dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Chicago's Lyric Opera and Joffrey Ballet cancel 2020 performances

The Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Joffrey Ballet have canceled performances through the end of 2020 .
Both companies cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason in separate news releases on Tuesday .
`` Like all arts organizations , the Joffrey is dealing with unprecedented and unpredictable conditions , '' said Joffrey Ballet artistic director Ashley Wheater in a statement .
`` Based on advice from health experts and local officials , it is not feasible to present the first half of our season in a manner that guarantees the safety of our audience , artists , production crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us . ''
`` As we move through our state 's five-phase plan of reopening , performing arts companies on Lyric 's scale are still slated to be part of the final phase , '' said Lyric general director Anthony Freud in a statement .
`` Operating on anything close to a normal basis until that phase is reached is simply not possible . ''
Canceled Lyric productions include the North American premiere of `` Lessons in Love and Violence , '' plus returns of `` Tosca , '' `` Attila '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rusticana '' and `` Pagliacci . ''
The Joffrey has canceled the company debut of Sir Kenneth MacMillan 's `` Manon '' and its annual production of `` The Nutcracker . ''
`` The loss of 'The Nutcracker ' alone -- more than half of the Joffrey 's annual earned revenue -- compounds a financial crisis for the company that began this past spring with the cancellation of several important performances and programs , '' said Greg Cameron , the Joffrey 's president and CEO .
`` We will now put our full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund to ensure the long-term health of the Joffrey . ''
The 2020-21 season marks the Joffrey 's inaugural year at Lyric Opera House and 25 years since arriving in Chicago in 1995 .
The previously announced renovation project of new seats and improved sightlines for the Lyric 's Ardis Krainik Theatre is proceeding under safety and health protocols .
Season ticketholders are to be contacted by both companies about options for future performance credits , donations or refunds .
For more information , visit lyricopera.org or joffrey.org .

Chicago's Lyric Opera and Joffrey Ballet cancel 2020 performances
The Joffrey Ballet has canceled its 2020 run of "Manon" due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Courtesy of Cheryl Mann/Joffrey Ballet
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has canceled all 2020 performances due to COVID-19, including the North American premiere of "Lessons in Love and Violence." Courtesy of Stephen Cummiskey
The Joffrey Ballet has canceled its 2020 runs of "Manon" and "The Nutcracker," pictured, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Courtesy of Cheryl Mann/Joffrey Ballet
The Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Joffrey Ballet have canceled performances through the end of 2020.
Both companies cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason in separate news releases on Tuesday.
"Like all arts organizations, the Joffrey is dealing with unprecedented and unpredictable conditions," said Joffrey Ballet artistic director Ashley Wheater in a statement. "Based on advice from health experts and local officials, it is not feasible to present the first half of our season in a manner that guarantees the safety of our audience, artists, production crew and staff members. It saddens all of us."
"As we move through our state's five-phase plan of reopening, performing arts companies on Lyric's scale are still slated to be part of the final phase," said Lyric general director Anthony Freud in a statement. "Operating on anything close to a normal basis until that phase is reached is simply not possible."
Canceled Lyric productions include the North American premiere of "Lessons in Love and Violence," plus returns of "Tosca," "Attila" and a double bill of "Cavalleria rusticana" and "Pagliacci." The Joffrey has canceled the company debut of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's "Manon" and its annual production of "The Nutcracker."
"The loss of 'The Nutcracker' alone -- more than half of the Joffrey's annual earned revenue -- compounds a financial crisis for the company that began this past spring with the cancellation of several important performances and programs," said Greg Cameron, the Joffrey's president and CEO. "We will now put our full attention and energy toward the Crisis Stabilization Fund to ensure the long-term health of the Joffrey."
The 2020-21 season marks the Joffrey's inaugural year at Lyric Opera House and 25 years since arriving in Chicago in 1995. The previously announced renovation project of new seats and improved sightlines for the Lyric's Ardis Krainik Theatre is proceeding under safety and health protocols.
Season ticketholders are to be contacted by both companies about options for future performance credits, donations or refunds. For more information, visit lyricopera.org or joffrey.org.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Nerheim unmoved by calls from family to reopen Justus Howell case

Despite a plea Monday on behalf of Justus Howell 's family , Lake County State 's Attorney Michael Nerheim has not reopened the investigation into the 2015 police shooting death of the 17-year-old from Waukegan .
Howell , who is black , was fatally shot twice in the back by Zion police officer Eric Hill , who is white , in April 2015 .
After an investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force , Nerheim concluded that Hill was justified in his decision to use deadly force against Howell , in part because Howell was armed with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's office said Tuesday the investigation has already been reviewed by independent agencies as well as the FBI .
The open letter to Nerheim was written by Howell 's attorney Jed Stone , who makes a number of allegations about the investigation into the teen 's death .
Stone 's letter begins with a reference to the police killing of George Floyd last month in Minneapolis , which led to charges against the officers involved , and he demanded that Hill be charged for Howell 's death .
`` Nothing in this newly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident , addresses any newly discovered evidence , '' Lake County State 's Attorney 's Office spokesman Lee Filas said .
`` Should the author of the letter actually uncover any new information , he is free to submit it to the state 's attorney 's office for review . ''
Howell 's family filed a federal lawsuit in 2016 , alleging the teen was unarmed and authorities lied to justify the killing .
A jury rejected the family 's claims in 2018 .
In his letter , Stone says Zion police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's cowardly act of murder . ''
Reached for comment Tuesday , Zion Police Chief Kirk Henderson said he is away on medical leave and would not have a response ready .
According to Nerheim 's statements on the investigation from 2015 , the Zion Police Department requested that the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force investigate the shooting and Zion Police did not participate in any aspect of the investigation .
In his letter , Stone wrote the Lake County Major Crime Task Force has a `` sad history of error and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by Stone in the open letter contradict the publicly available record of the investigation .
Stone asserts that Howell 's DNA is `` nowhere to be found on the weapon , '' but according to DNA testing done by the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory at the time , Howell 's DNA was found on the gun by the slide and trigger .
According to the task force 's investigation , Howell met Tramond Peet , 18 , of Lindenhurst for a gun purchase in Zion .
In an alley , Peet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handgun that was stolen from a home in Lake Villa , authorities said .
According to the official investigation , the two began to struggle , and , at one point , Howell pointed the gun at Peet and threatened to shoot him .
The gun discharged , and five witnesses heard the shot .
Officers saw Howell fleeing the scene with a gun in his right hand and Hill chased Howell across several yards , according to the investigation .
Hill saw Howell lean forward and turn slightly to the right with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation said , adding that Howell refused repeated commands to drop the weapon .
Peet pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to 24 months of probation , 150 hours of community service and 48 days in the Lake County jail .
The official investigation into the police shooting death of Justus Howell is available to view online at lakecountyil.gov//2188/Zion-Officer-Investigation-2015 .

Nerheim unmoved by calls from family to reopen Justus Howell case
Demonstrators march to the Zion Police Department to mark the anniversary of the 2015 shooting death of Justus Howell. Daily Herald file photo, 2016
Despite a plea Monday on behalf of Justus Howell's family, Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim has not reopened the investigation into the 2015 police shooting death of the 17-year-old from Waukegan.
Howell, who is black, was fatally shot twice in the back by Zion police officer Eric Hill, who is white, in April 2015.
After an investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, Nerheim concluded that Hill was justified in his decision to use deadly force against Howell, in part because Howell was armed with a handgun.
In a statement, Nerheim's office said Tuesday the investigation has already been reviewed by independent agencies as well as the FBI.
The open letter to Nerheim was written by Howell family attorney Jed Stone, who made a number of allegations about the investigation into the teen's death. Stone's letter began with a reference to the police killing of George Floyd last month in Minneapolis, which led to charges against the officers involved, and he demanded that Hill be charged for Howell's death.
"Nothing in this newly submitted letter, presented five years after the incident, addresses any newly discovered evidence," Lake County state's attorney's office spokesman Lee Filas said. "Should the author of the letter actually uncover any new information, he is free to submit it to the state's attorney's office for review."
Howell's family filed a federal lawsuit in 2016, alleging the teen was unarmed and authorities lied to justify the killing. A jury rejected the family's claims in 2018.
In his letter, Stone said Zion police "fabricated a story to support Hill's cowardly act of murder."
Reached for comment Tuesday, Zion Police Chief Kirk Henderson said he is away on medical leave and would not have a response ready.
According to Nerheim's statements on the investigation from 2015, the Zion Police Department requested that the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force investigate the shooting and Zion police did not participate in any aspect of the investigation.
In his letter, Stone wrote the Lake County Major Crime Task Force has a "sad history of error and deception."
Some of the assertions made by Stone in the open letter contradict the publicly available record of the investigation. Stone asserts that Howell's DNA is "nowhere to be found on the weapon," but according to DNA testing done by the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory at the time, Howell's DNA was found on the gun by the slide and trigger.
According to the task force's investigation, Howell met Tramond Peet, 18, of Lindenhurst for a gun purchase in Zion. In an alley, Peet handed Howell a silver Kimber 9 mm handgun that was stolen from a home in Lake Villa. The two began to struggle, and, at one point, Howell pointed the gun at Peet and threatened to shoot him. The gun discharged, and five witnesses heard the shot.
Officers saw Howell fleeing the scene with a gun in his right hand and Hill chased Howell across several yards, according to the investigation. Hill saw Howell lean forward and turn slightly to the right with the gun in his hand, the investigation said, adding that Howell refused repeated commands to drop the weapon.
Peet pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to 24 months of probation, 150 hours of community service and 48 days in the Lake County jail.
The official investigation into the police shooting death of Justus Howell is available to view online at lakecountyil.gov//2188/Zion-Officer-Investigation-2015.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--New rules for firearms dealers finally approved

