Renovations on one of the oldest buildings left in the city are now going on six years into the 174-year-old home. That includes more than $475,000 in donations and countless volunteer hours into the actual reconstruction of the space. But that's what it's taken to find yet another rebirth for a structure that was divided into small apartments and fell into disrepair before the city purchased the home at the behest of neighbors and the Elgin History Museum.
The property still needs at least $100,000 worth of donations and work before it will open, possibly, in 2021. City council members said the 78-person capacity home will be worth the wait.
Council member Rose Martinez said the home, at the intersection of Chicago Street and Crystal Avenue, was a highlight for her during her former days of driving a school bus.
"I'd drive kids by there and explain to them that this is the oldest house (on this side) of Elgin," Martinez said. "The oohs and ahhs were priceless. It's such a big part of our history."
Council member Cory Dixon said the transformation of the home, including all its highs and lows, is the essence of Elgin.
"This property has a lot of historical significance," Dixon said. "It is also a representation of the transformation we've made as a city. This property was chopped up into apartments. The neighborhood surrounding it was not the best. And since then things have improved in the neighborhood. That's a reflection of Elgin. The city has improved as well."
People interested in tracking the progress of the renovations or donating to the effort can do so by searching @NancyKimballHouseProject on Facebook.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Feder: Dish Network blackout of Nexstar stations exploits viewers

While Dish Network and Nexstar Media Group continue to play hardball on a retransmission agreement , viewers of `` Chicago @ @ @ @ @ 9 and WGN America cable network were plunged into darkness Wednesday night by the satellite @ @ @ @ @ writes .
WGN and 163 other Nexstar stations in 115 markets nationwide were affected by @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This record-breaking blackout is not only exploitative , but also an endangerment to @ @ @ @ @ countless Americans who rely on their local news for up-to-date coronavirus information , '' said @ @ @ @ @ Alliance , a coalition of interested groups .
Get the full report , and more @ @ @ @ @ robertfeder.com .

Feder: Dish Network blackout of Nexstar stations exploits viewers
While Dish Network and Nexstar Media Group continue to play hardball on a retransmission agreement, viewers of "Chicago's Very Own" WGN-Channel 9 and WGN America cable network were plunged into darkness Wednesday night by the satellite TV provider.
While Dish Network and Nexstar Media Group continue to play hardball on a retransmission agreement, viewers of "Chicago's Very Own" WGN-Channel 9 and WGN America cable network were plunged into darkness Wednesday night by the satellite TV provider, Robert Feder writes.
WGN and 163 other Nexstar stations in 115 markets nationwide were affected by the dispute over carriage fees.
"This record-breaking blackout is not only exploitative, but also an endangerment to the health and safety of countless Americans who rely on their local news for up-to-date coronavirus information," said a spokesperson for American Television Alliance, a coalition of interested groups.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


US-Pres-Sum,100

Needed to win : 270 of the 538 electoral votes ( ev ) from the 50 states and the District @ @ @

US-Pres-Sum,100
Trump 74,122,605 - 47 percent
Has won 25 states with 232 ev.
Leads in 0 states with 0 ev.
Others 2,699,052 - 2 percent
Has won 0 states with 0 ev.
Leads in 0 states with 0 ev.
Needed to win: 270 of the 538 electoral votes (ev) from
the 50 states and the District of Columbia.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--COVID-19 has now killed one in every 1,000 Illinois residents

One in every 1,000 Illinois residents has now died from COVID-19 , according to the most recent data released by the Illinois Department of Public Health .
`` It is devastating , it 's just devastating for the country , it 's devastating for the state of Illinois , for all of us who are very focused on trying to save people 's lives , '' Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Thursday .
`` I look at it and I say , 'How can people not follow the mitigations ? '
`` Watching the number of people passing away not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , I just hope that people are heeding the mitigations that we 're asking them to follow now because that , ultimately , is going bring the death count down .
We saw it work before in the spring . ''
State health officials announced 192 more COVID-19 deaths Thursday , bringing the state 's death toll from the virus to 12,830 since the outset of the pandemic .
Illinois ' 2020 population is just under 12.7 million residents , according to World Population Review estimates .
Illinois joins eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grim milestone .
Only New Jersey has seen more people die from COVID-19 than Illinois .
New Jersey also has the worst rate , with 17,803 deaths from the virus , nearly two in every 1,000 residents .
Across the country , the virus has claimed the lives of one in every 1,217 Americans , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported .
In Illinois , one in every 800 Cook County residents has died from the virus since the outbreak began .
It is the only county to hit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Illinois is averaging 124 deaths each day over the past week .
That 's the highest daily average the state has seen during the pandemic , eclipsing the previous record of 117 deaths a day experienced in mid-May .
`` I do n't know if there 's any other thing that should be more powerful in people 's minds about why they ought to follow the mitigations and stay home right now than the number of people who are passing away , '' Pritzker said .
The entire state is operating under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at grocery stores and 25 % at other stores , suspending indoor group sports , closing casinos and video gambling terminals , and banning events at banquet halls , party venues and clubs .
Other restrictions ordered by Pritzker temporarily shuttered movie theaters , capped outdoor gatherings at 10 people and limited funerals to 10 relatives .
The U.S. recorded 3,157 deaths on Wednesday alone , according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
That shattered the old mark of 2,603 , set on April 15 .
State health officials also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the respiratory disease were diagnosed , bringing the state 's total number of COVID-19 cases to 759,562 since the outbreak began .
The state 's seven-day average infection rate now stands at 10.4 % , a decline after two days of slight increases .
Hospitals statewide reported 5,653 COVID-19 patients Wednesday , more than 100 fewer patients than the day before .
Of those hospitalized , 1,170 were in intensive care .
Available hospital beds remain a concern in suburban health regions .
Region 9 , which consists of Lake and McHenry counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hospital beds are unoccupied , and the number of open beds has been shrinking for four straight days .
Region 8 , which consists of DuPage and Kane counties , shows less than 15 % of hospital beds are available .
In suburban Cook County and in Will and Kankakee counties ' Region 7 , fewer than 20 % of both standard hospital beds and ICU beds are available , according to IDPH figures .

