dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Illinois records 25 more COVID-19 deaths, another 2,514 infected

State health officials reported 25 more COVID-19 deaths today , as well as 2,514 more new cases of the disease .
That brings the state 's death toll to 8,563 since the outbreak began , along with 283,885 Illinois residents who have been infected by the virus .
Nearly 70,000 test results were returned Friday , increasing the state 's seven-day average infection rate slightly to 3.6 % .
It had hovered at 3.5 % for the past six days .
Meanwhile , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced the state will offer $ 140 million in federally backed grants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated with combating COVID-19 at health care facilities , hospitals and long-term care facilities in disproportionately affected areas .
The governor called the grants the `` first round of funding '' to help these providers cover COVID-19 related costs , such as hazard pay , personal protective equipment purchases and other `` unbudgeted expenditures . ''
`` All our essential workers in health care have been performing heroically on the front lines of this pandemic since the very first patient showed up with COVID-19 , and they have n't stopped , despite months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances , '' Pritzker said .
`` They are critical to the health of our people in normal times -- and this pandemic has only elevated their importance .
I 'm proud to support them today and every day . ''
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Theresa Eagleson said it 's taken extra time to distribute the grants because of federal qualification requirements .
She noted that $ 58.8 million of the first wave of funding was specifically set aside for providers serving communities across the state that have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorer parts of the state and areas with higher minority populations .
Also , state officials reported that in the first round of funding , $ 68 million in payments went to long-term care facilities , $ 50 million to federally qualified health centers and $ 23.5 million was distributed to `` safety net '' hospitals -- those that provide care to a substantial share of vulnerable patients regardless of their ability to pay .
`` The pandemic has put a spotlight on major health inequities in disproportionately affected areas , '' Eagleson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can help providers serving Medicaid customers during this . ''
Eagleson also said the agency next week will launch an online portal for providers to apply for additional grant funding in the future through the federal CARES Act .
Pritzker added the state is beginning to investigate claims of egregious medical billing for COVID-19 testing or treatments .
A hotline will be set up in the coming days to handle reports of excessive or wrongful billing .
`` Any Illinois resident will be able to call in any issues regarding COVID-19 billing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is free at all our state sites .
No matter who you are , do n't be afraid to get tested . ''

Illinois records 25 more COVID-19 deaths, another 2,514 infected
State health officials reported 25 more COVID-19 deaths today, as well as 2,514 more new cases of the disease.
That brings the state's death toll to 8,563 since the outbreak began, along with 283,885 Illinois residents who have been infected by the virus.
Nearly 70,000 test results were returned Friday, increasing the state's seven-day average infection rate slightly to 3.6%. It had hovered at 3.5% for the past six days.
Meanwhile, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the state will offer $140 million in federally backed grants to Medicaid providers to deal with extra costs associated with combating COVID-19 at health care facilities, hospitals and long-term care facilities in disproportionately affected areas.
The governor called the grants the "first round of funding" to help these providers cover COVID-19 related costs, such as hazard pay, personal protective equipment purchases and other "unbudgeted expenditures."
"All our essential workers in health care have been performing heroically on the front lines of this pandemic since the very first patient showed up with COVID-19, and they haven't stopped, despite months and months of grueling work and difficult circumstances," Pritzker said. "They are critical to the health of our people in normal times -- and this pandemic has only elevated their importance. I'm proud to support them today and every day."
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Theresa Eagleson said it's taken extra time to distribute the grants because of federal qualification requirements. She noted that $58.8 million of the first wave of funding was specifically set aside for providers serving communities across the state that have had disproportionately higher cases of COVID-19, in poorer parts of the state and areas with higher minority populations. Also, state officials reported that in the first round of funding, $68 million in payments went to long-term care facilities, $50 million to federally qualified health centers and $23.5 million was distributed to "safety net" hospitals -- those that provide care to a substantial share of vulnerable patients regardless of their ability to pay.
"The pandemic has put a spotlight on major health inequities in disproportionately affected areas," Eagleson said. ""I'm grateful we can help providers serving Medicaid customers during this."
Eagleson also said the agency next week will launch an online portal for providers to apply for additional grant funding in the future through the federal CARES Act.
Pritzker added the state is beginning to investigate claims of egregious medical billing for COVID-19 testing or treatments. A hotline will be set up in the coming days to handle reports of excessive or wrongful billing.
"Any Illinois resident will be able to call in any issues regarding COVID-19 billing," he said. "Testing is free at all our state sites. No matter who you are, don't be afraid to get tested."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Group asked to return 15 French bulldogs rescued from O'Hare warehouse

A Chicago-based animal rescue group has until Monday to give up 15 French bulldogs it saved from an O'Hare International Airport warehouse where they had been housed in crowded crates for four days without food and water .
After arriving in Chicago on Aug. 28 , the puppies had been sitting in their own urine and feces in a corner of the warehouse until they were discovered by a truck driver , according to Chicago French Bulldog Rescue , which was called in Aug. 31 .
There originally were 20 puppies , including 16 French bulldogs .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterinary care , according to the rescue group .
The dogs have been in quarantine ever since and are being cared for at veterinary clinics in Chicago and the suburbs .
Now , lawyers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Jordanian Airlines have given the group until 9 a.m. Monday to return the dogs to the owner in Jordan .
The dogs are scheduled to be flown there Monday afternoon .
`` It 's a federal order , so we have to comply , '' said Mary Scheffke , director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the meantime , we are trying to stop that from happening . ''
A CDC spokesperson could not be reached for comment Friday .
Scheffke said the group has spent $ 45,000 so far to nurse the puppies back to health .
She 's wary of handing them over to possibly be warehoused again before a 13-hour flight to Jordan without guarantees about what will happen to them .
`` They are very susceptible to heatstroke , '' Scheffke said .
`` There 's about eight airlines that have banned flying this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressurization , the temperature , a lot of them do n't survive . ''
Scheffke said French bulldogs are among the top breeds in demand and often trafficked illegally .
Two years ago , the group rescued 27 French bulldogs being illegally imported from Ukraine , went to court to gain custody and won because the owners lived in the United States .
`` A lot of famous people have them , '' she said .
`` To get them from a good breeder , you are looking at anywhere from $ 6,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It costs an importer about $ 100 to fly each dog .
It 's a very profitable business . ''
The CDC , U.S. Department of Agriculture , and U.S. Customs and Border Protection all have jurisdiction and regulations for transporting animals in and out of the country .
`` It is those agencies ' responsibility to be there when that plane lands to make sure all the paperwork is in order , '' Scheffke said .
`` The paperwork from the Jordanian seller was not in order .
Nobody can explain then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shipped back right away . ''

Group asked to return 15 French bulldogs rescued from O'Hare warehouse
Chicago French Bulldog Rescue says federal authorities are demanding it return 15 French bulldogs that were rescued from an O'Hare International Airport warehouse. The dogs are recovering at veterinary clinics in Chicago and suburbs. Courtesy of Chicago French Bulldog Rescue
Chicago French Bulldog Rescue says federal authorities are demanding it return 15 French bulldogs that were rescued from an O'Hare International Airport warehouse, where they had been housed for four days in crates sitting in their own urine and feces. The dogs are recovering at veterinary clinics in Chicago and suburbs. Courtesy of Chicago French Bulldog Rescue
A Chicago-based animal rescue group says federal authorities are demanding it return 15 French bulldogs that were rescued from an O'Hare International Airport warehouse, where they had been housed for four days in crates without food and water. Courtesy of Chicago French Bulldog Rescue
A Chicago-based animal rescue group has until Monday to give up 15 French bulldogs it saved from an O'Hare International Airport warehouse where they had been housed in crowded crates for four days without food and water.
After arriving in Chicago on Aug. 28, the puppies had been sitting in their own urine and feces in a corner of the warehouse until they were discovered by a truck driver, according to Chicago French Bulldog Rescue, which was called in Aug. 31.
There originally were 20 puppies, including 16 French bulldogs. One of the bulldogs died and the rest needed immediate veterinary care, according to the rescue group. The dogs have been in quarantine ever since and are being cared for at veterinary clinics in Chicago and the suburbs.
Now, lawyers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Jordanian Airlines have given the group until 9 a.m. Monday to return the dogs to the owner in Jordan. The dogs are scheduled to be flown there Monday afternoon.
"It's a federal order, so we have to comply," said Mary Scheffke, director of Chicago French Bulldog Rescue. "In the meantime, we are trying to stop that from happening."
A CDC spokesperson could not be reached for comment Friday.
Scheffke said the group has spent $45,000 so far to nurse the puppies back to health. She's wary of handing them over to possibly be warehoused again before a 13-hour flight to Jordan without guarantees about what will happen to them.
"They are very susceptible to heatstroke," Scheffke said. "There's about eight airlines that have banned flying this breed in cargo. Due to the pressurization, the temperature, a lot of them don't survive."
Scheffke said French bulldogs are among the top breeds in demand and often trafficked illegally. Two years ago, the group rescued 27 French bulldogs being illegally imported from Ukraine, went to court to gain custody and won because the owners lived in the United States.
"A lot of famous people have them," she said. "To get them from a good breeder, you are looking at anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 for a puppy. It costs an importer about $100 to fly each dog. It's a very profitable business."
The CDC, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection all have jurisdiction and regulations for transporting animals in and out of the country.
"It is those agencies' responsibility to be there when that plane lands to make sure all the paperwork is in order," Scheffke said. "The paperwork from the Jordanian seller was not in order. Nobody can explain then why weren't (the puppies) shipped back right away."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Pritzker, GOP leaders ramp up graduated tax debate after threat of 20% increase

