dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--Addiction treatment facility opens near Campton Hills

The doors opened this week on the most controversial business development in unincorporated Kane County 's recent history .
The Recovery Centers of America addiction treatment facility , on the former Glenwood School site on Silver Glen Road near Campton Hills , began accepting patients Tuesday .
That kicked off an introduction to the community where neighbors who fought against the plan will see if their worst fears come true or if the business proves to be the bonus to the area it promised to become .
The getting-to-know-you period will be strained by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Center officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public tours of the facility upon opening .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's pandemic safety protocols will postpone those gatherings .
Likewise , the new facility has space set aside for community meetings and events , but those will not be accessible to the public during the current restrictions -- for the safety of the community and the patients .
`` We very much want to be available to our neighbors and other community members who have questions , '' CEO Karen Wolownik Albert said in an email interview .
`` RCA is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the area recovery community .
We hope to soon be able to host guests . ''
RCA officials are encouraging the community to ask questions and schedule future tours and event bookings by sending emails to RCAstcharlescommunity @ recoverycoa.com .
Neighbors have had plenty of questions about what the facility has to offer .
Those were on public display during nearly two years of public hearings , zoning votes and lawsuits .
Campton Hills officials and the Kane County Board fought against the plan .
The controversy is similar to what 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are opposing Haymarket Center 's proposal to open a 240-bed drug and alcohol treatment center in a former hotel on Irving Park Road .
In Kane County , county officials settled a federal discrimination lawsuit filed against it for more than $ 5 million in the summer of 2018 .
That battle was waged against a different ownership group , Maxxam .
RCA bought the property shortly after the settlement and met with public officials in private in hopes of a fresh start .
County board member Barbara Wojnicki opposed the project and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She noted the lead medical director , Dr. Stephen Holtsford , has strong community roots and decades of emergency room experience at Delnor Hospital .
`` Everything was very , very impressive and very secure , '' Wojnicki said .
`` They will have 24-hour nursing care in each of the residential villas .
I really like what they have done so far .
I do n't think it will be any threat to the neighboring homeowners . ''
There were reasons neighbors may be concerned even with the ownership change .
Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced RCA to surrender its license and shot down admissions at a treatment facility it operated in Danvers .
An investigation co-reported by The Boston Globe `` uncovered evidence of shoddy care and turmoil , '' including employee complaints that patients were having sex with each other and not being kept safe .
Two patients died at the 72-bed facility .
Company officials said they learned a lot from that , took corrective action and have since seen the Danvers facility ranked as one of the top five best addiction treatment centers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RCA facility near Campton Hills has 120 beds and has received an endorsement from Kane County State 's Attorney Joe McMahon .
The statement shows how much local officials have changed their perspective .
McMahon led the legal defense against the Maxxam proposal on behalf of the county .
The settlement the county paid fueled accusations by county board Chairman Chris Lauzen that McMahon 's efforts were `` flaccid . ''
`` A facility of this kind is greatly needed , '' McMahon wrote in a statement provided by RCA .
`` Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our office has been impressed with the quality of your program in other communities and the competency of the representatives with whom we have worked .
I am confident this facility will provide services for the benefit of our community . ''
Wolownik Albert said those services are needed now more than ever .
COVID-19 quarantine and distancing measures have exasperated the self-isolation that is part of addiction , she said .
It 's also hampered support networks like addiction recovery groups .
`` Opioid overdoses are on the rise in Illinois and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Problematic alcohol use is also increasing .
We have refined our protocols to continue to serve patients during the pandemic .
Patients are tested at admission , and we have protocols in place to significantly reduce the risk of transmission while continuing to provide treatment and care to our patients . ''

Addiction treatment facility opens near Campton Hills
The doors opened this week on the most controversial business development in unincorporated Kane County's recent history.
The Recovery Centers of America addiction treatment facility, on the former Glenwood School site on Silver Glen Road near Campton Hills, began accepting patients Tuesday. That kicked off an introduction to the community where neighbors who fought against the plan will see if their worst fears come true or if the business proves to be the bonus to the area it promised to become.
The getting-to-know-you period will be strained by the COVID-19 pandemic. Center officials planned to have town hall-style meetings and public tours of the facility upon opening. Gov. J.B. Pritzker's pandemic safety protocols will postpone those gatherings.
Likewise, the new facility has space set aside for community meetings and events, but those will not be accessible to the public during the current restrictions -- for the safety of the community and the patients.
"We very much want to be available to our neighbors and other community members who have questions," CEO Karen Wolownik Albert said in an email interview. "RCA is excited to be part of this community and the area recovery community. We hope to soon be able to host guests."
RCA officials are encouraging the community to ask questions and schedule future tours and event bookings by sending emails to RCAstcharlescommunity@recoverycoa.com.
Neighbors have had plenty of questions about what the facility has to offer. Those were on public display during nearly two years of public hearings, zoning votes and lawsuits. Campton Hills officials and the Kane County Board fought against the plan.
The controversy is similar to what's happening now in Itasca, where residents are opposing Haymarket Center's proposal to open a 240-bed drug and alcohol treatment center in a former hotel on Irving Park Road.
In Kane County, county officials settled a federal discrimination lawsuit filed against it for more than $5 million in the summer of 2018.
That battle was waged against a different ownership group, Maxxam. RCA bought the property shortly after the settlement and met with public officials in private in hopes of a fresh start.
County board member Barbara Wojnicki opposed the project and received a private tour last week. She noted the lead medical director, Dr. Stephen Holtsford, has strong community roots and decades of emergency room experience at Delnor Hospital.
"Everything was very, very impressive and very secure," Wojnicki said. "They will have 24-hour nursing care in each of the residential villas. I really like what they have done so far. I don't think it will be any threat to the neighboring homeowners."
There were reasons neighbors may be concerned even with the ownership change. Three years ago, state officials in Massachusetts forced RCA to surrender its license and shot down admissions at a treatment facility it operated in Danvers.
An investigation co-reported by The Boston Globe "uncovered evidence of shoddy care and turmoil," including employee complaints that patients were having sex with each other and not being kept safe. Two patients died at the 72-bed facility.
Company officials said they learned a lot from that, took corrective action and have since seen the Danvers facility ranked as one of the top five best addiction treatment centers in the country by Newsweek.
The new RCA facility near Campton Hills has 120 beds and has received an endorsement from Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon. The statement shows how much local officials have changed their perspective.
McMahon led the legal defense against the Maxxam proposal on behalf of the county. The settlement the county paid fueled accusations by county board Chairman Chris Lauzen that McMahon's efforts were "flaccid."
"A facility of this kind is greatly needed," McMahon wrote in a statement provided by RCA. "Over the months of interaction with RCA, our office has been impressed with the quality of your program in other communities and the competency of the representatives with whom we have worked. I am confident this facility will provide services for the benefit of our community."
Wolownik Albert said those services are needed now more than ever. COVID-19 quarantine and distancing measures have exasperated the self-isolation that is part of addiction, she said. It's also hampered support networks like addiction recovery groups.
"Opioid overdoses are on the rise in Illinois and across the country," she said. "Problematic alcohol use is also increasing. We have refined our protocols to continue to serve patients during the pandemic. Patients are tested at admission, and we have protocols in place to significantly reduce the risk of transmission while continuing to provide treatment and care to our patients."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--Video: Police put hood on Black man from Chicago who later died of asphyxiation

