dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--As cases of COVID-19 near 140,000, Pritzker affirms state's set to enter Phase 4

You 've done it , so keep it up but do n't get cocky , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and health experts told Illinoisans in affirming multiple COVID-19-related restrictions will be lifted Friday .
Numbers of COVID-19 cases grew by 894 and deaths increased by 41 , officials also reported at a Thursday briefing .
Total cases of the respiratory disease stand at 139,434 , while the number of deaths statewide is 6,810 .
`` Moving to Phase 4 this early was never a given , '' Pritzker said .
States like California , Arizona and Florida `` are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and intensive care bed usage and they 're being forced to move backward and stay at home -- that 's not the story in Illinois . ''
A tough stay-at-home order imposed March 21 brought criticism from President Donald Trump , Illinois Republican lawmakers and multiple lawsuits on the first-term governor 's head .
The provisions to stop the spread of COVID-19 also hamstrung the economy as thousands lost jobs .
But sacrifices have saved lives , Pritzker said Thursday , citing data showing that the test positivity rate for COVID-19 has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early April to 3 % and that hospitalizations for the disease have decreased by 65 % from a peak of 4,817 in early May to 1,626 , based on seven-day averages .
Still , `` the virus has n't gone away , and when people are n't wearing face coverings in gatherings in large groups and not practicing social distancing , they 're getting sick and some are dying -- I mean people of all ages , '' Pritzker said .
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said `` Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting it right . ''
Going forward , `` we are going to coexist with COVID , '' she said , adding the agency is offering an online tool that allows residents to see the status of cases , deaths and hospitalization metrics in each county .
If warning signs appear , `` with that caution you may think twice about your own personal habits , maybe rethink about going out in that large group gathering , or going to an indoor dining experience , '' Ezike said .
Pritzker announced the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle hot spots at locations such as nursing homes or meatpacking plants where outbreaks occur .
If Illinois continues to meet metrics such as stable or decreasing hospitalizations and positivity rates below 20 % , additional restrictions could be lifted , Pritzker said .
By the same token , `` I am not afraid to protect the people of Illinois by moving back if we see a surge , '' he said .
Reaching Phase 5 , or relative normalcy , is n't likely without a vaccine or proven medical treatment , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results show an infection rate of 2.8 % .
Meanwhile , the 894 new infections are more than June 's daily average of 758 and the highest since 975 on June 5 .
The daily number of fatalities -- 41 -- is less than the month 's average of 58 .
The recovery rate from the disease is 94 % .
In Chicago and the suburbs , the seven-day average positivity rate is 5 % compared to 28 % in early April .
Officials reminded residents to wear masks , wash hands frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet .
`` Many people have come to see wearing a mask as some sort of political symbol .
But unless the mask literally has a political statement on it , it 's not political -- it 's a piece of fabric that covers a part of the body that needs to be protected like gloves in winter , '' said University of Chicago Medicine physician and infectious disease specialist Emily Landon .
Here 's a look at some Phase 4 changes and rules : • Groups can assemble with up to either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity of the room , allowing conferences and weddings .
• Indoor dining can resume , but parties must be 10 or fewer and tables must be spaced 6 feet apart .
Guests should wear masks while waiting for a table , when ordering and until they are served .
• Youth sports are back with group sizes of 50 or fewer .
Spectators are allowed but at 20 % capacity of the seating area .
• Museums and zoos can reopen but with 25 % of normal occupancy .
• Select indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , can resume with capacity limits .
• Water parks and recreational swimming can reopen under strict guidelines .
• Health and fitness centers and gyms may open at 50 % capacity .
Group fitness classes of up to 50 people are allowed .
Members should wear masks when they are not exercising .

As cases of COVID-19 near 140,000, Pritzker affirms state's set to enter Phase 4
Gov. J.B. Pritzker confirms the state is ready to ease more disease-related restrictions starting Friday. Courtesy of state of Illinois
You've done it, so keep it up but don't get cocky, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and health experts told Illinoisans in affirming multiple COVID-19-related restrictions will be lifted Friday.
Numbers of COVID-19 cases grew by 894 and deaths increased by 41, officials also reported at a Thursday briefing. Total cases of the respiratory disease stand at 139,434, while the number of deaths statewide is 6,810.
"Moving to Phase 4 this early was never a given," Pritzker said.
States like California, Arizona and Florida "are now seeing significant increases in cases, hospitalizations, and intensive care bed usage and they're being forced to move backward and stay at home -- that's not the story in Illinois."
A tough stay-at-home order imposed March 21 brought criticism from President Donald Trump, Illinois Republican lawmakers and multiple lawsuits on the first-term governor's head. The provisions to stop the spread of COVID-19 also hamstrung the economy as thousands lost jobs.
But sacrifices have saved lives, Pritzker said Thursday, citing data showing that the test positivity rate for COVID-19 has dropped from a peak of 23.6% in early April to 3% and that hospitalizations for the disease have decreased by 65% from a peak of 4,817 in early May to 1,626, based on seven-day averages.
Still, "the virus hasn't gone away, and when people aren't wearing face coverings in gatherings in large groups and not practicing social distancing, they're getting sick and some are dying -- I mean people of all ages," Pritzker said.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said "Illinois is being touted across the country as getting it right."
Going forward, "we are going to coexist with COVID," she said, adding the agency is offering an online tool that allows residents to see the status of cases, deaths and hospitalization metrics in each county.
If warning signs appear, "with that caution you may think twice about your own personal habits, maybe rethink about going out in that large group gathering, or going to an indoor dining experience," Ezike said.
Pritzker announced the state would mobilize 12 traveling testing units to handle hot spots at locations such as nursing homes or meatpacking plants where outbreaks occur.
If Illinois continues to meet metrics such as stable or decreasing hospitalizations and positivity rates below 20%, additional restrictions could be lifted, Pritzker said.
By the same token, "I am not afraid to protect the people of Illinois by moving back if we see a surge," he said.
Reaching Phase 5, or relative normalcy, isn't likely without a vaccine or proven medical treatment, the governor said.
Illinois' daily test results show an infection rate of 2.8%. Meanwhile, the 894 new infections are more than June's daily average of 758 and the highest since 975 on June 5. The daily number of fatalities -- 41 -- is less than the month's average of 58. The recovery rate from the disease is 94%.
In Chicago and the suburbs, the seven-day average positivity rate is 5% compared to 28% in early April.
Officials reminded residents to wear masks, wash hands frequently and maintain a social distance of 6 feet.
"Many people have come to see wearing a mask as some sort of political symbol. But unless the mask literally has a political statement on it, it's not political -- it's a piece of fabric that covers a part of the body that needs to be protected like gloves in winter," said University of Chicago Medicine physician and infectious disease specialist Emily Landon.
Here's a look at some Phase 4 changes and rules:
• Groups can assemble with up to either 50 people or 50% of the capacity of the room, allowing conferences and weddings.
• Indoor dining can resume, but parties must be 10 or fewer and tables must be spaced 6 feet apart. Guests should wear masks while waiting for a table, when ordering and until they are served.
• Youth sports are back with group sizes of 50 or fewer. Spectators are allowed but at 20% capacity of the seating area.
• Museums and zoos can reopen but with 25% of normal occupancy.
• Select indoor recreation, such as bowling and skating, can resume with capacity limits.
• Water parks and recreational swimming can reopen under strict guidelines.
• Health and fitness centers and gyms may open at 50% capacity. Group fitness classes of up to 50 people are allowed. Members should wear masks when they are not exercising.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--Indoor dining returns Friday. Here's what suburban restaurants are doing to prepare.

