dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--Golfing is allowed Friday! But you'll have limits in the suburbs

Congratulations , golfers , on being able to hit the course again .
When Gov .
J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order April 23 that included the news golf courses could open May 1 under strict safety guidelines , golfers got busy .
`` It 's very difficult '' to get a tee time , said Kevin Carlson , superintendent of golf operations for Naperville Park District .
With Pritzker 's order came numerous restrictions golf facilities and players must follow , beginning with the social distancing mandate .
They affect each of Illinois ' 540 golf courses , 263 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Carrie Williams , executive director of the Professional Golf Association Illinois Section .
Reservations for Naperville Park District 's Springbrook and Naperbrook golf courses , available only online and prepaid , opened Monday and were sold out through the following Monday , May 4 , by the end of the day .
`` Our volume of total available tee times is around 100 ( golfers ) a day , '' Carlson said about courses that used to host 300 people on a weekend day in summer .
`` If you look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an hour .
You do the math and there 's really not a whole lot of tee times available a day , and ours , when they become available , they 'll sell out in a matter of hours , '' he said .
Naperville is hardly alone .
`` We 're almost fully booked for the first 10 days of May , '' said Noel Allen , director of golf for Glen Ellyn 's Village Links , which took reservations online and by phone .
`` There are some tee times available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A big concern , at least for golfers , is the rule that only twosomes are allowed , teeing off generally 15 minutes apart .
Elgin resident Tim Janeway , a former member of Elgin Country Club , is `` infuriated '' by that restriction .
He has an 8:36 a.m. tee time Friday at Hawk 's View Golf Club in Lake Geneva , Wisconsin , which opened on April 24 .
Hawk 's View allows foursomes , with single golfers in carts and two in a cart if players are from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairways are 3 acres wide .
There 's no reason why we ca n't have the social distancing rule with four players on a golf course , with no carts , '' Janeway said .
`` Put some responsibility into the players , that 's all .
They 're dying to do it because they want to get out and play .
And it 's a game of foursomes .
That 's how the game is supposed to be played , '' he said .
Personal responsibility is exactly why the Lake County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sequentially .
First comes Mundelein 's Countryside Golf Club , the county 's sole 36-hole public course .
On Thursday afternoon it had three Friday tee times left , all after 5:45 p.m. Later times are easier to book because it 's hard to get in a full 18 holes .
Brae Loch Golf Club in Grayslake will open May 8 , and ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park will open May 15 .
`` We want to evaluate what worked , what we think can work better and how we can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eichman , superintendent of golf operations management for the Lake County Forest Preserve .
`` We would love for the golf community to show Governor Pritzker that we can all be responsible and follow the rules in hopes that he would loosen some restrictions sooner rather than later , '' Eichman said .
The bottom line is there is joy in dubville .
Tim Govern , golf operations manager for the Arlington Heights Park District and a PGA professional , is excited to welcome people back to Nickol Knoll and Arlington Lakes golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering only about a third of the tee times , we 'll have golf for the people in the community and they can hopefully enjoy their favorite sport after such a challenging few weeks , '' he said .
`` One thing that 's awfully nice , since we have n't been able to play for six weeks , is they 'll see no divots at all .
The course is really in great shape . ''
• Daily Herald staff writers Russell Lissau , Christopher Placek , Robert Sanchez , Katlyn Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .

Golfing is allowed Friday! But you'll have limits in the suburbs
Congratulations, golfers, on being able to hit the course again.
And good luck getting a tee time.
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order April 23 that included the news golf courses could open May 1 under strict safety guidelines, golfers got busy.
"It's very difficult" to get a tee time, said Kevin Carlson, superintendent of golf operations for Naperville Park District.
With Pritzker's order came numerous restrictions golf facilities and players must follow, beginning with the social distancing mandate.
They affect each of Illinois' 540 golf courses, 263 of which are public courses, according to Carrie Williams, executive director of the Professional Golf Association Illinois Section.
Reservations for Naperville Park District's Springbrook and Naperbrook golf courses, available only online and prepaid, opened Monday and were sold out through the following Monday, May 4, by the end of the day.
"Our volume of total available tee times is around 100 (golfers) a day," Carlson said about courses that used to host 300 people on a weekend day in summer.
"If you look at the restrictions, eight people can play an hour. You do the math and there's really not a whole lot of tee times available a day, and ours, when they become available, they'll sell out in a matter of hours," he said.
Naperville is hardly alone.
"We're almost fully booked for the first 10 days of May," said Noel Allen, director of golf for Glen Ellyn's Village Links, which took reservations online and by phone. "There are some tee times available, but not too many."
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer Golf courses across the suburbs are preparing to reopen Friday with a goodly number of restrictions in place. Juan Portillo rakes a bunker in preparation for the opening of Springbrook Golf Course in Naperville -- but golfers will be asked to use their clubs to smooth the sand once play begins.
A big concern, at least for golfers, is the rule that only twosomes are allowed, teeing off generally 15 minutes apart.
Elgin resident Tim Janeway, a former member of Elgin Country Club, is "infuriated" by that restriction. He has an 8:36 a.m. tee time Friday at Hawk's View Golf Club in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, which opened on April 24.
Hawk's View allows foursomes, with single golfers in carts and two in a cart if players are from the same household.
"Some of these fairways are 3 acres wide. There's no reason why we can't have the social distancing rule with four players on a golf course, with no carts," Janeway said.
"Put some responsibility into the players, that's all. They're dying to do it because they want to get out and play. And it's a game of foursomes. That's how the game is supposed to be played," he said.
Personal responsibility is exactly why the Lake County Forest Preserve is opening its three courses sequentially.
First comes Mundelein's Countryside Golf Club, the county's sole 36-hole public course. On Thursday afternoon it had three Friday tee times left, all after 5:45 p.m. Later times are easier to book because it's hard to get in a full 18 holes.
Brae Loch Golf Club in Grayslake will open May 8, and ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park will open May 15.
"We want to evaluate what worked, what we think can work better and how we can make it work better," said Alex Eichman, superintendent of golf operations management for the Lake County Forest Preserve.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer When golf courses open, the holes will be designed so golfers don't have to reach into the cup to retrieve their balls. Mario Vasquez gets things ready on Springbrook Golf Course's 9th green in preparation for Friday's reopening.
"We would love for the golf community to show Governor Pritzker that we can all be responsible and follow the rules in hopes that he would loosen some restrictions sooner rather than later," Eichman said.
The bottom line is there is joy in dubville.
Tim Govern, golf operations manager for the Arlington Heights Park District and a PGA professional, is excited to welcome people back to Nickol Knoll and Arlington Lakes golf clubs.
"Even though we're offering only about a third of the tee times, we'll have golf for the people in the community and they can hopefully enjoy their favorite sport after such a challenging few weeks," he said.
"One thing that's awfully nice, since we haven't been able to play for six weeks, is they'll see no divots at all. The course is really in great shape."
• Daily Herald staff writers Russell Lissau, Christopher Placek, Robert Sanchez, Katlyn Smith, Marie Wilson and Bob Susnjara contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--As some easing in Illinois begins Friday, the daily death toll stays near a record

Leaving your home Friday ?
Bring a mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker warned Illinoisans Thursday on the eve of a revised stay-at-home order .
The changes will ease restrictions for retail stores and open up recreational facilities like golf courses and state parks .
But they also extend the governor 's previous stay-at-home mandate from midnight Thursday through May 30 , and that has ignited pushback from some Republican legislators and lawsuits questioning the governor 's authority .
The changes come as Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike reported a record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near-record single-day increase in deaths .
The latest lawsuit by a northwestern Illinois church that wants to restart worship services was filed in federal court Thursday .
The modified policy effective Friday mandates that people wear masks inside public spaces like grocery stores and outside in locations where a 6-foot social distance can not be maintained .
Asked about mask rules outdoors , Pritzker advised all residents to `` have one on hand . ''
He added high-tech versions are n't necessary and that face coverings can be made from a T-shirt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it at all times if you go running , jogging or bicycling , but if you encounter a crowd at a public space with a lot of people , that 's when you need or are required to put on a face covering , '' Pritzker said .
Previously , just businesses considered essential such as grocery stores and pharmacies were allowed to be open .
The new order allows nonessential retail stores to take online or phone orders and offer curbside pickup and delivery .
Greenhouses and garden centers will be open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parks and golf courses , but stringent social distancing requirements will be in place , Pritzker said .
Also , elective surgeries can now be scheduled under the guidance of the Illinois Department of Public Health .
But even as some restrictions ease , Ezike reported an additional 2,563 COVID-19 cases -- the highest single-day tally to date .
The number of Illinoisans dying from COVID-19 climbed by 141 on Thursday , just shy of the single-day record of 144 announced Tuesday .
Total infections statewide are 52,918 , and fatalities from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , more than 90 % are in Chicago , suburban Cook and the collar counties , according to state and county data .
Officials announced two more drive-through testing sites will open next week , one in Waukegan and another in East St. Louis , bringing the total to seven , but details were not yet available .
As resistance to the stay-at-home order brews in less populated counties with fewer cases of COVID-19 , Pritzker said , `` I do n't disagree that different areas of the state require different rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we made some changes .
`` The state parks are not in Cook County and Chicago , '' Pritzker said .
`` Many of things that opened up in this executive order that just lasts a month is an indication of our recognition that it 's different from one area to another , and we 'll talk about that more as we put forward plans for reopening . ''
Republican state Reps. Darren Bailey of Xenia and John Cabello of Machesney Park both have filed lawsuits stating Pritzker overstepped his authority in extending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Kwame Raoul has appealed a Clay County 's judge 's temporary restraining order that essentially exempts Bailey , and Bailey alone , from the order .
The Beloved Church of Lena in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday states the executive order violates its freedom religion .
`` In these dark times , Illinoisans need the spirit of almighty God , '' the lawsuit claims , `` but Pritzker 's orders have left them to settle for the lesser spirits dispensed out of the state 's liquor stores , '' which were allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker said allowing people to congregate is risky and will spread COVID-19 .
`` I try to follow the science and I ask those who think of breaking the rules to follow the science , '' he said .