SPRINGFIELD -- New , permanent regulations that govern licensed firearms dealers in Illinois have finally been approved 18 months after Gov .
J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law .
The General Assembly 's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules gave its OK to the rules at a meeting Tuesday in Springfield .
The Firearms Dealers License Certification Act passed the General Assembly in May 2018 , when Republican Bruce Rauner was governor .
But knowing he was likely to veto it , lawmakers used a procedural maneuver to hold the bill until Pritzker , a Democrat , took office in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 , four days after being inaugurated .
The new law requires anyone with a federal firearms license who operates a retail gun store , which does not include gun shows , to also obtain a state certificate and to comply with regulations adopted by the Illinois State Police .
Those were to include , among other things , rules on maintaining alarm systems , video surveillance systems and ways to secure the store 's inventory after business hours .
The Illinois State Rifle Association and several Illinois gun dealers filed suit challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circuit court .
That case is still pending .
During the rules committee meeting Tuesday , Sen. Paul Schimpf , a Waterloo Republican , and Rep. Steven Reick , a Woodstock Republican , praised that state police for working with lawmakers to find compromises on the new rules that were agreeable to all parties .
`` We were able to just clarify language that talked about what security systems were necessary , '' Schimpf said after the meeting .
`` The original proposal was that you would have to be securing all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overnight .
They 're now going to allow , as long as they are secure , that they have security systems or a bar or a cable system going through ( the trigger assembly ) . ''
One area of the new regulations which remains in dispute concerns the type of video surveillance systems and the number of cameras that gun stores must maintain .
But the law does not require compliance with those rules until Jan. 2 , 2021 , and ISP officials said they would continue working on that section of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an agreement before that date .
Schimpf said the process of reaching the agreement was complicated by the fact that ISP does not typically operate as a regulatory agency and so the process was new to many of its officials .
That contributed to the long delay in passing the new rules , some of which were supposed to be in effect by Jan. 2 .
The state police initially proposed rules in August , but gun dealers in the state mounted fierce opposition during a public hearing , arguing that many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video surveillance systems and after-hours storage of inventory -- would be so costly they would drive many dealers out of business .
The state police then agreed to revise the proposed rules .
In December , just before rules governing alarm systems needed to be in place , the agency published a set of emergency rules only allowed to remain in force for 150 days .
That gave the agency additional time to negotiate with gun dealers and other stakeholders and draft permanent rules .
At a meeting in February , Schimpf and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency rules , arguing that the `` emergency '' was created by the state police 's own slowness in drafting them .
But that motion failed to get the two-thirds majority needed .
The rules committee considered another set of proposed permanent rules during the General Assembly 's special session in May , but amid continuing opposition by some members , including Schimpf and Reick , it postponed taking action until June .
There were no recorded objections to the rules approved Tuesday .
A spokesman for the Illinois State Rifle Association was @ @ @ @ @

New rules for firearms dealers finally approved
SPRINGFIELD -- New, permanent regulations that govern licensed firearms dealers in Illinois have finally been approved 18 months after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law.
The General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules gave its OK to the rules at a meeting Tuesday in Springfield.
The Firearms Dealers License Certification Act passed the General Assembly in May 2018, when Republican Bruce Rauner was governor. But knowing he was likely to veto it, lawmakers used a procedural maneuver to hold the bill until Pritzker, a Democrat, took office in January. He signed it on Jan. 17, four days after being inaugurated.
The new law requires anyone with a federal firearms license who operates a retail gun store, which does not include gun shows, to also obtain a state certificate and to comply with regulations adopted by the Illinois State Police. Those were to include, among other things, rules on maintaining alarm systems, video surveillance systems and ways to secure the store's inventory after business hours.
The Illinois State Rifle Association and several Illinois gun dealers filed suit challenging the law's constitutionality in Sangamon County circuit court. That case is still pending.
During the rules committee meeting Tuesday, Sen. Paul Schimpf, a Waterloo Republican, and Rep. Steven Reick, a Woodstock Republican, praised that state police for working with lawmakers to find compromises on the new rules that were agreeable to all parties.
"We were able to just clarify language that talked about what security systems were necessary," Schimpf said after the meeting. "The original proposal was that you would have to be securing all the weapons in a safe, separate location overnight. They're now going to allow, as long as they are secure, that they have security systems or a bar or a cable system going through (the trigger assembly)."
One area of the new regulations which remains in dispute concerns the type of video surveillance systems and the number of cameras that gun stores must maintain. But the law does not require compliance with those rules until Jan. 2, 2021, and ISP officials said they would continue working on that section of the rules in hopes of coming to an agreement before that date.
Schimpf said the process of reaching the agreement was complicated by the fact that ISP does not typically operate as a regulatory agency and so the process was new to many of its officials.
That contributed to the long delay in passing the new rules, some of which were supposed to be in effect by Jan. 2.
The state police initially proposed rules in August, but gun dealers in the state mounted fierce opposition during a public hearing, arguing that many of the proposed rules -- including those governing video surveillance systems and after-hours storage of inventory -- would be so costly they would drive many dealers out of business.
The state police then agreed to revise the proposed rules. In December, just before rules governing alarm systems needed to be in place, the agency published a set of emergency rules only allowed to remain in force for 150 days. That gave the agency additional time to negotiate with gun dealers and other stakeholders and draft permanent rules.
At a meeting in February, Schimpf and Reick offered a motion to block those emergency rules, arguing that the "emergency" was created by the state police's own slowness in drafting them. But that motion failed to get the two-thirds majority needed.
The rules committee considered another set of proposed permanent rules during the General Assembly's special session in May, but amid continuing opposition by some members, including Schimpf and Reick, it postponed taking action until June.
There were no recorded objections to the rules approved Tuesday.
A spokesman for the Illinois State Rifle Association was unavailable for comment Tuesday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Make Dad's day with a Father's Day grilling kit from a suburban restaurant

