dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--Microsoft inks $52.2 million deal for data center in Elk Grove Technology Park

One of the biggest names in technology is one of two firms planning to open data centers in the Elk Grove Technology Park , village officials confirmed Wednesday .
Redmond , Washington-based Microsoft Corp. recently closed on a $ 52.2 million purchase of more than 36 acres in the 85-acre tech park site , according to real estate transfer documents released under the Freedom of Information Act .
That deal was coupled with Atlanta-based T5 Data Centers ' $ 29 million purchase of a 164,000-square-foot data center shell that 's already been constructed at the park , documents show .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investment Group , the Rosemont-based developer that 's already completed four industrial buildings since breaking ground on the massive $ 1 billion development in 2018 .
Elk Grove Village officials for months have hinted that a big announcement was to come about data centers at the sprawling property , which includes the former Busse family farm and is roughly bounded by Higgins Road , Lively Boulevard , Oakton Street and Stanley Street .
Brennan also said it was putting a special emphasis on luring data centers .
In anticipation of the planned development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new substation just blocks away .
The utility company is considering installing another substation in the southeast corner of the tech park to handle extra capacity , said Mayor Craig Johnson .
As part of the deals that closed last week , Microsoft paid $ 1,000 for that three-acre parcel , once home to an Elk Grove fire station .
The village previously sold the site to Brennan .
Already , Elk Grove is home to about a dozen data centers -- one of the largest concentrations in the country .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of use coming for some time , and so was ComEd , '' Johnson said .
`` It 's great for these companies coming to Elk Grove because it 's a perfect location for them . ''
Brennan and Microsoft officials did n't respond to requests for comment about the extent of their building plans , which would take up much of the remaining developable space in the tech park .
It 's also unknown how many jobs would be created .
Already , though , the land purchases have meant about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county coffers as a result of the property transfers .
Johnson said the village would stand to benefit `` very well '' with taxes and fees on electricity and water the businesses are sure to use .
Of the four buildings that have been constructed on the west side of the park , T5 will occupy the one facing Oakton Street .
In a news release , company officials pointed to low-cost power , robust network infrastructure , and support from village officials that made their new building an ideal location to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also credited a state data center tax incentive approved in a $ 45 billion capital bill last year .
The company already operates three data centers in the Chicago area .
The land deals revealed this week follow a leasing agreement Brennan inked last summer with Broetje-Automation , a German aerospace manufacturing firm .
The manufacturer plans to occupy 43,200 square feet of the building just north of T5 .
Plans were also announced last summer for a 4-story , 85-room hotel in the northwest corner of the site that 's envisioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vendors and visitors .

Microsoft inks $52.2 million deal for data center in Elk Grove Technology Park
One of the biggest names in technology is one of two firms planning to open data centers in the Elk Grove Technology Park, village officials confirmed Wednesday.
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Corp. recently closed on a $52.2 million purchase of more than 36 acres in the 85-acre tech park site, according to real estate transfer documents released under the Freedom of Information Act.
That deal was coupled with Atlanta-based T5 Data Centers' $29 million purchase of a 164,000-square-foot data center shell that's already been constructed at the park, documents show.
The properties are being sold by Brennan Investment Group, the Rosemont-based developer that's already completed four industrial buildings since breaking ground on the massive $1 billion development in 2018.
Elk Grove Village officials for months have hinted that a big announcement was to come about data centers at the sprawling property, which includes the former Busse family farm and is roughly bounded by Higgins Road, Lively Boulevard, Oakton Street and Stanley Street. Brennan also said it was putting a special emphasis on luring data centers.
In anticipation of the planned development, ComEd last October broke ground on a new substation just blocks away.
The utility company is considering installing another substation in the southeast corner of the tech park to handle extra capacity, said Mayor Craig Johnson.
As part of the deals that closed last week, Microsoft paid $1,000 for that three-acre parcel, once home to an Elk Grove fire station. The village previously sold the site to Brennan.
Already, Elk Grove is home to about a dozen data centers -- one of the largest concentrations in the country.
"We've been aware of this type of use coming for some time, and so was ComEd," Johnson said. "It's great for these companies coming to Elk Grove because it's a perfect location for them."
Brennan and Microsoft officials didn't respond to requests for comment about the extent of their building plans, which would take up much of the remaining developable space in the tech park. It's also unknown how many jobs would be created.
Already, though, the land purchases have meant about $365,000 combined for local, state and county coffers as a result of the property transfers. Johnson said the village would stand to benefit "very well" with taxes and fees on electricity and water the businesses are sure to use.
Of the four buildings that have been constructed on the west side of the park, T5 will occupy the one facing Oakton Street.
In a news release, company officials pointed to low-cost power, robust network infrastructure, and support from village officials that made their new building an ideal location to serve enterprise and hyperscale cloud computing companies. They also credited a state data center tax incentive approved in a $45 billion capital bill last year.
The company already operates three data centers in the Chicago area.
The land deals revealed this week follow a leasing agreement Brennan inked last summer with Broetje-Automation, a German aerospace manufacturing firm. The manufacturer plans to occupy 43,200 square feet of the building just north of T5.
Plans were also announced last summer for a 4-story, 85-room hotel in the northwest corner of the site that's envisioned as a venue for business clients, vendors and visitors.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--More snow expected through Saturday morning

Four to six inches of snow is expected in the Chicago area from Wednesday night until Saturday morning .
The @ @ @ @ @ light , wet snow until Thursday evening , which could end up mixing with drizzle @ @ @ @ @ afternoon and early evening .
The snow will likely cause slick roads in some spots @ @ @ @ @ commutes .
On Friday and Saturday , a mix of wet snow with rain is @ @ @ @ @ service says there is `` more uncertainty '' for those days .
Friday evening commutes @ @ @ @ @ the weather service warns .

More snow expected through Saturday morning
Four to six inches of snow is expected in the Chicago area from Wednesday night until Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service Chicago forecasts light, wet snow until Thursday evening, which could end up mixing with drizzle or light rain through Thursday afternoon and early evening. The snow will likely cause slick roads in some spots during Thursday and Friday morning commutes.
On Friday and Saturday, a mix of wet snow with rain is possible, but the weather service says there is "more uncertainty" for those days.
Friday evening commutes likely will be slower, the weather service warns.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--O'Hare on Friday will begin screening some passengers for coronavirus

Officials began distributing information Wednesday at O'Hare International Airport and will start health screenings Friday for passengers arriving from the Wuhan region of China , the site of an outbreak of a deadly coronavirus virus that causes pneumonia .
Meanwhile , suburban companies with ties to China are keeping an eye on developments as they consider whether to limit travel to the region .
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers on Friday will begin health screenings on travelers entering the U.S. on direct or connecting flights from Wuhan , U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Steven Bansbach said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` presents a low risk to the American public ; however , they are taking proactive preparedness precautions , '' he said .
As of Wednesday evening , Chinese state media had reported the infectious virus killed 17 people in the Wuhan region , the epicenter of the outbreak .
With about 440 confirmed cases as of midnight Tuesday , Chinese authorities warned Wuhan-area residents to avoid crowds .
The city will stop outgoing flights and trains Thursday , according to The Associated Press .
A Washington state resident who returned Jan. 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first American known to have contracted the respiratory illness .
Other cases outside of China have been reported in Thailand , Japan and South Korea .
Passengers who landed around 11 a.m. Wednesday at O'Hare 's International Terminal 5 from Beijing , some wearing face masks , said they were concerned .
`` We worry about the virus and we 're wearing masks all the time , '' said Yan Jiang , a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago who was returning from Beijing .
However , traveler Andy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said `` it 's no problem '' in Beijing , which is 650 miles from Wuhan .
The illness is a recently identified type of coronavirus that triggers respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS , which caused a global outbreak in 2003 .
Officials with a number of suburban companies with business ties with China are wondering about travel to Asia in the near future .
W.S .
Darley & Co. CEO Paul Darley said his Itasca firm , which ships a lot of products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus very closely . ''
Darley & Co. manufactures fire trucks and related equipment .
So far , `` ( we ) have not yet put any restrictions on our people relative to China travel .
If the situation worsens over the weeks , that will be our next step , '' Darley said .
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said in a post on Twitter , `` I 'm glad CDC will be screening passengers at O'Hare for symptoms of this virus and I will continue to monitor this situation as it develops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to take special precautions and will not be affected unless their flights are departing to or arriving from the Wuhan region of China , officials said .
During screenings , passengers typically fill out questionnaires and have their temperatures checked .
Travelers with fever , cough or trouble breathing might undergo additional assessments .
Those most susceptible are the elderly or people with health problems and compromised immune systems , preliminary information indicates .
Authorities noted that despite the fatalities , other patients have been treated and released .
Airports now screening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco , Los Angeles , and New York 's John F. Kennedy international airports .
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will also start checks this week .
University of Chicago grad student Peiyao Wang of Beijing , who was waiting for her boyfriend 's flight to arrive at O'Hare Wednesday , said `` because I 'm physically in the U.S .
I 'm not worried about it . ''
But it 's troubling because her boyfriend and parents live in Beijing , she explained .