As some easing in Illinois begins Friday, the daily death toll stays near a record
Gov. J.B. Pritzker gives his daily briefing on the COVID-19 outbreak. Associated Press
Leaving your home Friday? Bring a mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Illinoisans Thursday on the eve of a revised stay-at-home order.
The changes will ease restrictions for retail stores and open up recreational facilities like golf courses and state parks.
But they also extend the governor's previous stay-at-home mandate from midnight Thursday through May 30, and that has ignited pushback from some Republican legislators and lawsuits questioning the governor's authority.
The changes come as Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike reported a record single-day increase in COVID-19 cases and a near-record single-day increase in deaths.
The latest lawsuit by a northwestern Illinois church that wants to restart worship services was filed in federal court Thursday.
The modified policy effective Friday mandates that people wear masks inside public spaces like grocery stores and outside in locations where a 6-foot social distance cannot be maintained.
Asked about mask rules outdoors, Pritzker advised all residents to "have one on hand." He added high-tech versions aren't necessary and that face coverings can be made from a T-shirt.
"You don't have to wear it at all times if you go running, jogging or bicycling, but if you encounter a crowd at a public space with a lot of people, that's when you need or are required to put on a face covering," Pritzker said.
Previously, just businesses considered essential such as grocery stores and pharmacies were allowed to be open.
The new order allows nonessential retail stores to take online or phone orders and offer curbside pickup and delivery.
Greenhouses and garden centers will be open to the public as will many state parks and golf courses, but stringent social distancing requirements will be in place, Pritzker said.
Also, elective surgeries can now be scheduled under the guidance of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
But even as some restrictions ease, Ezike reported an additional 2,563 COVID-19 cases -- the highest single-day tally to date. The number of Illinoisans dying from COVID-19 climbed by 141 on Thursday, just shy of the single-day record of 144 announced Tuesday.
Total infections statewide are 52,918, and fatalities from the respiratory disease reached 2,355.
Of those cases, more than 90% are in Chicago, suburban Cook and the collar counties, according to state and county data.
Officials announced two more drive-through testing sites will open next week, one in Waukegan and another in East St. Louis, bringing the total to seven, but details were not yet available.
As resistance to the stay-at-home order brews in less populated counties with fewer cases of COVID-19, Pritzker said, "I don't disagree that different areas of the state require different rules during this time. That's why we made some changes.
"The state parks are not in Cook County and Chicago," Pritzker said. "Many of things that opened up in this executive order that just lasts a month is an indication of our recognition that it's different from one area to another, and we'll talk about that more as we put forward plans for reopening."
Republican state Reps. Darren Bailey of Xenia and John Cabello of Machesney Park both have filed lawsuits stating Pritzker overstepped his authority in extending the stay-at-home executive order.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has appealed a Clay County's judge's temporary restraining order that essentially exempts Bailey, and Bailey alone, from the order.
The Beloved Church of Lena in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday states the executive order violates its freedom religion.
"In these dark times, Illinoisans need the spirit of almighty God," the lawsuit claims, "but Pritzker's orders have left them to settle for the lesser spirits dispensed out of the state's liquor stores," which were allowed to stay open as essential services.
Pritzker said allowing people to congregate is risky and will spread COVID-19.
"I try to follow the science and I ask those who think of breaking the rules to follow the science," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--'A moving target': Libraries plan to gradually reopen with curbside service

Right up until the Wheaton Public Library had to close amid the COVID-19 pandemic , patrons rushed to stock up on books .
So much so that library card holders have been holding on to 40,151 items checked out before the shutdown and due back June 1 .
After running virtual services for more than a month , libraries now are planning for what was a simpler task not so long ago : getting their books back into circulation .
`` It 's going to be a process , '' Wheaton Library Director Betsy Adamowski said .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get into a groove , but I think once we get it all set up , we 'll be able to make this work . ''
As the state 's stay-at-home order eases some restrictions , the region 's largest library systems are preparing to gradually reopen with curbside pickup , limited staff and safety precautions .
Naperville Public Library plans to begin curbside service at its three branches May 11 .
Elgin 's Gail Borden Library District will open drive-up windows at its two branches starting May 4 .
Others -- the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County and the Wheaton library -- are working out the logistics .
Librarians say returned items will be quarantined for at least 72 hours .
That 's about how long plastic -- what 's covering book jackets and DVDs -- can harbor the virus , according to a study by the National Institutes of Health .
But for more conclusive research , librarians await the results of a project pursued by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services to understand the viability of the virus on library materials .
`` What we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think about what they need to have in place and what they need to be confident in knowing before they start offering the service , '' said Diane Foote , head of the Illinois Library Association .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has not yet addressed what the new stay-at-home rules will mean for libraries .
An attorney for Reaching Across Illinois Library System , or RAILS , has advised that the provisions for nonessential retail reasonably could apply to libraries .
Starting May 1 , stores can offer curbside pickup and delivery of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ability to meet curbside demand , libraries have made `` huge efforts '' to serve their communities virtually while employees work remotely , RAILS Associate Director Monica Harris said .
`` People are having to redesign their entire summer reading programs and move them online with the anticipation of what might be needed there , '' Harris said .
`` There 's a lot of technical work happening behind the scenes as people develop and try to look for new access to e-resources .
The streaming services libraries offer are getting huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' As audiences continue to tune into virtual programs , Gail Borden patrons will be able to access books and movies through drive-up windows with slide-out drawers .
`` We 're in a great position where our drive-up windows have a microphone , and it 's contactless as it is right now , '' spokeswoman Denise Raleigh said .
There are 41,723 items checked out as the library went `` fine free '' for most materials and extended all due dates .
But it 's still accepting returns at separate drop slots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process for those items .
Employees who have chosen to work on-site will operate the drive-up windows .
`` We are not making any employees come in , but we are happy that we have a number of individuals who would like to come in and be part of this service in a very , very safe way , '' Raleigh said .
In Wheaton , small groups of employees could come back into the building in shifts as early as next week , a `` moving target '' that would mark the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adamowski said .
With 27,000 square feet on each floor , teams will have more than enough room to practice social distancing while the library remains closed to the public .
Employees still have to finish catalog system training interrupted by the lockdown and start ordering new titles .
`` When we closed , we literally just walked out and closed , '' Adamowski said .
She ca n't say when curbside service will begin , but it would focus first on returns and then lending materials with as little interaction as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on their edge of their seats , '' she said .
`` They want this library to start running and rolling again , so we do n't want to delay that anymore than we have to , but again that 's all contingent on the governor 's order . ''

'A moving target': Libraries plan to gradually reopen with curbside service
The Wheaton Public Library is cautiously preparing a phased approach to reopening after more than a month of coronavirus shutdowns. Daily Herald file photo
Right up until the Wheaton Public Library had to close amid the COVID-19 pandemic, patrons rushed to stock up on books.
So much so that library card holders have been holding on to 40,151 items checked out before the shutdown and due back June 1.
After running virtual services for more than a month, libraries now are planning for what was a simpler task not so long ago: getting their books back into circulation.
"It's going to be a process," Wheaton Library Director Betsy Adamowski said. "It's going to take us a while to get into a groove, but I think once we get it all set up, we'll be able to make this work."
As the state's stay-at-home order eases some restrictions, the region's largest library systems are preparing to gradually reopen with curbside pickup, limited staff and safety precautions.
Naperville Public Library plans to begin curbside service at its three branches May 11. Elgin's Gail Borden Library District will open drive-up windows at its two branches starting May 4. Others -- the Cook Memorial Public Library District in Lake County and the Wheaton library -- are working out the logistics.
Librarians say returned items will be quarantined for at least 72 hours. That's about how long plastic -- what's covering book jackets and DVDs -- can harbor the virus, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health.
But for more conclusive research, librarians await the results of a project pursued by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services to understand the viability of the virus on library materials.
"What we're encouraging libraries to do is really think about what they need to have in place and what they need to be confident in knowing before they start offering the service," said Diane Foote, head of the Illinois Library Association.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not yet addressed what the new stay-at-home rules will mean for libraries. An attorney for Reaching Across Illinois Library System, or RAILS, has advised that the provisions for nonessential retail reasonably could apply to libraries. Starting May 1, stores can offer curbside pickup and delivery of telephone and online orders.
Regardless of their ability to meet curbside demand, libraries have made "huge efforts" to serve their communities virtually while employees work remotely, RAILS Associate Director Monica Harris said.
"People are having to redesign their entire summer reading programs and move them online with the anticipation of what might be needed there," Harris said. "There's a lot of technical work happening behind the scenes as people develop and try to look for new access to e-resources. The streaming services libraries offer are getting huge usage that wasn't there before."
As audiences continue to tune into virtual programs, Gail Borden patrons will be able to access books and movies through drive-up windows with slide-out drawers.
"We're in a great position where our drive-up windows have a microphone, and it's contactless as it is right now," spokeswoman Denise Raleigh said.
There are 41,723 items checked out as the library went "fine free" for most materials and extended all due dates. But it's still accepting returns at separate drop slots and remote drop boxes and following a quarantine process for those items.
Employees who have chosen to work on-site will operate the drive-up windows.
"We are not making any employees come in, but we are happy that we have a number of individuals who would like to come in and be part of this service in a very, very safe way," Raleigh said.
In Wheaton, small groups of employees could come back into the building in shifts as early as next week, a "moving target" that would mark the first phase of a reopening plan, Adamowski said.
With 27,000 square feet on each floor, teams will have more than enough room to practice social distancing while the library remains closed to the public. Employees still have to finish catalog system training interrupted by the lockdown and start ordering new titles.
"When we closed, we literally just walked out and closed," Adamowski said.
She can't say when curbside service will begin, but it would focus first on returns and then lending materials with as little interaction as possible.
"You can imagine the community is on their edge of their seats," she said. "They want this library to start running and rolling again, so we don't want to delay that anymore than we have to, but again that's all contingent on the governor's order."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--SEALs tried to locate Lombard man taken by Afghan militants

