dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-12--O'Donnell: Droopy NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago will be must-flee TV

WHAT IF THE NBA held an All-Star Weekend and no one cared ?
Would that be like major American cinema finding out it has to look to South Korea for its sharpest dark comedies ?
Whatever the case , NBA ASW '20 slinks into Chicago this weekend with all the zing of an Andrew Yang campaign retrospective .
Most informed Bulls classicists place the blame squarely where it belongs -- on ongoing residuals from `` The Curse of the Breakup . ''
That was the 1998 civic gift that just keeps giving by Jerry Reinsdorf and serfs when Michael Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curb and hearts were broken from West Madison Street to West Mumbai .
The gratuitous breakup also started an open-ended run of bad karma that remains weighing down the rims below one of the most competitively dysfunctional operations in sports .
All the likely media players -- Turner , Disney/ESPN , the NBA Network -- will be here in bodies and feigned spirit for a lame event certain to prompt an uptick in alternative activities .
Yeasayers will note that the weekend will feature : • The perception of a possible `` coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antetokounmpo , who pretty much already owns the game 's global marquee and needs no coming out party .
The truth is , the NBA 's All-Star Weekend is a fading event with slumping TV viewership herded into a city that simply wishes the Reinsdorf ownership group would sell and go away .
The weekend 's spiritless mood is a `` Sirius '' cry away from the previous two times the ASG played Chicago .
The first was a Tuesday night in January , 1973 , when America had much more to celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , word trickled out of Washington , D.C. , that peace -- at least a cease fire and American troop withdrawal -- was finally at hand in Vietnam .
Chris Schenkel and Bill Russell were interrupted on ABC 's telecast of the game shortly before halftime so Richard Nixon could deliver an address from the White House detailing the news .
Chet Walker and Bob Love represented the Bulls .
Dave Cowens won MVP and the East prevailed in a reasonably serious attempt at conventional NBA basketball , 104-94 .
Fifteen years later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all to see when he won The Slam-Dunk Contest on Saturday and captured the ASG 's MVP on Sunday .
That was much more of a coming-out party , even if his dunk victory over Dominique Wilkins was homered to a point of ritual astonishment unknown to even Bridgeport Democrats .
The Bulls were in ascent .
Nike 's international ad campaign centered on Jordan and his overpriced gym shoes was leaving earth 's gravitational pull and actually getting clever .
M.J .
Himself was on his third head coach in four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all of the Reinsdorf-Jerry Krause impediments to come .
But all the basketball world got to see full-swoosh Michael , even if his career postseason record at the time was a more Bulls-common 1-9 .
Instead , ASW '20 will be bling-bang trash , fleeting flash and must-flee TV .
In other words , so perfectly representative of the state of NBA basketball in Jerry Reinsdorf 's Chicago .
STREET-BEATIN ' : Quite a surprise that Joe Maddon was pro-active and Theo Epstein was predictably deflective in their perspectives on why the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Q. is n't why Maddon is gone ; the Q. is why is Epstein is still here ?
Does he think his second act at Wrigley is going to top his first ?
... Mark Grace is the latest part-timer to join the Cubs ' upstreaming Marquee web .
Still lacking a distribution deal with Comcast , maybe the network plans to send its growing flock of missionaries door-to-door to keep fans informed about what 's happening ... Marcus Fruchter , chief administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board , reports that the casinos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected to have sportsbooks up and humming in time for the NCAA men 's basketball tournament .
( Baffling Arlington Park continues to spin out of the churn . )
... Nielsen found an extra 11M `` out of home '' viewers for Super Bowl 54 , giving `` The Kyle Shanahan Showcase Meltdown '' a total reported audience of 113M .
( Could Nielsen also find 12 more points for Jimmy Garoppolo and SF ? )
...
Since Craig Karmazin and his Good Karma Brands passively took over Chicago 's AM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has lost more than 25 percent of its audience .
( Some might suggest a first step is to stop the bleeding and not have P.D .
Mike Thomas accentuate the nothingness . )
... Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk will be puck and center when the NHL 's Stadium Series presents the Avalanche-Kings from the U.S. Air Force Academy Saturday ( NBC , 7 p.m. ; Even the wild blue yonder probably is n't going to help Anze Kopitar and gasping L.A. ) ... And New Orleans rookie Jaxson Hayes -- who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. State Department -- on not being selected for All-Star Weekend 's Rising Stars game , summoned rare viral eloquence when he lamented : `` The NBA is a bunch of ( bleep-bleep ) .
And the NBA can really ( bleep ) my ( bleep ) for all I care .
It is was it is . ''
• Jim O'Donnell 's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday .
Reach him at jimodonnelldh @ yahoo.com .

O'Donnell: Droopy NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago will be must-flee TV
Yeasayers will tell you this all-star weekend is a possible "coming out party" for Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo -- who pretty much already owns the game's global marquee and needs no coming out party. Associated Press
WHAT IF THE NBA held an All-Star Weekend and no one cared?
Would that be like major American cinema finding out it has to look to South Korea for its sharpest dark comedies?
Whatever the case, NBA ASW '20 slinks into Chicago this weekend with all the zing of an Andrew Yang campaign retrospective.
Most informed Bulls classicists place the blame squarely where it belongs -- on ongoing residuals from "The Curse of the Breakup."
That was the 1998 civic gift that just keeps giving by Jerry Reinsdorf and serfs when Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson were kicked to the curb and hearts were broken from West Madison Street to West Mumbai.
The gratuitous breakup also started an open-ended run of bad karma that remains weighing down the rims below one of the most competitively dysfunctional operations in sports.
All the likely media players -- Turner, Disney/ESPN, the NBA Network -- will be here in bodies and feigned spirit for a lame event certain to prompt an uptick in alternative activities.
Yeasayers will note that the weekend will feature:
• An All-Star Game (Sunday, TNT/TBS, 7 p.m.);
• A dismissible quiver of snoozy talent "showcases" beginning Friday night; and,
• The perception of a possible "coming out party" for Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, who pretty much already owns the game's global marquee and needs no coming out party.
The truth is, the NBA's All-Star Weekend is a fading event with slumping TV viewership herded into a city that simply wishes the Reinsdorf ownership group would sell and go away.
The weekend's spiritless mood is a "Sirius" cry away from the previous two times the ASG played Chicago.
The first was a Tuesday night in January, 1973, when America had much more to celebrate than elite bouncing balls.
That afternoon, word trickled out of Washington, D.C., that peace -- at least a cease fire and American troop withdrawal -- was finally at hand in Vietnam.
Chris Schenkel and Bill Russell were interrupted on ABC's telecast of the game shortly before halftime so Richard Nixon could deliver an address from the White House detailing the news.
Chet Walker and Bob Love represented the Bulls. Dave Cowens won MVP and the East prevailed in a reasonably serious attempt at conventional NBA basketball, 104-94.
Fifteen years later, Michael Jordan ruled land, air and all to see when he won The Slam-Dunk Contest on Saturday and captured the ASG's MVP on Sunday.
That was much more of a coming-out party, even if his dunk victory over Dominique Wilkins was homered to a point of ritual astonishment unknown to even Bridgeport Democrats.
The Bulls were in ascent. Nike's international ad campaign centered on Jordan and his overpriced gym shoes was leaving earth's gravitational pull and actually getting clever.
M.J. Himself was on his third head coach in four seasons in Chicago, a looming hint of all of the Reinsdorf-Jerry Krause impediments to come.
But all the basketball world got to see full-swoosh Michael, even if his career postseason record at the time was a more Bulls-common 1-9.
This weekend, don't expect peace accords or celestial breakthroughs.
Instead, ASW '20 will be bling-bang trash, fleeting flash and must-flee TV.
In other words, so perfectly representative of the state of NBA basketball in Jerry Reinsdorf's Chicago.
STREET-BEATIN': Quite a surprise that Joe Maddon was pro-active and Theo Epstein was predictably deflective in their perspectives on why the Cubs world championship manager left. The Q. isn't why Maddon is gone; the Q. is why is Epstein is still here? Does he think his second act at Wrigley is going to top his first? ...
Mark Grace is the latest part-timer to join the Cubs' upstreaming Marquee web. Still lacking a distribution deal with Comcast, maybe the network plans to send its growing flock of missionaries door-to-door to keep fans informed about what's happening ...
Marcus Fruchter, chief administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board, reports that the casinos in Des Plaines, Elgin and Alton are expected to have sportsbooks up and humming in time for the NCAA men's basketball tournament. (Baffling Arlington Park continues to spin out of the churn.) ...
Nielsen found an extra 11M "out of home" viewers for Super Bowl 54, giving "The Kyle Shanahan Showcase Meltdown" a total reported audience of 113M. (Could Nielsen also find 12 more points for Jimmy Garoppolo and SF?) ...
Since Craig Karmazin and his Good Karma Brands passively took over Chicago's AM 1000 last fall, the beam beggar has lost more than 25 percent of its audience. (Some might suggest a first step is to stop the bleeding and not have P.D. Mike Thomas accentuate the nothingness.) ...
Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk will be puck and center when the NHL's Stadium Series presents the Avalanche-Kings from the U.S. Air Force Academy Saturday (NBC, 7 p.m.; Even the wild blue yonder probably isn't going to help Anze Kopitar and gasping L.A.) ...
And New Orleans rookie Jaxson Hayes -- who could be headed for a post with the U.S. State Department -- on not being selected for All-Star Weekend's Rising Stars game, summoned rare viral eloquence when he lamented: "The NBA is a bunch of (bleep-bleep). And the NBA can really (bleep) my (bleep) for all I care. It is was it is."
• Jim O'Donnell's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-12--Brighter days have arrived for Chicago White Sox