The age-old question is upon us again : What do I get Dad for Father 's Day ?
( Psst … Dad 's special day is Sunday , June 21 , if you have n't been paying attention to the calendar much during the pandemic . )
If he likes to grill , then you 're in luck this year .
Restaurants across the suburbs are offering Father 's Day grilling kits featuring favorite cuts of meat for Dad ( or you ) to cook at home over an open flame .
Many of the kits throw in prepared sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boot .
Really , it 's a win-win , except that someone will have to be on cleanup duty ( let Dad sit that one out on Sunday ) .
Here 's what some restaurants are offering : When : Order by 5 p.m. Friday , June 19 , for pickup between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday , June 20-21 .
What : Make Dad 's day with a grilling package for four .
It includes an Allgauer 's salad , a choice of a 14-ounce Duroc pork chop or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gratin potatoes , asparagus for grilling , fresh ears of corn and strawberry shortcake .
When : Order now for pickup starting Friday , June 19 .
What : If Dad loves grilling steak , The Capital Grille offers daily cuts from the in-house butcher for cooking at home .
Options include the 18-ounce bone-in dry-aged New York strip for $ 35 , the 8-ounce filet mignon for $ 25 or 10-ounce filet mignon for $ 30 , the 22-ounce bone-in prime rib-eye for $ 40 , and six 8-ounce burgers for $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too , including Sam 's Mashed Potatoes , creamed spinach and grilled asparagus , each for $ 20 .
When : Order online for pickup Thursday through Saturday , June 18-20 .
What : It 's time for a Father 's Day cookout , with the prep work done by CityGate .
Order up special ready-to-grill options such as chicken kebabs ( six for $ 15 ) , beef kebabs ( six for $ 25 ) , full slab of pork ribs ( $ 22 ) , bone-in 20-ounce rib-eye ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 18 ) , 6-ounce salmon ( $ 16 ) , 12-ounce skinless chicken breast ( $ 8 ) , two grilled shrimp skewers ( $ 9 ) , heat-at-home sides ( $ 4 each ) and more .
Gift Dad a Casual Cookout grilling kit from The Clubhouse in Oak Brook for Father 's Day .
The Clubhouse When : Order now to schedule curbside pickup Father 's Day weekend .
What : For dads who enjoy grilling , surprise him with a grill kit for Father 's Day .
Options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four 8-ounce wagyu beef patties with brioche buns and fixings , five lemon pepper pork sausages with Tuscan Sammy buns , two 14-ounce bone-in pork chops , two 6-ounce filet mignons , Clubhouse seasoning and grilling instructions for $ 99 .
The Backyard Special , for $ 169 , includes everything in the Casual Cookout , with the exception of two 8-ounce filet mignons instead of the 6-ounce filets , and the addition of two 14-ounce New York strips .
For the ultimate treat , the Grill Master features two 14-ounce bone-in pork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two 14-ounce New York strip steaks , two 20-ounce bone-in rib-eyes dry-aged for 45 days , Clubhouse seasoning and grilling instructions for $ 219 .
Locations in Arlington Heights , Burr Ridge , Downers Grove , Naperville , South Barrington , St. Charles , Wheeling and more .
chwinery.com/ When : Pre-order by 8 p.m. Friday , June 19 , for pickup on Saturday or Sunday , June 20-21 .
What : If Dad is the grill master , then he might enjoy receiving the Grill Master Meal Package featuring ( eight or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's special seasoning pack , ( four or six ) grill-ready baked potatoes with toppings , grill-ready blanched buttered broccoli , a chopped wedge salad , pretzel bread , a choice of dessert ( Key lime pie or Cooper 's Hawk chocolate cake ) , and Chef Matt 's grilling instructions and video .
It 's $ 129.99 for four to five people or $ 199.99 for six to eight .
When : Order by Wednesday , June 17 , for pickup on Friday or Saturday , June 19-20 .
What : Empire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Certified Angus Beef ) Prime To-Go just for Father 's Day weekend .
The grill-at-home ordering options include a 23-ounce prime porterhouse ( $ 60 ) , a 16-ounce prime bone-in filet ( $ 50 ) , a 36-ounce prime Tomahawk , and an eight-pack of 8-ounce prime burgers ( $ 60 ) .
When : Order now for pickup Friday through Sunday , June 19-21 , at Gibsons ( Oak Brook and Rosemont ) and Hugo 's .
Pickup available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday , June 20 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What : Now you can re-create your favorite Gibsons steaks at home on your grill .
Options include 10-ounce filet mignon ( $ 35 ) , 14-ounce rib-eye ( $ 41 ) , 26-ounce Porterhouse ( $ 50 ) , 13-ounce New York strip ( $ 42 ) , burgers ( two for $ 14 ) and more .
Round out your meal with a salad or sides such as elotes corn , asparagus and double baked potato .
When : Orders must be placed by Wednesday , June 17 , for pickup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Dad loves to cook outside , Katie 's Kitchen will do the prep work and make the sides .
All he 'll have to do is fire up the grill .
But first , the hard part : Choosing a kit to order .
Grill kit # 1 includes two 12-ounce New York strip steaks , two 8-ounce burger patties and two 12-ounce bone-in pork chops for $ 60 .
Grill kit # 2 features eight 8-ounce top sirloin center cut , eight 8-ounce burgers and eight 4-ounce brats for $ 87 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7-ounce choice filets , two 14-ounce T-bones , two 8-ounce burgers and two 12-ounce bone-in pork chops for $ 95 .
Grill Kit # 4 includes four 7-ounce choice filets , four 14-ounce T-bones , four 8-ounce burgers and four bone-in pork chops for $ 168 .
For an added charge , sides include buns , salads , cheesy potato casserole , mashed potatoes , veggie skewers , and roasted Brussels sprouts and cauliflower .
All kits include Katie 's steak seasoning and steak sauce .
When : Order through Tock for pickup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What : Treat dad to an at-home grill kit from Michael Jordan 's .
The burger pack features four 8-ounce steakhouse-blend burgers for $ 59 , the steak pack includes four Linz Heritage Angus 10-ounce filets for $ 129 , and the hot dog kit includes five Linz Angus all-beef hot dogs for $ 39 .
Each kit comes with potato salad , pasta salad , buns and condiments .
When : Order now for pickup Father 's Day weekend .
What : Choose from a variety of chef 's table home kits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home Cookout includes eight 10-ounce prime beef patties , brioche buns , all the fixings , hand-cut potato chips and Chef 's house salad for $ 89 .
Or consider the Table for Two featuring two 6-ounce center-cut filet mignons , two 5-6-ounce cold water lobster tails , Caesar salad , smoked Gouda and bacon au gratin potatoes and New York cheesecake for $ 99 .
The Table for Four includes four 8-ounce center-cut filet mignons , Caesar salad , creamed spinach , grilled asparagus , au gratin potatoes , Key lime pie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The For the Grill Master kit features two 6-ounce center-cut filet mignons , a 16-ounce `` Proprietary '' Cajun rib-eye , two 16-ounce prime double-cut pork chops , four beef patties , brioche buns and fixings for $ 179 .
When : Place your order by Friday , June 19 , for pickup between 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday , June 20 .
Niche is closed Sunday , June 21 .
What : Niche offers three grilling packages sure to please every dad .
Package 1 includes four beer brats with beer-braised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Old Forester Niche Single Barrel `` Stallion pt .
12 '' for $ 85 .
Package 2 features a 14-ounce CDK Farm rib-eye , grilled asparagus , roasted mushrooms , Ramey 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and a 9-ounce flask of `` Elijah 's Mash # 2 '' BA Manhattan for $ 100 .
Package 3 includes four beer brats , four brioche buns , a 14-ounce CDK Farm rib-eye , grilled asparagus , roasted mushrooms , a Niche Glencairn Whiskey Glass , Old Forester Nice Single Barrel `` Stallion pt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabernet Sauvignon , a liter of `` Elijah 's Mash # 2 '' BA Manhattan , a bottle of Reagan orange bitters and bourbon cherries for $ 235 .
All items are available to order a la carte , too .
When : Order by 7 p.m. Thursday , June 18 , for pickup on Saturday or Sunday , June 20-21 .
What : Because chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris know that many dads like to grill , they have devised a variety of grill-centric cook-at-home meal kits ( with cooking instructions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meal for two .
The options : The salmon meal kit ( $ 72 ) , the swordfish meal kit ( $ 52 ) , the ancho-marinated skirt steak meal kit ( $ 60 ) , the prime filet meal kit ( $ 98 ) and the New York steak meal kit ( $ 98 ) all include Mick Klug Farm asparagus ( peeled and blanched ) , prepped Yukon Gold potatoes , `` Mighty Vine '' yellow tomato , Three Sisters Garden spring onions , garlic chive compound butter and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meal kit ( $ 39 ) includes sweet and spicy pepper ricotta spread , peppers , onions , spring scallions , a baguette and two chocolate chip cookies .
The lamb sausage meal kit ( $ 45 ) features lemon feta spread , peppers , onions , spring scallions , a baguette and two chocolate chip cookies .
Add-ons include a farmers salad ( $ 14 ) , a slice of double chocolate cake ( $ 8 ) or chocolate pudding ( $ 6 ) .
And do n't forget the chilled cocktails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 28 ( tequila not included ) , rhubarb sangria for four is $ 32 a quart , and Nordic Nectar ( pineapple-infused vodka ) for two is $ 24 .
Saranello 's is offering a Father 's Day Grill Kit for four that includes a boneless grill-ready rib-eye steak with a signature spice rub .
Saranello's When : Orders must be placed via Tock by 5 p.m. Thursday , June 18 , for pickup between 2 and 5 p.m. Friday or Saturday , June 19-20 .
What : To honor dads on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Father 's Day Grill Kit for four that includes boneless grill-ready rib-eye steak with a signature spice rub , shrimp and zucchini kebab , marinated wild salmon with a cedar plank , Italian sausages with roasted peppers and rolls , corn on the cob , and ready-to-bake mac and cheese for $ 100 .
Also available to order is the Spiked Arnold Palmer Kit for four that includes iced tea , housemade lemonade and a bottle of Basic Vodka for $ 35 .
The cocktail kit , which must be ordered via Tock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be available Friday through Sunday , June 19-21 .
When : Order a grilling pack now for pickup Father 's Day weekend .
What : If Dad likes grilling on a Weber , then how about picking up some authentic Weber meats for him to grill for Father 's Day ?
The burger pack ( eight 8-ounce Angus beef patties , eight brioche buns , eight slices of Wisconsin cheddar and one bottle of Weber gourmet burger seasoning ) runs $ 39.95 , while the burger and rib sampler ( four burgers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheese , two full racks of baby back ribs and a bottle of Weber seasoning ) is $ 59.95 .
The premium filet pack ( six 7-ounce filet mignons and a bottle of steak seasoning ) costs $ 89.95 and the New York strip pack ( six 14-ounce steaks and a bottle of steak seasoning ) is $ 109.95 .
If you prefer ribs , it 's $ 49.95 for three full racks and $ 89.95 for six full racks ( both include a bottle of barbecue seasoning and a bag of Weber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frozen take and bake cornbread ( $ 9 ) , whole chocolate fudge cake ( $ 59 ) and whole creme brulee cheesecake ( $ 59 ) .
When : Order now for pickup from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Oak Brook , Lincolnshire and Glenview and from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Schaumburg .
What : If Dad would rather spend Father 's Day at home , Wildfire 's Filet Grill Kits might be just the ticket .
For $ 120 , the kit includes four filet mignons , four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backyard marinade , redskin mashed potatoes , balsamic roasted vegetables , homemade cornbread and Key lime pie .