WASHINGTON -- In the days following the January capture of a Lombard contractor in Afghanistan , Navy SEAL commandos raided a village and detained suspected members of a Taliban-linked militant network , The Associated Press has learned .
U.S. intelligence agents also tried to track the cellphones of the man and his captors , but the trail went cold .
There has been little public discussion by the U.S. government of Mark R. Frerichs ' case , even as American negotiators arranged prisoner exchanges as part of their efforts to reach a peace deal with the Taliban .
Little is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 57-year-old contractor .
But the previously unreported operation , described by multiple U.S. officials over the past month , sheds new light on the American government 's efforts to locate him soon after he went missing and to collect intelligence aimed at his recovery .
A senior U.S. government official and a second Defense Department official spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly .
The Pentagon and U.S. Special Operations Command declined to comment on the operation .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Kabul threaten to scuttle the peace deal between the Taliban and the U.S. Last month , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced frustrations after a failed attempt to mediate a power struggle between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival , Abdullah Abdullah .
Frerichs ' father , Art , said in a statement that though he has faith in President Donald Trump and Pompeo , `` I just need them to tell their people negotiating with the Taliban that America wo n't lift a finger until my son comes home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is America .
We do n't leave people behind . ''
Though no formal demands are known to have been made , U.S. officials believe Frerichs was captured by members of the Haqqani network .
The militant group is aligned with the Taliban in Afghanistan and was designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 2012 .
The Haqqanis are known to carry out assassinations and kidnappings for ransom , but Taliban leadership has not acknowledged Frerichs ' abduction .
`` The first 96 hours is crucial , '' the senior U.S. government official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If they 're not recovered in the first few days , it becomes harder every minute after . ''
In late January , the SEALs that would become involved in Frerichs ' case spent the latter part of the month working to recover the bodies of two American service members who died when their aircraft crash-landed in Ghazni in central Afghanistan , an operation that had been complicated by inclement weather .
The weather also delayed the SEAL operation to gather intelligence on Frerichs ' whereabouts .
Once the weather cleared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the night of Feb. 3 , and flew to the undisclosed location , said the senior U.S. government official , who has direct knowledge of the raid .
The official declined to disclose the exact location of the province for operational security reasons .
The senior U.S. government official and the Defense Department official with knowledge of the raid said the SEAL platoon was not met with Taliban resistance and that once at the compound , the platoon detained several alleged Haqqani militants and uncovered a weapons cache .
The suspected Haqqani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and were ultimately turned over to the Afghan government , according to the senior U.S. government official .
There are no public indications that Frerichs , a Navy veteran , has been part of negotiations between the U.S. and Taliban leadership or that his release is part of any peace deal .
`` The Taliban kidnapped my brother in January .
In February , the U.S. signed a peace deal with the Taliban .
My brother was n't part of the deal .
Now we are arranging for the Taliban and Afghan government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charlene Cakora , one of Frerichs ' sisters , said in a statement provided to the AP .
`` Why ca n't we make an American hostage be one of them ? ''
The rescue effort is being coordinated through the FBI-led , multiagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell .
It said in a statement that it was working with its partners to ensure `` that Mark Frerichs and all Americans held hostage abroad are returned home . ''
It encouraged anyone with information about the case to come forward .
The State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizen taken captive in Afghanistan .
`` The welfare , safety and security of Americans is the Trump administration 's highest priority , '' the department said .
`` The United States will continue to push for the safe return of this and all other U.S citizens through all relevant channels . ''
A former U.S. national security official who is advising the Frerichs family called on Washington peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to resolve the situation .
`` He needs to understand from the top that getting an American hostage home is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of Mark 's presence , but it does not appear yet that he understands that he needs to get him home , '' said the former official , who insisted on anonymity to speak candidly because the official sometimes works with the Trump administration .
A representative for Khalilzad did not immediately respond to an email from the AP seeking comment .
U.S. officials believe Frerichs was held for at least some time in Khost , an eastern province along the border with Pakistan and its so-called tribal regions , a mountainous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Taliban and al-Qaeda militants .
The former national security official said that Frerichs has been in Afghanistan for about a decade working as a contractor on private commercial projects .
He was not a contractor for the U.S. government , the former official said .
Rep. Michael Waltz , a Florida Republican and Army veteran who led the teams that searched for Bowe Bergdahl after the Army soldier abandoned his post in 2009 and wound up captured by the Taliban , said the Taliban frequently hide American hostages until the militants can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said peace deal negotiations should have stopped as soon as the U.S. government learned that Frerichs was missing .
`` I have real concerns about suggestions that the Taliban are serious about peace , that the Taliban are upholding their end of the deal when -- as we speak today -- they are holding a former Navy veteran and American citizen hostage that they took , again , during the peace negotiations , '' Waltz said in an interview .
The search area for Frerichs began in Khost and extended south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two officials said .
On Feb. 4 , American intelligence officials received a report that Frerichs had possibly been moved to Quetta , Pakistan , a historical haven for the Taliban , the officials said .
But the information was deemed not credible enough to warrant a special operations mission , according to the senior U.S. government official .
The report also conflicted with signals intelligence U.S. officials had at the time .
Signals intelligence is information gathered from the electronic signals that are broadcast from devices like portable radios and cellphones .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the movements of individuals or eavesdrop on conversations , known in the spy business as low-level voice intercepts .
U.S. intelligence officials continued to receive location pings from the suspected cellphones of Frerichs and his captors , but the trail went cold on Feb. 5 , according to the officials .
`` Operationally , the reason why time is critical in a kidnapping is because you can close the distance quicker , ideally immediately or by utilizing sources , '' said the senior U.S. government official .
`` This is not the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ houses down from where he was taken and we would not know . ''
LaPorta reported from Delray Beach , Florida .
Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington , Kathy Gannon in Islamabad and Allen G. Breed in Raleigh , North Carolina , contributed to this report .