In dueling press briefings Friday , Illinois House Republican leaders said the Pritzker administration `` threatened '' a big tax increase if voters do n't approve a graduated tax , and Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said comments by Lt. Gov .
Juliana Stratton were taken out of context -- but he said more tax revenue or steep cuts are reality .
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin , of Western Springs , said a 20 % across-the-board income tax increase mentioned by Stratton is `` just the beginning . ''
Stratton said on a video call Thursday if voters reject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then the Legislature will be compelled to consider a 20 % increase for all taxpayers , the Chicago Sun-Times reported .
She made the comment while speaking to a rally of supporters of the so-called Fair Tax amendment , which is on the Nov. 3 ballot .
Pritzker repeated the argument he has often made that the state of Illinois was suffering from a structural budget deficit before the pandemic , and he said there are only a certain number of ways to address that .
One , he said , would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full percentage point , to 5.9 % .
lllinois applies a tax rate of 4.95 % to all incomes .
A 20 % increase to that rate would bring it to 5.94 % .
Another option , Pritzker said , would be to cut state spending by 15 % across the board , which he said would result in large property tax increases statewide to fund public schools .
The third choice , he said , is the proposed graduated tax amendment that is on the Nov. 3 ballot and that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 250,000 a year , about 3 % of the state 's population , while leaving tax rates the same or cutting them for the other 97 % .
`` The best direction that we should go to deal with this is to make sure that we 're asking those who are most able to step up to pay to do so -- those are the wealthiest in our state ... and that 's the direction that I think we ought to go , '' Pritzker said .
The Illinois Constitution currently requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be whether to change that to allow for a graduated tax , in which people with higher incomes pay more .

Pritzker, GOP leaders ramp up graduated tax debate after threat of 20% increase
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, criticizes Gov. J.B. Pritzker's budget proposal after the Democratic governor presented it to a joint session of the General Assembly on Feb. 19, 2020, in Springfield. Associated press
Gov. J.B. Pritzker holds up a signed piece of legislation that is connected to the state budget and related to a graduated income tax in Illinois, during a bill signing Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. Applauding Pritzker is Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Associated press
In dueling press briefings Friday, Illinois House Republican leaders said the Pritzker administration "threatened" a big tax increase if voters don't approve a graduated tax, and Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said comments by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton were taken out of context -- but he said more tax revenue or steep cuts are reality.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, said a 20% across-the-board income tax increase mentioned by Stratton is "just the beginning."
Stratton said on a video call Thursday if voters reject Illinois' graduated income tax proposal, then the Legislature will be compelled to consider a 20% increase for all taxpayers, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. She made the comment while speaking to a rally of supporters of the so-called Fair Tax amendment, which is on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Pritzker repeated the argument he has often made that the state of Illinois was suffering from a structural budget deficit before the pandemic, and he said there are only a certain number of ways to address that.
One, he said, would be to raise the current flat rate by a full percentage point, to 5.9%. lllinois applies a tax rate of 4.95% to all incomes. A 20% increase to that rate would bring it to 5.94%.
Another option, Pritzker said, would be to cut state spending by 15% across the board, which he said would result in large property tax increases statewide to fund public schools.
The third choice, he said, is the proposed graduated tax amendment that is on the Nov. 3 ballot and that would raise taxes on people earning more than $250,000 a year, about 3% of the state's population, while leaving tax rates the same or cutting them for the other 97%.
"The best direction that we should go to deal with this is to make sure that we're asking those who are most able to step up to pay to do so -- those are the wealthiest in our state ... and that's the direction that I think we ought to go," Pritzker said.
The Illinois Constitution currently requires a flat tax. The ballot question will be whether to change that to allow for a graduated tax, in which people with higher incomes pay more.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--NIU to resume face-to-face classes Monday as 15 more COVID-19 cases reported Friday

DeKALB -- Northern Illinois University President Lisa Freeman announced a return to face-to-face classes beginning Monday amid 15 new cases on campus Friday .
`` Face-to-face classes can resume Monday at the discretion of faculty and will continue to follow all classroom guidelines outlined in Protecting the Pack , '' said a notice on NIU 's website , referring to the university 's classroom safety protocols .
`` Students in courses that are face-to-face will receive confirmation from their professors by noon Sunday on how to proceed . ''
Freeman called for a two-week pause to in-person classes on Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connected to the campus .
She had cited large gatherings and parties as the main source of transmission of the novel coronavirus .
The decision was made the same day the Illinois Department of Public Health designated DeKalb County as a warning zone due to case surge .
`` During this pause , we identified new cases within our student surveillance testing population on Sept. 18 and were immediately able to quarantine groups of students who were likely exposed , '' Freeman said in a letter to students .
`` Those students were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wednesday 's dashboard count . ''
Wednesday 's cases , 25 in students , marked the largest single-day total of cases identified by NIU within a 24 hour period .
Restrictions will continue through the weekend , the letter stated .
Freeman said the classroom was not seen as a point of spread on campus for the virus .
`` Outside of this now-isolated population , our overall positivity rate has gone down .
Importantly , through the DeKalb County Health Department 's contact tracing efforts this past month , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the point of origin for exposure , '' Freeman said .
`` We also have seen a notable decrease in parties and social gatherings .
These results show us that the vast majority of you are taking this situation seriously , and I am grateful . ''
Freeman said that if the positivity rate increases , or there 's a lack of compliance , the school will take another pause or shift permanently to remote learning and related restrictions .
`` On behalf of all faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this semester , I assure you that we do n't want to have to take those steps , '' she wrote .
`` We also do n't want to have a negative impact on our region that could result in additional restrictions being placed on DeKalb County , so I implore you to adhere to the expectations outlined in Protecting the Pack . ''
One of the new cases Friday involved an employee , the second in three days and eighth overall .
Fourteen more students tested positive on Friday as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing the total to 186 total recoveries , 180 of which involved students .
Quarantine and isolation usage rose to 25.4 % , according to university data .
In its surveillance testing results from last week announced Monday , 17 students tested positive from among 638 tested , a 2.7 % positivity rate in the program 's third week , up from 0.4 % in Week 1 and 1.3 % in Week 2 .
The university welcomed students back to campus Aug. 19 , and classes began Aug. 24 .
Students living on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a negative COVID-19 test before moving in .
The school suspended in-person classes on Sept. 11 but will resume them Sept. 28 .
According to the school , the 14-day quarantine begins after the student first shows a symptom , not when a student receives a positive test for the virus .
A case is considered recovered after the 14-day period is over .
Although specific surveillance testing results will be reported weekly on Mondays , positive tests produced from the program will be included in daily statistics .
The surveillance testing will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Daily COVID-19 case data from the DeKalb County Health Department may not reflect daily data from NIU because some students or employees may live outside the county and still test positive for the virus .
NIU staff members are encouraged to get tested via state testing sites or their health care provider on their own .
Students living off campus in Greek housing and otherwise also are not required to get tested , although anyone experiencing symptoms is asked to remain at home .
Students living on campus paid a $ 7.90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of the semester , which covers the nasal swab testing services at Northwestern Medicine Student Health Center in the Health Services Building on campus .

NIU to resume face-to-face classes Monday as 15 more COVID-19 cases reported Friday
Brittni Adams, left, and Nakiah Wilkes, both freshmen from Chicago, walk past the NIU sign earlier in September at the DeKalb campus. Mark Busch/Shaw Media
DeKALB -- Northern Illinois University President Lisa Freeman announced a return to face-to-face classes beginning Monday amid 15 new cases on campus Friday.
"Face-to-face classes can resume Monday at the discretion of faculty and will continue to follow all classroom guidelines outlined in Protecting the Pack," said a notice on NIU's website, referring to the university's classroom safety protocols. "Students in courses that are face-to-face will receive confirmation from their professors by noon Sunday on how to proceed."
Freeman called for a two-week pause to in-person classes on Sept. 11 amid a surge in coronavirus cases connected to the campus. She had cited large gatherings and parties as the main source of transmission of the novel coronavirus.
The decision was made the same day the Illinois Department of Public Health designated DeKalb County as a warning zone due to case surge.
"During this pause, we identified new cases within our student surveillance testing population on Sept. 18 and were immediately able to quarantine groups of students who were likely exposed," Freeman said in a letter to students. "Those students were tested, and the results are represented in Wednesday's dashboard count."
Wednesday's cases, 25 in students, marked the largest single-day total of cases identified by NIU within a 24 hour period.
Restrictions will continue through the weekend, the letter stated. Freeman said the classroom was not seen as a point of spread on campus for the virus.
"Outside of this now-isolated population, our overall positivity rate has gone down. Importantly, through the DeKalb County Health Department's contact tracing efforts this past month, there is no evidence that a classroom setting has been the point of origin for exposure," Freeman said. "We also have seen a notable decrease in parties and social gatherings. These results show us that the vast majority of you are taking this situation seriously, and I am grateful."
Freeman said that if the positivity rate increases, or there's a lack of compliance, the school will take another pause or shift permanently to remote learning and related restrictions.
"On behalf of all faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly for months to help you be successful this semester, I assure you that we don't want to have to take those steps," she wrote. "We also don't want to have a negative impact on our region that could result in additional restrictions being placed on DeKalb County, so I implore you to adhere to the expectations outlined in Protecting the Pack."
One of the new cases Friday involved an employee, the second in three days and eighth overall. Fourteen more students tested positive on Friday as well. Four more students were announced recovered, bringing the total to 186 total recoveries, 180 of which involved students.
Quarantine and isolation usage rose to 25.4%, according to university data.
In its surveillance testing results from last week announced Monday, 17 students tested positive from among 638 tested, a 2.7% positivity rate in the program's third week, up from 0.4% in Week 1 and 1.3% in Week 2.
The university welcomed students back to campus Aug. 19, and classes began Aug. 24. Students living on campus were required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test before moving in. The school suspended in-person classes on Sept. 11 but will resume them Sept. 28.
According to the school, the 14-day quarantine begins after the student first shows a symptom, not when a student receives a positive test for the virus. A case is considered recovered after the 14-day period is over.
Although specific surveillance testing results will be reported weekly on Mondays, positive tests produced from the program will be included in daily statistics. The surveillance testing will continue while the undergraduate courses remain online.
Daily COVID-19 case data from the DeKalb County Health Department may not reflect daily data from NIU because some students or employees may live outside the county and still test positive for the virus.
NIU staff members are encouraged to get tested via state testing sites or their health care provider on their own. Students living off campus in Greek housing and otherwise also are not required to get tested, although anyone experiencing symptoms is asked to remain at home.
Students living on campus paid a $7.90 per credit hour health fee at the beginning of the semester, which covers the nasal swab testing services at Northwestern Medicine Student Health Center in the Health Services Building on campus.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Casten, Ives take shots at each other in new campaign ads