GLENDALE , Ariz. -- One year ago on these same grounds at Camelback Ranch , Lucas Giolito stood in front of the cameras , recorders and notebooks and said he made some drastic mental and mechanical changes during the off-season .
The White Sox 's starting pitcher vowed to be better .
Giolito then shifted his focus to the Sox as a whole , and that 's when the interview took a turn for the worse .
`` I 'm sick of losing , honestly , '' Giolito said .
`` I 've been losing from the minor leagues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
I 'm ready to win . ''
Giolito did everything he could to achieve that goal last season , going 14-9 with a 3.41 ERA .
In 2018 , the big right-hander was 10-13 while posting the highest ERA ( 6.13 ) in the major leagues .
Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson also broke out big last season , Jose Abreu was the American League RBI leader ( 123 ) and Eloy Jimenez was the league 's rookie leader in home runs ( 31 ) , RBI ( 79 ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were plenty of positives , but the White Sox still finished at 72-89 , their seventh straight losing season .
Even the most barren teams see the bright side on the first day of spring training , but the White Sox finally have a reason to believe they 'll make something of themselves this year .
In addition to a solid returning core , productive veterans Yasmani Grandal , Dallas Keuchel , Edwin Encarnacion , Gio Gonzalez , Steve Cishek and Nomar Mazara have joined the roster .
Two more impact prospects -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joining the Sox this season and Michael Kopech is back after missing 2019 with Tommy John surgery .
Like the rest of the players and staff in camp , Giolito 's confidence in the White Sox 's ability to win is not just wishful thinking .
`` I think it 's very realistic because the fact that the young guys , we 've been growing and learning for a few years now to the point where , 'OK , we 're ready to put it together , ' '' Giolito said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help thanks to the acquisitions this off-season .
I think for us , it 's just about everyone buying in , being on the same page with the direction that we 're going and just playing consistent baseball .
`` I think that 's what 's been missing the past few years , just that consistency .
Obviously , the talent 's there .
But just coming to the field every day saying , 'We 're going to win this ballgame , ' and knowing that , just having that confidence . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight years of playing in the postseason , with the Dodgers and Brewers .
Like Giolito ( chest-muscle strain ) , Grandal ( calf ) is nursing a minor injury and easing into camp .
Unlike Giolito , Grandal has experience playing for winning teams and knows what it takes to make it happen .
`` We 're as strong as our weakest link , '' Grandal said .
`` I feel like we need to make everybody better , it does n't matter if you 're a reliever or a position player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homework on everybody and make sure everybody is on the same page and then we 'll go from there .
`` We 'll make adjustments as the year goes on .
The quicker we can do it , the better . ''
Good luck finding somebody happier than Rick Hahn at Sox camp .
Not only does he have a 491-642 record since taking over as general manager in 2013 , Hahn has suffered more than most over the last three years of the rebuild .
`` It 's fun , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive vibe going on around this camp .
You can sort of see how this thing looks like it may come together over the next several years .
It 's not just a one-year jump or something that regardless of how well this year goes is going to be out of grasp for us in the near future .
`` When we started this whole process , it was about putting ourselves in position for annual contention .
As you look around this camp and you see the guys that are not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but some of the young prospects that are coming behind them , you see we 've gotten this into a position where certainly brighter days are ahead and we 're probably talking years , not brighter months . ''

Brighter days have arrived for Chicago White Sox
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- One year ago on these same grounds at Camelback Ranch, Lucas Giolito stood in front of the cameras, recorders and notebooks and said he made some drastic mental and mechanical changes during the off-season.
The White Sox's starting pitcher vowed to be better.
Giolito then shifted his focus to the Sox as a whole, and that's when the interview took a turn for the worse.
"I'm sick of losing, honestly," Giolito said. "I've been losing from the minor leagues, my last few years, coming up here. I'm ready to win."
Giolito did everything he could to achieve that goal last season, going 14-9 with a 3.41 ERA. In 2018, the big right-hander was 10-13 while posting the highest ERA (6.13) in the major leagues.
Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson also broke out big last season, Jose Abreu was the American League RBI leader (123) and Eloy Jimenez was the league's rookie leader in home runs (31), RBI (79) and total bases (240).
There were plenty of positives, but the White Sox still finished at 72-89, their seventh straight losing season.
Even the most barren teams see the bright side on the first day of spring training, but the White Sox finally have a reason to believe they'll make something of themselves this year.
In addition to a solid returning core, productive veterans Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel, Edwin Encarnacion, Gio Gonzalez, Steve Cishek and Nomar Mazara have joined the roster.
Two more impact prospects -- Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal -- are joining the Sox this season and Michael Kopech is back after missing 2019 with Tommy John surgery.
Like the rest of the players and staff in camp, Giolito's confidence in the White Sox's ability to win is not just wishful thinking.
"I think it's very realistic because the fact that the young guys, we've been growing and learning for a few years now to the point where, 'OK, we're ready to put it together,'" Giolito said. "And now we have a bunch more help thanks to the acquisitions this off-season. I think for us, it's just about everyone buying in, being on the same page with the direction that we're going and just playing consistent baseball.
"I think that's what's been missing the past few years, just that consistency. Obviously, the talent's there. But just coming to the field every day saying, 'We're going to win this ballgame,' and knowing that, just having that confidence."
Grandal joins the White Sox after five straight years of playing in the postseason, with the Dodgers and Brewers.
Like Giolito (chest-muscle strain), Grandal (calf) is nursing a minor injury and easing into camp. Unlike Giolito, Grandal has experience playing for winning teams and knows what it takes to make it happen.
"We're as strong as our weakest link," Grandal said. "I feel like we need to make everybody better, it doesn't matter if you're a reliever or a position player. I'm going to do my homework on everybody and make sure everybody is on the same page and then we'll go from there.
"We'll make adjustments as the year goes on. The quicker we can do it, the better."
Good luck finding somebody happier than Rick Hahn at Sox camp. Not only does he have a 491-642 record since taking over as general manager in 2013, Hahn has suffered more than most over the last three years of the rebuild.
"It's fun," he said. "There's a very positive vibe going on around this camp. You can sort of see how this thing looks like it may come together over the next several years. It's not just a one-year jump or something that regardless of how well this year goes is going to be out of grasp for us in the near future.
"When we started this whole process, it was about putting ourselves in position for annual contention. As you look around this camp and you see the guys that are not only here in terms of the veterans, but some of the young prospects that are coming behind them, you see we've gotten this into a position where certainly brighter days are ahead and we're probably talking years, not brighter months."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-12--Cavaliers end 12-game home skid, beat Hawks 127-105

