dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Teachers, parents share mixed feelings about students wearing masks when schools reopen this fall

Wearing face masks for long periods of time can be challenging even for adults .
So how realistic is it to expect kindergartners through 12th-graders to keep masks on for nearly seven hours a day when school resumes next fall ?
Suburban parents and teachers say they have mixed feelings about students returning to classrooms under COVID-19-era social distancing requirements , which include wearing masks indoors .
Some are worried prolonged use of masks might not be safe , while others fear younger students and those with special needs might have trouble following the rules .
The Illinois State Board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasizing providing in-person instruction for all students .
The new rules allow for a combination of in-class and remote learning , staggered schedules , and students attending different days .
They also call for frequent hand-washing , a cap on 50-person gatherings per room , social distancing when possible , intensive cleaning and mandatory health screenings with temperature checks .
The state aims to provide 2.5 million free cloth masks for students and teachers statewide .
Among the concerns is whether students can wear masks safely while exercising or engaged in sports without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wills of Naperville , an elementary physical education teacher in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 .
`` P.E .
is hands-on and we are usually close , '' Wills said .
`` Our gyms are not air-conditioned .
When we go back in the fall , it will be very warm .
That 's a bit of a concern for me .
I personally have n't done any exercising wearing a mask . ''
Wills said she and her peers are anxious about social distancing with large class sizes and a shortage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many suburban school districts have been awaiting the state guidance to finalize plans for the fall and expect to roll out next steps in July .
Max Weiss , who handles external communications for the state board of education , said face coverings must be worn at all times by individuals in school buildings , except while eating and during band .
Exceptions include those who have a medical condition , are under 2 years of age , have trouble breathing , or are unable to remove the face covering without assistance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7-year-old daughter , Myra , might have a harder time with wearing a mask than her older siblings .
`` We have sewn , constructed and even ordered a series of them , and she is a bit fidgety , '' said Sadat , who is more concerned schools wo n't have enough support staff to help younger students practice mask-wearing and good hygiene .
Meanwhile , Sadat 's daughter Zoya , a soon-to-be freshman at Lisle High School , and son Yunus , who is starting junior high , are eager to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoya ) craves structure and is happily looking forward to wearing a mask at school , '' Sadat said .
`` Yunus is looking forward to participating in some fall and winter sports offered at the junior high . ''
Parents modeling proper safety etiquette for younger students is crucial to the reopening being successful .
But they also have to make it fun , says Carrie Rafalski of Hoffman Estates , an early childhood teacher with the Hoffman Estates Park District 's half-day preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop picking their nose , much less leaving their mask alone , '' said Rafalski , adding many preschools are n't requiring children 5 years and younger to wear masks .
`` There 's definitely going to be a big adjustment period , '' Rafalski said .
`` There are books available geared toward young children about masks .
We will need to make it a fun game .
With time and practice it will become a normal part of life . ''
Lindsay Combs of East Dundee said her 2- and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for eight hours a day , five days a week while attending an in-home day care .
`` At the beginning , they pretended to play doctor or superhero , '' said Combs , a nurse who works with patients on dialysis and must herself wear masks for work .
`` I 've tried to explain this to concerned parents .
If a 2-year-old can do it , surely your school-age children will be fine . ''
Combs said having fitted masks helps limit fidgeting and her sons never had any problems keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting occasional dry nose .
State guidelines currently do n't address the unique challenges for special needs students who might need alternative options to wearing masks , said parent Kim Ketcham of Kildeer .
Ketcham 's 16-year-old son , Adam , is autistic and a soon-to-be junior at Lake Zurich High School .
While he uses masks now for outdoor activities , it sometimes becomes too much for him to handle , she said .
`` Wearing a mask for six to seven hours a day , I do n't know how that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` A lot of kids with special needs have sensory issues .
They might not be able to tolerate that . ''
Schools need the state and local health authorities to provide further guidance for special populations with alternatives like face shields , physical barriers , and allowing frequent breaks between periods taken into consideration , if those students are expected to return to classrooms , Ketchum said .
`` It is not one size fits all , '' Ketchum said .
`` Everybody is going to get mask fatigue at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids with sensory issues are going to get it a lot faster than others .
I just want to make sure that we are providing reasonable and realistic expectations to keep everybody safe . ''
The state recommends schools require physicians notes for students and staff members who are not able to wear a face covering .
The guidance allows face shields instead of face coverings , especially in situations where it is important for students to see words being formed , such as English learners and early childhood students .

Teachers, parents share mixed feelings about students wearing masks when schools reopen this fall
Kane Combs, 4, left, and his younger brother Conway, 2, have been wearing masks eight hours a day, five days a week since St. Patrick's Day while in day care. "If a 2-year-old can do it, surely your school-age children will be fine," said mom Lindsay Combs of new state guidelines requiring K-12 students wear masks when schools start this fall. Courtesy of Lindsay Combs
Wearing face masks for long periods of time can be challenging even for adults.
So how realistic is it to expect kindergartners through 12th-graders to keep masks on for nearly seven hours a day when school resumes next fall?
Suburban parents and teachers say they have mixed feelings about students returning to classrooms under COVID-19-era social distancing requirements, which include wearing masks indoors. Some are worried prolonged use of masks might not be safe, while others fear younger students and those with special needs might have trouble following the rules.
The Illinois State Board of Education released reopening guidelines Tuesday strongly emphasizing providing in-person instruction for all students. The new rules allow for a combination of in-class and remote learning, staggered schedules, and students attending different days.
They also call for frequent hand-washing, a cap on 50-person gatherings per room, social distancing when possible, intensive cleaning and mandatory health screenings with temperature checks. The state aims to provide 2.5 million free cloth masks for students and teachers statewide.
Among the concerns is whether students can wear masks safely while exercising or engaged in sports without getting overheated or dehydrated, said Jenn Wills of Naperville, an elementary physical education teacher in Indian Prairie Unit District 204.
"P.E. is hands-on and we are usually close," Wills said. "Our gyms are not air-conditioned. When we go back in the fall, it will be very warm. That's a bit of a concern for me. I personally haven't done any exercising wearing a mask."
Wills said she and her peers are anxious about social distancing with large class sizes and a shortage of school nurses and other health resources.
Many suburban school districts have been awaiting the state guidance to finalize plans for the fall and expect to roll out next steps in July.
Max Weiss, who handles external communications for the state board of education, said face coverings must be worn at all times by individuals in school buildings, except while eating and during band. Exceptions include those who have a medical condition, are under 2 years of age, have trouble breathing, or are unable to remove the face covering without assistance.
Parent Sara Sadat of Lisle worries her 7-year-old daughter, Myra, might have a harder time with wearing a mask than her older siblings.
- Paul Valade | Staff Photographer Sara Sadat, of Lisle, oversees her children's e-learning at their home. Her 7-year-old daughter Myra Shaik, 7, right, is a second-grader at Lisle Elementary School.
"We have sewn, constructed and even ordered a series of them, and she is a bit fidgety," said Sadat, who is more concerned schools won't have enough support staff to help younger students practice mask-wearing and good hygiene.
Meanwhile, Sadat's daughter Zoya, a soon-to-be freshman at Lisle High School, and son Yunus, who is starting junior high, are eager to resume learning without household distractions.
" (Zoya) craves structure and is happily looking forward to wearing a mask at school," Sadat said. "Yunus is looking forward to participating in some fall and winter sports offered at the junior high."
Parents modeling proper safety etiquette for younger students is crucial to the reopening being successful. But they also have to make it fun, says Carrie Rafalski of Hoffman Estates, an early childhood teacher with the Hoffman Estates Park District's half-day preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds.
"I have a hard enough time getting them to stop picking their nose, much less leaving their mask alone," said Rafalski, adding many preschools aren't requiring children 5 years and younger to wear masks.
"There's definitely going to be a big adjustment period," Rafalski said. "There are books available geared toward young children about masks. We will need to make it a fun game. With time and practice it will become a normal part of life."
Lindsay Combs of East Dundee said her 2- and 4-year-old sons don't mind wearing masks for eight hours a day, five days a week while attending an in-home day care.
Lindsay Combs, of East Dundee, with her son Kane, 4, who along with his younger brother Conway, 2, has been wearing masks eight hours a day, five days a week since St. Patrick's Day while in day care. "If a 2-year-old can do it, surely your school-age children will be fine," Combs says of new state guidelines requiring K-12 students wear masks when schools start this fall. - Courtesy of Lindsay Combs
"At the beginning, they pretended to play doctor or superhero," said Combs, a nurse who works with patients on dialysis and must herself wear masks for work. "I've tried to explain this to concerned parents. If a 2-year-old can do it, surely your school-age children will be fine."
Combs said having fitted masks helps limit fidgeting and her sons never had any problems keeping them on all day, apart from getting occasional dry nose.
State guidelines currently don't address the unique challenges for special needs students who might need alternative options to wearing masks, said parent Kim Ketcham of Kildeer.
Ketcham's 16-year-old son, Adam, is autistic and a soon-to-be junior at Lake Zurich High School. While he uses masks now for outdoor activities, it sometimes becomes too much for him to handle, she said.
Kim Ketcham, of Kildeer, with her sons, Adam, 16, left, and Alex, 17, says the state needs to provide more than a blanket guideline to schools requiring masks for all students this fall. Special needs students like Adam, who is autistic, may need alternatives when wearing a mask becomes too much to handle, she said. - Courtesy of Kim Ketcham
"Wearing a mask for six to seven hours a day, I don't know how that's going to work," Ketchum said. "A lot of kids with special needs have sensory issues. They might not be able to tolerate that."
Schools need the state and local health authorities to provide further guidance for special populations with alternatives like face shields, physical barriers, and allowing frequent breaks between periods taken into consideration, if those students are expected to return to classrooms, Ketchum said.
"It is not one size fits all," Ketchum said. "Everybody is going to get mask fatigue at some point and I'm worried that kids with sensory issues are going to get it a lot faster than others. I just want to make sure that we are providing reasonable and realistic expectations to keep everybody safe."
The state recommends schools require physicians notes for students and staff members who are not able to wear a face covering.
The guidance allows face shields instead of face coverings, especially in situations where it is important for students to see words being formed, such as English learners and early childhood students.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--What gamblers can expect when they head back to casinos July 1