O'Hare on Friday will begin screening some passengers for coronavirus
Officials began distributing information Wednesday at O'Hare International Airport and will start health screenings Friday for passengers arriving from the Wuhan region of China, the site of an outbreak of a deadly coronavirus virus that causes pneumonia.
Meanwhile, suburban companies with ties to China are keeping an eye on developments as they consider whether to limit travel to the region.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers on Friday will begin health screenings on travelers entering the U.S. on direct or connecting flights from Wuhan, U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Steven Bansbach said.
The CDC has determined the virus "presents a low risk to the American public; however, they are taking proactive preparedness precautions," he said.
As of Wednesday evening, Chinese state media had reported the infectious virus killed 17 people in the Wuhan region, the epicenter of the outbreak. With about 440 confirmed cases as of midnight Tuesday, Chinese authorities warned Wuhan-area residents to avoid crowds. The city will stop outgoing flights and trains Thursday, according to The Associated Press.
A Washington state resident who returned Jan. 15 from Wuhan, China, is the first American known to have contracted the respiratory illness. Other cases outside of China have been reported in Thailand, Japan and South Korea.
Passengers who landed around 11 a.m. Wednesday at O'Hare's International Terminal 5 from Beijing, some wearing face masks, said they were concerned.
"We worry about the virus and we're wearing masks all the time," said Yan Jiang, a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago who was returning from Beijing.
However, traveler Andy Pang, who was visiting Chicago, said "it's no problem" in Beijing, which is 650 miles from Wuhan.
The illness is a recently identified type of coronavirus that triggers respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS, which caused a global outbreak in 2003.
Officials with a number of suburban companies with business ties with China are wondering about travel to Asia in the near future.
W.S. Darley & Co. CEO Paul Darley said his Itasca firm, which ships a lot of products to China, is "monitoring this coronavirus very closely." Darley & Co. manufactures fire trucks and related equipment.
So far, "(we) have not yet put any restrictions on our people relative to China travel. If the situation worsens over the weeks, that will be our next step," Darley said.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said in a post on Twitter, "I'm glad CDC will be screening passengers at O'Hare for symptoms of this virus and I will continue to monitor this situation as it develops."
Travelers at O'Hare do not need to take special precautions and will not be affected unless their flights are departing to or arriving from the Wuhan region of China, officials said. During screenings, passengers typically fill out questionnaires and have their temperatures checked. Travelers with fever, cough or trouble breathing might undergo additional assessments.
Those most susceptible are the elderly or people with health problems and compromised immune systems, preliminary information indicates. Authorities noted that despite the fatalities, other patients have been treated and released.
Airports now screening passengers from China for the virus include San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York's John F. Kennedy international airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will also start checks this week.
University of Chicago grad student Peiyao Wang of Beijing, who was waiting for her boyfriend's flight to arrive at O'Hare Wednesday, said "because I'm physically in the U.S. I'm not worried about it."
But it's troubling because her boyfriend and parents live in Beijing, she explained.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--Garoppolo video provides surprise pep talk to Rolling Meadows youth football players

With a lot of effort , the Rolling Meadows youth football and cheerleading program -- the Mustangs -- sprang back to life last fall after several years of dormancy .
A congratulatory video from Super Bowl-bound quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was the icing on the cake .
Terry Cappelen , who was among the architects of the program 's revival , had been on the coaching staff at Rolling Meadows High School during Garoppolo 's freshman year .
He got to know Jimmy 's older brother , Mike , even better when Mike later played on the men 's league football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Mike Garoppolo that Cappelen reached out to the San Francisco 49ers QB last fall with his idea to put a special touch on the new Mustangs program 's first banquet Nov. 8 .
`` I tried to think of a way to surprise the kids at our end-of-the-season banquet , '' Cappelen said .
`` They were extremely excited to see a personalized video to them . ''
In the video , Garoppolo congratulates the young members of the revived program .
`` What 's up , guys ?
This is Jimmy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
`` Just wanted to say congratulations on getting the Rolling Meadows youth football program back .
It 's big time , guys !
`` Hope you guys had a great season , and keep working hard this offseason , alright , so we can get that championship next season , baby .
Let 's go ! ''
The 2019 season featured 66 players among three age levels playing exclusively flag football , and 23 cheerleaders .
Depending on what other local opportunities one counts , the program had been away between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its return , Cappelen said .
Next season , the program plans to add an even younger level of flag football as well as a tackle football option for only the 11 to 14 age group .
Cappelen remains grateful to Jimmy Garoppolo for the encouragement he provided last fall .
`` He is truly a great guy that has never forgot where he came from , '' he said .

Garoppolo video provides surprise pep talk to Rolling Meadows youth football players
San Francisco 49ers quarterback and former Rolling Meadows High School football player Jimmy Garoppolo congratulates the members of the revived Rolling Meadows Mustangs youth football and cheerleading program in a video at the end of their first season last fall. Courtesy of Terry Cappelen
With a lot of effort, the Rolling Meadows youth football and cheerleading program -- the Mustangs -- sprang back to life last fall after several years of dormancy.
A congratulatory video from Super Bowl-bound quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was the icing on the cake.
Terry Cappelen, who was among the architects of the program's revival, had been on the coaching staff at Rolling Meadows High School during Garoppolo's freshman year. He got to know Jimmy's older brother, Mike, even better when Mike later played on the men's league football team in Hoffman Estates.
It was through Mike Garoppolo that Cappelen reached out to the San Francisco 49ers QB last fall with his idea to put a special touch on the new Mustangs program's first banquet Nov. 8.
"I tried to think of a way to surprise the kids at our end-of-the-season banquet," Cappelen said. "They were extremely excited to see a personalized video to them."
In the video, Garoppolo congratulates the young members of the revived program.
"What's up, guys? This is Jimmy Garoppolo," the Arlington Heights native says. "Just wanted to say congratulations on getting the Rolling Meadows youth football program back. It's big time, guys!
"Hope you guys had a great season, and keep working hard this offseason, alright, so we can get that championship next season, baby. Let's go!"
The 2019 season featured 66 players among three age levels playing exclusively flag football, and 23 cheerleaders.
Depending on what other local opportunities one counts, the program had been away between five and eight years by the time of its return, Cappelen said.
Next season, the program plans to add an even younger level of flag football as well as a tackle football option for only the 11 to 14 age group.
Cappelen remains grateful to Jimmy Garoppolo for the encouragement he provided last fall.
"He is truly a great guy that has never forgot where he came from," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--Officials mum as probe about Bloomingdale Twp. highway commissioner continues

A federal and local investigation into the actions of Bloomingdale Township Highway Commissioner Robert Czernek is continuing , but authorities @ @ @ @ @ .
Township officials on Tuesday issued a statement saying the township supervisor 's office is @ @ @ @ @ investigation into the road district commissioner . ''
But due to the nature and stage @ @ @ @ @ said they will not release any further information .
On Wednesday , the FBI issued @ @ @ @ @ in the Bloomingdale area `` conducting court-authorized law enforcement activities '' on Tuesday , but @ @ @ @ @ anything more .
The DuPage County state 's attorney 's office also declined to comment @ @ @ @ @ in his second term as highway commissioner , has n't been charged with any wrongdoing @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Mr. Czernek is really a wonderful man who has spent his life helping @ @ @ @ @ '' attorney Michael Monico said .
Monico declined to comment further but said he may @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .

Officials mum as probe about Bloomingdale Twp. highway commissioner continues
A federal and local investigation into the actions of Bloomingdale Township Highway Commissioner Robert Czernek is continuing, but authorities remain tight-lipped about the details.
Township officials on Tuesday issued a statement saying the township supervisor's office is "fully cooperating with the investigation into the road district commissioner." But due to the nature and stage of the investigation, they said they will not release any further information.
On Wednesday, the FBI issued a statement saying it was in the Bloomingdale area "conducting court-authorized law enforcement activities" on Tuesday, but the agency declined to say anything more. The DuPage County state's attorney's office also declined to comment.
Czernek, who is in his second term as highway commissioner, hasn't been charged with any wrongdoing, according to his attorney.
"Mr. Czernek is really a wonderful man who has spent his life helping the township of Bloomingdale," attorney Michael Monico said.
Monico declined to comment further but said he may have more to say on Thursday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--District 7 defends decision in teacher maternity leave case

The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in the case of a Wood Dale teacher who says she should have been allowed to use accrued sick time after the birth of her daughter -- even though the baby was born just before summer break .
The case hinges on whether Illinois School Code requires proof of medical need or regulates the timing when sick leave can be taken after a birth .
Attorneys for Wood Dale District 7 teacher Margaret Dynak say it does neither .
School code , attorneys with the Illinois Education Association say , allows teachers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick leave after a birth without proving any medical need or being subject to any time limitations .
But Wood Dale District 7 took the opposite stance in 2016 when the child , Dynak 's second , was born shortly before the end of one school year and the beginning of summer break .
The district , in a statement Wednesday , said it did not deny Dynak 's request to take time off at the beginning of the following school year to be home with her child .
But Dynak said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she requested as unpaid leave instead of getting paid for the time as sick days she had earned .
`` The question in this case is whether paid sick leave is available for use four months after the birth of the child when neither the teacher , spouse or child present a medical issue that requires the teacher be absent , '' District 7 Superintendent John Corbett said in a statement .
`` While the legislature is free to change the law , and the union is free to bargain for such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Ms. Dynak 's claim to paid parental leave . ''
Lower courts have backed the district 's stance , so Dynak and the Illinois Education Association appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court .
In oral arguments Wednesday , Dynak 's attorney , Ryan Thoma of the Illinois Education Association , contended Dynak is entitled to all 30 days of her paid leave .
`` She did not lose that right based on the happenstance of when her child was born , '' he said .
Thoma also argued the law 's phrasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means the 30 days of leave applies to consecutive school days , no matter where they fall in the calendar .
Teachers are `` only absent when they are expected to be at work , '' he said .
Adam Dauksas , representing the school district , argued that allowing school employees to essentially delay their leave would lead to `` absurd results . ''
`` Sick leave use must be tethered to the event causing the need to be absent from work , '' he said .
`` It ca n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the road . ''
Thoma rebutted it is `` unreasonable '' to think school employees would game the system and take extremely delayed leaves .
`` It 's the focus of these employees requesting the leave to spend the time with their child , '' he said , `` and the paid sick leave is there to ease the extreme financial burden of doing so . ''
The court is expected to take a few months to make a decision .
Dynak said she is pleased the case is being taken seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated fairly with their maternity leave , especially working at a school , '' she said .
`` It does n't matter when you gave birth . ''
Two other pending cases related to maternity leave timing have been stayed pending the outcome of this case , said Sylvia Rios , general counsel for the Illinois Education Association .
One of those cases is Dynak 's as well , relating to the birth of her son in June 2018 , when she said she again was not allowed to take accumulated sick days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take unpaid time .
The district again said it did not deny her the ability to take time off ; only the issue of pay is in question .
Dynak is in her 12th year working for District 7 , where she now teaches third-graders at Westview Elementary .