COVID-19 has now killed one in every 1,000 Illinois residents
Illinois is now reporting one in every 1,000 residents have now died from COVID-19 since the outset of the pandemic, joining eight other states that have hit that grim milestone. Here Illinois National Guard members return a body tray to be sanitized on the loading dock at the Cook County medical examiner's auxiliary surge storage center in May. Associated Press File Photo/May 5
One in every 1,000 Illinois residents has now died from COVID-19, according to the most recent data released by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
"It is devastating, it's just devastating for the country, it's devastating for the state of Illinois, for all of us who are very focused on trying to save people's lives," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday. "I look at it and I say, 'How can people not follow the mitigations?'
"Watching the number of people passing away not just in Illinois but the thousands across the United States, I just hope that people are heeding the mitigations that we're asking them to follow now because that, ultimately, is going bring the death count down. We saw it work before in the spring."
State health officials announced 192 more COVID-19 deaths Thursday, bringing the state's death toll from the virus to 12,830 since the outset of the pandemic.
Illinois' 2020 population is just under 12.7 million residents, according to World Population Review estimates.
Illinois joins eight other states that have already reached the grim milestone. New Jersey has the worst rate among those states, with 17,803 deaths from the virus, nearly two in every 1,000 residents. Among those nine states, only New Jersey has seen more people die from COVID-19 than Illinois.
Across the country, the virus has claimed the lives of one in every 1,217 Americans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
In Illinois, one in every 800 Cook County residents has died from the virus since the outbreak began. It is the only county to hit the one-per-1,000 benchmark, according to IDPH figures.
Illinois is averaging 124 deaths each day over the past week. That's the highest daily average the state has seen during the pandemic, eclipsing the previous record of 117 deaths a day experienced in mid-May.
"I don't know if there's any other thing that should be more powerful in people's minds about why they ought to follow the mitigations and stay home right now than the number of people who are passing away," Pritzker said.
The entire state is operating under restrictions including reducing capacity to 50% at grocery stores and 25% at other stores, suspending indoor group sports, closing casinos and video gambling terminals, and banning events at banquet halls, party venues and clubs.
Other restrictions ordered by Pritzker temporarily shuttered movie theaters, capped outdoor gatherings at 10 people and limited funerals to 10 relatives.
The U.S. recorded 3,157 deaths on Wednesday alone, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. That shattered the old mark of 2,603, set on April 15.
State health officials also announced Thursday that 10,959 more cases of the respiratory disease were diagnosed, bringing the state's total number of COVID-19 cases to 759,562 since the outbreak began.
The state's seven-day average infection rate now stands at 10.4%, a decline after two days of slight increases.
Hospitals statewide reported 5,653 COVID-19 patients Wednesday, more than 100 fewer patients than the day before. Of those hospitalized, 1,170 were in intensive care.
Available hospital beds remain a concern in suburban health regions. Region 9, which consists of Lake and McHenry counties, is reporting fewer than 20% of hospital beds are unoccupied, and the number of open beds has been shrinking for four straight days.
Region 8, which consists of DuPage and Kane counties, shows less than 15% of hospital beds are available.
In suburban Cook County and in Will and Kankakee counties' Region 7, fewer than 20% of both standard hospital beds and ICU beds are available, according to IDPH figures.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--U-46 students will learn remotely at least through mid-January

Elgin Area School District U-46 students will stay in distance learning mode and wo n't return to in-person classes until at least after winter break in mid-January .
U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said the decision to delay in-person classes was prompted by warnings from state and local health departments of a projected surge in COVID-19 cases after the Thanksgiving break .
`` I prefer to err on the cautious side for the safety and well-being of our families and staff , while considering that families need time to plan ( for ) this change , '' Sanders wrote in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
The district halted in-person classes and switched to fully remote learning on Nov. 23 after just two weeks of hybrid learning for 4,400 students in prekindergarten through second grade .
Officials barely had started hybrid classes for select groups of middle and high school students in specialized programs , and were supposed to move to a hybrid schedule for third- through sixth-graders on Dec. 1 .
Now , preschoolers through second-graders will return for hybrid in-person instruction the week of Jan. 11 .
Students in third through sixth grade likely will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as students in the district 's transition and specialized student services programs .
The plan for middle and high school students to return to schools for in-person classes is unclear .
Sanders ' announcement received mixed reactions from parents on social media .
Though a majority supported the decision to stick with remote learning , some parents urged having limited winter sports and activities and additional support for students who are struggling emotionally and academically .
The school board Monday night will review an updated hybrid plan for the second semester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also are finalizing plans to provide some level of support for struggling students before the first semester ends , with targeted opportunities for small group in-person instruction Jan. 4 through 15 , Sanders wrote .

U-46 students will learn remotely at least through mid-January
Elgin Area School District U-46 students will stay in distance learning mode and won't return to in-person classes until at least after winter break in mid-January.
U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said the decision to delay in-person classes was prompted by warnings from state and local health departments of a projected surge in COVID-19 cases after the Thanksgiving break.
"I prefer to err on the cautious side for the safety and well-being of our families and staff, while considering that families need time to plan (for) this change," Sanders wrote in a message to families and the staff this week.
The district halted in-person classes and switched to fully remote learning on Nov. 23 after just two weeks of hybrid learning for 4,400 students in prekindergarten through second grade. Officials barely had started hybrid classes for select groups of middle and high school students in specialized programs, and were supposed to move to a hybrid schedule for third- through sixth-graders on Dec. 1.
Now, preschoolers through second-graders will return for hybrid in-person instruction the week of Jan. 11. Students in third through sixth grade likely will start in-person classes around that time, as well as students in the district's transition and specialized student services programs.
The plan for middle and high school students to return to schools for in-person classes is unclear.
Sanders' announcement received mixed reactions from parents on social media. Though a majority supported the decision to stick with remote learning, some parents urged having limited winter sports and activities and additional support for students who are struggling emotionally and academically.
The school board Monday night will review an updated hybrid plan for the second semester, which begins Jan. 19. Officials also are finalizing plans to provide some level of support for struggling students before the first semester ends, with targeted opportunities for small group in-person instruction Jan. 4 through 15, Sanders wrote.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Early morning fire guts Algonquin home, but no injuries reported