Expect to wear face masks , stay 6 feet from the nearest bettor and skip the buffet line when casinos reopen starting Wednesday in Illinois .
The state 's 10 casinos are hurrying to put COVID-19 health protocols in place before they can open their doors for the first time in 3½ months .
After receiving word from Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Gaming Board Thursday about the planned July 1 resumption of casino operations , officials at all five suburban casinos confirmed Friday they will be ready to open by day one .
`` Rush Street Gaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and many of the precautions and procedures we instituted there to keep our associates and patrons safe will be put into action in Des Plaines , '' Patrick Skarr , a spokesman for Rivers Casino in Des Plaines , said in a statement .
`` We are working closely with the Illinois Gaming Board , but our guests can expect increased cleaning , social distancing , and mask wearing by every team member and customer on the floor . ''
Some of what was put in place at Rivers ' sister property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replicated here includes fewer seats at table games , plexiglass at some betting terminals , floor decals to help keep people 6 feet apart , hand sanitizer stations scattered throughout the gambling floor , and regular sanitizing of slot machines and chips by cleaning crews .
The Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin , the Hollywood Casinos in Aurora and Joliet , and Harrah 's in Joliet also have announced July 1 openings .
Each gambling house had to submit a resumption plan that takes into account health and safety requirements for review and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The video and casino gaming industry have worked cooperatively and professionally with the ( gaming board ) to develop best practices that create the safest possible environment for gaming , '' Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter said in a news release .
`` We appreciate their cooperation and work toward the mutual goal of a resumption that protects the safety and integrity of Illinois gaming . ''
While specific plans were n't immediately released by all the casinos or the gaming board , all gambling facilities have to adhere to a set of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the month .
That includes 6-foot social distancing requirements ; the availability and use of face masks and personal protective equipment , hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes ; and cleaning of touch surfaces , table game areas , dice , chips and cards .
To gain entry to casinos , patrons will have to have their temperatures checked .
Buffets , poker rooms , table game tournaments and valet parking is off limits for now , and total capacity is limited to 50 % .
Operators of video gambling machines at some 7,300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , truck stops and fraternal organizations in Illinois were also given approval to resume operations on Wednesday after approval of their safety plans , according to Joe Miller , the board 's director of policy and special projects .
Slots can officially turn back on at 9 a.m. Wednesday .

What gamblers can expect when they head back to casinos July 1
Plexiglass dividers were installed between sports betting kiosks at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh before it reopened earlier this month. Courtesy of Rivers Casino
Members of the "Rivers Clean Team" at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh wipe down slot machines as part of cleaning procedures the casino has put in place. Similar cleaning efforts are planned at the sister casino in Des Plaines. Courtesy of Rivers Casino
Hand sanitizer stations are in place at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, and similar areas are planned at the casino's sister property in Des Plaines. Courtesy of Rivers Casino
Social distancing floor decals were placed near table games at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh before the casino reopened earlier this month. Similar safety precautions are expected at its sister property in Des Plaines, which reopens Wednesday. Courtesy of Rivers Casino
Expect to wear face masks, stay 6 feet from the nearest bettor and skip the buffet line when casinos reopen starting Wednesday in Illinois.
The state's 10 casinos are hurrying to put COVID-19 health protocols in place before they can open their doors for the first time in 3½ months.
After receiving word from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Gaming Board Thursday about the planned July 1 resumption of casino operations, officials at all five suburban casinos confirmed Friday they will be ready to open by day one.
"Rush Street Gaming successfully reopened Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh recently, and many of the precautions and procedures we instituted there to keep our associates and patrons safe will be put into action in Des Plaines," Patrick Skarr, a spokesman for Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, said in a statement. "We are working closely with the Illinois Gaming Board, but our guests can expect increased cleaning, social distancing, and mask wearing by every team member and customer on the floor."
Some of what was put in place at Rivers' sister property in Pittsburgh that's expected to be replicated here includes fewer seats at table games, plexiglass at some betting terminals, floor decals to help keep people 6 feet apart, hand sanitizer stations scattered throughout the gambling floor, and regular sanitizing of slot machines and chips by cleaning crews.
The Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, the Hollywood Casinos in Aurora and Joliet, and Harrah's in Joliet also have announced July 1 openings.
Each gambling house had to submit a resumption plan that takes into account health and safety requirements for review and approval by gaming board regulators.
"The video and casino gaming industry have worked cooperatively and professionally with the (gaming board) to develop best practices that create the safest possible environment for gaming," Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter said in a news release. "We appreciate their cooperation and work toward the mutual goal of a resumption that protects the safety and integrity of Illinois gaming."
While specific plans weren't immediately released by all the casinos or the gaming board, all gambling facilities have to adhere to a set of protocols released by state regulators earlier in the month. That includes 6-foot social distancing requirements; the availability and use of face masks and personal protective equipment, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes; and cleaning of touch surfaces, table game areas, dice, chips and cards.
To gain entry to casinos, patrons will have to have their temperatures checked. Buffets, poker rooms, table game tournaments and valet parking is off limits for now, and total capacity is limited to 50%.
Operators of video gambling machines at some 7,300 bars, restaurants, cafes, taverns, truck stops and fraternal organizations in Illinois were also given approval to resume operations on Wednesday after approval of their safety plans, according to Joe Miller, the board's director of policy and special projects.
Slots can officially turn back on at 9 a.m. Wednesday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Youth sports return, but the COVID-19 game has its own key rules

As a mother of four , including a basketball-playing incoming high school freshman , Candace Klemm understands the concerns parents have about letting their children return to sports during a pandemic .
Phase 4 of the state 's COVID-19 response has arrived , but it does n't mean it 's a foregone conclusion youth sports are completely back in Illinois .
`` I had one parent that was like , ' I 'm not going to play until there 's a vaccine ( for the coronavirus ) , ' '' said Klemm , director of girls basketball for Kessel Heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Izzy Robinson Klemm , who will be a freshman at Warren Township High School in Gurnee .
`` I have a 3-year-old , '' Klemm said .
`` I was afraid that if I go out , what if I bring something back to my home , not just the team ? ''
Before Phase 4 , youth sports leagues were forced to play tournaments out of state if they wanted competition .
Each sport has certain social-distancing guidelines in place , and they vary from state to state and tournament to tournament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we 're following those as we start to play games , '' said Brad Niedermaier , who is president of Glenview Youth Baseball , a coach and father of kids ages 12 , 11 and 6 in the program .
`` The parents have been asking a lot of very good questions .
We just spent a lot of time doing Zoom calls with all of the coaches .
We have 87 teams , so we had hundreds of coaches that we had to train . ''
For example , Phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no handshakes or high-fives and no spitting , sunflower seeds or gum .
For spectators , the area behind home plate extending to first base and third base will be closed .
Spectators also should wear masks when entering and exiting .
The home-plate umpire will stand in the infield behind the pitcher .
Face coverings must be worn when social-distancing is not possible .
Players will have to wear their masks to the field .
`` As a coach , I do n't have a problem with the kids , '' Niedermaier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , 'Put your bag here , put your bag 6 feet away ( from your teammate 's bag ) , and this is your home . '
You can tell kids that the whole day , and they 're pretty good at listening . ''
Bill Kugelberg , travel softball coach for 18U Naperville Diamonds , said every tournament has nuances as to what you can and ca n't do .
His team played in Iowa and Ohio the last two weeks , but it 's scheduled to play locally in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kugelberg said his players want to play , and their parents are onboard .
Of the 11 girls on the roster , seven -- including his daughter Mirabella , who pitched for St. Francis High -- just graduated from high school .
Only one is playing in college .
`` They lost their high school season , they lost their prom , and they lost their graduation , '' he said .
`` March 13 or 14 they all went to school for the last day and did n't know .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , ' I 'm going to give you the opportunity to get on the field within the ( state ) guidelines we need to be within , and if the parents are OK with it , we 're going to do it . '
Every parent has said , 'You tell us where to be , and we 'll be there . '
'' A basketball tournament in Waukegan last weekend serves as a reminder people need to continue to obey social distancing .
A person who attended the event tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) rules are pretty hard core , '' Klemm said .
`` But that 's what we got to do to play .
People are scared that the ( COVID-19 ) numbers are going to go back up .
But , I mean , we 're playing . ''