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Cavaliers finally had some fun on their home court Wednesday night .
Tristan Thompson scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds , Larry Nance Jr. had a career-high 23 points , and the Cavaliers broke a 12-game home losing streak , defeating the Atlanta Hawks 127-105 .
Cleveland was coming off the worst home loss in franchise history , a 133-92 rout by the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday .
The Cavaliers won at home for the first time since beating the Hawks on Dec. 23 .
`` It 's a happy locker room again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's been a long time in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for us to have a happy locker room . ''
Andre Drummond scored 14 points and had 15 rebounds .
Drummond , acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline , has had a double-double in both games with Cleveland .
`` I know these guys had n't won since Christmas , '' he said of Cleveland 's home streak .
`` It 's good we came with so much energy . ''
Thompson hit three 3-pointers , a career high in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participated in a long-range shooting contest with Nance and Drummond during the team 's morning shootaround .
`` Guards do shooting games in practice , so why not the bigs ? ''
Thompson said .
`` Sometimes you make , sometimes you miss .
It 's fun .
It 's good big man competition . ''
The Cavaliers , who had lost 13 of 14 overall , went ahead midway through the first quarter and led by 23 points in the third .
Atlanta cut the lead to nine in the fourth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting in place of the injured Kevin Love , had 12 rebounds .
Collin Sexton , who was added to the Rising Stars roster this week , had 23 points .
Trae Young scored 27 points and had 12 assists for the Hawks , who rallied after trailing 86-63 midway through the third quarter .
Atlanta 's All-Star guard was 8 of 17 from from the field .
John Collins scored 23 points and rookie Cam Reddish had 16 .
The Hawks ( 15-41 ) are trying to hold off the Cavaliers ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Eastern Conference .
Both teams played their final game before the All-Star break .
`` Everybody is thinking about where they 're going and when their plane is going to leave ( for the break ) , so it happens sometimes , '' Young said .
The Cavaliers had highlight-reel plays that brought Cleveland 's bench players and the crowd to their feet several times .
Thompson added a personal flurry in the second quarter .
He hit 3-pointers from the top of the key on back-to-back possessions and ran upcourt with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drove into the lane and finished with a resounding dunk the next time down the court .
Drummond later dribbled upcourt after grabbing a rebound , passed to Darius Garland , who made an underhand lob pass to Nance for a dunk .
Thompson added another 3-pointer in the closing minutes .
Rookie Kevin Porter Jr. scored 18 points Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon made his first start since being acquired from Sacramento on Feb. 6 , but was limited to 18 minutes and had four fouls .
Hawks : Dedmon 's return moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
... C Clint Capela ( plantar fasciitis ) and F Skal Labissiere ( left knee ) were out .
Cavaliers : Love did n't play because of a sore right Achilles .
Beilein said he slightly injured the Achilles last week and played with the soreness Sunday .
... Thompson is 7 for 23 on 3-pointers in his career.. Hawks forward Vince Carter , likely playing his final game in Cleveland , was given a long ovation during a photo presentation on the video board before the second quarter .
Carter waved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's bench , exchanging hugs with several players .
Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce got right to the point when asked about what happened to his team .
`` Their effort was great and ours was n't , '' he said .
`` Not a pretty game .
They just played harder than us . ''

Cavaliers end 12-game home skid, beat Hawks 127-105
Cleveland Cavaliers' Andre Drummond (3) shoots against the Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. Associated Press
Atlanta Hawks' John Collins dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 127-105. Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach John Beilein, center, talks with Cleveland Cavaliers' Collin Sexton (2) and Darius Garland (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. Associated Press
Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young (11) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland (10) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 127-105. Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland (10) drives against Atlanta Hawks' Cam Reddish (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers' Larry Nance Jr. (22) passes against Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young (11) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 127-105. Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson celebrates after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 127-105. Associated Press
Cleveland Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson (13) drives against Atlanta Hawks' De'Andre Hunter (12) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 127-105. Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Cavaliers finally had some fun on their home court Wednesday night.
Tristan Thompson scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Larry Nance Jr. had a career-high 23 points, and the Cavaliers broke a 12-game home losing streak, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 127-105.
Cleveland was coming off the worst home loss in franchise history, a 133-92 rout by the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The Cavaliers won at home for the first time since beating the Hawks on Dec. 23.
"It's a happy locker room again," Cavaliers coach John Beilein said. "It's been a long time in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for us to have a happy locker room."
Andre Drummond scored 14 points and had 15 rebounds. Drummond, acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline, has had a double-double in both games with Cleveland.
"I know these guys hadn't won since Christmas," he said of Cleveland's home streak. "It's good we came with so much energy."
Thompson hit three 3-pointers, a career high in a game for the 6-foot-9 center. He participated in a long-range shooting contest with Nance and Drummond during the team's morning shootaround.
"Guards do shooting games in practice, so why not the bigs?" Thompson said. "Sometimes you make, sometimes you miss. It's fun. It's good big man competition."
The Cavaliers, who had lost 13 of 14 overall, went ahead midway through the first quarter and led by 23 points in the third. Atlanta cut the lead to nine in the fourth, but got no closer.
Nance, starting in place of the injured Kevin Love, had 12 rebounds. Collin Sexton, who was added to the Rising Stars roster this week, had 23 points.
Trae Young scored 27 points and had 12 assists for the Hawks, who rallied after trailing 86-63 midway through the third quarter.
Atlanta's All-Star guard was 8 of 17 from from the field. John Collins scored 23 points and rookie Cam Reddish had 16.
The Hawks (15-41) are trying to hold off the Cavaliers (14-40) for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Both teams played their final game before the All-Star break.
"Everybody is thinking about where they're going and when their plane is going to leave (for the break), so it happens sometimes," Young said.
The Cavaliers had highlight-reel plays that brought Cleveland's bench players and the crowd to their feet several times.
Thompson added a personal flurry in the second quarter. He hit 3-pointers from the top of the key on back-to-back possessions and ran upcourt with his arms in the air. He drove into the lane and finished with a resounding dunk the next time down the court.
Drummond later dribbled upcourt after grabbing a rebound, passed to Darius Garland, who made an underhand lob pass to Nance for a dunk.
Thompson added another 3-pointer in the closing minutes. Rookie Kevin Porter Jr. scored 18 points
Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon made his first start since being acquired from Sacramento on Feb. 6, but was limited to 18 minutes and had four fouls.
TIP-INS
Hawks: Dedmon's return moved C Damian Jones to a reserve role. ... C Clint Capela (plantar fasciitis) and F Skal Labissiere (left knee) were out.
Cavaliers: Love didn't play because of a sore right Achilles. Beilein said he slightly injured the Achilles last week and played with the soreness Sunday. ... Thompson is 7 for 23 on 3-pointers in his career..
HALL OF FAME SALUTE
Hawks forward Vince Carter, likely playing his final game in Cleveland, was given a long ovation during a photo presentation on the video board before the second quarter. Carter waved to the crowd and pointed to Cleveland's bench, exchanging hugs with several players.
SIMPLE EXPLANATION
Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce got right to the point when asked about what happened to his team.
"Their effort was great and ours wasn't," he said. "Not a pretty game. They just played harder than us."
UP NEXT
Hawks: host Miami on Feb. 20.
Cavaliers: visit Washington on Feb. 21.
--
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Suburban men charged in multimillion-dollar counterfeit sports cap operation

Two men face felony charges stemming from what Wheeling police say was a multimillion-dollar operation to produce counterfeit sports caps , many with professional team logos .
June Lee , 54 , of the 400 block of Castlewood Lane in Buffalo Grove , and Hyung Kim , 64 , of the 17000 block of Braewick Drive near Gurnee , each are charged with violation of the Counterfeit Trademark Act .
The charge is a felony punishable by a maximum four to 15 years in prison .
Wheeling Deputy Police Chief Joseph Licari said the operation even produced caps celebrating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Super Bowl 54 .
Police said a tip launched an investigation that began in Wheeling and ended Tuesday with a raid at a building on the 1200 block of Rand Road in Des Plaines .
Authorities said they found three large , sophisticated machines used to produce the custom headwear in the building and seized about 125,000 baseball-style caps .
The hats had an estimated retail value of at least $ 2.5 million , police said .
About 40,000 of them featured logos from NHL , NBA , MLB and NFL teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at roadside stands across the Chicago area .
Bulls , Blackhawks , Bears and Cubs hats in a variety of styles were among those seized it the operation .
`` It was excellent quality , '' Licari said of the hats .
`` Good quality stuff . ''
Wheeling police investigators worked the case with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and also received some assistance from Des Plaines police , authorities said .