A Black man from Chicago who had run naked through the streets of a western New York city he was visiting died of asphyxiation after a group of police officers put a hood over his head , then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes , according to video and records released Wednesday by the man 's family .
Daniel Prude died March 30 after he was taken off life support , seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester .
His death received no public attention until Wednesday , when his family held a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written reports they obtained through a public records request .
`` How did you see him and not directly say , 'The man is defenseless , buck naked on the ground .
He 's cuffed up already .
Come on . '
How many more brothers got ta die for society to understand that this needs to stop ? ''
Prude 's brother , Joe Prude , asked at a news conference Wednesday .
The videos show Prude , who had taken off his clothes , complying when police ask him to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind his back .
Prude is agitated and shouting as officers let him writhe while he sits on the pavement in handcuffs for a few moments as a light snow falls .
Then , they put a white `` spit hood '' over his head , a device intended to protect officers from a detainee 's saliva .
At the time , New York was in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic .
Then the officer 's slam Prude 's head into the street .
One officer holds his head down against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` stop spitting '' as Prude 's shouts turn to whimpers and grunts .
Another officer places a knee on his back .
The officers appear to become concerned when they notice water coming out of Prude 's mouth .
`` My man .
You puking ? ''
one says .
Prude stops moving and falls silent .
One officer notes that he 's been out , naked , in the street for some time .
Another remarks , `` He feels pretty cold . ''
His head had been held down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Medics can then be seen on the video performing CPR before he 's loaded into an ambulance .
Spit hoods have been scrutinized as a factor in the deaths of several prisoners in the U.S. and other countries in recent years .
A medical examiner concluded that Prude 's death was a homicide caused by `` complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint . ''
The report lists excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine , or PCP , as contributing factors .
Prude was from Chicago and had just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family .
Police responded after Joe Prude called 911 to report that his brother had left his house and was experiencing mental health issues .
The city halted its investigation into Prude 's death when state Attorney General Letitia James office began its own investigation in April .
Under New York law , deaths of unarmed people in police custody are often turned over to the attorney general 's office , rather than handled by local officials .
James said Wednesday that investigation is continuing .
`` I want everyone to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we feel that this was something that we wanted not to disclose , '' Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren said at press briefing .
`` We are precluded from getting involved in it until that agency ( the AG 's office ) has completed their investigation . ''
One officer wrote that they put the hood on Prude because he was spitting continuously in the direction of officers and they were concerned about coronavirus .
Still , activists demanded that officers involved with Prude 's death be prosecuted on murder charges and that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation proceeds .
`` The police have shown us over and over again that they are not equipped to handle individuals with mental health concerns .
These officers are trained to kill , and not to deescalate .
These officers are trained to ridicule , instead of supporting Mr. Daniel Prude , '' Ashley Gantt of Free the People ROC said at the news conference with Prude 's family .
Protesters gathered Wednesday outside Rochester 's Public Safety Building , which serves as police headquarters .
Free the People ROC said several of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after they entered the building while Warren was speaking to the media .
They were released on appearance tickets , said Iman Abid , regional director of the NYCLU , who was among those taken into custody .

Video: NY police put hood on Black man from Chicago who later died of asphyxiation
In this image taken from police body camera video provided by Roth and Roth LLP, Rochester police officers hold down Daniel Prude on March 23, 2020, in Rochester, N.Y. Prude, a Black man who had run naked through the streets of the western New York city, died of asphyxiation after a group of police officers put a hood over his head, then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes, according to video and records released Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, by the man's family. Prude died March 30 after he was taken off life support, seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester. (Rochester Police via Roth and Roth LLP via AP)
In this image taken from police body camera video provided by Roth and Roth LLP, Rochester police officers hold down Daniel Prude on March 23, 2020, in Rochester, N.Y. Prude, a Black man who had run naked through the streets of the western New York city, died of asphyxiation after a group of police officers put a hood over his head, then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes, according to video and records released Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, by the man's family. Prude died March 30 after he was taken off life support, seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester. (Rochester Police via Roth and Roth LLP via AP)
In this image taken from police body camera video provided by Roth and Roth LLP, Rochester police officers hold down Daniel Prude on March 23, 2020, in Rochester, N.Y. Prude, a Black man who had run naked through the streets of the western New York city, died of asphyxiation after a group of police officers put a hood over his head, then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes, according to video and records released Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, by the man's family. Prude died March 30 after he was taken off life support, seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester. (Rochester Police via Roth and Roth LLP via AP)
In this image taken from police body camera video provided by Roth and Roth LLP, Rochester police officers hold down Daniel Prude on March 23, 2020, in Rochester, N.Y. Prude, a Black man who had run naked through the streets of the western New York city, died of asphyxiation after a group of police officers put a hood over his head, then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes, according to video and records released Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, by the man's family. Prude died March 30 after he was taken off life support, seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester. (Rochester Police via Roth and Roth LLP via AP)
In this image taken from police body camera video provided by Roth and Roth LLP, Rochester police officers prepare to load Daniel Prude into an ambulance on March 23, 2020, in Rochester, N.Y. Prude, a Black man who had run naked through the streets of the western New York city, died of asphyxiation after a group of police officers put a hood over his head, then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes, according to video and records released Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, by the man's family. Prude died March 30 after he was taken off life support, seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester. (Rochester Police via Roth and Roth LLP via AP)
In this image taken from police body camera video provided by Roth and Roth LLP, a Rochester police officer puts a hood over the head of Daniel Prude, on March 23, 2020, in Rochester, N.Y. Video of Prude, a Black man who had run naked through the streets of the western New York city, died of asphyxiation after a group of police officers put a hood over his head, then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes, according to video and records released Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, by his family. Prude died March 30 after he was taken off life support, seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester. (Rochester Police via Roth and Roth LLP via AP)
A Black Chicago man who had run naked through the streets of Rochester, New York, died of asphyxiation after police officers put a hood over his head, then pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes, according to video and records released Wednesday by the man's family.
Daniel Prude died March 30 after he was taken off life support, seven days after the encounter with police in Rochester. His death received no public attention until Wednesday, when his family held a news conference and released police body camera video and written reports they obtained through a public records request.
"I placed a phone call for my brother to get help. Not for my brother to get lynched," Prude's brother, Joe Prude, said at a news conference. "How did you see him and not directly say, 'The man is defenseless, buck naked on the ground. He's cuffed up already. Come on.' How many more brothers gotta die for society to understand that this needs to stop?"
The videos show Prude, who had taken off his clothes, complying when police ask him to get on the ground and put his hands behind his back. Prude is agitated and shouting as he sits on the pavement in handcuffs for a few moments as a light snow falls. "Give me your gun, I need it," he shouts.
Then, they put a white "spit hood" over his head, a device intended to protect officers from a detainee's saliva. At the time, the state of New York was in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prude demands they remove it.
Then the officers slam Prude's head into the street. One officer, who is white, holds his head down against the pavement with both hands, saying "calm down" and "stop spitting." Another officer places a knee on his back.
"Trying to kill me!" Prude says, his voice becoming muffled and anguished under the hood.
"OK, stop. I need it. I need it," the prone man begs before his shouts turn to whimpers and grunts.
The officers appear to become concerned after he stops moving and falls silent and they notice water coming out of Prude's mouth.
"My man. You puking?" one says.
One officer notes that he's been out, naked, in the street for some time. Another remarks, "He feels pretty cold." His head had been held down by an officer for just over two minutes, the video shows.
The officers then remove the hood and his handcuffs, and medics can then be seen performing CPR before he's loaded into an ambulance.
Spit hoods have been scrutinized as a factor in the deaths of several prisoners in the U.S. and other countries in recent years.
A medical examiner concluded that Prude's death was a homicide caused by "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint." The report lists excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine, or PCP, as factors.
Prude was from Chicago and had just arrived in Rochester for a visit with his brother. State Attorney General Letitia James office began its investigation in April; it continues.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--Iconic suburban auto dealer Bob Rohrman dies

