dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-04--Democrats gain ground in once solidly red DuPage County

Democrats hoping to make historic gains across once reliably Republican DuPage County hold solid leads or remain within striking distance of defeating GOP opponents for county board , forest preserve and countywide seats .
Democratic candidates were either pulling ahead or locked in tight races for four of six available seats on the 18-member county board based on partial election results .
Democrats need to flip three seats to seize control of the board .
In more than 180 years of county government , Democrats have won the board majority only once , in 1934 , local party leaders say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open seats on the forest preserve district board , they 'll shift the balance of power with a Democratic president breaking the tie .
Some candidates were gaining ground after a new batch of votes came in shortly after 1 a.m. and again Wednesday evening .
County election officials updated results after tallying another 19,450 mail-in ballots .
So far , election authorities have counted 164,622 out of 171,696 vote-by-mail ballots received .
Earlier Wednesday , state election officials reported up to 42,074 outstanding mail-in ballots in DuPage .
That method of voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled a Democratic ballot in the primary than those who cast GOP ballots .
As of last week , 60,083 Democrats returned mail-in ballots compared to 24,672 Republicans .
Opposition to President Donald Trump hurt GOP candidates at the bottom of the ticket , county Republican Party Chairman Jim Zay said .
In DuPage , former Vice President Joe Biden had 57 % of the vote versus nearly 41 % for Trump .
`` I think it had an effect on the Republican name even though we have very good people running for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zay said .
DuPage Democrats are confident their candidates can capture four county board seats , party Chairwoman Cynthia Borbas said .
`` Three have leads , and I expect their gains to only grow , '' she said .
Here 's a look at where county races stand : Democratic challenger Candice Adams has expanded her lead over four-term GOP incumbent Chris Kachiroubas in the clerk of the circuit court race .
Unofficial results showed Adams with 226,642 votes and Kachiroubas with 222,400 .
In the county auditor race , 1,324 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenger Bill White .
Grogan has received 225,717 votes to White 's 224,393 .
In the coroner race , Republican incumbent Richard Jorgensen was leading Democratic challenger Gregory Whalen .
Unofficial tallies have Jorgensen with 227,476 votes and Whalen with 218,803 .
Democrat Kathleen Carrier is cruising to victory with 19,145 more votes than Republican Babette Holder Youngberg in the recorder race .
Republican Donald Puchalski was headed toward reelection in District 1 .
The attorney has garnered 35,628 votes , while Democratic challenger Zahra Suratwala has 30,546 .
In District 2 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead widen over Republican incumbent Sean Noonan by 2,057 votes .
In District 3 , Republican incumbent Brian Krajewski leads with 40,855 votes to 38,355 ballots cast for Democratic challenger Gail Cabala-Lowry .
The closest contest is in District 4 , where a 165-vote margin separates Democratic challenger Lynn LaPlante from first-term Republican Tim Elliott .
LaPlante now has 37,304 votes to Elliott 's 37,139 .
In District 5 , victory is at hand for Democrat Amy Chavez , who netted 43,080 votes .
Her Republican opponent , Kevin Coyne , a Naperville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With her win , Democrats would hold all three county board seats in a district encompassing parts of Aurora , Lisle , Naperville , Warrenville and Woodridge .
In the race for a District 6 seat , Democrat Greg Schwarze , a Carol Stream village trustee and firefighter , is leading with 35,869 votes , while Republican incumbent Bob Larsen has 34,993 votes .
In a race with no incumbent , Democrat Tina Tyson-Dunne holds a commanding lead over Republican Karen Kelly for the District 2 seat .
Tyson-Dunne has 43,025 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unofficial results .
In District 4 , Democrat Jeff Gahris has a 510-vote advantage over GOP incumbent Tim Whelan .
In District 5 , Democrat Barbara O'Meara remained the apparent victor over Republican incumbent Mary Lou Wehrli .
O'Meara has 41,649 votes to Wehrli 's 34,569 .

Democrats gain ground in once solidly red DuPage County
Democrats hoping to make historic gains across once reliably Republican DuPage County hold solid leads or remain within striking distance of defeating GOP opponents for county board, forest preserve and countywide seats.
Democratic candidates were either pulling ahead or locked in tight races for four of six available seats on the 18-member county board based on partial election results.
Democrats need to flip three seats to seize control of the board. In more than 180 years of county government, Democrats have won the board majority only once, in 1934, local party leaders say.
If Democrats pick up all three open seats on the forest preserve district board, they'll shift the balance of power with a Democratic president breaking the tie.
Some candidates were gaining ground after a new batch of votes came in shortly after 1 a.m. and again Wednesday evening. County election officials updated results after tallying another 19,450 mail-in ballots. So far, election authorities have counted 164,622 out of 171,696 vote-by-mail ballots received.
Earlier Wednesday, state election officials reported up to 42,074 outstanding mail-in ballots in DuPage.
That method of voting has been more popular among voters who pulled a Democratic ballot in the primary than those who cast GOP ballots. As of last week, 60,083 Democrats returned mail-in ballots compared to 24,672 Republicans.
Opposition to President Donald Trump hurt GOP candidates at the bottom of the ticket, county Republican Party Chairman Jim Zay said. In DuPage, former Vice President Joe Biden had 57% of the vote versus nearly 41% for Trump.
"I think it had an effect on the Republican name even though we have very good people running for office and dedicated public servants," Zay said.
DuPage Democrats are confident their candidates can capture four county board seats, party Chairwoman Cynthia Borbas said.
"Three have leads, and I expect their gains to only grow," she said.
Here's a look at where county races stand:
Countywide
Democratic challenger Candice Adams has expanded her lead over four-term GOP incumbent Chris Kachiroubas in the clerk of the circuit court race. Unofficial results showed Adams with 226,642 votes and Kachiroubas with 222,400.
In the county auditor race, 1,324 votes separate Republican incumbent Bob Grogan from Democratic challenger Bill White. Grogan has received 225,717 votes to White's 224,393.
In the coroner race, Republican incumbent Richard Jorgensen was leading Democratic challenger Gregory Whalen. Unofficial tallies have Jorgensen with 227,476 votes and Whalen with 218,803.
Democrat Kathleen Carrier is cruising to victory with 19,145 more votes than Republican Babette Holder Youngberg in the recorder race.
County board
Republican Donald Puchalski was headed toward reelection in District 1. The attorney has garnered 35,628 votes, while Democratic challenger Zahra Suratwala has 30,546.
In District 2, Democrat Paula Deacon Garcia has seen her lead widen over Republican incumbent Sean Noonan by 2,057 votes.
In District 3, Republican incumbent Brian Krajewski leads with 40,855 votes to 38,355 ballots cast for Democratic challenger Gail Cabala-Lowry.
The closest contest is in District 4, where a 165-vote margin separates Democratic challenger Lynn LaPlante from first-term Republican Tim Elliott. LaPlante now has 37,304 votes to Elliott's 37,139.
In District 5, victory is at hand for Democrat Amy Chavez, who netted 43,080 votes. Her Republican opponent, Kevin Coyne, a Naperville City Council member, has 33,243 votes.
With her win, Democrats would hold all three county board seats in a district encompassing parts of Aurora, Lisle, Naperville, Warrenville and Woodridge.
In the race for a District 6 seat, Democrat Greg Schwarze, a Carol Stream village trustee and firefighter, is leading with 35,869 votes, while Republican incumbent Bob Larsen has 34,993 votes.
Forest preserve
In a race with no incumbent, Democrat Tina Tyson-Dunne holds a commanding lead over Republican Karen Kelly for the District 2 seat. Tyson-Dunne has 43,025 votes, while Kelly has 38,695, according to unofficial results.
In District 4, Democrat Jeff Gahris has a 510-vote advantage over GOP incumbent Tim Whelan.
In District 5, Democrat Barbara O'Meara remained the apparent victor over Republican incumbent Mary Lou Wehrli. O'Meara has 41,649 votes to Wehrli's 34,569.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-04--Madigan probe postponed in Springfield

Madigan probe postponed in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD -- The chairman of a special committee investigating Democratic State House Speaker Michael Madigan 's role in a bribery scheme involving utility giant ComEd has postponed the panel 's next meeting , which had been scheduled for Thursday .
Rep. Emanuel `` Chris '' Welch , a Hillside Democrat , announced Wednesday that the meeting is being delayed , in part because of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic and in part because it is still waiting to receive documents from ComEd .
`` The committee is currently awaiting documents requested from ComEd , which the company has indicated they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Welch said in a statement Tuesday .
`` Both Democrats and Republicans believe these documents will provide critical context to our work .
While we face a surge in COVID cases across the state and new mitigation guidelines , holding a hearing without these requested documents would not only be unproductive but also an unnecessary risk for members , staff and our communities at large . ''
Welch did not announce a new date for the delayed meeting .
Madigan was implicated in the bribery scheme in July when ComEd officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court in which they admitted to handing out lobbying jobs and contracts to close associates of Madigan 's over a nine-year period in an effort to curry his favor for state legislation that benefitted the company .
Madigan has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime .
Republicans in the General Assembly , however , say the allegations spelled out in the deferred prosecution agreement amount to `` conduct unbecoming of a legislator , '' and they filed a petition in the House in August that initiated the disciplinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formation of a Special Investigating Committee whose job is to determine whether there is enough evidence to support such a charge .
The six-member committee is divided evenly between Democrats and Republicans , but a majority of at least four votes is required to pass any motion .
So far , the committee has met only twice , the last time on Sept. 29 .
A week later , Welch announced that the committee would not meet again until after the Nov. 3 general election in order to remove the proceedings from `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In his statement Wednesday , Welch noted that both Republicans and Democrats on the panel wanted to hear testimony from Fidel Marquez , a former ComEd senior vice president of governmental and external affairs , but that he had declined to appear before the committee .
Marquez was indicted for his role in the scheme and has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery .
Although the state Senate has adopted rules that allow them to hold subject matter hearings remotely , the House has not adopted such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including disciplinary ones , must be conducted in person .
Last week , Region 3 of the state 's reopening plan , which includes Springfield where the Special Investigating Committee meets , was placed under enhanced mitigation measures after the rolling seven-day average COVID-19 test positivity rate rose above 8 percent for three consecutive days .
As of Sunday , Nov. 1 , the most recent data available , the region 's positivity rate stood at 11.1 percent .
House GOP Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs , who initiated the petition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had scheduled a virtual news conference for Wednesday afternoon , but that news conference was postponed due to technical difficulties , according to a caucus spokeswoman .
Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon , the ranking Republican on the committee , issued the following statement later Wednesday : '' The duty of the Special Investigating Committee is to conduct an investigation .
A petition was filed 66 days ago in accordance with House Rules .
The last meeting was 37 days ago , at which time we made a motion to issue subpoenas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important information -- but the Chairman did not allow a vote on that motion .
Members of the House of Representatives -- in both parties -- should be concerned about the way this process is being handled . ''