An early morning fire broke out at a home on the east side of Algonquin this morning , leveling the structure but not causing any injuries .
The fire was reported at about 6:15 a.m. by a passerby who saw smoke from the home on the 0-100 block of Riverview Drive .
Flames were pouring through the roof by the time firefighters from the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District arrived a short time later , Chief Michael Kern said .
`` We basically had to do what we call 'surround and drown , ' '' Kern said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the owner to make sure nobody was in there at the time of the fire to make sure there were no victims , no animals . ''
The owner was home earlier in the morning , but had left for work before fire broke out , Kern said .
The fire was brought under control at about 7:15 a.m. , but crews remained on the scene into the morning putting out hot spots .
Kern said the cause of the fire was not immediately known , '' Until we get in there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything , '' he said .
`` We need to talk to the homeowner , see what he was doing prior to going to work . ''

Early morning fire guts Algonquin home, but no injuries reported
An early morning fire broke out at a home on the east side of Algonquin this morning, leveling the structure but not causing any injuries.
The fire was reported at about 6:15 a.m. by a passerby who saw smoke from the home on the 0-100 block of Riverview Drive.
Flames were pouring through the roof by the time firefighters from the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District arrived a short time later, Chief Michael Kern said.
"We basically had to do what we call 'surround and drown,'" Kern said. "We were able to make contact with the owner to make sure nobody was in there at the time of the fire to make sure there were no victims, no animals."
The owner was home earlier in the morning, but had left for work before fire broke out, Kern said.
The fire was brought under control at about 7:15 a.m., but crews remained on the scene into the morning putting out hot spots.
Kern said the cause of the fire was not immediately known,
"Until we get in there, we're not going to know anything," he said. "We need to talk to the homeowner, see what he was doing prior to going to work."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Court: Enough evidence to send Rittenhouse to trial in Kenosha protest shootings

There is enough evidence to warrant a trial for an Antioch teen accused of killing two men and wounding a third during a night of unrest in Wisconsin , a court commissioner ruled Thursday after a contentious hearing in which the defendant 's lawyer tried to show he had acted in self-defense .
Kyle Rittenhouse , 17 , is charged with homicide and attempted homicide for the Aug. 25 fatal shootings of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and the wounding of Gaige Grosskreutz during a night of unrest two days after the police shooting in Kenosha of Jacob Blake , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preliminary hearing conducted via video , Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Loren Keating found that there was enough probable cause for the case to proceed to trial .
Rittenhouse , who wore a covering over his nose and mouth , attended the Zoom hearing from the office of his attorney , Mark Richards .
Rittenhouse told police he was attacked while guarding someone 's business and that he fired in self-defense .
He was freed from jail last month after posting $ 2 million bond , with most of the money raised through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservatives who view him as a patriot who was protecting other people 's property .
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have painted Rittenhouse as a trigger-happy white supremacist who was in Kenosha that night to provoke a response .
During the hearing , Richards showed the court several screenshots from videos that were recorded on the night of the shootings to try to show that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense , over numerous objections from Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger .
The photos showed Rittenhouse running from another protester who had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Huber struck him with a skateboard .
`` The state is trying to put forth a one-sided , stilted view of what happened , '' Richards told the court .
Binger argued that the defense was trying to use the hearing to `` make this a self-defense case , and as the court has already indicated , that is an issue for trial .
What happened before this incident ... does not go to the probable cause as to whether or not the defendant committed a felony , and I object to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the evidence shows a felony was committed , but Richards disagreed , saying `` the government can go off on their chaotic quest , but the evidence is clear . ''
Keating also denied a defense request to dismiss two of the six counts against Rittenhouse .
Richards argued that a misdemeanor count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 is n't supported by the law -- an argument the court rejected before .
Richards also sought the dismissal of a felony count of recklessly endangering the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Richards said the state offered no proof to substantiate that charge , which was based on witness Richard McGinnis ' account of Rittenhouse firing his gun with McGinnis in the line of fire .
The shootings happened two days after a white police officer trying to arrest Blake shot the 29-year-old seven times in the back , paralyzing him from the waist down .
Video of the shooting sparked several nights of protests in Kenosha , a city of about 100,000 near the Wisconsin-Illinois border .

Court: Enough evidence to send Rittenhouse to trial in Kenosha protest shootings
Kyle Rittenhouse, with backwards cap, walks along Sheridan Road on Aug. 25 during a night of unrest in Kenosha, Wis. Rittenhouse fatally shot two people and wounded a third in what his attorneys argue was a case of self-defense. Adam Rogan/The Journal Times via AP
In this screen grab from live stream video, Kyle Rittenhouse, left, appears with attorney Mark Richards during a hearing Thursday in Kenosha, Wis. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court via AP
There is enough evidence to warrant a trial for an Antioch teen accused of killing two men and wounding a third during a night of unrest in Wisconsin, a court commissioner ruled Thursday after a contentious hearing in which the defendant's lawyer tried to show he had acted in self-defense.
Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, is charged with homicide and attempted homicide for the Aug. 25 fatal shootings of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and the wounding of Gaige Grosskreutz during a night of unrest two days after the police shooting in Kenosha of Jacob Blake, a local Black man.
During a preliminary hearing conducted via video, Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Loren Keating found that there was enough probable cause for the case to proceed to trial. Rittenhouse, who wore a covering over his nose and mouth, attended the Zoom hearing from the office of his attorney, Mark Richards.
Rittenhouse told police he was attacked while guarding someone's business and that he fired in self-defense. He was freed from jail last month after posting $2 million bond, with most of the money raised through a legal defense fund set up by conservatives who view him as a patriot who was protecting other people's property.
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have painted Rittenhouse as a trigger-happy white supremacist who was in Kenosha that night to provoke a response.
During the hearing, Richards showed the court several screenshots from videos that were recorded on the night of the shootings to try to show that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense, over numerous objections from Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger. The photos showed Rittenhouse running from another protester who had a gun, and Rittenhouse on the ground as Huber struck him with a skateboard.
"The state is trying to put forth a one-sided, stilted view of what happened," Richards told the court.
Binger argued that the defense was trying to use the hearing to "make this a self-defense case, and as the court has already indicated, that is an issue for trial. What happened before this incident ... does not go to the probable cause as to whether or not the defendant committed a felony, and I object to the relevance of this."
Binger said the evidence shows a felony was committed, but Richards disagreed, saying "the government can go off on their chaotic quest, but the evidence is clear."
Keating also denied a defense request to dismiss two of the six counts against Rittenhouse. Richards argued that a misdemeanor count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 isn't supported by the law -- an argument the court rejected before.
Richards also sought the dismissal of a felony count of recklessly endangering the public's safety by using a dangerous weapon. Richards said the state offered no proof to substantiate that charge, which was based on witness Richard McGinnis' account of Rittenhouse firing his gun with McGinnis in the line of fire.
The shootings happened two days after a white police officer trying to arrest Blake shot the 29-year-old seven times in the back, paralyzing him from the waist down. Video of the shooting sparked several nights of protests in Kenosha, a city of about 100,000 near the Wisconsin-Illinois border.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Northbrook-area hotel under scrutiny after wedding with 150 unmasked people