SEALs tried to locate Lombard man taken by Afghan militants
Mark Frerichs, a contractor from Lombard, poses in Iraq in this undated photo obtained from Twitter that he would include with his resume when job hunting. Frerichs was abducted in Afghanistan in January 2020. Early efforts to locate him have been shrouded in mystery and his disappearance has been the subject of minimal public discussion by the U.S. government. The Associated Press has learned that in the days following Frerichs' capture, Navy commandos raided a village and detained suspected members of the Taliban-linked Haqqani network while the U.S. intelligence community tried to track the cellphones of Frerich and his captors. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- In the days following the January capture of a Lombard contractor in Afghanistan, Navy SEAL commandos raided a village and detained suspected members of a Taliban-linked militant network, The Associated Press has learned.
U.S. intelligence agents also tried to track the cellphones of the man and his captors, but the trail went cold. There has been little public discussion by the U.S. government of Mark R. Frerichs' case, even as American negotiators arranged prisoner exchanges as part of their efforts to reach a peace deal with the Taliban.
Little is known about the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the 57-year-old contractor. But the previously unreported operation, described by multiple U.S. officials over the past month, sheds new light on the American government's efforts to locate him soon after he went missing and to collect intelligence aimed at his recovery.
A senior U.S. government official and a second Defense Department official spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The Pentagon and U.S. Special Operations Command declined to comment on the operation.
The new details emerge as violence and political infighting in Kabul threaten to scuttle the peace deal between the Taliban and the U.S. Last month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced frustrations after a failed attempt to mediate a power struggle between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival, Abdullah Abdullah.
Frerichs' father, Art, said in a statement that though he has faith in President Donald Trump and Pompeo, "I just need them to tell their people negotiating with the Taliban that America won't lift a finger until my son comes home. He's a veteran. This is America. We don't leave people behind."
Though no formal demands are known to have been made, U.S. officials believe Frerichs was captured by members of the Haqqani network. The militant group is aligned with the Taliban in Afghanistan and was designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 2012.
The Haqqanis are known to carry out assassinations and kidnappings for ransom, but Taliban leadership has not acknowledged Frerichs' abduction.
"The first 96 hours is crucial," the senior U.S. government official briefed on the case told the AP. "If they're not recovered in the first few days, it becomes harder every minute after."
In late January, the SEALs that would become involved in Frerichs' case spent the latter part of the month working to recover the bodies of two American service members who died when their aircraft crash-landed in Ghazni in central Afghanistan, an operation that had been complicated by inclement weather.
The weather also delayed the SEAL operation to gather intelligence on Frerichs' whereabouts. Once the weather cleared, the SEAL team loaded onto helicopters on the night of Feb. 3, and flew to the undisclosed location, said the senior U.S. government official, who has direct knowledge of the raid. The official declined to disclose the exact location of the province for operational security reasons.
The senior U.S. government official and the Defense Department official with knowledge of the raid said the SEAL platoon was not met with Taliban resistance and that once at the compound, the platoon detained several alleged Haqqani militants and uncovered a weapons cache.
The suspected Haqqani members were questioned about Frerichs' whereabouts and were ultimately turned over to the Afghan government, according to the senior U.S. government official.
There are no public indications that Frerichs, a Navy veteran, has been part of negotiations between the U.S. and Taliban leadership or that his release is part of any peace deal.
"The Taliban kidnapped my brother in January. In February, the U.S. signed a peace deal with the Taliban. My brother wasn't part of the deal. Now we are arranging for the Taliban and Afghan government to exchange thousands of prisoners," Charlene Cakora, one of Frerichs' sisters, said in a statement provided to the AP. "Why can't we make an American hostage be one of them?"
The rescue effort is being coordinated through the FBI-led, multiagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell. It said in a statement that it was working with its partners to ensure "that Mark Frerichs and all Americans held hostage abroad are returned home." It encouraged anyone with information about the case to come forward.
The State Department said it was aware of an American citizen taken captive in Afghanistan.
"The welfare, safety and security of Americans is the Trump administration's highest priority," the department said. "The United States will continue to push for the safe return of this and all other U.S citizens through all relevant channels."
A former U.S. national security official who is advising the Frerichs family called on Washington peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to resolve the situation. "He needs to understand from the top that getting an American hostage home is also part of his job. He is aware of Mark's presence, but it does not appear yet that he understands that he needs to get him home," said the former official, who insisted on anonymity to speak candidly because the official sometimes works with the Trump administration.
A representative for Khalilzad did not immediately respond to an email from the AP seeking comment.
U.S. officials believe Frerichs was held for at least some time in Khost, an eastern province along the border with Pakistan and its so-called tribal regions, a mountainous area that has historically been a haven for Taliban and al-Qaeda militants.
The former national security official said that Frerichs has been in Afghanistan for about a decade working as a contractor on private commercial projects. He was not a contractor for the U.S. government, the former official said.
Rep. Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican and Army veteran who led the teams that searched for Bowe Bergdahl after the Army soldier abandoned his post in 2009 and wound up captured by the Taliban, said the Taliban frequently hide American hostages until the militants can move them over the border into Pakistan.
He said peace deal negotiations should have stopped as soon as the U.S. government learned that Frerichs was missing.
"I have real concerns about suggestions that the Taliban are serious about peace, that the Taliban are upholding their end of the deal when -- as we speak today -- they are holding a former Navy veteran and American citizen hostage that they took, again, during the peace negotiations," Waltz said in an interview.
The search area for Frerichs began in Khost and extended south to the province of Kandahar, the two officials said.
On Feb. 4, American intelligence officials received a report that Frerichs had possibly been moved to Quetta, Pakistan, a historical haven for the Taliban, the officials said. But the information was deemed not credible enough to warrant a special operations mission, according to the senior U.S. government official.
The report also conflicted with signals intelligence U.S. officials had at the time. Signals intelligence is information gathered from the electronic signals that are broadcast from devices like portable radios and cellphones. The information can be used to track the movements of individuals or eavesdrop on conversations, known in the spy business as low-level voice intercepts.
U.S. intelligence officials continued to receive location pings from the suspected cellphones of Frerichs and his captors, but the trail went cold on Feb. 5, according to the officials.
"Operationally, the reason why time is critical in a kidnapping is because you can close the distance quicker, ideally immediately or by utilizing sources," said the senior U.S. government official. "This is not the case right now. He could be two houses down from where he was taken and we would not know."
LaPorta reported from Delray Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington, Kathy Gannon in Islamabad and Allen G. Breed in Raleigh, North Carolina, contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--Some suburban malls to reopen so stores can offer curbside pickup

At least three suburban malls are poised to reopen Friday for `` retail-to-go '' under the state 's modified stay-at-home order .
Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale , Fox Valley Mall in Aurora and Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills have been closed for more than a month because of state-imposed restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
But Friday is the first day retail stores will be able to reopen to fulfill telephone and online orders through curbside pickup and delivery .
Namdar Realty Group , which owns Stratford Square , says it will reopen the mall property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
The mall at the southeast corner of Gary Avenue and Schick Road will operate on reduced hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. '' We encourage all merchants to reopen their locations at our properties , which will allow a restart of business operation , '' the company said in a statement released Thursday .
Centennial Real Estate , which owns Hawthorn and Fox Valley , says both malls will have retail-to-go beginning Friday .
The centers will operate on a reduced schedule from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed to the public .
Instead , shoppers will be asked to place orders and pay for the purchases online or over the phone through individual retailers .
Shoppers who want to pick up their purchases in person may do so in the parking lot of each mall .
Officials say retail-to-go areas will be clearly marked .
Store employees will deliver each shopper 's purchases to the customer 's vehicle , placing the order in the back seat or trunk .
`` This expanded service will offer shoppers a new curbside pickup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchasing nonessential goods in a safe manner , '' Colleen Heydon , senior vice president of marketing for Centennial , said in a written statement .
A spokeswoman for Namdar said Stratford 's staff and security staff will closely monitor the situation to ensure everything happens safely and seamlessly .
Store employees at Stratford will be required to wash or sanitize their hands after each interaction with a customer .
Whenever possible , they must disinfect any item that came into contact with a customer .
In addition , mall employees are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CDC , including frequently washing their hands for at least 20 seconds .
`` As government bodies allow , properties will begin to reopen in phases that will consider preventive measures for the safety of the public , '' Namdar 's statement reads .
`` The public health and safety of our patrons , merchants , employees , and communities are a top priority . ''
It 's unclear how many stores at Stratford plan to -- or can -- reopen following retail-to-go guidelines .
Namdar says it will release a list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
• Daily Herald staff writers Mick Zawislak and Marie Wilson contributed to this report .

Some suburban malls to reopen so stores can offer curbside pickup
Fox Valley Mall in Aurora will reopen for retail-to-go on Friday. Mall officials say the service will offer a curbside pickup option so shoppers can resume purchasing nonessential goods in a safe manner. Daily Herald file photo
Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills will have retail-to-go beginning Friday. The center will operate on a reduced schedule from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily Herald file photo
Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, which has been closed for more than a month, is scheduled to reopen for retail-to-go on Friday, according to the mall's owner. Daily Herald file photo
At least three suburban malls are poised to reopen Friday for "retail-to-go" under the state's modified stay-at-home order.
Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, Fox Valley Mall in Aurora and Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills have been closed for more than a month because of state-imposed restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
But Friday is the first day retail stores will be able to reopen to fulfill telephone and online orders through curbside pickup and delivery.
Namdar Realty Group, which owns Stratford Square, says it will reopen the mall property to all tenants and employees on Friday morning. The mall at the southeast corner of Gary Avenue and Schick Road will operate on reduced hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"We encourage all merchants to reopen their locations at our properties, which will allow a restart of business operation," the company said in a statement released Thursday.
Centennial Real Estate, which owns Hawthorn and Fox Valley, says both malls will have retail-to-go beginning Friday. The centers will operate on a reduced schedule from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The doors at all three malls will remain closed to the public.
Instead, shoppers will be asked to place orders and pay for the purchases online or over the phone through individual retailers.
Shoppers who want to pick up their purchases in person may do so in the parking lot of each mall. Officials say retail-to-go areas will be clearly marked.
Store employees will deliver each shopper's purchases to the customer's vehicle, placing the order in the back seat or trunk.
"This expanded service will offer shoppers a new curbside pickup option, which allows them to resume purchasing nonessential goods in a safe manner," Colleen Heydon, senior vice president of marketing for Centennial, said in a written statement.
A spokeswoman for Namdar said Stratford's staff and security staff will closely monitor the situation to ensure everything happens safely and seamlessly.
Store employees at Stratford will be required to wash or sanitize their hands after each interaction with a customer. Whenever possible, they must disinfect any item that came into contact with a customer.
In addition, mall employees are being urged to take health precautions recommended by the CDC, including frequently washing their hands for at least 20 seconds.
"As government bodies allow, properties will begin to reopen in phases that will consider preventive measures for the safety of the public," Namdar's statement reads. "The public health and safety of our patrons, merchants, employees, and communities are a top priority."
It's unclear how many stores at Stratford plan to -- or can -- reopen following retail-to-go guidelines. Namdar says it will release a list of participating retailers in the next few days.
• Daily Herald staff writers Mick Zawislak and Marie Wilson contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--Rivers delays Des Plaines casino expansion project due to COVID-19

The owner of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines is postponing plans for an expansion of the gambling establishment -- the state 's most lucrative , until it was forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen on Thursday announced the decision to delay the expansion at Rivers , along with many of the other casino and racetrack properties the company owns , until the company gets a better gauge at how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the economy .
`` These projects are on hold , '' Carstanjen said during a quarterly earnings call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume those .
We expect to pick 'em back up .
We expect a return to a growth trajectory for this company that is similar to what we 've done over the last number of years .
`` But we have to do so prudently .
We do n't have a crystal ball either and COVID-19 is something that nobody 's seen in several generations . ''
Churchill , which obtained a 61 % stake in Rivers just over a year ago , had been drawing up plans for a casino expansion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table games , related amenities and an on-site hotel .
Already , construction is 90 % complete on expansion of the five-story , 1,550-space parking garage , adding 750 more spaces .
Carstanjen said that 's paused for now , too , but the company will reevaluate starting back up since it 's so far along .
The new garage along River Road is seen as a prerequisite to the larger building addition that would house 670 new gambling positions , as permitted under Illinois ' massive gambling legislation approved last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions within its footprint , as allowed under the law .
That included 115 slot machines on the skywalk from the garage to the casino and near the front entrance , and eight new table games .
Rivers was among the first Illinois casinos to suspend operations in mid-March -- a closure that was later extended by orders of the Illinois Gaming Board and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
By mid-April , the casino had furloughed 1,442 of its 1,493 employees , while cutting the pay of those who remain .
Carstanjen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties will be able to reopen soon , but it 's ultimately up to state and local authorities .
On Wednesday , Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear gave Churchill permission to reopen the stables at its namesake racetrack in Louisville , ahead of a spring meet that would take place without fans .
There was no mention of Arlington International Racecourse -- the Arlington Heights-based track controlled by Churchill -- during the conference call Thursday .
Arlington President Tony Petrillo told members of the Illinois Racing Board last week that it could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to reopen , while the village health department continues to vet the safety of opening the backstretch .