Madigan probe postponed in Springfield
House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, has been implicated in the ComEd bribery scandal but has not been charged with a crime. He denies any wrongdoing. Capitol News Illinois, 2019
SPRINGFIELD -- The chairman of a special committee investigating Democratic State House Speaker Michael Madigan's role in a bribery scheme involving utility giant ComEd has postponed the panel's next meeting, which had been scheduled for Thursday.
Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch, a Hillside Democrat, announced Wednesday that the meeting is being delayed, in part because of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic and in part because it is still waiting to receive documents from ComEd.
"The committee is currently awaiting documents requested from ComEd, which the company has indicated they are working to provide within the coming weeks," Welch said in a statement Tuesday. "Both Democrats and Republicans believe these documents will provide critical context to our work. While we face a surge in COVID cases across the state and new mitigation guidelines, holding a hearing without these requested documents would not only be unproductive but also an unnecessary risk for members, staff and our communities at large."
Welch did not announce a new date for the delayed meeting.
Madigan was implicated in the bribery scheme in July when ComEd officials entered a deferred prosecution agreement in federal court in which they admitted to handing out lobbying jobs and contracts to close associates of Madigan's over a nine-year period in an effort to curry his favor for state legislation that benefitted the company. Madigan has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.
Republicans in the General Assembly, however, say the allegations spelled out in the deferred prosecution agreement amount to "conduct unbecoming of a legislator," and they filed a petition in the House in August that initiated the disciplinary proceeding.
That proceeding begins with the formation of a Special Investigating Committee whose job is to determine whether there is enough evidence to support such a charge. The six-member committee is divided evenly between Democrats and Republicans, but a majority of at least four votes is required to pass any motion.
So far, the committee has met only twice, the last time on Sept. 29. A week later, Welch announced that the committee would not meet again until after the Nov. 3 general election in order to remove the proceedings from "the backdrop of a political campaign."
In his statement Wednesday, Welch noted that both Republicans and Democrats on the panel wanted to hear testimony from Fidel Marquez, a former ComEd senior vice president of governmental and external affairs, but that he had declined to appear before the committee. Marquez was indicted for his role in the scheme and has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Although the state Senate has adopted rules that allow them to hold subject matter hearings remotely, the House has not adopted such a rule, which means their committee meetings, including disciplinary ones, must be conducted in person.
Last week, Region 3 of the state's reopening plan, which includes Springfield where the Special Investigating Committee meets, was placed under enhanced mitigation measures after the rolling seven-day average COVID-19 test positivity rate rose above 8 percent for three consecutive days. As of Sunday, Nov. 1, the most recent data available, the region's positivity rate stood at 11.1 percent.
House GOP Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs, who initiated the petition that led to the committee's formation, had scheduled a virtual news conference for Wednesday afternoon, but that news conference was postponed due to technical difficulties, according to a caucus spokeswoman.
Rep. Tom Demmer of Dixon, the ranking Republican on the committee, issued the following statement later Wednesday:
"The duty of the Special Investigating Committee is to conduct an investigation. A petition was filed 66 days ago in accordance with House Rules. The last meeting was 37 days ago, at which time we made a motion to issue subpoenas to key witnesses who have relevant and important information--but the Chairman did not allow a vote on that motion. Members of the House of Representatives--in both parties--should be concerned about the way this process is being handled."


US-Pres-Sum,100

Needed to win : 270 of the 538 electoral votes ( ev ) from the 50 states and the District @ @ @

US-Pres-Sum,100
Trump 71,075,087 - 48 percent
Has won 23 states with 214 ev.
Leads in 2 states with 18 ev.
Others 2,489,909 - 2 percent
Has won 0 states with 0 ev.
Leads in 0 states with 0 ev.
Needed to win: 270 of the 538 electoral votes (ev) from
the 50 states and the District of Columbia.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Illinois reports a record 9,935 new COVID-19 cases, passes 10,000 total deaths

Ninety-seven more people died from COVID-19 Thursday , bringing the state 's total to 10,030 as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker warned of tougher restrictions if individuals continue to flout public health rules and local officials do n't enforce them while the virus surges .
The number of new cases reported in a day skyrocketed Thursday to 9,935 , a new high .
Illinois hospitals had 3,891 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday night , the highest level since May 21 , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported .
Average daily hospitalizations more than doubled to 3,654 in November compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
If scofflaws persist in ignoring rules about masking , indoor dining and gathering sizes , `` in some areas of the state it will mean you 'll run out of hospital beds , and nurses , and doctors who can treat you , '' Pritzker said .
`` If hospitals continue to fill up , if more and more people continue to lose their lives ... we 're going to implement further statewide mitigations , which nobody , and I mean nobody , wants . ''
The average number of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day in the last week .
The current seven-day average is 51 deaths compared to 41 deaths between Oct. 23 and 29 .
More than 46 % of the state 's deaths comprise seniors age 80 and over .
Daily COVID-19 caseloads grew by 47 % in that same time period , or an average of 7,533 infections in the last seven days contrasted with 5,043 from Oct. 23 to 29 .
Asked about concerns by the McHenry County Health Department that 90 % of restaurants and bars in the area are ignoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders and police need to step up and penalize scofflaws .
`` That is their job , and when they do n't enforce them ( rules ) people die , '' he said .
In other counties , mayors in Itasca and Libertyville , for example , have said they are concerned about restaurants going out of business and wo n't crack down on scofflaws .
State rules allow for a warning first , then citations of up to $ 2,500 .
`` Believe me , when one of them ( businesses ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , '' Pritzker said .
`` When five of them get a citation , all of them hear about it . ''
Without conformance to public health precautions , `` we 're heading down a very dark path toward where we were last spring , '' he said .
In late March and April , COVID-19 cases burgeoned in hospitals and the state imposed a stay-at-home order for nonessential workers and businesses .
Illinois ' virus test positivity rate is 9.1 % based on a seven-day average , reflecting a continuous upward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 3.4 % .
Friday will mark two weeks since the state imposed restrictions , such as no indoor dining in DuPage and Kane counties ( Region 8 ) and Will and Kankakee counties ( Region 7 ) , to reduce spread of COVID-19 after the four surpassed an 8 % test positivity rate .
Those rates have n't diminished , as Region 7 now has an average 13.4 % virus positivity rate .
Region 8 has a rate of 11.7 % , meaning the four counties will likely see additional restrictions Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 447,491 .
State labs processed 86,015 tests in the last 24 hours .
`` Travel will increase your chances of contracting and spreading COVID-19 , as will going to a crowded event , as will having people in your home for Thanksgiving .
There is significant potential for harm -- and death , and it 's not just for yourself but other members of your family and other people you may not even know , '' she said .

Illinois reports a record 9,935 new COVID-19 cases, passes 10,000 total deaths
Ninety-seven more people died from COVID-19 Thursday, bringing the state's total to 10,030 as Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned of tougher restrictions if individuals continue to flout public health rules and local officials don't enforce them while the virus surges.
The number of new cases reported in a day skyrocketed Thursday to 9,935, a new high.
Illinois hospitals had 3,891 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday night, the highest level since May 21, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported. Average daily hospitalizations more than doubled to 3,654 in November compared to 1,591 patients for the same period in October.
If scofflaws persist in ignoring rules about masking, indoor dining and gathering sizes, "in some areas of the state it will mean you'll run out of hospital beds, and nurses, and doctors who can treat you," Pritzker said.
"If hospitals continue to fill up, if more and more people continue to lose their lives ... we're going to implement further statewide mitigations, which nobody, and I mean nobody, wants."
The average number of deaths from COVID-19 has grown by 10 a day in the last week. The current seven-day average is 51 deaths compared to 41 deaths between Oct. 23 and 29. More than 46% of the state's deaths comprise seniors age 80 and over.
Daily COVID-19 caseloads grew by 47% in that same time period, or an average of 7,533 infections in the last seven days contrasted with 5,043 from Oct. 23 to 29.
Asked about concerns by the McHenry County Health Department that 90% of restaurants and bars in the area are ignoring indoor dining prohibitions, Pritzker said local leaders and police need to step up and penalize scofflaws.
"That is their job, and when they don't enforce them (rules) people die," he said.
In other counties, mayors in Itasca and Libertyville, for example, have said they are concerned about restaurants going out of business and won't crack down on scofflaws.
State rules allow for a warning first, then citations of up to $2,500.
"Believe me, when one of them (businesses) gets a citation, others hear about it," Pritzker said. "When five of them get a citation, all of them hear about it."
Without conformance to public health precautions, "we're heading down a very dark path toward where we were last spring," he said.
In late March and April, COVID-19 cases burgeoned in hospitals and the state imposed a stay-at-home order for nonessential workers and businesses.
Illinois' virus test positivity rate is 9.1% based on a seven-day average, reflecting a continuous upward climb. On Oct. 5, it was 3.4%.
Friday will mark two weeks since the state imposed restrictions, such as no indoor dining in DuPage and Kane counties (Region 8) and Will and Kankakee counties (Region 7), to reduce spread of COVID-19 after the four surpassed an 8% test positivity rate. Those rates haven't diminished, as Region 7 now has an average 13.4% virus positivity rate. Region 8 has a rate of 11.7%, meaning the four counties will likely see additional restrictions Friday.
Total virus infections in Illinois stand at 447,491. State labs processed 86,015 tests in the last 24 hours.
IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike issued cautions about Thanksgiving travel.
"Travel will increase your chances of contracting and spreading COVID-19, as will going to a crowded event, as will having people in your home for Thanksgiving. There is significant potential for harm -- and death, and it's not just for yourself but other members of your family and other people you may not even know," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Elmhurst mayor to Pritzker: Restaurants 'will not survive' restrictions

Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley is calling on Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to lift a ban on indoor dining as DuPage and Kane counties could face a new tier of tighter restrictions in an effort to slow a surge in COVID-19 infections and hospital admissions .
Morley has joined several suburban mayors in pushing back against the shutdown on indoor bar and restaurant service .
If imposed , the next level of mitigation measures would limit outdoor seating at bars and restaurants to six people per group .
In a letter to Pritzker , Morley said many small businesses will `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Eliminating indoor dining during our cold weather season will be FATAL to many restaurants in my hometown of Elmhurst and to many across our great state , '' Morley wrote .
The entire state has fallen under mitigation measures to tamp down the spread of COVID-19 .
Mayors in Libertyville and Itasca have said they wo n't enforce the dining ban , while many restaurants have openly defied it .
Pritzker admonished local officials Thursday as Illinois saw new COVID-19 cases jump Thursday to 9,935 , a record .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state are failing to enforce any mitigation measures , allowing this continued rise in positivity to balloon out of control , '' Pritzker said .
`` It 's time to take some responsibility .
That 's the only way that we will get out of this without having to implement more and more restrictions across more industries and across the entire state . ''
Morley urged Pritzker to `` create a path to allow indoor dining . ''
Morley said progress made in caring for COVID-19 hospital patients and recovery rates should also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials are warning of staffing concerns handling a fall and winter surge in patients while major hot spots across the country limit the pool of available health care workers to help with the COVID-19 response .
Elmhurst Hospital was treating 61 inpatients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday morning , up from 45 patients on Oct. 30 .
Some local officials also have questioned the extent to which the rise in infections is linked to transmission in restaurants , which had indoor dining from June until the Oct. 23 shutdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a study of more than 17,000 Illinois residents who were infected with the virus in August or September .
The largest group -- 2,300 people -- reported working at or visiting a bar or restaurant in the 14 days before testing positive .
`` To date , we have not been provided with data showing that restaurants are the cause of the rise in positivity rates , '' Morley said .
But DuPage County Health Department officials said restaurants and bars are considered environments where transmission can occur at higher levels due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tighter spaces and the removing of masks for eating and drinking .
The health department also pointed to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that showed adults with COVID-19 were `` approximately twice as likely as were control-participants to have reported dining at a restaurant in the 14 days before becoming ill. '' '' We know that being indoors , with people who you do not live with , for longer periods of time , and without masks and speaking in close proximity and releasing droplets contribute to the transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement said .
Morley said he 's confident that officials can create a plan that is `` safe , acceptable and reasonable '' while giving businesses a chance to survive the pandemic .
`` We will continue to do our part to educate the public and business owners on the risks , restrictions , and preventive safety measures to combat the spread of the virus , '' Morley wrote .
`` We take the safety of our community seriously , as well as the responsibility we have to our business community . ''

Elmhurst mayor to Pritzker: Restaurants 'will not survive' restrictions
Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley is calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to lift a ban on indoor dining as DuPage and Kane counties could face a new tier of tighter restrictions in an effort to slow a surge in COVID-19 infections and hospital admissions.
Morley has joined several suburban mayors in pushing back against the shutdown on indoor bar and restaurant service. If imposed, the next level of mitigation measures would limit outdoor seating at bars and restaurants to six people per group.
In a letter to Pritzker, Morley said many small businesses will "not survive with the newly implemented restrictions."
"Eliminating indoor dining during our cold weather season will be FATAL to many restaurants in my hometown of Elmhurst and to many across our great state," Morley wrote.
The entire state has fallen under mitigation measures to tamp down the spread of COVID-19. Mayors in Libertyville and Itasca have said they won't enforce the dining ban, while many restaurants have openly defied it.
Pritzker admonished local officials Thursday as Illinois saw new COVID-19 cases jump Thursday to 9,935, a record.
"Far too many local governments across the state are failing to enforce any mitigation measures, allowing this continued rise in positivity to balloon out of control," Pritzker said. "It's time to take some responsibility. That's the only way that we will get out of this without having to implement more and more restrictions across more industries and across the entire state."
Morley urged Pritzker to "create a path to allow indoor dining." Morley said progress made in caring for COVID-19 hospital patients and recovery rates should also be taken into consideration.
But hospital officials are warning of staffing concerns handling a fall and winter surge in patients while major hot spots across the country limit the pool of available health care workers to help with the COVID-19 response.
Elmhurst Hospital was treating 61 inpatients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday morning, up from 45 patients on Oct. 30.
Some local officials also have questioned the extent to which the rise in infections is linked to transmission in restaurants, which had indoor dining from June until the Oct. 23 shutdown.
The governor's office last month released a study of more than 17,000 Illinois residents who were infected with the virus in August or September. The largest group -- 2,300 people -- reported working at or visiting a bar or restaurant in the 14 days before testing positive.
"To date, we have not been provided with data showing that restaurants are the cause of the rise in positivity rates," Morley said.
But DuPage County Health Department officials said restaurants and bars are considered environments where transmission can occur at higher levels due to social gatherings indoors without physical distancing, tighter spaces and the removing of masks for eating and drinking.
The health department also pointed to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that showed adults with COVID-19 were "approximately twice as likely as were control-participants to have reported dining at a restaurant in the 14 days before becoming ill."
"We know that being indoors, with people who you do not live with, for longer periods of time, and without masks and speaking in close proximity and releasing droplets contribute to the transmission of COVID-19," a health department statement said.
Morley said he's confident that officials can create a plan that is "safe, acceptable and reasonable" while giving businesses a chance to survive the pandemic.
"We will continue to do our part to educate the public and business owners on the risks, restrictions, and preventive safety measures to combat the spread of the virus," Morley wrote. "We take the safety of our community seriously, as well as the responsibility we have to our business community."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Bears still await confirmation on positive COVID-19 test

Bears coach Matt Nagy said the team is still awaiting confirmation that a positive COVID-19 test from one of his players is , in fact , a positive test and not a false positive .
The Bears canceled practice Thursday and sent everyone home from the team 's Halas Hall training facility in Lake Forest out of an abundance of caution .
The NFL Network 's Ian Rapoport reported that Bears center Cody Whitehair had tested positive for the coronavirus .
This comes two days after offensive tackle Jason Spriggs tested positive for the virus , and right guard Germain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spriggs and Ifedi were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday .
The Bears are in a holding pattern as they await confirmation on Thursday 's positive test .
They are scheduled to practice Friday ahead of Sunday 's game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville , Tennessee .
`` Once we know that , then we can go ahead and decide as far as ( Friday ) what 's our plan for meetings , what 's our plan for practice , '' Nagy said .
`` I 'm sure the league will inform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The close contacts , naturally , are notified right away . ''
Nagy would n't say how many close contacts could have potentially been exposed if the test is confirmed positive .
Nagy did confirm that he himself was not a close contact .
`` I ca n't get into a number right now with that , '' Nagy said .
`` We 're just waiting for answers .
That 's all we can really do . ''
Nagy confirmed that backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky was in California on Thursday having his shoulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his shoulder on the one play he was on the field for against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Soldier Field .
Nagy declined to say how long Trubisky might be out .
That leaves the Bears with just two options at quarterbacks in starter Nick Foles and practice squad quarterback Tyler Bray .
While the Bears have tryouts with free agent quarterbacks Jake Rudock and Kyle Sloter , the league mandates a six-day entry process for free agents due to the coronavirus .
So the Bears wo n't have either free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't think that that can happen , '' Nagy said .
`` Even with that said , you 're talking about someone who has n't been around or knows the offense . ''
The NFL is going to do everything it can to play Sunday 's game as scheduled .
The Titans , who had a COVID-19 outbreak earlier this season , have already had their bye week .
The league likely would n't push Sunday 's game to Monday or Tuesday because the Titans are scheduled to play the Indianapolis Colts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The league kept this Thursday night 's game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers on the schedule despite the 49ers having three wide receivers placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
The 49ers elevated six players from the practice squad Thursday prior to the game .