The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in the case of a Wood Dale teacher who says she should have been allowed to use accrued sick time after the birth of her daughter -- even though the baby was born just before summer break.
The case hinges on whether Illinois School Code requires proof of medical need or regulates the timing when sick leave can be taken after a birth.
Attorneys for Wood Dale District 7 teacher Margaret Dynak say it does neither. School code, attorneys with the Illinois Education Association say, allows teachers to take up to 30 days of accumulated sick leave after a birth without proving any medical need or being subject to any time limitations.
But Wood Dale District 7 took the opposite stance in 2016 when the child, Dynak's second, was born shortly before the end of one school year and the beginning of summer break.
The district, in a statement Wednesday, said it did not deny Dynak's request to take time off at the beginning of the following school year to be home with her child.
But Dynak said she was required to take the 28.5 days she requested as unpaid leave instead of getting paid for the time as sick days she had earned.
"The question in this case is whether paid sick leave is available for use four months after the birth of the child when neither the teacher, spouse or child present a medical issue that requires the teacher be absent," District 7 Superintendent John Corbett said in a statement. "While the legislature is free to change the law, and the union is free to bargain for such a benefit, the present law does not support Ms. Dynak's claim to paid parental leave."
Lower courts have backed the district's stance, so Dynak and the Illinois Education Association appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court.
In oral arguments Wednesday, Dynak's attorney, Ryan Thoma of the Illinois Education Association, contended Dynak is entitled to all 30 days of her paid leave.
"She did not lose that right based on the happenstance of when her child was born," he said.
Thoma also argued the law's phrasing of "leave after an absence" means the 30 days of leave applies to consecutive school days, no matter where they fall in the calendar. Teachers are "only absent when they are expected to be at work," he said.
Adam Dauksas, representing the school district, argued that allowing school employees to essentially delay their leave would lead to "absurd results."
"Sick leave use must be tethered to the event causing the need to be absent from work," he said. "It can't be delayed 10 weeks, 10 months later down the road."
Thoma rebutted it is "unreasonable" to think school employees would game the system and take extremely delayed leaves.
"It's the focus of these employees requesting the leave to spend the time with their child," he said, "and the paid sick leave is there to ease the extreme financial burden of doing so."
The court is expected to take a few months to make a decision.
Dynak said she is pleased the case is being taken seriously.
"I feel everyone should be treated fairly with their maternity leave, especially working at a school," she said. "It doesn't matter when you gave birth."
Two other pending cases related to maternity leave timing have been stayed pending the outcome of this case, said Sylvia Rios, general counsel for the Illinois Education Association.
One of those cases is Dynak's as well, relating to the birth of her son in June 2018, when she said she again was not allowed to take accumulated sick days the following school year and chose to take unpaid time. The district again said it did not deny her the ability to take time off; only the issue of pay is in question.
Dynak is in her 12th year working for District 7, where she now teaches third-graders at Westview Elementary.
• Ben Orner of Capitol News Illinois contributed this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Burt Constable at the bar: 'Everyone asks to turn the channel' from impeachment trial

The impeachment trial of President Donald John Trump should be a seminal moment for democracy in the history of the United States .
Are we , the people , up for that challenge ?
`` Democracy requires both discipline and hard work , '' wrote Eleanor Roosevelt in her 1963 book , `` Tomorrow Is Now . ''
In a 1980 Newsweek essay , a more cynical Issac Asimov suggested democracy was falling victim to ignorance .
`` There is a cult of ignorance in the United States , and there has always been .
The strain of anti-intellectualism has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through our political and cultural life , nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge , ' '' Asimov wrote .
Forty years later , Americans on both sides of the current impeachment trial can nod their heads in agreement about their knowledge and their opponents ' ignorance .
In our nation 's first presidential impeachment trial in 1868 , Americans were riveted to every development in the case against Republican Andrew Johnson .
`` All these steps were highly dramatic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and huge crowds sought admission to the Senate , '' wrote historian Hans Louis Trefousse in his 1989 biography of Johnson .
During the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton , a Democrat , the public and even the politicians might not have been as invested in the proceedings .
`` If there is anything funny about impeachment hearings , it is 100 U.S. senators trying to stay awake , '' my column buddy Jack Mabley wrote on Jan. 18 , 1999 .
Mabley wrote of the Republican-dominated trials : `` Boring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurors in the Senate , but most of the nation . ''
That might be even more true today .
Stopping at a few suburban watering holes to talk to people watching the historic trial on television , I could n't find a single TV showing the trial .
At Eddie 's , a longtime staple in Arlington Heights , the main TV behind the bar was tuned to the Game Show Network 's airing of a 1970s `` Match Game '' episode with host Gene Rayburn .
`` It 's pretty much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller , noting customers are not just passively uninterested in the Washington spectacle .
`` If it happens to be on , everyone asks to turn the channel . ''
Just as the Democrats and Republicans seem to have made up their minds before the trial started , so has the American public .
When the Watergate scandal first broke , most Americans believed President Richard Nixon was innocent , and he won a landside victory to reelection in 1972 .
Nixon had a 60 % approval rating and the support of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just about 20 % of Americans thought Nixon should be impeached , according to research by fivethirtyeight.com .
That November , Nixon assured the American people , `` I 'm not a crook . ''
On Aug. 8 , 1974 , a couple of days after a visit from a Republican contingent led by Sen. Barry Goldwater , a former staunch supporter , Nixon resigned before an impeachment vote could be taken .
In today 's climate , where it is ridiculously easy to seek out only those opinions that mirror and support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people and politicians to gather evidence and change their minds .
But we should try to watch and read about the trial , and educate ourselves on reasons for and against impeachment .
As Ralph Nader said , `` There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship . ''

Burt Constable at the bar: 'Everyone asks to turn the channel' from impeachment trial
In this image from video, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks Wednesday during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump. Senate Television via Associated Press
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California, accompanied by the impeachment managers House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Texas, Rep. Val Demings of Florida, Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California and Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, all Democrats, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Associated Press
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, the presiding officer of the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump, had to scold both sides Tuesday. "It is appropriate for me to admonish both the House managers and the president's counsel in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world's greatest deliberative body," Roberts said. Senate Television via Associated Press
The impeachment trial of President Donald John Trump should be a seminal moment for democracy in the history of the United States. Are we, the people, up for that challenge?
"Democracy requires both discipline and hard work," wrote Eleanor Roosevelt in her 1963 book, "Tomorrow Is Now."
In a 1980 Newsweek essay, a more cynical Issac Asimov suggested democracy was falling victim to ignorance.
"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge,'" Asimov wrote.
Forty years later, Americans on both sides of the current impeachment trial can nod their heads in agreement about their knowledge and their opponents' ignorance.
In our nation's first presidential impeachment trial in 1868, Americans were riveted to every development in the case against Republican Andrew Johnson.
"All these steps were highly dramatic. The newspapers reported every incident with relish, and huge crowds sought admission to the Senate," wrote historian Hans Louis Trefousse in his 1989 biography of Johnson.
During the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, the public and even the politicians might not have been as invested in the proceedings.
"If there is anything funny about impeachment hearings, it is 100 U.S. senators trying to stay awake," my column buddy Jack Mabley wrote on Jan. 18, 1999. Mabley wrote of the Republican-dominated trials: "Boring. BOREing. Boring not just the jurors in the Senate, but most of the nation."
That might be even more true today. Stopping at a few suburban watering holes to talk to people watching the historic trial on television, I couldn't find a single TV showing the trial.
At Eddie's, a longtime staple in Arlington Heights, the main TV behind the bar was tuned to the Game Show Network's airing of a 1970s "Match Game" episode with host Gene Rayburn.
"It's pretty much anything else," says bartender Amanda Miller, noting customers are not just passively uninterested in the Washington spectacle. "If it happens to be on, everyone asks to turn the channel."
Just as the Democrats and Republicans seem to have made up their minds before the trial started, so has the American public.
When the Watergate scandal first broke, most Americans believed President Richard Nixon was innocent, and he won a landside victory to reelection in 1972. Nixon had a 60% approval rating and the support of the Republican Party. In July 1973, just about 20% of Americans thought Nixon should be impeached, according to research by fivethirtyeight.com.
But facts changed that.
That November, Nixon assured the American people, "I'm not a crook." On Aug. 8, 1974, a couple of days after a visit from a Republican contingent led by Sen. Barry Goldwater, a former staunch supporter, Nixon resigned before an impeachment vote could be taken.
In today's climate, where it is ridiculously easy to seek out only those opinions that mirror and support your own, it might be harder for people and politicians to gather evidence and change their minds. But we should try to watch and read about the trial, and educate ourselves on reasons for and against impeachment.
As Ralph Nader said, "There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--O'Donnell: The Cubs, Sinclair Broadcasting and Comcast