Make Dad's day with a Father's Day grilling kit from a suburban restaurant
Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook is offering an ancho-marinated skirt steak meal kit for Father's Day this year. Courtesy of Prairie Grass Cafe
The Clubhouse in Oak Brook is offering a Backyard Grilling kit this year for Father's Day. Courtesy of The Clubhouse
The age-old question is upon us again: What do I get Dad for Father's Day? (Psst … Dad's special day is Sunday, June 21, if you haven't been paying attention to the calendar much during the pandemic.)
If he likes to grill, then you're in luck this year. Restaurants across the suburbs are offering Father's Day grilling kits featuring favorite cuts of meat for Dad (or you) to cook at home over an open flame. Many of the kits throw in prepared sides, seasonings, condiments and desserts to boot. Really, it's a win-win, except that someone will have to be on cleanup duty (let Dad sit that one out on Sunday).
Here's what some restaurants are offering:
Allgauer's
2855 N. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, (847) 664-7999, allgauers-on-the-riverfront.business.site/
When: Order by 5 p.m. Friday, June 19, for pickup between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21.
What: Make Dad's day with a grilling package for four. It includes an Allgauer's salad, a choice of a 14-ounce Duroc pork chop or a 10-ounce beef rib-eye steak, au gratin potatoes, asparagus for grilling, fresh ears of corn and strawberry shortcake.
The Capital Grille
87 Yorktown Center, Lombard, (630) 627-9800; 5340 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 671-8125; 2000 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, (847) 969-0290, thecapitalgrille.com/home
When: Order now for pickup starting Friday, June 19.
What: If Dad loves grilling steak, The Capital Grille offers daily cuts from the in-house butcher for cooking at home. Options include the 18-ounce bone-in dry-aged New York strip for $35, the 8-ounce filet mignon for $25 or 10-ounce filet mignon for $30, the 22-ounce bone-in prime rib-eye for $40, and six 8-ounce burgers for $50. Add on some family-size sides, too, including Sam's Mashed Potatoes, creamed spinach and grilled asparagus, each for $20.
CityGate Grille
2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, (630) 718-1010, citygategrille.com/
When: Order online for pickup Thursday through Saturday, June 18-20.
What: It's time for a Father's Day cookout, with the prep work done by CityGate. Order up special ready-to-grill options such as chicken kebabs (six for $15), beef kebabs (six for $25), full slab of pork ribs ($22), bone-in 20-ounce rib-eye ($35), bone-in 14-ounce pork chop ($18), 6-ounce salmon ($16), 12-ounce skinless chicken breast ($8), two grilled shrimp skewers ($9), heat-at-home sides ($4 each) and more.
Gift Dad a Casual Cookout grilling kit from The Clubhouse in Oak Brook for Father's Day. - Courtesy of The Clubhouse
298 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 472-0600, theclubhouse.com/
When: Order now to schedule curbside pickup Father's Day weekend.
What: For dads who enjoy grilling, surprise him with a grill kit for Father's Day. Options include the Casual Cookout, which includes four 8-ounce wagyu beef patties with brioche buns and fixings, five lemon pepper pork sausages with Tuscan Sammy buns, two 14-ounce bone-in pork chops, two 6-ounce filet mignons, Clubhouse seasoning and grilling instructions for $99. The Backyard Special, for $169, includes everything in the Casual Cookout, with the exception of two 8-ounce filet mignons instead of the 6-ounce filets, and the addition of two 14-ounce New York strips. For the ultimate treat, the Grill Master features two 14-ounce bone-in pork chops, two 12-ounce filet mignons, two 14-ounce New York strip steaks, two 20-ounce bone-in rib-eyes dry-aged for 45 days, Clubhouse seasoning and grilling instructions for $219.
Cooper's Hawk
Locations in Arlington Heights, Burr Ridge, Downers Grove, Naperville, South Barrington, St. Charles, Wheeling and more. chwinery.com/
When: Pre-order by 8 p.m. Friday, June 19, for pickup on Saturday or Sunday, June 20-21.
What: If Dad is the grill master, then he might enjoy receiving the Grill Master Meal Package featuring (eight or 12) 4-ounce filets with Chef Matt's special seasoning pack, (four or six) grill-ready baked potatoes with toppings, grill-ready blanched buttered broccoli, a chopped wedge salad, pretzel bread, a choice of dessert (Key lime pie or Cooper's Hawk chocolate cake), and Chef Matt's grilling instructions and video. It's $129.99 for four to five people or $199.99 for six to eight.
Empire
48 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville, (630) 355-9000, empiremeatshop.com/
When: Order by Wednesday, June 17, for pickup on Friday or Saturday, June 19-20.
What: Empire is offering its first pop-up C.A.B. (Certified Angus Beef) Prime To-Go just for Father's Day weekend. The grill-at-home ordering options include a 23-ounce prime porterhouse ($60), a 16-ounce prime bone-in filet ($50), a 36-ounce prime Tomahawk, and an eight-pack of 8-ounce prime burgers ($60).
Gibsons and Hugo's Frog Bar
Gibsons: 2105 S. Spring Road, Oak Brook, (630) 954-0000, and 5464 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 928-9900. Hugo's: 55 S. Main St., Naperville, (630) 548-3764. grgmc.com/restaurants
When: Order now for pickup Friday through Sunday, June 19-21, at Gibsons (Oak Brook and Rosemont) and Hugo's. Pickup available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at 4201 Lake-Cook Road, Northbrook.
What: Now you can re-create your favorite Gibsons steaks at home on your grill. Options include 10-ounce filet mignon ($35), 14-ounce rib-eye ($41), 26-ounce Porterhouse ($50), 13-ounce New York strip ($42), burgers (two for $14) and more. Round out your meal with a salad or sides such as elotes corn, asparagus and double baked potato.
Katie's Kitchen
623 N. Wolf Road, Des Plaines, (847) 803-3544, katieskitchenonline.com/
When: Orders must be placed by Wednesday, June 17, for pickup Father's Day weekend.
What: If Dad loves to cook outside, Katie's Kitchen will do the prep work and make the sides. All he'll have to do is fire up the grill. But first, the hard part: Choosing a kit to order. Grill kit #1 includes two 12-ounce New York strip steaks, two 8-ounce burger patties and two 12-ounce bone-in pork chops for $60. Grill kit #2 features eight 8-ounce top sirloin center cut, eight 8-ounce burgers and eight 4-ounce brats for $87. Grill kit #3 offers two 7-ounce choice filets, two 14-ounce T-bones, two 8-ounce burgers and two 12-ounce bone-in pork chops for $95. Grill Kit #4 includes four 7-ounce choice filets, four 14-ounce T-bones, four 8-ounce burgers and four bone-in pork chops for $168. For an added charge, sides include buns, salads, cheesy potato casserole, mashed potatoes, veggie skewers, and roasted Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. All kits include Katie's steak seasoning and steak sauce.
Michael Jordan's Restaurant
1225 22nd St., Oak Brook, (630) 828-2932, michaeljordansrestaurant.com/
When: Order through Tock for pickup Friday through Sunday, June 19-21.
What: Treat dad to an at-home grill kit from Michael Jordan's. The burger pack features four 8-ounce steakhouse-blend burgers for $59, the steak pack includes four Linz Heritage Angus 10-ounce filets for $129, and the hot dog kit includes five Linz Angus all-beef hot dogs for $39. Each kit comes with potato salad, pasta salad, buns and condiments.
Morton's The Steakhouse
1751 Freedom Drive, Naperville, (630) 577-1372; 699 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, (847) 205-5111; 9525 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, (847) 678-5155; 1470 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg, (847) 413-8771; mortons.com/.
When: Order now for pickup Father's Day weekend.
What: Choose from a variety of chef's table home kits as a treat for Dad. The Home Cookout includes eight 10-ounce prime beef patties, brioche buns, all the fixings, hand-cut potato chips and Chef's house salad for $89. Or consider the Table for Two featuring two 6-ounce center-cut filet mignons, two 5-6-ounce cold water lobster tails, Caesar salad, smoked Gouda and bacon au gratin potatoes and New York cheesecake for $99. The Table for Four includes four 8-ounce center-cut filet mignons, Caesar salad, creamed spinach, grilled asparagus, au gratin potatoes, Key lime pie and New York cheesecake for $149. The For the Grill Master kit features two 6-ounce center-cut filet mignons, a 16-ounce "Proprietary" Cajun rib-eye, two 16-ounce prime double-cut pork chops, four beef patties, brioche buns and fixings for $179.
Niche
14 S. Third St., Geneva, (630) 262-1000, nichegeneva.com/.
When: Place your order by Friday, June 19, for pickup between 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday, June 20. Niche is closed Sunday, June 21.
What: Niche offers three grilling packages sure to please every dad. Package 1 includes four beer brats with beer-braised onions, one Niche Glencairn Whiskey Glass and Old Forester Niche Single Barrel "Stallion pt. 12" for $85. Package 2 features a 14-ounce CDK Farm rib-eye, grilled asparagus, roasted mushrooms, Ramey 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and a 9-ounce flask of "Elijah's Mash #2" BA Manhattan for $100. Package 3 includes four beer brats, four brioche buns, a 14-ounce CDK Farm rib-eye, grilled asparagus, roasted mushrooms, a Niche Glencairn Whiskey Glass, Old Forester Nice Single Barrel "Stallion pt. 12," Ramey 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a liter of "Elijah's Mash #2" BA Manhattan, a bottle of Reagan orange bitters and bourbon cherries for $235. All items are available to order a la carte, too.
Northbrook's Prairie Grass Cafe is offering a lamb sausage meal kit for Father's Day. - Courtesy of Prairie Grass Cafe
601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, (847) 205-4433, prairiegrasscafe.com/
When: Order by 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18, for pickup on Saturday or Sunday, June 20-21.
What: Because chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris know that many dads like to grill, they have devised a variety of grill-centric cook-at-home meal kits (with cooking instructions) that include everything needed to prepare a meal for two. The options: The salmon meal kit ($72), the swordfish meal kit ($52), the ancho-marinated skirt steak meal kit ($60), the prime filet meal kit ($98) and the New York steak meal kit ($98) all include Mick Klug Farm asparagus (peeled and blanched), prepped Yukon Gold potatoes, "Mighty Vine" yellow tomato, Three Sisters Garden spring onions, garlic chive compound butter and two chocolate chip cookies. The Italian sausage meal kit ($39) includes sweet and spicy pepper ricotta spread, peppers, onions, spring scallions, a baguette and two chocolate chip cookies. The lamb sausage meal kit ($45) features lemon feta spread, peppers, onions, spring scallions, a baguette and two chocolate chip cookies. Add-ons include a farmers salad ($14), a slice of double chocolate cake ($8) or chocolate pudding ($6). And don't forget the chilled cocktails. The margarita mix for four is $28 (tequila not included), rhubarb sangria for four is $32 a quart, and Nordic Nectar (pineapple-infused vodka) for two is $24.
Saranello's is offering a Father's Day Grill Kit for four that includes a boneless grill-ready rib-eye steak with a signature spice rub. - Courtesy of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, (847) 777-6878, saranellos.com/
When: Orders must be placed via Tock by 5 p.m. Thursday, June 18, for pickup between 2 and 5 p.m. Friday or Saturday, June 19-20.
What: To honor dads on Sunday, Saranello's is offering a Father's Day Grill Kit for four that includes boneless grill-ready rib-eye steak with a signature spice rub, shrimp and zucchini kebab, marinated wild salmon with a cedar plank, Italian sausages with roasted peppers and rolls, corn on the cob, and ready-to-bake mac and cheese for $100. Also available to order is the Spiked Arnold Palmer Kit for four that includes iced tea, housemade lemonade and a bottle of Basic Vodka for $35. The cocktail kit, which must be ordered via Tock by noon Saturday, June 20, will be available Friday through Sunday, June 19-21.
Weber Grill
2331 Fountain Square, Lombard, (630) 953-8880, and 1010 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg, (847) 413-0800, webergrillrestaurant.com/
When: Order a grilling pack now for pickup Father's Day weekend.
What: If Dad likes grilling on a Weber, then how about picking up some authentic Weber meats for him to grill for Father's Day? The burger pack (eight 8-ounce Angus beef patties, eight brioche buns, eight slices of Wisconsin cheddar and one bottle of Weber gourmet burger seasoning) runs $39.95, while the burger and rib sampler (four burgers, four buns, four slices of cheese, two full racks of baby back ribs and a bottle of Weber seasoning) is $59.95. The premium filet pack (six 7-ounce filet mignons and a bottle of steak seasoning) costs $89.95 and the New York strip pack (six 14-ounce steaks and a bottle of steak seasoning) is $109.95. If you prefer ribs, it's $49.95 for three full racks and $89.95 for six full racks (both include a bottle of barbecue seasoning and a bag of Weber hickory smoke chips). Add-ons include frozen take and bake cornbread ($9), whole chocolate fudge cake ($59) and whole creme brulee cheesecake ($59).
Wildfire
1300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, (847) 657-6363; 235 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 279-7900; 232 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 586-9000; 1250 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 995-0100; wildfirerestaurant.com/.
When: Order now for pickup from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Oak Brook, Lincolnshire and Glenview and from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Schaumburg.
What: If Dad would rather spend Father's Day at home, Wildfire's Filet Grill Kits might be just the ticket. For $120, the kit includes four filet mignons, four Parmesan crusts, a bottle of Wildfire backyard marinade, redskin mashed potatoes, balsamic roasted vegetables, homemade cornbread and Key lime pie.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Constable: 'Am I Racist?' just gets conversation started