In an already hostile political showdown for Illinois ' 6th Congressional District seat , Democratic incumbent Sean Casten and Republican challenger Jeanne Ives have released new TV ads targeting each other .
Team Casten 's latest commercial blasts Ives for giving Republican President Donald Trump an A grade during an interview earlier this year .
Team Ives 's piece takes a swing at Casten for supporting proposed pay raises for House members and their staffers in an interview last year .
Not surprisingly , representatives for both candidates object to elements of the opposition 's commercials .
The new 30-second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident seeking a second term in the House , is called `` Grade . ''
Set to run on broadcast and cable TV , it features a snippet of video from a February Daily Herald editorial board interview with Ives and fellow Republican Gordon `` Jay '' Kinzler ahead of the GOP primary for the 6th District seat .
Both candidates had been asked to grade Trump 's performance .
The ad shows Ives , a former state representative from Wheaton , saying `` I give him an A . ''
After a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is repeated with the word `` yeah '' added at the start of the sentence .
The ad truncates what Ives told the Daily Herald .
She actually said : `` Yeah , I give him an A on policy . ''
She then praised Trump 's work on the economy and his foreign policy .
But Ives also said she did n't like how Trump has responded to some of his critics , saying he should have taken a higher road in many cases .
The commercial goes on to paint Ives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Care Act , and it hits her stances on climate change and COVID-19 while also featuring an endorsement of Casten by former Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady .
As the ad closes , the `` I give him an A '' audio is repeated .
Team Ives spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy accused Casten of taking Ives ' words out of context .
Ives ' new 30-second ad for cable and digital platforms is called `` Peanuts . ''
In it , an actor is seen putting on wingtip shoes as a narrator refers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company received during the Great Recession .
The actor is then seen kicking aside peanuts on the ground as the narrator notes Casten makes $ 174,000 a year as a congressman and says Casten called the sum `` peanuts . ''
The ad goes on to say Ives championed taxpayers in the state House and cites examples .
The article said Casten -- the former CEO of an energy recycling company -- and other freshmen Democrats saw a proposed raise as a way to help attract the best people to Congress , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I want to be able to attract the best and brightest to this job , because that 's how I ran my company , '' Casten was quoted as saying .
`` When I ran my company , I paid a competitive wage .
I did n't tell people , come here because you 're so committed to our mission that you 're willing to , you know , sleep on your friend 's couch and work for peanuts . ''
Casten and Ives have sniped at each other in interviews , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
Election Day is Nov. 3 .
Libertarian Bill Redpath of West Dundee also is running .
The 6th District includes parts of Cook , DuPage , Kane , Lake and McHenry counties .

Casten, Ives take shots at each other in new campaign ads
Democratic Rep. Sean Casten is being challenged by Republican Jeanne Ives in the 6th Congressional District race.
In an already hostile political showdown for Illinois' 6th Congressional District seat, Democratic incumbent Sean Casten and Republican challenger Jeanne Ives have released new TV ads targeting each other.
Team Casten's latest commercial blasts Ives for giving Republican President Donald Trump an A grade during an interview earlier this year.
Team Ives's piece takes a swing at Casten for supporting proposed pay raises for House members and their staffers in an interview last year.
Not surprisingly, representatives for both candidates object to elements of the opposition's commercials.
The new 30-second ad from Casten, a Downers Grove resident seeking a second term in the House, is called "Grade."
Set to run on broadcast and cable TV, it features a snippet of video from a February Daily Herald editorial board interview with Ives and fellow Republican Gordon "Jay" Kinzler ahead of the GOP primary for the 6th District seat. Both candidates had been asked to grade Trump's performance.
The ad shows Ives, a former state representative from Wheaton, saying "I give him an A." After a comment from a narrator, the clip is repeated with the word "yeah" added at the start of the sentence.
The ad truncates what Ives told the Daily Herald. She actually said: "Yeah, I give him an A on policy." She then praised Trump's work on the economy and his foreign policy.
But Ives also said she didn't like how Trump has responded to some of his critics, saying he should have taken a higher road in many cases.
The commercial goes on to paint Ives as a Trump ally against the Affordable Care Act, and it hits her stances on climate change and COVID-19 while also featuring an endorsement of Casten by former Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady.
As the ad closes, the "I give him an A" audio is repeated.
Team Ives spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy accused Casten of taking Ives' words out of context.
Ives' new 30-second ad for cable and digital platforms is called "Peanuts."
In it, an actor is seen putting on wingtip shoes as a narrator refers to a federal Recovery Act grant Casten's company received during the Great Recession. The actor is then seen kicking aside peanuts on the ground as the narrator notes Casten makes $174,000 a year as a congressman and says Casten called the sum "peanuts."
The ad goes on to say Ives championed taxpayers in the state House and cites examples.
Casten's "peanuts" remark appeared in a 2019 article at thehill.com.
The article said Casten -- the former CEO of an energy recycling company -- and other freshmen Democrats saw a proposed raise as a way to help attract the best people to Congress, both as elected representatives and as staffers.
"I want to be able to attract the best and brightest to this job, because that's how I ran my company," Casten was quoted as saying. "When I ran my company, I paid a competitive wage. I didn't tell people, come here because you're so committed to our mission that you're willing to, you know, sleep on your friend's couch and work for peanuts."
Team Casten spokesman Jacob Vurpillat accused Ives of misrepresenting his boss's record.
Casten and Ives have sniped at each other in interviews, online forums and other ads during the campaign. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Libertarian Bill Redpath of West Dundee also is running.
The 6th District includes parts of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties.
• For more election coverage and help filling out your ballot, visit dailyherald.com/election.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Lightfoot defends using electronic billboards honor Breonna Taylor

Mayor Lori Lightfoot was accused Friday of `` hijacking '' the city 's access to electronic billboards for public service @ @ @ @ @ political statement '' to remember Breonna Taylor .
Under fire from aldermen , the mayor @ @ @ @ @ to use 32 electronic billboards to display `` # SayHerName '' in between paid advertising @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday and will continue through Sunday .
`` The city regularly uses our more than @ @ @ @ @ initiatives , public service announcements , public safety alerts and other city messaging , '' @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Napolitano said the billboard message had `` nothing to do with a public service @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Lightfoot defends using electronic billboards honor Breonna Taylor
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's office came under fire for displaying a message honoring Breonna Taylor on 32 electronic billboards. Sun-Times
Mayor Lori Lightfoot was accused Friday of "hijacking" the city's access to electronic billboards for public service announcements to make a "political statement" to remember Breonna Taylor.
Under fire from aldermen, the mayor's office defended the decision to use 32 electronic billboards to display "#SayHerName" in between paid advertising. The messages started running Wednesday and will continue through Sunday.
"The city regularly uses our more than 30 electronic billboards for city initiatives, public service announcements, public safety alerts and other city messaging," the statement said.
Alderman Anthony Napolitano said the billboard message had "nothing to do with a public service announcement. Zero. Zilch."
For the complete story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--'Wish tree' art display pops up in downtown Arlington Heights

An interactive `` wish tree '' art display has popped up in downtown Arlington Heights , where people have started @ @ @ @ @ and health and other positive messages .
The public art piece -- featuring a 10-foot @ @ @ @ @ with tied-on ribbons between two trees -- is next to Baird & Warner Northwest Suburban @ @ @ @ @ .
The real estate office put up the banner Thursday and invites the public to @ @ @ @ @ .
The word `` Community '' is interwoven with yellow ribbon in the center of @ @ @ @ @ the use of solar-powered LED lights , it lights up at night .