Bob Rohrman , the iconic auto dealer known for his comical television commercials and namesake suburban dealerships , died peacefully from natural causes Tuesday evening with his family at his side , company sources said .
Born the ninth of 11 children in a log cabin in Lafayette , Indiana , Rohrman , 87 , built his automotive group from the ground up , starting in 1963 with a used-car lot in his hometown .
Today the auto group has 27 new car dealerships in Indiana , suburban Chicago and Kenosha , Wisconsin .
Rohrman launched his first new car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under his guidance the Bob Rohrman Auto Group grew to one of the largest private dealer groups in North America , company representatives said .
In the suburbs , Bob Rohrman dealerships are in Schaumburg , Palatine , Arlington Heights , Gurnee and Oak Brook .
Along the way , Rohrman gained famed across the Midwest for his wacky commercials -- punctuated by the deep baritone of an actor roaring , `` Bob ROHR -- man ! ''
For Halloween , he 'd dress up as a caped vampire to pitch a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale , he dressed as Santa and ho-ho-hoed about `` low-low-low '' prices .
He spoofed one of the biggest movie franchises with his `` Car Wars '' commercial , telling a Princess Leia look-alike , `` I 'm Bob Rohrman .
I 'm here to rescue you from high prices ! ''
Some featured a cartoon lion roaring , `` When it comes to automobiles , there 's only one Bob ROHR -- man ! ''
When he was at his dealerships , people would ask to take photos with him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or enjoying a night out , it was rare to end an evening without someone greeting him with a shout of `` Bob ROHR-man ! ''
A more serious side to his TV commercial persona was found in his philanthropic and charitable contributions in the communities where his dealerships are located .
He recently donated funding for the creation of a state-of-the-art tennis complex for Lafayette Central Catholic High School , the Performing Arts Center at Lafayette Jefferson Public High School , and a lead gift that led to the naming of Rohrman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The Rohrman Family can not express their gratitude for every employee and friend that has labored by his side through the years and look forward to continuing his legacy through the Bob Rohrman Auto Group , '' a written statement released by the company reads .
`` His family will remember him most for his unending love and loyalty , generous heart for philanthropy , feisty spirit , contagious laugh and love for Purdue football . ''
In 2016 , Mr. Rohrman described the key to his success in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you 're going to sell anything , especially cars , because they 're not cheap , you have to fall in love with the customer , '' he said .
`` Because if you fall in love with the customer , they 'll love you , and they 'll never go anywhere else . ''
Funeral arrangements were still pending Wednesday , but services are expected to be held sometime next week in Lafayette , company representatives said .
• The Chicago Sun-Times contributed to this story

Iconic suburban auto dealer Bob Rohrman dies
Bob Rohrman, who built one of the nation's largest private auto dealership groups but perhaps was best known for his comedic television commercials, died Tuesday. He was 87.
Bob Rohrman, the iconic auto dealer known for his comical television commercials and namesake suburban dealerships, died peacefully from natural causes Tuesday evening with his family at his side, company sources said.
Born the ninth of 11 children in a log cabin in Lafayette, Indiana, Rohrman, 87, built his automotive group from the ground up, starting in 1963 with a used-car lot in his hometown. Today the auto group has 27 new car dealerships in Indiana, suburban Chicago and Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Rohrman launched his first new car dealership with Toyota in 1970, and under his guidance the Bob Rohrman Auto Group grew to one of the largest private dealer groups in North America, company representatives said.
In the suburbs, Bob Rohrman dealerships are in Schaumburg, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Gurnee and Oak Brook.
Along the way, Rohrman gained famed across the Midwest for his wacky commercials -- punctuated by the deep baritone of an actor roaring, "Bob ROHR -- man!"
For Halloween, he'd dress up as a caped vampire to pitch a "savings spooktacular." For a Christmas-in-July sale, he dressed as Santa and ho-ho-hoed about "low-low-low" prices.
He spoofed one of the biggest movie franchises with his "Car Wars" commercial, telling a Princess Leia look-alike, "I'm Bob Rohrman. I'm here to rescue you from high prices!"
Some featured a cartoon lion roaring, "When it comes to automobiles, there's only one Bob ROHR -- man!"
When he was at his dealerships, people would ask to take photos with him. If he was at a sports event or enjoying a night out, it was rare to end an evening without someone greeting him with a shout of "Bob ROHR-man!"
A more serious side to his TV commercial persona was found in his philanthropic and charitable contributions in the communities where his dealerships are located.
He recently donated funding for the creation of a state-of-the-art tennis complex for Lafayette Central Catholic High School, the Performing Arts Center at Lafayette Jefferson Public High School, and a lead gift that led to the naming of Rohrman Field at Purdue University's Ross-Ade Stadium.
"The Rohrman Family cannot express their gratitude for every employee and friend that has labored by his side through the years and look forward to continuing his legacy through the Bob Rohrman Auto Group," a written statement released by the company reads. "His family will remember him most for his unending love and loyalty, generous heart for philanthropy, feisty spirit, contagious laugh and love for Purdue football."
In 2016, Mr. Rohrman described the key to his success in an interview with the Indiana Business Journal.
"If you're going to sell anything, especially cars, because they're not cheap, you have to fall in love with the customer," he said. "Because if you fall in love with the customer, they'll love you, and they'll never go anywhere else."
Funeral arrangements were still pending Wednesday, but services are expected to be held sometime next week in Lafayette, company representatives said.
• The Chicago Sun-Times contributed to this story


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--Endangered turtles, including the first bred at Brookfield Zoo, released into DuPage wild

The tiny turtle squirming in Dan Thompson 's hands looks like a content creature .
The shape of its mouth gives the appearance of a smile and the impression that the young reptile is blissfully unaware it takes a village to reach this rite of passage .
Every fall , Thompson wades into knee-deep , murky water to release Blanding 's turtles into the marshes of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County .
After a year in captivity , the turtles have grown from quarter-sized hatchlings to plucky juveniles , eager to experience the natural world .
Each youngster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of conservationists who have spent 25 years working to offset population losses .
`` They 're all special , really , '' said Thompson , a district ecologist .
But the batch released Wednesday are unique in their own way .
They are the first Blanding 's turtles bred and hatched at Brookfield Zoo 's captive breeding pond , a genetic reservoir built with females from the forest preserves .
`` We 're just very happy to see them move on and contribute to a population , '' said Andy Snider , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brookfield contributed 10 turtles to Wednesday 's release , while another dozen from the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago ventured into grassy marshes .
The species is endangered in Illinois , under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation , predators , roadside mortalities as females cross traffic to get to nesting sites , and an illegal black market .
The forest preserve district does n't disclose the exact location of their release to protect the turtles from collectors .
District ecologists launched the species recovery program in the mid-1990s after observing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outnumbered more vulnerable , younger turtles as raccoons and other midlevel predators flourished with suburban sprawl .
`` We were dealing with a really small population of wild adult turtles , and that 's all we had , '' Thompson said .
`` We did not have any kind of age structure . ''
The district tracks turtle births with radio transmitters attached to females .
When they 're ready to nest around early June , ecologists bring the turtles to Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn so the reptiles can lay their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After an incubation period , the hatchlings spend about a year at zoos , museums and other partner institutions until the turtles are large enough to have a better chance at survival in the wild .
Then the process starts all over again .
A slowing-maturing species , Blanding 's turtles do n't start reproducing until their midteens to their 20s .
`` We 've been fortunate that we 've hit that threshold , and we 've actually had some of our head starts in the wild survive to maturity and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turtles now , '' Thompson said .
In 2011 , Brookfield Zoo began to develop a breeding pond to produce captive-bred youngsters to send into the wild .
Last year , some of the nearly 25 females in the pond were old enough to successfully breed and lay fertile eggs in a nesting beach .
In the spring and summer months , the zoo also uses outdoor enclosures in Dragonfly Marsh to `` head start '' the district 's hatchlings .
Nearly 3,500 turtles have hatched out since the inception of the forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that eventually , the region will see signs of a self-sustaining population , but conservation efforts take time .
They keep at it knowing that their work preserving the Great Lakes native supports biodiversity .
`` We 're really certainly at a time right now that we really need to be much more vigilant about how we care for the planet and how we live to make sure that we have less impact , '' Thompson said .