The number of people searching Google for the answer to `` Am I Racist ? ''
has never been higher .
Well , I certainly do n't need some online quiz to answer the question of whether I am racist .
Of course , I am racist .
I 'd be surprised by any American who can truthfully answer `` no '' to that question .
That does n't mean I use the N-word , wave a Confederate flag at NASCAR races or think there are `` good people '' in the KKK .
And I 'm also not proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , and I need to listen .
While I have heard people say , `` I do n't see color , '' I 'm not one of them .
If I 'm walking down a street and see three young black men in sagging pants standing at the alley , ugly stereotypes might jump into my head that do n't jump into my head if I see three young white men wearing Cubs jerseys standing at that alley .
That is wrong and destructive thinking , and I try to overcome it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black even before I watch his powerful `` 8:46 '' clip on YouTube where he asks us to imagine having a knee on our neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds .
As my wife and I finally binge watch episodes of the detective series `` Bosch , '' the fact that the title character is white seems a given , but I consciously notice that the police chief is black , his girlfriend is Asian and the mayor is Latino .
I 've also got that type of ignorant racism where I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that show was a bit Asian or a bit Latino until I found out that Jimmi 's real first name was Santiago .
Not that their races matter much to the story line .
But race always has mattered in the United States since that first slave ship arrived on our shores in 1620 .
As a kid in school , I learned about how America was born as a country based on freedom , a place where anyone who applied themselves and worked hard could grow up to be anything he or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a nation that built its wealth on slave labor .
When President Abraham Lincoln signed the first proclamation to end slavery in the District of Columbia in 1862 , our government paid reparations -- to the white owners , who got up to $ 300 for each enslaved black person whose free labor was lost .
Black people are treated differently from how I 've been treated my whole life .
The only time I 've ever been picked up by police was when I was in college .
I had taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Second City and accidentally turned the wrong way on my way home .
I was walking past the Cabrini-Green public housing projects when a black-and-white squad car pulled up .
I explained to officers that I was trying to find the el stop , and they , without asking for my identification or patting me down for drugs or weapons , immediately gave me a ride to the platform .
Most black people 's stories about their first interaction with police do n't end with a free ride .
Three pages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-page advertisements from black business leaders urging America to listen to black voices and make changes .
`` This is a time for action , inside and outside .
This is a time for change : inside ourselves and our companies ; across our communities and our country , '' wrote Omar Johnson , founder of OPUS United .
`` We can fix this . ''
This might be my racism talking because of the involvement of so many white folks , but today 's protests and demands for fairness seem to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than before .
As awful as 2020 has been , I 'm hoping history remembers it as the year America truly tackled the evils of racism .

Constable: 'Am I Racist?' just gets conversation started
The number of people searching Google for the answer to "Am I Racist?" has never been higher.
Well, I certainly don't need some online quiz to answer the question of whether I am racist.
Of course, I am racist. I'd be surprised by any American who can truthfully answer "no" to that question.
That doesn't mean I use the N-word, wave a Confederate flag at NASCAR races or think there are "good people" in the KKK. And I'm also not proud of my racism. But it's there, and I need to listen.
While I have heard people say, "I don't see color," I'm not one of them.
If I'm walking down a street and see three young black men in sagging pants standing at the alley, ugly stereotypes might jump into my head that don't jump into my head if I see three young white men wearing Cubs jerseys standing at that alley. That is wrong and destructive thinking, and I try to overcome it.
I see that Dave Chappelle is black even before I watch his powerful "8:46" clip on YouTube where he asks us to imagine having a knee on our neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. As my wife and I finally binge watch episodes of the detective series "Bosch," the fact that the title character is white seems a given, but I consciously notice that the police chief is black, his girlfriend is Asian and the mayor is Latino. I've also got that type of ignorant racism where I wasn't sure if another detective on that show was a bit Asian or a bit Latino until I found out that Jimmi's real first name was Santiago.
Not that their races matter much to the story line.
But race always has mattered in the United States since that first slave ship arrived on our shores in 1620.
As a kid in school, I learned about how America was born as a country based on freedom, a place where anyone who applied themselves and worked hard could grow up to be anything he or she wanted. That wasn't true in a nation that built its wealth on slave labor.
When President Abraham Lincoln signed the first proclamation to end slavery in the District of Columbia in 1862, our government paid reparations -- to the white owners, who got up to $300 for each enslaved black person whose free labor was lost.
Black people are treated differently from how I've been treated my whole life. The only time I've ever been picked up by police was when I was in college. I had taken the el to meet an out-of-town friend at Second City and accidentally turned the wrong way on my way home. I was walking past the Cabrini-Green public housing projects when a black-and-white squad car pulled up. I explained to officers that I was trying to find the el stop, and they, without asking for my identification or patting me down for drugs or weapons, immediately gave me a ride to the platform.
Most black people's stories about their first interaction with police don't end with a free ride.
Three pages of The New York Times on Sunday were full-page advertisements from black business leaders urging America to listen to black voices and make changes.
"This is a time for action, inside and outside. This is a time for change: inside ourselves and our companies; across our communities and our country," wrote Omar Johnson, founder of OPUS United.
"We can fix this."
This might be my racism talking because of the involvement of so many white folks, but today's protests and demands for fairness seem to have a broader appeal and more staying power than before. As awful as 2020 has been, I'm hoping history remembers it as the year America truly tackled the evils of racism.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Charges dropped against woman over duplicate wire transfer for COVID relief

DeKalb County prosecutors have dismissed charges against Wayne woman that alleged she refused to return a mistaken , duplicate wire transfer of more than $ 100,000 .
Colleen Odegaard 's defense attorney said she had no intent to steal and characterized the situation a misunderstanding between two banks handling funds in a Payroll Protection Program loan through the Small Business Administration for COVID-19 relief .
`` This was n't a crime , '' attorney Paul Morchesi said .
`` It 's a function of a big bank not working as fast as a small bank desired .
I 'm happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Odegaard , 48 , of the 5N700 block of Rochefort Lane , was arrested May 22 on a felony charge of misappropriation of financial institution property and theft over $ 100,000 and less than $ 500,000 .
At her initial court appearance in DeKalb on June 10 , prosecutors dropped all charges against her , and Judge Robbin Stuckert issued an order to seal Odegaard 's case file .
Morchesi said he 's seeking to have her arrest expunged .
According to Morchesi , the situation arose after Odegaard applied for relief through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to complete Odegaard 's PPP loan application in a `` timely '' manner , so she turned to Waterman State Bank in DeKalb County to process her application , which was approved .
On May 6 , according to Morchesi , Waterman State Bank made a wire transfer of the PPP loan to Odegaard 's business account at Chase .
The next day , Waterman State Bank made a second , duplicate wire transfer to Odegaard 's Chase business account , Morchesi said .
On May 13 , a Waterman State Bank officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her of the situation , and the next day , Odegaard contacted Chase to authorize Chase to return the second , duplicate transfer to Waterman State Bank , Morchesi said .
On May 15 , Odegaard called back to Waterman State Bank and emailed them the Chase authorization and other information to have the wire transfer returned .
Odegaard thought everything was fine until May 22 , when police arrested her at her home in front of her children on the felony charges , Morchesi said .
The money was returned May 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two days .
Morchesi declined to say if Waterman Bank officials jumped the gun in having charges filed .
`` Circumstances made them anxious , '' he said , noting some returns of wire transfers can take two to three weeks for some banks .
`` ( Prosecutors have ) been made aware that Waterman State Bank was made whole . ''
Waterman State Bank President Steve Feith said in an email that `` Due to privacy and other concerns , the bank does not comment on its customer relationships . ''
Messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney 's office and Waterman police on Tuesday were not immediately returned .

Charges dropped against woman over duplicate wire transfer for COVID relief
The spelling of defense attorney Paul Moreschi's name has been corrected.
This content is no longer available on dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--'They want the vibe': Tenants who could move in by September touring Hoffman Estates 'metroburb'

The earliest tenants of the Bell Works Chicagoland `` metroburb '' on the former AT & T campus in Hoffman Estates could move in as early as September .
Potential office users already are touring the development 's interior , as the first spaces are being made ready for occupancy in about 10 to 12 weeks .
Both non-customized office spaces -- being called `` Ready to Wear at Bell Works '' -- and coworking spaces known as `` Colab at Bell Works '' will be ready by sometime in September , said Ralph Zucker , president of New Jersey-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though directly adjacent in the sprawling building , will have individual cafes and access to a 30,000-square-foot health club with plenty of space for spread-out equipment and social distancing , Zucker said .
While those amenities will be in place from the start , the interest from potential tenants so far also stems from the promise of the stores , restaurants and entertainment venues to follow , when the COVID-19 pandemic is more squarely in the rearview mirror .
`` They want the vibe , '' Zucker said .
`` They want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In fact , the main questions Zucker said he 's being asked by potential tenants involve the timing and the certainty of the project 's full vision as a mixed-use development .
The residential component of Bell Works Chicagoland may even be accelerated , but Somerset is still working out how much of that it plans to build itself and how much to sell to another developer , Zucker said .
The concept plan approved by Hoffman Estates officials calls for 380 multifamily residential units and 170 townhouses .
Though the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vary by 8 % , the total number can not exceed 550 .
But the quality of office space will be the backbone of Bell Works Chicagoland , just as it is for the original Bell Works in Holmdel , New Jersey , Zucker said .
While the pandemic is affecting the office market , Zucker does n't believe it 's destroying it .
Ultimately , an effective workforce has to come together , Zucker said .
`` Getting your office right has never been more important , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hoffman Estates and New Jersey -- especially their large , open atriums -- lend themselves to Somerset 's `` metroburb '' concept , but there are other underlying criteria that are perhaps more fundamental , Zucker said , including location , lower heights and the host community 's grasp of the concept .
The Hoffman Estates village board already has approved renovation of the interior lobby and atrium space , as well as construction of 32,462 square feet of speculative office space and 2,000 square feet of retail or restaurant space on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 2000 Center Drive .
The three-building , 150-acre former AT & T campus Somerset bought last year came with 1.6 million square feet of existing office space .
The gradual transformation of that space into a more eclectic mix of uses began last fall .
`` We 've liberated the building from all the encroachments that were here , '' Zucker said .