'Wish tree' art display pops up in downtown Arlington Heights
An interactive "wish tree" art display has popped up in downtown Arlington Heights, where people have started adding their wishes for peace and health and other positive messages.
The public art piece -- featuring a 10-foot high, 35-foot wide net with tied-on ribbons between two trees -- is next to Baird & Warner Northwest Suburban at 210 W. Northwest Hwy.
The real estate office put up the banner Thursday and invites the public to add ribbons throughout the weekend.
The word "Community" is interwoven with yellow ribbon in the center of the net, and through the use of solar-powered LED lights, it lights up at night.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Congressional candidates for 10th District support expanded mail-in voting

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis , both candidates for Illinois ' 10th Congressional District seat support expanding mail-in voting .
But to prevent fraud , Republican hopeful Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee of Northbrook wants voters to have to request ballots rather than them being mailed automatically .
Democratic incumbent Brad Schneider of Deerfield would prefer ballots be mailed to all eligible voters .
He insisted safeguards successfully stymie fraud .
The candidates spoke about voting by mail and other issues with the Daily Herald in a joint , online interview earlier this month and in follow-up interviews .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded this year because of the pandemic .
Under state law , people who voted in this year 's primary , the 2019 consolidated local election or the 2018 general election automatically are being sent vote-by-mail application forms .
So are people who registered to vote or updated their address between March 18 and July 31 .
Applications also can be requested online or in person from their local election authority .
The deadline to request a ballot by mail is Oct. 29 , but they can be requested in person through Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no later than Nov. 3 and received by the appropriate election authority by Nov. 17 to be valid .
Ramirez Mukherjee , who is making her first bid for public office , said she 's `` proud of what Illinois has done '' when it comes to expanding voting by mail .
Still , she would 've preferred applications be automatically sent to anyone who 's voted since the last presidential election in 2016 .
`` There are a lot of voters , particularly minorities , who do n't vote in primaries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` But they do vote in presidential elections . ''
Additionally , Ramirez Mukherjee opposed universal mail-in voting , in which voters are sent unsolicited ballots .
President Donald Trump , who has regularly railed about potential fraud in mail-in voting , has the same stance .
Because some people move frequently , Ramirez Mukherjee fears universal mail-in voting could result in many ballots going to addresses where the intended recipients no longer live .
That 's a waste of money , she said , and it potentially creates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , where every voter automatically is mailed a ballot , Ramirez Mukherjee recalled receiving a Washington ballot after she had moved to a different state .
`` We put in our change of address .
Why am I getting this ballot ? ''
she said .
Unlike Ramirez Mukherjee , Schneider would like to see mail-in ballots automatically sent to voters .
`` I want everyone in this country who can vote to cast their ballot , '' said Schneider , who is seeking his fourth term since first being elected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent , Green -- I do n't care .
The more people that cast their ballot , the better government I believe we have . ''
In response to his opponents ' concerns about fraud , Schneider noted that knowingly voting twice in different states in the same election is illegal .
`` My son in the Navy in San Diego is going to get an absentee ballot ( from Illinois ) , '' Schneider said .
`` If he tried to vote in San Diego and got his absentee ballot from Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he does n't .
He votes in Illinois because this is still his home . ''
Schneider also pointed out that voting by mail and in person in the same election -- as Trump recently suggested people try to do -- is a felony , too .
Schneider insisted `` there 's no evidence of fraud '' in the relatively few states with universal mail-in voting .
The 10th District includes parts of Cook and Lake counties .

Congressional candidates for 10th District support expanded mail-in voting
Republican Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee, left, and Democrat Brad Schneider, right, are the candidates for Illinois' 10th Congressional District seat.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, both candidates for Illinois' 10th Congressional District seat support expanding mail-in voting.
But to prevent fraud, Republican hopeful Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee of Northbrook wants voters to have to request ballots rather than them being mailed automatically.
Democratic incumbent Brad Schneider of Deerfield would prefer ballots be mailed to all eligible voters. He insisted safeguards successfully stymie fraud.
The candidates spoke about voting by mail and other issues with the Daily Herald in a joint, online interview earlier this month and in follow-up interviews.
The ability for Illinoisans to vote by mail expanded this year because of the pandemic.
Under state law, people who voted in this year's primary, the 2019 consolidated local election or the 2018 general election automatically are being sent vote-by-mail application forms. So are people who registered to vote or updated their address between March 18 and July 31.
Applications also can be requested online or in person from their local election authority.
The deadline to request a ballot by mail is Oct. 29, but they can be requested in person through Nov. 2.
Completed ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and received by the appropriate election authority by Nov. 17 to be valid.
Ramirez Mukherjee, who is making her first bid for public office, said she's "proud of what Illinois has done" when it comes to expanding voting by mail. Still, she would've preferred applications be automatically sent to anyone who's voted since the last presidential election in 2016.
"There are a lot of voters, particularly minorities, who don't vote in primaries and don't vote in off-term elections," she said. "But they do vote in presidential elections."
Additionally, Ramirez Mukherjee opposed universal mail-in voting, in which voters are sent unsolicited ballots. President Donald Trump, who has regularly railed about potential fraud in mail-in voting, has the same stance.
Because some people move frequently, Ramirez Mukherjee fears universal mail-in voting could result in many ballots going to addresses where the intended recipients no longer live. That's a waste of money, she said, and it potentially creates fraud.
A former resident of Washington state, where every voter automatically is mailed a ballot, Ramirez Mukherjee recalled receiving a Washington ballot after she had moved to a different state.
"We put in our change of address. Why am I getting this ballot?" she said.
Unlike Ramirez Mukherjee, Schneider would like to see mail-in ballots automatically sent to voters.
"I want everyone in this country who can vote to cast their ballot," said Schneider, who is seeking his fourth term since first being elected in 2012. "Republican, Democrat, independent, Green -- I don't care. The more people that cast their ballot, the better government I believe we have."
In response to his opponents' concerns about fraud, Schneider noted that knowingly voting twice in different states in the same election is illegal.
"My son in the Navy in San Diego is going to get an absentee ballot (from Illinois)," Schneider said. "If he tried to vote in San Diego and got his absentee ballot from Illinois, that would be a crime. But he doesn't. He votes in Illinois because this is still his home."
Schneider also pointed out that voting by mail and in person in the same election -- as Trump recently suggested people try to do -- is a felony, too.
Schneider insisted "there's no evidence of fraud" in the relatively few states with universal mail-in voting.
The 10th District includes parts of Cook and Lake counties.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Ginsburg makes history again, lying in state at Capitol

WASHINGTON -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lay in state Friday at the U.S. Capitol as the first woman ever so honored , making history again as she had throughout her extraordinary life while an intensifying election-year battle swirled over her replacement .
The flag-draped casket of Ginsburg , who died last week at 87 , drew members of Congress , top military officials , friends and family , some with children in tow , to the Capitol 's grand Statuary Hall , paying respect to the cultural icon who changed American law and perceptions of women 's power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife , Jill , joined other invited guests .
His vice presidential running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris said that `` RBG , '' as she is known by many , cleared a path for women like her in civic life .
`` She , first of all , made America see what leadership looks like -- in the law , in terms of public service -- and she broke so many barriers , '' Harris told reporters at the Capitol .
`` And I know that she did it intentionally knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Biden , who was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when Ginsburg was confirmed 27 years ago this month , said he was brought back to when he met her back then .
`` Wonderful memories , '' he said .
Mourners gathered to honor Ginsburg under coronavirus distancing restrictions with the nation in political turmoil .
President Donald Trump is to announce a conservative nominee to replace her on Saturday , just weeks before the election .
White House officials have indicated to congressional Republicans and outside allies that the nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but are maintaining a semblance of suspense to let Trump announce her .
His third justice , if confirmed , would be sure to move the court rightward on health care , abortion and other pivotal issues .
A Senate confirmation vote would be expected in late October .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was with `` profound sorrow '' that she welcomed Ginsburg and opened the private service .
She and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stood under gray skies as Ginsburg 's casket made the short procession from the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public view for several days to the East Front of the Capitol .
The court and the Capitol face each other across the street , separate but equal branches of government , keeping check on each other and also the White House .
A military honor guard carried Ginsberg 's casket inside .
Election-season politics have rippled through the commemorations this week .
Noticeably absent after being invited to Friday 's service was Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who is leading the rush to confirm Trump 's nominee while early state voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed so close to a presidential election .
Trump and first lady Melania Trump paid their respects on Thursday as Ginsburg had lain in repose for two days at the Supreme Court , and thousands of people waited outside .
Spectators booed and chanted `` vote him out '' as the president stood silently near Ginsburg 's casket at the top of the court 's front steps .
But Friday 's ceremony focused on Ginsburg 's life and work rather than current controversy .
She was the second woman to serve on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lie in state at the Capitol .
The proceedings included musical selections from one of her favorite opera singers , mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves .
Small in stature , large in history , the Brooklyn-born Ginsburg was remembered as an extremely bright Columbia graduate who was passed over for jobs at a time when few women became lawyers , only to go on to reshape the nation 's laws protecting women 's rights and equality .
`` Brick by brick , case by case , '' said Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt of the Adas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the course of American law .
`` Today , she makes history again , '' the rabbi said .
Ginsburg will be buried next week in Arlington National Cemetery beside her husband , Martin , who died in 2010 .
A mother of two , she battled recurring cancer .
As visitors paid tribute at Ginsburg 's casket , resting atop the catafalque used for Abraham Lincoln , the Bidens quietly joined .
Joe Biden , who is Catholic , made the sign of the cross before he and his wife clasped hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the service that was filled with women and Democrats .
Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , both former presidential contenders , were among those attending .
The GOP whip , Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana , was there .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the nation 's top military officers from the Joint Chiefs of Staff paid their respects .
In the line of guests paying tribute , one dropped to the ground and did three quick pushups .
It was Bryant Johnson , the justice 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Members of the House and Senate who were not invited because of space limitations imposed by the coronavirus were able to pay their respects before the motorcade carrying Ginsburg 's casket departed the Capitol in early afternoon .
As the hearse pulled away , lawmakers , many of them women , including Pelosi , waved goodbye .
The honor of lying in state has been accorded fewer than three dozen times , mostly to presidents , vice presidents and members of Congress .
Rep. John Lewis , the civil rights icon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July .
Henry Clay , the Kentucky lawmaker who served as speaker of the House and also was a senator , was the first in 1852 .
Rosa Parks -- a private citizen , not a government official -- is the only woman who has lain in honor , a separate commemoration , at the Capitol .
Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report .