For diners and restaurateurs , another new normal begins this weekend .
After months of carryout , curbside pickup and al fresco service , suburban restaurants are preparing to welcome diners indoors as the state enters phase 4 of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's plan to resume activities curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Just because this new phase permits indoor dining does n't mean crowds will immediately descend on suburban eateries , says Arnie Krause , co-owner and operator of The Claim Company restaurants in Northbrook and Vernon Hills .
`` The wild card is how quick people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who co-owns the restaurants with Ted and Michael Holleb .
`` My gut tells me that we 're going to see more foot traffic in Vernon Hills than in Northbrook . ''
Still , restaurant owners and managers seem to greet this next phase with measured enthusiasm and cautious optimism .
They say the health and safety of patrons and employees is paramount .
To that end , owners will rearrange seating to increase the distance between tables , require employees and patrons to wear face coverings and increase the frequency of cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Claim Company went a few steps farther , said Krause , installing glass partitions between booths , placing hand sanitizer dispensers every 20 feet or so and removing the Northbrook restaurant 's self-serve salad bar .
That said , Krause acknowledges it will take time for patrons to become truly at ease dining out again .
`` Behavior is driven by different factors , '' he said .
`` Until ( diners ) feel comfortable they wo n't go out ...
It 's a gradual thing and it will take a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will limit parties to tables of 10 people or fewer and will require diners to wear face coverings while in the restaurant unless they are seated at a table .
Additionally , diners will be able to access the menu from their cellphones .
According to a prepared release , employees will be screened and have their temperatures taken before they enter the restaurant .
Mago Grill & Cantina restaurants in Arlington Heights and South Barrington are among the establishments screening employees , said co-owner/manager Rick Munoz .
`` We will have hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room for employees and guests to use , '' Munoz said .
Employees will continuously clean frequently touched surfaces , including doorknobs , to `` make sure everything is spick and span , '' Munoz said .
Unlike some restaurants that have adopted cashless payment , Mago will accept both paper currency and credit cards but will require employees to wash their hands after every transaction .
`` We have n't considered not taking cash , '' Munoz said .
Like The Claim Company , Jameson 's Restaurant Group which operates restaurants in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huntley , Mount Prospect , Skokie , Vernon Hills and Woodridge , has installed plexiglass between booths , said Christina Angelos , manager of Jameson 's social media and marketing .
The Arlington Heights restaurant is not part of the restaurant group , Angelos said .
Restaurant party rooms will be repurposed for general dining to allow for proper distancing , she said .
Face coverings are required for servers , she said , while patrons must wear them in common spaces .
`` The challenging part is getting customers to adhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` But we 're definitely doing our part . ''
The pandemic changed the way the group operates , Angelos acknowledged , but the chain has learned how to adapt in the 30 years since it opened its flagship in Mount Prospect .
That restaurant `` never missed a beat '' as it transitioned to carryout and curbside service during the initial weeks of the pandemic , Angelos said .
`` That was an indicator to us that we 'll be fine in the long term , '' she said .

Indoor dining returns. Here's what suburban restaurants are doing to prepare.
For diners and restaurateurs, another new normal begins this weekend.
After months of carryout, curbside pickup and al fresco service, suburban restaurants are preparing to welcome diners indoors as the state enters phase 4 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's plan to resume activities curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just because this new phase permits indoor dining doesn't mean crowds will immediately descend on suburban eateries, says Arnie Krause, co-owner and operator of The Claim Company restaurants in Northbrook and Vernon Hills.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Disinfecting wipes instead of mints greet patrons to Northbrook's The Claim Company, which opens its indoor dining room to patrons beginning Friday, June 26.
"The wild card is how quick people will come out," said Krause, who co-owns the restaurants with Ted and Michael Holleb. "My gut tells me that we're going to see more foot traffic in Vernon Hills than in Northbrook."
Still, restaurant owners and managers seem to greet this next phase with measured enthusiasm and cautious optimism. They say the health and safety of patrons and employees is paramount. To that end, owners will rearrange seating to increase the distance between tables, require employees and patrons to wear face coverings and increase the frequency of cleaning high-touch areas, among other precautions.
The Claim Company went a few steps farther, said Krause, installing glass partitions between booths, placing hand sanitizer dispensers every 20 feet or so and removing the Northbrook restaurant's self-serve salad bar.
That said, Krause acknowledges it will take time for patrons to become truly at ease dining out again.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Arnie Krause, co-owner and operator of The Claim Company in Northbrook, gets his restaurant ready to welcome patrons inside beginning Friday, June 26. To that end, employees have installed partitions between booths to help keep diners safe.
"Behavior is driven by different factors," he said. "Until (diners) feel comfortable they won't go out ... It's a gradual thing and it will take a long time."
The Clubhouse Oak Brook will limit parties to tables of 10 people or fewer and will require diners to wear face coverings while in the restaurant unless they are seated at a table. Additionally, diners will be able to access the menu from their cellphones.
According to a prepared release, employees will be screened and have their temperatures taken before they enter the restaurant.
Mago Grill & Cantina restaurants in Arlington Heights and South Barrington are among the establishments screening employees, said co-owner/manager Rick Munoz.
"We will have hand sanitizer at strategic points in the dining room for employees and guests to use," Munoz said.
Employees will continuously clean frequently touched surfaces, including doorknobs, to "make sure everything is spick and span," Munoz said.
Unlike some restaurants that have adopted cashless payment, Mago will accept both paper currency and credit cards but will require employees to wash their hands after every transaction.
"We haven't considered not taking cash," Munoz said.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer The Claim Company, which has locations in Northbrook (seen here) and Vernon Hills, is among many suburban restaurants prepared to reopen indoor dining rooms as the state enters Phase 4 of the revitalization plan.
Like The Claim Company, Jameson's Restaurant Group which operates restaurants in Algonquin, Bloomingdale, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Mount Prospect, Skokie, Vernon Hills and Woodridge, has installed plexiglass between booths, said Christina Angelos, manager of Jameson's social media and marketing. The Arlington Heights restaurant is not part of the restaurant group, Angelos said.
Restaurant party rooms will be repurposed for general dining to allow for proper distancing, she said.
Face coverings are required for servers, she said, while patrons must wear them in common spaces.
"The challenging part is getting customers to adhere to (safety guidelines)," Angelos said. "But we're definitely doing our part."
The pandemic changed the way the group operates, Angelos acknowledged, but the chain has learned how to adapt in the 30 years since it opened its flagship in Mount Prospect.
That restaurant "never missed a beat" as it transitioned to carryout and curbside service during the initial weeks of the pandemic, Angelos said.
"That was an indicator to us that we'll be fine in the long term," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--Wheaton's Memorial Park project is almost complete

The pandemic has stripped many summer traditions from the social calendar at Wheaton 's oldest park .
But that does n't mean there is n't a sense of anticipation for the moment when construction fencing comes down and the curtain lifts on a $ 5 million restoration of Memorial Park , a summer magnet and one of the city 's most historically significant sites .
`` There are a lot of people looking forward to the park opening back up , '' says Rob Sperl , a park district administrator overseeing the project .
With some finishing touches still left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete the park revitalization next month , nearly a century after purchasing the land from the Gary family .
On the same block stood the homes of Erastus Gary , one of Wheaton 's founders , and his son , Judge Elbert H. Gary , a three-term city mayor , the co-founder of U.S. Steel Corp. , and the namesake of Gary , Indiana .
The park district broke ground on the project last fall .
Here 's a look at some of the highlights : If there was n't a pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike up Wheaton Municipal Band summer concerts from a new band shell .
`` We 're all very disappointed that we ca n't be on the stage this year , '' said Gail Sonkin , vice president of the ensemble now streaming concerts online Thursday nights .
`` We 're still hoping for a couple concerts in August , but I 'm not sure that 's going to happen . ''
Crews demolished the 1950s-era original band shell and a tennis court to place the new structure slightly to the west toward the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The stage now has a footprint of about 2,400 square feet .
`` From afar , it looks pretty amazing , but we 're anxious to actually see it on the stage , '' Sonkin said .
More than 300 seats will be installed on the concrete pad in front of the stage during the season .
The park district expects the seats to be delivered in mid-July .
`` Our crews will set them up to make sure everything fits as expected , and then we will store off-site , '' Sperl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district also expects the construction fencing will come down toward mid-July .
`` As long as we are unable to program the band shell due to COVID , we are going to give the turf as much time as possible to become established before allowing people on it , '' said Sperl , director of parks and planning .
Contractors still have to install a new sound system and cross off a few `` punch list '' items .
`` From what we can hear so far , the acoustics are much better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
A park fixture , the bronze `` Doughboy '' statue has moved to a more prominent position standing guard in the center of a war memorial .
First dedicated in 1929 , the bronze sculpture of a World War I infantryman was a donation from veterans groups .
The linear space also consists of a timeline honoring those who have served , starting with the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783 .
`` The previous memorials had been a little disconnected throughout the park , '' Sperl said .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfortable area with a unique timeline tying Wheaton 's past to the conflicts throughout the world . ''
An expanded , raised terrace on the south side of the Mary Lubko Center provides a `` very impressive '' view of the band shell and the park , Sperl said .
Built in 1888 , the Mary Lubko Center is the old coach house Judge Elbert Gary used for his horses and carriages .
Park district staff also replaced parking lot plantings with a mix of evergreens and flowering plants .
Meanwhile , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 of the Restore Illinois reopening plan , will the park district host an unveiling of the new-look Memorial Park ?
`` Phase 4 only allows gatherings of 50 people which would not be adequate considering the large number of people looking forward to a grand opening , '' Sperl said .
`` As soon as we can , we look forward to a proper welcoming for this facility . ''