Bears clear NFL's COVID protocol, plan to practice Friday at Halas Hall
Bears center Cody Whitehair leads the offensive lineman on to the field for pregame warmups prior to their Oct. 18 game at Carolina. The Bears closed Halas Hall and canceled practice Thursday because of another positive test for COVID-19, reportedly by Whitehair. Associated Press
The Bears have been cleared by the NFL to resume full activities at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Friday. The team will continue under the league's intensive protocol, meaning players will head home directly after practice and conduct meetings virtually.
The Bears canceled practice Thursday and sent everyone home from the team's Halas Hall training facility out of an abundance of caution after a player tested positive for COVID-19.
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Bears center Cody Whitehair had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Bears provided a brief update Thursday night but did not specify whether Thursday's positive test was a false positive or if the team is going to place that player and any close contacts on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Bears will practice at 12:30 p.m. Friday. Coach Matt Nagy will address the media again at approximately 2:45 p.m. Friday. The Bears are scheduled to play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee.
This comes two days after offensive tackle Jason Spriggs tested positive for the virus, and right guard Germain Ifedi was deemed a close contact. Spriggs and Ifedi were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
The Bears were in a holding pattern for much of Thursday as they awaited confirmation of the positive COVID-19 test.
"Once we know that, then we can go ahead and decide as far as (Friday) what's our plan for meetings, what's our plan for practice," Nagy said.
Nagy wouldn't say how many close contacts could have potentially been exposed if the test was confirmed positive. Nagy did confirm that he himself was not a close contact.
"I can't get into a number right now with that," Nagy said. "We're just waiting for answers. That's all we can really do."
Nagy confirmed that backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky was in California on Thursday having his shoulder evaluated by a specialist. Trubisky hurt his shoulder on the one play he was on the field for against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Soldier Field. Nagy declined to say how long Trubisky might be out.
That leaves the Bears with just two options at quarterbacks in starter Nick Foles and practice squad quarterback Tyler Bray.
While the Bears have tryouts with free agent quarterbacks Jake Rudock and Kyle Sloter, the league mandates a six-day entry process for free agents due to the coronavirus. So the Bears won't have either free agent quarterback by Sunday.
"I don't think that that can happen," Nagy said. "Even with that said, you're talking about someone who hasn't been around or knows the offense."
The NFL is going to do everything it can to play Sunday's game as scheduled. The Titans, who had a COVID-19 outbreak earlier this season, have already had their bye week. The league likely wouldn't push Sunday's game to Monday or Tuesday because the Titans are scheduled to play the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday -- already a quick turnaround.
The league kept this Thursday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers on the schedule despite the 49ers having three wide receivers placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The 49ers elevated six players from the practice squad Thursday prior to the game.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Oberweis' lead over Underwood narrows in 14th Congressional District race

Republican challenger Jim Oberweis ' already slim lead over Democratic incumbent Lauren Underwood in the 14th Congressional District race narrowed even further on Thursday , and the contest remains too close to call .
Oberweis , a state senator from Sugar Grove , now is in front of Underwood , a first-term lawmaker from Naperville , 189,189 to 188,473 , unofficial results showed .
That 's a difference of only 716 votes , down from 895 on Wednesday .
The new margin reflects additional votes counted in DuPage and Kane counties , according to The Associated Press .
Oberweis has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Underwood has more than 49.9 % .
The Associated Press has not called the race .
The updated tally does n't include all the votes cast in the race .
Ballots postmarked by this past Tuesday that arrive at election offices by Nov. 17 will be counted , too , as will provisional ballots .
In an online news conference Thursday afternoon , Underwood announced more than 11,000 such ballots from the 14th District voters await counting in McHenry County , and more than 7,200 await counting in Lake County .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intersect with the 14th District .
Estimates for 14th District ballots waiting to be counted in the other five counties -- DuPage , Kane , Will , DeKalb and Kendall -- were n't available .
The Lake County clerk 's office is expected to update its public tallies on Nov. 10 and again on Nov. 17 .
The McHenry County clerk is expected to release its final totals Nov. 18 .
Underwood said she was `` delighted '' by the newly counted votes in DuPage and Kane counties , and she repeated her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when all the votes are counted .
`` We always knew this was going to be a competitive race , '' Underwood said .
`` We should all just be patient and let our county clerks do their work . ''
Despite the uncertainty , Oberweis declared victory in a video released Wednesday to social media .
`` Mr. Oberweis does not get to call this election , '' she said .
`` The voters do . ''
On Thursday , Oberweis spokesman Travis Akin acknowledged that more ballots would be arriving by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect the outcome to change , '' he said .
As of Thursday , Oberweis was leading in four of the district 's seven counties -- DeKalb , Kendall , Lake and McHenry -- according to The Associated Press .
Underwood led in DuPage , Kane and Will counties .

Oberweis' lead over Underwood narrows in 14th Congressional District race
Congressional candidate Jim Oberweis released a statement Wednesday in which he declared victory in the 14th District despite the race not yet being called. Facebook Video Screenshot
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood discusses the status of her 14th Congressional race against Jim Oberweis during a news conference Thursday held over Zoom. Zoom video
Republican Jim Oberweis and Democrat Lauren Underwood are candidates in the 14th Congressional District.
Editor's note: In her news conference, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood incorrectly reported the number of mailed-in ballots waiting to be counted in McHenry County, citing data from county officials. An accurate number wasn't available, but a spokeswoman said it would be lower than the initial estimate.
Republican challenger Jim Oberweis' already slim lead over Democratic incumbent Lauren Underwood in the 14th Congressional District race narrowed even further on Thursday, and the contest remains too close to call.
Oberweis, a state senator from Sugar Grove, now is in front of Underwood, a first-term lawmaker from Naperville, 189,189 to 188,473, unofficial results showed. That's a difference of only 716 votes, down from 895 on Wednesday.
The new margin reflects additional votes counted in DuPage and Kane counties, according to The Associated Press.
Oberweis has less than 50.1% of the vote. Underwood has more than 49.9%. The Associated Press has not called the race.
The updated tally doesn't include all the votes cast in the race. Ballots postmarked by this past Tuesday that arrive at election offices by Nov. 17 will be counted, too, as will provisional ballots.
In an online news conference Thursday afternoon, Underwood announced more than 7,200 such ballots from 14th District voters await counting in Lake County alone.
Estimates for 14th District ballots waiting to be counted in the other six counties -- McHenry, DuPage, Kane, Will, DeKalb and Kendall -- weren't available.
The Lake County clerk's office is expected to update its public tallies on Nov. 10 and again on Nov. 17. The McHenry County clerk is expected to release its final totals Nov. 18.
Underwood said she was "delighted" by the newly counted votes in DuPage and Kane counties, and she repeated her earlier confidence that she'll be victorious when all the votes are counted.
"We always knew this was going to be a competitive race," Underwood said. "We should all just be patient and let our county clerks do their work."
Despite the uncertainty, Oberweis declared victory in a video released Wednesday to social media.
Underwood scoffed at Oberweis' pronouncement Thursday.
"Mr. Oberweis does not get to call this election," she said. "The voters do."
On Thursday, Oberweis spokesman Travis Akin acknowledged that more ballots would be arriving by mail.
"But we do not expect the outcome to change," he said.
As of Thursday, Oberweis was leading in four of the district's seven counties -- DeKalb, Kendall, Lake and McHenry -- according to The Associated Press. Underwood led in DuPage, Kane and Will counties.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--What we know -- and don't know -- about outstanding mail-in ballots

The gap is narrowing between the number of vote-by-mail ballots requested and those returned in the suburbs , though election authorities warn that unofficial results still could fluctuate before the Nov. 17 deadline .
The picture will likely become clearer in the next few days , as more ballots trickle in through the U.S .
Postal Service and officials gain a better understanding of how many votes remain uncounted statewide , said Matt Dietrich , spokesman for the State Board of Elections .
As of Thursday morning , state data shows roughly 445,000 mail-in ballots that have not yet been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't account for voters who requested to cast a ballot by mail and ultimately changed their minds , Dietrich said .
State election officials estimate roughly 50,000 people surrendered their mail-in ballots to an election judge before Tuesday , opting instead to vote at an early voting location , Dietrich said .
That would bring the number of outstanding ballots below the 400,000 threshold .
Similar scenarios appeared to play out on Election Day , when local election authorities reported anecdotally that many voters were switching out mail-in ballots for in-person ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded its vote-by-mail program amid the COVID-19 pandemic , a portion of the more than 2.3 million Illinois voters who applied -- 1.2 million of whom were from suburban Cook and the collar counties -- likely viewed their mail-in ballots as an insurance policy , he said .
Should the coronavirus or any other factor throw a wrench in their plans to vote in person , at least they could still cast a ballot by mail .
DuPage County has received roughly 171,900 ballots via the mail or a secure drop box , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to state data .
After removing those who opted to vote in person from the equation , DuPage election officials reported 23,052 potentially outstanding mail-in ballots , as well 2,547 provisional ballots , as of late Wednesday .
Election judges intend to process and tabulate those counts as they roll in , Chief Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson said .
`` We have a little more sense now of what the universe of potential votes is , '' he said .
`` That seems to be reassuring to candidates . ''
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent across Illinois as each election authority begins reporting uncounted ballot data this week to the State Board of Elections .
As of Thursday , the state 's preelection ballot counts showed 152,142 outstanding mail-in ballots in suburban Cook County , 8,372 in Kane , 57,790 in Lake , 15,340 in McHenry and 21,810 in Will .
It 's uncertain how many of those ballots actually will be cast , or whether they have the potential to flip the outcome of any tight races .
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted in final tallies , meaning unofficial results could change .
Dietrich said he believes the `` vast majority '' of remaining ballots will be delivered by the end of the week .
But it 'll be up to local election authorities to decide how and when they want to release updated results .
In Lake County , election night totals included Election Day and early votes , as well as most mail-in ballots submitted by Monday , according to Clerk Robin O'Connor .
As more vote-by-mail ballots are delivered and processed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to update unofficial tallies on its website only twice more : Nov. 10 and Nov. 17 .
McHenry County will wait until Nov. 18 to update results all at once , Clerk Joe Tirio said .
Other agencies , including DuPage , have said they intend to post updates more frequently .
In suburban Cook County , officials indicated unofficial election results would be updated at least daily .
Election authorities must be finished counting mail and provisional ballots by Nov. 17 and transmit results to the State Board of Elections by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certifies the vote and publishes official results Dec. 4 .