Endangered turtles bred at Brookfield Zoo released into DuPage wild
The tiny turtle squirming in Dan Thompson's hands looks like a content creature.
The shape of its mouth gives the appearance of a smile and the impression that the young reptile is blissfully unaware it takes a village to reach this rite of passage.
Every fall, Thompson wades into knee-deep, murky water to release Blanding's turtles into the marshes of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. After a year in captivity, the turtles have grown from quarter-sized hatchlings to plucky juveniles, eager to experience the natural world.
Each youngster carries a spotted shell and the hopes of conservationists who have spent 25 years working to offset population losses.
"They're all special, really," said Thompson, a district ecologist.
But the batch released Wednesday are unique in their own way. They are the first Blanding's turtles bred and hatched at Brookfield Zoo's captive breeding pond, a genetic reservoir built with females from the forest preserves.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer Dan Thompson, an ecologist for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, releases a Blanding's turtle Wednesday.
"We're just very happy to see them move on and contribute to a population," said Andy Snider, the zoo's curator of herpetology and aquatics.
Brookfield contributed 10 turtles to Wednesday's release, while another dozen from the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago ventured into grassy marshes.
The species is endangered in Illinois, under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation, predators, roadside mortalities as females cross traffic to get to nesting sites, and an illegal black market. The forest preserve district doesn't disclose the exact location of their release to protect the turtles from collectors.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer Dan Thompson, an ecologist for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, shows how the microchipped Blanding's turtle is scanned.
District ecologists launched the species recovery program in the mid-1990s after observing a troubling population decline. Older generations outnumbered more vulnerable, younger turtles as raccoons and other midlevel predators flourished with suburban sprawl.
"We were dealing with a really small population of wild adult turtles, and that's all we had," Thompson said. "We did not have any kind of age structure."
The district tracks turtle births with radio transmitters attached to females. When they're ready to nest around early June, ecologists bring the turtles to Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn so the reptiles can lay their eggs away from the threat of raccoons.
After an incubation period, the hatchlings spend about a year at zoos, museums and other partner institutions until the turtles are large enough to have a better chance at survival in the wild.
Then the process starts all over again. A slowing-maturing species, Blanding's turtles don't start reproducing until their midteens to their 20s.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer "It's still not where it needs to be, but it's increasing," ecologist Dan Thompson said of efforts to rebuild the Blanding's turtle population in DuPage County.
"We've been fortunate that we've hit that threshold, and we've actually had some of our head starts in the wild survive to maturity and are reproducing and providing our third generation of turtles now," Thompson said.
In 2011, Brookfield Zoo began to develop a breeding pond to produce captive-bred youngsters to send into the wild. Last year, some of the nearly 25 females in the pond were old enough to successfully breed and lay fertile eggs in a nesting beach.
In the spring and summer months, the zoo also uses outdoor enclosures in Dragonfly Marsh to "head start" the district's hatchlings.
Nearly 3,500 turtles have hatched out since the inception of the forest preserve district's program.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer About two dozen Blanding's turtles were released into DuPage County wetlands Wednesday.
Ecologists hope that eventually, the region will see signs of a self-sustaining population, but conservation efforts take time. They keep at it knowing that their work preserving the Great Lakes native supports biodiversity.
"We're really certainly at a time right now that we really need to be much more vigilant about how we care for the planet and how we live to make sure that we have less impact," Thompson said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--There's an extra week to hit Phil's Beach on Bangs Lake

The delayed opening of the renovated Phil 's Beach in Wauconda was disappointing , but there is some end-of-the-year cheer for beachgoers as the season has been extended to Sept. 13 .
While the coronavirus pandemic delayed the debut of the renovated icon on the west side of Bangs Lake from Memorial Day to early July , it also is playing a role in what has become an extended season .
That 's because lifeguards and staff members remain available as high school students study remotely and extracurricular activities are few .
`` Our biggest issue , like everybody else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Burton , executive director of the Wauconda Park District .
Weather-dependent hours of operation through Sept. 13 are from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday , 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday .
Labor Day hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fees are $ 2 for residents and $ 3 for nonresidents weekdays , and $ 5 for residents and $ 7 for nonresidents on weekends and Labor Day .
There is no charge for anyone 62 or older and children younger than 3 .
COVID-19 distancing guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is limited to 100 users on a first-come , first-served basis .
The park district typically ends the weekday season for its beaches and pools on Aug. 9 , shifting to weekends only through Labor Day to coincide with the start of school in Wauconda Unit District 118 .
However , that changed after District 118 delayed the start of school to Aug. 24 .
At that point , the daily beach schedule was extended to Aug. 23 followed by weekends only through Labor Day .
Because its high school staff is learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the park district decided to open daily after school and add a week to the season to give kids a break from extended screen time .
Burton said there are two high school- or college-aged American Red Cross certified lifeguards on duty when the beach is open .
`` We actually trained some additional staff at the beginning of the season , which helps us at the end of the season . ''
Burton said .
The park district bought the property , known to generations of suburban residents , in 2016 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
The facility offers a splash pad for youngsters , a shallow swim area , bags game tables , shady grass areas , a boardwalk , gazebo and a plaza with shaded seating .
`` Hopefully , it wo n't be like this next year , '' Burton said of the fits and starts caused by the coronavirus .

There's an extra week to hit Phil's Beach on Bangs Lake
The opening of the renovated Phil's Beach was delayed because of COVID-19, but the season has been extended through Sept. 13. Courtesy of Wauconda Park District
The delayed opening of the renovated Phil's Beach in Wauconda was disappointing, but there is some end-of-the-year cheer for beachgoers as the season has been extended to Sept. 13.
While the coronavirus pandemic delayed the debut of the renovated icon on the west side of Bangs Lake from Memorial Day to early July, it also is playing a role in what has become an extended season.
That's because lifeguards and staff members remain available as high school students study remotely and extracurricular activities are few.
"Our biggest issue, like everybody else, is lifeguard staffing," said Nancy Burton, executive director of the Wauconda Park District.
Weather-dependent hours of operation through Sept. 13 are from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Labor Day hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fees are $2 for residents and $3 for nonresidents weekdays, and $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents on weekends and Labor Day. There is no charge for anyone 62 or older and children younger than 3.
COVID-19 distancing guidelines are in place, and beach capacity is limited to 100 users on a first-come, first-served basis.
The park district typically ends the weekday season for its beaches and pools on Aug. 9, shifting to weekends only through Labor Day to coincide with the start of school in Wauconda Unit District 118.
However, that changed after District 118 delayed the start of school to Aug. 24. At that point, the daily beach schedule was extended to Aug. 23 followed by weekends only through Labor Day.
Because its high school staff is learning at home and available after classes, the park district decided to open daily after school and add a week to the season to give kids a break from extended screen time.
Burton said there are two high school- or college-aged American Red Cross certified lifeguards on duty when the beach is open.
"We actually trained some additional staff at the beginning of the season, which helps us at the end of the season." Burton said.
The park district bought the property, known to generations of suburban residents, in 2016 and completed a $3 million renovation this year.
The facility offers a splash pad for youngsters, a shallow swim area, bags game tables, shady grass areas, a boardwalk, gazebo and a plaza with shaded seating.
"Hopefully, it won't be like this next year," Burton said of the fits and starts caused by the coronavirus.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--Suspect removed monitoring device 2 months before DuPage home invasions, authorities say