Wheaton's Memorial Park project is almost complete
The pandemic has stripped many summer traditions from the social calendar at Wheaton's oldest park.
But that doesn't mean there isn't a sense of anticipation for the moment when construction fencing comes down and the curtain lifts on a $5 million restoration of Memorial Park, a summer magnet and one of the city's most historically significant sites.
"There are a lot of people looking forward to the park opening back up," says Rob Sperl, a park district administrator overseeing the project.
With some finishing touches still left to do, the district expects to complete the park revitalization next month, nearly a century after purchasing the land from the Gary family.
On the same block stood the homes of Erastus Gary, one of Wheaton's founders, and his son, Judge Elbert H. Gary, a three-term city mayor, the co-founder of U.S. Steel Corp. and the namesake of Gary, Indiana.
The park district broke ground on the project last fall. Here's a look at the highlights:
Band shell
If there wasn't a pandemic, maestro Bruce Moss would be preparing to strike up Wheaton Municipal Band summer concerts from a new band shell.
"We're all very disappointed that we can't be on the stage this year," said Gail Sonkin, vice president of the ensemble now streaming concerts online Thursday nights. "We're still hoping for a couple concerts in August, but I'm not sure that's going to happen."
Crews demolished the 1950s-era original band shell and a tennis court to place the new structure slightly to the west toward the corner of Wheaton and Karlskoga avenues. The stage now has a footprint of about 2,400 square feet.
"From afar, it looks pretty amazing, but we're anxious to actually see it on the stage," Sonkin said.
- Paul Valade | Staff Photographer Crews work Tuesday near the new band shell in Wheaton's Memorial Park.
More than 300 seats will be installed on the concrete pad in front of the stage during the season. The park district expects the seats to be delivered in mid-July.
"Our crews will set them up to make sure everything fits as expected, and then we will store off-site," Sperl said via email Thursday.
The park district also expects the construction fencing will come down toward mid-July.
"As long as we are unable to program the band shell due to COVID, we are going to give the turf as much time as possible to become established before allowing people on it," said Sperl, director of parks and planning.
Contractors still have to install a new sound system and cross off a few "punch list" items.
"From what we can hear so far, the acoustics are much better than the old one," Sperl said.
War memorial
A park fixture, the bronze "Doughboy" statue has moved to a more prominent position standing guard in the center of a war memorial. First dedicated in 1929, the bronze sculpture of a World War I infantryman was a donation from veterans groups.
- Paul Valade | Staff Photographer Memorial Park's "Doughboy" sculpture has moved to a new tribute space for veterans.
The linear space also consists of a timeline honoring those who have served, starting with the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783.
"The previous memorials had been a little disconnected throughout the park," Sperl said. "The new design pulled everything together in a comfortable area with a unique timeline tying Wheaton's past to the conflicts throughout the world."
Lions Terrace
An expanded, raised terrace on the south side of the Mary Lubko Center provides a "very impressive" view of the band shell and the park, Sperl said.
Built in 1888, the Mary Lubko Center is the old coach house Judge Elbert Gary used for his horses and carriages.
The park district staff also replaced parking lot plantings with a mix of evergreens and flowering plants.
Meanwhile, as the state moves into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois reopening plan today, will the park district host an unveiling of the new-look Memorial Park?
"Phase 4 only allows gatherings of 50 people, which would not be adequate considering the large number of people looking forward to a grand opening," Sperl said. "As soon as we can, we look forward to a proper welcoming for this facility."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--Garden in abandoned baby's name brings hope to women in DuPage County jail

The garden built at the DuPage County jail to memorialize an abandoned baby found dead in a backpack in 2016 is bringing hope to female inmates who tend to it .
The DuPage County sheriff 's office has been working with several community groups planting and tending to a revamped Hope 's Garden , a living memorial that honors Baby Hope and provides fresh food to local food pantries and flowers to victims of domestic violence .
Baby Hope was found dead in an unincorporated area near Wheaton , and police have been searching for her parents ever since .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her DNA profile , was indicted in 2019 .
The garden was previously planted in 2016 and located at the Winfield Township Highway Department but was moved to a secure site early this month to allow inmates to be able to tend to it .
The new , larger site will allow for more produce to be grown .
Inmate Diana Core did n't know the background behind Hope 's Garden , but she said working on it `` makes me feel like I 'm doing something good , something important . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog run on the north end of the sheriff 's office campus and consists of raised garden pods , which are tended to by inmates three times a week for two to three hours a day .
Currently , two of the 19 female inmates at the jail qualify for the program since participants must be nonviolent offenders .
The garden features 75 tomato and 75 pepper plants , as well as cucumber , zucchini and pumpkin plants , herbs and flowers .
The garden is estimated to produce about 1,500 pounds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandi Powers said working in the garden is the first time she 's been outside in her 10 months in custody .
`` It feels great , '' she said .
`` It 's beautiful out here , '' she said , calling it calming and serene .
`` Gardening and tasks like this are very therapeutic , so it falls in to our holistic care model , '' Sheriff James Mendrick said .
The horticulture class joins other programs , such as the janitorial service classes and welding training .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project like this .
It 's not just gardening , and there 's a lot for them to learn . ''
Powers said she 's learned one thing for sure when she comes outside to the fresh air of the garden .
`` It feels like I took it for granted before , '' Powers said .
`` I wo n't do it again . ''

Garden in abandoned baby's name brings hope to women in DuPage County jail
Inmate Mandi Powers checks out the irrigation while tending to plants in Hope's Garden at the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton. Rick West | Staff Photographer
Female inmates Mandi Powers, left, and Diana Core spread soil for what will be a perennial flower garden addition to the revamped Hope's Garden at the DuPage County jail in Wheaton. Powers said she'd been in jail for 10 months and being assigned to the garden was the first time she'd been outside. "It feels great," she said. "It's beautiful out here." Rick West | Staff Photographer
Inmate Diana Core smiles while tending to plants in the revamped Hope's Garden at the DuPage County jail in Wheaton. The garden is a memorial that honors an abandoned baby found dead in 2016. Rick West | Staff Photographer
Inmate Diana Core tends to plants in the revamped Hope's Garden at the DuPage County jail in Wheaton. The garden is a memorial that honors an abandoned baby found dead in 2016. The food grown in the garden will be donated to local food pantries and others in need. Rick West | Staff Photographer
The garden built at the DuPage County jail to memorialize an abandoned baby found dead in a backpack in 2016 is bringing hope to female inmates who tend to it.
The DuPage County sheriff's office has been working with several community groups planting and tending to a revamped Hope's Garden, a living memorial that honors Baby Hope and provides fresh food to local food pantries and flowers to victims of domestic violence.
Baby Hope was found dead in an unincorporated area near Wheaton, and police have been searching for her parents ever since. An unknown woman, identified only by her DNA profile, was indicted in 2019.
The garden was previously planted in 2016 and located at the Winfield Township Highway Department but was moved to a secure site early this month to allow inmates to be able to tend to it. The new, larger site will allow for more produce to be grown.
Inmate Diana Core didn't know the background behind Hope's Garden, but she said working on it "makes me feel like I'm doing something good, something important."
The new garden is in a former dog run on the north end of the sheriff's office campus and consists of raised garden pods, which are tended to by inmates three times a week for two to three hours a day. Currently, two of the 19 female inmates at the jail qualify for the program since participants must be nonviolent offenders.
The garden features 75 tomato and 75 pepper plants, as well as cucumber, zucchini and pumpkin plants, herbs and flowers. The garden is estimated to produce about 1,500 pounds of produce in the first year.
Inmate Mandi Powers said working in the garden is the first time she's been outside in her 10 months in custody.
"It feels great," she said. "It's beautiful out here," she said, calling it calming and serene.
"Gardening and tasks like this are very therapeutic, so it falls in to our holistic care model," Sheriff James Mendrick said. The horticulture class joins other programs, such as the janitorial service classes and welding training. "There's a lot of complexity to a project like this. It's not just gardening, and there's a lot for them to learn."
Powers said she's learned one thing for sure when she comes outside to the fresh air of the garden. "It feels like I took it for granted before," Powers said. "I won't do it again."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--Elgin chief presents initiatives for police improvement, council wants task force