LESS THAN A YEAR AGO , the Cubs had imaging problems with the specters of Joe Ricketts ' emails and the return of Addison Russell from domestic entrails hovering over the opening of training camp .
Less than a week ago , the Cubs consciously courted new PR wounds when Tom Ricketts happily introduced the topic of the team 's fledgling Marquee Sports Network at its annual convention .
He was booed and then could n't believe it .
All of which proves , even to someone as skybox-afloat as the second-generation Ricketts , when you lay down with corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're not going to come up smelling like Sweet Ivy Glade .
With Marquee 's planned Feb. 22 launch date a mere five weeks away , the announcement of network specifics was clearly overdue .
But could n't some well-salaried corporate communications type have made it clear to Ricketts that there was a better place and manner to do it than in front of a rightfully restless Cubs Convention crowd ?
That Marquee is aligned with Sinclair -- the Maryland-based outfit that would have relished the propaganda aspects of Leni Riefenstahl and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough .
But toss in the stalemate over distribution rights with Comcast -- the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse -- and Ricketts was n't merely flirting with disaster .
He was begging for it .
Ricketts , Crane Kenney and all are somewhat passive observers as primary negotiations between Sinclair and Comcast drag on .
Sinclair is trying to maximize profit well into the future ; Comcast is leveraging a holding action while trying to transition into the new age of predominant streaming .
Woo Woo-eyed Cubs fans lack enough unity and resolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high-level disharmonic will play itself out in due course , whenever that may be .
And Tom Ricketts learned yet again , fronting an MLB organization in a frothy major market is n't a game for silver spooners in short pants .
Especially ones with weak strategic media advice .
IT WO N'T EXACTLY BE A DREAM WEEKEND at the NHL All-Star Game in St. Louis for Eddie Olczyk .
But the supremely versatile broadcaster will again get to mix two of his very favorite things for NBC Sports : hockey and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work color alongside Doc Emrick as the Peacock Network presents the ginned ASG Saturday night ( WMAQ Channel 5 , 7 p.m. ) .
And earlier in the day , from Enterprise Center , Olczyk will be dropped in as an expert analyst on NBC 's multiplatform coverage of the $ 3 million Pegasus World Cup from Gulfstream Park ( Channel 5 , 3:30 p.m. ) .
`` The All-Star Game is what it is , '' Olczyk told The Daily Herald .
`` Since the NHL went to the three-game , three-on-three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best in the game over a whole lot of open ice .
`` It was an attempt by the league to make the weekend relevant again for fans , sponsors and the league 's primary broadcast partners . ''
And about the Pegasus ?
`` All I can tell you is that I 'm against ( Richard Mandella 's favored ) Omaha Beach , '' the cash-money handicapper said .
`` I 'm looking for value and he 's not going to be that .
I 'll know more once I get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions and probably come up with someone who 's not going to get hung anywhere at Gulfstream .
`` Truthfully , I 'm just very happy ( NBC is ) letting me work the race from St .
Louis . ''
STREET-BEATIN ' : Intriguing `` get '' by `` Saturday Night Live '' for Super Bowl Eve Feb. 1 : J.J. Watt will host and musical guest will be Luke Combs .
( The video of Combs 's `` When It Rains It Pours '' ( q.v . )
is great , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chet Atkins roll over Beethoven . )
...
If Zach LaVine is selected to the NBA All-Star Game next week and John Paxson trades him before the Feb. 6 deadline , Ol ' No .
5 looks like a very bold basketball mind once again .
( Jerry Reinsdorf used to relish dissonant thought like that ; LaVine 's trade value may never be higher . )
... Pat Fitzgerald and the Northwestern football Wildcats lost a tremendous fan with the passing of Dr. Robert LaVeau of Arlington Heights .
Young `` Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game or a chance to tailgate .
... Matt Zahn , who continues to try and impact at WBBM Channel 2 Sports , has few bigger boosters than Dr. Richard McPartlin of Des Plaines .
( With good reason : Zahn is the good doctor 's son-in-law . )
... Mike Mulligan and buttoned-down David Haugh were surprisingly cuddly in some recent reminiscing about Jay Mariotti .
( With a newspaper column , an elastic editor and a good on-air cast , a reborn Mariotti could significantly upgrade the fortunes of WSCR-670 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's abrupt departure from WFLD Channel 32 Sports underscores how threadbare the talent pickings have become at the dormant Fox o-and-o .
The news operation may have peaked when it debuted with Bruce Wolf , Robin Robinson , Kris Long and weatherman Dave Dobrowolski all those 'casts ago ( Aug. 3 , 1987 . )
... And yes , Joe Montana -- who spent 13 seasons with the 49ers and an autumnal two with the Chiefs -- had the line of Super Bowl 54 's `` dead week '' when he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But whoever can name the other five QBs who completed the SF-KC shuffle belongs in an adobe on Ken Jennings Boulevard : Alex Smith , Steve DeBerg , Steve Bono , Bob Gagliano and the inimitable Elvis Grbac .
• Jim O'Donnell 's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday .
Reach him at jimodonnelldh @ yahoo.com .

O'Donnell: The Cubs, Sinclair Broadcasting and Comcast -- did Ricketts have a PR death wish?
Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts speaks on opening night of the Cubs Convention last Friday at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago. When he brought up the team's new Marquee Sports Network, it was not well received. Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer
LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, the Cubs had imaging problems with the specters of Joe Ricketts' emails and the return of Addison Russell from domestic entrails hovering over the opening of training camp.
Less than a week ago, the Cubs consciously courted new PR wounds when Tom Ricketts happily introduced the topic of the team's fledgling Marquee Sports Network at its annual convention.
He was booed and then couldn't believe it.
All of which proves, even to someone as skybox-afloat as the second-generation Ricketts, when you lay down with corporate dogs like Sinclair Broadcasting and Comcast, you're not going to come up smelling like Sweet Ivy Glade.
With Marquee's planned Feb. 22 launch date a mere five weeks away, the announcement of network specifics was clearly overdue.
But couldn't some well-salaried corporate communications type have made it clear to Ricketts that there was a better place and manner to do it than in front of a rightfully restless Cubs Convention crowd?
That Marquee is aligned with Sinclair -- the Maryland-based outfit that would have relished the propaganda aspects of Leni Riefenstahl and the 1936 Berlin Olympics -- is rough enough.
But toss in the stalemate over distribution rights with Comcast -- the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse -- and Ricketts wasn't merely flirting with disaster.
He was begging for it.
Ricketts, Crane Kenney and all are somewhat passive observers as primary negotiations between Sinclair and Comcast drag on.
Sinclair is trying to maximize profit well into the future; Comcast is leveraging a holding action while trying to transition into the new age of predominant streaming.
Woo Woo-eyed Cubs fans lack enough unity and resolve to mount an effective protest.
So the high-level disharmonic will play itself out in due course, whenever that may be.
And Tom Ricketts learned yet again, fronting an MLB organization in a frothy major market isn't a game for silver spooners in short pants.
Especially ones with weak strategic media advice.
IT WON'T EXACTLY BE A DREAM WEEKEND at the NHL All-Star Game in St. Louis for Eddie Olczyk.
But the supremely versatile broadcaster will again get to mix two of his very favorite things for NBC Sports: hockey and horse racing.
"Edzo" will work color alongside Doc Emrick as the Peacock Network presents the ginned ASG Saturday night (WMAQ Channel 5, 7 p.m.).
And earlier in the day, from Enterprise Center, Olczyk will be dropped in as an expert analyst on NBC's multiplatform coverage of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup from Gulfstream Park (Channel 5, 3:30 p.m.).
"The All-Star Game is what it is," Olczyk told The Daily Herald.
"Since the NHL went to the three-game, three-on-three format, it's an exhibition involving the best in the game over a whole lot of open ice.
"It was an attempt by the league to make the weekend relevant again for fans, sponsors and the league's primary broadcast partners."
And about the Pegasus?
"All I can tell you is that I'm against (Richard Mandella's favored) Omaha Beach," the cash-money handicapper said.
"I'm looking for value and he's not going to be that. I'll know more once I get to study the field in their post positions and probably come up with someone who's not going to get hung anywhere at Gulfstream.
"Truthfully, I'm just very happy (NBC is) letting me work the race from St. Louis."
STREET-BEATIN': Intriguing "get" by "Saturday Night Live" for Super Bowl Eve Feb. 1: J.J. Watt will host and musical guest will be Luke Combs. (The video of Combs's "When It Rains It Pours" (q.v.) is great, even if it would make the late Chet Atkins roll over Beethoven.) ...
If Zach LaVine is selected to the NBA All-Star Game next week and John Paxson trades him before the Feb. 6 deadline, Ol' No. 5 looks like a very bold basketball mind once again. (Jerry Reinsdorf used to relish dissonant thought like that; LaVine's trade value may never be higher.) ...
Pat Fitzgerald and the Northwestern football Wildcats lost a tremendous fan with the passing of Dr. Robert LaVeau of Arlington Heights. Young "Dr. Robby" never missed a purple home game or a chance to tailgate. ...
Matt Zahn, who continues to try and impact at WBBM Channel 2 Sports, has few bigger boosters than Dr. Richard McPartlin of Des Plaines. (With good reason: Zahn is the good doctor's son-in-law.) ...
Mike Mulligan and buttoned-down David Haugh were surprisingly cuddly in some recent reminiscing about Jay Mariotti. (With a newspaper column, an elastic editor and a good on-air cast, a reborn Mariotti could significantly upgrade the fortunes of WSCR-670's afternoon-drive show.) ...
Shae Peppler's abrupt departure from WFLD Channel 32 Sports underscores how threadbare the talent pickings have become at the dormant Fox o-and-o. The news operation may have peaked when it debuted with Bruce Wolf, Robin Robinson, Kris Long and weatherman Dave Dobrowolski all those 'casts ago (Aug. 3, 1987.) ...
And yes, Joe Montana -- who spent 13 seasons with the 49ers and an autumnal two with the Chiefs -- had the line of Super Bowl 54's "dead week" when he said, "My team will win." But whoever can name the other five QBs who completed the SF-KC shuffle belongs in an adobe on Ken Jennings Boulevard: Alex Smith, Steve DeBerg, Steve Bono, Bob Gagliano and the inimitable Elvis Grbac.
• Jim O'Donnell's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--Ribfest's first Romeoville headliner: Nelly