Youth sports return, but the COVID-19 game has its own key rules
DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTOWith the return of youth sports in the state's Phase 4 of Restore Illinois, pictures like this could be returning soon to a ballpark near you.
As a mother of four, including a basketball-playing incoming high school freshman, Candace Klemm understands the concerns parents have about letting their children return to sports during a pandemic.
Phase 4 of the state's COVID-19 response has arrived, but it doesn't mean it's a foregone conclusion youth sports are completely back in Illinois.
"I had one parent that was like, 'I'm not going to play until there's a vaccine (for the coronavirus),'" said Klemm, director of girls basketball for Kessel Heat AAU in Lake County and mom to Izzy Robinson Klemm, who will be a freshman at Warren Township High School in Gurnee.
"I have a 3-year-old," Klemm said. "I was afraid that if I go out, what if I bring something back to my home, not just the team?"
Before Phase 4, youth sports leagues were forced to play tournaments out of state if they wanted competition. Each sport has certain social-distancing guidelines in place, and they vary from state to state and tournament to tournament.
"Restore Illinois provides good guidelines, and we're following those as we start to play games," said Brad Niedermaier, who is president of Glenview Youth Baseball, a coach and father of kids ages 12, 11 and 6 in the program. "The parents have been asking a lot of very good questions. We just spent a lot of time doing Zoom calls with all of the coaches. We have 87 teams, so we had hundreds of coaches that we had to train."
For example, Phase 4 Stay Safe guidelines for ballplayers include no handshakes or high-fives and no spitting, sunflower seeds or gum. For spectators, the area behind home plate extending to first base and third base will be closed.
Spectators also should wear masks when entering and exiting. The home-plate umpire will stand in the infield behind the pitcher. Face coverings must be worn when social-distancing is not possible. Players will have to wear their masks to the field.
"As a coach, I don't have a problem with the kids," Niedermaier said. "Basically, we tell them, 'Put your bag here, put your bag 6 feet away (from your teammate's bag), and this is your home.' You can tell kids that the whole day, and they're pretty good at listening."
Bill Kugelberg, travel softball coach for 18U Naperville Diamonds, said every tournament has nuances as to what you can and can't do. His team played in Iowa and Ohio the last two weeks, but it's scheduled to play locally in July.
Despite concerns about contracting the virus, Kugelberg said his players want to play, and their parents are onboard. Of the 11 girls on the roster, seven -- including his daughter Mirabella, who pitched for St. Francis High -- just graduated from high school. Only one is playing in college.
"They lost their high school season, they lost their prom, and they lost their graduation," he said. "March 13 or 14 they all went to school for the last day and didn't know. They just left.
"I've always said, 'I'm going to give you the opportunity to get on the field within the (state) guidelines we need to be within, and if the parents are OK with it, we're going to do it.' Every parent has said, 'You tell us where to be, and we'll be there.'"
A basketball tournament in Waukegan last weekend serves as a reminder people need to continue to obey social distancing. A person who attended the event tested positive for COVID-19.
"These (social-distancing) rules are pretty hard core," Klemm said. "But that's what we got to do to play. People are scared that the (COVID-19) numbers are going to go back up. But, I mean, we're playing."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--City, suburban museums cautiously reopen with Phase 4 guidelines

Some Chicago and suburban museums are slowly and cautiously welcoming back guests as part of the state 's Phase 4 of Restore Illinois .
But caution is the operative word .
Practically all museums are requiring guests ages 2 and older to wear masks while indoors and are adding measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Many museums are incorporating timed entries , limiting hours or reconfiguring floor plans to allow for safer crowd flow .
They are also making hand sanitizer stations available to staff and guests .
`` These last few months have challenged and fundamentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aquarium president and CEO Bridget Coughlin in a statement .
`` We are eager to welcome the communities that supported us and our reopening . ''
While the Shedd wo n't open until next week , the Elmhurst History Museum reopened Friday with an exhibit on `` The Great Midwestern Road Trip . ''
The following is a partial list of open and soon-to-open museums .
In these uncertain times , it is best to check ahead on each museum 's hours and entry policies .
The Elmhurst History Museum reopens with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Elmhurst History Museum Social distancing : At least 6 feet ; only 15 guests per hour and five people per group The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago will officially reopens to the general public on Friday , July 3 , with new safety regulations in place .
Shedd Aquarium Social distancing : At least 6 feet and new entrance/exit directional flow Social distancing : New entrance/exit protocols ; capacity limited to 50 ; third floor closed to the public Sharon Lockhart 's 2003 photograph `` Maja and Elodie '' is featured in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening exhibit `` Just Connect '' starting Friday , July 24 .
Museum of Contemporary Art Yet to announce an official reopening date : DuPage Children 's Museum , Kohl Children 's Museum , Volo Auto Museum , Illinois Railway Museum , Art Institute of Chicago , Field Museum of Natural History , Adler Planetarium , Museum of Science and Industry , DuSable Museum of African American History , Chicago History Museum , National Museum of Mexican Art .

City, suburban museums cautiously reopen with Phase 4 guidelines
Nicolas Africano's multimedia 1980 work "I Get Hurt" is featured in Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art's reopening exhibit "Just Connect" starting Friday, July 24. Courtesy of Museum of Contemporary Art
The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago will officially reopen to the general public on Friday, July 3, with new safety regulations in place. Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium
Some Chicago and suburban museums are slowly and cautiously welcoming back guests as part of the state's Phase 4 of Restore Illinois.
But caution is the operative word. Practically all museums are requiring guests ages 2 and older to wear masks while indoors and are adding measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Many museums are incorporating timed entries, limiting hours or reconfiguring floor plans to allow for safer crowd flow. They are also making hand sanitizer stations available to staff and guests.
"These last few months have challenged and fundamentally changed us all," said Shedd Aquarium president and CEO Bridget Coughlin in a statement. "We are eager to welcome the communities that supported us and our reopening."
While the Shedd won't open until next week, the Elmhurst History Museum reopened Friday with an exhibit on "The Great Midwestern Road Trip."
The following is a partial list of open and soon-to-open museums. In these uncertain times, it is best to check ahead on each museum's hours and entry policies.
The Elmhurst History Museum reopens with the exhibit "The Great Midwestern Road Trip." - Courtesy of Elmhurst History Museum
120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst; (630) 833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org
Reopened: June 26
Social distancing: At least 6 feet; only 15 guests per hour and five people per group
Advance timed entry purchase: Required
Elmhurst Art Museum
150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst; (630) 834-0202 or elmhurstartmuseum.org
Reopening: June 30
Social distancing: At least 6 feet; admission capacity limited
Advance timed entry purchase: Encouraged but not required
Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Art
1220 Kensington Road, Oak Brook; (630) 833-1616 or lizzardomuseum.org
Reopened: June 26
Social distancing: Capacity limited to 50
Advance timed entry purchase: Strongly suggested; limited walk-ins
The outdoor portions of the Air Classics Museum of Aviation in Sugar Grove have been open for some time amid the coronavirus pandemic. - Daily Herald File photo
Air Classics Museum of Aviation
44W546 Route 30, Sugar Grove; (630) 466-0888 or airclassicsmuseum.org
Reopened: June 13
Social distancing: At least 6 feet
Advance timed entry purchase: No
The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago will officially reopens to the general public on Friday, July 3, with new safety regulations in place. - Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago; (312) 939-2438 or sheddaquarium.org
Reopening: July 1 for members; July 3 for general public
Social distancing: At least 6 feet and new entrance/exit directional flow
Advance timed entry purchase: Required
Pritzker Military Museum and Library
104 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago; (312) 374-9333 or pritzkermilitary.org
Reopening: June 30
Social distancing: New entrance/exit protocols; capacity limited to 50; third floor closed to the public
Advance timed entry purchase: Not required
Sharon Lockhart's 2003 photograph "Maja and Elodie" is featured in Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art's reopening exhibit "Just Connect" starting Friday, July 24. - Courtesy of Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago; (312) 280-2660 or mcachicago.org
Reopening: July 24
Social distancing: Policies still being formulated
Yet to announce an official reopening date: DuPage Children's Museum, Kohl Children's Museum, Volo Auto Museum, Illinois Railway Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum of Natural History, Adler Planetarium,
Museum of Science and Industry, DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago History Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--June 26 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive mapSuburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 72,088 cases in the suburbs , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Friday .
There have been 3,510 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Friday , suburban Cook County had 37,557 cases and 1,951 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 51,511 cases and 2,575 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Des Plaines , 820 cases and 52 deaths in Wheeling , 685 cases and 17 deaths in Palatine , 679 cases and 20 deaths in Streamwood , 650 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 584 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg , 541 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview , 530 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights , 507 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 481 cases and 14 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 371 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Rolling Meadows , 342 cases and 39 deaths in Northbrook , 266 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 124 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 8,829 cases and 459 deaths as of Friday .
• Top counts : 819 cases and 10 deaths in Addison , 773 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago , 660 cases and 10 deaths in Glendale Heights , 528 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville , 520 cases and 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , 513 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 394 cases and 22 deaths in Lombard , 329 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage portion ) , 289 cases and 32 deaths in Elmhurst , 271 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton , 251 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage portion ) , 244 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park , 162 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn .
Lake County • The county listed 9,561 cases and 382 deaths on its website .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,640 to 2,644 in Waukegan , 585 to 589 in Round Lake Beach , 370 to 374 in Mundelein , 300 to 304 in Gurnee , 180 to 184 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills , 165 to 169 in Wauconda , 145 to 149 in Lake Zurich , 120 to 124 in Libertyville , 85 to 89 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 7,638 cases with 262 deaths on its website Friday .
• Top counts : 3,359 cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,865 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 745 in Carpentersville , 306 in St. Charles , 286 in South Elgin , 204 in North Aurora , 176 in Geneva , 117 in Batavia , and 51 in Algonquin ( Kane portion ) .
McHenry County • 1,982 cases and 96 deaths , according to the health department Friday .
Will County • 6,542 cases and 316 deaths , according to the health department 's website Friday .
• Cases per town include 391 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) and 67 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