The Elgin City Council plans to form a task force that includes residents to examine areas of improvement for the police department , which launched an online community survey and wants to establish eight resident-led community advisory boards to discuss policing issues .
Police Chief Ana Lalley said she is OK with the task force but also said the department already has been proactive about change and has shown a commitment to responding to the community 's desire to be heard .
Policing has been the focus of several protests this month in Elgin .
Other upcoming initiatives , Lalley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equity challenge '' that police officers and the community would take part in .
The challenge was created by Eddie Moore Jr. of the nonprofit The Privilege Institute .
It involves taking one action daily `` to further your understanding of power , privilege , supremacy , oppression , and equity '' and comes with suggestions for readings , podcasts , videos and more .
The department also wants to add more members to its youth advisory council and plans to hold a community event in August centered on the issues outlined in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robin DiAngelo , which police command staff members have been reading , Lalley said .
The department will start posting monthly use-of-force data on its website , she added .
One pending issue is whether Elgin will create a civilian police review board and what kind of authority it would have .
Conversations about this started after the police killing of resident Decynthia Clements in 2018 and will take longer , possibly up to a year , because the issue is complex and involves the police union , Lalley and council members agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea of having eight community advisory groups that would meet in their own neighborhoods -- maybe in someone 's home -- and set their own agendas .
Two police officers , including a supervisor , would be present mainly to listen and answer questions .
The police department for many years has had a citizen advisory committee that meets at the police station .
Council members voted Wednesday to make some changes regarding police procedures : requiring more police officers to live in town , hiring an outside firm to investigate serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two residents to the board of police and fire commissioners .
The task force is needed to continue that examination in a more comprehensive manner , Dixon said .
`` When we talk about addressing policy or culture , that takes a group effort . ''
At one point , there was an unusually vehement exchange between Lalley and Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger , who said Elgin can `` re-imagine '' its police department , as other cities across the nation are doing , and examine ideas like having fewer police officers and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department that 's reading 'White Fragility ' and who 's going to host a conversation with their community about it , '' Lalley replied .
`` This is a great police department with great officers who are forward-thinking .
We 've shown that time and time again .
If no one 's going to say it , I 'm going to say it . ''
`` I agree , '' Rauschenberger said .
`` But this is ( an issue of ) 'before George Floyd ' and 'after George Floyd . '
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when everybody around the world is re-looking at policing . ''

Elgin chief presents initiatives for police improvement, while council wants task force
The Elgin City Council plans to form a task force to examine areas for improvement for the police department. Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger said she wants to examine ideas like having fewer police officers and more social workers. courtesy of city of Elgin
The Elgin City Council plans to form a task force that includes residents to examine areas of improvement for the police department, which launched an online community survey and wants to establish eight resident-led community advisory boards to discuss policing issues.
Police Chief Ana Lalley said she is OK with the task force but also said the department already has been proactive about change and has shown a commitment to responding to the community's desire to be heard. Policing has been the focus of several protests this month in Elgin.
Other upcoming initiatives, Lalley said, are a "21-day racial equity challenge" that police officers and the community would take part in.
The challenge was created by Eddie Moore Jr. of the nonprofit The Privilege Institute. It involves taking one action daily "to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity" and comes with suggestions for readings, podcasts, videos and more.
The department also wants to add more members to its youth advisory council and plans to hold a community event in August centered on the issues outlined in the book "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo, which police command staff members have been reading, Lalley said.
The department will start posting monthly use-of-force data on its website, she added.
One pending issue is whether Elgin will create a civilian police review board and what kind of authority it would have. Conversations about this started after the police killing of resident Decynthia Clements in 2018 and will take longer, possibly up to a year, because the issue is complex and involves the police union, Lalley and council members agreed.
Councilman Corey Dixon said he likes the idea of having eight community advisory groups that would meet in their own neighborhoods -- maybe in someone's home -- and set their own agendas. Two police officers, including a supervisor, would be present mainly to listen and answer questions. The police department for many years has had a citizen advisory committee that meets at the police station.
Council members voted Wednesday to make some changes regarding police procedures: requiring more police officers to live in town, hiring an outside firm to investigate serious allegations of police misconduct, and adding two residents to the board of police and fire commissioners.
The task force is needed to continue that examination in a more comprehensive manner, Dixon said. "When we talk about addressing policy or culture, that takes a group effort."
At one point, there was an unusually vehement exchange between Lalley and Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger, who said Elgin can "re-imagine" its police department, as other cities across the nation are doing, and examine ideas like having fewer police officers and more social workers.
"Find a police department that's reading 'White Fragility' and who's going to host a conversation with their community about it," Lalley replied. "This is a great police department with great officers who are forward-thinking. We've shown that time and time again. If no one's going to say it, I'm going to say it."
"I agree," Rauschenberger said. "But this is (an issue of) 'before George Floyd' and 'after George Floyd.' I think it's a moment in history when everybody around the world is re-looking at policing."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--Kenney: Wrigley rooftops will be open; Marquee-Comcast deal close

When the abbreviated baseball season opens in late July , Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has come to grips with no fans being allowed games at Wrigley Field .
Ricketts is hoping that changes as the summer progresses , for myriad reasons .
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is keeping the door closed for now as the coronavirus pandemic continues , but she 's also hoping it eventually swings open at Wrigley as well as Guaranteed Rate Field .
`` There 's no bigger sports fan than me , and I want to be able to enjoy live sports in the stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But we 've got to do it at a time when we know it 's appropriate under the public health guidance .
And we 're not there yet . ''
An old , revered ballpark , Wrigley Field has some unique features .
One of them is rooftop seating .
Speaking on 670-AM Thursday , Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney said the rooftops are going to be open for business at the start of the season .
`` Even now with the mayor 's phasing of the city 's reopening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooftops , '' Kenney said .
The seating would be reduced and spaced out , but at least the Cubs would have some fans in view during the early stretch of the short season .
Most major-league teams are going to be relying on TV revenues to combat the massive financial damage COVID-19 has inflicted since mid-March .
The Cubs are no longer on Comcast or WGN or ABC 7 .
Their televised games have moved to a new home , the Marquee Sports Network .
As of now , Marquee and Comcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no carriage deal .
Kenney is confident that will soon change , and he even dropped some possible exhibition news .
`` I would expect we do reach an agreement with Comcast , in particular as we see the potential for some spring training games , potentially with the White Sox , coming even ahead of the July 23 or 24 opening day , '' Kenney said .
`` The pace has picked up and we 're optimistic we 'll get something done soon . ''
•The Cubs signed three of their draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to terms with second-round pick Burl Carraway , a left-hander from Dallas Baptist University , fourth-round pick Luke Little , a lefty from San Jacinto College and fifth rounder Koen Moreno , a right-hander from Panther Creek ( N.C. ) High School .
The 21-year-old Carraway was 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA and 11 saves over his final two seasons at Dallas Baptist .
He had 89 strikeouts in 51 innings during that span .

Kenney: Wrigley rooftops will be open; Marquee-Comcast deal close
When the abbreviated baseball season opens in late July, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has come to grips with no fans being allowed games at Wrigley Field.
Ricketts is hoping that changes as the summer progresses, for myriad reasons.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is keeping the door closed for now as the coronavirus pandemic continues, but she's also hoping it eventually swings open at Wrigley as well as Guaranteed Rate Field.
"There's no bigger sports fan than me, and I want to be able to enjoy live sports in the stands myself," Lightfoot said. "But we've got to do it at a time when we know it's appropriate under the public health guidance. And we're not there yet."
An old, revered ballpark, Wrigley Field has some unique features. One of them is rooftop seating.
Speaking on 670-AM Thursday, Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney said the rooftops are going to be open for business at the start of the season.
"Even now with the mayor's phasing of the city's reopening, we would be allowed to open the rooftops," Kenney said.
The seating would be reduced and spaced out, but at least the Cubs would have some fans in view during the early stretch of the short season.
Most major-league teams are going to be relying on TV revenues to combat the massive financial damage COVID-19 has inflicted since mid-March.
The Cubs are no longer on Comcast or WGN or ABC 7.
Their televised games have moved to a new home, the Marquee Sports Network. As of now, Marquee and Comcast, Chicagoland's largest carrier, have no carriage deal.
Kenney is confident that will soon change, and he even dropped some possible exhibition news.
"I would expect we do reach an agreement with Comcast, in particular as we see the potential for some spring training games, potentially with the White Sox, coming even ahead of the July 23 or 24 opening day," Kenney said. "The pace has picked up and we're optimistic we'll get something done soon."
•The Cubs signed three of their draft picks, all pitchers.
They agreed to terms with second-round pick Burl Carraway, a left-hander from Dallas Baptist University, fourth-round pick Luke Little, a lefty from San Jacinto College and fifth rounder Koen Moreno, a right-hander from Panther Creek (N.C.) High School.
The 21-year-old Carraway was 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA and 11 saves over his final two seasons at Dallas Baptist. He had 89 strikeouts in 51 innings during that span.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--June 25 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive mapSuburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 71,693 cases in the suburbs , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Thursday .
There have been 3,483 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Thursday , suburban Cook County had 37,383 cases and 1,942 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 51,267 cases and 2,558 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Des Plaines , 816 cases and 52 deaths in Wheeling , 682 cases and 17 deaths in Palatine , 680 cases and 19 deaths in Streamwood , 647 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 582 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg , 538 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview , 525 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights , 502 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 481 cases and 13 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 369 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Rolling Meadows , 342 cases and 39 deaths in Northbrook , 265 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 123 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 8,829 cases and 459 deaths as of Thursday .
• Top counts : 816 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 769 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago , 657 cases and 10 deaths in Glendale Heights , 526 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville , 519 cases and 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , 508 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 394 cases and 22 deaths in Lombard , 328 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage portion ) , 282 cases and 32 deaths in Elmhurst , 265 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton , 251 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage portion ) , 240 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park , 159 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn .
Lake County • The county listed 9,513 cases and 375 deaths on its website .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,640 to 2,644 in Waukegan , 585 to 589 in Round Lake Beach , 370 to 374 in Mundelein , 300 to 304 in Gurnee , 180 to 184 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills , 165 to 169 in Wauconda , 145 to 149 in Lake Zurich , 120 to 124 in Libertyville , 85 to 89 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 7,597 cases with 257 deaths on its website Thursday .
• Top counts : 3,350 cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,857 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 742 in Carpentersville , 301 in St. Charles , 286 in South Elgin , 198 in North Aurora , 171 in Geneva , 117 in Batavia , and 50 in Algonquin ( Kane portion ) .
McHenry County • 1,957 cases and 95 deaths , according to the health department Thursday .
Will County • 6,493 cases and 315 deaths , according to the health department 's website Thursday .
• Cases per town include 384 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) and 67 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