Tenants already are getting a look and could move in by September
One of the latest renderings of the central common area of the forthcoming Bell Works Chicagoland on the former AT&T corporate campus in Hoffman Estates. Courtesy of Somerset Development
The earliest tenants of the Bell Works Chicagoland "metroburb" on the former AT&T campus in Hoffman Estates could move in as early as September.
Potential office users already are touring the development's interior, as the first spaces are being made ready for occupancy in about 10 to 12 weeks.
Both non-customized office spaces -- being called "Ready to Wear at Bell Works" -- and coworking spaces known as "Colab at Bell Works" will be ready by sometime in September, said Ralph Zucker, president of New Jersey-based Somerset Development.
Each of those areas, though directly adjacent in the sprawling building, will have individual cafes and access to a 30,000-square-foot health club with plenty of space for spread-out equipment and social distancing, Zucker said.
While those amenities will be in place from the start, the interest from potential tenants so far also stems from the promise of the stores, restaurants and entertainment venues to follow, when the COVID-19 pandemic is more squarely in the rearview mirror.
"They want the vibe," Zucker said. "They want to know that it's coming."
In fact, the main questions Zucker said he's being asked by potential tenants involve the timing and the certainty of the project's full vision as a mixed-use development.
The residential component of Bell Works Chicagoland may even be accelerated, but Somerset is still working out how much of that it plans to build itself and how much to sell to another developer, Zucker said.
The concept plan approved by Hoffman Estates officials calls for 380 multifamily residential units and 170 townhouses. Though the number of each type of unit is allowed to vary by 8%, the total number cannot exceed 550.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer This huge space in the Bell Works Chicagoland "metroburb," in the former AT&T headquarters in Hoffman Estates, will be home for a ground level fountain as stores and offices will surround it, as depicted in the pictures.
But the quality of office space will be the backbone of Bell Works Chicagoland, just as it is for the original Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey, Zucker said.
While the pandemic is affecting the office market, Zucker doesn't believe it's destroying it. Ultimately, an effective workforce has to come together, Zucker said.
"Getting your office right has never been more important," he said.
The designs of the Bell Works buildings in Hoffman Estates and New Jersey -- especially their large, open atriums -- lend themselves to Somerset's "metroburb" concept, but there are other underlying criteria that are perhaps more fundamental, Zucker said, including location, lower heights and the host community's grasp of the concept.
One of the latest renderings of the central common area of the coming Bell Works Chicagoland on the former AT&T corporate campus in Hoffman Estates. - Courtesy of Somerset Development
The Hoffman Estates village board already has approved renovation of the interior lobby and atrium space, as well as construction of 32,462 square feet of speculative office space and 2,000 square feet of retail or restaurant space on the main floor of the central building at 2000 Center Drive.
The three-building, 150-acre former AT&T campus Somerset bought last year came with 1.6 million square feet of existing office space. The gradual transformation of that space into a more eclectic mix of uses began last fall.
"We've liberated the building from all the encroachments that were here," Zucker said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Library board president blasted for comments decrying 'the homosexual agenda'

Cook Memorial Public Library District board President Bonnie Quirke was publicly lambasted Tuesday for an old speech in which she accused libraries of promoting `` the homosexual agenda . ''
Quirke 's remarks were uploaded to YouTube in 2010 by an account called NorthernILPatriots , but they only recently garnered ire on social media from some Cook Memorial patrons , employees and officials .
During Tuesday 's library board meeting , Quirke said she made the roughly seven-minute speech during a conference staged by the Illinois Conservative Union .
`` The library abounds with the homosexual agenda , especially in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells the audience in the video before singling out a picture book called `` Heather Has Two Mommies '' for disdain .
That book is in the Cook Memorial collection .
In the same speech , Quirke complained the American Library Association , a group that promotes libraries and library education , `` is as left as you can get . ''
`` And we want to bring it as right as we can get it , '' Quirke said .
Quirke 's speech was denounced by more than a dozen district residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday 's meeting , which was held remotely because of the COVID-19 crisis rather than at one of the Libertyville-based district 's facilities .
Vernon Hills resident Mary Jane Wang said she was disturbed by the video .
`` There 's no place for that kind of ignorance and discrimination in a public library , '' Wang said .
`` You 're unfit to serve our community , '' Vernon Hills resident Ryan Gold said .
Critics also blasted Facebook posts Quirke made about former President Barack Obama and the recent violence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder in Minneapolis .
Quirke , of Libertyville , has served on the library board since 2005 and has been its president since 2010 .
Quirke was silent during most of the comments but answered a few direct questions .
At the start of the discussion , she read a brief statement in which she said she 's never allowed her personal positions `` to influence the library in any way , shape or form . ''
She also cited her free-speech rights .
Quirke had several defenders Tuesday .
They included Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said silencing Quirke is wrong .
`` Let 's start being kind to each other and stop attacking , '' said Mukherjee , who 's challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider for the 10th House District seat .
Others said the people criticizing Quirke were excluding opposing views .
Library Director David Archer said Cook Memorial officials have received about 80 emails about Quirke 's speech and social media use in the last 10 days .
All but five were disapproving , he said .
Quirke has made controversial comments about LGBTQ people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview , Quirke assailed the eventually successful plan to allow same-sex marriage by saying legalized polygamy would be next .
In that same interview , Quirke insisted gay men do n't maintain monogamous relationships , and she questioned the abilities of same-sex parents .

Editor's note: This story has been updated to address new questions about the setting in which Bonnie Quirke made controversial remarks in 2010.
Cook Memorial Public Library District board President Bonnie Quirke was publicly lambasted Tuesday for an old speech in which she accused libraries of promoting "the homosexual agenda."
Quirke's remarks were uploaded to YouTube in 2010 by an account called NorthernILPatriots, but they only recently garnered ire on social media from some Cook Memorial patrons, employees and officials.
"The library abounds with the homosexual agenda, especially in the children's department," Quirke tells the audience in the video before singling out a picture book called "Heather Has Two Mommies" for disdain.
That book is in the Cook Memorial collection.
In the same speech, Quirke complained the American Library Association, a group that promotes libraries and library education, "is as left as you can get."
"And we want to bring it as right as we can get it," Quirke said.
During Tuesday's library board meeting, Quirke said she made the roughly seven-minute speech during a conference staged by the Illinois Conservative Union, but on Thursday the organization's chairwoman said it didn't exist at that time. That's supported by a history of the group published on its website.
The setting of Quirke's speech isn't disclosed in the video. On Friday, Quirke acknowledged her mistake and said the speech was to the Northern Illinois Patriots, a Tea Party group operating at the time.
The speech was denounced by more than a dozen district residents -- and some fellow trustees -- during Tuesday's meeting, which was held remotely because of the COVID-19 crisis rather than at one of the Libertyville-based district's facilities.
Vernon Hills resident Mary Jane Wang said she was disturbed by the video.
"There's no place for that kind of ignorance and discrimination in a public library," Wang said.
Several audience members called for Quirke's resignation.
"You're unfit to serve our community," Vernon Hills resident Ryan Gold said.
Library Trustees Jennifer Banek and Phyllis Dobbs both called Quirke's comments hate speech.
Critics also blasted Facebook posts Quirke made about former President Barack Obama and the recent violence and property destruction that followed George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis.
Quirke, of Libertyville, has served on the library board since 2005 and has been its president since 2010.
Quirke was silent during most of the comments but answered a few direct questions. At the start of the discussion, she read a brief statement in which she said she's never allowed her personal positions "to influence the library in any way, shape or form."
She also cited her free-speech rights.
Quirke had several defenders Tuesday. They included Republican congressional candidate Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee, who said silencing Quirke is wrong.
"Let's start being kind to each other and stop attacking," said Mukherjee, who's challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider for the 10th House District seat.
Others said the people criticizing Quirke were excluding opposing views.
Library Director David Archer said Cook Memorial officials have received about 80 emails about Quirke's speech and social media use in the last 10 days. All but five were disapproving, he said.
Quirke has made controversial comments about LGBTQ people before. In a 2013 Daily Herald interview, Quirke assailed the eventually successful plan to allow same-sex marriage by saying legalized polygamy would be next. In that same interview, Quirke insisted gay men don't maintain monogamous relationships, and she questioned the suitability of same-sex parents.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Pritzker signs vote-by-mail expansion, declares Election Day a state holiday

SPRINGFIELD -- Anyone who cast a ballot in the last three years or who registered to vote or changed addresses after the March primary will be sent an application to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker signed a bill expanding the program Tuesday .
In a news release , Pritzker 's office said the program is aimed at ensuring `` safe and active participation in the 2020 general election during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic . ''
The measure also expands early voting hours at permanent polling places and makes Election Day a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or email the applications to voters who cast a ballot in the 2018 general election , the 2019 consolidated election or the 2020 general primary election , as well as to voters who registered or changed addresses after the March primary .
Any eligible voter who submits an application by Oct. 1 will receive their ballot by Oct 6 .
`` Sending vote-by-mail applications to residents who have participated in recent elections will allow more people to exercise that right from the safety of their own homes and help reduce the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the release .
Making Election Day a state holiday affects government offices , except election authorities ; K-12 schools ; and postsecondary institutions governed by the State Universities Civil Service Act .
The state had already established Election Day as a holiday for state employees .
The changes were backed by the House Democratic Women 's Caucus and sponsored by Rep. Kelly Burke , an Evergreen Park Democrat and Sen. Julie Morrison , a Lake Forest Democrat .
`` The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges , but participation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , '' Burke , an assistant majority leader in the House , said in a statement .
`` Just as we have taken precautions to make shopping , traveling , and other everyday tasks safer , we must also take precautions and make adjustments to ensure everyone can safely exercise their right to vote . ''
Republicans , however , have argued that the program is susceptible to fraud .
In Illinois Senate floor debate last month , Republicans raised questions on costs , input from county clerks , the security of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications .
Sen. Paul Schimpf , a Waterloo Republican , argued the bill creates a system with `` significant '' costs that are unnecessary given that Illinois already allows any citizen to vote by mail .
He added it would also place a `` significant burden '' on local election authorities , whom he argued have not been able to offer enough input .
The Illinois State Board of Elections filed a fiscal note saying that if the bill 's provisions are fully implemented by every local election authority , it would eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 16.7 million the state will receive from the federal CARES Act for elections .
The legislation also requires the Illinois State Board of Elections to post an application for a vote-by-mail ballot on its website ; allow a new registrant to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot when completing the online registration ; provide notice to election authorities about compliance with the new law ; and adopt emergency rules to provide reimbursement for expenses related to the 2020 general election incurred as a result of COVID-19 and the new requirements .
The legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote-by-mail ballot by requiring local election authorities to appoint a bipartisan panel of three election judges to verify voters ' signatures and the validity of the ballot .
Previously , only one election judge made this determination .
Also per the new laws , permanent branch polling places are required to be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends and holidays for early voting .
Curbside voting , allowing voters to fill out the ballot outside the polling place , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be returned at new collection sites , which HB 2238 requires to be locked and opened only by election authorities .
The legislation also requires local election authorities to establish a central voting site where anyone who lives in the jurisdiction can vote , regardless of precinct .
The new laws take effect immediately and apply only to the 2020 general election .