Suburban men charged in multimillion-dollar counterfeit sports cap operation
Authorities say sophisticated equipment was used to produce thousands of counterfeit sports caps at a Des Plaines building. Two suburban men face felony charges after a raid on the facility Tuesday. Courtesy of Wheeling police
Wheeling police say officers seized an estimated $2.5 million in counterfeit sports caps this week during a raid at a Des Plaines factory. Courtesy of Wheeling police
Two men face felony charges stemming from what Wheeling police say was a multimillion-dollar operation to produce counterfeit sports caps, many with professional team logos.
June Lee, 54, of the 400 block of Castlewood Lane in Buffalo Grove, and Hyung Kim, 64, of the 17000 block of Braewick Drive near Gurnee, are charged with violation of the Counterfeit Trademark Act. The charge is a felony punishable by a maximum four to 15 years in prison.
Wheeling Deputy Police Chief Joseph Licari said the operation even produced caps celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs' victory this month in Super Bowl 54.
Police said a tip launched an investigation that began in Wheeling and ended Tuesday with a raid at a building on the 1200 block of Rand Road in Des Plaines.
Authorities said they found three large, sophisticated machines used to produce the custom headwear in the building and seized about 125,000 baseball-style caps. The hats had an estimated retail value of at least $2.5 million, police said.
About 40,000 of them featured logos from NHL, NBA, MLB and NFL teams.
Licari said the caps were sold at roadside stands across the Chicago area. Bulls, Blackhawks, Bears and Cubs hats in a variety of styles were among those seized in the operation.
"It was excellent quality," Licari said of the hats. "Good quality stuff."
Wheeling police investigators worked the case with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and also received some assistance from Des Plaines police, authorities said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Smaller 5th Avenue plan could spell compromise in Naperville

Shorter buildings and fewer apartments are two features of a new design for the 5th Avenue redevelopment near the Naperville Metra station .
City officials hope this design can gain support from nearby residents , who want what 's built to be in character with the neighborhood , and from some city council members , who want a new look for the area to be bold and innovative .
The design , the third by developer Ryan Companies since the firm was chosen in October 2017 , will be discussed during a meeting of the 5th Avenue steering committee at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center , 400 S. Eagle St. Because work to redevelop the project area of 13 acres would require selling or leasing city-owned land , any final plan would require seven positive votes from city council members to gain approval .
Two early concepts presented in August 2018 were rejected as too dense , and a new baseline concept released last September did not have enough support to be viable , Mayor Steve Chirico said .
So Ryan Companies began working on a compromise , looping in Chirico to represent those who want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly , representing the views of residents who live , like he does , in neighborhoods near the station .
`` We 're trying to find that sweet spot where we feel like we 're going to present a project that is exciting and new and inspiring but also make it fit within the tolerances of the neighborhood and the people who maybe are n't as excited about it , '' Chirico said early this year .
`` I do n't know if we 're going to find that spot .
Honestly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to try . ''
The latest concept shows four apartment buildings , two parking garages , an office building , a plaza and a cluster of townhouses on either side of the existing 5th Avenue station building .
It also includes a parking garage at the DuPage Children 's Museum along Washington Street .
The plan meets parameters set for the project during the three years since the city reached out to developers in February 2017 .
The city decided the plan should add between 250 and 400 commuter parking spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 1,934 .
Council members decided 20 % of housing at 5th Avenue should meet the state definition of affordable .
This design includes 24 % affordable housing when considering the apartments and townhouses , or 28 % when considering only the apartments .
It calls for 184 market-rate apartments , 71 affordable apartments and 37 townhouses .
Also included are 15,000 square feet of retail space , 30,000 square feet of health and wellness space , 60,000 square feet of office space , 842 multiuse parking spaces , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down from 83 in the plan from last September ) .
`` The latest concept shows a collective effort of members of council and the community and our team working together to find a compromise that meets what all parties are looking for , '' said Jim McDonald , senior vice president of real estate development for Ryan Companies .
Reducing density was a major goal .
The previous plan called for 300 market-rate apartments , 50 to 70 affordable apartments and 20 to 25 `` attainable '' apartments for workforce housing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelming for the area of largely single-family houses .
Ryan worked to `` simplify the configuration of the structures '' to decrease density , McDonald said .
Kelly said it worked , and the newest plan -- though preliminary -- appears to provide benefits to people who live near and travel from the Naperville Metra station .
`` For the first time , in my opinion , Ryan Companies presented a plan that really is significantly less dense and tall than what they started with , '' Kelly said .
`` To me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhoods and the commuters that it 's less dense . ''
The development still aims to seek designation as a WELL Certified Community through the International WELL Building Institute , a goal Chirico has praised .
After Saturday 's steering committee meeting , the city council is scheduled to discuss the latest design during a workshop March 2 to determine if there is agreement to move forward .

Smaller 5th Avenue plan could spell compromise in Naperville
A plan for fewer apartments and shorter buildings is now under consideration for the 5th Avenue area near the Naperville Metra station. Daily Herald file photo October 2017
Shorter buildings and fewer apartments are two features of a new design for the 5th Avenue redevelopment near the Naperville Metra station.
City officials hope this design can gain support from nearby residents, who want what's built to be in character with the neighborhood, and from some city council members, who want a new look for the area to be bold and innovative.
The design, the third by developer Ryan Companies since the firm was chosen in October 2017, will be discussed during a meeting of the 5th Avenue steering committee at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
Because work to redevelop the project area of 13 acres would require selling or leasing city-owned land, any final plan would require seven positive votes from city council members to gain approval.
Two early concepts presented in August 2018 were rejected as too dense, and a new baseline concept released last September did not have enough support to be viable, Mayor Steve Chirico said.
So Ryan Companies began working on a compromise, looping in Chirico to represent those who want to dream big, and council member Patrick Kelly, representing the views of residents who live, like he does, in neighborhoods near the station.
"We're trying to find that sweet spot where we feel like we're going to present a project that is exciting and new and inspiring but also make it fit within the tolerances of the neighborhood and the people who maybe aren't as excited about it," Chirico said early this year. "I don't know if we're going to find that spot. Honestly, I really don't. But we're going to try."
The latest concept shows four apartment buildings, two parking garages, an office building, a plaza and a cluster of townhouses on either side of the existing 5th Avenue station building. It also includes a parking garage at the DuPage Children's Museum along Washington Street.
The plan meets parameters set for the project during the three years since the city reached out to developers in February 2017.
The city decided the plan should add between 250 and 400 commuter parking spaces. This design adds 253 to provide a total of 1,934.
Council members decided 20% of housing at 5th Avenue should meet the state definition of affordable. This design includes 24% affordable housing when considering the apartments and townhouses, or 28% when considering only the apartments. It calls for 184 market-rate apartments, 71 affordable apartments and 37 townhouses.
Also included are 15,000 square feet of retail space, 30,000 square feet of health and wellness space, 60,000 square feet of office space, 842 multiuse parking spaces, and a maximum building height of 65 feet (down from 83 in the plan from last September).
"The latest concept shows a collective effort of members of council and the community and our team working together to find a compromise that meets what all parties are looking for," said Jim McDonald, senior vice president of real estate development for Ryan Companies.
Reducing density was a major goal. The previous plan called for 300 market-rate apartments, 50 to 70 affordable apartments and 20 to 25 "attainable" apartments for workforce housing, totals Kelly said many residents felt were overwhelming for the area of largely single-family houses.
Ryan worked to "simplify the configuration of the structures" to decrease density, McDonald said.
Kelly said it worked, and the newest plan -- though preliminary -- appears to provide benefits to people who live near and travel from the Naperville Metra station.
"For the first time, in my opinion, Ryan Companies presented a plan that really is significantly less dense and tall than what they started with," Kelly said. "To me, it's far better for the neighborhoods and the commuters that it's less dense."
The development still aims to seek designation as a WELL Certified Community through the International WELL Building Institute, a goal Chirico has praised.
After Saturday's steering committee meeting, the city council is scheduled to discuss the latest design during a workshop March 2 to determine if there is agreement to move forward.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Algonquin Aldi eyes move to Oakridge Court

The Algonquin Aldi is looking to relocate to 1100 S. Randall Road as part of an expansion that will include more offerings for customers .
Currently on 425 S. Randall Road , the grocery store would move to Lot 7 in Oakridge Court also in Algonquin .
Chris Stair , head of real estate for Aldi Inc. , said the store is updating itself .
This means increasing offerings , as the Aldi corporation goes through a nationwide remodeling .
For some stores , this has meant an expansion .
Stair said because Aldi 's current Algonquin location is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be expanded , company officials started looking for other opportunities in the area .
`` One of the things with this growth is the fact that we 're rolling out probably about 1,650 additional items , '' Stair said .
`` We 're focusing a lot on 'fresh ; ' fresh produce , organics , gluten-frees , things of that nature . ''
John Schoditsch , of Kensington Development Partners , said `` in a perfect world , '' they would start construction on this development in the spring and open some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Kensington will redevelop the building shortly after the new location opens , Schoditsch said , and will work with Aldi on the plans .
Once the new store is open , the old store will close , he said .
Ben Mason , senior planner for Algonquin , said the developer will look to find a new user for the building being vacated .
`` They do n't have any sort of plan for that just yet , but they would try to find a user for the property , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building , that 's to be determined . ''
The current Aldi location is about 15,000 square feet .
The new location would be 21,750 square feet .
Also in Aldi 's plans is a potential 2,000-foot expansion if they have more products to sell , Mason said , although this is not something they would do at the start of the project .
Schoditsch said they have been working with village staff on the project for about nine months , and there were a lot of `` moving parts '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that needed approval from the Aldi Corporation and the landlord .
The relocation was approved , 6-0 , by the village 's planning and zoning commission at a meeting on Monday .
A couple members of the commission said they were happy to see Aldi would remain in the village for its expansion .