June 25 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Courtesy of the CDCThis illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depicts the coronavirus as viewed through a microscope.
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 71,693 cases in the suburbs, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Thursday. There have been 3,483 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Thursday, suburban Cook County had 37,383 cases and 1,942 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 51,267 cases and 2,558 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,714 cases and 97 deaths in Des Plaines, 816 cases and 52 deaths in Wheeling, 682 cases and 17 deaths in Palatine, 680 cases and 19 deaths in Streamwood, 647 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 582 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg, 538 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview, 525 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights, 502 cases and 9 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 481 cases and 13 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 369 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 346 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 342 cases and 39 deaths in Northbrook, 265 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 123 cases and 17 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 8,829 cases and 459 deaths as of Thursday.
• Top counts: 816 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 769 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago, 657 cases and 10 deaths in Glendale Heights, 526 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 519 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 508 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 394 cases and 22 deaths in Lombard, 328 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage portion), 282 cases and 32 deaths in Elmhurst, 265 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton, 251 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage portion), 240 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park, 159 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County• The county listed 9,513 cases and 375 deaths on its website.
• Top counts as of Thursday: 2,640 to 2,644 in Waukegan, 585 to 589 in Round Lake Beach, 370 to 374 in Mundelein, 300 to 304 in Gurnee, 180 to 184 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills, 165 to 169 in Wauconda, 145 to 149 in Lake Zurich, 120 to 124 in Libertyville, 85 to 89 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 7,597 cases with 257 deaths on its website Thursday.
• Top counts: 3,350 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,857 in Elgin (Kane portion), 742 in Carpentersville, 301 in St. Charles, 286 in South Elgin, 198 in North Aurora, 171 in Geneva, 117 in Batavia, and 50 in Algonquin (Kane portion).
McHenry County• 1,957 cases and 95 deaths, according to the health department Thursday.
Will County• 6,493 cases and 315 deaths, according to the health department's website Thursday.
• Cases per town include 384 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 67 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--Artists find inspiration, but Prospect Heights city hall finds infringement

A gallery of sunflower artwork that sprouted on the shore of Hillcrest Lake in Prospect Heights was meant to inspire happiness for a community living through a pandemic .
But city hall is casting a cloud on the project .
Because the display was set up partially on Prospect Heights Park District land , the city is asking the artists responsible for the bright art to take it down unless they can get proper permits .
`` I do n't want to rile people up , really , '' said Kate Tully , a professional mural artist who lives near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were trying to give people some joy . ''
Mayor Nick Helmer said he appreciates the intent , but insists the artists adhere to city rules .
`` If you 're putting signs on other people 's property , I do n't care if it 's the park district 's or your mother-in-law 's , you have to get permission , '' Helmer said during Monday 's city council meeting , when the artists sought belated permission for their installation .
The idea for the pop-up art came when Mara Lovisetto , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to find a way to virtually teach art to students from her Prospect Heights home .
The students by that point had been attending classes online for several weeks because of the pandemic .
`` My job is to empower them with art , '' Lovisetto said .
`` That 's not easy in a virtual world . ''
Having recently had her own driveway painted with giant sunflowers by artist and Prospect Heights native Olivia Menzia , Lovisetto decided on a smaller scale sunflower project for her students .
She would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a standing desktop sunflower from cardboard .
`` I just felt like the kids needed something to cheer them up , '' she said .
Lovisetto 's artist friends noticed the colorful sunflower work around her Hillcrest Drive home and that 's all the motivation they needed to begin creating again after having no work during the stay-at-home orders .
Tully created her sunflower sculpture using a recycled bicycle , sheets of metal and colorful mosaic glass .
More friends soon joined in .
`` Artists just find each other , '' Lovisetto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew they decided to display their work in a pop-up exhibition on the western shore of Hillcrest Lake , across the street from Lovisetto 's home .
There it could be seen by people who regularly walk , bike and enjoy the natural surroundings just north of Willow Road and Isaak Walton Park .
Lovisetto 's husband , Lou , created a giant tin sunflower in their yard and she added a painted window frame to the growing collection across the street .
Menzia joined in by wrapping trees with yarn and adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombs . ''
Jenna Kolcz hung a sunflower wreath .
June Nichols added a mosaic made from crushed pots and pieces of glass .
And Tully 's husband , Andy , added a sculpture made from an old lawn mower , a discarded bicycle and lots of wire .
Other artists contributed hanging medallions made from slices of wood and colorful birdhouses with encouraging messages written on them .
Tully named the collection `` The Sunflower Project 2020 '' and added a couple of personal renderings of Vincent Van Gogh paintings .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission , who were in the area clearing buckthorn and restoring natural plants , donated several native plants to the group , who used them in a piece on the lakeshore .
`` I think it 's a wonderful addition to the neighborhood , '' said Agnes Wojnarski , chairwoman of the PHNRC .
`` It builds community engagement and it is beautiful to look at . ''
However , the few feet of turf between the lake and Hillcrest Drive is park district property , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be installed there without permission from the city .
And the city let that be known .
`` Someone from the city came knocking on Mara 's door and told her it had to come down or be moved across the street to her yard , '' Tully said .
`` I guess someone complained .
It has been nothing but positive comments that I 've gotten from people .
Mara even gets nice notes in the mailbox .
It 's become a destination .
I saw graduation pictures being taken there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun and then the bubble burst , '' Lovisetto added .
`` We were hoping we could do this all summer . ''
On Monday , Tully and Lovisetto attended the city council meeting via Zoom to seek permission to continue the display .
`` We thought we could send some joy during this time with some artwork , '' Tully told Helmer .
`` Allow us to keep this positive energy going for the duration of the summer . ''
City officials offered praise and support for the artwork , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comply with regulations .
`` It 's incredibly beautiful , '' Ward 2 Alderman Kathleen Quinn said .
`` Right now when people ca n't get out , this is one of the most inspirational things I saw . ''
Helmer ended the discussion by telling the artists to speak with the city 's attorney .
`` Until we get some clarification and you have permission , a lawyer will tell you what you need , we can go from there , '' he said .
Tully said the group plans to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meantime , artwork continues to collect on Hillcrest Drive , drawing a steady stream of viewers .
There are almost 20 pieces on display , some more than 10 feet tall .
`` It mostly just began with that little sunflower project , '' Lovisetto said .
`` It brought out all of our creativity . ''