Rivers delays Des Plaines casino expansion project due to COVID-19
Plans to expand Rivers Casino in Des Plaines have been placed on hold in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said Thursday. Daily Herald File Photo, 2012
The owner of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines is postponing plans for an expansion of the gambling establishment -- the state's most lucrative, until it was forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen on Thursday announced the decision to delay the expansion at Rivers, along with many of the other casino and racetrack properties the company owns, until the company gets a better gauge at how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the economy.
"These projects are on hold," Carstanjen said during a quarterly earnings call with investors. "We expect to resume those. We expect to pick 'em back up. We expect a return to a growth trajectory for this company that is similar to what we've done over the last number of years.
"But we have to do so prudently. We don't have a crystal ball either and COVID-19 is something that nobody's seen in several generations."
Churchill, which obtained a 61% stake in Rivers just over a year ago, had been drawing up plans for a casino expansion that would have room for more slots, table games, related amenities and an on-site hotel.
Already, construction is 90% complete on expansion of the five-story, 1,550-space parking garage, adding 750 more spaces. Carstanjen said that's paused for now, too, but the company will reevaluate starting back up since it's so far along.
The new garage along River Road is seen as a prerequisite to the larger building addition that would house 670 new gambling positions, as permitted under Illinois' massive gambling legislation approved last year.
Already, the casino added 130 new positions within its footprint, as allowed under the law. That included 115 slot machines on the skywalk from the garage to the casino and near the front entrance, and eight new table games.
Rivers was among the first Illinois casinos to suspend operations in mid-March -- a closure that was later extended by orders of the Illinois Gaming Board and Gov. J.B. Pritzker. By mid-April, the casino had furloughed 1,442 of its 1,493 employees, while cutting the pay of those who remain.
Carstanjen said he's optimistic the company's gambling properties will be able to reopen soon, but it's ultimately up to state and local authorities.
On Wednesday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gave Churchill permission to reopen the stables at its namesake racetrack in Louisville, ahead of a spring meet that would take place without fans.
There was no mention of Arlington International Racecourse -- the Arlington Heights-based track controlled by Churchill -- during the conference call Thursday. Arlington President Tony Petrillo told members of the Illinois Racing Board last week that it could be June or later when the track is able to reopen, while the village health department continues to vet the safety of opening the backstretch.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--COVID-19 antibody testing met with scrutiny in suburbs, Illinois

As for-profit labs began offering COVID-19 antibody testing seemingly overnight , the backlash against the practice from medical researchers and government officials was almost as swift .
Unprompted at his daily coronavirus briefing late last week , Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker advised residents that `` there are still no antibody blood tests certifiably proven to accurately and consistently diagnose COVID-19 antibodies . ''
He warned test results could give someone a `` false sense of security '' about chances of getting the the disease .
The tests are intended to check for previous COVID-19 infection , with the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi , a Democrat from Schaumburg who heads the House Oversight Committee 's Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy , released a detailed report on the subcommittee 's antibody testing investigation Monday and condemned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for relaxing guidelines that normally would have prevented the tests from going to market .
`` Emergency Use Authorizations '' were granted to some test makers by the FDA to get the tests on the market quickly , without standard validation processes .
`` I was shocked to learn that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the available serology tests work and the FDA has no plans to make that a reality , '' Krishnamoorthi said .
`` They have put the public 's health at risk by allowing inaccurate and potentially fraudulent tests to spread unchecked . ''
One company , ARCpoint Labs , is offering tests ranging from $ 65 to $ 175 that advertise someone who tests positive for the antibodies is `` likely to be immune '' and a candidate to `` return to work . ''
The company , which is based in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Libertyville and Orland Park .
Its claims are being investigated by Krishnamoorthi 's subcommittee , which warned company officials about the language in its advertising .
`` Looking at this website , their statement ... may not be permitted as it overstates what we know about immunity , '' said Krishnamoorthi spokesman Wilson Baldwin .
ARCpoint officials said they believe they are complying with all requirements set by the federal government .
However , they acknowledge the tests have shortcomings .
`` Though antibody tests strive to be as 'specific ' as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the positive results are not due to past or present infections , '' said ARCpoint CEO and President John Constantine .
`` This is one of the required disclaimers that all antibody testing results must include . ''
Constantine added that the tests ARCpoint offers are manufactured by a company that is still waiting for FDA approval for emergency use , but `` these tests are still FDA-compliant under the March 16 Policy for Diagnostic Testing . ''
Meanwhile , medical researchers have begun rapidly examining the legitimacy of antibody tests and found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of California at San Francisco found several that gave false positives more than 10 % of the time .
In normal trials , tests that had more than 2 % failure rates would not be allowed to market , researchers told CNN .
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul 's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment about the tests .
However , a spokeswoman for Pritzker said the governor plans to make sure the public is aware of the shortcomings of the tests .
`` We are advising the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are buying , '' said Jordan Abudayyeh .
`` Until these antibody tests show adequate reliability the state wo n't support their use . ''

COVID-19 antibody testing met with scrutiny in suburbs, Illinois
A sign outside Principle Health Systems and SynerGene Laboratory lists COVID-19 tests available Tuesday in Houston. The company, which opened two new testing sites Tuesday, is now offering a new COVID-19 antibody test developed by Abbott Laboratories. AP Photo/David J. Phillip
As for-profit labs began offering COVID-19 antibody testing seemingly overnight, the backlash against the practice from medical researchers and government officials was almost as swift.
Unprompted at his daily coronavirus briefing late last week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker advised residents that "there are still no antibody blood tests certifiably proven to accurately and consistently diagnose COVID-19 antibodies." He warned test results could give someone a "false sense of security" about chances of getting the the disease.
The tests are intended to check for previous COVID-19 infection, with the idea that it might confer immunity.
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Schaumburg who heads the House Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, released a detailed report on the subcommittee's antibody testing investigation Monday and condemned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for relaxing guidelines that normally would have prevented the tests from going to market. "Emergency Use Authorizations" were granted to some test makers by the FDA to get the tests on the market quickly, without standard validation processes.
"I was shocked to learn that we do not have the ability to know whether the available serology tests work and the FDA has no plans to make that a reality," Krishnamoorthi said. "They have put the public's health at risk by allowing inaccurate and potentially fraudulent tests to spread unchecked."
One company, ARCpoint Labs, is offering tests ranging from $65 to $175 that advertise someone who tests positive for the antibodies is "likely to be immune" and a candidate to "return to work." The company, which is based in South Carolina, has labs in Schaumburg, Libertyville and Orland Park. Its claims are being investigated by Krishnamoorthi's subcommittee, which warned company officials about the language in its advertising.
"Looking at this website, their statement ... may not be permitted as it overstates what we know about immunity," said Krishnamoorthi spokesman Wilson Baldwin.
ARCpoint officials said they believe they are complying with all requirements set by the federal government. However, they acknowledge the tests have shortcomings.
"Though antibody tests strive to be as 'specific' as possible, the tests cannot guarantee the positive results are not due to past or present infections," said ARCpoint CEO and President John Constantine. "This is one of the required disclaimers that all antibody testing results must include."
Constantine added that the tests ARCpoint offers are manufactured by a company that is still waiting for FDA approval for emergency use, but "these tests are still FDA-compliant under the March 16 Policy for Diagnostic Testing."
Meanwhile, medical researchers have begun rapidly examining the legitimacy of antibody tests and found troubling results. One study based at the University of California at San Francisco found several that gave false positives more than 10% of the time. In normal trials, tests that had more than 2% failure rates would not be allowed to market, researchers told CNN.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment about the tests.
However, a spokeswoman for Pritzker said the governor plans to make sure the public is aware of the shortcomings of the tests.
"We are advising the public to be aware of what they are buying," said Jordan Abudayyeh. "Until these antibody tests show adequate reliability the state won't support their use."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--22-year-old loses battle against rare disease