Government officials are calling a Wednesday wedding at a Northbrook-area hotel `` irresponsible '' after about 150 people gathered for the event while not wearing masks or social distancing .
The Hilton Chicago/Northbrook , 2855 Milwaukee Ave. , is outside the village limits but has a Northbrook ZIP code .
The hotel 's general manager has apologized , the Chicago Sun-Times reported .
`` While the event was booked prior to the implementation of the state 's latest mitigation measures , we sincerely regret allowing this gathering to proceed and our family apologizes to our guests , employees , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holly Allgauer-Cir said in a statement issued Thursday afternoon .
`` The coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the hospitality industry and our family-owned business .
However , our hope to keep the hotel afloat and employees working should not outweigh health and safety . ''
Allgauer-Cir said the hotel will follow health officials ' recommendations on contact tracing and testing , the Chicago Sun-Times reported , and the Cook County Department of Public Health has requested the guest list for the reception.
, Gov .
J.B. Pritzker criticized the hotel in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here we have people who are in a concentrated fashion have the ability now to go spread it to everywhere they return to , '' Pritzker said .
`` It 's very irresponsible and it 's also irresponsible of the hotel to host an event like that .
They too have breached the rules and they should be held responsible . ''
Michael Jacobson , president and CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association , issued a statement saying he contacted public health officials to determine next steps and reminded hotel management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 mitigations .
`` The large gathering that was allowed to take place at the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook is unacceptable and does not reflect the careful efforts the hotel industry as a whole has taken since the onset of the pandemic to protect guests , employees and our communities , '' Jacobson said .

Northbrook-area hotel under scrutiny after wedding with 150 unmasked people
The Hilton Chicago/Northbrook, 2855 Milwaukee Ave., hosted a wedding Wednesday that drew about 150 people who didn't wear masks or follow social distancing guidelines. Daily Herald file photo
Government officials are calling a Wednesday wedding at a Northbrook-area hotel "irresponsible" after about 150 people gathered for the event while not wearing masks or social distancing.
The Hilton Chicago/Northbrook, 2855 Milwaukee Ave., is outside the village limits but has a Northbrook ZIP code.
The hotel's general manager has apologized, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
"While the event was booked prior to the implementation of the state's latest mitigation measures, we sincerely regret allowing this gathering to proceed and our family apologizes to our guests, employees, and the Chicagoland community," general manager Holly Allgauer-Cir said in a statement issued Thursday afternoon.
"The coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the hospitality industry and our family-owned business. However, our hope to keep the hotel afloat and employees working should not outweigh health and safety."
Allgauer-Cir said the hotel will follow health officials' recommendations on contact tracing and testing, the Chicago Sun-Times reported, and the Cook County Department of Public Health has requested the guest list for the reception.,
Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized the hotel in his daily coronavirus briefing Thursday.
"Here we have people who are in a concentrated fashion have the ability now to go spread it to everywhere they return to," Pritzker said. "It's very irresponsible and it's also irresponsible of the hotel to host an event like that. They too have breached the rules and they should be held responsible."
Michael Jacobson, president and CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, issued a statement saying he contacted public health officials to determine next steps and reminded hotel management that they must abide by the Tier 3 mitigations.
"The large gathering that was allowed to take place at the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook is unacceptable and does not reflect the careful efforts the hotel industry as a whole has taken since the onset of the pandemic to protect guests, employees and our communities," Jacobson said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Nine charged in Carol Stream attack

Nine charged in Carol Stream attack

Nine people have been charged with attacking a man in a Carol Stream apartment Tuesday night .
Patricia Soto , 55 , of the 6400 block of 27th Street in Berwyn ; Raymundo Franco , 37 , of the 2600 block of Metropolitan Avenue in Waukegan ; Luis Pozelos , 28 , and Anais Nova , 30 , of the 2100 block of Capri Avenue in Joliet ; Tremaine Dantzler , 28 , of the 400 block of West Oak Avenue in Lockport ; and four juveniles are charged with mob action and criminal trespass to a residence .
Dantzler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery causing great bodily harm .
They were friends and relatives of victim 's girlfriend , according to a news release from the DuPage County state 's attorney 's office .
The victim and his girlfriend were at home when Soto , who is the woman 's mother , and Franco , who is the woman 's brother , arrived , and spoke outside with the girlfriend .
The victim then left the apartment with Soto .
The girlfriend 's sister , Anais Nova , then arrived with Pozelos and Dantzler , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nova , Pozelos and Dantzler then entered the apartment , and the men began hitting , kicking and choking the victim , according to authorities .
Soto , Franco and four juveniles entered the apartment .
During the attack , the victim took a knife from a counter and swung it .
The victim , Pozelos and the juveniles were injured .
Soto , Dantzler , Nova and Franco appeared Thursday before DuPage County Judge Alexander McGimpsey .
Pozelos is expected to appear in bond court Friday , according to the release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Soto , but she was allowed to post a personal-recognizance bond .
The judge set bail at $ 5,000 for Franco ; $ 5,000 for Nova ; and $ 10,000 for Dantzler .