Pritzker signs vote-by-mail expansion, declares Election Day a state holiday
SPRINGFIELD -- Anyone who cast a ballot in the last three years or who registered to vote or changed addresses after the March primary will be sent an application to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill expanding the program Tuesday. In a news release, Pritzker's office said the program is aimed at ensuring "safe and active participation in the 2020 general election during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."
The measure also expands early voting hours at permanent polling places and makes Election Day a state holiday.
Local election authorities must mail or email the applications to voters who cast a ballot in the 2018 general election, the 2019 consolidated election or the 2020 general primary election, as well as to voters who registered or changed addresses after the March primary. Any eligible voter who submits an application by Oct. 1 will receive their ballot by Oct 6.
"Sending vote-by-mail applications to residents who have participated in recent elections will allow more people to exercise that right from the safety of their own homes and help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," Pritzker said in the release.
Making Election Day a state holiday affects government offices, except election authorities; K-12 schools; and postsecondary institutions governed by the State Universities Civil Service Act. The state had already established Election Day as a holiday for state employees.
The changes were backed by the House Democratic Women's Caucus and sponsored by Rep. Kelly Burke, an Evergreen Park Democrat and Sen. Julie Morrison, a Lake Forest Democrat.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges, but participation in the November election should not be one of them," Burke, an assistant majority leader in the House, said in a statement. "Just as we have taken precautions to make shopping, traveling, and other everyday tasks safer, we must also take precautions and make adjustments to ensure everyone can safely exercise their right to vote."
Republicans, however, have argued that the program is susceptible to fraud.
In Illinois Senate floor debate last month, Republicans raised questions on costs, input from county clerks, the security of collection sites and automatic sending of ballot applications.
Sen. Paul Schimpf, a Waterloo Republican, argued the bill creates a system with "significant" costs that are unnecessary given that Illinois already allows any citizen to vote by mail. He added it would also place a "significant burden" on local election authorities, whom he argued have not been able to offer enough input.
The Illinois State Board of Elections filed a fiscal note saying that if the bill's provisions are fully implemented by every local election authority, it would eat up every dollar of the more than $16.7 million the state will receive from the federal CARES Act for elections.
The legislation also requires the Illinois State Board of Elections to post an application for a vote-by-mail ballot on its website; allow a new registrant to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot when completing the online registration; provide notice to election authorities about compliance with the new law; and adopt emergency rules to provide reimbursement for expenses related to the 2020 general election incurred as a result of COVID-19 and the new requirements.
The legislation also raises the standard for rejecting a vote-by-mail ballot by requiring local election authorities to appoint a bipartisan panel of three election judges to verify voters' signatures and the validity of the ballot. Previously, only one election judge made this determination.
Also per the new laws, permanent branch polling places are required to be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends and holidays for early voting. Curbside voting, allowing voters to fill out the ballot outside the polling place, will also be permitted.
Completed vote-by-mail ballots can be returned at new collection sites, which HB 2238 requires to be locked and opened only by election authorities.
The legislation also requires local election authorities to establish a central voting site where anyone who lives in the jurisdiction can vote, regardless of precinct.
The new laws take effect immediately and apply only to the 2020 general election.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--What should Naperville Riverwalk be like by 2031? A wish list is circulating

A wish list of possible improvements to the Naperville Riverwalk is in the works as the city looks toward its 200th birthday in 2031 .
The Riverwalk Commission , the body that oversees the path , is circulating a draft of its Riverwalk Master Plan 2031 among Naperville governing bodies and service clubs .
The 21-page document addresses conditions along and ideas for the 1.75-mile path as it meanders northwest to southeast through downtown Naperville along the shores of the West Branch of the DuPage River .
The purpose of the plan , commission Chairman Geoff Roehll said , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enhance the linear park so groups interested in helping out can know what is desired .
The commission has seen ideas for amenities , such as the Naperville Jaycees Park Wi-Fi workspace and the Rotary Harmony Park , spring up the other way around -- brought forward by service groups and then worked into plans for the path .
So now , Roehll said , the commission wants to get its own ideas on paper .
There are no priorities spelled out in the draft and no cost estimates , just ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pieces that added together are what we think the Riverwalk will look like in 2031 . ''
The plan seeks to answer `` how can we make the experience on the Riverwalk better , '' he said .
The document includes lists of current and future attractions along the path , which was created by volunteers in 1981 for Naperville 's 150th birthday .
Detail pages show illustrations of each new idea .
Among them are improvements to the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion , a shelter west of Centennial Beach that serves as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in nonpandemic times , and extension of the path south to Martin Avenue , a move that gained conceptual approval in 2014 but that has yet to occur .
Also listed are improvements to overlook points along quarry shores , ecological restoration to prevent erosion , accessibility improvements at Eagle Street , creation of an artist 's nook at a bend in the river , and enhancements to gateway areas .
The plan addresses gaps between Main and Washington streets and at 430 S. Washington St. , a site where the city and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and plaza .
Mary Lou Wehrli , a Naperville resident and DuPage Forest Preserve commissioner , is among the first to review the draft master plan and share comments .
Wehrli said she appreciates the commission 's proactive look toward the future , but she fears the plan could read too much like `` a development document . ''
The Riverwalk , she said , should aim to better connect people in a suburban environment to the sounds and scenes of nature .
`` To me , the main points are to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inspiring , '' Wehrli said .
The Riverwalk Commission plans to seek feedback for roughly the next six weeks , then make amendments to the draft of the master plan .
The full commission could discuss it in August or September , then send it to the city council for future review and approval .
Roehll said the aim is to update the master plan yearly , if necessary , so it can continue to list upcoming ideas to improve the path .

What should Naperville Riverwalk be like by 2031? A wish list is circulating
A wish list of possible improvements to the Naperville Riverwalk is in the works as the city looks toward its 200th birthday in 2031.
The Riverwalk Commission, the body that oversees the path, is circulating a draft of its Riverwalk Master Plan 2031 among Naperville governing bodies and service clubs. The 21-page document addresses conditions along and ideas for the 1.75-mile path as it meanders northwest to southeast through downtown Naperville along the shores of the West Branch of the DuPage River.
The purpose of the plan, commission Chairman Geoff Roehll said, is to spell out ideas Riverwalk stewards have to enhance the linear park so groups interested in helping out can know what is desired.
The commission has seen ideas for amenities, such as the Naperville Jaycees Park Wi-Fi workspace and the Rotary Harmony Park, spring up the other way around -- brought forward by service groups and then worked into plans for the path. So now, Roehll said, the commission wants to get its own ideas on paper.
There are no priorities spelled out in the draft and no cost estimates, just ideas or what Roehll calls "little small pieces that added together are what we think the Riverwalk will look like in 2031."
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer The commission that oversees the Riverwalk in Naperville is working on a master plan listing potential improvements to the 1.75-mile path that could be added before the city's 200th birthday in 2031.
The plan seeks to answer "how can we make the experience on the Riverwalk better," he said.
The document includes lists of current and future attractions along the path, which was created by volunteers in 1981 for Naperville's 150th birthday. Detail pages show illustrations of each new idea.
Among them are improvements to the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, a shelter west of Centennial Beach that serves as the starting point for many a charity walk in nonpandemic times, and extension of the path south to Martin Avenue, a move that gained conceptual approval in 2014 but that has yet to occur.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer The Riverwalk Grand Pavilion is among sites listed for potential improvement in a draft of a 2031 master plan for the popular path along the West Branch of the DuPage River through downtown Naperville.
Also listed are improvements to overlook points along quarry shores, ecological restoration to prevent erosion, accessibility improvements at Eagle Street, creation of an artist's nook at a bend in the river, and enhancements to gateway areas.
The plan addresses gaps between Main and Washington streets and at 430 S. Washington St., a site where the city and North Central College plan a future park and plaza.
Mary Lou Wehrli, a Naperville resident and DuPage Forest Preserve commissioner, is among the first to review the draft master plan and share comments.
Wehrli said she appreciates the commission's proactive look toward the future, but she fears the plan could read too much like "a development document." The Riverwalk, she said, should aim to better connect people in a suburban environment to the sounds and scenes of nature.
"To me, the main points are to be ecologically inclusive, historically accurate, informative and inspiring," Wehrli said.
The Riverwalk Commission plans to seek feedback for roughly the next six weeks, then make amendments to the draft of the master plan. The full commission could discuss it in August or September, then send it to the city council for future review and approval.
Roehll said the aim is to update the master plan yearly, if necessary, so it can continue to list upcoming ideas to improve the path.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Schaumburg moving forward on first phase of urban-style park

Schaumburg trustees Tuesday unanimously endorsed a more detailed concept plan for a 12-acre , urban-style park that would be gradually developed at the heart of the 225-acre Veridian development on the former Motorola Solutions campus at the southwest corner of Algonquin and Meacham roads .
They also recommended bidding the first phase of the project later this summer .
When completed , this early phase would allow the entire park to be used for at least passive recreation .
But the long-term plans are much more ambitious than that , envisioning the entire park as a `` house '' with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms , '' said Schaumburg Landscape and Design Planner Todd Wenger .
More specific details have been added to those `` rooms '' since the village board approved the earliest concept plan for the park 13 months ago , Wenger said .
The park 's style and amenities would be unique not only to Schaumburg , but to the entire region , he added .
`` This is an opportunity that really comes along once in a municipality 's lifetime , '' Wenger said .
The first phase , expected to cost about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park with its basic infrastructure , landscaping and distinctive crisscrossing walkways .
But later phases would include tilted lawn panels , water features , a plaza , a sculpture garden , a hammock grove , a dog park , a summer stage and winter ice rink , and a performance venue .
Wenger said the pace of the park 's development will be based on the economy and the growth of the area 's tax-increment financing district .
The commercial areas of the Veridian development would have to be much further along for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be feasible , Wenger said .
That amenity could be a decade away , but only the pace of the overall Veridian development can determine the time frame for certain , he added .