June 26 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Courtesy of the CDCThis illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depicts the coronavirus as viewed through a microscope.
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 72,088 cases in the suburbs, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Friday. There have been 3,510 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Friday, suburban Cook County had 37,557 cases and 1,951 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 51,511 cases and 2,575 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,719 cases and 97 deaths in Des Plaines, 820 cases and 52 deaths in Wheeling, 685 cases and 17 deaths in Palatine, 679 cases and 20 deaths in Streamwood, 650 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 584 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg, 541 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview, 530 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights, 507 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 481 cases and 14 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 371 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 347 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 342 cases and 39 deaths in Northbrook, 266 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 124 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 8,829 cases and 459 deaths as of Friday.
• Top counts: 819 cases and 10 deaths in Addison, 773 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago, 660 cases and 10 deaths in Glendale Heights, 528 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 520 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 513 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 394 cases and 22 deaths in Lombard, 329 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage portion), 289 cases and 32 deaths in Elmhurst, 271 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton, 251 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage portion), 244 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park, 162 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County• The county listed 9,561 cases and 382 deaths on its website.
• Top counts as of Friday: 2,640 to 2,644 in Waukegan, 585 to 589 in Round Lake Beach, 370 to 374 in Mundelein, 300 to 304 in Gurnee, 180 to 184 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills, 165 to 169 in Wauconda, 145 to 149 in Lake Zurich, 120 to 124 in Libertyville, 85 to 89 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 7,638 cases with 262 deaths on its website Friday.
• Top counts: 3,359 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,865 in Elgin (Kane portion), 745 in Carpentersville, 306 in St. Charles, 286 in South Elgin, 204 in North Aurora, 176 in Geneva, 117 in Batavia, and 51 in Algonquin (Kane portion).
McHenry County• 1,982 cases and 96 deaths, according to the health department Friday.
Will County• 6,542 cases and 316 deaths, according to the health department's website Friday.
• Cases per town include 391 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 67 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Rozner: White Sox, Cubs could benefit from shortened season's sprint

The marathon that is the championship season is the perfect baseball test .
Over 162 games , no team will escape injury and poor performance .
No team will avoid losing streaks .
No team will go untried .
The championship season exposes all weaknesses and teams without a plan will enter chaos and exit in trouble .
Teams without depth will fade away .
Teams without character will fall apart .
And it is remarkable that for all the complaints of the season being too long , there are races down to the final weekend every year , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or division champ .
But the 2020 season will be very different .
At only 60 games , it 's all hands on deck every day .
It is expanded rosters and narrowed focus .
It 's pressure every day .
Welcome to the Sprint Cup .
Among the many consequences is that few teams will be counted out to start , and teams you would not have picked to win a division or make the playoffs have every right to think they could make a Usain Bolt run at this .
Yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cubs .
For the young South Siders , this was to be a season in which they tried to reach the .500 mark after winning 72 games a year ago , perhaps hanging around the wild-card race into the hottest summer months and offering a glimpse at what 2021 could look like .
Now ?
Anything 's possible .
If the bullpen proves deep , the offense is poised to make noise .
There are always adjustments for young players and they 'll need to make them quickly as the opposition comes at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what appeared to be a growing season could turn out to be much more as fewer games means less of a separation between the best and the good .
Think the '90s Atlanta Braves , who started out so many seasons struggling through April and May before remembering they were the Braves and catching fire to win division title after division title .
Think of the Washington Nationals a year ago , when they were 6-under after 60 , before getting healthy , going on a run and winning it all .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compete , this will be a fascinating watch if they can get off to a good start .
As for the North Siders , well , most were writing them off for 2020 , having done nothing in the offseason to improve off a third-place finish behind St. Louis and Milwaukee .
There 's a certain freedom to starting this late , seeing a very short season rather than the six-month grind that wears on players physically and mentally .
The Cubs could take advantage of the time off and remember that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 .
They have enough really good players to compete in a short season if they can get enough starting pitching to keep them in games , though with expanded rosters it remains to be seen how David Ross will manage his rotation .
This is not a bad team .
It 's just a team that brought too many questions into spring training to think it would go far even if it reached the 2020 postseason .
Now , all bets are off .
A short camp will be followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be highly entertaining and offers opportunities to teams that -- if they were being honest -- would have told you in January that they really had no chance this season .
That all changes now as teams will play each game as if it 's crucial , where a single blown save in the first month is one that will be twice as costly as it has been in the past .
Buckle up .
This threatens to be a wild ride .

Rozner: White Sox, Cubs could benefit from shortened season's sprint
David Ross, here connecting for a base hit in Game 1 of the 2016 World Series, will now be leading the Cubs from the bench. John Starks | Staff Photographer
With the White Sox expected to make a run for the playoffs, Eloy Jimenez will certainly play a key role. John Starks | Staff Photographer
The marathon that is the championship season is the perfect baseball test.
Over 162 games, no team will escape injury and poor performance. No team will avoid losing streaks. No team will go untried.
The championship season exposes all weaknesses and teams without a plan will enter chaos and exit in trouble. Teams without depth will fade away. Teams without character will fall apart.
And it is remarkable that for all the complaints of the season being too long, there are races down to the final weekend every year, and memorable one-game playoffs to decide tournament entry or division champ.
But the 2020 season will be very different. At only 60 games, it's all hands on deck every day. It is expanded rosters and narrowed focus. It's pressure every day.
Welcome to the Sprint Cup.
Among the many consequences is that few teams will be counted out to start, and teams you would not have picked to win a division or make the playoffs have every right to think they could make a Usain Bolt run at this.
Yes, that includes the White Sox and Cubs.
For the young South Siders, this was to be a season in which they tried to reach the .500 mark after winning 72 games a year ago, perhaps hanging around the wild-card race into the hottest summer months and offering a glimpse at what 2021 could look like.
Now? Anything's possible. If the bullpen proves deep, the offense is poised to make noise. There are always adjustments for young players and they'll need to make them quickly as the opposition comes at them with a new plan.
But what appeared to be a growing season could turn out to be much more as fewer games means less of a separation between the best and the good.
Think the '90s Atlanta Braves, who started out so many seasons struggling through April and May before remembering they were the Braves and catching fire to win division title after division title.
Think of the Washington Nationals a year ago, when they were 6-under after 60, before getting healthy, going on a run and winning it all.
For the teams that are not supposed to compete, this will be a fascinating watch if they can get off to a good start.
As for the North Siders, well, most were writing them off for 2020, having done nothing in the offseason to improve off a third-place finish behind St. Louis and Milwaukee.
There's a certain freedom to starting this late, seeing a very short season rather than the six-month grind that wears on players physically and mentally. The Cubs could take advantage of the time off and remember that they're better than the way they played in 2019.
They have enough really good players to compete in a short season if they can get enough starting pitching to keep them in games, though with expanded rosters it remains to be seen how David Ross will manage his rotation.
This is not a bad team. It's just a team that brought too many questions into spring training to think it would go far even if it reached the 2020 postseason.
Now, all bets are off.
A short camp will be followed by a short season, one that promises to be highly entertaining and offers opportunities to teams that -- if they were being honest -- would have told you in January that they really had no chance this season.
That all changes now as teams will play each game as if it's crucial, where a single blown save in the first month is one that will be twice as costly as it has been in the past.
Buckle up. This threatens to be a wild ride.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Aurora police looking for missing man

Aurora police looking for missing man

Police have asked for help finding an 87-year-old man last seen Friday afternoon near Mercy Hospital in Aurora John Vella @ @ @ @ @ 8 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds , according to a news release .
He @ @ @ @ @ and was wearing a black fleece jacket , blue jeans , and flip-flops or sandals @ @ @ @ @ a condition that places him in danger .
Hs last known location was on the @ @ @ @ @ Street at 1:25 p.m .
He was driving a white 2004 Chrysler Concord 4-door sedan @ @ @ @ @ .
If you have information regarding his whereabouts , call the Aurora Police Department at @ @ @ @ @ dial 911 .

Aurora police looking for missing man
Editor's note: Authorities reported about 9 p.m. Friday that John Villa Jr. had been found
Police have asked for help finding an 87-year-old man last seen Friday afternoon near Mercy Hospital in Aurora
John Vella Jr. is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds, according to a news release. He has brown, graying hair and was wearing a black fleece jacket, blue jeans, and flip-flops or sandals.
Police said Vella has a condition that places him in danger.
His last known location was on the 600 block of North Plum Street at 1:25 p.m. He was driving a white 2004 Chrysler Concord four-door sedan with Illinois license plate AK98575.
If you have information regarding his whereabouts, call the Aurora Police Department at (630) 256-5525 or dial 911.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--DuPage considering whether to make Juneteenth a county holiday

DuPage County officials are considering how to celebrate Juneteenth going forward .
Some are proposing the county 's nearly 2,200 employees be given a paid day off on Juneteenth next year .
Others say the county should focus on educating the public about the holiday , which marks the anniversary of the day when the last slaves learned of their emancipation -- June 19 , 1865 .
`` I think everybody has learned and appreciated the significance of this moment in history , '' DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said .
`` It is certainly a very important moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The question board members are trying to decide is whether to add Juneteenth to the county 's holiday schedule for 2021 .
Right now , county employees are expected to get 11 days off next year for holidays , including Presidents Day , Columbus Day and the day after Thanksgiving .
Board members started talking about the issue this week but postponed the discussion until next month .
The idea is being proposed by board member Elizabeth Chaplin .
The Downers Grove Democrat says it would be `` a great opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's important for everyone to learn about Juneteenth .
`` We 've come a long way , '' she said , `` but there 's still a lot of work that we have to do to make sure everyone is treated equally and fairly . ''
During the discussion this week , some concerns were raised about the cost of adding a 12th holiday to the county 's schedule .
It would cost the county roughly $ 40,000 more in overtime to make the day a holiday ; the normal daily payroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .
There also are questions about whether employees who work in the courthouse could take the day off if it 's not a state holiday .
But Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has said he plans to make Juneteenth a state holiday .
As for the cost , board member Mary FitzGerald Ozog is suggesting DuPage drop the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday so county workers could take Juneteenth off .
With what the country is going through right now , the Glen Ellyn Democrat said , `` this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead . ''
Still , Cronin said he does n't know if county workers taking the day off is the most effective way to honor Juneteenth .
`` I guess I would be in favor of celebrating it , '' he said , `` and really focusing attention on it and taking the opportunity to teach ... about what Juneteenth actually means . ''