Nine charged in Carol Stream attack
Nine people have been charged with attacking a man in a Carol Stream apartment Tuesday night.
Patricia Soto, 55, of the 6400 block of 27th Street in Berwyn; Raymundo Franco, 37, of the 2600 block of Metropolitan Avenue in Waukegan; Luis Pozelos, 28, and Anais Nova, 30, of the 2100 block of Capri Avenue in Joliet; Tremaine Dantzler, 28, of the 400 block of West Oak Avenue in Lockport; and four juveniles are charged with mob action and criminal trespass to a residence. Dantzler and Pozelos were also charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.
They were friends and relatives of victim's girlfriend, according to a news release from the DuPage County state's attorney's office.
The victim and his girlfriend were at home when Soto, who is the woman's mother, and Franco, who is the woman's brother, arrived, and spoke outside with the girlfriend. The victim then left the apartment with Soto.
The girlfriend's sister, Anais Nova, then arrived with Pozelos and Dantzler, and the sisters began arguing, authorities say.
Nova, Pozelos and Dantzler then entered the apartment, and the men began hitting, kicking and choking the victim, according to authorities. Soto, Franco and four juveniles entered the apartment.
During the attack, the victim took a knife from a counter and swung it.
The victim, Pozelos and the juveniles were injured.
Soto, Dantzler, Nova and Franco appeared Thursday before DuPage County Judge Alexander McGimpsey. Pozelos is expected to appear in bond court Friday, according to the release.
Bail was set at $10,000 for Soto, but she was allowed to post a personal-recognizance bond.
The judge set bail at $5,000 for Franco; $5,000 for Nova; and $10,000 for Dantzler.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Rosemont gets $2.8 million (not $45 million) to settle dispute over failed Emerald Casino

Rosemont will get $ 2.8 million in a settlement resolving a long-running dispute over the failed Emerald Casino bid .
The payout represents a fraction of what the village sought -- at least $ 45 million -- from six former Emerald officers as part of a bankruptcy proceeding .
The town spent another $ 10 million in legal fees over the last two decades , as its attorneys sought to recoup construction costs mostly related to the village 's building of a 7-level , 8,500-space parking garage for a casino that never materialized .
That Williams Street garage today serves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district , much of it on the site envisioned for the casino .
The garage has unused elevator shafts that were intended to transfer casino money to armored vehicles .
`` We were in a negative position cash-wise , '' said Mayor Brad Stephens .
`` But we have a parking garage as an asset .
We were never going to recoup the legal fees , but it 's better than getting nothing . ''
`` We were handed lemons and made some pretty tasty lemonade , '' he said of the entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The settlement comes from a pool of money secured by a bankruptcy trustee , as ordered by a federal judge in 2014 .
The judge ruled that six former Emerald officers owed creditors $ 272 million for losing the company 's gambling license , after they failed to comply with Illinois Gaming Board rules and regulations .
The casino site along the Tri-State Tollway was a flurry of construction activity in 2001 when regulators started investigating allegations of mob ties of potential Emerald investors .
The state eventually revoked the corporation 's gambling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investors and withheld other key information they were required to disclose .
Meanwhile , the state 's 10th gambling license ended up going to the operators of Rivers Casino , across the street from Rosemont in Des Plaines .
Of 100 different creditors , only a few are left , many having been paid by Emerald 's bankruptcy trustee through previous settlements .
There are still some unresolved claims in the lawsuit originally filed in June 2002 by the village and contractors .
That includes a claim from the general contractor , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Construction Co. and Power Construction .
Stephens said the village could have gone to trial on its claims related to the parking garage , but there was a risk of not getting any money , so officials agreed to settle .

Rosemont gets $2.8 million (not $45 million) to settle dispute over failed Emerald Casino
By 2008, the unfinished foundation of the failed Emerald Casino in Rosemont was set for demolition. But it paved the way for development of the 200,000-square-foot entertainment district that opened four years later. Daily Herald File Photo, October 2008
Rosemont will get $2.8 million in a settlement resolving a long-running dispute over the failed Emerald Casino bid.
The payout represents a fraction of what the village sought -- at least $45 million -- from six former Emerald officers as part of a bankruptcy proceeding.
The town spent another $10 million in legal fees over the last two decades, as its attorneys sought to recoup construction costs mostly related to the village's building of a 7-level, 8,500-space parking garage for a casino that never materialized.
That Williams Street garage today serves the 200,000-square-foot Parkway Bank Park village entertainment district, much of it on the site envisioned for the casino. The garage has unused elevator shafts that were intended to transfer casino money to armored vehicles.
"We were in a negative position cash-wise," said Mayor Brad Stephens. "But we have a parking garage as an asset. We were never going to recoup the legal fees, but it's better than getting nothing."
"We were handed lemons and made some pretty tasty lemonade," he said of the entertainment district, which opened in 2012.
The settlement comes from a pool of money secured by a bankruptcy trustee, as ordered by a federal judge in 2014. The judge ruled that six former Emerald officers owed creditors $272 million for losing the company's gambling license, after they failed to comply with Illinois Gaming Board rules and regulations.
The casino site along the Tri-State Tollway was a flurry of construction activity in 2001 when regulators started investigating allegations of mob ties of potential Emerald investors. The state eventually revoked the corporation's gambling license after determining company officials lied about investors and withheld other key information they were required to disclose.
Meanwhile, the state's 10th gambling license ended up going to the operators of Rivers Casino, across the street from Rosemont in Des Plaines.
Of 100 different creditors, only a few are left, many having been paid by Emerald's bankruptcy trustee through previous settlements.
There are still some unresolved claims in the lawsuit originally filed in June 2002 by the village and contractors. That includes a claim from the general contractor, which was a partnership between Degen & Rosato Construction Co. and Power Construction.
Stephens said the village could have gone to trial on its claims related to the parking garage, but there was a risk of not getting any money, so officials agreed to settle.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Czernek steps down as Bloomingdale Twp. roads chief after months of scandal

After 11 months in the shadow of an FBI corruption probe , Bloomingdale Township Highway Commissioner Robert Czernek has resigned , officials said Thursday .
Federal prosecutors charged Czernek in August with fraud and receiving more than $ 280,000 in kickbacks related to phony invoices for dump and storm sewer projects .
He has pleaded not guilty .
Czernek 's departure comes after numerous calls from Hovde and other DuPage County leaders for him to step down .
Bloomingdale Township voters also chimed in , with 60 % approving by referendum in the Nov. 3 election an effort spearheaded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road district and highway commissioner job .
On May 17 , 2021 , the remaining road district employees and operations will be folded into the township government .
Hovde said in a statement he looks `` forward to having board oversight over the road district as the township continues the process of assuming and absorbing the duties of the road district . ''
Road district contractor BullDog Earth Movers ' owner Debra Fazio and employee Mario Giannini also were charged with fraud .
Federal prosecutors said the company colluded with Czernek to concoct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giannini have pleaded not guilty .
`` In exchange for the secret kickbacks , Czernek used his official position to approve and cause the approval for payment of stone delivery , dump leveling , and storm sewer invoices , '' the indictment states .
The highway commissioner processed the bills `` knowing that the work and services reflected on the invoices at times had not been performed by BEM , '' the indictment says .
Authorities said Czernek , serving his second term as roads chief , started the scheme in May 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secret hiding places around the road district headquarters .
Fazio devised false invoices and passed on the kickbacks , prosecutors said .
The highway district will be run by staff members until a replacement for Czernek is appointed in the next 60 days to serve the rest of his term .
Invoices will be approved by the township board .