Ginsburg makes history again, lying in state at Capitol
The flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in state in the U.S. Capitol on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Ginsburg died at the age of 87 on Sept. 18 and is the first women to lie in state at the Capitol. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
General Mark Miller, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pays his respects as the flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in state in the U.S. Capitol on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Ginsburg died at the age of 87 on Sept. 18 and is the first women to lie in state at the Capitol. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
On Friday, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. A week after her death, the honor marks the third day of services in Washington for Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the high court and one who, in her 80s, became a cultural icon. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Jabin Botsford
Female members of Congress stand on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and wave as the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg departs after Ginsburg lied in state at the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, in Washington.
A joint services military team places the flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she lies in state at National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Ginsburg died at the age of 87 on Sept. 18 and is the first women to lie in state at the Capitol. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP)
The flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is carried through the U.S. Capitol rotunda by a joint services military honor guard to lie in state Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, in Washington. (Caroline Brehman/Pool via AP)
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in state in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. (Shawn Thew/Pool via AP)
WASHINGTON -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lay in state Friday at the U.S. Capitol as the first woman ever so honored, making history again as she had throughout her extraordinary life while an intensifying election-year battle swirled over her replacement.
The flag-draped casket of Ginsburg, who died last week at 87, drew members of Congress, top military officials, friends and family, some with children in tow, to the Capitol's grand Statuary Hall, paying respect to the cultural icon who changed American law and perceptions of women's power.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, joined other invited guests. His vice presidential running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris said that "RBG," as she is known by many, cleared a path for women like her in civic life.
"She, first of all, made America see what leadership looks like -- in the law, in terms of public service -- and she broke so many barriers," Harris told reporters at the Capitol. "And I know that she did it intentionally knowing that people like me could follow."
Biden, who was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee when Ginsburg was confirmed 27 years ago this month, said he was brought back to when he met her back then. "Wonderful memories," he said.
Mourners gathered to honor Ginsburg under coronavirus distancing restrictions with the nation in political turmoil.
President Donald Trump is to announce a conservative nominee to replace her on Saturday, just weeks before the election. White House officials have indicated to congressional Republicans and outside allies that the nominee will be Indiana's Amy Coney Barrett but are maintaining a semblance of suspense to let Trump announce her.
His third justice, if confirmed, would be sure to move the court rightward on health care, abortion and other pivotal issues. A Senate confirmation vote would be expected in late October.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was with "profound sorrow" that she welcomed Ginsburg and opened the private service.
She and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stood under gray skies as Ginsburg's casket made the short procession from the court's steps where it had been on public view for several days to the East Front of the Capitol.
The court and the Capitol face each other across the street, separate but equal branches of government, keeping check on each other and also the White House. A military honor guard carried Ginsberg's casket inside.
Election-season politics have rippled through the commemorations this week. Noticeably absent after being invited to Friday's service was Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is leading the rush to confirm Trump's nominee while early state voting is underway. No justice has been confirmed so close to a presidential election.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump paid their respects on Thursday as Ginsburg had lain in repose for two days at the Supreme Court, and thousands of people waited outside. Spectators booed and chanted "vote him out" as the president stood silently near Ginsburg's casket at the top of the court's front steps.
But Friday's ceremony focused on Ginsburg's life and work rather than current controversy. She was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court and the first Jewish person to lie in state at the Capitol. The proceedings included musical selections from one of her favorite opera singers, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves.
Small in stature, large in history, the Brooklyn-born Ginsburg was remembered as an extremely bright Columbia graduate who was passed over for jobs at a time when few women became lawyers, only to go on to reshape the nation's laws protecting women's rights and equality.
"Brick by brick, case by case," said Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt of the Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, she changed the course of American law.
"Today, she makes history again," the rabbi said.
Ginsburg will be buried next week in Arlington National Cemetery beside her husband, Martin, who died in 2010. A mother of two, she battled recurring cancer.
As visitors paid tribute at Ginsburg's casket, resting atop the catafalque used for Abraham Lincoln, the Bidens quietly joined. Joe Biden, who is Catholic, made the sign of the cross before he and his wife clasped hands and walked away.
Fewer Republicans attended the service that was filled with women and Democrats. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, both former presidential contenders, were among those attending. The GOP whip, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, was there.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the nation's top military officers from the Joint Chiefs of Staff paid their respects.
In the line of guests paying tribute, one dropped to the ground and did three quick pushups. It was Bryant Johnson, the justice's beloved trainer for her popular RBG workouts.
Members of the House and Senate who were not invited because of space limitations imposed by the coronavirus were able to pay their respects before the motorcade carrying Ginsburg's casket departed the Capitol in early afternoon.
As the hearse pulled away, lawmakers, many of them women, including Pelosi, waved goodbye.
The honor of lying in state has been accorded fewer than three dozen times, mostly to presidents, vice presidents and members of Congress. Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights icon, was the most recent following his death in July. Henry Clay, the Kentucky lawmaker who served as speaker of the House and also was a senator, was the first in 1852. Rosa Parks -- a private citizen, not a government official -- is the only woman who has lain in honor, a separate commemoration, at the Capitol.
Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Report: Early support for stressed parents can cut crime down the line