Two months before a pair of violent home invasions happened in Wheaton and Lombard , one of the suspects removed an electronic monitoring device and eluded capture by authorities in Cook County , authorities said .
Three people have been charged in connection with the two break-ins that occurred early Aug. 23 and left two men with gunshot wounds , including one of the suspects .
A 74-year-old grandmother also was injured .
Malik Pitts , 22 , of Broadview , Isaiah Johnson , 21 , of Blue Island and Keytori Jackson , 22 , of Broadview have been charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggravated battery with a firearm .
Pitts and Johnson are held in the DuPage County jail without bail .
Jackson is held on $ 500,000 bail .
This week , officials said Pitts was awaiting trial for a charge of unlawful possession of a vehicle in Cook County when he cut off his electronic monitoring device back in June .
On May 22 , a judge released Pitts on a personal recognizance bond with electronic monitoring , according to Tandra Simonton , speaking for the Cook County state 's attorney 's office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that uses radio frequency to monitor him during home confinement .
But according to the Cook County sheriff 's office , which operates the county 's pretrial monitoring program , Pitts ' device sent an alert June 21 .
Sheriff 's spokeswoman Kathleen Carmody said Pitts `` was on unauthorized leave '' and the office attempted to locate him for two shifts .
Investigators went to his address in Broadview in the morning and again in the evening .
They also checked hospitals in the area , including Loyola University Medical Center and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County medical examiner 's office .
In addition , they searched by computer to see if he was in the custody of other police departments .
When authorities could n't find Pitts , they declared him absent without leave June 22 .
According to DuPage County authorities , Cook County prosecutors filed a charge of escape June 26 , and an arrest warrant was issued .
Pitts failed to appear for a July 30 court date , according to Simonton .
Simonton said further details about the case , including orders about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have to come from the records kept by the circuit court clerk .
As a general practice , defendants on monitoring may be allowed to leave their homes to see their lawyers , go to medical appointments , attend religious services and more .
But they have to get permission from the sheriff 's office .
According to the sheriff 's office daily log , there were 3,259 people in Cook County on electronic monitoring -- radio frequency or GPS monitors -- on Tuesday .
This fall , the sheriff 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitors .
Authorities say that shortly after 5 a.m. Aug. 23 , Johnson and Pitts entered a home in Wheaton and attacked the residents , including a grandmother who was injured when she was struck in the face while trying to protect her granddaughter .
About 20 minutes later , authorities say , Johnson and Pitts attacked a family in Lombard .
During that encounter , Johnson shot a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun twice at the homeowner , with one shot hitting the ground and the other going through the man and striking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leaving blood on the leaves , reports said .
The DuPage County crime laboratory tested the blood 's DNA and found a match in the Combined DNA Index System , which contains DNA collected from criminal offenders , authorities said .
Meanwhile , Jackson faces charges because she drove Johnson and Pitts to and from the houses , authorities said .
Officials said Johnson is on probation for a possession of stolen motor vehicle case out of Cook County .
DuPage County prosecutors said Johnson told police he was wearing a monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a curfew .
Probation in Cook County is overseen by the circuit court 's adult probation department .
Officials with that department did n't responded to a request for interview .

Suspect removed monitoring device 2 months before DuPage home invasions, authorities say
It was DuPage County officials who said that Malik Pitts had cut off an electronic monitor.
Two months before a pair of violent home invasions happened in Wheaton and Lombard, one of the suspects removed an electronic monitoring device and eluded capture by authorities in Cook County, authorities said.
Three people have been charged in connection with the two break-ins that occurred early Aug. 23 and left two men with gunshot wounds, including one of the suspects. A 74-year-old grandmother also was injured.
Malik Pitts, 22, of Broadview, Isaiah Johnson, 21, of Blue Island and Keytori Jackson, 22, of Broadview have been charged with attempted murder, home invasion and aggravated battery with a firearm. Pitts and Johnson are held in the DuPage County jail without bail. Jackson is held on $500,000 bail.
This week, DuPage County officials said Pitts was awaiting trial for a charge of unlawful possession of a vehicle in Cook County when he cut off his electronic monitoring device back in June.
On May 22, a judge released Pitts on a personal recognizance bond with electronic monitoring, according to Tandra Simonton, speaking for the Cook County state's attorney's office.
Pitts was outfitted with an ankle bracelet that uses radio frequency to monitor him during home confinement.
But according to the Cook County sheriff's office, which operates the county's pretrial monitoring program, Pitts' device sent an alert June 21.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Kathleen Carmody said Pitts "was on unauthorized leave" and the office attempted to locate him for two shifts.
Investigators went to his address in Broadview in the morning and again in the evening. They also checked hospitals in the area, including Loyola University Medical Center and Rush University Medical Center, and the Cook County medical examiner's office.
In addition, they searched by computer to see if he was in the custody of other police departments.
When authorities couldn't find Pitts, they declared him absent without leave June 22.
According to DuPage County authorities, Cook County prosecutors filed a charge of escape June 26, and an arrest warrant was issued. Pitts failed to appear for a July 30 court date, according to Simonton.
Simonton said further details about the case, including orders about the monitoring or any arrest warrants, would have to come from the records kept by the circuit court clerk.
As a general practice, defendants on monitoring may be allowed to leave their homes to see their lawyers, go to medical appointments, attend religious services and more. But they have to get permission from the sheriff's office.
According to the sheriff's office daily log, there were 3,259 people in Cook County on electronic monitoring -- radio frequency or GPS monitors -- on Tuesday.
This fall, the sheriff's office plans to have everyone converted to GPS monitors.
Authorities say that shortly after 5 a.m. Aug. 23, Johnson and Pitts entered a home in Wheaton and attacked the residents, including a grandmother who was injured when she was struck in the face while trying to protect her granddaughter.
About 20 minutes later, authorities say, Johnson and Pitts attacked a family in Lombard. During that encounter, Johnson shot a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun twice at the homeowner, with one shot hitting the ground and the other going through the man and striking Pitts.
Pitts fell into a bush, leaving blood on the leaves, reports said. The DuPage County crime laboratory tested the blood's DNA and found a match in the Combined DNA Index System, which contains DNA collected from criminal offenders, authorities said.
Meanwhile, Jackson faces charges because she drove Johnson and Pitts to and from the houses, authorities said.
Officials said Johnson is on probation for a possession of stolen motor vehicle case out of Cook County. DuPage County prosecutors said Johnson told police he was wearing a monitor as part of that probation and had a curfew.
Probation in Cook County is overseen by the circuit court's adult probation department. Officials with that department didn't responded to a request for interview.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--How NIU's random daily COVID-19 testing works

If students Northern Illinois University feel ill or think they 've been exposed to COVID-19 , they take a test -- a system that so far has resulted in 37 positives .
But Chief of Staff Matt Streb said NIU has rolled out an additional measure aimed at more efficiently tracking viral spread on campus .
On Wednesday , the university began surveillance testing -- in which about 125 students a day out of a pool of about 3,000 will be tested .
The pool of students who will be tested includes not only those living in residential halls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which social distancing or mask wearing is not possible .
`` It really is a way to identify asymptomatic students and take care of potential hot spots , '' Streb said .
`` Obviously , with residence hall students in particular , this is important because of congregant living .
We want to make sure we 're on top of the health of those students .
In most normal lecture halls , you 'd be 6 feet apart with masks , which most public health bodies would say to do .
...
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have to be dance partners . ''
Students will be chosen at random for daily surveillance testing and will be required to participate several times during the fall semester .
Students who fail to comply may eventually be removed from the residence halls and classes .
Streb said the test will be a simple nasal swab , not the more invasive nasopharyngeal test that is normally used with COVID-19 .
`` Some students did n't want to go through ( that ) , '' Streb said .
`` This is much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 tests .
We did require negative tests before returning to campus , and a lot of what we heard was that they did n't want to go through that again . ''
Testing will take place 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Northwestern Medicine Student Health Center at NIU .
Under the guidance of a medical professional , students will self-administer the nasal swab .
Results will generally be available within three to five days , and students who have been tested can continue with their normal activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are free to students .
The school will release the surveillance testing data for the week each Monday on its metrics dashboard .
This week 's data will go up Tuesday because Monday is Labor Day , Streb said .
When students are chosen for testing , they 'll receive an email with the date and window of time for them to take a test .
Those students who have a valid mobile phone number in MyNIU also will receive a text message .
Students will be assigned a time slot of 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. and should plan to be at the clinic for about 30 minutes .
Failure to participate when selected will result in a warning , according to NIU 's COVID-19 website .
Failure to reschedule within 24 to 48 hours of the original time could result in removal from the residence halls and classes .