Czernek steps down as Bloomingdale Twp. roads chief after months of scandal
After 11 months in the shadow of an FBI corruption probe, Bloomingdale Township Highway Commissioner Robert Czernek has resigned, officials said Thursday.
Czernek's decision came Wednesday evening, Township Supervisor Michael D. Hovde Jr. said.
Federal prosecutors charged Czernek in August with fraud and receiving more than $280,000 in kickbacks related to phony invoices for dump and storm sewer projects. He has pleaded not guilty.
Czernek's departure comes after numerous calls from Hovde and other DuPage County leaders for him to step down.
Bloomingdale Township voters also chimed in, with 60% approving by referendum in the Nov. 3 election an effort spearheaded by Hovde and township trustees to abolish the road district and highway commissioner job. On May 17, 2021, the remaining road district employees and operations will be folded into the township government.
Hovde said in a statement he looks "forward to having board oversight over the road district as the township continues the process of assuming and absorbing the duties of the road district."
Road district contractor BullDog Earth Movers' owner Debra Fazio and employee Mario Giannini also were charged with fraud. Federal prosecutors said the company colluded with Czernek to concoct fake bills and documents. Fazio and Giannini have pleaded not guilty.
"In exchange for the secret kickbacks, Czernek used his official position to approve and cause the approval for payment of stone delivery, dump leveling, and storm sewer invoices," the indictment states.
The highway commissioner processed the bills "knowing that the work and services reflected on the invoices at times had not been performed by BEM," the indictment says.
Authorities said Czernek, serving his second term as roads chief, started the scheme in May 2012 and would leave notes with instructions in secret hiding places around the road district headquarters. Fazio devised false invoices and passed on the kickbacks, prosecutors said.
The highway district will be run by staff members until a replacement for Czernek is appointed in the next 60 days to serve the rest of his term. Invoices will be approved by the township board.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Batavia man accused of keeping woman in basement against her will

A Batavia man was charged with felony aggravated domestic battery and unlawful restraint on Thursday after a woman he kept @ @ @ @ @ will tried to escape and a neighbor reported witnessing a man carrying the screaming woman @ @ @ @ @ according to a news release from Batavia police .

Batavia man accused of keeping woman in basement against her will
A Batavia man was charged with felony aggravated domestic battery and unlawful restraint on Thursday after a woman he kept in the basement against her will tried to escape and a neighbor reported witnessing a man carrying the screaming woman back into the home, according to a news release from Batavia police.
Rogelio R. Ybarra, 34, of the 1200 block of North Washington Avenue, also was charged with felony domestic battery causing bodily harm due to a prior conviction, the release stated.
The victim said Ybarra battered her repeatedly throughout the incident, according to police. She was treated for nonlife-threatening injuries at a hospital.
Neighboring residents were asked to shelter in place until Ybarra was arrested.
The most serious charge, aggravated domestic battery, is a felony punishable by four to seven years in prison and fines up to $25,000 if Ybarra is convicted.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--At least 4 Batavia aldermen not seeking reelection

There will be plenty of new faces on the Batavia City Council after next spring 's municipal elections .
At least four incumbent aldermen , as well as City Clerk Ellen Posledni , will not be seeking reelection on April 6 .
First Ward Alderman Michael O'Brien , 2nd Ward Alderman Marty Callahan , 3rd Ward Alderman Elliot Meitzler and 7th Ward Alderman Drew McFadden said they are not running again .
Meanwhile , 6th Ward Alderman Nick Cerone said he has yet to decide if he will seek another term on the council .
Fourth Ward Alderman Tony Malay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his intentions .
Fifth Ward Alderman Mark Uher is seeking reelection , while Limestone Coffee & Tea co-owner Leah Leman is running for the 2nd Ward aldermanic seat now occupied by Callahan .
First Ward Alderman Jennifer Baerren , who was appointed to the city council a year ago , said she will seek election in her own right but has yet to decide whether she will run for a 2-year or a 4-year term .
Posledni , who was elected city clerk four years ago in an unopposed write-in campaign , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is growing and taking more of her time .
Batavia Library Board member Kate Garrett is running to succeed Posledni , who is supporting Garrett 's election bid .
Garrett , whose library board term runs to 2022 , indicated that if elected city clerk , she would resign from her library board seat .
Mayor Jeff Schielke , who has occupied the city 's top office since 1981 , will be seeking an eleventh term .

At least 4 Batavia aldermen not seeking reelection
There will be plenty of new faces on the Batavia City Council after next spring's municipal elections.
At least four incumbent aldermen, as well as City Clerk Ellen Posledni, will not be seeking reelection on April 6.
First Ward Alderman Michael O'Brien, 2nd Ward Alderman Marty Callahan, 3rd Ward Alderman Elliot Meitzler and 7th Ward Alderman Drew McFadden said they are not running again.
Meanwhile, 6th Ward Alderman Nick Cerone said he has yet to decide if he will seek another term on the council. Fourth Ward Alderman Tony Malay could not be reached for comment concerning his intentions.
Fifth Ward Alderman Mark Uher is seeking reelection, while Limestone Coffee & Tea co-owner Leah Leman is running for the 2nd Ward aldermanic seat now occupied by Callahan.
First Ward Alderman Jennifer Baerren, who was appointed to the city council a year ago, said she will seek election in her own right but has yet to decide whether she will run for a 2-year or a 4-year term.
Posledni, who was elected city clerk four years ago in an unopposed write-in campaign, said she is stepping down because her business is growing and taking more of her time.
Batavia Library Board member Kate Garrett is running to succeed Posledni, who is supporting Garrett's election bid.
Garrett, whose library board term runs to 2022, indicated that if elected city clerk, she would resign from her library board seat.
Mayor Jeff Schielke, who has occupied the city's top office since 1981, will be seeking an eleventh term.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--High court: Pleading guilty does not prevent later innocence claims