If we want to keep people out of jail , we need to pay more attention to them when they are in the cradle .
That includes making sure young parents get the support they need to raise their child without abuse or neglect , according to a report by Fight Crime : Invest in Kids , a national organization of law-enforcement leaders , prosecutors and violence survivors .
Kane County State 's Attorney Joe McMahon and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart spoke at a news conference this week announcing the report , `` Reducing Child Abuse and Neglect Through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois Improve Academic and Health Outcomes . ''
It says parent coaching programs can break multigenerational chains of abuse and neglect in families that have issues with drug addiction , poverty and single parenthood .
`` Every parent can tell you they need support .
And for new and very young parents , that support can be very hard to find , '' McMahon said .
During home visits , trained professionals such as nurses and social workers can show parents how to manage the stress of child-rearing , teach them ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than lashing out , help them understand their child 's development , encourage parent-child bonding and help parents find other support .
Home visits can start as soon as the mother is pregnant .
McMahon said the criminal justice system treats the symptoms of violent crime , `` not the root of the problem . ''
Victims of child abuse or neglect are twice as likely as their non-abused peers to commit a crime by age 19 , he said .
The report also cites a study that showed that adults who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times as likely to abuse prescription pain reliever , and five times as likely to use injectable drugs .
The study also noted that in a survey of Illinois adult prisoners , 49 percent had not completed high school or obtained a GED .
Home-visit programs , the study said , result in better academic outcomes for children .
`` The evidence is startling .
It is so clear that prevention is the key solution , '' Dart said .
`` There is no arresting your way out of problems . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to agencies that visit homes , so they can see twice as many people .
The agencies saw 17,000 clients in 2019 , according to the report .
An agency that could benefit is Teen Parent Connection in DuPage County .
Rosy Barrera , one of its family support specialists , said Teen Parent aids parents ages 12 to 22 .
One of her clients is Maria Medina , 19 , who has a 2-year-old son .
`` It is just really great to have someone in my corner at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She consults with Barrera about stressors such as her son being upset while teething , or when he did n't seem to eat enough , or would n't sleep at night .
Especially since Medina suffered from postpartum depression .
`` She helped me to push through , '' Medina said .
`` She helped me to get a job , she helped me to understand my kid . ''
`` We are here to take a stand for families across our state , '' McMahon said .
Assistant Lake County State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Outstanding Assistant State 's Attorney for 2020 by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists -- Illinois .
Lake prosecutor honored A big congratulations to Lake County 's Mary Lu Cole , who 's been named the Outstanding Assistant State 's Attorney for 2020 by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists -- Illinois .
The award is a recognition of Cole 's dedication to delivering justice for impaired-driving crash victims and their families .
`` I am truly honored and privileged to receive this prestigious award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists , '' Cole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work alongside this group in our continued effort to reduce the number of deaths due to people who drive while impaired or distracted . ''
Cole has been an assistant state 's attorney in Lake County for just under two years , prosecuting misdemeanor DUI cases .
`` She is the consummate professional and one of the hardest workers in our office .
This award is very well-deserved , '' Lake County State 's Attorney Michael Nerheim said in an announcement of the award .
Cathy Stanley , court watch director for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood out in 2020 .
`` Mary does a great job of helping victims and attorneys , '' she said .
`` She 's very fair , honest , and treats everyone extremely professionally . ''
• Have a question , tip or comment ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Report: Early support for stressed parents can cut crime down the line
If we want to keep people out of jail, we need to pay more attention to them when they are in the cradle.That includes making sure young parents get the support they need to raise their child without abuse or neglect, according to a report by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national organization of law-enforcement leaders, prosecutors and violence survivors. Getty Images
If we want to keep people out of jail, we need to pay more attention to them when they are in the cradle.
That includes making sure young parents get the support they need to raise their child without abuse or neglect, according to a report by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national organization of law-enforcement leaders, prosecutors and violence survivors.
Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart spoke at a news conference this week announcing the report, "Reducing Child Abuse and Neglect Through Evidence-Based Home Visiting: Parent-Coaching Programs in Illinois Improve Academic and Health Outcomes."
It says parent coaching programs can break multigenerational chains of abuse and neglect in families that have issues with drug addiction, poverty and single parenthood.
"Every parent can tell you they need support. And for new and very young parents, that support can be very hard to find," McMahon said.
During home visits, trained professionals such as nurses and social workers can show parents how to manage the stress of child-rearing, teach them ways to guide toddlers away from problem behaviors rather than lashing out, help them understand their child's development, encourage parent-child bonding and help parents find other support.
Home visits can start as soon as the mother is pregnant.
Effect on crime?
McMahon said the criminal justice system treats the symptoms of violent crime, "not the root of the problem." Victims of child abuse or neglect are twice as likely as their non-abused peers to commit a crime by age 19, he said. The report also cites a study that showed that adults who had four or more childhood traumas were three times as likely to abuse prescription pain reliever, and five times as likely to use injectable drugs.
The study also noted that in a survey of Illinois adult prisoners, 49 percent had not completed high school or obtained a GED. Home-visit programs, the study said, result in better academic outcomes for children.
"The evidence is startling. It is so clear that prevention is the key solution," Dart said. "There is no arresting your way out of problems."
The organization wants state leaders to give more money to agencies that visit homes, so they can see twice as many people. The agencies saw 17,000 clients in 2019, according to the report.
An agency that could benefit is Teen Parent Connection in DuPage County. Rosy Barrera, one of its family support specialists, said Teen Parent aids parents ages 12 to 22.
One of her clients is Maria Medina, 19, who has a 2-year-old son. "It is just really great to have someone in my corner at the end of the day," Medina said. She consults with Barrera about stressors such as her son being upset while teething, or when he didn't seem to eat enough, or wouldn't sleep at night. Especially since Medina suffered from postpartum depression. "She helped me to push through," Medina said. "She helped me to get a job, she helped me to understand my kid."
"We are here to take a stand for families across our state," McMahon said.
Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Mary Lu Cole was named the Outstanding Assistant State's Attorney for 2020 by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists -- Illinois. - Courtesy of the Lake County state's attorney's office
A big congratulations to Lake County's Mary Lu Cole, who's been named the Outstanding Assistant State's Attorney for 2020 by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists -- Illinois.
The award is a recognition of Cole's dedication to delivering justice for impaired-driving crash victims and their families.
"I am truly honored and privileged to receive this prestigious award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists," Cole said. "It's an honor to work alongside this group in our continued effort to reduce the number of deaths due to people who drive while impaired or distracted."
Cole has been an assistant state's attorney in Lake County for just under two years, prosecuting misdemeanor DUI cases.
"She is the consummate professional and one of the hardest workers in our office. This award is very well-deserved," Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said in an announcement of the award.
Cathy Stanley, court watch director for AAIM, said Cole's work routinely stood out in 2020.
"Mary does a great job of helping victims and attorneys," she said. "She's very fair, honest, and treats everyone extremely professionally."
• Have a question, tip or comment? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--'Today is historic': Long lines and waits as early voters turn out in force

Voters around the suburbs turned out in droves for the start of early voting Thursday , waiting in line for hours to cast their ballots in the presidential election .
The coronavirus pandemic and a heated election year are upending what would normally be a sleepy affair well in advance of Election Day .
It 's not unusual to open the doors to an early voting site and not have anyone in line , DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek says .
`` And usually it stays pretty quiet until a week or two before an election , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Election authorities reported a busy start to early voting at select sites in Kane , Lake and McHenry counties while they also on Thursday began mailing an unprecedented volume of ballots to those who applied to vote outside polling places during the pandemic .
But by the looks of Thursday 's turnout , in-person voting was a popular option .
By 4 p.m. , 533 people had voted in Wheaton , with voters still in line , some passing the time by reading books .
`` The election judges are working hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's humming along . ''
Right out of the gate , voters lined up outside the county fairgrounds before dawn to cast paper ballots only .
By the afternoon , they waited as long as 2½ hours .
`` It 's very important , whichever way you choose , '' voter Robert Schultz said .
In McHenry County , 482 people voted in person at an early voting site in Woodstock .
The parking lot was full when the doors opened at 8 a.m .
The line would stretch as long as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some , '' County Clerk Joe Tirio said , though the crowds died down by the early afternoon .
The county clerk 's office always expects a larger turnout on the first and last days of voting , Tirio said , `` but we did n't expect that it 'd be quite as busy as it was . ''
`` Our primary was so poorly attended , so I was kind of concerned , '' Tirio said .
`` But people are definitely interested in voting this go-round . ''
Lake County voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point in the courthouse lobby in Waukegan , Clerk Robin O'Connor said .
Poll workers started the day with two voting machines but added a third after seeing the lines .
At 4 p.m. , 260 people had voted , and O'Connor expected at least 50 more .
Kane County Clerk John Cunningham said long lines were under control as early voting opened at his office in Geneva and an Aurora satellite .
Voters who showed up in Geneva had their temperatures checked before heading inside voting booths .
In Cook County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five suburban courthouses .
On Oct. 19 , early voting will expand across the region .
Some DuPage voters opting into an expanded vote-by-mail system received a text message Thursday from the election division of the county clerk 's office .
`` Your ballot for the upcoming election is in the mail to you , '' the alert read .
`` Normal delivery time is 5-7 business days . ''
The notification from BallotTrax provides a new layer of communication for voters who may be worried about the status of their ballots amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postal Service can deliver election mail on time .
Voters in DuPage , Kane and McHenry counties can sign up for BallotTrax to track their ballot through the mail .
`` We do have some voters showing up and saying that they had applied for a vote-by-mail ballot , '' Kaczmarek said .
`` And so we just want to reassure voters that the vote-by-mail ballot is on the way and will be arriving next week . ''
More than 159,000 of the 628,389 registered voters in DuPage have requested mail-in ballots .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all voters on the rolls .
Election authorities stress that voters should apply for and return ballots as soon as possible , either through the mail or secure drop boxes .
Online voter registration is still available through the state board of elections website .
• Daily Herald staff writers Doug Graham , Susan Sarkauskas and John Starks contributed to this report .
For more election coverage and help filling out your ballot , visit dailyherald.com/election .

'Today is historic': Long lines and waits as early voters turn out in force
Voters around the suburbs turned out in droves for the start of early voting Thursday, waiting in line for hours to cast their ballots in the presidential election.
The coronavirus pandemic and a heated election year are upending what would normally be a sleepy affair well in advance of Election Day.
It's not unusual to open the doors to an early voting site and not have anyone in line, DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek says.
"And usually it stays pretty quiet until a week or two before an election," she said. "But today is historic."
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Robert and Kathleen Schultz were two of the hundreds of voters who stood in line for almost three hours at the early voting polling place Thursday at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. "It's very important, whichever way you choose," Robert said
Election authorities reported a busy start to early voting at select sites in Kane, Lake and McHenry counties while they also on Thursday began mailing an unprecedented volume of ballots to those who applied to vote outside polling places during the pandemic.
But by the looks of Thursday's turnout, in-person voting was a popular option.
By 4 p.m., 533 people had voted in Wheaton, with voters still in line, some passing the time by reading books.
"The election judges are working hard," Kaczmarek said. "It's humming along."
Right out of the gate, voters lined up outside the county fairgrounds before dawn to cast paper ballots only. By the afternoon, they waited as long as 2½ hours.
"It's very important, whichever way you choose," voter Robert Schultz said.
In McHenry County, 482 people voted in person at an early voting site in Woodstock.
The parking lot was full when the doors opened at 8 a.m. The line would stretch as long as the length of the building "and then some," County Clerk Joe Tirio said, though the crowds died down by the early afternoon.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Voters stood in line for almost three hours at the early voting polling place Thursday at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton.
The county clerk's office always expects a larger turnout on the first and last days of voting, Tirio said, "but we didn't expect that it'd be quite as busy as it was."
"Our primary was so poorly attended, so I was kind of concerned," Tirio said. "But people are definitely interested in voting this go-round."
Lake County voters had to wait 1½ hours at one point in the courthouse lobby in Waukegan, Clerk Robin O'Connor said. Poll workers started the day with two voting machines but added a third after seeing the lines.
At 4 p.m., 260 people had voted, and O'Connor expected at least 50 more.
Kane County Clerk John Cunningham said long lines were under control as early voting opened at his office in Geneva and an Aurora satellite. Voters who showed up in Geneva had their temperatures checked before heading inside voting booths.
"It's extraordinarily good turnout," Cunningham said.
In Cook County, early voting will begin Oct. 7 at five suburban courthouses.
On Oct. 19, early voting will expand across the region.
Voting by mail
Some DuPage voters opting into an expanded vote-by-mail system received a text message Thursday from the election division of the county clerk's office.
"Your ballot for the upcoming election is in the mail to you," the alert read. "Normal delivery time is 5-7 business days."
The notification from BallotTrax provides a new layer of communication for voters who may be worried about the status of their ballots amid questions about whether the embattled U.S. Postal Service can deliver election mail on time.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Voters stood in line for almost three hours at the early voting polling place Thursday at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton.
Voters in DuPage, Kane and McHenry counties can sign up for BallotTrax to track their ballot through the mail.
"We do have some voters showing up and saying that they had applied for a vote-by-mail ballot," Kaczmarek said. "And so we just want to reassure voters that the vote-by-mail ballot is on the way and will be arriving next week."
More than 159,000 of the 628,389 registered voters in DuPage have requested mail-in ballots. That's more than a quarter of all voters on the rolls.
Kane County planned to send 80,000 ballots out Thursday night.
Election authorities stress that voters should apply for and return ballots as soon as possible, either through the mail or secure drop boxes.
Online voter registration is still available through the state board of elections website.
• Daily Herald staff writers Doug Graham, Susan Sarkauskas and John Starks contributed to this report. For more election coverage and help filling out your ballot, visit dailyherald.com/election.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Rosemont's top cop on leave for 'personal reasons'