How NIU's random daily COVID-19 testing works
Brittni Adams, left, and Nakiah Wilkes, both freshman from Chicago, wear masks as they walk past the NIU sign at Northern Illinois University Tuesday afternoon. Masks can be seen on students all over campus as they adjust to attending classes amid the pandemic. Mark Busch/Shaw Media
If students Northern Illinois University feel ill or think they've been exposed to COVID-19, they take a test -- a system that so far has resulted in 37 positives.
But Chief of Staff Matt Streb said NIU has rolled out an additional measure aimed at more efficiently tracking viral spread on campus.
On Wednesday, the university began surveillance testing -- in which about 125 students a day out of a pool of about 3,000 will be tested. The pool of students who will be tested includes not only those living in residential halls, but also those taking in-person classes in which social distancing or mask wearing is not possible.
"It really is a way to identify asymptomatic students and take care of potential hot spots," Streb said. "Obviously, with residence hall students in particular, this is important because of congregant living. We want to make sure we're on top of the health of those students. In most normal lecture halls, you'd be 6 feet apart with masks, which most public health bodies would say to do. ... But that can be challenging when you and I have to be dance partners."
Students will be chosen at random for daily surveillance testing and will be required to participate several times during the fall semester. Students who fail to comply may eventually be removed from the residence halls and classes.
Streb said the test will be a simple nasal swab, not the more invasive nasopharyngeal test that is normally used with COVID-19.
"Some students didn't want to go through (that)," Streb said. "This is much more comfortable than what people normally associate with COVID-19 tests. We did require negative tests before returning to campus, and a lot of what we heard was that they didn't want to go through that again."
Testing will take place 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Northwestern Medicine Student Health Center at NIU. Under the guidance of a medical professional, students will self-administer the nasal swab. Results will generally be available within three to five days, and students who have been tested can continue with their normal activities while they await results.
The tests are free to students.
The school will release the surveillance testing data for the week each Monday on its metrics dashboard. This week's data will go up Tuesday because Monday is Labor Day, Streb said.
When students are chosen for testing, they'll receive an email with the date and window of time for them to take a test. Those students who have a valid mobile phone number in MyNIU also will receive a text message.
Students will be assigned a time slot of 8 a.m. to noon or noon to 4 p.m. and should plan to be at the clinic for about 30 minutes.
Failure to participate when selected will result in a warning, according to NIU's COVID-19 website. Failure to reschedule within 24 to 48 hours of the original time could result in removal from the residence halls and classes.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--U of I threatens suspensions for not following COVID-19 guidelines

Students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign could be suspended for not following the school 's quarantine guidelines , @ @ @ @ @ in COVID-19 cases since the semester began .
More than 400 people have tested positive @ @ @ @ @ day of classes Aug. 24 , and about 800 people are currently quarantining , according @ @ @ @ @ .
If the current trends continue , the school will have double the number of @ @ @ @ @ per the release , leading to as many as 8,000 cases fall semester .

U of I threatens suspensions for not following COVID-19 guidelines
More than 400 people at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first day of classes Aug. 24, Associated Press file photo
Students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign could be suspended for not following the school's quarantine guidelines, officials said after a spike in COVID-19 cases since the semester began.
More than 400 people have tested positive at UIUC since the first day of classes Aug. 24, and about 800 people are currently quarantining, according to a Wednesday news release. If the current trends continue, the school will have double the number of COVID-19 cases every week, per the release, leading to as many as 8,000 cases fall semester.
• For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--Uber driver from Palatine charged with sexually abusing a passenger

A Palatine man who works as an Uber driver has been charged with sexually abusing a passenger in Elmhurst .
@ @ @ @ @ , of the 1100 block of East Nichols Road , was ordered held on $ @ @ @ @ @ is charged with three counts of criminal sexual abuse , according to the DuPage County @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors said in a news release that a 23-year-old woman arranged for an Uber @ @ @ @ @ 19 , 2019 .
When she arrived at her destination around 1:20 a.m. , Alani @ @ @ @ @ rear door , got in the back seat and sexually abused the woman , prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ he held her down .
The news release said she kicked her attacker and ran @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday at his home .
The release said `` extensive '' forensic and DNA evidence @ @ @ @ @ .
His next court date is Sept. 24 .

Uber driver from Palatine charged with sexually abusing a passenger
A Palatine man who works as an Uber driver has been charged with sexually abusing a passenger in Elmhurst.
Ghazwan M. Alani, 32, of the 1100 block of East Nichols Road, was ordered held on $100,000 bail Wednesday. He is charged with three counts of criminal sexual abuse, according to the DuPage County state's attorney's office.
Prosecutors said in a news release that a 23-year-old woman arranged for an Uber ride to Elmhurst on May 19, 2019. When she arrived at her destination around 1:20 a.m., Alani got out, opened a rear door, got in the back seat and sexually abused the woman, prosecutors said.
Court records state he held her down. The news release said she kicked her attacker and ran out.
Alani was arrested Tuesday at his home.
The release said "extensive" forensic and DNA evidence analysis led investigators to Alani.
His next court date is Sept. 24.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--St. Charles couple celebrate 75th anniversary with help from family, friends

Val Dallesasse had a natural reaction when her boyfriend Rudy proposed to her .
`` It 's about time , '' she said .
Rudy and Val Dallesasse -- married when they were each 20 years old and on the same day the Japanese formally surrendered in World War II -- celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary Wednesday at their St. Charles home with family , friends and their dog Bentley .
Several cars , including one from the Kane County sheriff 's department , drove by and honked to honor a couple who are woven into the fabric of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in kindergarten and went on their first date when they were seniors in high school .
The rest is literal history .
Rudy , who was on a weekend pass from the Navy when he married Val , was in the grocery business for decades .
For years , he and Val owned the Dairy Queen on Main Street across from Thompson Middle School .
Living in their house on the lake for more than four decades , they 've watched the region grow up around them .
`` So much has changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 've seen a lot together . ''
They 've come a long way since Rudy , sitting behind Val in grade school , sneakily tied her to her chair with the strings on the back of her dress .
Together they raised five children , and all three of their surviving children celebrated with their parents on Wednesday .
`` It really is amazing how long they 've been together , '' said their daughter Joann Dunlap .
`` They 've had a few minor health issues and it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they 're still managing here in their own home . ''
Joann and her siblings , Susan Scolz and John Dallesasse , do n't live locally , but they 're thankful for neighbors like Steve and Jody Fox and so many others who help their 95-year-old parents .
`` We 're the lucky ones , '' Jody Fox said .
`` They 're just a joy to be around . ''
Val likes to joke how she married an older man , and it 's true that Rudy is six weeks older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-quarters of a century while rarely spending time apart .
They spent their wedding night at the Palmer House in Chicago and enjoyed a brief honeymoon in Iowa , where Rudy was stationed .
With the war over , Rudy was soon discharged from the Navy and they began a lifetime together .
Seventy-five years later , they 're still going strong .
`` It kind of grew through the years , '' Val said .
`` You plant a seed and it keeps growing . ''

Val Dallesasse had a natural reaction when her boyfriend Rudy proposed to her.
"It's about time," she said.
Rudy and Val Dallesasse -- married when they were each 20 years old and on the same day the Japanese formally surrendered in World War II -- celebrated their 75th anniversary Wednesday at their St. Charles home with family, friends and their dog Bentley.
Several cars, including one from the Kane County sheriff's department, drove by and honked to honor a couple who are woven into the fabric of the neighborhood and the city.
They met in kindergarten and went on their first date when they were seniors in high school. The rest is literal history.
Rudy, who was on a weekend pass from the Navy when he married Val, was in the grocery business for decades. For years, he and Val owned the Dairy Queen on Main Street across from Thompson Middle School.
Living in their house on the lake for more than four decades, they've watched the region grow up around them.
"So much has changed through the years," Rudy said. "We've seen a lot together."
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Val Dallesasse holds a bouquet of flowers as she talks with friends on her 75th wedding anniversary Wednesday at her and husband Rudy's St. Charles home.
They've come a long way since Rudy, sitting behind Val in grade school, sneakily tied her to her chair with the strings on the back of her dress. They raised five children, and all three of their surviving children celebrated with their parents on Wednesday.
"It really is amazing how long they've been together," said their daughter Joann Dunlap. "They've had a few minor health issues and it's tougher for them to get around, but they're still managing here in their own home."
Joann and her siblings, Susan Scolz and John Dallesasse, don't live locally, but they're thankful for neighbors like Steve and Jody Fox and so many others who help their 95-year-old parents.
"We're the lucky ones," Jody Fox said. "They're just a joy to be around."
Val likes to joke how she married an older man, and it's true that Rudy is six weeks older. They've traded friendly barbs for three-quarters of a century while rarely spending time apart.
They spent their wedding night at the Palmer House in Chicago and enjoyed a brief honeymoon in Iowa, where Rudy was stationed. With the war over, Rudy was soon discharged from the Navy and they began a lifetime together.
Seventy-five years later, they're still going strong.
"It kind of grew through the years," Val said. "You plant a seed and it keeps growing."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--Aurora man faces multiple felony charges after Warrenville SWAT standoff