SPRINGFIELD -- People who plead guilty to crimes are not automatically precluded from later asserting claims of innocence , the state 's highest court ruled on Thursday .
The Illinois Supreme Court 's unanimous decision creates a new precedent for state courts .
This is the first time the high court answered the question of whether individuals who pleaded guilty can still successfully claim innocence .
Under Illinois law , individuals convicted of crimes can petition the court and successfully assert a claim of innocence if they can establish that their rights were violated during the court proceedings that resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22-page opinion holds that the guilty plea of the defendant -- in this case , Demario Reed -- `` does not prevent him from asserting his right to not be deprived of life and liberty given compelling evidence of actual innocence under the ( law ) . ''
The court 's decision also establishes a new standard that individuals who pleaded guilty and later claim innocence must meet for their petition to succeed .
The justices ruled that those individuals can prevail on innocence claims if they can provide `` new , material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrates that a trial would probably result in acquittal , '' the court 's opinion states .
In the case before the court , Reed pleaded guilty in 2015 to armed violence after he was arrested at a Macon County home for possessing crack cocaine and a sawed-off shotgun , which were found in the home .
Following his guilty plea , Reed submitted a post-conviction petition asserting his innocence , based on a sworn affidavit from Davie Callaway , who was also at the home when Reed was arrested .
Callaway claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the home belonged to him , not Reed .
In January 2017 , a Macon County judge dismissed Reed 's post-conviction petition , finding that Callaway 's testimony was not convincing .
The appellate court agreed with the Macon County judge to dismiss the petition in a 2019 ruling that relied heavily on a 1970 Illinois Supreme Court decision , People v. Cannon .
In the Cannon case , the court rejected the defendant 's postconviction claim of actual innocence because , the 1970 Illinois Supreme Court opinion states , `` ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was accepted , the defendant , represented by appointed counsel , was fully and carefully admonished by the trial judge . ''
The appellate court concluded that it must follow the legal guidance in the Cannon case , `` until the Supreme Court says otherwise . ''
Illinois Supreme Court justices clarified in Thursday 's opinion that the appellate court 's reliance on the Cannon case law was misplaced , as the 50-year-old opinion served only as `` dicta , '' or a nonbinding legal opinion , and `` does not control this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn a blind eye to the manifest injustice and failure of our criminal justice system that would result from the continued incarceration of a demonstrably innocent person , even where a defendant pleads guilty , '' the court 's opinion states .
`` Accordingly , we find defendants who plead guilty may assert an actual innocence claim under the ( law ) . ''
While the justices found that Reed was allowed to claim innocence despite his guilty plea , they did not accept Reed 's argument that Callaway 's affidavit would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We can not say it was unreasonable for the court to question the truthfulness of Callaway , where he came forward only after being imprisoned and discussing the case with ( Reed ) , '' the opinion states .
The Illinois Supreme Court agreed with the appellate court 's decision to dismiss Reed 's post-conviction petition , although the two courts offered different reasons for the dismissal .
The Illinois attorney general 's office , which represented the state in this case , did not immediately respond to a request for comment @

High court: Pleading guilty does not prevent later innocence claims
SPRINGFIELD -- People who plead guilty to crimes are not automatically precluded from later asserting claims of innocence, the state's highest court ruled on Thursday.
The Illinois Supreme Court's unanimous decision creates a new precedent for state courts. This is the first time the high court answered the question of whether individuals who pleaded guilty can still successfully claim innocence.
Under Illinois law, individuals convicted of crimes can petition the court and successfully assert a claim of innocence if they can establish that their rights were violated during the court proceedings that resulted in their conviction.
The court's 22-page opinion holds that the guilty plea of the defendant -- in this case, Demario Reed -- "does not prevent him from asserting his right to not be deprived of life and liberty given compelling evidence of actual innocence under the (law)."
The court's decision also establishes a new standard that individuals who pleaded guilty and later claim innocence must meet for their petition to succeed.
The justices ruled that those individuals can prevail on innocence claims if they can provide "new, material, noncumulative evidence that clearly and convincingly demonstrates that a trial would probably result in acquittal," the court's opinion states.
In the case before the court, Reed pleaded guilty in 2015 to armed violence after he was arrested at a Macon County home for possessing crack cocaine and a sawed-off shotgun, which were found in the home. Following his guilty plea, Reed submitted a post-conviction petition asserting his innocence, based on a sworn affidavit from Davie Callaway, who was also at the home when Reed was arrested.
Callaway claimed in the affidavit that the cocaine found in the home belonged to him, not Reed.
In January 2017, a Macon County judge dismissed Reed's post-conviction petition, finding that Callaway's testimony was not convincing.
Reed appealed to the 4th District Appellate Court.
The appellate court agreed with the Macon County judge to dismiss the petition in a 2019 ruling that relied heavily on a 1970 Illinois Supreme Court decision, People v. Cannon.
In the Cannon case, the court rejected the defendant's postconviction claim of actual innocence because, the 1970 Illinois Supreme Court opinion states, "(b)efore his plea of guilty was accepted, the defendant, represented by appointed counsel, was fully and carefully admonished by the trial judge."
The appellate court concluded that it must follow the legal guidance in the Cannon case, "until the Supreme Court says otherwise."
Illinois Supreme Court justices clarified in Thursday's opinion that the appellate court's reliance on the Cannon case law was misplaced, as the 50-year-old opinion served only as "dicta," or a nonbinding legal opinion, and "does not control this case."
"This court refuses to turn a blind eye to the manifest injustice and failure of our criminal justice system that would result from the continued incarceration of a demonstrably innocent person, even where a defendant pleads guilty," the court's opinion states. "Accordingly, we find defendants who plead guilty may assert an actual innocence claim under the (law)."
While the justices found that Reed was allowed to claim innocence despite his guilty plea, they did not accept Reed's argument that Callaway's affidavit would alter the outcome of a trial.
"We cannot say it was unreasonable for the court to question the truthfulness of Callaway, where he came forward only after being imprisoned and discussing the case with (Reed)," the opinion states.
The Illinois Supreme Court agreed with the appellate court's decision to dismiss Reed's post-conviction petition, although the two courts offered different reasons for the dismissal.
The Illinois attorney general's office, which represented the state in this case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-03--Dashed Mill Race Inn development plans leave future of Geneva site in question