What we know -- and don't know -- about outstanding mail-in ballots
The gap is narrowing between the number of vote-by-mail ballots requested and those returned in the suburbs, though election authorities warn that unofficial results still could fluctuate before the Nov. 17 deadline.
The picture will likely become clearer in the next few days, as more ballots trickle in through the U.S. Postal Service and officials gain a better understanding of how many votes remain uncounted statewide, said Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the State Board of Elections.
As of Thursday morning, state data shows roughly 445,000 mail-in ballots that have not yet been returned in Illinois. But that number doesn't account for voters who requested to cast a ballot by mail and ultimately changed their minds, Dietrich said.
State election officials estimate roughly 50,000 people surrendered their mail-in ballots to an election judge before Tuesday, opting instead to vote at an early voting location, Dietrich said. That would bring the number of outstanding ballots below the 400,000 threshold.
Similar scenarios appeared to play out on Election Day, when local election authorities reported anecdotally that many voters were switching out mail-in ballots for in-person ballots, he said.
When the state expanded its vote-by-mail program amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a portion of the more than 2.3 million Illinois voters who applied -- 1.2 million of whom were from suburban Cook and the collar counties -- likely viewed their mail-in ballots as an insurance policy, he said. Should the coronavirus or any other factor throw a wrench in their plans to vote in person, at least they could still cast a ballot by mail.
DuPage County has received roughly 171,900 ballots via the mail or a secure drop box, compared to the 212,600 residents who applied, according to state data.
After removing those who opted to vote in person from the equation, DuPage election officials reported 23,052 potentially outstanding mail-in ballots, as well 2,547 provisional ballots, as of late Wednesday. Election judges intend to process and tabulate those counts as they roll in, Chief Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson said.
"We have a little more sense now of what the universe of potential votes is," he said. "That seems to be reassuring to candidates."
That level of detail likely will become more apparent across Illinois as each election authority begins reporting uncounted ballot data this week to the State Board of Elections.
As of Thursday, the state's preelection ballot counts showed 152,142 outstanding mail-in ballots in suburban Cook County, 8,372 in Kane, 57,790 in Lake, 15,340 in McHenry and 21,810 in Will.
It's uncertain how many of those ballots actually will be cast, or whether they have the potential to flip the outcome of any tight races. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within two weeks to be counted in final tallies, meaning unofficial results could change.
Dietrich said he believes the "vast majority" of remaining ballots will be delivered by the end of the week. But it'll be up to local election authorities to decide how and when they want to release updated results.
In Lake County, election night totals included Election Day and early votes, as well as most mail-in ballots submitted by Monday, according to Clerk Robin O'Connor. As more vote-by-mail ballots are delivered and processed, she said, the clerk's office plans to update unofficial tallies on its website only twice more: Nov. 10 and Nov. 17.
McHenry County will wait until Nov. 18 to update results all at once, Clerk Joe Tirio said.
Other agencies, including DuPage, have said they intend to post updates more frequently. In suburban Cook County, officials indicated unofficial election results would be updated at least daily.
Election authorities must be finished counting mail and provisional ballots by Nov. 17 and transmit results to the State Board of Elections by Nov. 24. The Elections Board then certifies the vote and publishes official results Dec. 4.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--'It changed me for the better': Veterans graduate from Des Plaines back-to-work boot camp

Cody Shephard of Wheeling spent five years in the Marines as a combat photographer , documenting everything from aircraft mishaps to battle damage assessments .
Once he returned home in 2019 , he hoped his skills would translate into the corporate world .
Unfortunately , like many returning veterans , he did n't know how to make the transition from military to civilian life .
Enter the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry 's Veterans Back to Work Boot Camp , now in its fourth year .
Shephard was one of 20 veterans selected to participate in this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place through a hybrid model this year , but still provided veterans with individual mentoring from veteran business leaders , as well as career exploration , LinkedIn and social media help , resume writing , interviewing readiness and financial advice .
`` I have a better sense of direction and I have now been given to the tools to navigate my future . ''
Shephard and the other graduates were on hand -- or participating via Zoom -- at a graduation ceremony Wednesday , at the Des Plaines American Legion Post 36 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scaled back , it was no less powerful .
`` You all recognized that this pivotal program was your shot , '' said Ella Woodford-Parker , president of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce , taking a cue from the hit song from the musical , `` Hamilton . ''
Participants opened the evening by sharing their stories of how the program had changed them .
Mariusz Pretnik of Lake Zurich brought leadership experience into the boot camp .
He served 15 years in the Navy , including several deployments to the Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training specialist and led large divisions .
Yet , landing a job in management and HR development proved elusive .
Pretnik pointed to the boot camp 's interview and resume workshops as being invaluable .
`` The in-house interviews conducted with help from HR professionals across many different fields and representing some of the largest companies in the area , offered fantastic insight to the interviewing process , '' Pretnik said , `` which is far different from military boards . ''
Another veteran , Brian Rice of Mount Prospect , spent six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vessels for contraband while stationed in Boston , and taking part in search-and-rescue missions while stationed in Ludington , Michigan .
Upon returning stateside last year , he earned an MBA with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and went on to start his own company , Top Drone .
But business dried up during the pandemic .
The boot camp gave him renewed energy and purpose .
`` I started the program thinking that I would work on building my professional background , however this program changed my personal life , '' Rice said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a positive light , felt renewed connections , and embraced the power of positive thinking .
I 'm excited to see what the future holds . ''
Chamber Executive Director Andrea Biwer , who coordinates the program , was equally excited .
She has watched the veterans mature and gain confidence during the last four years , and this year 's hybrid model was no different .
`` The common thread of our boot camp veteran graduates is that they are mission-oriented , purpose-driven and wanting to continue to learn , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe will translate perfectly to the workplace . ''
The graduation ceremony not only affirmed the veterans , it awarded them with gifts .
Each received a career-focused package valued at $ 8,000 , including a new laptop computer , one-year membership to Planet Fitness , one-year car maintenance package and gift cards to Woodfield Mall and Home Depot .

'It changed me for the better': Veterans graduate from Des Plaines back-to-work boot camp
Cody Shephard of Wheeling spent five years in the Marines as a combat photographer, documenting everything from aircraft mishaps to battle damage assessments. Once he returned home in 2019, he hoped his skills would translate into the corporate world.
Unfortunately, like many returning veterans, he didn't know how to make the transition from military to civilian life.
Enter the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Veterans Back to Work Boot Camp, now in its fourth year.
Shephard was one of 20 veterans selected to participate in this year's boot camp. The 10-week program took place through a hybrid model this year, but still provided veterans with individual mentoring from veteran business leaders, as well as career exploration, LinkedIn and social media help, resume writing, interviewing readiness and financial advice.
"I have a better sense of direction and I have now been given to the tools to navigate my future."
Shephard and the other graduates were on hand -- or participating via Zoom -- at a graduation ceremony Wednesday, at the Des Plaines American Legion Post 36. While this year's celebration was scaled back, it was no less powerful.
"You all recognized that this pivotal program was your shot," said Ella Woodford-Parker, president of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, taking a cue from the hit song from the musical, "Hamilton."
Participants opened the evening by sharing their stories of how the program had changed them.
Mariusz Pretnik of Lake Zurich brought leadership experience into the boot camp. He served 15 years in the Navy, including several deployments to the Middle East, where he was a master training specialist and led large divisions.
Yet, landing a job in management and HR development proved elusive. Pretnik pointed to the boot camp's interview and resume workshops as being invaluable.
"The in-house interviews conducted with help from HR professionals across many different fields and representing some of the largest companies in the area, offered fantastic insight to the interviewing process," Pretnik said, "which is far different from military boards."
Another veteran, Brian Rice of Mount Prospect, spent six years in the Coast Guard, intercepting vessels for contraband while stationed in Boston, and taking part in search-and-rescue missions while stationed in Ludington, Michigan.
Upon returning stateside last year, he earned an MBA with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and went on to start his own company, Top Drone. But business dried up during the pandemic. The boot camp gave him renewed energy and purpose.
"I started the program thinking that I would work on building my professional background, however this program changed my personal life," Rice said. "I began to see things in a positive light, felt renewed connections, and embraced the power of positive thinking. I'm excited to see what the future holds."
Chamber Executive Director Andrea Biwer, who coordinates the program, was equally excited. She has watched the veterans mature and gain confidence during the last four years, and this year's hybrid model was no different.
"The common thread of our boot camp veteran graduates is that they are mission-oriented, purpose-driven and wanting to continue to learn," she said, "and that I believe will translate perfectly to the workplace."
The graduation ceremony not only affirmed the veterans, it awarded them with gifts. Each received a career-focused package valued at $8,000, including a new laptop computer, one-year membership to Planet Fitness, one-year car maintenance package and gift cards to Woodfield Mall and Home Depot.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Pritzker joins Durbin in saying Madigan must give up Democratic Party leadership

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker called for new leadership at the state 's Democratic Party on Thursday , conceding that Republicans successfully used a politically damaged Speaker Michael Madigan in this week 's election to `` hurt our ability to get things done . ''
The governor said he agreed with Sen. Dick Durbin 's comments a day earlier that Democrats `` paid a heavy price '' for the Southwest Side Democrat 's position at the top of the state 's party .
Asked to clarify if he agreed with Durbin that the party needed new leadership , the governor gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Yes , '' he said .
`` The Republicans and the billionaires that sided with them were effectively able to use the speaker as their foil , and that hurt our ability , our state 's ability , to get things done , '' Pritzker said moments earlier in response to a reporter 's question at the daily COVID-19 briefing .
Madigan defiantly responded a few hours later , saying he 's not going anywhere and looks `` forward to continuing our fight for working families as chairman of the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more on this story , check chicago.suntimes.com .