An Aurora man found unresponsive behind the wheel of his car while holding a gun early Tuesday morning in Warrenville is facing multiple weapons and drug charges as well as a number of other felony counts .
Warrenville police said 31-year-old Antwain C. Stringer was driving east on Butterfield Road in the westbound lanes when he stopped his car in the road just before 5 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection with Winfield Road .
Approaching officers saw Stringer holding a handgun in the driver 's seat .
Stringer did not respond to officers ' commands , and ultimately the DuPage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SWAT unit was called in .
Additional efforts were made to rouse Stringer , police officials said , but to no avail .
Finally , SWAT team members fired bean bag rounds into the passenger 's side of the vehicle in order to enter the vehicle , and that awakened Stringer .
He was taken into custody and taken to a nearby hospital for observation .
Stringer is charged with multiple felonies : possession of a controlled substance , possession of a stolen firearm , aggravated battery , and aggravated unlawful use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with aggravated driving under the influence and a misdemeanor count of possession of a firearm ammunition without a Firearm Owner 's Identification card .
Stringer is being held at the DuPage County jail .
His bail amount was set at $ 75,000 .
His next court date is slated for Oct. 1 , according to court records .

Aurora man faces multiple felony charges after Warrenville SWAT standoff
An Aurora man found unresponsive behind the wheel of his car while holding a gun early Tuesday morning in Warrenville is facing multiple weapons and drug charges as well as a number of other felony counts, according to authorities.
Warrenville police said 31-year-old Antwain C. Stringer was driving east on Butterfield Road in the westbound lanes when he stopped his car in the road just before 5 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection with Winfield Road.
Approaching officers saw Stringer holding a handgun in the driver's seat. Stringer did not respond to officers' commands, and ultimately the DuPage Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team's SWAT unit was called in.
Additional efforts were made to rouse Stringer, police officials said, but to no avail.
Finally, SWAT team members fired bean bag rounds into the passenger's side of the vehicle in order to enter the vehicle, and that awakened Stringer.
He was taken into custody and taken to a nearby hospital for observation.
Stringer is charged with multiple felonies: possession of a controlled substance, possession of a stolen firearm, aggravated battery and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He also is charged with aggravated driving under the influence and a misdemeanor count of possession of a firearm ammunition without a Firearm Owner's Identification card.
Stringer is being held at the DuPage County jail. His bail amount was set at $75,000. His next court date is slated for Oct. 1, according to court records.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--With COVID-19 measures in place, Grayslake Farmers Market is thriving

For 25 years the Grayslake Farmers Market has been providing an outdoor shopping experience offering fresh fruits and vegetables , meats , seafood , wine and flowers .
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought some challenges this year , but operators say the market continues to thrive with safety measures in place .
`` The goal of our market is to provide a family-focused shopping experience and to bring visitors into the historic downtown area for great shopping and dining , '' manager Julie Jason said .
`` Farmers markets are deemed essential , and we were grateful to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially our farmers , and our shoppers with an outdoor shopping experience . ''
About 50 vendors are gathering each week at the market , open from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays along Center Street .
Safety measures include a mask requirements for vendors -- with most customers following suit -- and a new layout to allow for better social distancing .
There are a few new vendors this year , with some given the opportunity to participate as other markets were canceled due to the pandemic .
`` We were happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vendor , healthy sauces , healthy personal products and confectioner to the market , '' Jason said .
The last summer market is Sept. 23 .
On Saturday , Sept. 26 , organizers will kick off the fall market in Centennial Plaza at Whitney and Center streets .
About 25 vendors will be on hand selling meats , bakery items , cheeses and vegetables .
The last day for the fall market is Dec. 14 .

With COVID-19 measures in place, Grayslake Farmers Market is thriving
For 25 years the Grayslake Farmers Market has been providing an outdoor shopping experience offering fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood, wine and flowers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought some challenges this year, but operators say the market continues to thrive with safety measures in place.
"The goal of our market is to provide a family-focused shopping experience and to bring visitors into the historic downtown area for great shopping and dining," manager Julie Jason said. "Farmers markets are deemed essential, and we were grateful to be able to provide an opportunity for our vendors, especially our farmers, and our shoppers with an outdoor shopping experience."
About 50 vendors are gathering each week at the market, open from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays along Center Street. Safety measures include a mask requirements for vendors -- with most customers following suit -- and a new layout to allow for better social distancing.
There are a few new vendors this year, with some given the opportunity to participate as other markets were canceled due to the pandemic.
"We were happy to welcome a new farmer, bread vendor, healthy sauces, healthy personal products and confectioner to the market," Jason said.
The last summer market is Sept. 23. On Saturday, Sept. 26, organizers will kick off the fall market in Centennial Plaza at Whitney and Center streets. About 25 vendors will be on hand selling meats, bakery items, cheeses and vegetables. The last day for the fall market is Dec. 14.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-31--Fremd student's peace pole project encourages harmony, inclusiveness

Courtney Murphy , a senior at Fremd High School , has an ambitious goal : She hopes to see 100 peace poles set up in Palatine by the International Day of Peace , which is Sept. 21 .
So far , she 's well on her way .
Over the summer , Courtney casually discussed peace poles with Kathy Millin , executive director of Partners for Our Communities in Palatine .
Its Community Resource Center at Rand and Dundee roads provides an array of multilingual services for area residents .
That simple exchange sparked an idea with Courtney .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handcrafted poles , but even more she connected with their message of standing as symbols that encourage harmony and inclusiveness in communities .
Together with her mother , Vickie Wessels-Murphy , they started a campaign called `` Painting Peace . ''
Within a month of her conversation with Millin , Courtney started painting peace poles and eventually began holding workshops to encourage others to join her .
Millin offered them space outside the Community Resource Center for the workshops .
For each one , Courtney and her mother bought , painted and primed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go when guest painters arrived .
Poles range in size from a desktop version to three-foot poles and six-foot garden poles , most made of wood .
So far , people have personalized them in an array of colors and with a heartfelt message .
`` People use their own thoughts , quotes , or poetry , all with the intention of spreading a little more peace , love , and light in this world , '' Vickie says .
She points to her daughter as the one who is spearheading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacebuilding and community building , '' Courtney says , `` and giving people a great creative outlet . ''
That was the case at one of three workshops they held in August .
Nancy Kontney of Palatine , a longtime teacher in Barrington Area Unit District 220 , gathered some of her friends to come out and paint .
Most were teachers , and they came prepared , using stickers , stencils and small embellishments before expressing their peace messages in freehand .
Their themes ranged from bumblebees to flowers to John Lennon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people living life in peace , '' as Michelle Kern of Mundelein so carefully inscribed on her pole .
`` I love the freedom of being able to put what we want on our poles -- and of supporting the idea of peace in our world , especially now , '' said Kontney , who was creating her second peace pole for her lake house .
Emily Radtke of Palatine worked with her two daughters , Morgan and Olivia , to create their pole .
`` With everything going on , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose in life , '' Morgan Radtke said .
The workshops quickly gained traction and led to community groups wanting to participate .
They included youth groups from Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist in Palatine and one from the POC itself .
Honor students from Harper College chose to hold a peace pole workshop for their Day of Service this month .
Another 50 supporters will be creating their own peace poles at a farm-to-table fundraiser later this month at Soulful Prairies in Woodstock to benefit the POC .
Given this growing support , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reach their goal in time for the International Day of Peace , established in 1981 by the United Nations .
`` We hope to have these landmarks around town , '' Courtney says .
`` It 's our way of creating peace in our own community . ''
Find out more about attending a workshop or creating a peace pole at home by visitingpaintingpeace.weebly.com or their Facebook page , facebook.com/groups/paintingpeace .