For four years , the former Mill Race Inn site in Geneva has sat empty except for the remnants of a historic stone structure protected by a tarp .
It 'll stay that way -- at least for now -- after the city council rejected the latest development proposal for the prime parcel of land on the Fox River at Geneva 's eastern gateway .
At a meeting Monday , Geneva 's 10 aldermen voted unanimously to reject the proposal presented by the Shodeen Family Foundation , signaling the end of a $ 38 million project introduced nearly 18 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 116 rental apartments , eight townhouses , 2,000 square feet of commercial space , 155 covered parking spaces , deconstruction and reinterpretation of the original historic structure to adhere to its landmark status , and riverfront amenities .
The decision will cost the city $ 273,000 -- to come from tax increment financing funds -- to cover all the expenses to this point , including Shodeen 's .
That 's because a 2019 agreement between Geneva and Shodeen states the two entities would split the amount unless the city decided not to proceed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city is required to reimburse Shodeen for its half of the expenses .
What happens next with the site is unknown .
`` I 'm certain that I can speak for everybody involved that there will be deep breaths and moments to kind of regroup , '' Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said on Tuesday .
`` We will move forward and await to hear what plans the foundation has for that land . ''
Shodeen purchased the 1.4-acre former Mill Race Inn site at 4 E. State St. for $ 550,000 in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent property at 12 E. State St .
But the site 's history dates back to the 1800s .
An original blacksmith 's structure , built in 1846 , opened as a tearoom in 1933 .
Through the years , the Mill Race Inn was developed around the original structure before the restaurant closed in 2011 .
The Mill Race Inn was demolished in 2016 , leaving the historic structure alone on the site .
Geneva 's aldermen , who last year voted 6-4 to go ahead with a three-day planning session known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to oppose moving forward with the project .
The height of the residential buildings blocking views , the anticipated traffic congestion and the perceived lack of changes based on charrette suggestions were a few of the concerns .
More than anything , though , opposition from the community stood as the main stumbling block to granting approval for the next step .
Residents expressed many concerns during the online meeting Monday , including questions about flooding in the area and a belief that the facade did n't fit in with Geneva 's historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's negative impact on the environment .
`` We 've all seen in the emails that were sent from residents who were very adamantly asking us , 'Please do n't approve this , ' '' Fourth Ward Alderman Jeanne McGowan said at Monday 's meeting .
`` I have to represent those residents ' wishes and my own personal wishes .
I did n't receive a single email from anyone who said , ' I love this project .
Please vote yes . '
'' Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra engaged in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential flexibility with the development plans .
Patzelt , however , felt his group had gone above and beyond in responding to concerns and requests presented during the charrette .
`` It 's a little unfortunate that the council members have not seen the numerous changes and the extensive work that the entire design team and charrette team , including the staff , has put into this plan , '' Patzelt said .
`` Unfortunately you ca n't make everybody happy , and I do n't know that we 're going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process . ''
Given the high-profile nature of the location -- on the eastern bank of the Fox River -- there 's consensus about one aspect of the site 's future .
They want to get this right .
`` We had an 18-month courtship and we chose not to get married under these circumstances , '' Burns said .
`` I 'm certainly hoping we can rekindle the relationship at some point . ''

Dashed Mill Race Inn development plans leave future of Geneva site in question
Flooding, seen here in 2013, has been a recurring issue at the former Mill Race Inn site in Geneva. Daily Herald file
This artist's rendering shows a proposed development at the Mill Race Inn site that was unanimously rejected in a vote by the Geneva City Council. Courtesy of the City of Geneva
For four years, the former Mill Race Inn site in Geneva has sat empty except for the remnants of a historic stone structure protected by a tarp.
It'll stay that way -- at least for now -- after the city council rejected the latest development proposal for the prime parcel of land on the Fox River at Geneva's eastern gateway.
At a meeting Monday, Geneva's 10 aldermen voted unanimously to reject the proposal presented by the Shodeen Family Foundation, signaling the end of a $38 million project introduced nearly 18 months ago.
The proposed project called for 116 rental apartments, eight townhouses, 2,000 square feet of commercial space, 155 covered parking spaces, deconstruction and reinterpretation of the original historic structure to adhere to its landmark status, and riverfront amenities.
The decision will cost the city $273,000 -- to come from tax increment financing funds -- to cover all the expenses to this point, including Shodeen's.
That's because a 2019 agreement between Geneva and Shodeen states the two entities would split the amount unless the city decided not to proceed. By not going forward, the city is required to reimburse Shodeen for its half of the expenses.
What happens next with the site is unknown.
"I'm certain that I can speak for everybody involved that there will be deep breaths and moments to kind of regroup," Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said on Tuesday. "We will move forward and await to hear what plans the foundation has for that land."
Shodeen purchased the 1.4-acre former Mill Race Inn site at 4 E. State St. for $550,000 in 2014 and was under contract to buy the adjacent property at 12 E. State St. But the site's history dates back to the 1800s.
An original blacksmith's structure, built in 1846, opened as a tearoom in 1933. Through the years, the Mill Race Inn was developed around the original structure before the restaurant closed in 2011. The Mill Race Inn was demolished in 2016, leaving the historic structure alone on the site.
Geneva's aldermen, who last year voted 6-4 to go ahead with a three-day planning session known as a charrette, offered different reasons to oppose moving forward with the project. The height of the residential buildings blocking views, the anticipated traffic congestion and the perceived lack of changes based on charrette suggestions were a few of the concerns.
More than anything, though, opposition from the community stood as the main stumbling block to granting approval for the next step.
Residents expressed many concerns during the online meeting Monday, including questions about flooding in the area and a belief that the facade didn't fit in with Geneva's historical identity. Others worried about the development's negative impact on the environment.
"We've all seen in the emails that were sent from residents who were very adamantly asking us, 'Please don't approve this,'" Fourth Ward Alderman Jeanne McGowan said at Monday's meeting. "I have to represent those residents' wishes and my own personal wishes. I didn't receive a single email from anyone who said, 'I love this project. Please vote yes.'"
Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra engaged in a back-and-forth with Shodeen President David Patzelt about potential flexibility with the development plans. Patzelt, however, felt his group had gone above and beyond in responding to concerns and requests presented during the charrette.
"It's a little unfortunate that the council members have not seen the numerous changes and the extensive work that the entire design team and charrette team, including the staff, has put into this plan," Patzelt said.
"Unfortunately you can't make everybody happy, and I don't know that we're going to be able to make everybody happy in this process."
Given the high-profile nature of the location -- on the eastern bank of the Fox River -- there's consensus about one aspect of the site's future.
They want to get this right.
"We had an 18-month courtship and we chose not to get married under these circumstances," Burns said. "I'm certainly hoping we can rekindle the relationship at some point."