Rosemont Public Safety Department Superintendent Donald E. Stephens III is on an indefinite leave of absence for `` personal reasons , '' village officials confirmed Friday .
Stephens III , the head of the village 's combined police and fire department and a 22-year veteran of the force , requested the leave , according to his uncle , Mayor Brad Stephens , who approved the request .
The mayor said the leave of absence , which went into effect Wednesday , is n't related to any type of disciplinary issue .
Stephens III , who earns a base salary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leave , which is classified as a medical leave , the mayor said .
In the past , village employees who have applied for and received such a leave are entitled to up to a year .
It 's unclear when Stephens III would return to the job .
`` I do n't know what 's going to be his situation , '' Brad Stephens said .
`` He 's got some personal issue he wants to clear up . ''
Stephens III has been Rosemont 's top cop for six years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald E. Stephens II , the mayor 's brother who died in 2016 .
The current superintendent has had an active presence on Twitter in recent years , posting information about incidents and arrests within the 2.5-square-mile Northwest suburban town .
But as of Friday , the social media account no longer exists .
The mayor has appointed William Anderson , general manager of the Rosemont Convention & Tourism Bureau , as interim civilian director of the public safety department .
Anderson retired from his sworn law enforcement position in the Rosemont command @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention bureau .
The department has some 70 sworn employees , who are cross-trained in police and fire service , and another 300 auxiliary officers .

Rosemont's top cop on leave for 'personal reasons'
Rosemont Public Safety Department Superintendent Donald E. Stephens III is on an indefinite leave of absence for "personal reasons," village officials confirmed Friday.
Stephens III, the head of the village's combined police and fire department and a 22-year veteran of the force, requested the leave, according to his uncle, Mayor Brad Stephens, who approved the request.
The mayor said the leave of absence, which went into effect Wednesday, isn't related to any type of disciplinary issue.
Stephens III, who earns a base salary of $217,256, is being paid during the leave, which is classified as a medical leave, the mayor said.
In the past, village employees who have applied for and received such a leave are entitled to up to a year. It's unclear when Stephens III would return to the job.
"I don't know what's going to be his situation," Brad Stephens said. "He's got some personal issue he wants to clear up."
Stephens III has been Rosemont's top cop for six years following the retirement of his father, Donald E. Stephens II, the mayor's brother who died in 2016.
The current superintendent has had an active presence on Twitter in recent years, posting information about incidents and arrests within the 2.5-square-mile Northwest suburban town. But as of Friday, the social media account no longer exists.
The mayor has appointed William Anderson, general manager of the Rosemont Convention & Tourism Bureau, as interim civilian director of the public safety department. Anderson retired from his sworn law enforcement position in the Rosemont command staff before taking his job in the convention bureau.
The department has some 70 sworn employees, who are cross-trained in police and fire service, and another 300 auxiliary officers.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--District 21 elementary students will be able to return to schools Oct. 5

Elementary school students in Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 will be able to return for daily , in-person instruction as soon as Monday , Oct. 5 , district officials announced .
Half of the district 's K-5 enrollment would attend a daily two-hour , 15-minute session in the morning , while the other half would attend in the afternoon .
The in-person lessons would have a special focus on math and reading instruction , while students would spend the other half of the day in remote learning at home working on science , social studies and specialty subjects .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having daily , in-person instruction in math and reading is vital , '' Superintendent Mike Connolly said during a school board meeting Thursday night , favoring that plan instead of the option to have groups of students return to school for full days , but only two days a week .
Connolly 's revised return to in-person schooling plan , endorsed by a 6-1 vote of the board , does call for middle schoolers to attend two-hour , 40-minute in-person sessions twice a week .
Officials said students in grades 6-8 wo n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time due to the complexity of the middle school schedule and availability of exploratory teaching staff .
The revised plan , with lower building occupancy limits , takes into account 6-foot social distancing requirements and a maximum of 15 students per classroom , Connolly said .
Like other Northwest suburban districts , District 21 is able to reopen its doors because of recent favorable COVID-19 health metrics in the area , Connolly said .
But he cautioned an uptick in local infection numbers , an outbreak at a school , or widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could spur him to move the district back to full remote learning .
Parents can still decide if they want their student to remain in distance learning , or return to school as part of the hybrid plan , Connolly added .
As many parents have lobbied for a full return to school , school board members acknowledged their plan may not be a perfect fix .
`` I 've always looked to try to make sure that in looking for perfect , we 're not going to undercut what 's good and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time , '' said board President Phil Pritzker .
`` This is the best choice I think for us as a district , for our community and for our families to make at this point . ''
Board Vice President Staci Allan was the lone `` no '' vote on the hybrid plan , favoring a gradual return to schools next semester instead .
`` There is more that we do n't know than we do know , '' she said .
Under the plan , students in prekindergarten , kindergarten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first to return the week of Oct. 5 .
Students in the other grades would come back the following week .