Pritzker joins Durbin in saying Madigan must give up Democratic Party leadership
Sen. Dick Durbin speaks before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the hearing on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in October. Associated Press
Speaker of the House Michael Madigan shakes hands with Gov. J.B. Pritzker at the conclusion of Pritzker's State of the State address at the Illinois Capitol on Jan. 29 in Springfield. Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP
Gov. J.B. Pritzker called for new leadership at the state's Democratic Party on Thursday, conceding that Republicans successfully used a politically damaged Speaker Michael Madigan in this week's election to "hurt our ability to get things done."
The governor said he agreed with Sen. Dick Durbin's comments a day earlier that Democrats "paid a heavy price" for the Southwest Side Democrat's position at the top of the state's party.
Asked to clarify if he agreed with Durbin that the party needed new leadership, the governor gave a terse, but emphatic, response.
"Yes," he said.
"The Republicans and the billionaires that sided with them were effectively able to use the speaker as their foil, and that hurt our ability, our state's ability, to get things done," Pritzker said moments earlier in response to a reporter's question at the daily COVID-19 briefing.
Madigan defiantly responded a few hours later, saying he's not going anywhere and looks "forward to continuing our fight for working families as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois."
• For more on this story, check chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Dist. 220 will consider reopening sooner

After hearing pleas from frustrated parents , the board of Barrington Area Unit School District 220 decided to discuss with its teachers union the possibility of changing its COVID-19 plan to reopen sooner .
That will be discussed at a labor-management meeting Nov. 9 , followed by a closed school board meeting via Zoom on Nov. 12 , board members decided Wednesday night .
Virtual learning will continue until at least Nov. 16 .
The district in September developed a four-phase reopening plan with five metrics based on public health guidance .
`` Those ( school districts ) who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those who are open , are not , '' Superintendent Brian Harris said .
There also are liability considerations in deciding whether to reopen , he added .
Board members Angela Wilcox , Gavin Newman and Mike Shackleton said they want to move away from the district 's metrics in favor of reopening as soon as possible .
Board President Penny Kazmier and board members Sandra Ficke-Bradford , Barry Altshuler and Leah Collister-Lazzari asked for a discussion with the teachers union first .
The district started in-person classes Oct. 19 with a hybrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue virtual learning if they wanted .
Just a day later , Harris announced a return to all-virtual learning starting Oct. 28 , after guidance from the Lake County Health Department regarding increasing COVID-19 cases .
Earlier this year , about 67.5 % of parents in District 220 said they would send their kids back to school upon reopening .
The actual number of students who returned was just over 60 % and the next week , it had dropped to 55 % , school officials said .
Elementary schools had the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said they would ride the bus ended up not doing so .
Harris also said more substitute teachers have declined to come back in the last two weeks .
A dozen current and former parents and students spoke at the board meeting Wednesday advocating for reopening schools .
Students ' mental health is suffering , they said .
Former student Charlotte Murray said her younger sister , who has special needs , cries every day and has developed tics from the stress .
The situation also is difficult for parents , Maria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home and supervises two of her three children 's schooling , while her husband takes their third child to work with him , she said .
Three people asked for caution in reopening , especially with increasing cases of COVID-19 in the region .
Parent Ken Witek said his children are doing great with virtual learning , but it 's important to figure out how to help those who are struggling .

Dist. 220 will consider reopening sooner
The District 220 board decided to discuss with its teachers union the possibility of changing its COVID-19 plan to reopen for in-person learning sooner. Fifteen people spoke at the board meeting Wednesday. Courtesy of Barrington School District 220
After hearing pleas from frustrated parents, the board of Barrington Area Unit School District 220 decided to discuss with its teachers union the possibility of changing its COVID-19 plan to reopen sooner.
That will be discussed at a labor-management meeting Nov. 9, followed by a closed school board meeting via Zoom on Nov. 12, board members decided Wednesday night. Virtual learning will continue until at least Nov. 16.
The district in September developed a four-phase reopening plan with five metrics based on public health guidance.
"Those (school districts) who are closed are following public health guidance. Those who are open, are not," Superintendent Brian Harris said. There also are liability considerations in deciding whether to reopen, he added.
Board members Angela Wilcox, Gavin Newman and Mike Shackleton said they want to move away from the district's metrics in favor of reopening as soon as possible. Board President Penny Kazmier and board members Sandra Ficke-Bradford, Barry Altshuler and Leah Collister-Lazzari asked for a discussion with the teachers union first.
The district started in-person classes Oct. 19 with a hybrid model, meaning families could choose to continue virtual learning if they wanted. Just a day later, Harris announced a return to all-virtual learning starting Oct. 28, after guidance from the Lake County Health Department regarding increasing COVID-19 cases.
Earlier this year, about 67.5% of parents in District 220 said they would send their kids back to school upon reopening. The actual number of students who returned was just over 60% and the next week, it had dropped to 55%, school officials said. Elementary schools had the highest in-person attendance. Also, most kids who said they would ride the bus ended up not doing so.
Harris also said more substitute teachers have declined to come back in the last two weeks.
A dozen current and former parents and students spoke at the board meeting Wednesday advocating for reopening schools. Students' mental health is suffering, they said.
Former student Charlotte Murray said her younger sister, who has special needs, cries every day and has developed tics from the stress.
The situation also is difficult for parents, Maria Steckler said. She works full time from home and supervises two of her three children's schooling, while her husband takes their third child to work with him, she said.
Three people asked for caution in reopening, especially with increasing cases of COVID-19 in the region.
Parent Ken Witek said his children are doing great with virtual learning, but it's important to figure out how to help those who are struggling.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--O'Hare hits a milestone with commissioning of final parallel runway

Typically , the word `` bittersweet '' is n't compatible with the commissioning of a massive infrastructure project like Runway 9-Center/27-Center at O'Hare International Airport , but amid the COVID-19 pandemic it fits .
Instead of the traditional fanfare with senators , congressional representatives , mayors and local leaders , the city of Chicago followed public health precautions and issued a video commemorating the completion of O'Hare 's sixth and final parallel runway expected to even out jet noise in the region .
`` This is an incredibly exciting time at Chicago 's airports , and I ca n't wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrate the successful conclusion of OMP and the dawn of O'Hare 21 , '' Mayor Lori Lightfoot said , referring to the O'Hare Modernization Program and a new plan to expand and update the airport 's terminals .
Lightfoot , elected in 2019 , missed the bruising tug-of-war between Chicago and the suburbs that lasted years over the city 's plan to shift to a parallel , east/west runway system to improve safety and increase capacity .
Bensenville lost about 600 homes and businesses as part of the expansion and accepted a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ litigation .
Runway 9C/27-C , located on the north airfield , is 11,245 feet long and 200 feet wide .
For a brief period it will be the second-longest runway at O'Hare , behind Runway 10-Left/28-Right at 13,000 feet .
`` The commissioning of Runway 9-Center marks a significant milestone for O'Hare and Chicago and the final element of this program of global proportions that will be completed next year with the extension of Runway 9-Right/27-Left , '' Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee said .
The city will complete extending 9-Right/27-Left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late 2021 .
The entire modernization plan includes four new runways , two runway extensions and two new air traffic control towers .
The intent was to allow O'Hare to operate in an east/west flow with three runways on the north airfield and three to the south .
Two of the airport 's busiest diagonal runways were removed as part of the project , and the new flight patterns caused an uproar starting in 2013 when O'Hare shifted to a largely parallel system .
Officials are hoping the latest runway and extension will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhoods around O'Hare experience fewer flights at night .
Former O'Hare air traffic controller Craig Burzych , now a consultant , said the new runway `` adds capacity as well as simplifies things for controllers who routinely get refusals by pilots to use the shorter runways .
It also has noise benefits for the overnight hours -- you have another long runway that can be used in the runway rotation program overnight . ''
DePaul University aviation expert and professor Joseph Schwieterman said , `` O'Hare should be running like a top next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the downturn in flight activity .
Equally important , the improvements will allow carriers to again 'think big ' at O'Hare -- and prepare for large-scale expansion once the market rebounds . ''