DuPage considering whether to make Juneteenth a county holiday
Some DuPage County officials are proposing the county's nearly 2,200 employees be given a paid day off on Juneteenth next year. Others say the county should focus on educating the public about the holiday. Courtesy of College of Lake County
DuPage County officials are considering how to celebrate Juneteenth going forward.
Some are proposing the county's nearly 2,200 employees be given a paid day off on Juneteenth next year. Others say the county should focus on educating the public about the holiday, which marks the anniversary of the day when the last slaves learned of their emancipation -- June 19, 1865.
"I think everybody has learned and appreciated the significance of this moment in history," DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said. "It is certainly a very important moment in history that should be celebrated."
The question board members are trying to decide is whether to add Juneteenth to the county's holiday schedule for 2021. Right now, county employees are expected to get 11 days off next year for holidays, including Presidents Day, Columbus Day and the day after Thanksgiving.
Board members started talking about the issue this week but postponed the discussion until next month.
The idea is being proposed by board member Elizabeth Chaplin. The Downers Grove Democrat says it would be "a great opportunity to show some leadership."
Chaplin says it's important for everyone to learn about Juneteenth.
"We've come a long way," she said, "but there's still a lot of work that we have to do to make sure everyone is treated equally and fairly."
During the discussion this week, some concerns were raised about the cost of adding a 12th holiday to the county's schedule. It would cost the county roughly $40,000 more in overtime to make the day a holiday; the normal daily payroll for the county is roughly $791,000, officials said.
There also are questions about whether employees who work in the courthouse could take the day off if it's not a state holiday. But Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he plans to make Juneteenth a state holiday.
As for the cost, board member Mary FitzGerald Ozog is suggesting DuPage drop the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday so county workers could take Juneteenth off.
With what the country is going through right now, the Glen Ellyn Democrat said, "this is a very important way that we could lead."
Still, Cronin said he doesn't know if county workers taking the day off is the most effective way to honor Juneteenth.
"I guess I would be in favor of celebrating it," he said, "and really focusing attention on it and taking the opportunity to teach ... about what Juneteenth actually means."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Aurora to publicly review police training and use-of-force policies

Aurora will conduct a public review of its police department 's use-of-force and training policies in the wake of protests calling for an end to police brutality .
Community meetings have been scheduled for next month so residents can review the policies , talk with city officials and suggest changes .
`` We 're literally going to go point by point '' though the policies , city spokesman Clayton Muhammad said .
`` We 're going to have a discussion . ''
On Thursday , officials invited residents to register for the 10 `` review and recommendation '' sessions -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training policies .
As of Friday afternoon , one session had reached its 30-person limit .
`` People want to help to lead this conversation , '' Muhammad said .
`` They want to be part of this change . ''
The meetings on force and training are part of the first phase of the city 's CHANGE Reform Initiative , which is aimed at `` strengthening police and community relations through multiple collaborative actions . ''
CHANGE is an acronym for `` Community Helping Aurora 's Necessary Growth and Empowerment . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ city is conducting an audit on body cameras for police officers .
Officials also are researching the implementation of a civilian review board , which would be involved in disciplining officers .
`` We 're interviewing and meeting with civilian review board organizers throughout the country , '' Muhammad said .
He said reports on body cameras , the civilian review board and feedback from residents will be presented Aug. 11 to the city council .
Some proposals may need to be approved by the council to be implemented .
Meanwhile , Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be other phases of the CHANGE Reform Initiative .
`` Chief ( Kristen ) Ziman , Deputy Chief ( Keith ) Cross and our teams are more than ready to move forward with our residents , '' Irvin said .
`` Change wo n't happen overnight , but we are all committed to listening , sharing , learning throughout this process and into the future . ''
Visit aurora-il.org/CHANGE to register for the `` review and recommendation '' sessions .
Held at Aurora City Hall , 44 E. Downer Place , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents .
For anyone who ca n't attend , the city will start taking online comments on July 8 .

Aurora to publicly review police training and use-of-force policies
Aurora will conduct a public review of its police department's use-of-force and training policies in the wake of protests calling for an end to police brutality.
Community meetings have been scheduled for next month so residents can review the policies, talk with city officials and suggest changes.
"We're literally going to go point by point" though the policies, city spokesman Clayton Muhammad said. "We're going to have a discussion."
On Thursday, officials invited residents to register for the 10 "review and recommendation" sessions -- five on force policies and five on training policies. As of Friday afternoon, one session had reached its 30-person limit.
"People want to help to lead this conversation," Muhammad said. "They want to be part of this change."
The meetings on force and training are part of the first phase of the city's CHANGE Reform Initiative, which is aimed at "strengthening police and community relations through multiple collaborative actions."
CHANGE is an acronym for "Community Helping Aurora's Necessary Growth and Empowerment."
In addition to the meetings, the city is conducting an audit on body cameras for police officers. Officials also are researching the implementation of a civilian review board, which would be involved in disciplining officers.
"We're interviewing and meeting with civilian review board organizers throughout the country," Muhammad said.
He said reports on body cameras, the civilian review board and feedback from residents will be presented Aug. 11 to the city council. Some proposals may need to be approved by the council to be implemented.
Meanwhile, Mayor Richard Irvin said in a statement there will be other phases of the CHANGE Reform Initiative.
"Chief (Kristen) Ziman, Deputy Chief (Keith) Cross and our teams are more than ready to move forward with our residents," Irvin said. "Change won't happen overnight, but we are all committed to listening, sharing, learning throughout this process and into the future."
Visit aurora-il.org/CHANGE to register for the "review and recommendation" sessions. Held at Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place, each two-hour meeting can accommodate up to 30 residents.
For anyone who can't attend, the city will start taking online comments on July 8.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Naperville Park District drops suit against Pritzker over pandemic reopening

Naperville Park District has dropped a lawsuit that sought local authority to make reopening decisions independent of the regulations issued by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
In a 4-3 vote , the park board Thursday voted to dismiss the suit , which it filed May 19 , claiming Pritzker overstepped his bounds when he issued executive orders that closed , prevented or limited nonessential activities including gyms , playground use and golf .
Commissioners Mike King , Bobby Carlsen , Marie Todd and park board President Mike Reilly voted to drop the legal action on the eve of Phase 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began Friday .
`` That removed some of the restrictions that caused some commissioners some concerns , '' Reilly said .
Last month , commissioners Bill Eagan , Josh McBroom , Rich Janor and King voted in favor of suing in hopes the park board could be granted the ability to make its own judgments about how and when to safely reopen activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The suit was never about `` opening everything up immediately , '' Janor said .
`` The lawsuit was more about enabling our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are in the best interests of our residents and constituents , as opposed to having everything dictated to us from the state , '' he said .
DuPage County Judge Bonnie Wheaton ruled the suit did not meet one of four required legal standards in order for her to grant a temporary restraining order releasing the district from Pritzker 's rules .
She said the suit did not show the park district had a substantial likelihood of winning the case .
Eagan said he wanted to appeal because he thought Wheaton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations limiting golfers to twosomes and allowing only one person in a golf cart are examples of regulations from Pritzker that did not make sense .
`` The thought process was random and served a political need , '' Eagan said .
The district spent $ 23,000 in legal fees on the lawsuit .
Attorney Derke Price of Ancel Glink PC , who serves as the district 's regular legal counsel , filed the suit on the district 's behalf .
Several times while the lawsuit was pending , the park districts assured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taking all necessary COVID-19 precautions .
As Phase 4 begins , the park district is awaiting full guidance on what is now allowed .
For one example , Reilly said , the district does not yet know if splash pads , like the one newly built at the nearly complete 95th Street Community Plaza , will be allowed to operate .
`` We 're hoping for relief in Phase 4 , but we do n't have the guidelines , '' he said .
`` That 's a great source of frustration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen , meaning the district can allow users back into the Fort Hill Activity Center , its $ 24 million indoor recreation center completed in 2016 .