Algonquin Aldi eyes move to Oakridge Court
The Algonquin Aldi, currently on 425 S. Randall Road, is looking to relocate to 1100 S. Randall Road in Oakridge Court. Cassie Buchman/Shaw Media
The Algonquin Aldi is looking to relocate to 1100 S. Randall Road as part of an expansion that will include more offerings for customers.
Currently on 425 S. Randall Road, the grocery store would move to Lot 7 in Oakridge Court also in Algonquin.
Chris Stair, head of real estate for Aldi Inc., said the store is updating itself. This means increasing offerings, as the Aldi corporation goes through a nationwide remodeling.
For some stores, this has meant an expansion. Stair said because Aldi's current Algonquin location is "pretty much landlocked," and cannot be expanded, company officials started looking for other opportunities in the area.
"One of the things with this growth is the fact that we're rolling out probably about 1,650 additional items," Stair said. "We're focusing a lot on 'fresh;' fresh produce, organics, gluten-frees, things of that nature."
John Schoditsch, of Kensington Development Partners, said "in a perfect world," they would start construction on this development in the spring and open some time toward the end of this calendar year.
Kensington will redevelop the building shortly after the new location opens, Schoditsch said, and will work with Aldi on the plans. Once the new store is open, the old store will close, he said.
Ben Mason, senior planner for Algonquin, said the developer will look to find a new user for the building being vacated.
"They don't have any sort of plan for that just yet, but they would try to find a user for the property," Mason said. "Whether they keep the building, that's to be determined."
The current Aldi location is about 15,000 square feet. The new location would be 21,750 square feet. Also in Aldi's plans is a potential 2,000-foot expansion if they have more products to sell, Mason said, although this is not something they would do at the start of the project.
Schoditsch said they have been working with village staff on the project for about nine months, and there were a lot of "moving parts" to the project, as there were things that needed approval from the Aldi Corporation and the landlord.
The relocation was approved, 6-0, by the village's planning and zoning commission at a meeting on Monday. A couple members of the commission said they were happy to see Aldi would remain in the village for its expansion.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Franks tells McHenry County Board: 'I've done nothing wrong'

McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks maintained his innocence Thursday in the wake of revelations about an ongoing Illinois State Police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and asked that citizens reserve their judgment .
`` I 'm not going to say much about it today besides saying once again that I 've done nothing wrong , '' Franks said during a county board committee of the whole meeting .
`` And I will have more to say at the appropriate time . ''
It was the first time Franks publicly addressed the allegations since news about the investigation broke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any wrongdoing , but he has been banned for months from entering the state Capitol Building without a police escort .
`` I remain dedicated to doing the people 's work , as we all should be , and if you want to score political points then please go hold a news conference , '' he said .
`` But in this chamber , we will continue to do and focus on the people 's work . ''
An Illinois State Police search warrant executed Jan. 29 at Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existed for criminal sexual abuse , criminal sexual assault , official misconduct , stalking and aggravated battery against Franks .
The warrant sought several personnel files -- including names and contact information of legislative assistants assigned to Franks -- that contained information related to the allegations , which date to Franks ' time as a state legislator .
The Marengo Democrat served in the Illinois House from 1999 to 2017 .
The news has prompted several lawmakers , including Republicans Allen Skillicorn of East Dundee and Steven Reick of Woodstock , to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman .
McHenry County Board member Carolyn Schofield has proposed the county board should conduct only state-mandated business as the investigation unfolds .
Franks , however , appealed to the public to wait until more facts are known .
`` I 'm asking everyone here and everyone listening at home and the people of McHenry County that I 've humbly and aggressively represented over the past years to reserve their judgment , '' he said .
Franks equated the situation to a corruption case against former McHenry County State 's Attorney Lou Bianchi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joyce Synek , were accused of conspiring to use county personnel and equipment for Bianchi 's personal political benefit .
A total of 19 counts of official misconduct were filed against Bianchi , along with one count of unlawful communication with a grand jury witness .
Both were indicted in September 2010 .
But over two trials , a judge threw out all counts against Bianchi and Synek without the defense ever calling a witness .
Bianchi filed a lawsuit accusing special prosecutors of fabricating evidence and concealing other evidence that would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed the investigations and prosecution of him were the product of a conspiracy initiated by political enemies to remove him from office .
`` ( Bianchi ) was an innocent man who had been the victim of a politically motivated attack , '' Franks said .
During the public comment portion of Thursday 's meeting , Dawn Mueller of Marengo said Franks was entitled to a nonpartisan presumption of innocence .
`` That concept is so important to our judicial system and our charters of freedom , '' she said .
Mueller , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high school as Franks three years apart , said she never had seen him behave inappropriately toward women and considered the allegations out of character .
But as a victim of rape and stalking , Mueller also said she wanted crimes against women taken seriously .
Franks has been McHenry County Board chairman for three years and plans to seek reelection in the fall .

Franks tells McHenry County Board: 'I've done nothing wrong'
McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks maintained his innocence Thursday in the wake of revelations about an ongoing Illinois State Police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and asked that citizens reserve their judgment. Franks read from a prepared statement during the board's committee of the whole meeting. Matthew Apgar/Shaw Media
McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks maintained his innocence Thursday in the wake of revelations about an ongoing Illinois State Police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and asked that citizens reserve their judgment.
"I'm not going to say much about it today besides saying once again that I've done nothing wrong," Franks said during a county board committee of the whole meeting. "And I will have more to say at the appropriate time."
It was the first time Franks publicly addressed the allegations since news about the investigation broke. Franks has not been charged with any wrongdoing, but he has been banned for months from entering the state Capitol Building without a police escort.
"I remain dedicated to doing the people's work, as we all should be, and if you want to score political points then please go hold a news conference," he said. "But in this chamber, we will continue to do and focus on the people's work."
An Illinois State Police search warrant executed Jan. 29 at Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's Capitol office stated that probable cause existed for criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault, official misconduct, stalking and aggravated battery against Franks.
The warrant sought several personnel files -- including names and contact information of legislative assistants assigned to Franks -- that contained information related to the allegations, which date to Franks' time as a state legislator. The Marengo Democrat served in the Illinois House from 1999 to 2017.
The news has prompted several lawmakers, including Republicans Allen Skillicorn of East Dundee and Steven Reick of Woodstock, to call for Franks to resign as county board chairman. McHenry County Board member Carolyn Schofield has proposed the county board should conduct only state-mandated business as the investigation unfolds.
Franks, however, appealed to the public to wait until more facts are known.
"I'm asking everyone here and everyone listening at home and the people of McHenry County that I've humbly and aggressively represented over the past years to reserve their judgment," he said.
Franks equated the situation to a corruption case against former McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi.
Bianchi and his executive assistant, Joyce Synek, were accused of conspiring to use county personnel and equipment for Bianchi's personal political benefit. A total of 19 counts of official misconduct were filed against Bianchi, along with one count of unlawful communication with a grand jury witness. Both were indicted in September 2010.
But over two trials, a judge threw out all counts against Bianchi and Synek without the defense ever calling a witness.
Bianchi filed a lawsuit accusing special prosecutors of fabricating evidence and concealing other evidence that would have shown he was innocent. He also claimed the investigations and prosecution of him were the product of a conspiracy initiated by political enemies to remove him from office.
"(Bianchi) was an innocent man who had been the victim of a politically motivated attack," Franks said.
During the public comment portion of Thursday's meeting, Dawn Mueller of Marengo said Franks was entitled to a nonpartisan presumption of innocence.
"That concept is so important to our judicial system and our charters of freedom," she said.
Mueller, who said she went to the same high school as Franks three years apart, said she never had seen him behave inappropriately toward women and considered the allegations out of character.
But as a victim of rape and stalking, Mueller also said she wanted crimes against women taken seriously.
Franks has been McHenry County Board chairman for three years. He is running unopposed in the March 17 Democratic primary.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Commission: Naperville bell tower worth $1.5 million to save