O'Hare hits a milestone with commissioning of final parallel runway
Runway 9-Center/27-Center on the north airfield of O'Hare International Airport is operational after its commission Thursday. It's the sixth and final parallel runway at the airport. Courtesy of Brian Fritz/Photography/F.H. Paschen
Typically, the word "bittersweet" isn't compatible with the commissioning of a massive infrastructure project like Runway 9-Center/27-Center at O'Hare International Airport, but amid the COVID-19 pandemic it fits.
Instead of the traditional fanfare with senators, congressional representatives, mayors and local leaders, the city of Chicago followed public health precautions and issued a video commemorating the completion of O'Hare's sixth and final parallel runway expected to even out jet noise in the region.
"This is an incredibly exciting time at Chicago's airports, and I can't wait to see everyone in person when we celebrate the successful conclusion of OMP and the dawn of O'Hare 21," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, referring to the O'Hare Modernization Program and a new plan to expand and update the airport's terminals.
Lightfoot, elected in 2019, missed the bruising tug-of-war between Chicago and the suburbs that lasted years over the city's plan to shift to a parallel, east/west runway system to improve safety and increase capacity. Bensenville lost about 600 homes and businesses as part of the expansion and accepted a $16 million settlement from Chicago after prolonged litigation.
Runway 9C/27-C, located on the north airfield, is 11,245 feet long and 200 feet wide. For a brief period it will be the second-longest runway at O'Hare, behind Runway 10-Left/28-Right at 13,000 feet.
"The commissioning of Runway 9-Center marks a significant milestone for O'Hare and Chicago and the final element of this program of global proportions that will be completed next year with the extension of Runway 9-Right/27-Left," Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee said.
The city will complete extending 9-Right/27-Left to a span of 11,260 feet in late 2021.
The entire modernization plan includes four new runways, two runway extensions and two new air traffic control towers. The intent was to allow O'Hare to operate in an east/west flow with three runways on the north airfield and three to the south. Two of the airport's busiest diagonal runways were removed as part of the project, and the new flight patterns caused an uproar starting in 2013 when O'Hare shifted to a largely parallel system.
Officials are hoping the latest runway and extension will even out the din of airplanes so neighborhoods around O'Hare experience fewer flights at night.
Former O'Hare air traffic controller Craig Burzych, now a consultant, said the new runway "adds capacity as well as simplifies things for controllers who routinely get refusals by pilots to use the shorter runways. It also has noise benefits for the overnight hours -- you have another long runway that can be used in the runway rotation program overnight."
DePaul University aviation expert and professor Joseph Schwieterman said, "O'Hare should be running like a top next year with these latest runway improvements and the downturn in flight activity. Equally important, the improvements will allow carriers to again 'think big' at O'Hare -- and prepare for large-scale expansion once the market rebounds."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Two-year construction project on East Chicago Street in Elgin finally complete

A two-year construction project that has affected traffic and residents in a portion of downtown Elgin is finally complete .
Barriers were removed Monday on East Chicago Street , reopening the milelong stretch of road between Liberty and Center streets to two-way traffic .
The $ 7.6 million reconstruction project involved more than just road improvements , Public Works Director Mike Pubentz said .
`` The project allowed us to separate the sanitary and the storm sewers , which helps us meet our EPA goals , and decreases the chances of sewage backups into private homes and businesses along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at capacity , '' Pubentz said .
In conjunction with the project , the city did its first large-scale lead water service line replacement effort , in which it replaced all the publicly owned lead water service lines .
Pubentz said the city also implemented a zero-interest loan program to help residents in the construction area replace privately owned lead water service lines now , while spreading repayments over several years .
The project was funded with $ 2.5 million in federal money , and the remainder came from city funds .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Utilities Fund and Central Area TIF Fund -- from a tax increment financing district in which property taxes above a certain point are funneled into redevelopment rather than local governments .
The city worked with contractor Martam Construction , engineering consultant Engineering Enterprises Inc. , the Illinois Department of Transportation , multiple utility companies , the Illinois EPA , neighborhood groups and individual residents to complete the project , `` all while maintaining the character of the historic neighborhood through which East Chicago Street passes , '' Pubentz said .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided hardships for residents .
`` There were several challenges along the way , but perhaps none greater than the impact this project had on the lives of Chicago Street residents , '' Pubentz said .
`` Access interruptions , traffic delays , water service interruptions , noise and dust , limited parking availability , and the general inconvenience of living within the construction zone limits for two years can be very frustrating , but for the most part our residents were very patient with the process . ''
The project also involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but some work remains .
A new replacement control cabinet will be installed in coming weeks for the new traffic signals at Gifford and Channing streets .
Officials also await delivery and installation of replacement historic streetlight poles and fixtures , possibly in December .
And , officials are completing the final coordination with PACE Suburban Bus to reestablish bus stop locations from Center Street to Liberty Street .

Two-year construction project on East Chicago Street in Elgin finally complete
A two-year construction project that has affected traffic and residents in a portion of downtown Elgin is finally complete.
Barriers were removed Monday on East Chicago Street, reopening the milelong stretch of road between Liberty and Center streets to two-way traffic.
The $7.6 million reconstruction project involved more than just road improvements, Public Works Director Mike Pubentz said.
"The project allowed us to separate the sanitary and the storm sewers, which helps us meet our EPA goals, and decreases the chances of sewage backups into private homes and businesses along the route due to the sewer mains flowing at capacity," Pubentz said.
In conjunction with the project, the city did its first large-scale lead water service line replacement effort, in which it replaced all the publicly owned lead water service lines.
Pubentz said the city also implemented a zero-interest loan program to help residents in the construction area replace privately owned lead water service lines now, while spreading repayments over several years.
The project was funded with $2.5 million in federal money, and the remainder came from city funds. The city share came from the Riverboat Fund, Utilities Fund and Central Area TIF Fund -- from a tax increment financing district in which property taxes above a certain point are funneled into redevelopment rather than local governments.
The city worked with contractor Martam Construction, engineering consultant Engineering Enterprises Inc., the Illinois Department of Transportation, multiple utility companies, the Illinois EPA, neighborhood groups and individual residents to complete the project, "all while maintaining the character of the historic neighborhood through which East Chicago Street passes," Pubentz said.
He said he understood the length of the project provided hardships for residents.
"There were several challenges along the way, but perhaps none greater than the impact this project had on the lives of Chicago Street residents," Pubentz said. "Access interruptions, traffic delays, water service interruptions, noise and dust, limited parking availability, and the general inconvenience of living within the construction zone limits for two years can be very frustrating, but for the most part our residents were very patient with the process."
The project also involved installing new curbs, gutters and sidewalks, but some work remains. A new replacement control cabinet will be installed in coming weeks for the new traffic signals at Gifford and Channing streets. Officials also await delivery and installation of replacement historic streetlight poles and fixtures, possibly in December.
And, officials are completing the final coordination with PACE Suburban Bus to reestablish bus stop locations from Center Street to Liberty Street.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Former DCFS employee who handled AJ Freund investigation can see prosecution's evidence, judge rules

The former Illinois Department and Children and Family Services employee accused of putting 5-year-old AJ Freund at risk by allowing the boy to remain with his parents before he was killed will receive copies of the evidence prosecutors have collected so far , a judge ruled Thursday .
Former longtime DCFS employee and McHenry County Board member Carlos Acosta , 54 , appeared in court Thursday morning with his attorney Rebecca Lee in the case that stems from the boy 's 2019 death at the hands of his parents .
Lee filed a request Oct. 26 seeking an order that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other records the McHenry County state 's attorney 's office has received so far in connection with his case .
Lee 's request was rooted in a recently amended Illinois Supreme Court Rule that previously barred defense attorneys from directly turning over any evidence to their client .
Until recently , defendants could only review evidence in the presence of their attorney .
As of Oct. 23 , however , defendants are allowed to review copies of certain evidence unless prosecutors effectively argue otherwise .
`` Mr. Acosta is a professional , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is no allegation of witness interference or intimidation . ''
Some of the documents Acosta wishes to review contain personal information about witnesses and would require careful redaction to more than 2,500 pages of evidence , McHenry County Assistant State 's Attorney Randi Freese said .
Because the case has garnered significant public attention , Freese said she worried details that `` ca n't be disclosed to the public at this time '' might end up in the wrong hands .
McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt ultimately ruled in Acosta 's favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redact personal identifiers of witnesses , excluding AJ 's parents JoAnn Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr .
Both parties also are barred from sharing details of the evidence with outside sources , Wilbrandt ordered .
Acosta and his former supervisor , Andrew Polovin , 48 , of Island Lake , were arrested in September on felony charges of endangering the life of a child and reckless conduct .
The charges stem from a December 2018 investigation of a large bruise on AJ 's hip .
Although DCFS deemed the case unfounded in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question after AJ 's April 15 , 2019 , death at the hands of his parents .
Both Cunningham and Freund are serving time in prison in connection AJ 's death .
Acosta 's case is next due in McHenry County court Jan. 27 .