Naperville Park District drops suit against Pritzker over pandemic reopening
Naperville Park District has dropped a lawsuit that sought local authority to make reopening decisions independent of the regulations issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
In a 4-3 vote, the park board Thursday voted to dismiss the suit, which it filed May 19, claiming Pritzker overstepped his bounds when he issued executive orders that closed, prevented or limited nonessential activities including gyms, playground use and golf.
Commissioners Mike King, Bobby Carlsen, Marie Todd and park board President Mike Reilly voted to drop the legal action on the eve of Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, which began Friday.
"That removed some of the restrictions that caused some commissioners some concerns," Reilly said.
Last month, commissioners Bill Eagan, Josh McBroom, Rich Janor and King voted in favor of suing in hopes the park board could be granted the ability to make its own judgments about how and when to safely reopen activities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The suit was never about "opening everything up immediately," Janor said.
"The lawsuit was more about enabling our elected board of commissioners to make decisions that are in the best interests of our residents and constituents, as opposed to having everything dictated to us from the state," he said.
DuPage County Judge Bonnie Wheaton ruled the suit did not meet one of four required legal standards in order for her to grant a temporary restraining order releasing the district from Pritzker's rules. She said the suit did not show the park district had a substantial likelihood of winning the case.
Eagan said he wanted to appeal because he thought Wheaton's ruling was biased. He said earlier regulations limiting golfers to twosomes and allowing only one person in a golf cart are examples of regulations from Pritzker that did not make sense.
"The thought process was random and served a political need," Eagan said.
The district spent $23,000 in legal fees on the lawsuit. Attorney Derke Price of Ancel Glink PC, who serves as the district's regular legal counsel, filed the suit on the district's behalf.
Several times while the lawsuit was pending, the park districts assured residents it was following all state requirements and taking all necessary COVID-19 precautions.
As Phase 4 begins, the park district is awaiting full guidance on what is now allowed. For one example, Reilly said, the district does not yet know if splash pads, like the one newly built at the nearly complete 95th Street Community Plaza, will be allowed to operate.
"We're hoping for relief in Phase 4, but we don't have the guidelines," he said. "That's a great source of frustration."
Gyms, however, are permitted to reopen, meaning the district can allow users back into the Fort Hill Activity Center, its $24 million indoor recreation center completed in 2016.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--A song to make you smile: 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' by James Brown

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ I Got You ( I Feel Good ) '' by James Brown , released in @ @

A song to make you smile: 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' by James Brown
James Brown performs in 2005 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown, released in 1965.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Residents warned of burglaries to unlocked cars in Mount Prospect, Des Plaines

Police are urging residents to make sure their cars are locked after a ring of burglars stole from several unlocked vehicles parked in driveways in Mount Prospect and Des Plaines this week .
Mount Prospect officer George Sill said investigators believe one of the people stole an unlocked car from a driveway because the car 's fob was nearby enough for the push-button ignition to start the car .
Several people , apparently split between two white or light-colored vehicles , made their way through several streets in Mount Prospect and Des Plaines early Thursday morning , according to home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by readers .
In several videos , the drivers can be seen going slowly down streets while accomplices on foot run from parked car to parked car , checking doors to see if they would open .
Sill said investigators believe the group might have been using two or three vehicles Thursday morning .
Anyone with surveillance videos of the Thursday morning robberies is encouraged to contact Mount Prospect police .
`` The videos will help us piece the timeline together , '' Sill said .
He encouraged residents to lock their car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key fobs in vehicles .
Sill also advised residents to close car windows and sunroofs and garage doors .

Residents warned of burglaries to unlocked cars in Mount Prospect, Des Plaines
Police are urging residents to make sure their cars are locked after a ring of burglars stole from several unlocked vehicles parked in driveways in Mount Prospect and Des Plaines this week.
Mount Prospect officer George Sill said investigators believe one of the people stole an unlocked car from a driveway because the car's fob was nearby enough for the push-button ignition to start the car.
Several people, apparently split between two white or light-colored vehicles, made their way through several streets in Mount Prospect and Des Plaines early Thursday morning, according to home surveillance video submitted to the Daily Herald by readers.
In several videos, the drivers can be seen going slowly down streets while accomplices on foot run from parked car to parked car, checking doors to see if they would open.
Sill said investigators believe the group might have been using two or three vehicles Thursday morning.
Anyone with surveillance videos of the Thursday morning robberies is encouraged to contact Mount Prospect police.
"The videos will help us piece the timeline together," Sill said.
He encouraged residents to lock their car doors and to not keep valuables or key fobs in vehicles. Sill also advised residents to close car windows and sunroofs and garage doors.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Cook County courts set to resume some proceedings July 6

Starting July 6 , Cook County courts will resume some in-person proceedings curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic , according to orders issued Friday by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans .
However , traffic offenses , misdemeanors , bond hearings and most other matters will continue to take place via videoconference .
`` As we continue to navigate these times , the court will allow access to justice to the extent we safely can , '' Evans said in a prepared statement .
`` We will continue to hold many hearings via videoconference , and we remain committed to ongoing efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our system of justice . ''
To that end , anyone entering courthouses or courtrooms must wear a facial covering and maintain physical distancing .
Everyone entering the courthouse is subject to a temperature check and will not be admitted with a reading of 100.4 or higher .
Decals will indicate where individuals can sit or stand in the courtrooms , and plexiglass barriers will be installed on the judge 's bench .
Jury trials are still postponed until further notice , but courts will conduct proceedings that do not require jurors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plead guilty and proceed to a sentencing hearing .
Criminal defendants who have pleaded not guilty can opt for a bench trial , which can be held in-person , if all parties agree , or via videoconference .
Judges will continue to hold emergency hearings in criminal and civil cases mostly via videoconference .
Eviction hearings will be continued until after July 31 unless they involve the health and safety of tenants , pose a risk to property or violate building codes or health ordinances .
Additionally , no mortgage-foreclosure final judgments or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Evans ' order .
For more information , visit cookcountyclerkofcourt.org or call ( 312 ) 603-5030 .

Cook County courts set to resume some proceedings July 6
Starting July 6, Cook County courts will resume some in-person proceedings curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to orders issued Friday by Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.
However, traffic offenses, misdemeanors, bond hearings and most other matters will continue to take place via videoconference.
"As we continue to navigate these times, the court will allow access to justice to the extent we safely can," Evans said in a prepared statement. "We will continue to hold many hearings via videoconference, and we remain committed to ongoing efforts to protect the health of everybody in our system of justice."
To that end, anyone entering courthouses or courtrooms must wear a facial covering and maintain physical distancing. Everyone entering the courthouse is subject to a temperature check and will not be admitted with a reading of 100.4 or higher. Decals will indicate where individuals can sit or stand in the courtrooms, and plexiglass barriers will be installed on the judge's bench.
Jury trials are still postponed until further notice, but courts will conduct proceedings that do not require jurors. Criminal defendants, for example, may plead guilty and proceed to a sentencing hearing. Criminal defendants who have pleaded not guilty can opt for a bench trial, which can be held in-person, if all parties agree, or via videoconference.
Judges will continue to hold emergency hearings in criminal and civil cases mostly via videoconference.
Eviction hearings will be continued until after July 31 unless they involve the health and safety of tenants, pose a risk to property or violate building codes or health ordinances. Additionally, no mortgage-foreclosure final judgments or executions will be entered before July 31, according to Evans' order.
For more information, visit cookcountyclerkofcourt.org or call (312) 603-5030.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--O'Donnell: Georgeff never called any rocketing doctors over Arlington

NO FIREWORKS AT ARLINGTON PARK next weekend reminds of a great holiday-themed local TV racing tale : Gerry Gallitano was a fair-to-middlin ' jockey on the Chicago-Florida circuits who retired and bought the daily `` Today 's Racing '' from a weathered mannequin named Ed Connaughton .
Gallitano renamed it `` Chicago Racing Report . ''
It aired weekdays on SportsChannel .
He hired himself as host , despite a tendency to dig too deeply for the right word and come up dry .
To further the crispness and professionalism of the show , he enlisted the help of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most theatrical race caller in game 's history .
So , Georgeff became co-host , primarily as `` a favor to the industry . ''
On the eve of a Fourth of July , Georgeff , on camera , was leading the wrap to the taping .
`` And what a great day we 'll have at Arlington tomorrow , '' The Voice said .
`` Another renewal of the grand 'Stars and Stripes , ' great holiday fun for all and then , after sunset , all of those fantastic pyrotechnics up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the giddiness of the moment , edged in for the final word : '' That 's right , Phil , it 'll be really a fantastic day for everybody .
All that great racing and then the fun and then all them chiropractics up in the sky . ''
Georgeff later told a bearded chum , `` I did n't have the heart to tell 'The Little Jock ' that there were no plans to launch any doctors the next night at Arlington . ''
STREET-BEATIN ' : If L-Vegans are right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 'll be a fickle fall for both the Cubs and the White Sox .
Bill Adee 's vsin.com is reporting most desert books posted win `` totals '' of 32 or so for David Ross and crew ; 30 to 31 for Eloy Jimenez and the South Siders .
... Adam Silver and his glorified NBA summer league remains an awful idea .
Even if Beach Boy Bruce Johnston reworked the lyrics from his memorable `` Disney Girls ( 1957 ) '' into `` Disney Germs ( 2020 ) . ''
... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Score '' with his update about the Cubs ' Marquee Sports Network and Comcast `` not being that far apart . ''
( These negotiations are taking longer than the Vietnamese peace talks .
Besides , who roots for anything involving Comcast other than vaporization ? )
... '' Baseball Night in Chicago '' returns to NBCSCH for a third season starting Monday at 6:30 p.m .
Among the rotating coterie joining host Leila Rahimi will be new Cubs digital reporter/producer Maddie Lee , whose telegenicness is reminiscent of DeKalb 's very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win the 2021 Arlington Million ( if there is one ) : Frank Calabrese 's Big Dreaming .
The 3-year-old is the last foal of the hallowed Dreaming of Anna and when his mind fully catches up with his muscles , the colt will be a grass monster .
...
Speaking of the '21 Million , it would be a marvelous scene in the winner 's circle if 99-year-old Dick Duchossois were handing the championship trophy to the 92-year-old Calabrese .
( Then they could have Betty White and Julie Andrews lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olsen -- who so many believe will be The Next Big Thing in NFL broadcasting -- has recorded a seven-part series titled `` TE1 '' for the podcast startup Blue Wire .
( One of his first guests is Mike Ditka .
Inaugural drop date remains TBD . )
... Bob Sirott welcomes HOF-bound Doug Wilson to his WGN-AM ( 720 ) mild house Monday at 8:30 a.m. ( Sirott and Dave Eanet started the former Blackhawks cavalcade with Marián Hossa Friday . )
... For a game in transition , Illinois harness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburban Hawthorne Race Course .
Jim Miller and Peter Galassi note a 42-race weekend , capped by a 14-race card Sunday at 7:10 p.m. ... Kevin and Julie Repple have been keeping their young James , Henry and Gavin engaged with YouTube videos and live rec-room enactments of Jelle 's Marble Runs .
( It 's an incredibly clever Dutch production popularized during the pandemic by HBO 's John Oliver . )
... With the 2020 Tour de France postponed until August , NBCSN begins showcasing `` 25 of the best stages and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. ( Maybe this time Pee-wee Herman and his red bicycle will get a mention . )
... And news that September 's Kentucky Derby will have on-track spectators `` properly spaced '' prompted Bill Hazen to quip : `` Will the horses be asked to socially distance too ? ''
• Jim O'Donnell 's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday .
Reach him at jimodonnelldh @ yahoo.com .