Step into your `` Air Force Ones '' and get ready to `` Shake Ya Tailfeather '' -- Nelly is coming to the Exchange Club of Naperville 's Ribfest .
The St. Louis rapper is set to perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturday , July 4 , after a fireworks show at the festival 's new location at the village hall and recreation center in Romeoville .
Nelly 's famous summer raps from the early and mid- 2000s are the perfect way to bring a younger crowd to Ribfest as it moves from its longtime home in Naperville 's Knoch Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Tickets are $ 30 to see the rapper famous for tracks on his `` Country Grammar '' and `` Nellyville '' albums from 2000 and 2002 including `` Hot in Herre , '' `` E.I.
, '' `` Pimp Juice '' and `` Ride wit Me . ''
`` I love that music -- I think it 's fun .
I love sharing it with my kids , '' said Mary Howenstine , director of marketing for Ribfest .
`` It 's really upbeat stuff .
Nelly is also known for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Justin Timberlake , Kelly Rowland and Diddy .
He follows Pitbull in 2018 and Flo Rida in 2019 as Ribfest 's top names of late .
Staging a headliner as big as Nelly after a fireworks show instead of before is a first for Ribfest , and something Howenstine said organizers expect to be a hit .
Romeoville allows festival hours to run one hour later -- until 11 p.m. -- than Naperville did , so Nelly still will have plenty of time to `` Work It '' and `` Move That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show .
`` We 've moved him after the fireworks for all those folks that have family and neighborhood get-togethers during the day , they can come to Nelly at night , '' Howenstine said .
`` We 're pretty excited about that .
Ribfest expects to return many of its `` tried-and-true '' traveling rib vendors to treat festivalgoers at the Romeoville site .
Organizers also are busy finalizing details for other shows , such as REO Speedwagon and Styx , with guest artist Head East , opening the four-day fest on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act for the Nelly show is expected to be announced soon .
Tickets for Nelly 's concert at the 33rd annual festival go on sale Jan. 27 at ribfest.net .
The Exchange Club of Naperville uses proceeds from the event to support nonprofit organizations that work to end child abuse and domestic violence and has donated more than $ 17.5 million since 1988 .

Ribfest's first Romeoville headliner: Nelly
Nelly is set to perform after a fireworks show on July 4 at the Exchange Club of Naperville's Ribfest in Romeoville. Courtesy of Exchange Club of Naperville
Step into your "Air Force Ones" and get ready to "Shake Ya Tailfeather" -- Nelly is coming to the Exchange Club of Naperville's Ribfest.
The St. Louis rapper is set to perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, after a fireworks show at the festival's new location at the village hall and recreation center in Romeoville.
Nelly's famous summer raps from the early and mid- 2000s are the perfect way to bring a younger crowd to Ribfest as it moves from its longtime home in Naperville's Knoch Park to a town farther south, organizers said.
Tickets are $30 to see the rapper famous for tracks on his "Country Grammar" and "Nellyville" albums from 2000 and 2002 including "Hot in Herre," "E.I.," "Pimp Juice" and "Ride wit Me."
"I love that music -- I think it's fun. I love sharing it with my kids," said Mary Howenstine, director of marketing for Ribfest. "It's really upbeat stuff.
Nelly is also known for collaborations with artists including Florida Georgia Line, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Rowland and Diddy. He follows Pitbull in 2018 and Flo Rida in 2019 as Ribfest's top names of late.
Staging a headliner as big as Nelly after a fireworks show instead of before is a first for Ribfest, and something Howenstine said organizers expect to be a hit. Romeoville allows festival hours to run one hour later -- until 11 p.m. -- than Naperville did, so Nelly still will have plenty of time to "Work It" and "Move That Body" for crowds during a 90-minute show.
"We've moved him after the fireworks for all those folks that have family and neighborhood get-togethers during the day, they can come to Nelly at night," Howenstine said. "We're pretty excited about that.
Ribfest expects to return many of its "tried-and-true" traveling rib vendors to treat festivalgoers at the Romeoville site.
Organizers also are busy finalizing details for other shows, such as REO Speedwagon and Styx, with guest artist Head East, opening the four-day fest on Thursday, July 2. An opening act for the Nelly show is expected to be announced soon.
Tickets for Nelly's concert at the 33rd annual festival go on sale Jan. 27 at ribfest.net. The Exchange Club of Naperville uses proceeds from the event to support nonprofit organizations that work to end child abuse and domestic violence and has donated more than $17.5 million since 1988.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--Feder: The holidays were good for WLIT, not for WGN

While iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT 93.9-FM dominated the ratings in December with nonstop Christmas music , Steve Cochran 's swan @ @ @ @ @ news/talk WGN 720-AM marked the Nexstar Media Group station 's only strong showing for the @ @ @ @ @ released Wednesday gave 93.9 Lite FM its highest audience share in three years , thanks @ @ @ @ @ as `` Chicago 's Christmas Station . ''
It also swept all four dayparts , @ @ @ @ @ Forman in mornings , Robin Rock in middays , Mick Lee in afternoons and the @ @ @ @ @ .
Click here for the full column .

Feder: The holidays were good for WLIT, not for WGN
While iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT 93.9-FM dominated the ratings in December with nonstop Christmas music, Steve Cochran's swan song as morning star on news/talk WGN 720-AM marked the Nexstar Media Group station's only strong showing for the month.
Nielsen Audio figures released Wednesday gave 93.9 Lite FM its highest audience share in three years, thanks to its 19th consecutive run as "Chicago's Christmas Station." It also swept all four dayparts, with first-place finishes for Melissa Forman in mornings, Robin Rock in middays, Mick Lee in afternoons and the syndicated Delilah Rene in evenings.
Click here for the full column.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--For the first time in city history, Elgin council OKs landmark nomination against owner's wishes

The Elgin City Council nominated for landmark status a building over the objections of its owner , the first time this happened in city history , but with the hope that a viable , concrete development plan can be agreed upon .
The building at 850 N. Grove Ave. dates back to 1901 and belongs to Colorado-based David C Cook , a nonprofit Christian publishing company that wants to demolish it .
The company `` strongly opposes '' giving it landmark status because it will cause it economic hardship , said its chief operating officer , Scott Miller , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have to take it down , for safety and for good stewardship , '' he said .
Some council members said the building should be preserved because it is a valuable part of the city 's history ; others said they do n't want to force landmark designation onto a private property owner .
Council members Corey Dixon , Baldemar Lopez , Tish Powell , Carol Rauschenberger and John Steffen , as well as Mayor David Kaptain voted `` yes . ''
Council members Toby Shaw , Terry Gavin and Rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter will go to the heritage commission with a public hearing March 3 and recommendation to the council by April 10 .
The council would take a final vote April 22 ; six votes would be required to finalize landmark status due to the owner 's objection .
Kaptain cautioned that his vote in a few months might become a `` no . ''
Kaptain and other council members said they hoped that the local neighborhood group , the Northeast Neighborhood Association , and David C Cook will use the next few months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find a developer for the site .
NENA representatives said they recently met with at least one developer , Andre Blakely of The Richman Group , who expressed serious interest in the building .
David C Cook was informed of that after its local contractor applied for a demolition permit earlier this month .
Another real estate developer from Chicago , Dick Shields , attended Wednesday 's meeting and said he 'd be interested in taking a look at the building .
Giving landmark status to the building would protect it from demolition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get that done by claiming economic hardship or public safety concerns .
Several residents spoke both for and against allowing David C Cook to do as it pleases with its property .
Resident Donna Griffin-Lego , who lives a block away , said the neighborhood needs more parkland .
`` It 's taking up a lot of space on a very nice spot and there is a lot of other things we can do with that land , '' she said .
Resident Tom Armstrong said `` demolition would forever alter the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The building also should be nominated for the National Register of Historic Places and included into the city 's Central Area Tax-Increment Financing District , he said .
That would allow its redevelopment to qualify for TIF funding and state and federal tax credits , just like the Tower Building downtown a few years ago .
However , that would mean using government funding for something that `` no private investor in the world '' would do , Shaw said .
An estimate commissioned by David C Cook says it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building -- which has suffered water main break and flooding damage -- up to par , and more to develop it into residential , COO Miller said .
Councilmembers Shaw , Rauschenberger and Steffen live in the general neighborhood .
That does n't preclude them from voting on the matter because they get no financial gain from it , Shaw said .

For the first time in city history, Elgin council OKs landmark nomination against owner's wishes
The Elgin City Council nominated for landmark status a building over the objections of its owner, the first time this happened in city history, but with the hope that a viable, concrete development plan can be agreed upon.
The building at 850 N. Grove Ave. dates back to 1901 and belongs to Colorado-based David C Cook, a nonprofit Christian publishing company that wants to demolish it. The company "strongly opposes" giving it landmark status because it will cause it economic hardship, said its chief operating officer, Scott Miller, who flew in to attend the meeting.
"We have to take it down, for safety and for good stewardship," he said.
Some council members said the building should be preserved because it is a valuable part of the city's history; others said they don't want to force landmark designation onto a private property owner.
Council members Corey Dixon, Baldemar Lopez, Tish Powell, Carol Rauschenberger and John Steffen, as well as Mayor David Kaptain voted "yes." Council members Toby Shaw, Terry Gavin and Rose Martinez voted "no."
The matter will go to the heritage commission with a public hearing March 3 and recommendation to the council by April 10. The council would take a final vote April 22; six votes would be required to finalize landmark status due to the owner's objection. Kaptain cautioned that his vote in a few months might become a "no."
Kaptain and other council members said they hoped that the local neighborhood group, the Northeast Neighborhood Association, and David C Cook will use the next few months to communicate and collaborate on efforts to find a developer for the site.
NENA representatives said they recently met with at least one developer, Andre Blakely of The Richman Group, who expressed serious interest in the building. David C Cook was informed of that after its local contractor applied for a demolition permit earlier this month.
Another real estate developer from Chicago, Dick Shields, attended Wednesday's meeting and said he'd be interested in taking a look at the building.
Giving landmark status to the building would protect it from demolition, although the owner could still try to get that done by claiming economic hardship or public safety concerns.
Several residents spoke both for and against allowing David C Cook to do as it pleases with its property.
Resident Donna Griffin-Lego, who lives a block away, said the neighborhood needs more parkland. "It's taking up a lot of space on a very nice spot and there is a lot of other things we can do with that land," she said.
Resident Tom Armstrong said "demolition would forever alter the character of the property and the neighborhood." The building also should be nominated for the National Register of Historic Places and included into the city's Central Area Tax-Increment Financing District, he said. That would allow its redevelopment to qualify for TIF funding and state and federal tax credits, just like the Tower Building downtown a few years ago.
However, that would mean using government funding for something that "no private investor in the world" would do, Shaw said.
An estimate commissioned by David C Cook says it would take $4 million to bring the building -- which has suffered water main break and flooding damage -- up to par, and more to develop it into residential, COO Miller said.
Councilmembers Shaw, Rauschenberger and Steffen live in the general neighborhood. That doesn't preclude them from voting on the matter because they get no financial gain from it, Shaw said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--GOP candidates outline platforms in first 14th District debate