The Naperville icon that is Moser Tower , home of the Millennium Carillon , is worth $ 1.5 million to save , members of a commission that oversees the structure said in a unanimous recommendation to the city council .
The Riverwalk Commission suggested repairs are the best way to address structural integrity issues discovered in 2015 with the 160-foot-tall spire built to mark the beginning of the 2000s .
A $ 1.5 million repair plan prepared by consultants is a cheaper option than repairing the tower and enclosing the lower 72 feet in glass to match original designs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And commission members decided it 's worth the extra money to preserve -- rather than raze -- the tower that has come to visually represent the city .
Tearing it down would cost $ 726,000 .
To use a car-crash analogy , the tower `` was n't totaled , '' said Geoff Roehll , Riverwalk Commission chairman .
City taxpayers contributed more than $ 7 million to its construction between 1999 and 2006 , after a nonprofit group that formed to build it ran out of money .
`` Based on what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date , versus what the repair cost is , it is worth making the investment to preserve the iconic structure that it is , '' Roehll said , `` Like it or not . ''
Not everyone loves the tower , but many younger Naperville residents do n't know the city without it .
News that the Riverwalk Commission was considering tearing it down caused a stir in 2017 among donors who sponsored some of the 72 bells housed in the tower that make up the carillon instrument .
The tower 's future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cracked concrete and corroded structural steel were discovered five years ago .
But city officials have said since 2017 that the tower poses no imminent safety threat and is in no danger of collapse .
So when considering options , Riverwalk Commission members took their time .
They worked with consultants in 2017 and 2018 to perform several rounds of structural testing and to find shop drawings and record drawings that detail the placement of internal materials .
They authorized a structural modeling study in 2019 and then began considering cost estimates for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of repair , enclosure or demolition .
If the tower were to be torn down after 30 years of basic maintenance , it would cost $ 1,576,000 .
The cost to repair the tower , then maintain it in improved condition for 30 years would be $ 2,299,000 -- a $ 723,000 difference .
`` For that incremental difference , the Moser tower could continue to stand and reflect the dreams and aspirations of those who envisioned the tower as an icon for Naperville , '' Bill Novack , director of transportation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memo .
Cost estimates for repair and enclosure have decreased since 2017 , when they were proposed at between $ 2.7 million and $ 3.7 million .
Roehll said that is because consultants learned details of the tower 's construction during three years of study and used that knowledge to remove unknowns and contingency costs from projected pricing .
The unanimous recommendation to repair the tower will be considered by the city council , which could take up the topic as soon as next month .

Commission: Naperville bell tower worth $1.5 million to save
Cracked concrete and corroded structural steel discovered five years ago at Moser Tower, home of the Millennium Carillon in Naperville, should be repaired for $1.5 million, a city commission has recommended. Daily Herald file photo July 2017
Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify the funding of tower construction.
The Naperville icon that is Moser Tower, home of the Millennium Carillon, is worth $1.5 million to save, members of a commission that oversees the structure said in a unanimous recommendation to the city council.
The Riverwalk Commission suggested repairs are the best way to address structural integrity issues discovered in 2015 with the 160-foot-tall spire built to mark the beginning of the 2000s.
A $1.5 million repair plan prepared by consultants is a cheaper option than repairing the tower and enclosing the lower 72 feet in glass to match original designs, which would cost $2.4 million. And commission members decided it's worth the extra money to preserve -- rather than raze -- the tower that has come to visually represent the city. Tearing it down would cost $726,000.
To use a car-crash analogy, the tower "wasn't totaled," said Geoff Roehll, Riverwalk Commission chairman. The total cost for tower construction between 1999 and 2006 was more than $7 million, with roughly $3 million contributed by donors to a foundation and the rest paid through city food and beverage taxes.
"Based on what we've got invested in the structure to date, versus what the repair cost is, it is worth making the investment to preserve the iconic structure that it is," Roehll said, "like it or not."
Not everyone loves the tower, but many younger Naperville residents don't know the city without it. News that the Riverwalk Commission was considering tearing it down caused a stir in 2017 among donors who sponsored some of the 72 bells housed in the tower that make up the carillon instrument.
The tower's future has been slightly hazy since troubles with cracked concrete and corroded structural steel were discovered five years ago. But city officials have said since 2017 that the tower poses no imminent safety threat and is in no danger of collapse.
So when considering options, Riverwalk Commission members took their time.
They worked with consultants in 2017 and 2018 to perform several rounds of structural testing and to find shop drawings and record drawings that detail the placement of internal materials. They authorized a structural modeling study in 2019 and then began considering cost estimates for 30 years of maintenance in the event of repair, enclosure or demolition.
If the tower were to be torn down after 30 years of basic maintenance, it would cost $1,576,000. The cost to repair the tower, then maintain it in improved condition for 30 years would be $2,299,000 -- a $723,000 difference.
"For that incremental difference, the Moser tower could continue to stand and reflect the dreams and aspirations of those who envisioned the tower as an icon for Naperville," Bill Novack, director of transportation, engineering and development, said in a memo.
Cost estimates for repair and enclosure have decreased since 2017, when they were proposed at between $2.7 million and $3.7 million. Roehll said that is because consultants learned details of the tower's construction during three years of study and used that knowledge to remove unknowns and contingency costs from projected pricing.
The unanimous recommendation to repair the tower will be considered by the city council, which could take up the topic as soon as next month.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Sox pitcher and former Astro Keuchel says others also 'doing illegal stuff'

GLENDALE , Ariz. -- For the second time since joining the White Sox on a three-year , $ 55 million contract in late December , Dallas Keuchel was apologizing for the cheating scandal that helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series .
He also said the Astros deserved to remain champs .
`` I 'm just one dude , '' Keuchel said Thursday after the Sox 's workout at Camelback Ranch .
`` I guess it 's ultimately up to the individual to show remorse or try to move on .
I chose the remorse route because , personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owed .
`` I felt like I owed it to my family , and that 's how I was raised . ''
Keuchel pitched for Houston from 2012 to 2018 .
The 32-year-old lefty won the Cy Young Award in 2015 after going 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA .
Astros manager A.J .
Hinch and general manager Jeff Lunhow were fired for their roles in the illegal sign stealing .
Former Houston bench coach Alex Cora and player Carlos Beltran also paid heavy prices , losing their respective managing jobs with the Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Houston 's 2017 team have been disciplined , and Keuchel was the first one to apologize .
That came late last month at SoxFest .
Staying in that lane again on Thursday , Keuchel did veer off when it comes to the Astros possibly being stripped of their World Series crown .
`` We 're always going to be World Series champs because we were talented and , to me , we earned the right to be World Series champs , '' he said .
`` Just because stuff came out about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams were n't doing illegal stuff .
It just means we were the ones that were caught .
I 'm not here to dig into anything that happens .
That 's my feeling . ''
Stealing signs has always been a part of the game , but Houston took it way too far by using electronic buzzers and banging on garbage cans in the dugout to tip pitches .
`` Every team is motivated to do everything in their powers , to do everything they can to win , '' White Sox general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , doing that based upon your wit or insight or intellect has certainly been acceptable and is what we encourage our guys to do .
`` When you cross that line into forbidden activity , that 's obviously a different story . ''
This is a story that has cast a dark light on baseball since it broke and brings back grim reminders of the steroid era .
Keuchel has been open about the Astros ' plight with the media and he has the same attitude with his new Sox teammates .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with my teammates , '' Keuchel said .
`` And like I said , the state of baseball , it was what it was at that time .
If they want to talk to me about anything , I 'm more than open to talk to them about it .
It 's one of those things where we 've got to move on .
`` We 've got to remember the past , but we 've got to look toward to the future and figure out what the best route is to go @ @

'We earned the right to be World Series champs': Ex-Astro Keuchel says team should keep title
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- For the second time since joining the White Sox on a three-year, $55 million contract in late December, Dallas Keuchel was apologizing for the cheating scandal that helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series. He also said the Astros deserved to remain champs.
"I'm just one dude," Keuchel said Thursday after the Sox's workout at Camelback Ranch. "I guess it's ultimately up to the individual to show remorse or try to move on. I chose the remorse route because, personally, I felt that was what was owed.
"I felt like I owed it to my family, and that's how I was raised."
Keuchel pitched for Houston from 2012 to 2018. The 32-year-old lefty won the Cy Young Award in 2015 after going 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Lunhow were fired for their roles in the illegal sign stealing. Former Houston bench coach Alex Cora and player Carlos Beltran also paid heavy prices, losing their respective managing jobs with the Red Sox and Mets.
No other players on Houston's 2017 team have been disciplined, and Keuchel was the first one to apologize. That came late last month at SoxFest.
Staying in that lane again on Thursday, Keuchel did veer off when it comes to the Astros possibly being stripped of their World Series crown.
"We're always going to be World Series champs because we were talented and, to me, we earned the right to be World Series champs," he said. "Just because stuff came out about the 2017 Astros doesn't mean other teams weren't doing illegal stuff. It just means we were the ones that were caught. I'm not here to dig into anything that happens. That's my feeling."
Stealing signs has always been a part of the game, but Houston took it way too far by using electronic buzzers and banging on garbage cans in the dugout to tip pitches.
"Every team is motivated to do everything in their powers, to do everything they can to win," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "Traditionally, doing that based upon your wit or insight or intellect has certainly been acceptable and is what we encourage our guys to do.
"When you cross that line into forbidden activity, that's obviously a different story."
This is a story that has cast a dark light on baseball since it broke and brings back grim reminders of the steroid era.
Keuchel has been open about the Astros' plight with the media and he has the same attitude with his new Sox teammates.
"I'm pretty much an open book with my teammates," Keuchel said. "And like I said, the state of baseball, it was what it was at that time. If they want to talk to me about anything, I'm more than open to talk to them about it. It's one of those things where we've got to move on.
"We've got to remember the past, but we've got to look toward to the future and figure out what the best route is to go."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--On anniversary of his death, slain Chicago police commander remembered as 'forever a hero'