Artists find inspiration, but Prospect Heights city hall finds infringement
A gallery of sunflower artwork that sprouted on the shore of Hillcrest Lake in Prospect Heights was meant to inspire happiness for a community living through a pandemic.
But city hall is casting a cloud on the project.
Because the display was set up partially on Prospect Heights Park District land, the city is asking the artists responsible for the bright art to take it down unless they can get proper permits.
"I don't want to rile people up, really," said Kate Tully, a professional mural artist who lives near the city slough. "We just were trying to give people some joy."
Mayor Nick Helmer said he appreciates the intent, but insists the artists adhere to city rules.
"If you're putting signs on other people's property, I don't care if it's the park district's or your mother-in-law's, you have to get permission," Helmer said during Monday's city council meeting, when the artists sought belated permission for their installation.
The idea for the pop-up art came when Mara Lovisetto, an elementary school teacher in Northbrook, was trying to find a way to virtually teach art to students from her Prospect Heights home. The students by that point had been attending classes online for several weeks because of the pandemic.
"My job is to empower them with art," Lovisetto said. "That's not easy in a virtual world."
Having recently had her own driveway painted with giant sunflowers by artist and Prospect Heights native Olivia Menzia, Lovisetto decided on a smaller scale sunflower project for her students. She would teach them, virtually, to make a standing desktop sunflower from cardboard.
"I just felt like the kids needed something to cheer them up," she said.
Lovisetto's artist friends noticed the colorful sunflower work around her Hillcrest Drive home and that's all the motivation they needed to begin creating again after having no work during the stay-at-home orders.
Tully created her sunflower sculpture using a recycled bicycle, sheets of metal and colorful mosaic glass. More friends soon joined in.
"Artists just find each other," Lovisetto said.
As the group of artists grew they decided to display their work in a pop-up exhibition on the western shore of Hillcrest Lake, across the street from Lovisetto's home. There it could be seen by people who regularly walk, bike and enjoy the natural surroundings just north of Willow Road and Isaak Walton Park.
Lovisetto's husband, Lou, created a giant tin sunflower in their yard and she added a painted window frame to the growing collection across the street. Menzia joined in by wrapping trees with yarn and adding silk sunflowers, calling it "yarn bombs."
Jenna Kolcz hung a sunflower wreath. June Nichols added a mosaic made from crushed pots and pieces of glass. And Tully's husband, Andy, added a sculpture made from an old lawn mower, a discarded bicycle and lots of wire.
Other artists contributed hanging medallions made from slices of wood and colorful birdhouses with encouraging messages written on them.
Tully named the collection "The Sunflower Project 2020" and added a couple of personal renderings of Vincent Van Gogh paintings.
The pop-up display began to attract attention. Even the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission, who were in the area clearing buckthorn and restoring natural plants, donated several native plants to the group, who used them in a piece on the lakeshore.
"I think it's a wonderful addition to the neighborhood," said Agnes Wojnarski, chairwoman of the PHNRC. "It builds community engagement and it is beautiful to look at."
However, the few feet of turf between the lake and Hillcrest Drive is park district property, and by rule no signs or artwork can be installed there without permission from the city. And the city let that be known.
"Someone from the city came knocking on Mara's door and told her it had to come down or be moved across the street to her yard," Tully said. "I guess someone complained. It has been nothing but positive comments that I've gotten from people. Mara even gets nice notes in the mailbox. It's become a destination. I saw graduation pictures being taken there."
"We were happy and having fun and then the bubble burst," Lovisetto added. "We were hoping we could do this all summer."
On Monday, Tully and Lovisetto attended the city council meeting via Zoom to seek permission to continue the display.
"We thought we could send some joy during this time with some artwork," Tully told Helmer. "Allow us to keep this positive energy going for the duration of the summer."
City officials offered praise and support for the artwork, but also stressed the need for the artists to comply with regulations.
"It's incredibly beautiful," Ward 2 Alderman Kathleen Quinn said. "Right now when people can't get out, this is one of the most inspirational things I saw."
Helmer ended the discussion by telling the artists to speak with the city's attorney.
"Until we get some clarification and you have permission, a lawyer will tell you what you need, we can go from there," he said.
Tully said the group plans to follow the mayor's suggestion.
In the meantime, artwork continues to collect on Hillcrest Drive, drawing a steady stream of viewers. There are almost 20 pieces on display, some more than 10 feet tall.
"It mostly just began with that little sunflower project," Lovisetto said. "It brought out all of our creativity."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--TED-Ed club gives to Metea student passions

Students are required to give presentations in class and there 's already a speech team , but a new club focused on public speaking at Metea Valley High School proved popular because of its affiliation with a well-known brand .
The TED-Ed Club at the school in Aurora gave about 20 members the chance to brainstorm , research , practice and deliver a TED-style talk following guidance from the official TED organization , which produces conferences where speakers give talks on `` ideas worth spreading . ''
Incoming Metea seniors Kishor Moorthy , Vinay Agarwal and Shreya Joshi started the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Members followed a 13-week program from the TED organization to choose their topic , come up with visuals , then deliver the talk during a live , one-take recording .
`` It 's a really good way to let students share their voice and share what they 're passionate about , '' Kishor said .
TED talks are already a common part of high school education , Kishor said , with health teachers showing talks about new ways to identify cancer and English teachers showing deep-dive speeches about the type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 'm always fascinated by how TED talks show really revolutionary ideas , '' Kishor said .
`` It 's always something that at the end I walk away with this brand-new understanding of something that I did n't even think was interesting before . ''
Students chose their own topics to fit this mold and came up with talks on losing weight , tackling procrastination , growing up as a `` third-culture kid '' and fitting in while staying true to personal and cultural identity .
Other talks students produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titles including `` 4 Life Lessons Everyone Can Learn From Shelter Dogs '' and `` I 'm Fashionable And You Can Be Too . ''
Kishor called his TED-Ed talk , `` Is There More To Magic Than Meets The Eye ? ''
In it , he discusses how his love of performing magic has helped him connect with others and trust that there 's always a trick to be found to solve even the most perplexing problem .
The group became the first TED-Ed group among the three high schools in Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his peers plan to bring it back next year , increasing the time students will practice their speech delivery and continuing to promote student content on social media .
The club 's talks are on YouTube at the MVHSTedEdClub channel as well as the official TED-Ed YouTube channel .

TED-Ed club gives to Metea student passions
Metea Valley High School student Vinay Agarwal is one of the creators of the TedEd club that launched last year at the school, allowing about 20 participants to brainstorm, research and deliver talks about their passions. Courtesy of MVHS Mane
Kishor Moorthy, an incoming senior at Metea Valley High School in Aurora, delivers his TED-Ed talk called "Is There More To Magic Than Meets The Eye?" Kishor and two of his friends created a TED-Ed club last year at the school, which allowed 20 students to brainstorm, research and share talks about their passions. Courtesy of MVHS TED-Ed Club
Students are required to give presentations in class and there's already a speech team, but a new club focused on public speaking at Metea Valley High School proved popular because of its affiliation with a well-known brand.
The TED-Ed Club at the school in Aurora gave about 20 members the chance to brainstorm, research, practice and deliver a TED-style talk following guidance from the official TED organization, which produces conferences where speakers give talks on "ideas worth spreading."
Incoming Metea seniors Kishor Moorthy, Vinay Agarwal and Shreya Joshi started the club at the beginning of their junior year. Members followed a 13-week program from the TED organization to choose their topic, come up with visuals, then deliver the talk during a live, one-take recording.
"It's a really good way to let students share their voice and share what they're passionate about," Kishor said.
TED talks are already a common part of high school education, Kishor said, with health teachers showing talks about new ways to identify cancer and English teachers showing deep-dive speeches about the type of language used in the average TED talk.
"I'm always fascinated by how TED talks show really revolutionary ideas," Kishor said. "It's always something that at the end I walk away with this brand-new understanding of something that I didn't even think was interesting before."
Students chose their own topics to fit this mold and came up with talks on losing weight, tackling procrastination, growing up as a "third-culture kid" and fitting in while staying true to personal and cultural identity.
Other talks students produced during the club's first year had titles including "4 Life Lessons Everyone Can Learn From Shelter Dogs" and "I'm Fashionable And You Can Be Too."
Kishor called his TED-Ed talk, "Is There More To Magic Than Meets The Eye?" In it, he discusses how his love of performing magic has helped him connect with others and trust that there's always a trick to be found to solve even the most perplexing problem.
The group became the first TED-Ed group among the three high schools in Indian Prairie Unit District 204. Kishor and his peers plan to bring it back next year, increasing the time students will practice their speech delivery and continuing to promote student content on social media.
The club's talks are on YouTube at the MVHSTedEdClub channel as well as the official TED-Ed YouTube channel.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--Tollway offers temporary amnesty program and lowers violation fees

Tollway customers with outstanding fines will get a break from excessive fees with new policies that include a temporary amnesty program approved by board directors Thursday .
The move allows `` a more equitable tolling process -- one that work for customers and not against them , '' Executive Director Jose Alvarez said at a virtual committee meeting .
Starting on July 1 , any existing fees and fines related to unpaid tolls would be greatly reduced through the end of December .
Customers would be required to pay the actual toll amount plus a $ 3 fine per violation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much criticism of the agency over the years .
Payments can be made at illinoistollway.com .
The amnesty lasts for six months and includes drivers facing collection proceedings .
In addition , the tollway is forgiving any unpaid fines and fees incurred from March 9 to Thursday in recognition of stresses and `` severe economic disruption '' during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Customers are still expected to pay the missed toll amounts Going forward , the tollway is lowering its violation fees .
Up until now , three missed tolls in a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per violation .
That will be lowered to $ 3 with a $ 5 fee if unpaid in 60 days .
Tollway drivers still have 14 days to pay a missed toll online without incurring any penalties .
`` This is moving in the right direction , '' tollway director and Western Springs Mayor Alice Gallagher said .