Seven Republicans looking to unseat Naperville Democrat Lauren Underwood in the 14th Congressional District used their first public debate Wednesday night to lay out their top priorities .
The ideas offered during the forum at McHenry County College ranged from social issues to political ideals and provided a contrast for GOP voters eyeing the March primary .
Two candidates , Jerry Evans of Warrenville and James Marter of Oswego , identified abortion as their top legislative priority if elected .
Evans repeatedly said compassion is a cornerstone of his philosophy to governing .
`` We should never call it compassionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suck it through a tube , '' Evans said .
`` I stand for life .
I believe life begins at conception .
We need to defund any form of taxpayer-funded abortion .
The government should not be part of any form of euthanasia . ''
Marter said he 's been attending anti-abortion marches and prayer vigils long before he got into politics .
He went as far as to criticize his own party , specifically former Gov .
Bruce Rauner , for making Illinois `` the abortion capital of the Midwest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parenthood , '' Marter said .
`` We need to protect the most innocent lives from the moment of conception .
We need to defend life from euthanasia and assisted suicide .
We need to be the country that stands up for life . ''
Anthony Catella , who is from St. Charles , spoke in broad philosophical terms when identifying his top priority .
`` I believe in our national purpose and power , '' he said .
`` I believe strongly in an educated citizenry .
And I believe in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ted Gradel , who lives in Naperville , said career politicians are at the root of what 's wrong with the federal government .
He said legislation locking in term limits for all members of Congress would be his top priority .
`` We 've seen in this state a tragic example of when a machine gets established , '' Gradel said .
`` We have a ruling class that has enriched themselves at the expense of everyone else .
We see politicians go to D.C. , and they lose touch with who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the solutions we need . ''
Catalina Lauf , a Woodstock resident , adopted some of President Donald Trump 's rhetoric in identifying `` draining the swamp '' as her top priority .
She said legislation that focuses on securing the inherent freedoms of Americans would be her focus .
`` Government is too big , '' Lauf said .
`` We need to ensure our rights are not being touched .
Chief among them is the Second Amendment .
And right along with that is the First Amendment .
Why should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump in 2016 ?
Why are we afraid to wear American flags on our T-shirts ?
We need to make sure freedom is at the forefront of everything we do as elected officials . ''
State Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove said he would support term limits and solutions to illegal immigration .
But he identified the federal budget and increasing federal deficit his main target if elected .
`` The most important thing we must do is provide a balanced-budget amendment , '' Oberweis said .
`` The fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids and grandkids has got to be stopped . ''
State Sen. Sue Rezin of Morris said the path for Republicans to take back the 14th District is to be strong on health are , the issue Underwood used in her campaign .
`` I 'm the only person on the stage who has passed legislation ( at the state level ) , a year ago , that protects people with preexisting conditions , '' Rezin said .
`` We wanted to repeal and replace ( the Affordable Care Act ) but did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That is my sole goal when I come to Washington , D.C. , to come up with a plan that is affordable and accessible . ''
The sprawling 14th Congressional District includes parts of DuPage , Kane , Lake , McHenry and Will counties .
The primary is March 17 .

Seven Republicans looking to unseat Naperville Democrat Lauren Underwood in the 14th Congressional District used their first public debate Wednesday night to lay out their top priorities.
The ideas offered during the forum at McHenry County College ranged from social issues to political ideals and provided a contrast for GOP voters eyeing the March primary.
Two candidates, Jerry Evans of Warrenville and James Marter of Oswego, identified abortion as their top legislative priority if elected. Evans repeatedly said compassion is a cornerstone of his philosophy to governing.
"We should never call it compassionate if we chop up a child and suck it through a tube," Evans said. "I stand for life. I believe life begins at conception. We need to defund any form of taxpayer-funded abortion. The government should not be part of any form of euthanasia."
Marter said he's been attending anti-abortion marches and prayer vigils long before he got into politics. He went as far as to criticize his own party, specifically former Gov. Bruce Rauner, for making Illinois "the abortion capital of the Midwest."
"We need to defund Planned Parenthood," Marter said. "We need to protect the most innocent lives from the moment of conception. We need to defend life from euthanasia and assisted suicide. We need to be the country that stands up for life."
Anthony Catella, who is from St. Charles, spoke in broad philosophical terms when identifying his top priority.
"I believe in our national purpose and power," he said. "I believe strongly in an educated citizenry. And I believe in the ideals of faith and freedom."
Ted Gradel, who lives in Naperville, said career politicians are at the root of what's wrong with the federal government. He said legislation locking in term limits for all members of Congress would be his top priority.
"We've seen in this state a tragic example of when a machine gets established," Gradel said. "We have a ruling class that has enriched themselves at the expense of everyone else. We see politicians go to D.C., and they lose touch with who we are and the problems we have and the solutions we need."
Catalina Lauf, a Woodstock resident, adopted some of President Donald Trump's rhetoric in identifying "draining the swamp" as her top priority. She said legislation that focuses on securing the inherent freedoms of Americans would be her focus.
"Government is too big," Lauf said. "We need to ensure our rights are not being touched. Chief among them is the Second Amendment. And right along with that is the First Amendment. Why should we have to whisper if we supported President Trump in 2016? Why are we afraid to wear American flags on our T-shirts? We need to make sure freedom is at the forefront of everything we do as elected officials."
State Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove said he would support term limits and solutions to illegal immigration. But he identified the federal budget and increasing federal deficit his main target if elected.
"The most important thing we must do is provide a balanced-budget amendment," Oberweis said. "The fact that we are stealing the future from our kids and grandkids has got to be stopped."
State Sen. Sue Rezin of Morris said the path for Republicans to take back the 14th District is to be strong on health are, the issue Underwood used in her campaign.
"I'm the only person on the stage who has passed legislation (at the state level), a year ago, that protects people with preexisting conditions," Rezin said. "We wanted to repeal and replace (the Affordable Care Act) but didn't have a plan to replace it. That is my sole goal when I come to Washington, D.C., to come up with a plan that is affordable and accessible."
The sprawling 14th Congressional District includes parts of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. The primary is March 17.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-22--Esposito named acting mayor of Oakbrook Terrace

An Oakbrook Terrace alderman has been chosen to finish the term of former Mayor Tony Ragucci , who resigned Friday , just weeks after news surfaced that federal agents had seized $ 60,000 in cash from his home last year .
Paul Esposito will serve as the city 's acting mayor until the next general municipal election in 2021 , officials said .
The longtime resident was appointed to the position by other aldermen during a special meeting Wednesday night .
`` This city means everything to me , '' Esposito said after the meeting .
`` It 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this community .
And it 's all about this community for me . ''
Esposito , who has been an alderman since 2013 , said the first thing the council must do is `` work through our issues here . ''
`` We 're going to unite as a council , '' he said , `` and we need to put the pieces back together . ''
He declined to comment further .
Ragucci 's sudden departure Friday came after the Chicago Sun-Times reported Jan. 2 that a document revealed federal agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That revelation came amid a federal investigation unfolding in Chicago and the suburbs .
In the fall , FBI agents raided former state Sen. Martin Sandoval 's office in Springfield , along with the village halls in Lyons , McCook and Summit .
Sandoval , a Cicero Democrat who chaired the transportation committee , resigned from the Senate in November .
He has not been charged with any wrongdoing .
An FBI search warrant indicates investigators were interested in items related to highway and construction companies , red-light cameras , lobbyists and communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ragucci drew scrutiny from federal agents because of Oakbrook Terrace 's use of the company SafeSpeed to operate red-light cameras .
SafeSpeed is a focus of the ongoing federal investigation , with agents looking into whether company representatives landed deals through payoffs .
Ragucci has not been charged with any wrongdoing .
In late November , Ragucci 's campaign paid $ 30,000 to attorney Thomas Crooks for legal fees , according to the Illinois State Board of Elections .
Ragucci was serving his third term as mayor .
He was first elected in @ @ @

Esposito named acting mayor of Oakbrook Terrace
An Oakbrook Terrace alderman has been chosen to finish the term of former Mayor Tony Ragucci, who resigned Friday, just weeks after news surfaced that federal agents had seized $60,000 in cash from his home last year.
Paul Esposito will serve as the city's acting mayor until the next general municipal election in 2021, officials said. The longtime resident was appointed to the position by other aldermen during a special meeting Wednesday night.
"This city means everything to me," Esposito said after the meeting. "It's a wonderful city. Everybody is like family in this community. And it's all about this community for me."
Esposito, who has been an alderman since 2013, said the first thing the council must do is "work through our issues here."
"We're going to unite as a council," he said, "and we need to put the pieces back together."
He declined to comment further.
Ragucci's sudden departure Friday came after the Chicago Sun-Times reported Jan. 2 that a document revealed federal agents had raided his home in October.
That revelation came amid a federal investigation unfolding in Chicago and the suburbs. In the fall, FBI agents raided former state Sen. Martin Sandoval's office in Springfield, along with the village halls in Lyons, McCook and Summit. Sandoval, a Cicero Democrat who chaired the transportation committee, resigned from the Senate in November. He has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
An FBI search warrant indicates investigators were interested in items related to highway and construction companies, red-light cameras, lobbyists and communications with Illinois Department of Transportation officials.
Ragucci drew scrutiny from federal agents because of Oakbrook Terrace's use of the company SafeSpeed to operate red-light cameras. SafeSpeed is a focus of the ongoing federal investigation, with agents looking into whether company representatives landed deals through payoffs.
Ragucci has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
In late November, Ragucci's campaign paid $30,000 to attorney Thomas Crooks for legal fees, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Ragucci was serving his third term as mayor. He was first elected in April 2009.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--AP Top 25 Podcast: What's next for NCAA's NIL policy?