O'Donnell: Georgeff never called any rocketing doctors over Arlington
Phil Georgeff and Gerry Gallitano in an updated photo from the set of "Chicago Racing Report." Daily Herald File Photo
NO FIREWORKS AT ARLINGTON PARK next weekend reminds of a great holiday-themed local TV racing tale:
Gerry Gallitano was a fair-to-middlin' jockey on the Chicago-Florida circuits who retired and bought the daily "Today's Racing" from a weathered mannequin named Ed Connaughton.
Gallitano renamed it "Chicago Racing Report." It aired weekdays on SportsChannel.
He hired himself as host, despite a tendency to dig too deeply for the right word and come up dry.
To further the crispness and professionalism of the show, he enlisted the help of the great Phil Georgeff, without question the most theatrical race caller in the history of the game.
So, Georgeff became co-host, primarily as "a favor to the sport."
On the eve of a Fourth of July, Georgeff, on camera, was leading the wrap of a taping.
"And what a great day we'll have at Arlington tomorrow," "The Voice" said. "Another renewal of the grand 'Stars and Stripes,' great holiday fun for all and then, after sunset, all of those fantastic pyrotechnics up in the sky."
Gallitano, in the giddiness of the moment, edged in for the final word:
"That's right, Phil, it'll be really a fantastic day for everybody. All that great racing and then the fun and then all them chiropractics up in the sky."
Georgeff later told a bearded chum, "I didn't have the heart to tell 'The Little Jock' that there were no plans to launch any doctors the next night at Arlington."
STREET-BEATIN': If L-Vegans are right about MLB's restitched bloop season, it'll be a fickle fall for both the Cubs and the White Sox. Bill Adee's vsin.com is reporting most desert books posted win "totals" of 32 or so for David Ross and crew; 30 to 31 for Eloy Jimenez and the South Siders. ...
Adam Silver and his glorified NBA summer league remains an awful idea. Even if Beach Boy Bruce Johnston reworked the lyrics from his memorable "Disney Girls (1957)" into "Disney Germs (2020)." ...
Crane Kenney left 'em laughing on "The Score" with his update about the Cubs' Marquee Sports Network and Comcast "not being that far apart." (These negotiations are taking longer than the Vietnamese peace talks. Besides, who roots for anything involving Comcast other than vaporization?) ...
"Baseball Night in Chicago" returns to NBCSCH for a third season starting Monday at 6:30 p.m. Among the rotating coterie joining host Leila Rahimi will be new Cubs digital reporter/producer Maddie Lee, whose telegenicness is reminiscent of DeKalb's very own Cindy Crawford. ...
Early pick to win the 2021 Arlington Million (if there is one): Frank Calabrese's Big Dreaming. The 3-year-old is the last foal of the hallowed Dreaming of Anna and when his mind fully catches up with his muscles, the colt will be a grass monster. ...
Speaking of the '21 Million, it would be a marvelous scene in the winner's circle if 99-year-old Dick Duchossois were handing the championship trophy to the 92-year-old Calabrese. (Then they could have Betty White and Julie Andrews lead the champagne toast.) ...
Greg Olsen -- who so many believe will be The Next Big Thing in NFL broadcasting -- has recorded a seven-part series titled "TE1" for the podcast startup Blue Wire. (One of his first guests is Mike Ditka. Inaugural drop date remains TBD.) ...
Bob Sirott welcomes HOF-bound Doug Wilson to his WGN-AM (720) morning mild house Monday at 8:30 a.m. (Sirott and Dave Eanet started the former Blackhawks cavalcade with Marián Hossa Friday.) ...
For a game in transition, Illinois harness racing appears to be thriving at Southwest suburban Hawthorne Race Course. Jim Miller and Peter Galassi note a 42-race weekend, capped by a 14-race card Sunday at 7:10 p.m. ...
Kevin and Julie Repple have been keeping their young James, Henry and Gavin engaged with YouTube videos and live rec-room enactments of Jelle's Marble Runs. (It's an incredibly clever Dutch production popularized during the pandemic by HBO's John Oliver.) ...
With the 2020 Tour de France postponed until August, NBCSN begins showcasing "25 of the best stages and races since 2008" Monday at 8 a.m. (Maybe this time Pee-wee Herman and his red bicycle will finally get a mention.) ...
And news that September's Kentucky Derby will have on-track spectators "properly spaced" prompted Bill Hazen to quip: "Will the horses be asked to socially distance too?"
• Jim O'Donnell's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Elgin homeless blogger remembered for giving 'a voice to the voiceless'

Doug Henke 's lasting contribution to Elgin , and beyond , will be his unapologetic , opinionated advocacy for the homeless , those who knew him said Friday .
Henke , who died recently , would have turned 58 on June 12 .
He wrote about how he lived in dwellings in the woods in his `` Arthur : Notes from the edge '' blog on Facebook .
A memorial for Henke was held at Vineyard Church in Elgin by Street Reach , a ministry for the homeless and others in need .
`` Some of my thoughts and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shaped because he was sharing it to people all over the world , '' Street Reach Director Joe Misek said .
Henke made an impact by speaking at city council meetings and at meetings for homeless initiatives , and loved to engage in deep conversation about a multitude of subjects , Street Reach volunteer Greg Schiller said .
`` We talked about just about anything , '' Schiller said .
`` You name it , he could talk about it .
Politics , the world , the church , the library itself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Henke was estranged from his relatives .
He grew up in South Elgin , served in the U.S. Navy for a little over a year in his 20s and had accounting jobs over the years .
He earned a bachelor 's degree eight years ago and had been homeless for a few years .
He was candid about struggling with alcoholism and bipolar disorder .
`` He was a hurting soul that used alcohol to numb that pain , '' Schiller said .
Henke 's last blog entry was May 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Elgin police after the Daily Herald contacted the police department about his welfare .
`` He was a good man , '' said his friend Sue , who declined to give her last name , saying her family does n't know she 's homeless .
`` There was something he liked about every person he ever met .
He just did n't like to let people to know . ''
Another friend , Tommy , who said he 's a `` couch surfer '' and also declined to give his last name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward in life , even if in his own terms .
`` We all have our dark sides .
We all have a challenge , '' he said .
Lynne Kern of Huntley , who attended the memorial with her husband , said she met Henke about three years ago when she started dropping off candles for residents of Tent City , Elgin 's year-round homeless encampment .
Over time , she began to meet him at Gail Borden Public Library , which he loved to frequent , and at restaurants , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cafe in Elgin .
`` He certainly touched me , '' Kern said .
Through his blog , Henke touched a lot of people , Misek said .
`` In every population , particularly the marginalized , someone has to provide a voice to the voiceless .
And he did that . ''

Elgin homeless blogger remembered for giving 'a voice to the voiceless'
Doug Henke's lasting contribution to Elgin, and beyond, will be his unapologetic, opinionated advocacy for the homeless, those who knew him said Friday.
Henke, who died recently, would have turned 58 on June 12. He wrote about how he lived in dwellings in the woods in his "Arthur: Notes from the edge" blog on Facebook.
A memorial for Henke was held at Vineyard Church in Elgin by Street Reach, a ministry for the homeless and others in need.
"Some of my thoughts and some of my heart toward this ministry was shaped because he was sharing it to people all over the world," Street Reach Director Joe Misek said.
Henke made an impact by speaking at city council meetings and at meetings for homeless initiatives, and loved to engage in deep conversation about a multitude of subjects, Street Reach volunteer Greg Schiller said.
"We talked about just about anything," Schiller said. "You name it, he could talk about it. Politics, the world, the church, the library itself, Elgin ... the state of the homeless."
Henke was estranged from his relatives. He grew up in South Elgin, served in the U.S. Navy for a little over a year in his 20s and had accounting jobs over the years. He earned a bachelor's degree eight years ago and had been homeless for a few years.
He was candid about struggling with alcoholism and bipolar disorder.
"He was a hurting soul that used alcohol to numb that pain," Schiller said.
Henke's last blog entry was May 23. His body was found June 11 by Elgin police after the Daily Herald contacted the police department about his welfare.
"He was a good man," said his friend Sue, who declined to give her last name, saying her family doesn't know she's homeless. "There was something he liked about every person he ever met. He just didn't like to let people to know."
Another friend, Tommy, who said he's a "couch surfer" and also declined to give his last name, said Henke always tried to move forward in life, even if in his own terms.
"We all have our dark sides. We all have a challenge," he said.
Lynne Kern of Huntley, who attended the memorial with her husband, said she met Henke about three years ago when she started dropping off candles for residents of Tent City, Elgin's year-round homeless encampment. Over time, she began to meet him at Gail Borden Public Library, which he loved to frequent, and at restaurants, the last time in January at Al's Cafe in Elgin.
"He certainly touched me," Kern said.
Through his blog, Henke touched a lot of people, Misek said.
"In every population, particularly the marginalized, someone has to provide a voice to the voiceless. And he did that."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--Fisherman reports seeing an alligator in Lake Glenview