Tollway offers temporary amnesty program and lowers violation fees
The Illinois tollway board approved an amnesty program through the end of 2020 for unpaid tolls and violations. Daily Herald File Photo
Tollway customers with outstanding fines will get a break from excessive fees with new policies that include a temporary amnesty program approved by board directors Thursday.
The move allows "a more equitable tolling process -- one that work for customers and not against them," Executive Director Jose Alvarez said at a virtual committee meeting.
Starting on July 1, any existing fees and fines related to unpaid tolls would be greatly reduced through the end of December.
Customers would be required to pay the actual toll amount plus a $3 fine per violation instead of hefty fees that have caused much criticism of the agency over the years. Payments can be made at illinoistollway.com.
The amnesty lasts for six months and includes drivers facing collection proceedings.
In addition, the tollway is forgiving any unpaid fines and fees incurred from March 9 to Thursday in recognition of stresses and "severe economic disruption" during the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers are still expected to pay the missed toll amounts
Going forward, the tollway is lowering its violation fees. Up until now, three missed tolls in a year could trigger a fine of $20 per violation. That will be lowered to $3 with a $5 fee if unpaid in 60 days.
Tollway drivers still have 14 days to pay a missed toll online without incurring any penalties.
"This is moving in the right direction," tollway director and Western Springs Mayor Alice Gallagher said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--Sugar Grove woman charged with DUI, damaging squad car

Calls from concerned motorists resulted in the DUI arrest this week of a Sugar Grove woman , who later was accused of damaging a squad car and video camera , according to prosecutors and court records .
Jolie R. Dubinski , 49 , of the 100 block of Goldenrod Drive , faces felony charges of aggravated DUI/no insurance and criminal damage to state supported property , along with misdemeanor charges of resisting a police officer and disorderly conduct stemming from an incident Tuesday , prosecutors said .
About 4 p.m. , several motorists called police to report a driver who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crash at Bunker Road and Main Street in Blackberry Township , and also shouted threats and racial slurs at other drivers .
Kane County Sheriff 's deputies pulled over Dubinski , noted an odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle , and found 11 empty 1.7-ounce liquor bottles in the vehicle .
The deputy noted multiple signs of impairment and arrested her .
Dubinski also is accused of damaging the rear video camera and other parts of the squad car 's interior , causing an estimated $ 1,300 in damage , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Dubinski is next due in court July 15 .
If convicted of the most severe charges , she faces a sentence ranging from probation to up to five years in prison .
She is held at the Kane County jail on $ 25,000 bail , meaning she must post $ 2,500 to be released while the case is pending .

Sugar Grove woman charged with DUI, damaging squad car
Calls from concerned motorists resulted in the DUI arrest this week of a Sugar Grove woman, who later was accused of damaging a squad car and video camera, according to prosecutors and court records.
Jolie R. Dubinski, 49, of the 100 block of Goldenrod Drive, faces felony charges of aggravated DUI/no insurance and criminal damage to state supported property, along with misdemeanor charges of resisting a police officer and disorderly conduct stemming from an incident Tuesday, prosecutors said.
About 4 p.m., several motorists called police to report a driver who ran a stop sign and nearly caused a crash at Bunker Road and Main Street in Blackberry Township, and also shouted threats and racial slurs at other drivers.
Kane County Sheriff's deputies pulled over Dubinski, noted an odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle, and found 11 empty 1.7-ounce liquor bottles in the vehicle.
The deputy noted multiple signs of impairment and arrested her. Dubinski also is accused of damaging the rear video camera and other parts of the squad car's interior, causing an estimated $1,300 in damage, and making racial epithets and threats, prosecutors said.
Dubinski is next due in court July 15. If convicted of the most severe charges, she faces a sentence ranging from probation to up to five years in prison.
She is held at the Kane County jail on $25,000 bail, meaning she must post $2,500 to be released while the case is pending.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--James Fay, superintendent who oversaw era of change in District 59, dies at 87

Those who knew former Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 Superintendent James Fay say he was never one to just make the easy decisions .
Like having to close eight schools amid declining enrollment .
Or adding bilingual classes to help the children of new immigrants who moved to the area .
Or introducing computers to the classroom , at a time when many were still skeptical if the newfangled technology would all pan out .
Despite the controversies , Fay remained at the helm of the district for 15 years -- a tenure almost unheard of in today 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a person who really did the best for kids , regardless of how difficult it was or what a political disadvantage it might be , '' said Bob Bortnick , who served under Fay as associate superintendent of curriculum .
Fay , who led District 59 from 1978 to 1993 , died June 19 of natural causes with his devoted wife of 58 years by his side .
The longtime Arlington Heights resident was 87 .
It was his love of education , coaching and volunteering -- and lessons learned from those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and 13 grandchildren , said Kathy McHugh , his oldest daughter .
Two children are educators , one granddaughter decided to attend St. Ambrose University in Iowa ( where Fay is in the school 's Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball ) , and a grandson is entering the Army ( after being drafted by the New York Knicks in 1955 , Fay was drafted into the Army , where he served for two years . )
Fay , who started his career in education as a Chicago public school teacher and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , eventually becoming a principal and then District 59 superintendent .
He spent nearly three decades as an educator in the district .
At one point in his career , when Fay was teachers union president , he was awarded a watch from the union following a particularly tough contract negotiation , McHugh recalls .
Shortly after he became superintendent -- and now making decisions on the other side of the fence -- teachers picketed and held signs that said , `` What time is it , Superintendent Fay ? ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough decisions , '' McHugh said .
`` I think the bottom line is he was always a family man -- doing what was in the best interest of the families he was neighbors with . ''
Along with his skills on the court in his younger days , Fay was a longtime basketball coach in the Arlington Heights Youth Athletic Association .
He also was a regular Friday night football referee .
Like his friend , the late Rev .
John Smyth -- also known for his athletic prowess and being drafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devoted Catholic and supporter of Maryville Academy in Des Plaines .
The Fay family regularly hosted two Maryville residents for holidays and other family functions .
`` The greatest gift given to his children was passing on ( the importance of ) doing the right thing , '' McHugh said .
`` That goes along with your moral character and the laws of love passed on from our Christian faith and making the right decisions , even if they might not be the most popular or bring you the most friends . ''

James Fay, superintendent who oversaw era of change in District 59, dies at 87
James Fay was a talented basketball player at St. Ambrose University, where he is in the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1955, but then was drafted into the Army before a long career in education. Courtesy of the Fay Family
James Fay, who served as superintendent of Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 from 1978 to 1993, died June 19 of natural causes. Courtesy of the Fay Family
Those who knew former Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 Superintendent James Fay say he was never one to shy away from the tough decisions.
Like having to close eight schools amid declining enrollment. Or adding bilingual classes to help the children of new immigrants who moved to the area. Or introducing computers to the classroom, at a time when many were still skeptical if the newfangled technology would pan out.
Despite the controversies, Fay remained at the helm of the district for 15 years -- a tenure almost unheard of in today's local schools climate.
"He was just a person who really did the best for kids, regardless of how difficult it was or what a political disadvantage it might be," said Bob Bortnick, who served under Fay as associate superintendent of curriculum.
Fay, who led District 59 from 1978 to 1993, died June 19 of natural causes with his devoted wife of 58 years by his side. The longtime Arlington Heights resident was 87.
It was his love of education, coaching and volunteering -- and lessons learned from those experiences -- that have inspired his six children and 13 grandchildren, said Kathy McHugh, his oldest daughter.
Two children are educators, one granddaughter decided to attend St. Ambrose University in Iowa (where Fay is in the school's Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball), and a grandson is entering the Army (after being drafted by the New York Knicks in 1955, Fay was drafted into the Army, where he served for two years.)
Fay, who started his career in education as a Chicago public school teacher and coach in 1958, worked his way up, eventually becoming a principal and then District 59 superintendent. He spent nearly three decades as an educator in the district.
At one point in his career, when Fay was teachers union president, he was awarded a watch from the union following a particularly tough contract negotiation, McHugh recalls. Shortly after he became superintendent -- and started making decisions on the other side of the fence -- teachers picketed and held signs that said, "What time is it, Superintendent Fay?"
"I know he agonized over some very tough decisions," McHugh said. "I think the bottom line is he was always a family man -- doing what was in the best interest of the families he was neighbors with."
Along with his skills on the court in his younger days, Fay was a longtime basketball coach in the Arlington Heights Youth Athletic Association. He also was a regular Friday night football referee.
Like his friend the late Rev. John Smyth -- also known for his athletic prowess and being drafted into the NBA -- Fay was a devoted Catholic and supporter of Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. The Fay family regularly hosted two Maryville residents for holidays and other family functions.
"The greatest gift given to his children was passing on (the importance of) doing the right thing," McHugh said. "That goes along with your moral character and the laws of love passed on from our Christian faith and making the right decisions, even if they might not be the most popular or bring you the most friends."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--State's continued unemployment claims still top 700,000