NEW YORK -- The NCAA is trying to figure out how it can allow athletes to be compensated for their @ @ @ @ @ its rules for amateurism .
What 's next in the debate over name , image @ @ @ @ @ the latest AP Top 25 College Football Podcast , Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic joins @ @ @ @ @ discuss what might come out of this week 's NCAA convention .
How will college @ @ @ @ @ legislation when it has become clear that federal lawmakers will ultimately decide how this plays @ @ @ @ @ field , why LSU will be a unique defending champion and where might one of @ @ @ @ @ headed ?
Also , what does Justin Fuente 's interest in the Baylor job mean @ @ @ @ @ ?
More AP college football : https : //apnews.com/APTop25CollegeFootballPoll and https : //apnews.com/Collegefootball and https @ @

AP Top 25 Podcast: What's next for NCAA's NIL policy?
NEW YORK -- The NCAA is trying to figure out how it can allow athletes to be compensated for their fame, while still preserving its rules for amateurism.
What's next in the debate over name, image and likeness rights?
On the latest AP Top 25 College Football Podcast, Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic joins AP's Ralph Russo to discuss what might come out of this week's NCAA convention. How will college sports attempt to craft NCAA legislation when it has become clear that federal lawmakers will ultimately decide how this plays out?
Closer to the field, why LSU will be a unique defending champion and where might one of the top transfer quarterbacks be headed?
Also, what does Justin Fuente's interest in the Baylor job mean for him at Virginia Tech?
___
Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and https://appodcasts.com/category/ap-top-25-college-football/
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/APTop25CollegeFootballPoll and https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Storm Gloria kills 11 in Spain, causes wide coastal damage

MADRID -- A calamitous storm has killed at least 11 people in Spain and left five others missing , as well as causing rivers to overflow their banks and contaminating vast agricultural areas in eastern Spain with salty seawater .
New reports of disappearances in northeastern Catalonia and the Mediterranean nation 's Balearic Islands increased fears that the death toll from Storm Gloria could still increase .
The storm has dragged people to their deaths with surging sea waves , trapped others in vehicles amid flooding and hit them with loosened building debris .
At least two homeless people died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when temperatures plummeted across the country .
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro SÃ¡nchez visited some of the hardest-hit areas on Thursday , flying over in a helicopter and meeting with rescue and emergency teams on the ground .
He said he would approve state funds for the five regions most affected by the storm .
The storm has lasted for five days , accompanied by heavy winds , snow and hail , although weather authorities said the worst of it had passed on Wednesday .
Satellite imagery from the European Union 's Emergency Management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the delta of the Ebro River , a major artery in eastern Spain , flooding rice paddies and protected wetland areas .
The sea water extended 3 kilometers ( 1.8 miles ) inland .
LluÃs Soler , mayor of the delta region 's town of Deltebre , called for the area to be granted catastrophic status , which frees up compensation for those affected by the storm .
The hard-hit regions include northeastern Catalonia , where authorities on Thursday were still monitoring several rivers for fear they could overflow , and southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a sudden hail storm early Thursday .
In Mallorca , one of the Mediterranean islands off Spain 's eastern coast , rescuers and firefighters have been looking since Monday for a man who disappeared when he was mountain climbing .
Two more people , a Spaniard and a British citizen , were still missing on the nearby island of Ibiza , with authorities saying they were most likely dragged into the sea by unusually high waves .
Authorities in Catalonia said they were working to return power to more than 10,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affecting some 130,000 students .

Storm Gloria kills 11 in Spain, causes wide coastal damage
Waves hit a partially damage bridge during a storm in Badalona's beach, outskirts of Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. Massive waves and gale-force winds smashed into seafront towns, damaging many shops and restaurants and flooding some streets. Associated Press
View of a collapsed bridge due heavy storms in Malgrat, near Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. Since Sunday the storm has hit mostly eastern areas of Spain with hail, heavy snow and high winds, while huge waves smashed into towns on the Mediterranean coast and nearby islands of Mallorca and Menorca. Associated Press
A man takes a snapshot of the waves hitting the breakwater in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. Massive waves and gale-force winds smashed into seafront towns, damaging many shops and restaurants and flooding some streets. Associated Press
A man walks on a collapsed train track and a bridge due a heavy storm in Malgrat, near Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. Since Sunday the storm has hit mostly eastern areas of Spain with hail, heavy snow and high winds, while huge waves smashed into towns on the Mediterranean coast and nearby islands of Mallorca and Menorca. Associated Press
People take snapshots atop of a collapsed bridge in Malgrat, near Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. Since Sunday the storm has hit mostly eastern areas of Spain with hail, heavy snow and high winds, while huge waves smashed into towns on the Mediterranean coast and nearby islands of Mallorca and Menorca. Associated Press
View of a flooded area due a heavy rain in Malgrat, near Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. Since Sunday the storm has hit mostly eastern areas of Spain with hail, heavy snow and high winds, while huge waves smashed into towns on the Mediterranean coast and nearby islands of Mallorca and Menorca. Associated Press
This combo of two photos shows a Dec. 13, 2017 photo, top, of the river Onyar and the same part of the river during a storm on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 in Girona, Spain. Since Sunday the storm has hit mostly eastern areas of Spain with hail, heavy snow and high winds, while huge waves smashed into towns on the Mediterranean coast and nearby islands of Mallorca and Menorca. Associated Press
The river Onyar is seen swollen during a storm in Girona, Spain, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Since Sunday the storm has hit mostly eastern areas of Spain with hail, heavy snow and high winds, while huge waves smashed into towns on the Mediterranean coast and nearby islands of Mallorca and Menorca. Associated Press
A woman holds an umbrella crossing a bridge over the river Onyar during a storm in Girona, Spain, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Since Sunday the storm has hit mostly eastern areas of Spain with hail, heavy snow and high winds, while huge waves smashed into towns on the Mediterranean coast and nearby islands of Mallorca and Menorca. Associated Press
Two people take snapshots atop of a collapsed bridge in Malgrat, near Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. Since Sunday the storm has hit mostly eastern areas of Spain with hail, heavy snow and high winds, while huge waves smashed into towns on the Mediterranean coast and nearby islands of Mallorca and Menorca. Associated Press
MADRID -- A calamitous storm has killed at least 11 people in Spain and left five others missing, as well as causing rivers to overflow their banks and contaminating vast agricultural areas in eastern Spain with salty seawater.
New reports of disappearances in northeastern Catalonia and the Mediterranean nation's Balearic Islands increased fears that the death toll from Storm Gloria could still increase.
The storm has dragged people to their deaths with surging sea waves, trapped others in vehicles amid flooding and hit them with loosened building debris. At least two homeless people died of hypothermia earlier in the week, when temperatures plummeted across the country.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited some of the hardest-hit areas on Thursday, flying over in a helicopter and meeting with rescue and emergency teams on the ground. He said he would approve state funds for the five regions most affected by the storm.
The storm has lasted for five days, accompanied by heavy winds, snow and hail, although weather authorities said the worst of it had passed on Wednesday.
Satellite imagery from the European Union's Emergency Management Service showed how salt water had surged into the delta of the Ebro River, a major artery in eastern Spain, flooding rice paddies and protected wetland areas. The sea water extended 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) inland.
Lluís Soler, mayor of the delta region's town of Deltebre, called for the area to be granted catastrophic status, which frees up compensation for those affected by the storm.
The hard-hit regions include northeastern Catalonia, where authorities on Thursday were still monitoring several rivers for fear they could overflow, and southern Andalucia, parts of which were hit by a sudden hail storm early Thursday.
In Mallorca, one of the Mediterranean islands off Spain's eastern coast, rescuers and firefighters have been looking since Monday for a man who disappeared when he was mountain climbing.
Two more people, a Spaniard and a British citizen, were still missing on the nearby island of Ibiza, with authorities saying they were most likely dragged into the sea by unusually high waves.
Authorities in Catalonia said they were working to return power to more than 10,000 people and school closures from the storm were affecting some 130,000 students.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--'Definitely worth the wait' • 150 line up for Raising Cane's chicken in Batavia

Despite falling snow and chilly , wet conditions , about 150 people waited in a line wrapping around the new Raising Cane 's Chicken Fingers restaurant in Batavia for its grand opening Thursday .
The Batavia High School drum line and dance team kept people entertained , as did visits from local sports mascots Ozzie the Cougar , Staley from the Chicago Bears and Rusty from the Chicago Steel .
A prize tent doled out swag .
Billy Chism of Somonauk was the first person in line , arriving at 5:30 a.m. Bundled up in warm gear that included a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a prize wheel , Chism did n't mind the weather .
`` I 'm just excited about it being here .
It 's delicious , '' Chism said .
`` Definitely worth the wait . ''
Kyle Rorie of Aurora was among the `` Lucky 20 '' who won free Cane 's for a year .
Rorie said he was encouraged by a friend from Texas to try out the restaurant and visited the location in Naperville .
`` We were instantly hooked . ''
After acknowledgments and a ribbon cutting inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Schielke , the restaurant let in its first 100 guests -- each received a free T-shirt with the purchase of a combo meal and free box meal on their next visit .
Beau Cunningham , a senior at Batavia High School , was among the first to enter .
He was also a `` Lucky 20 '' winner earlier and said his mom had called the school to tell them he 'd be absent today .
His excuse : `` She flat out told them the truth , '' he said .