Mount Prospect resident Nick Vitogiannes went to Lake Glenview Tuesday morning to catch some fish .
What he caught instead , he said , was a glimpse of what appeared to be an alligator .
Vitogiannes , a musician , said he is a huge fisherman on his down time .
This was his first time at the lake .
`` We have family that live in Glenview , and everyone always recommended it , saying it 's a great area for bass fishing . ''
Normally he would bring his kayak or fish off a dock , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bridge .
`` This was one of the first times I went out without bringing my kayak , '' he said .
`` They have a huge dock there , but it was very windy and choppy .
I 'm like I 'm really not going to catch much here .
So that 's why I moved closer to the bridge that separates the pond and the open lake that 's there . ''
After a couple of casts with artificial bait , he spotted an object with a head as big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vitogiannes said it reminded him of an alligator he saw when he visited Hilton Head , South Carolina .
`` His head popped out of the water , '' he said .
`` The head was from my elbow to my wrist . ''
When he brought his cast back , the animal started to turn toward him .
`` I was about 20 feet away from him on the shore .
In a split of a second I yelled at him and then he went under and took off toward that open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glenview police , who suggested it might have been a snapping turtle .
But he said a snapping turtle 's head is only about 6 or 7 inches .
He added that as the creature moved away from him , it swam in a serpentine pattern .
`` A turtle does n't do that , '' he said .
He said he is concerned , because the area was packed .
`` There were people walking and running , fishing , a lot of kids .
I just do n't want anyone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glenview police were not available for comment .
However , they posted this message on Facebook : `` The Village received a report from a fisherman that he 'd seen an alligator in Lake Glenview .
Nothing was found after a search by the Public Service Officer who handles the Police Department 's animal control services . ''
The post continued , `` The Village 's Natural Resources Manager notes that the lake contains many snapping turtles .
The Village will continue to monitor the situation .
Caution is always appropriate when visiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Fisherman reports seeing an alligator in Lake Glenview
A fisherman from Mount Prospect says he spotted an alligator in Lake Glenview on Tuesday morning. File photo
Mount Prospect resident Nick Vitogiannes went to Lake Glenview Tuesday morning to catch some fish.
What he caught instead, he said, was a glimpse of what appeared to be an alligator.
Vitogiannes, a musician, said he is a huge fisherman on his down time.
This was his first time at the lake.
"We have family that live in Glenview, and everyone always recommended it, saying it's a great area for bass fishing."
Normally he would bring his kayak or fish off a dock, but he decided to stand on the shore near a bridge.
"This was one of the first times I went out without bringing my kayak," he said. "They have a huge dock there, but it was very windy and choppy. I'm like I'm really not going to catch much here. So that's why I moved closer to the bridge that separates the pond and the open lake that's there."
After a couple of casts with artificial bait, he spotted an object with a head as big as his forearm, he said. Vitogiannes said it reminded him of an alligator he saw when he visited Hilton Head, South Carolina.
"His head popped out of the water," he said. "The head was from my elbow to my wrist."
When he brought his cast back, the animal started to turn toward him.
"I was about 20 feet away from him on the shore. In a split of a second I yelled at him and then he went under and took off toward that open lake."
Vitogiannes said he contacted Glenview police, who suggested it might have been a snapping turtle.
But he said a snapping turtle's head is only about 6 or 7 inches.
He added that as the creature moved away from him, it swam in a serpentine pattern.
"A turtle doesn't do that," he said.
He said he is concerned, because the area was packed.
"There were people walking and running, fishing, a lot of kids. I just don't want anyone to get hurt," he said.
Glenview police were not available for comment. However, they posted this message on Facebook: "The Village received a report from a fisherman that he'd seen an alligator in Lake Glenview. Nothing was found after a search by the Public Service Officer who handles the Police Department's animal control services."
The post continued, "The Village's Natural Resources Manager notes that the lake contains many snapping turtles. The Village will continue to monitor the situation. Caution is always appropriate when visiting a natural resource that attracts wildlife."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-27--One dead, multiple victims, in Roselle shooting

One person was killed and a number of people were shot in an incident in Roselle early Saturday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ of shots fired about 1:30 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Picton and Roselle Road @ @ @ @ @ victims , with one person dead at the scene , according to a police statement @ @ @ @ @ that they believe there is no threat to anyone in the community .
Police Chief @ @ @ @ @ email to the Daily Herald that the department did not have any more information .
@ @ @ @ @ the DuPage Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigations Team are assisting detectives in the case .

Roselle police investigate the scene of a shooting early Saturday morning that left one person dead and others injured. ABC 7 Chicago image


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-27--Why Libertyville's Phillipa Soo is blown away by new Hamilton movie

No matter how many theater credits Phillipa Soo accumulates over the course of her career , `` Hamilton '' -- Lin-Manuel Miranda 's Broadway blockbuster that begins streaming Friday on Disney+ -- will likely loom over all the others .
The Libertyville native originated the role of Eliza Hamilton on Broadway opposite Miranda and earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance as Alexander Hamilton 's wife , a Founding Mother who survived her husband and went on to found New York 's first private orphanage .
`` I had such a profound experience ...
It was such an honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Soo , who hopes the story of an immigrant turned Founding Father will inspire viewers to `` use their voice , register to vote , run for office ... and ask for the country they want to see . ''
Until the COVID-19 pandemic forced its shutdown , `` Hamilton '' -- which received 11 Tony Awards , the Pulitzer Prize and the Grammy Award for best musical theater album -- had been one of the hottest tickets in any town .
That includes Chicago , where a sit-down production closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Hamilton '' filming took place in 2016 , well into the Broadway show 's run .
By that time , the actors had uncovered nuances within their characters that may not have been evident during early performances , said Soo .
She watched the streaming version for the first time earlier this month .
`` I was absolutely blown away , '' she said .
`` ( Director ) Thomas Kail has captured moments I did n't know existed in the show . ''
`` Hamilton '' marked the Libertyville High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she 's performed in standards , she says working on new material and exploring new ideas sparks the most joy .
`` I 've had so much fun developing roles and working on shows in their beginning stages because I 'm such a fan of the process , '' said Soo , who starred in the 2017 Broadway production of `` Amelie , The Musical . ''
There 's nothing like people coming together to make something greater than themselves , Soo said .
That certainly describes `` Hamilton , '' the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked .
And that 's OK with her .
`` I 'm so proud of our work , '' she said .

Why Libertyville's Phillipa Soo is blown away by new Hamilton movie
The Disney+ film version of the hit musical "Hamilton," starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, as Alexander Hamilton, begins streaming Friday, July 3. Courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Nevis Productions LLC
Libertyville native Phillipa Soo played Eliza opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda's Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway production of "Hamilton" and in the Disney+ film version. Courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Nevis Productions LLC
No matter how many theater credits Phillipa Soo accumulates over the course of her career, "Hamilton" -- Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway blockbuster that begins streaming Friday on Disney+ -- will likely loom over all the others.
The Libertyville native originated the role of Eliza Hamilton on Broadway opposite Miranda and earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance as Alexander Hamilton's wife, a Founding Mother who survived her husband and went on to found New York's first private orphanage.
"I had such a profound experience ... It was such an honor to be associated with the show," said Soo, who hopes the story of an immigrant turned Founding Father will inspire viewers to "use their voice, register to vote, run for office ... and ask for the country they want to see."
Until the COVID-19 pandemic forced its shutdown, "Hamilton" -- which received 11 Tony Awards, the Pulitzer Prize and the Grammy Award for best musical theater album -- had been one of the hottest tickets in any town. That includes Chicago, where a sit-down production closed last January after more than 1,300 performances.
"Hamilton" filming took place in 2016, well into the Broadway show's run. By that time, the actors had uncovered nuances within their characters that may not have been evident during early performances, said Soo.
She watched the streaming version for the first time earlier this month.
"I was absolutely blown away," she said. "(Director) Thomas Kail has captured moments I didn't know existed in the show."
"Hamilton" marked the Libertyville High School graduate's Broadway debut. While she's performed in standards, she says working on new material and exploring new ideas sparks the most joy.
"I've had so much fun developing roles and working on shows in their beginning stages because I'm such a fan of the process," said Soo, who starred in the 2017 Broadway production of "Amelie, The Musical."
There's nothing like people coming together to make something greater than themselves, Soo said.
That certainly describes "Hamilton," the international phenomenon to which she will be forever linked. And that's OK with her.
"I'm so proud of our work," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-26--A song to make you smile: 'What the World Needs Now is Love' by Jackie DeShannon

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ What the World Needs Now is Love '' by former Batavia resident Jackie DeShannon , @ @ @ @

A song to make you smile: 'What the World Needs Now is Love' by Jackie DeShannon
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "What the World Needs Now is Love" by former Batavia resident Jackie DeShannon, released in 1965.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.