Schaumburg moving forward on first phase of urban-style park
This is the latest concept map of the 12-acre, urban-style park the village of Schaumburg is proposing in the heart of the 225-acre Veridian development on the former Motorola Solutions campus at the southwest corner of Algonquin and Meacham roads. North is to the left. Courtesy of village of Schaumburg
Schaumburg trustees Tuesday unanimously endorsed a more detailed concept plan for a 12-acre, urban-style park that would be gradually developed at the heart of the 225-acre Veridian development on the former Motorola Solutions campus at the southwest corner of Algonquin and Meacham roads.
They also recommended bidding the first phase of the project later this summer. When completed, this early phase would allow the entire park to be used for at least passive recreation.
But the long-term plans are much more ambitious than that, envisioning the entire park as a "house" with a distinct purpose to its individual "rooms," said Schaumburg Landscape and Design Planner Todd Wenger.
More specific details have been added to those "rooms" since the village board approved the earliest concept plan for the park 13 months ago, Wenger said.
The park's style and amenities would be unique not only to Schaumburg, but to the entire region, he added.
"This is an opportunity that really comes along once in a municipality's lifetime," Wenger said.
The first phase, expected to cost about $2.05 million, would furnish the park with its basic infrastructure, landscaping and distinctive crisscrossing walkways.
But later phases would include tilted lawn panels, water features, a plaza, a sculpture garden, a hammock grove, a dog park, a summer stage and winter ice rink, and a performance venue.
Wenger said the pace of the park's development will be based on the economy and the growth of the area's tax-increment financing district.
The commercial areas of the Veridian development would have to be much further along for a performance venue with a 2,000-square-foot stage to be feasible, Wenger said. That amenity could be a decade away, but only the pace of the overall Veridian development can determine the time frame for certain, he added.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Feder: Daily Herald's Madhu Krishnamurthy to lead Chicago Headline Club

As the Chicago Headline Club marks its 100th year , Daily Herald reporter Madhu Krishnamurthy is stepping up to lead the nation 's largest chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists , Robert Feder writes .
Krishnamurthy is succeeding Robert K. Elder as president of the nonprofit organization which promotes ethical journalism and the public 's right to know .
`` There 's no one better to lead the Chicago Headline Club into its second hundred years than Madhu , '' said Elder , chief digital officer at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists .
`` She 's a passionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' During Elder 's term the organization doubled its membership and granted $ 50,000 in stipends to journalists struggling through the COVID-19 shutdown .
In another bow to the pandemic , Elder also oversaw the first virtual Peter Lisagor Awards ceremony in lieu of the annual banquet in May .
In an online message to members , Krishnamurthy said her goals include helping Chicago area newsrooms improve coverage of communities of color and employment of minorities , and promoting partnerships with higher education journalism programs .
Get the full report , and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Feder: Daily Herald's Madhu Krishnamurthy to lead Chicago Headline Club
As the Chicago Headline Club marks its 100th year, Daily Herald reporter Madhu Krishnamurthy is stepping up to lead the nation's largest chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Robert Feder writes.
Krishnamurthy is succeeding Robert K. Elder as president of the nonprofit organization which promotes ethical journalism and the public's right to know.
"There's no one better to lead the Chicago Headline Club into its second hundred years than Madhu," said Elder, chief digital officer at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. "She's a passionate, engaged journalist and natural leader."
During Elder's term the organization doubled its membership and granted $50,000 in stipends to journalists struggling through the COVID-19 shutdown. In another bow to the pandemic, Elder also oversaw the first virtual Peter Lisagor Awards ceremony in lieu of the annual banquet in May.
In an online message to members, Krishnamurthy said her goals include helping Chicago area newsrooms improve coverage of communities of color and employment of minorities, and promoting partnerships with higher education journalism programs.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-16--Great graduation speeches: Ellen DeGeneres at Tulane University 2009

To honor the class of 2020 , we 're showcasing some of the great graduation speeches from past years .
@ @ @ @ @ and daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres at Tulane University in 2009 .

Great graduation speeches: Ellen DeGeneres at Tulane University 2009
To honor the class of 2020, we're showcasing some of the great graduation speeches from past years.
Today's speech is comedian and daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres at Tulane University in 2009.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Report: 60% of Beijing flights canceled to stem virus spread

BEIJING -- Chinese media say more than 60 % of commercial flights in and out of Beijing have been canceled @ @ @ @ @ level amid a new coronavirus outbreak .
The website of the Communist Party 's Global @ @ @ @ @ 9 a.m. Wednesday , a total of 1,255 flights to and from the capital 's @ @ @ @ @ scrapped .
That accounts for 67 % of outgoing flights and 68 % of incoming @ @ @ @ @ said .
Beijing has enacted a number of measures to limit travel in and out @ @ @ @ @ among those coming from districts where new cases have been detected .
Beijing had essentially @ @ @ @ @ but in recent days has added a total of 137 new cases with no new @ @ @ @ @ raised its threat level from 3 to 2 , leading to the cancellation of classes @ @ @ @ @ opening up and stiffened requirements for social distancing .

Report: 60% of Beijing flights canceled to stem virus spread
Residents wearing masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus ride past a neighborhood under lockdown in Beijing Tuesday, June 16, 2020. Chinese authorities locked down a third neighborhood in Beijing on Tuesday as they rushed to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 100 people in a country that appeared to have largely contained the virus. Associated Press
Chinese police officers wearing masks shelter in the shade near a portrait of Mao Zedong on Tiananmen Gate in Beijing Tuesday, June 16, 2020. Chinese authorities locked down a third neighborhood in Beijing on Tuesday as they rushed to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 100 people in a country that appeared to have largely contained the virus. Associated Press
BEIJING -- The Chinese capital on Wednesday canceled more than 60% of commercial flights and raised the alert level amid a new coronavirus outbreak, state-run media reported.
The website of the Communist Party's Global Times said that as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, a total of 1,255 flights to and from the capital's two major airports have been scrapped.
Beijing has enacted a number of measures to limit travel in and out of the city, especially among those coming from districts where new cases have been detected. Beijing had essentially eradicated local transmissions but in recent days has added a total of 137 new cases with no new deaths.
On Wednesday, the city raised its threat level from 3 to 2, leading to the cancellation of classes, suspension of plans for opening up and stiffened requirements for social distancing.
No official public notice on a change in regulations has been issued by China's civil aviation authority or by either Beijing Capital Airport - traditionally the world's second busiest handling more than 101 million passengers - or Beijing Daxing International Airport.
However, on its official microblog, Beijing Capital said it expected to handle 500 flights on Wednesday. According to the official Beijing Daily website, the number of takeoffs and landings at the airport on June 10 was 901.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-17--Ex-Audi manager sought by US in diesel case held in Croatia

ZAGREB , Croatia -- A former Audi engineering manager sought by the United States in a diesel emissions cheating scandal has been arrested in Croatia , the country 's Interior Ministry said Wednesday .
Axel Eiser was arrested on an international warrant issued by the U.S. when he crossed into Croatia from Slovenia on June 9 , the ministry said in a written statement .
He has been held at a detention center in the northern Adriatic Sea town of Pula , and steps were taken to inform the German Embassy since Eiser is a German citizen , the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known .
Germany 's Constitution forbids extradition of its citizens other than to another European Union member nation or to an international court .
A federal grand jury in Detroit , Michigan charged Eiser and three others last year in a 12-count indictment alleging conspiracy , wire fraud and violations of the Clean Air Act .
The indictment alleged the men took part in a nearly decade-long conspiracy to deceive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by cheating on emissions tests for 3-liter diesel engines .
Audi is a luxury brand owned by German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 to criminal charges in the scandal and has faced more than $ 30 billion in penalties and lawsuit settlement costs .
Eiser was the head of Audi 's diesel engine development department in Ingolstadt , Germany , from 2009 until around May 2013 .

Ex-Audi manager sought by US in diesel case held in Croatia
ZAGREB, Croatia -- A former Audi engineering manager sought by the United States in a diesel emissions cheating scandal has been arrested in Croatia, the country's Interior Ministry said Wednesday.
Axel Eiser was arrested on an international warrant issued by the U.S. when he crossed into Croatia from Slovenia on June 9, the ministry said in a written statement.
He has been held at a detention center in the northern Adriatic Sea town of Pula, and steps were taken to inform the German Embassy since Eiser is a German citizen, the statement added.
No other details were immediately known. Germany's Constitution forbids extradition of its citizens other than to another European Union member nation or to an international court.
A federal grand jury in Detroit, Michigan charged Eiser and three others last year in a 12-count indictment alleging conspiracy, wire fraud and violations of the Clean Air Act.
The indictment alleged the men took part in a nearly decade-long conspiracy to deceive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by cheating on emissions tests for 3-liter diesel engines.
Audi is a luxury brand owned by German automaker Volkswagen. Volkswagen pleaded guilty in 2016 to criminal charges in the scandal and has faced more than $30 billion in penalties and lawsuit settlement costs.
Eiser was the head of Audi's diesel engine development department in Ingolstadt, Germany, from 2009 until around May 2013.