Former DCFS employee who handled AJ Freund investigation can see prosecution's evidence, judge rules
Former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services caseworker and current McHenry County Board member Carlos Acosta at a hearing Thursday in Woodstock. Acosta was the caseworker assigned to the AJ Freund case and faces felony charges of endangering the life of a child and reckless conduct in connection with the boy's death. Matthew Apgar/pool/Shaw Media
McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Randi Freese, right, talks with Judge Robert Wilbrandt, former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services caseworker and current McHenry County Board member Carlos Acosta, left, and his attorney Rebecca Lee, center, Thursday in Woodstock. Matthew Apgar/pool/Shaw Media
Judge Robert Wilbrandt addresses former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services caseworker and current McHenry County Board member Carlos Acosta and his attorney Rebecca Lee during a hearing Thursday in Woodstock. Acosta was the caseworker assigned to the AJ Freund case and faces felony charges of endangering the life of a child and reckless conduct in connection with the boy's death. Matthew Apgar/pool/Shaw Media
Former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services caseworker and current McHenry County Board member Carlos Acosta appears in McHenry County court Thursday in Woodstock. Acosta, who faces felony charges of endangering the life of a child and reckless conduct in connection with AJ Freund's death, was granted permission to review documents and other records prosecutors have received in his case. Matthew Apgar/pool/Shaw Media
The former Illinois Department and Children and Family Services employee accused of putting 5-year-old AJ Freund at risk by allowing the boy to remain with his parents before he was killed will receive copies of the evidence prosecutors have collected so far, a judge ruled Thursday.
Former longtime DCFS employee and McHenry County Board member Carlos Acosta, 54, appeared in court Thursday morning with his attorney Rebecca Lee in the case that stems from the boy's 2019 death at the hands of his parents.
Lee filed a request Oct. 26 seeking an order that would allow Acosta to personally review documents and other records the McHenry County state's attorney's office has received so far in connection with his case.
Lee's request was rooted in a recently amended Illinois Supreme Court Rule that previously barred defense attorneys from directly turning over any evidence to their client. Until recently, defendants could only review evidence in the presence of their attorney. As of Oct. 23, however, defendants are allowed to review copies of certain evidence unless prosecutors effectively argue otherwise.
"Mr. Acosta is a professional," Lee said in court. "There is no allegation of witness interference or intimidation."
Some of the documents Acosta wishes to review contain personal information about witnesses and would require careful redaction to more than 2,500 pages of evidence, McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Randi Freese said. Because the case has garnered significant public attention, Freese said she worried details that "can't be disclosed to the public at this time" might end up in the wrong hands.
McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt ultimately ruled in Acosta's favor, with the expectation that Lee would redact personal identifiers of witnesses, excluding AJ's parents JoAnn Cunningham and Andrew Freund Sr.
Both parties also are barred from sharing details of the evidence with outside sources, Wilbrandt ordered.
Acosta and his former supervisor, Andrew Polovin, 48, of Island Lake, were arrested in September on felony charges of endangering the life of a child and reckless conduct.
The charges stem from a December 2018 investigation of a large bruise on AJ's hip. Although DCFS deemed the case unfounded in February 2019, the investigation came back into question after AJ's April 15, 2019, death at the hands of his parents. Both Cunningham and Freund are serving time in prison in connection AJ's death.
Acosta's case is next due in McHenry County court Jan. 27.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Fresh off win, Schneider says he's grateful to have 10th District voters' respect

Fresh off a substantial reelection victory , U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider on Thursday expressed gratitude to the voters of Illinois ' 10th District for choosing him as their envoy to Congress for another two years .
The Deerfield Democrat also is optimistic former Vice President Joe Biden will pull off a win in the tight race for the Oval Office .
`` I have very high hopes , '' Schneider said in a telephone interview .
Schneider defeated Northbrook Republican Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee to win a third consecutive term .
Unofficial results indicate Schneider had more than 60 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others still need to be counted , Schneider 's lead was commanding enough for The Associated Press to call the race .
Stretching from Lake Michigan into the North and Northwest suburbs , the 10th District includes portions of Lake and Cook counties .
Schneider dominated his rival in both counties , results show .
He beat Republican challenger Doug Bennett by a wide margin two years ago , too .
Schneider said he had a friendly phone call with Ramirez Mukherjee and invited her to stay in touch .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mukherjee called her campaign `` an amazing journey . ''
`` I 'm a constant optimist who often says to those I meet , 'The best is yet to come -- dream big !
!
! '
'' she wrote .
`` I 'll remind myself -- the best is yet to come . ''
Schneider does not see his wins this week or in 2018 as reflections on the Republican nominees .
`` It 's a reflection of how I 've connected with the district , ( with ) Republicans and Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's nice to be liked , but what 's more important , I hope , is that I 've earned their respect . ''
During his time as the 10th District 's congressman -- which includes a fourth term separate from the last three -- Schneider believes he 's gotten to know the district , its people and their concerns very well .
`` There are 106 corners in the district , and I think I 've been to all of them , '' Schneider said .
`` I have come to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to understand the interests and needs of each community .
And I think they know me , and I 'm grateful they think I 'm doing a good job on their behalf . ''
Democrats won clear victories in every suburban congressional district Tuesday except one .
In the 14th , Republican challenger Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove was leading incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood of Naperville by such a small margin as of Thursday that they 're statistically tied -- and many more mail-in votes are expected to be counted .
Schneider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and urged her to stay focused .
`` Every vote has to be counted , '' he said .
That 's also true in the presidential race , where Biden and President Donald Trump are waiting for results in a few final states to see who will be victorious .
If Biden wins , Schneider expects the Delaware Democrat to successfully work with members of both parties to fight the COVID-19 pandemic , improve the economy and battle climate change .
Schneider , a strong critic of Trump 's over the last four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path to victory , too .
If that happens , Schneider does n't expect Trump will alter his bare-knuckle approach to governing .
`` I 'm past the point of hoping that President Trump is going to change , '' Schneider said .

Fresh off win, Schneider says he's grateful to have 10th District voters' respect
Fresh off a substantial reelection victory, U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider on Thursday expressed gratitude to the voters of Illinois' 10th District for choosing him as their envoy to Congress for another two years.
The Deerfield Democrat also is optimistic former Vice President Joe Biden will pull off a win in the tight race for the Oval Office.
"I have very high hopes," Schneider said in a telephone interview.
Schneider defeated Northbrook Republican Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee to win a third consecutive term. Unofficial results indicate Schneider had more than 60% of the vote.
Even though late-arriving ballots and others still need to be counted, Schneider's lead was commanding enough for The Associated Press to call the race.
Stretching from Lake Michigan into the North and Northwest suburbs, the 10th District includes portions of Lake and Cook counties. Schneider dominated his rival in both counties, results show.
He beat Republican challenger Doug Bennett by a wide margin two years ago, too.
Schneider said he had a friendly phone call with Ramirez Mukherjee and invited her to stay in touch. In a message posted Thursday on Facebook, Ramirez Mukherjee called her campaign "an amazing journey."
"I'm a constant optimist who often says to those I meet, 'The best is yet to come -- dream big!!!'" she wrote. "I'll remind myself -- the best is yet to come."
Schneider does not see his wins this week or in 2018 as reflections on the Republican nominees.
"It's a reflection of how I've connected with the district, (with) Republicans and Democrats," he said. "It's nice to be liked, but what's more important, I hope, is that I've earned their respect."
During his time as the 10th District's congressman -- which includes a fourth term separate from the last three -- Schneider believes he's gotten to know the district, its people and their concerns very well.
"There are 106 corners in the district, and I think I've been to all of them," Schneider said. "I have come to know every community. I've really worked hard to understand the interests and needs of each community. And I think they know me, and I'm grateful they think I'm doing a good job on their behalf."
Democrats won clear victories in every suburban congressional district Tuesday except one. In the 14th, Republican challenger Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove was leading incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood of Naperville by such a small margin as of Thursday that they're statistically tied -- and many more mail-in votes are expected to be counted.
Schneider said he spoke with Underwood on Wednesday and urged her to stay focused.
"Every vote has to be counted," he said.
That's also true in the presidential race, where Biden and President Donald Trump are waiting for results in a few final states to see who will be victorious.
If Biden wins, Schneider expects the Delaware Democrat to successfully work with members of both parties to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, improve the economy and battle climate change.
Schneider, a strong critic of Trump's over the last four years, acknowledged the president has a path to victory, too. If that happens, Schneider doesn't expect Trump will alter his bare-knuckle approach to governing.
"I'm past the point of hoping that President Trump is going to change," Schneider said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-05--Feder: Need a little Christmas? Lite FM to turn it on at 4 p.m. this Friday

With 50 days to go until Christmas WLIT 93.9-FM is ready to become `` Chicago 's Christmas Music Station . ''
Starting at 4 p.m. Friday holiday music will begin airing around the clock for the 20th straight year , Robert Feder writes .
The tradition has proved to be a fan favorite and a ratings bonanza every year without fail for the iHeartMedia adult contemporary station .
The earliest they 've flipped the switch was November 2 in 2006 and 2007 .
`` After a year like 2020 , we need holiday music more than ever , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host at 93.9 Lite FM .
`` Listeners can count on us to help spread joy , hope and love across the city as we celebrate 20 years .
.
.
.
We 'll have fun contests , a few new surprises , and of course , the wonderful holiday music . ''
To kick off the holiday format , Lee will be joined in studio virtually by morning host Melissa Forman and producer Jim Gronemann , midday host Robin Rock , syndicated evening host Delilah Rene , and Edison the Reindeer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Music Station . ''
Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Need a little Christmas? Lite FM to turn it on at 4 p.m. this Friday
Starting at 4 p.m. Friday holiday music will begin airing around the clock for the 20th straight year.
With 50 days to go until Christmas WLIT 93.9-FM is ready to become "Chicago's Christmas Music Station." Starting at 4 p.m. Friday holiday music will begin airing around the clock for the 20th straight year, Robert Feder writes.
The tradition has proved to be a fan favorite and a ratings bonanza every year without fail for the iHeartMedia adult contemporary station. The earliest they've flipped the switch was November 2 in 2006 and 2007.
"After a year like 2020, we need holiday music more than ever," said Mick Lee, program director and afternoon host at 93.9 Lite FM. "Listeners can count on us to help spread joy, hope and love across the city as we celebrate 20 years. . . . We'll have fun contests, a few new surprises, and of course, the wonderful holiday music."
To kick off the holiday format, Lee will be joined in studio virtually by morning host Melissa Forman and producer Jim Gronemann, midday host Robin Rock, syndicated evening host Delilah Rene, and Edison the Reindeer, longtime mascot of "Chicago's Christmas Music Station."
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.