Since he was 5 months old , Maxie Randell of Buffalo Grove has been a medical pioneer as a focus of the mission to cure Canavan disease .
His mother , Ilyce , said her son 's entire existence has been a miracle of love as he fought the rare genetic disorder in which production of the nerve cell protective covering known as myelin is disrupted , preventing brain cells from properly transmitting information .
Most children with Canavan die before their 10th birthday .
Ilyce and her husband , Mike , immediately set out to change that grim prediction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gene therapy before he turned 1 .
Maxie was 22 when he died April 18 .
If there was one blessing , Ilyce said it came in February when Maxie was able to make his longest road trip in a specially equipped van the family bought in 2015 .
It was a five-hour drive to Decorah , Iowa , for a campus visit for Maxie 's only sibling , 18-year-old Alex , who is committed to wrestle and study pre-health at Luther College .
`` We bought the van when Maxie was 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picked it himself .
It 's blue , his favorite color . ''
Looking back at photos of Maxie recently , Ilyce collected those that showed him in the van , which the family no longer needs or can afford .
`` I just spent two hours scrolling through thousands of pictures taken in the last 4½ years looking for pictures specifically of Maxie in his van , because after it 's gone I wanted them all in one place to look at , '' she said .
`` And I realized how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of him being happy in his van .
I do n't even remember taking most of these beautiful pictures , but I thank God I did because those fleeting moments were captured forever . ''
Ilyce has set up a GoFundMe called `` Maxie 's Miracle '' with the aim to pay off the $ 38,700 balance of the van and then donate it to a family that needs an accessible van but ca n't afford to buy one .
`` I could never give away his wheelchair , but we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just not practical to drive , '' said Ilyce , who also has been working to give away medical equipment and supplies that now are not needed .
`` Even setting up pick up times , or answering questions about details of the equipment is excruciating , '' she said .
`` I do n't want to talk about the details -- it 's too painful and too draining .
I just want to give things away to people who need them because that 's what Maxie would want . ''
Ilyce will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex and Maxie to Decorah .
`` Alex had been there three previous times , but all four of us had never gone together , '' she said .
`` A month before , we started having Maxie train for it , and it cracked him up .
We 'd tell him , 'You 've got to practice sitting in your wheelchair and not complaining to get out of it . '
`` We taught him how to sit still , how to breathe yoga style and how to feel comfortable .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emergency , but we really wanted to just know if he could sit back and be OK .
So he literally practiced it for five hours so that he could take the trip . ''
It all paid off .
`` He loved being there , '' Ilyce said .
`` The whole campus and even the football field is bright blue .
`` He smiled the whole way there in the van .
We piled up bright blue stuff from the bookstore on his wheelchair .
It was his first and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and loved it . ''
And it provided comfort to Alex .
`` Now , Alex can go to school there , knowing his brother had been on that campus and approved of it , '' Ilyce said .
`` He can feel his brother 's spirit knowing Maxie was physically on the campus . ''

Buffalo Grove couple's son a 'miracle' who lived 22 years with Canavan disease
Since he was 5 months old, Maxie Randell of Buffalo Grove was a medical pioneer in the mission to cure Canavan disease.
His mother, Ilyce, said her son's entire existence has been a miracle as he fought the rare genetic disorder in which production of the nerve cell protective covering known as myelin is disrupted, preventing brain cells from properly transmitting information.
Most children with Canavan die before their 10th birthday.
Ilyce and her husband, Mike, immediately set out to change that grim prediction for their son, seeking his first gene therapy before he turned 1. Maxie was 22 when he died April 18.
If there was one blessing, Ilyce said, it came in February, when Maxie was able to make his longest road trip in a specially equipped van the family bought in 2015.
It was a five-hour drive to Decorah, Iowa, for a campus visit for Maxie's only sibling, 18-year-old Alex, who is committed to wrestle and study pre-health at Luther College.
"We bought the van when Maxie was 18," Ilyce said. "Maxie picked it himself. It's blue, his favorite color."
Looking back at photos of Maxie recently, Ilyce collected those that showed him in the van, which the family no longer needs or can afford.
"I just spent two hours scrolling through thousands of pictures taken in the last 4½ years looking for pictures specifically of Maxie in his van, because after it's gone I wanted them all in one place to look at," she said. "And I realized how many times I just snapped random pictures of him being happy in his van. I don't even remember taking most of these beautiful pictures, but I thank God I did because those fleeting moments were captured forever."
Ilyce has set up a GoFundMe called "Maxie's Miracle" with the aim to pay off the $38,700 balance of the van and then donate it to a family in need.
"I could never give away his wheelchair, but we have to give away the van. It's just not practical to drive," said Ilyce, who also has been working to give away medical equipment and supplies that now are not needed.
"Even setting up pickup times, or answering questions about details of the equipment, is excruciating," she said. "I don't want to talk about the details -- it's too painful and too draining. I just want to give things away to people who need them because that's what Maxie would want."
Ilyce will never forget the trip with Mike, Alex and Maxie to Decorah.
"Alex had been there three previous times, but all four of us had never gone together," she said. "A month before, we started having Maxie train for it, and it cracked him up. We'd tell him, 'You've got to practice sitting in your wheelchair and not complaining to get out of it.'
"We taught him how to sit still, how to breathe yoga style and how to feel comfortable. We said we'd stop if there was an emergency, but we really wanted to just know if he could sit back and be OK. So he literally practiced it for five hours so that he could take the trip."
It all paid off.
"He loved being there," Ilyce said. "The whole campus and even the football field is bright blue.
"He smiled the whole way there in the van. We piled up bright blue stuff from the bookstore on his wheelchair. It was his first and only road trip. He prepared for it and loved it."
And it provided comfort to Alex.
"Now, Alex can go to school there, knowing his brother had been on that campus and approved of it," Ilyce said. "He can feel his brother's spirit knowing Maxie was physically on the campus."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--Cascade Drive-In theater trying to make a comeback

The shuttered Cascade Drive-In movie theater in West Chicago may be coming back to life .
Theater owner Jeff Kohlberg said Thursday he is talking about the possibility with the new owners of the property along North Avenue .
`` We have been working on it with many people , '' he said .
`` I think it is looking good . ''
Kohlberg cautioned fans , however , that nothing has been set and that even if an agreement is signed , he does n't know how long it will take to get the necessary work done .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one company that makes in-car speakers and film distributors may not have a product ready to show before July 1 .
Kohlberg said he is getting cost estimates for reoutfitting and refurbishing the site .
Much of the Cascade 's equipment -- including the projection and audio systems , payment equipment and concession equipment -- was sold when it closed , he said .
He also wants to update the concessions building and the restrooms .
`` It 's going to come back a lot better than it was before , '' Kohlberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prince Crossing Road was sold in June 2019 to East North Avenue LLC , according to DuPage County property records .
The sale price is not listed , but calculating from the property transfer tax stamp on the deed , East North Avenue LLC paid $ 8.25 million for about 53 acres , including the 28-acre theater site .
The rest of the land was used by the owner 's construction business .
There has been a drive-in movie theater on the property since 1961 .
Kohlberg operated it the past 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner declined to renew the lease in late 2018 .
Kohlberg said he believes that once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted , drive-in theaters will be a popular moviegoing choice for those tired of watching movies at home .
`` You ca n't find a safer place than your own car , '' he said .

Cascade Drive-In theater trying to make a comeback
The shuttered Cascade Drive-In movie theater in West Chicago may be coming back to life.
Theater owner Jeff Kohlberg said Thursday he is talking about the possibility with the new owners of the property along North Avenue.
"We have been working on it with many people," he said. "I think it is looking good."
Kohlberg cautioned fans, however, that nothing has been set and that even if an agreement is signed, he doesn't know how long it will take to get the necessary work done.
For example, he said there is only one company that makes in-car speakers and film distributors may not have a product ready to show before July 1.
Kohlberg said he is getting cost estimates for reoutfitting and refurbishing the site. Much of the Cascade's equipment -- including the projection and audio systems, payment equipment and concession equipment -- was sold when it closed, he said.
He also wants to update the concessions building and the restrooms.
"It's going to come back a lot better than it was before," Kohlberg said.
The site at North Avenue and Prince Crossing Road was sold in June 2019 to East North Avenue LLC, according to DuPage County property records. The sale price is not listed, but calculating from the property transfer tax stamp on the deed, East North Avenue LLC paid $8.25 million for about 53 acres, including the 28-acre theater site. The rest of the land was used by the owner's construction business.
There has been a drive-in movie theater on the property since 1961. Kohlberg operated it the past 30 years, until the property's previous owner declined to renew the lease in late 2018.
Kohlberg said he believes that once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, drive-in theaters will be a popular moviegoing choice for those tired of watching movies at home.
"You can't find a safer place than your own car," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--School's out, but Barrington's Blessings in a Backpack goes on

In an otherwise empty cafeteria at Barrington High School , Lauren Delehoy and her team spent Wednesday tirelessly preparing bags @ @ @ @ @ are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the needs of hundreds of students who @ @ @ @ @ Charities ' Blessings in a Backpack food program not only remain , but have increased @ @ @ @ @ , students who receive free meals at school are sent home every weekend with a @ @ @ @ @ , volunteers are bringing food to the students .
Delehoy , director of food services @ @ @ @ @ Barrington High , and others have spent recent weeks taking in donated food , packing @ @ @ @ @ , on Thursdays , delivering the bags to families in need .
`` Our Blessings @ @ @ @ @ during this time has doubled from the current program , '' said Darby Hills , @ @ @ @ @ Charities .
`` We are making this investment to help local children get the food @ @ @ @ @ time . ''
To help support the program , visit www.barringtonchildrenscharities.com/donate .