SPRINGFIELD -- The U.S. Department of Labor released statistics Thursday showing 705,878 Illinoisans received unemployment insurance for the week ending June 20 .
While that was a decrease of 4,401 continued unemployment claims overall from the previous week , according to the data , the state still saw 46,005 new initial claims for the week ending June 20 , an increase of 1,311 new claims from the previous week .
As the unemployment numbers remain high , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said this week the Illinois Department of Employment Security is continually trying to expand call center capacity to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said each state agency and department `` has a kind of a reopen plan that either has been developed or is being developed , '' but did not say when IDES might start opening facilities for claimants having trouble getting through to a department representative .
`` It sort of depends on the locations , it depends upon the number of people that would normally be in that space and so on .
We have health guidance for people who work at IDES , just like we do any other business or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said at a news conference Tuesday .
In a statement Monday , IDES also the department has set up a virtual call center that has grown to more than 560 , more than doubling its capacity since the beginning of this pandemic .
That has allowed the department to handle more than 50,000 additional unemployment claims and questions that have come through the call center between May 5 and June 4 , according to the statement .
An IDES spokesperson encouraged claimants to use the department 's website -- which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- to file claims and leave the phone lines for those who are otherwise unable to file a claim online .
`` While we understand that claimants may be continuing to experience unique issues with their claims that require claims rep intervention , our upgrades have allowed us to process more than 1.4 million claims since March 1 and pay out more than $ 7 billion in benefits , '' the spokesperson said in a statement in response to questions of how a claimant can best get through to the department .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where a claimant needs to speak to a representative to resolve an issue or make a change , which is why we are continuing to work to increase capacity . ''
Pritzker said calls are also being separated by those who are seeking help in applying through online portals and those who would need assistance requiring them to provide private information .
That frees up lines for those having unique problems , he said .
He added the administration has `` tried to train '' elected officials and their staff on `` how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the event that they 're having trouble getting through on the phone . ''
IDES also announced last week it will borrow funds from the federal government to `` continue to meet unemployment benefit payment obligations to claimants who have lost work as the COVID-19 pandemic continues . ''
A news release from the department said the state joined eight others which have either been approved to borrow or have begun to borrow money from the feds to continue to fulfill unemployment benefit payments .
`` Through the end of June , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the federal government through a long existing mechanism set up to enable states to continue to fund essential benefit payments when demand increases unexpectedly , '' the department said in a news release .
`` IDES has been approved to borrow up to $ 3.8 billion through September 2020 .
During the 2008 Great Recession , the department borrowed $ 1.4 billion , and it was repaid in five years through a joint funding agreement with Illinois ' business community . ''
The department said the Unemployment Trust Fund is 100 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to pay back what is borrowed `` has historically come in the form of an agreed rate change in employer taxes , '' but IDES and the Pritzker administration are exploring other federal options , including calling for a federal stimulus aimed at replenishing unemployment reserves .
Since the pandemic began , more than $ 2.5 billion has been paid out of the Illinois Unemployment Trust Fund in regular benefits .
That 's on top of $ 4.3 billion in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits and $ 290 million in Pandemic Unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two new fully federally funded programs .
IDES also announced Thursday the number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas since last year , with six metro areas at record low payrolls , according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and IDES .
The May unemployment rate in Illinois was 14.7 percent , a record high for the month dating back to 1976 .
Nationally , the number was 13 percent in May , also a record high dating back to 1948 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work and seeking employment .

State's continued unemployment claims still top 700,000
This Illinois Department of Employment Security graphic depicts the number of new initial unemployment claims last week compared to a four-week moving average, as well as the same statistics for the same period one year ago.
SPRINGFIELD -- The U.S. Department of Labor released statistics Thursday showing 705,878 Illinoisans received unemployment insurance for the week ending June 20.
While that was a decrease of 4,401 continued unemployment claims overall from the previous week, according to the data, the state still saw 46,005 new initial claims for the week ending June 20, an increase of 1,311 new claims from the previous week.
As the unemployment numbers remain high, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said this week the Illinois Department of Employment Security is continually trying to expand call center capacity to try to accommodate increased claim volume.
He also said each state agency and department "has a kind of a reopen plan that either has been developed or is being developed," but did not say when IDES might start opening facilities for claimants having trouble getting through to a department representative.
"It sort of depends on the locations, it depends upon the number of people that would normally be in that space and so on. We have health guidance for people who work at IDES, just like we do any other business or that we're trying to reopen," he said at a news conference Tuesday.
In a statement Monday, IDES also the department has set up a virtual call center that has grown to more than 560, more than doubling its capacity since the beginning of this pandemic.
That has allowed the department to handle more than 50,000 additional unemployment claims and questions that have come through the call center between May 5 and June 4, according to the statement.
An IDES spokesperson encouraged claimants to use the department's website -- which had its capacity increased early during the pandemic -- to file claims and leave the phone lines for those who are otherwise unable to file a claim online.
"While we understand that claimants may be continuing to experience unique issues with their claims that require claims rep intervention, our upgrades have allowed us to process more than 1.4 million claims since March 1 and pay out more than $7 billion in benefits," the spokesperson said in a statement in response to questions of how a claimant can best get through to the department. "We understand that there are many cases where a claimant needs to speak to a representative to resolve an issue or make a change, which is why we are continuing to work to increase capacity."
Pritzker said calls are also being separated by those who are seeking help in applying through online portals and those who would need assistance requiring them to provide private information. That frees up lines for those having unique problems, he said.
He added the administration has "tried to train" elected officials and their staff on "how they can assist people with their applications in the event that they're having trouble getting through on the phone."
IDES also announced last week it will borrow funds from the federal government to "continue to meet unemployment benefit payment obligations to claimants who have lost work as the COVID-19 pandemic continues."
A news release from the department said the state joined eight others which have either been approved to borrow or have begun to borrow money from the feds to continue to fulfill unemployment benefit payments.
"Through the end of June, IDES anticipates borrowing approximately $300 million from the federal government through a long existing mechanism set up to enable states to continue to fund essential benefit payments when demand increases unexpectedly," the department said in a news release. "IDES has been approved to borrow up to $3.8 billion through September 2020. During the 2008 Great Recession, the department borrowed $1.4 billion, and it was repaid in five years through a joint funding agreement with Illinois' business community."
The department said the Unemployment Trust Fund is 100 percent funded by employer taxes, and the ability to pay back what is borrowed "has historically come in the form of an agreed rate change in employer taxes," but IDES and the Pritzker administration are exploring other federal options, including calling for a federal stimulus aimed at replenishing unemployment reserves.
Since the pandemic began, more than $2.5 billion has been paid out of the Illinois Unemployment Trust Fund in regular benefits. That's on top of $4.3 billion in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits and $290 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits, both of which are two new fully federally funded programs.
IDES also announced Thursday the number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas since last year, with six metro areas at record low payrolls, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and IDES.
The May unemployment rate in Illinois was 14.7 percent, a record high for the month dating back to 1976. Nationally, the number was 13 percent in May, also a record high dating back to 1948. The unemployment rate identifies individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-24--A song to make you smile: 'Beautiful' by Carole King

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Beautiful '' by Carole King , released in 1971 .

A song to make you smile: 'Beautiful' by Carole King
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Beautiful" by Carole King, released in 1971.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-25--Feder: Bruce DuMont celebrates 'phenomenal' 40 years for 'Beyond the Beltway'

On June 26 , 1980 , Bruce DuMont launched a new kind of political talk show on Chicago radio .
@ @ @ @ @ as it was called , began as a 13-week experiment on Chicago Public Media WBEZ @ @ @ @ @ to bring together political operatives and experts of various persuasions for a free-spirited weekly discussion @ @ @ @ @ and public policy .
Forty years later DuMont , 76 , is still at it @ @ @ @ @ the Beltway '' ( as it was retitled in 1994 ) from 6 to 8 @ @ @ @ @ Evanston Broadcasting news/talk WCGO 1590-AM/95.9-FM .
Read the full story at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Bruce DuMont celebrates 'phenomenal' 40 years for 'Beyond the Beltway'
Bruce DuMont, host of "Beyond the Beltway" on WCGO 1590-AM/95.9-FM.
On June 26, 1980, Bruce DuMont launched a new kind of political talk show on Chicago radio.
"Inside Politics," as it was called, began as a 13-week experiment on Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM. The idea was to bring together political operatives and experts of various persuasions for a free-spirited weekly discussion of the news, politics and public policy.
Forty years later DuMont, 76, is still at it, presiding over "Beyond the Beltway" (as it was retitled in 1994) from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays on north suburban Evanston Broadcasting news/talk WCGO 1590-AM/95.9-FM. Read the full story at robertfeder.com.