Two years after his death , the blue ribbons commemorating slain Chicago police Cmdr .
Paul Bauer are still tied @ @ @ @ @ , and his department portrait still hangs in windows all around the neighborhood he called @ @ @ @ @ , he was memorialized at his second home -- the department 's 18th District on @ @ @ @ @ With more than 100 officers , friends and supporters gathered outside the station , his @ @ @ @ @ said : `` He was not one for the spotlight , and I can see @ @ @ @ @ head about this ceremony . ''

On anniversary of his death, slain Chicago police commander remembered as 'forever a hero'
Two years after his death, the blue ribbons commemorating slain Chicago police Cmdr. Paul Bauer are still tied to trees all over Bridgeport, and his department portrait still hangs in windows all around the neighborhood he called home.
But on Thursday, he was memorialized at his second home -- the department's 18th District on the Near North Side.
With more than 100 officers, friends and supporters gathered outside the station, his widow, Erin Bauer, said: "He was not one for the spotlight, and I can see him up there shaking his head about this ceremony."
• For the full report, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Conversation on ending cash bail, mandatory minimums begins

SPRINGFIELD -- Criminal justice reform is high on Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's agenda this year , but a legislative committee hearing Thursday in Chicago showed that reform advocates and the law enforcement community have widely differing views on the issue .
In January , Pritzker said ending cash bail and mandatory minimum sentences would be among his top priorities during the 2020 session , and those two subjects were the focus of Thursday 's hearings .
`` For years , there has been a narrative that our cash bail system and sentencing laws are necessary for public safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billions of dollars each year , '' Lt. Gov .
Juliana Stratton said as the hearing began .
`` But the stories we 've heard call this narrative into question , and we must ask ourselves whether our current policies and practices are the best way to protect public safety . ''
There are more than 38,000 people being held in Illinois state prisons , according to Department of Corrections data .
Of those , more than half are black , even though blacks make up only about 13 percent of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are held in local jails while they await trial , often because they ca n't afford to post their bail .
`` We know that over-incarceration based on poverty means that thousands remain in jail because of the lack of access to money , not because a judge has made a determination they are ineligible for release , '' said Sharone Mitchell of the Illinois Justice Project .
`` We know that there 's a massive transfer of dollars from communities that can barely take the hit .
And we know the vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bonds are not the folks that have been accused of crimes , but women .
In Cook County it 's very much black women , mothers , sisters , and partners that are taking the financial hit of paying these bonds . ''
One of those women , Brittany Williams , a 29-year-old mother of three , said her life was turned upside down in October 2017 when her husband was arrested on a traffic charge .
His bail was set at $ 100,000 , meaning he needed to pay 10 percent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This experience was traumatic because it took time away from my newborn and it caused me to get back to work before I was even ready , '' Williams said .
`` We lost our condo in Glendale Heights , and we had to move into the city of Chicago with a family member , my sister-in-law .
That was hard on us because her living arrangements were not the best .
Myself and my children had to sleep on the floor .
And that alone made me feel like I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday 's hearing , however , came on the same day the Chicago Tribune published a story calling into question the city of Chicago 's own bail reform initiative that began in 2017 .
Under that program , which was ordered by Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans , judges in that circuit are not allowed to set bail amounts so high that a defendant ca n't afford to pay .
Evans released a report in May suggesting there had been no increase in violent crime since that order went into effect and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of people charged with violent crimes committed new crimes after they were released .
But an analysis by the Tribune uncovered flaws in both the data and the analysis used in that report , and the article said there was evidence that many more crimes were committed by defendants while out on bail .
Also in 2017 , the General Assembly passed a statewide bail reform law that provides for a presumption that most people charged with nonviolent crimes , known as `` Category B '' offenses , could be released on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also provides that cash bonds can be required for more serious charges , `` Category A '' offenses , but that a person could not be held solely for an inability to pay that bond .
DuPage County State 's Attorney Robert Berlin testified that since that law went into effect , his county has seen an overall increase of 53 percent in defendants failing to appear for their court dates .
`` Many of these cases are people charged with robbery , aggravated battery , aggravated DUI -- serious crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in court .
That is the sign of a broken system , '' Berlin said .
He also noted that under the Illinois Constitution , victims of crimes have a right to be compensated for their injuries or losses and that in many jurisdictions , bail money is used to help pay for that restitution .
Without cash bail , he said , many victims could go uncompensated .
The committees also heard testimony on the subject of mandatory minimum sentences , which many people argue have led to a dramatic increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The issue of crime has been weaponized in electoral politics , with members of both parties more than willing to attack opponents as being soft on crime and engage in fearmongering in order to justify creating new offenses , increasing penalties for existing ones , and taking away opportunities for sentence reduction or parole , '' said Ben Ruddell , director of criminal justice policy for the ACLU of Illinois .
`` Predictably , the result has been that prison populations have exploded in every state , including Illinois . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum sentences entirely .
But Rep. Patrick Windhorst , a Metropolis Republican and a former state 's attorney in Massac County , argued that `` truth in sentencing '' has value for both the public and crime victims .
`` I know that there 's a lot of disagreement about truth in sentencing , and there are some stories that perhaps do n't always paint it in the best light , '' Windhorst said .
`` But I think for the public to understand what the person 's sentence is is important .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ important for victims and families of victims that when a sentence is given , they can , in violent crime situations , understand that is what the person who 's harmed my loved one or myself is going to receive . ''
Thursday 's hearing included members of two Senate committees and one House committee that will deal with criminal justice reform issues this session .
Sen. Elgie Sims , a Chicago Democrat who chairs the Criminal Law Committee , said it was the first in a series of hearings that will be @ @ @ @ @