District 21 elementary students will be able to return to schools Oct. 5
Longfellow Elementary School in Buffalo Grove will be among the Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 buildings to reopen as soon as Oct. 5, under the district's hybrid learning plan adopted this week Daily Herald File Photo
Elementary school students in Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 will be able to return for daily, in-person instruction as soon as Monday, Oct. 5, district officials announced.
Half of the district's K-5 enrollment would attend a daily two-hour, 15-minute session in the morning, while the other half would attend in the afternoon. The in-person lessons would have a special focus on math and reading instruction, while students would spend the other half of the day in remote learning at home working on science, social studies and specialty subjects.
"We strongly feel the educational benefit of having daily, in-person instruction in math and reading is vital," Superintendent Mike Connolly said during a school board meeting Thursday night, favoring that plan instead of the option to have groups of students return to school for full days, but only two days a week.
Connolly's revised return to in-person schooling plan, endorsed by a 6-1 vote of the board, does call for middle schoolers to attend two-hour, 40-minute in-person sessions twice a week.
Officials said students in grades 6-8 won't be able to attend in-person at the same time due to the complexity of the middle school schedule and availability of exploratory teaching staff.
The revised plan, with lower building occupancy limits, takes into account 6-foot social distancing requirements and a maximum of 15 students per classroom, Connolly said.
Like other Northwest suburban districts, District 21 is able to reopen its doors because of recent favorable COVID-19 health metrics in the area, Connolly said. But he cautioned an uptick in local infection numbers, an outbreak at a school, or widespread noncompliance with a required daily health certification could spur him to move the district back to full remote learning.
Parents can still decide if they want their student to remain in distance learning, or return to school as part of the hybrid plan, Connolly added.
As many parents have lobbied for a full return to school, school board members acknowledged their plan may not be a perfect fix.
"I've always looked to try to make sure that in looking for perfect, we're not going to undercut what's good and what's possible and what's pragmatic at the time," said board President Phil Pritzker. "This is the best choice I think for us as a district, for our community and for our families to make at this point."
Board Vice President Staci Allan was the lone "no" vote on the hybrid plan, favoring a gradual return to schools next semester instead.
"There is more that we don't know than we do know," she said.
Under the plan, students in prekindergarten, kindergarten and grades 1 and 6 would be the first to return the week of Oct. 5. Students in the other grades would come back the following week.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-26--Trump picks conservative Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Saturday , capping a dramatic reshaping of the federal judiciary that will resonate for a generation and that he hopes will provide a needed boost to his reelection effort .
Republican senators are already lining up for a swift confirmation of Barrett ahead of the Nov. 3 election , as they aim to lock in conservative gains in the federal judiciary before a potential transition of power .
Trump , meanwhile , is hoping the nomination will serve to galvanize his supporters as he looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump hailed Barrett as `` a woman of remarkable intellect and character , '' saying he had studied her record closely before making the pick .
`` I looked and I studied , and you are very eminently qualified , '' he said as Barrett stood next to him in the Rose Garden .
An ideological heir to the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia , Barrett would fill the seat vacated after the Sept. 18 death of liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg , in what would be the sharpest ideological swing since Clarence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades ago .
She would be the sixth justice on the nine-member court to be appointed by a Republican president , and the third of Trump 's first term in office .
For Trump , whose 2016 victory hinged in large part on reluctant support from conservative and white evangelicals on the promise of filling Scalia 's seat with a conservative , the latest nomination in some ways brings his first term full circle .
Even before Ginsburg 's death , Trump was running on having confirmed in excess of 200 federal judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal activists .
`` This is my third such nomination after Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh , and it is a very proud moment indeed , '' Trump said in the Rose Garden .
Trump joked that the confirmation process ahead `` should be easy '' and `` extremely noncontroversial , '' though it is likely to be anything .
No court nominee has been considered so close to a presidential election before , with early voting already underway .
He encouraged Democrats to take up her nomination swiftly and to `` refrain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The set design , with large American flags hung between the Rose Garden colonnades , appeared to be modeled on the way the White House was decorated when President Bill Clinton named Ginsburg as his nominee in 1993 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate will vote `` in the weeks ahead '' on Barrett 's confirmation , saying that Trump `` could not have made a better decision '' in nominating the appellate court judge .
The announcement came before Ginsburg was buried beside her husband next week at Arlington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol , and mourners flocked to the Supreme Court for two days before that to pay respects .
Barrett said she was `` truly humbled '' by the nomination , adding that she would be `` mindful of who came before me . ''
She praised Ginsburg upon accepting the nomination , saying , `` She has won the admiration of women across the country and indeed all across the world . ''
Within hours of Ginsburg 's death , Trump made clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat , and later volunteered he was considering five candidates .
But Barrett was the early favorite , and the only one to meet with Trump .
Barrett has been a judge since 2017 , when Trump nominated her to the Chicago-based 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
But as a longtime University of Notre Dame law professor , she had already established herself as a reliable conservative in the mold of Scalia , for whom she clerked in the late 1990s .
She would be the only justice on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law degree from an Ivy League school .
The eight current justices all attended either Harvard or Yale .
The staunch conservative had become known to Trump in large part after her bitter 2017 appeals court confirmation included allegations that Democrats were attacking her Catholic faith .
The president also interviewed her in 2018 for the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy , but Trump ultimately chose Brett Kavanaugh .
Trump and his political allies are itching for another fight over Barrett 's faith , seeing it as a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic voters in Pennsylvania , in particular , are viewed as a pivotal demographic in the swing state that Biden , also Catholic , is trying to recapture .
While Democrats appear powerless to stop Barrett 's confirmation in the GOP-controlled Senate , they are seeking to use the process to weaken Trump 's reelection chances .
Barrett 's nomination could become a reckoning over abortion , an issue that has divided many Americans so bitterly for almost half a century .
The idea of overturning or gutting Roe v. Wade , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has animated activists in both parties for decades .
Now , with the seemingly decisive shift in the court 's ideological makeup , Democrats hope their voters will turn out in droves because of their frustration with the Barrett pick .
Trump has also increasingly embraced the high court -- which he will have had an outsized hand in reshaping -- - as an insurance policy in a close election .
Increases in mail , absentee and early voting brought about by the coronavirus pandemic have already led to a flurry of election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have assembled armies of lawyers to continue the fight once vote-counting begins .
Trump has been open about tying his push to name a third justice to the court to a potentially drawn-out court fight to determine who will be sworn in on Jan. 20 , 2021 .
`` I think this will end up in the Supreme Court , '' Trump said Wednesday of the election , adding , `` And I think it 's very important that we have nine justices . ''
Meanwhile , outside conservative groups are planning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Trump and his nominee .
The Judicial Crisis Network has organized a coalition that includes American First Policies , the Susan B. Anthony List , the Club for Growth and the group Catholic Vote to help confirm Barrett , and Trump 's campaign is expected to include the nomination in upcoming advertising .
`` In nominating Amy Barrett to the Supreme Court , President Donald Trump has again fulfilled his promise to appoint Justices who are not only exceptionally qualified , but willing to bravely stand up for the Constitution as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressures or personal preferences , '' said the conservative Federalist Society 's Leonard Leo , who has advised Trump on judicial appointments .

Trump picks conservative Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court
President Donald Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Saturday, capping a dramatic reshaping of the federal judiciary that will resonate for a generation and that he hopes will provide a needed boost to his reelection effort. Associated Press
President Donald Trump walks with Judge Amy Coney Barrett to a news conference to announce Barrett as his nominee to the Supreme Court, in the Rose Garden at the White House, Saturday. Associated Press
Judge Amy Coney Barrett applauds as President Donald Trump announces Barrett as his nominee to the Supreme Court, in the Rose Garden at the White House, Saturday. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Saturday, capping a dramatic reshaping of the federal judiciary that will resonate for a generation and that he hopes will provide a needed boost to his reelection effort.
Republican senators are already lining up for a swift confirmation of Barrett ahead of the Nov. 3 election, as they aim to lock in conservative gains in the federal judiciary before a potential transition of power. Trump, meanwhile, is hoping the nomination will serve to galvanize his supporters as he looks to fend off Democrat Joe Biden.
Trump hailed Barrett as "a woman of remarkable intellect and character," saying he had studied her record closely before making the pick.
"I looked and I studied, and you are very eminently qualified," he said as Barrett stood next to him in the Rose Garden.
An ideological heir to the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, Barrett would fill the seat vacated after the Sept. 18 death of liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in what would be the sharpest ideological swing since Clarence Thomas replaced Justice Thurgood Marshall nearly three decades ago. She would be the sixth justice on the nine-member court to be appointed by a Republican president, and the third of Trump's first term in office.
For Trump, whose 2016 victory hinged in large part on reluctant support from conservative and white evangelicals on the promise of filling Scalia's seat with a conservative, the latest nomination in some ways brings his first term full circle. Even before Ginsburg's death, Trump was running on having confirmed in excess of 200 federal judges, fulfilling a generational aim of conservative legal activists.
"This is my third such nomination after Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh, and it is a very proud moment indeed," Trump said in the Rose Garden.
Trump joked that the confirmation process ahead "should be easy" and "extremely noncontroversial," though it is likely to be anything. No court nominee has been considered so close to a presidential election before, with early voting already underway. He encouraged Democrats to take up her nomination swiftly and to "refrain from personal and partisan attacks."
The set design, with large American flags hung between the Rose Garden colonnades, appeared to be modeled on the way the White House was decorated when President Bill Clinton named Ginsburg as his nominee in 1993.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate will vote "in the weeks ahead" on Barrett's confirmation, saying that Trump "could not have made a better decision" in nominating the appellate court judge.
The announcement came before Ginsburg was buried beside her husband next week at Arlington National Cemetery. On Friday, she was the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol, and mourners flocked to the Supreme Court for two days before that to pay respects.
Barrett said she was "truly humbled" by the nomination, adding that she would be "mindful of who came before me." She praised Ginsburg upon accepting the nomination, saying, "She has won the admiration of women across the country and indeed all across the world."
Within hours of Ginsburg's death, Trump made clear he would nominate a woman for the seat, and later volunteered he was considering five candidates. But Barrett was the early favorite, and the only one to meet with Trump.
Barrett has been a judge since 2017, when Trump nominated her to the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But as a longtime University of Notre Dame law professor, she had already established herself as a reliable conservative in the mold of Scalia, for whom she clerked in the late 1990s.
She would be the only justice on the current court not to have received her law degree from an Ivy League school. The eight current justices all attended either Harvard or Yale.
The staunch conservative had become known to Trump in large part after her bitter 2017 appeals court confirmation included allegations that Democrats were attacking her Catholic faith. The president also interviewed her in 2018 for the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, but Trump ultimately chose Brett Kavanaugh.
Trump and his political allies are itching for another fight over Barrett's faith, seeing it as a political windfall that would backfire on Democrats. Catholic voters in Pennsylvania, in particular, are viewed as a pivotal demographic in the swing state that Biden, also Catholic, is trying to recapture.
While Democrats appear powerless to stop Barrett's confirmation in the GOP-controlled Senate, they are seeking to use the process to weaken Trump's reelection chances.
Barrett's nomination could become a reckoning over abortion, an issue that has divided many Americans so bitterly for almost half a century. The idea of overturning or gutting Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion, has animated activists in both parties for decades. Now, with the seemingly decisive shift in the court's ideological makeup, Democrats hope their voters will turn out in droves because of their frustration with the Barrett pick.
Trump has also increasingly embraced the high court -- which he will have had an outsized hand in reshaping --- as an insurance policy in a close election.
Increases in mail, absentee and early voting brought about by the coronavirus pandemic have already led to a flurry of election litigation, and both Trump and Biden have assembled armies of lawyers to continue the fight once vote-counting begins. Trump has been open about tying his push to name a third justice to the court to a potentially drawn-out court fight to determine who will be sworn in on Jan. 20, 2021.
"I think this will end up in the Supreme Court," Trump said Wednesday of the election, adding, "And I think it's very important that we have nine justices."
Meanwhile, outside conservative groups are planning to spend more than $25 million to support Trump and his nominee. The Judicial Crisis Network has organized a coalition that includes American First Policies, the Susan B. Anthony List, the Club for Growth and the group Catholic Vote to help confirm Barrett, and Trump's campaign is expected to include the nomination in upcoming advertising.
"In nominating Amy Barrett to the Supreme Court, President Donald Trump has again fulfilled his promise to appoint Justices who are not only exceptionally qualified, but willing to bravely stand up for the Constitution as it's written and not bend to political pressures or personal preferences," said the conservative Federalist Society's Leonard Leo, who has advised Trump on judicial appointments.