School's out, but Barrington's Blessings in a Backpack goes on
In an otherwise empty cafeteria at Barrington High School, Lauren Delehoy and her team spent Wednesday tirelessly preparing bags of food.
Though schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the needs of hundreds of students who rely on Barrington Children's Charities' Blessings in a Backpack food program not only remain, but have increased. During the school year, students who receive free meals at school are sent home every weekend with a bag of food.
Now, volunteers are bringing food to the students.
Delehoy, director of food services for Quest Food Management at Barrington High, and others have spent recent weeks taking in donated food, packing it into bags and then, on Thursdays, delivering the bags to families in need.
"Our Blessings in a Backpack program expenses during this time has doubled from the current program," said Darby Hills, co-founder of Barrington Children's Charities. "We are making this investment to help local children get the food they need during this challenging time."
To help support the program, visit www.barringtonchildrenscharities.com/donate.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--Sound Check presents Ryan Argast livestreaming from home

Another month without the adrenaline rush of live shows , the satisfaction of dinner at a favorite restaurant or the joy of a movie with a popcorn tub as big as your head .
Here at Chicago Sound Check one of our favorite things to do is connecting Chicago-area musicians with fans .
So starting Friday , May 1 , we 're bringing some of them straight to you .
On Friday , we 'll be joined by Ryan Argast , frontman for the Plainfield pop-rock band Marina City , for an interview , some songs and some chats on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike 's Hard Lemonade/White Claw .
Argast , the Plainfield native behind Marina City 's spirited vocals , recently released his `` Quarantine 2020 '' EP , a collection of songs he felt connected him to the situation we 're all experiencing .
`` In the first two weeks they wanted us to quarantine , I was like , 'Oh , you know , I would really like to get like a snapshot of what life is like in my house right now , ' '' he said .
`` So it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple songs off 'The Crush ' and a new song that I wrote for Lyndsey ( Argast 's fiancee ) called 'December 31 2020 , ' which is our wedding date . ''
`` Hopefully it 's still our wedding date , '' he added with a laugh .
Right before the quarantines were ordered , Marina City released the six-song `` The Crush '' EP , featuring power-packed pop songs such as `` Money '' and `` Addicted . ''
Argast will tap into some of those songs for the performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to be talking to our kids and then our grandkids about , '' Argast said .
`` This is literally history , right ?
It 's gon na be in history books .
And when we get out of it , I want to be like , 'Hey , I did this .
I was able to make this .
This is some cool stuff that I did during that time . '
'' A member of the Chicago chapter of the Grammy board , Argast will be playing to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Relief Fund .
And to spread the word about the charity .
`` I do n't feel like enough artists truly know that even exists , but they 'll help an artist who 's having any kind of trouble , '' he said .
`` They get stranded on the side of the road because their van broke down or they had a big accident onstage or offstage that is not allowing them to perform , MusiCares will get money to pay for your medical bills for you , your mechanical stuff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the event at 7 p.m. Friday , May 1 , on Instagram.com/chicagosoundcheck .
And if you ca n't make the show , find the video later at chicagosoundcheck.com .

Sound Check presents Ryan Argast livestreaming from home at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1
Ryan Argast will play some acoustic versions of Marina City songs and originals from his recent "Quarantine 2020" EP and chat with us at Chicago Sound Check at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, on Instagram Live. Courtesy of Marina City
Marina City frontman Ryan Argast will play some music and chat with us at Chicago Sound Check at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, on Instagram Live. Courtesy of Marina City
Another month without the adrenaline rush of live shows, the satisfaction of dinner at a favorite restaurant or the joy of a movie with a popcorn tub as big as your head.
Yeah, we feel ya.
Here at Chicago Sound Check one of our favorite things to do is connecting Chicago-area musicians with fans. So starting Friday, May 1, we're bringing some of them straight to you.
On Friday, we'll be joined by Ryan Argast, frontman for the Plainfield pop-rock band Marina City, for an interview, some songs and some chats on Instagram Live at Instagram.com/chicagosoundcheck, sponsored by Mike's Hard Lemonade/White Claw.
Argast, the Plainfield native behind Marina City's spirited vocals, recently released his "Quarantine 2020" EP, a collection of songs he felt connected him to the situation we're all experiencing.
"In the first two weeks they wanted us to quarantine, I was like, 'Oh, you know, I would really like to get like a snapshot of what life is like in my house right now,'" he said. "So it's a live acoustic EP of me performing a couple songs off 'The Crush' and a new song that I wrote for Lyndsey (Argast's fiancee) called 'December 31 2020,' which is our wedding date."
"Hopefully it's still our wedding date," he added with a laugh.
Right before the quarantines were ordered, Marina City released the six-song "The Crush" EP, featuring power-packed pop songs such as "Money" and "Addicted." Argast will tap into some of those songs for the performance.
"This is something that we're going to be talking to our kids and then our grandkids about," Argast said. "This is literally history, right? It's gonna be in history books. And when we get out of it, I want to be like, 'Hey, I did this. I was able to make this. This is some cool stuff that I did during that time.'"
A member of the Chicago chapter of the Grammy board, Argast will be playing to raise donations for the Recording Academy MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. And to spread the word about the charity.
"I don't feel like enough artists truly know that even exists, but they'll help an artist who's having any kind of trouble," he said. "They get stranded on the side of the road because their van broke down or they had a big accident onstage or offstage that is not allowing them to perform, MusiCares will get money to pay for your medical bills for you, your mechanical stuff, whatever the case is."
Tap into the event at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, on Instagram.com/chicagosoundcheck. And if you can't make the show, find the video later at chicagosoundcheck.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--Rolling Meadows mayor, aldermen seek accounting of how fire station funds spent

Some Rolling Meadows aldermen and the mayor want a better accounting of how contingency funds have been used in the construction of the city 's two new fire stations .
But despite an attempt to delay some payments to the builder , the bills were approved this week in a narrow vote -- the latest in a long-running controversy over the relocation and construction of fire stations 15 and 16 .
Mayor Joe Gallo and Alderman Nick Budmats questioned some $ 200,000 in contingency funds recently spent in building Station 15 , 3201 Algonquin Road , which opened in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff about what those payments -- meant for unforeseen expenditures during the project -- were for .
Gallo also encouraged the seven-member city council to postpone remittance of nearly $ 700,000 in bills through March to construction manager R.C .
Wegman Construction Co. in order to further evaluate the spending .
`` Normally it 's trivial in the overages , but this is not trivial , '' he said during a council meeting held by video conference Tuesday .
`` We should do some due diligence . ''
City Finance Director Melissa Gallagher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primarily used for permitting costs of various aspects of the project , such as a change to electrical systems .
For Station 15 , $ 52,857 remains of the original $ 259,031 contingency , through the end of March , Gallagher said .
For Station 16 , at 2340 Hicks Road , where only final punch-list items remain to be completed , $ 235,736 in contingency is left .
In both cases , the contingencies were included as part of the guaranteed maximum price contracts approved by previous councils in 2018 and 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those set amounts -- $ 5.8 million for Station 15 and $ 5.3 million for Station 16 -- it would have to come back to the council for approval , Gallagher said .
`` At the end of the day , both of these stations are going to be under budget , '' she said Thursday .
While the council was voting this week only on payments through March , new city documents Budmats received this week show the Station 16 contingency fund continued to be spent through April , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ good time to get some last-minute oversight before we pay the final bills on the project , '' Budmats said in support of a delay to the payments .
Aldermen Lara Sanoica and Jenifer Vinezeano also agreed to a postponement until the next council meeting May 12 -- four days before the invoice deadline .
But four other aldermen voted to approve the bills .
They included Alderman Kevin O'Brien , who said he trusts the staff involved in project oversight , including the fire chief , builder and engineers .
So far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracking under budget .
`` We have to entrust the staff that they 're doing the work and doing their day-to-day jobs , '' he said .
Station 16 was set to open in March , but has been delayed due to COVID-19 .
Chief Jeff Moxley said the opening is scheduled for May 7 .

Rolling Meadows mayor, aldermen seek accounting of how fire station funds spent
Some Rolling Meadows aldermen and the mayor want a better accounting of how contingency funds have been used in the construction of the city's two new fire stations.
But despite an attempt to delay some payments to the builder, the bills were approved this week in a narrow vote -- the latest in a long-running controversy over the relocation and construction of fire stations 15 and 16.
Mayor Joe Gallo and Alderman Nick Budmats questioned some $200,000 in contingency funds recently spent in building Station 15, 3201 Algonquin Road, which opened in December. They sought further explanation from city staff about what those payments -- meant for unforeseen expenditures during the project -- were for.
Gallo also encouraged the seven-member city council to postpone remittance of nearly $700,000 in bills through March to construction manager R.C. Wegman Construction Co. in order to further evaluate the spending.
"Normally it's trivial in the overages, but this is not trivial," he said during a council meeting held by video conference Tuesday. "We should do some due diligence."
City Finance Director Melissa Gallagher said contingency funds for Station 15 were primarily used for permitting costs of various aspects of the project, such as a change to electrical systems.
For Station 15, $52,857 remains of the original $259,031 contingency, through the end of March, Gallagher said.
For Station 16, at 2340 Hicks Road, where only final punch-list items remain to be completed, $235,736 in contingency is left.
In both cases, the contingencies were included as part of the guaranteed maximum price contracts approved by previous councils in 2018 and 2019. If either project were to exceed those set amounts -- $5.8 million for Station 15 and $5.3 million for Station 16 -- it would have to come back to the council for approval, Gallagher said.
"At the end of the day, both of these stations are going to be under budget," she said Thursday.
While the council was voting this week only on payments through March, new city documents Budmats received this week show the Station 16 contingency fund continued to be spent through April, he said.
"To me, this is a good time to get some last-minute oversight before we pay the final bills on the project," Budmats said in support of a delay to the payments.
Aldermen Lara Sanoica and Jenifer Vinezeano also agreed to a postponement until the next council meeting May 12 -- four days before the invoice deadline.
But four other aldermen voted to approve the bills. They included Alderman Kevin O'Brien, who said he trusts the staff involved in project oversight, including the fire chief, builder and engineers. So far, O'Brien said, both stations are tracking under budget.
"We have to entrust the staff that they're doing the work and doing their day-to-day jobs," he said.
Station 16 was set to open in March, but has been delayed due to COVID-19. Chief Jeff Moxley said the opening is scheduled for May 7.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-29--Buttermilk restaurants, cinema in Woodridge filed insurance lawsuit due to COVID-19