Conversation on ending cash bail, mandatory minimums begins
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton testifies before a joint legislative committee hearing Thursday in Chicago, arguing that thousands of Illinoisans are behind bars simply because they cannot afford their bail. blueroomstream.com
SPRINGFIELD -- Criminal justice reform is high on Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker's agenda this year, but a legislative committee hearing Thursday in Chicago showed that reform advocates and the law enforcement community have widely differing views on the issue.
In January, Pritzker said ending cash bail and mandatory minimum sentences would be among his top priorities during the 2020 session, and those two subjects were the focus of Thursday's hearings.
"For years, there has been a narrative that our cash bail system and sentencing laws are necessary for public safety, and we support this narrative with billions of dollars each year," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said as the hearing began. "But the stories we've heard call this narrative into question, and we must ask ourselves whether our current policies and practices are the best way to protect public safety."
There are more than 38,000 people being held in Illinois state prisons, according to Department of Corrections data. Of those, more than half are black, even though blacks make up only about 13 percent of the state's population. Many thousands more people are held in local jails while they await trial, often because they can't afford to post their bail.
"We know that over-incarceration based on poverty means that thousands remain in jail because of the lack of access to money, not because a judge has made a determination they are ineligible for release," said Sharone Mitchell of the Illinois Justice Project. "We know that there's a massive transfer of dollars from communities that can barely take the hit. And we know the vast majority of people who are paying these bonds are not the folks that have been accused of crimes, but women. In Cook County it's very much black women, mothers, sisters, and partners that are taking the financial hit of paying these bonds."
One of those women, Brittany Williams, a 29-year-old mother of three, said her life was turned upside down in October 2017 when her husband was arrested on a traffic charge. His bail was set at $100,000, meaning he needed to pay 10 percent, or $10,000, to be released.
"This experience was traumatic because it took time away from my newborn and it caused me to get back to work before I was even ready," Williams said. "We lost our condo in Glendale Heights, and we had to move into the city of Chicago with a family member, my sister-in-law. That was hard on us because her living arrangements were not the best. Myself and my children had to sleep on the floor. And that alone made me feel like I had failed as a parent."
Thursday's hearing, however, came on the same day the Chicago Tribune published a story calling into question the city of Chicago's own bail reform initiative that began in 2017. Under that program, which was ordered by Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans, judges in that circuit are not allowed to set bail amounts so high that a defendant can't afford to pay.
Evans released a report in May suggesting there had been no increase in violent crime since that order went into effect and that only a "very small fraction" of people charged with violent crimes committed new crimes after they were released. But an analysis by the Tribune uncovered flaws in both the data and the analysis used in that report, and the article said there was evidence that many more crimes were committed by defendants while out on bail.
Also in 2017, the General Assembly passed a statewide bail reform law that provides for a presumption that most people charged with nonviolent crimes, known as "Category B" offenses, could be released on conditions that do not require cash bonds. It also provides that cash bonds can be required for more serious charges, "Category A" offenses, but that a person could not be held solely for an inability to pay that bond.
DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin testified that since that law went into effect, his county has seen an overall increase of 53 percent in defendants failing to appear for their court dates.
"Many of these cases are people charged with robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated DUI -- serious crimes, where defendants are failing to show up in court. That is the sign of a broken system," Berlin said.
He also noted that under the Illinois Constitution, victims of crimes have a right to be compensated for their injuries or losses and that in many jurisdictions, bail money is used to help pay for that restitution. Without cash bail, he said, many victims could go uncompensated.
The committees also heard testimony on the subject of mandatory minimum sentences, which many people argue have led to a dramatic increase in prison populations throughout the United States.
"The issue of crime has been weaponized in electoral politics, with members of both parties more than willing to attack opponents as being soft on crime and engage in fearmongering in order to justify creating new offenses, increasing penalties for existing ones, and taking away opportunities for sentence reduction or parole," said Ben Ruddell, director of criminal justice policy for the ACLU of Illinois. "Predictably, the result has been that prison populations have exploded in every state, including Illinois."
Ruddell argued for doing away with mandatory minimum sentences entirely. But Rep. Patrick Windhorst, a Metropolis Republican and a former state's attorney in Massac County, argued that "truth in sentencing" has value for both the public and crime victims.
"I know that there's a lot of disagreement about truth in sentencing, and there are some stories that perhaps don't always paint it in the best light," Windhorst said. "But I think for the public to understand what the person's sentence is is important. And also, I think it's important for victims and families of victims that when a sentence is given, they can, in violent crime situations, understand that is what the person who's harmed my loved one or myself is going to receive."
Thursday's hearing included members of two Senate committees and one House committee that will deal with criminal justice reform issues this session. Sen. Elgie Sims, a Chicago Democrat who chairs the Criminal Law Committee, said it was the first in a series of hearings that will be held throughout the state.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Elgin's Fox Trot is a go for May 31 as city reallocates events funds

Editor 's note : the Fox Trot will offer a 10-mile race and a 5K race on May 31 .
The city of Elgin is cutting five events -- one more than previously disclosed -- from the budget this year , but is giving $ 5,000 sponsorships to two local groups that want to keep alive the Elgin Valley Fox Trot race and the Art & Soul on the Fox festival .
The goal of the `` reduce and refocus '' special events plan -- which reallocates savings to initiatives including improvements at Festival Park -- is to determine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community to come up with an `` innovative and collaborative '' lineup of events for 2021 , Elgin Special Events Coordinator Kate O'Leary told the city council Wednesday .
With the city 's sponsorship , the Elgin Valley Fox Trot is set to take place May 31 , said Tim Williams , spokesman for the local running club Kenyon Farm Runners that partnered with the Elgin Lions Club and F3 Events to hold the race , now in its 43rd consecutive year .
The group Art for All will look for a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Fox happen in a smaller scale at a date and place to be determined .
The three events that for sure wo n't take place this year are : International Festival ( iFest ) , the Elgin Civil War Experience and Hay Day .
The elimination of Hay Day had not been previously discussed publicly and was announced Wednesday .
The council gave the green light to reallocating $ 144,000 in special events savings : $ 10,000 for the two sponsorships ; $ 30,000 for a marketing firm to research event trends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get feedback about what people want next year ; $ 22,000 to the Elgin Public Museum ; and $ 82,000 for improvements at Festival Park , such as permanent or semipermanent fencing , a concrete pad for staging , and additional lighting .
In the last three years , iFest has yielded the largest average yearly loss at $ 29,300 per year , according to figures presented by O'Leary .
The Fox Trot has been the most expensive event to produce at about $ 66,000 per year , yielding an average loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War event had an average $ 22,000 loss , Art & Soul an average $ 16,605 loss , and Hay Day an average $ 10,350 loss .
The Fourth of July event had the third-highest average loss at $ 25,425 , but there 's been no mention of cutting that from the budget .
The city 's largest event is Nightmare on Chicago Street , which last year was attended by about 14,500 people and yielded a $ 11,000 loss .
It will mark its 10th anniversary in the fall with the appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' with props from previous years such as Steampunk and Cirque de Freak , O'Leary said .
Meanwhile , registration opens Thursday for the Fox Trot that feature will feature a 10-mile race and 5K race with a new course that will include a portion along the Fox River Trail , Williams said .
A portion of proceeds will benefit local nonprofits with fundraising to be spearheaded by the Elgin Lions Club , he said .
`` Our goal is to make the Elgin Valley Fox Trot the premier 10-mile race in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zach Edmonson of F3 Events .
`` We plan to amp up the fun factor with a great postrace party , finisher medals and maybe even prize money for masters ' athletes . ''
To register visit register.chronotrack.com/r/57105 .
The fee is $ 45 for the 10-mile and $ 31 for the 5K ; fees will increase March 1 .
For more information about the race or volunteer and sponsorship opportunities contact Tim Williams at KFRathletes @ gmail.com or Zach Edmonson at foxtrot @ f3running.com .

Elgin's Fox Trot is a go for May 31 as city reallocates events funds
Editor's note: the Fox Trot will offer a 10-mile race and a 5K race on May 31.
The city of Elgin is cutting five events -- one more than previously disclosed -- from the budget this year, but is giving $5,000 sponsorships to two local groups that want to keep alive the Elgin Valley Fox Trot race and the Art & Soul on the Fox festival.
The goal of the "reduce and refocus" special events plan -- which reallocates savings to initiatives including improvements at Festival Park -- is to determine the "passions and expectations" of the community to come up with an "innovative and collaborative" lineup of events for 2021, Elgin Special Events Coordinator Kate O'Leary told the city council Wednesday.
With the city's sponsorship, the Elgin Valley Fox Trot is set to take place May 31, said Tim Williams, spokesman for the local running club Kenyon Farm Runners that partnered with the Elgin Lions Club and F3 Events to hold the race, now in its 43rd consecutive year.
The group Art for All will look for a way to make the Art & Soul on the Fox happen in a smaller scale at a date and place to be determined.
The three events that for sure won't take place this year are: International Festival (iFest), the Elgin Civil War Experience and Hay Day. The elimination of Hay Day had not been previously discussed publicly and was announced Wednesday.
The council gave the green light to reallocating $144,000 in special events savings: $10,000 for the two sponsorships; $30,000 for a marketing firm to research event trends and do focus groups and surveys to get feedback about what people want next year; $22,000 to the Elgin Public Museum; and $82,000 for improvements at Festival Park, such as permanent or semipermanent fencing, a concrete pad for staging, and additional lighting.
In the last three years, iFest has yielded the largest average yearly loss at $29,300 per year, according to figures presented by O'Leary. The Fox Trot has been the most expensive event to produce at about $66,000 per year, yielding an average loss of $28,711 after revenues. The Civil War event had an average $22,000 loss, Art & Soul an average $16,605 loss, and Hay Day an average $10,350 loss.
The Fourth of July event had the third-highest average loss at $25,425, but there's been no mention of cutting that from the budget.
The city's largest event is Nightmare on Chicago Street, which last year was attended by about 14,500 people and yielded a $11,000 loss. It will mark its 10th anniversary in the fall with the appearance of Svengoolie and a "Nightmare Graveyard" with props from previous years such as Steampunk and Cirque de Freak, O'Leary said.
Meanwhile, registration opens Thursday for the Fox Trot that feature will feature a 10-mile race and 5K race with a new course that will include a portion along the Fox River Trail, Williams said. A portion of proceeds will benefit local nonprofits with fundraising to be spearheaded by the Elgin Lions Club, he said.
"Our goal is to make the Elgin Valley Fox Trot the premier 10-mile race in the Chicago area," said race director Zach Edmonson of F3 Events. "We plan to amp up the fun factor with a great postrace party, finisher medals and maybe even prize money for masters' athletes."
To register visit register.chronotrack.com/r/57105. The fee is $45 for the 10-mile and $31 for the 5K; fees will increase March 1.
For more information about the race or volunteer and sponsorship opportunities contact Tim Williams at KFRathletes@gmail.com or Zach Edmonson at foxtrot@f3running.com.