'Definitely worth the wait': 150 line up for Raising Cane's chicken in Batavia
Despite falling snow and chilly, wet conditions, about 150 people waited in a line wrapping around the new Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers restaurant in Batavia for its grand opening Thursday.
The Batavia High School drum line and dance team kept people entertained, as did visits from local sports mascots Ozzie the Cougar, Staley from the Chicago Bears and Rusty from the Chicago Steel. A prize tent doled out swag.
Billy Chism of Somonauk was the first person in line, arriving at 5:30 a.m. Bundled up in warm gear that included a Raising Cane's scarf that he won on a prize wheel, Chism didn't mind the weather.
"I'm just excited about it being here. It's delicious," Chism said. "Definitely worth the wait."
Kyle Rorie of Aurora was among the "Lucky 20" who won free Cane's for a year. Rorie said he was encouraged by a friend from Texas to try out the restaurant and visited the location in Naperville. "We were instantly hooked."
After acknowledgments and a ribbon cutting inside with GM Joe Ross and Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke, the restaurant let in its first 100 guests -- each received a free T-shirt with the purchase of a combo meal and free box meal on their next visit.
Beau Cunningham, a senior at Batavia High School, was among the first to enter. He was also a "Lucky 20" winner earlier and said his mom had called the school to tell them he'd be absent today. His excuse: "She flat out told them the truth," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Former St. Viator coach indicted on charge of sexually abusing teenage girl

Prosecutors announced an indictment Thursday against former St. Viator High School basketball coach Joseph Majkowski on a new charge of sexually abusing a minor .
Majkowski , 65 , had previously been charged with sending inappropriate text messages to four 15-year-old students .
Those misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges are still pending .
Majkowski will be arraigned on the new felony charge Feb. 5 .
Defense attorney Alfred Stavros previously described the new charge as `` unfounded and unsubstantiated . ''
He stopped coaching in 2011 after 35 years , 24 of them as boys basketball coach .
But Majkowski remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viator 's counseling department .
He retired from that position at the end of the 2018-19 school year , school officials said .
In June 2019 , the day before he was to retire , police escorted Majkowski off the Catholic high school 's Arlington Heights campus .
The next month , the Arlington Heights resident was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct related to the texts , authorities said .
A heavily redacted police report released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request included a statement from a girl who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncomfortable . ''
According to the report , in one text message Majkowski tells students `` that he loves them . ''
School policy prohibits teachers from contacting students except by email , according to the report .
Additionally , parents must be copied on all correspondence .
The sexual abuse allegation surfaced in October 2019 .
The mother of that accuser called police after the initial allegations against him became public and indicated her daughter had received similar texts from Majkowski , who was her guidance counselor , according to Arlington Heights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family did not want to pursue charges , Blevins said .
But after the girl told therapists Majkowski inappropriately touched her in his office , she and her mother spoke with investigators , Blevins said .
In December 2019 , police arrested Majkowski on charges he sexually abused the teen .

Former St. Viator coach indicted on charge of sexually abusing teenage girl
Prosecutors announced an indictment Thursday against former St. Viator High School basketball coach Joseph Majkowski on a new charge of sexually abusing a minor.
Majkowski, 65, had previously been charged with sending inappropriate text messages to four 15-year-old students. Those misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges are still pending.
Majkowski will be arraigned on the new felony charge Feb. 5. Defense attorney Alfred Stavros previously described the new charge as "unfounded and unsubstantiated."
He stopped coaching in 2011 after 35 years, 24 of them as boys basketball coach. But Majkowski remained on staff as the head of St. Viator's counseling department. He retired from that position at the end of the 2018-19 school year, school officials said.
In June 2019, the day before he was to retire, police escorted Majkowski off the Catholic high school's Arlington Heights campus. The next month, the Arlington Heights resident was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct related to the texts, authorities said.
A heavily redacted police report released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request included a statement from a girl who said Majkowski's texts "made her feel uncomfortable." According to the report, in one text message Majkowski tells students "that he loves them."
School policy prohibits teachers from contacting students except by email, according to the report. Additionally, parents must be copied on all correspondence.
The sexual abuse allegation surfaced in October 2019. The mother of that accuser called police after the initial allegations against him became public and indicated her daughter had received similar texts from Majkowski, who was her guidance counselor, according to Arlington Heights police Sgt. Andrew Blevins. The family did not want to pursue charges, Blevins said.
But after the girl told therapists Majkowski inappropriately touched her in his office, she and her mother spoke with investigators, Blevins said. In December 2019, police arrested Majkowski on charges he sexually abused the teen.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--Naperville to celebrate North Central's college football championship

Naperville will celebrate the North Central College Cardinals ' recent Division III National Championship in football with a procession and rally Friday , Jan. 31 , at the school 's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium .
The city 's police and fire departments will lead players and coaches in a 3:30 p.m. processional from Fire Station 7 , 1380 Aurora Ave. , to the 4 p.m. rally at the stadium at 455 S. Brainard St .
The Cardinals won the championship Dec. 20 with a 41-14 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Shenandoah , Texas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ national title in football , North Central has now won 40 national titles , including women 's basketball , men 's cross country , men 's indoor and outdoor track and field , and women 's triathlon .
The college 's first national championship was a men 's swimming and diving title in 1958 .
`` The City of Naperville is thrilled to recognize our hometown college , North Central College , for its incredible football season and National Championship win , '' Mayor Steve Chirico said in a statement .
The rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardinal Marching Band and cheerleaders .
Speakers will include head coach Jeff Thorne , college President Troy D. Hammond ; Athletic Director Jim Miller ; and one or more members of the team .
`` The Cardinal football team 's national championship was the culmination of an astounding decade for North Central College and our athletics programs , '' Hammond said .
`` Over the past 10 years , the Cardinals have brought 17 team national titles back to Naperville , which puts the college in rare company across all divisions of NCAA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success on the playing field , the record that we 're most proud of is North Central 's long history of helping students exceed their personal best inside and outside of the classroom and go on to become winners in life . ''
The processional route , which begins at Fire Station 7 , will continue along Aurora Avenue , turn left on Washington Street , right on Benton Avenue , right on S. Brainard Street , cross Chicago Avenue and continue to the stadium .
Parking for the rally is available at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Ave. ; the Municipal Center Parking Facility , 400 S. Eagle St. ; and the Water Street Parking Facility , 120 Water St .

Naperville to celebrate North Central's college football championship
Naperville will celebrate North Central College's Division III National Championship with a procession and rally on Jan. 31. Steve Woltmann/North Central College
Naperville will celebrate the North Central College Cardinals' recent Division III National Championship in football with a procession and rally Friday, Jan. 31, at the school's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
The city's police and fire departments will lead players and coaches in a 3:30 p.m. processional from Fire Station 7, 1380 Aurora Ave., to the 4 p.m. rally at the stadium at 455 S. Brainard St.
The Cardinals won the championship Dec. 20 with a 41-14 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Shenandoah, Texas. Although it was the school's first national title in football, North Central has now won 40 national titles, including women's basketball, men's cross country, men's indoor and outdoor track and field, and women's triathlon.
The college's first national championship was a men's swimming and diving title in 1958.
"The City of Naperville is thrilled to recognize our hometown college, North Central College, for its incredible football season and National Championship win," Mayor Steve Chirico said in a statement.
The rally will feature performances from North Central's Cardinal Marching Band and cheerleaders. Speakers will include head coach Jeff Thorne, college President Troy D. Hammond; Athletic Director Jim Miller; and one or more members of the team.
"The Cardinal football team's national championship was the culmination of an astounding decade for North Central College and our athletics programs," Hammond said. "Over the past 10 years, the Cardinals have brought 17 team national titles back to Naperville, which puts the college in rare company across all divisions of NCAA athletics ...
"And while we celebrate success on the playing field, the record that we're most proud of is North Central's long history of helping students exceed their personal best inside and outside of the classroom and go on to become winners in life."
The processional route, which begins at Fire Station 7, will continue along Aurora Avenue, turn left on Washington Street, right on Benton Avenue, right on S. Brainard Street, cross Chicago Avenue and continue to the stadium.
Parking for the rally is available at the Central Parking Facility, 75 E. Chicago Ave.; the Municipal Center Parking Facility, 400 S. Eagle St.; and the Water Street Parking Facility, 120 Water St.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-23--More snow expected through Saturday morning

Four to six inches of snow is expected in the Chicago area from Wednesday night until Saturday morning .
The @ @ @ @ @ light , wet snow until Thursday evening , which could end up mixing with drizzle @ @ @ @ @ afternoon and early evening .
The snow will likely cause slick roads in some spots @ @ @ @ @ commutes .
On Friday and Saturday , a mix of wet snow with rain is @ @ @ @ @ service says there is `` more uncertainty '' for those days .
Friday evening commutes @ @ @ @ @ the weather service warns .

More snow expected through Saturday morning
Four to six inches of snow is expected in the Chicago area from Wednesday night until Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service Chicago forecasts light, wet snow until Thursday evening, which could end up mixing with drizzle or light rain through Thursday afternoon and early evening. The snow will likely cause slick roads in some spots during Thursday and Friday morning commutes.
On Friday and Saturday, a mix of wet snow with rain is possible, but the weather service says there is "more uncertainty" for those days.
Friday evening commutes likely will be slower, the weather service warns.