The owners of Buttermilk restaurants in Geneva and Naperville , and one that has n't opened yet in Vernon Hills , and the owners of Hollywood Boulevard Cinema in Woodridge filed a lawsuit against their insurance company about denial of claims during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The lawsuit against Society Insurance in Wisconsin was filed last week by Biscuit Cafe , Inc. , Buttermilk Naperville , Inc. , BM Vernon , Inc. , and Hobson Financial Group of Illinois in U.S. District Court , Northern District of Illinois , Eastern Division .
The lawsuit seeks class-action status .
The movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geneva and Naperville can only provide pickup and delivery services during the pandemic , as per the state 's orders .
A new Buttermilk restaurant in Vernon Hills was n't able to open April 20 as scheduled , the lawsuit states .
The businesses were denied claims for business income and extra expenses , the lawsuit states .
`` Unlike many commercial property policies available on the market , the 'all-risk ' policy that defendant sold to plaintiffs does not exclude loss caused by a virus , '' it states .
Rebecca Kollmann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the company does n't comment on ongoing litigation .
`` We look forward to a favorable resolution of this situation in the near future , '' she said .
The lawsuit states Society Insurance denied Hollywood Boulevard Cinema 's claim on April 1 , and `` effectively denied '' the claim submitted by Buttermilk on March 25 by failing to respond for nearly a month .
Attorney David Fish of Naperville said his clients are losing money every day .
`` We do n't know right now the full extent of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The lawsuit also states that `` upon information and belief , people carrying COVID-19 particles '' had been in the businesses .
Fish did n't respond to a question about whether that referred to specific people .
The insurance company 's denial took place without `` a reasonable investigation , '' as required by state law , and was `` vexatious and unreasonable , '' the lawsuit states .
The businesses are seeking an additional judgment of $ 60,000 per business and at least 60 % of what they are deemed entitled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fees and related costs .
`` Our clients are small family owned businesses that were just trying to make it , and this is just horrible for them , '' Fish said .

Buttermilk restaurants, cinema in Woodridge filed insurance lawsuit due to COVID-19
The owners of Buttermilk restaurants in Geneva and Naperville, and one that hasn't opened yet in Vernon Hills, and the owners of Hollywood Boulevard Cinema in Woodridge filed a lawsuit against their insurance company about denial of claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lawsuit against Society Insurance in Wisconsin was filed last week by Biscuit Cafe, Inc., Buttermilk Naperville, Inc., BM Vernon, Inc., and Hobson Financial Group of Illinois in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. The lawsuit seeks class-action status.
The movie theater is closed and the restaurants in Geneva and Naperville can only provide pickup and delivery services during the pandemic, as per the state's orders. A new Buttermilk restaurant in Vernon Hills wasn't able to open April 20 as scheduled, the lawsuit states.
The businesses were denied claims for business income and extra expenses, the lawsuit states. "Unlike many commercial property policies available on the market, the 'all-risk' policy that defendant sold to plaintiffs does not exclude loss caused by a virus," it states.
Rebecca Kollmann, Society Insurance corporate marketing manager, said the company doesn't comment on ongoing litigation. "We look forward to a favorable resolution of this situation in the near future," she said.
The lawsuit states Society Insurance denied Hollywood Boulevard Cinema's claim on April 1, and "effectively denied" the claim submitted by Buttermilk on March 25 by failing to respond for nearly a month.
Attorney David Fish of Naperville said his clients are losing money every day. "We don't know right now the full extent of our clients' losses," he said.
The lawsuit also states that "upon information and belief, people carrying COVID-19 particles" had been in the businesses. Fish didn't respond to a question about whether that referred to specific people.
The insurance company's denial took place without "a reasonable investigation," as required by state law, and was "vexatious and unreasonable," the lawsuit states. The businesses are seeking an additional judgment of $60,000 per business and at least 60% of what they are deemed entitled to recover in court, plus attorney fees and related costs.
"Our clients are small family owned businesses that were just trying to make it, and this is just horrible for them," Fish said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--Today's Recommended Read: 'The Ride of a Lifetime' by Robert Iger

`` The Ride of a Lifetime , '' pitched as a blueprint for leadership with the subtitle `` Lessons I Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company , '' now serves as a curious pre-pandemic time capsule of the world 's largest entertainment company at the height of its powers .
Less than six months after its publication , Robert Iger would cede his job ahead of schedule to Bob Chapek , the former head of Disney 's theme park division .
A month later , The New York Times reported Iger had resumed many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built weathered a world without roller coasters , cruise ships and movie theaters .
`` Ride of a Lifetime '' has a happy ending apropos of its subject .
Iger and his company are on top of the world , thanks to a series of acquisitions that turned a strong brand into a superheroic one .
Disney bought Pixar from Steve Jobs , whose friendship Iger clearly valued .
It bought George Lucas ' `` Star Wars '' empire and then , as Iger details , ignored the creator 's notes on where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Marvel gave Disney the most lucrative cinematic universe of them all -- and here , Iger perhaps takes a bit too much credit for the phenomenon of `` Black Panther . ''
He does make for an engaging narrator , especially in a prologue that addresses a tumultuous week in 2016 : While in Shanghai to open the new Disneyland park , Iger calls a father whose young son was killed by an alligator on Walt Disney World property .
`` Ride of a Lifetime '' takes you behind the curtain of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed .
In a few years , an updated version with a new chapter or two is sure to be even more fascinating .

Today's Recommended Read: 'The Ride of a Lifetime' by Robert Iger
"The Ride of a Lifetime," pitched as a blueprint for leadership with the subtitle "Lessons I Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company," now serves as a curious pre-pandemic time capsule of the world's largest entertainment company at the height of its powers.
Less than six months after its publication, Robert Iger would cede his job ahead of schedule to Bob Chapek, the former head of Disney's theme park division. A month later, The New York Times reported Iger had resumed many of his CEO duties as the house Walt built weathered a world without roller coasters, cruise ships and movie theaters.
"Ride of a Lifetime" has a happy ending apropos of its subject. Iger and his company are on top of the world, thanks to a series of acquisitions that turned a strong brand into a superheroic one. Disney bought Pixar from Steve Jobs, whose friendship Iger clearly valued. It bought George Lucas' "Star Wars" empire and then, as Iger details, ignored the creator's notes on where to take the franchise. The acquisition of Marvel gave Disney the most lucrative cinematic universe of them all -- and here, Iger perhaps takes a bit too much credit for the phenomenon of "Black Panther."
He does make for an engaging narrator, especially in a prologue that addresses a tumultuous week in 2016: While in Shanghai to open the new Disneyland park, Iger calls a father whose young son was killed by an alligator on Walt Disney World property.
"Ride of a Lifetime" takes you behind the curtain of an industry that has already been forever changed. In a few years, an updated version with a new chapter or two is sure to be even more fascinating.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-30--What others are writing about COVID-19

What others are writing about COVID-19

U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Is Far Higher Than Reported , C.D.C .
Data Suggests The New York Times compared the provisional death counts for seven states hit hard by the coronavirus with the number of deaths for the same time period over five years .
The results illustrate a pattern of deaths unlike any seen in recent years .
Read the story here .
Poop may tell us when the coronavirus lockdown will end Researchers are monitoring sewage in an effort to track the spread of the coronavirus .
`` Wastewater-based-epidemiology '' has been used around the globe for decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by clinicians .
Researchers believe wastewater analysis could potentially fill in the data gaps left by testing shortages and help communities tell how much the virus is spreading -- and when it has gone away .
The Los Angeles Times explains .
How Long Will a Vaccine Really Take New York Times Opinion asked experts how it could be possible to shorten the timeline for developing an entirely new vaccine .
Interactive graphics illustrate the question .
Polls : Americans do n't want to end social distancing policies despite financial devastation A new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic continues .
But a majority of Americans still are not ready to relax social distancing restrictions .
Vox looks at the numbers behind two new polls .
Taking care of yourself during the pandemic , from head to toe The Washington Post offers this guide to self-care , with links to stories on everything from reducing anxiety to getting your steps in .

What others are writing about COVID-19
A sign is displayed during the coronavirus pandemic at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Wheeling. Associated Press
U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Is Far Higher Than Reported, C.D.C. Data Suggests
The New York Times compared the provisional death counts for seven states hit hard by the coronavirus with the number of deaths for the same time period over five years. The results illustrate a pattern of deaths unlike any seen in recent years. Read the story here.
Poop may tell us when the coronavirus lockdown will end
Researchers are monitoring sewage in an effort to track the spread of the coronavirus. "Wastewater-based-epidemiology" has been used around the globe for decades to detect outbreaks before they are noticed by clinicians. Researchers believe wastewater analysis could potentially fill in the data gaps left by testing shortages and help communities tell how much the virus is spreading -- and when it has gone away. The Los Angeles Times explains.
How Long Will a Vaccine Really Take
New York Times Opinion asked experts how it could be possible to shorten the timeline for developing an entirely new vaccine. Interactive graphics illustrate the question.
Polls: Americans don't want to end social distancing policies despite financial devastation
A new poll finds widespread economic devastation as the pandemic continues. But a majority of Americans still are not ready to relax social distancing restrictions. Vox looks at the numbers behind two new polls.
Taking care of yourself during the pandemic, from head to toe
The Washington Post offers this guide to self-care, with links to stories on everything from reducing anxiety to getting your steps in.