Fremd student's peace pole project encourages harmony, inclusiveness
Courtney Murphy, a senior at Fremd High School, has an ambitious goal: She hopes to see 100 peace poles set up in Palatine by the International Day of Peace, which is Sept. 21.
So far, she's well on her way.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Fremd High School senior Courtney Murphy, creator of the Peace Pole concept, holds a picture of herself with the peace pole she painted.
Over the summer, Courtney casually discussed peace poles with Kathy Millin, executive director of Partners for Our Communities in Palatine. Its Community Resource Center at Rand and Dundee roads provides an array of multilingual services for area residents.
That simple exchange sparked an idea with Courtney. She loved the artistic messages embodied in these handcrafted poles, but even more she connected with their message of standing as symbols that encourage harmony and inclusiveness in communities.
Together with her mother, Vickie Wessels-Murphy, they started a campaign called "Painting Peace." Within a month of her conversation with Millin, Courtney started painting peace poles and eventually began holding workshops to encourage others to join her.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer A Peace Pole of many colors comes from these little paint samples and the concept that Courtney Murphy, 17, of Palatine developed with her mom. The poles hold messages of peace that will be placed throughout Palatine.
Millin offered them space outside the Community Resource Center for the workshops. For each one, Courtney and her mother bought, painted and primed the poles so that they were ready to go when guest painters arrived.
Poles range in size from a desktop version to three-foot poles and six-foot garden poles, most made of wood. So far, people have personalized them in an array of colors and with a heartfelt message.
"People use their own thoughts, quotes, or poetry, all with the intention of spreading a little more peace, love, and light in this world," Vickie says.
She points to her daughter as the one who is spearheading the campaign.
"It's all about peacebuilding and community building," Courtney says, "and giving people a great creative outlet."
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Georgia Nelson of Palatine paints her Peace Pole, a concept started by Courtney Murphy, 17, of Palatine.
That was the case at one of three workshops they held in August. Nancy Kontney of Palatine, a longtime teacher in Barrington Area Unit District 220, gathered some of her friends to come out and paint.
Most were teachers, and they came prepared, using stickers, stencils and small embellishments before expressing their peace messages in freehand.
Their themes ranged from bumblebees to flowers to John Lennon's iconic lyrics: "Imagine all the people living life in peace," as Michelle Kern of Mundelein so carefully inscribed on her pole.
"I love the freedom of being able to put what we want on our poles -- and of supporting the idea of peace in our world, especially now," said Kontney, who was creating her second peace pole for her lake house.
Emily Radtke of Palatine worked with her two daughters, Morgan and Olivia, to create their pole.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Finished Peace Poles wait to be distributed around Palatine. Courtney Murphy, 17, of Palatine and her mom, Vickie Wessels-Murphy, came up with the idea. This pole of a detailed forest was painted by Kathleen Skoller.
"With everything going on, it's good to be centered and have purpose in life," Morgan Radtke said.
The workshops quickly gained traction and led to community groups wanting to participate. They included youth groups from Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist in Palatine and one from the POC itself.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer John Lennon is the inspiration for Mundelein resident Michelle Kern's peace pole.
Honor students from Harper College chose to hold a peace pole workshop for their Day of Service this month. Another 50 supporters will be creating their own peace poles at a farm-to-table fundraiser later this month at Soulful Prairies in Woodstock to benefit the POC.
Given this growing support, Courtney and her mother are confident they will reach their goal in time for the International Day of Peace, established in 1981 by the United Nations.
"We hope to have these landmarks around town," Courtney says. "It's our way of creating peace in our own community."
Find out more about attending a workshop or creating a peace pole at home by visitingpaintingpeace.weebly.com or their Facebook page, facebook.com/groups/paintingpeace.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--Feder: Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk joining WIND-560 AM

Charlie Kirk , the grassroots conservative activist who grew up in Prospect Heights , is joining the lineup of WIND @ @ @ @ @ news/talk station , reports Robert Feder .
Starting October 5 , one hour of his @ @ @ @ @ air at 11 a.m. weekdays on WIND .

Feder: Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk joining WIND-560 AM
In this image from video, Charlie Kirk speaks during the first night of the Republican National Convention on Aug. 24. Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee
Charlie Kirk, the grassroots conservative activist who grew up in Prospect Heights, is joining the lineup of WIND 560-AM, the Salem Media news/talk station, reports Robert Feder.
Starting October 5, one hour of his new syndicated talk show will air at 11 a.m. weekdays on WIND.
Read the fulls story here.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--TS Nana barrels toward Belize, could become hurricane

MEXICO CITY -- Tropical Storm Nana barreled westward Wednesday just off the coast of Honduras on a collision course with @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Nana was located about 155 miles ( @ @ @ @ @ Belize City with sustained winds of 60 mph ( 95 kmh ) .
The storm @ @ @ @ @ ( 24 kmh ) and was expected to strengthen throughout the day and could make @ @ @ @ @ hurricane late Wednesday or early Thursday .
Belize had issued a hurricane warning for its @ @ @ @ @ miles ( 110 kilometers ) northeast of the Honduran island of Roatan , a popular @ @ @ @ @ were expected in Belize , as well as in northern Honduras and throughout Guatemala as @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .

TS Nana barrels toward Belize, could become hurricane
This satellite image released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Tropical Storm Nana approaching Belize, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. The storm is expected to strengthen throughout the day and make landfall in Belize as a hurricane late Wednesday or early Thursday. (NOAA via AP) Associated Press
PUNTA GORDA, Belize -- Tropical Storm Nana barreled westward Wednesday just off the coast of Honduras on a collision course with the Central American nation of Belize, where thousands of people were stocking up on food, water and construction materials.
Long lines stretched through supermarkets and hardware store shelves were nearly bare as Belizeans bought materials to board up windows and doors ahead of Nana's expected landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday, possibly as a hurricane.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Nana was located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east-southeast of Belize City with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph). The storm was moving at 15 mph (24 kph) and was expected to strengthen throughout the day.
Belize issued a hurricane warning for its coastline. Nana was 50 miles (80 kilometers) north-northwest of the Honduran island of Roatan, a popular tourist destination.
Heavy rains were expected in Belize, as well as in northern Honduras and throughout Guatemala as the storm crosses the isthmus Thursday.
Local leaders in rural villages in the southernmost district of Toledo were awaiting word from the National Emergency Management Organization to open hurricane shelters.
As evening approached, dark clouds hung on the horizon as uneasy residents awaited the storm's arrival.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-03--Pritzker warns of Labor Day COVID-19 infections as regions see spikes

As COVID-19 cases rose by 2,128 on Wednesday , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker urged residents to be cautious about social gatherings during the coming Labor Day holiday weekend .
`` You 're going to let your guard down because you 'll be gathering with people you know , but that 's exactly where spread is occurring , '' he warned .
`` The reality is you do n't know where everybody who 's there has been , and unless you maintain social distance and are mindful about wearing masks , there can be -- and has been -- a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine of the state 's 11 regions have seen increases in the average infection rates over the past week , including four regions where the increase amounted to more than one full percentage point .
The admonition from the governor comes as state health officials announced Wednesday that 27 more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19 , bringing the state 's death toll from the virus to 8,091 .
Thirteen of the deaths were in Chicago and the collar counties , and 14 were downstate .
Since the outbreak began , 238,643 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new infections , the state 's seven-day rate of positive test results stands at 4.5 % , the highest level since early June .
However , Illinois Department of Public Health officials acknowledged problems collecting some test data over the past few days , which has affected the number of test results the state agency is reporting .
Pritzker warned residents to remain vigilant about washing hands , wearing masks and maintaining social distance , or they could see restrictions on businesses and gatherings that other parts of the state have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East region near St. Louis and the region containing Will and Kankakee counties -- are under `` enhanced mitigation efforts '' intended to help lower infection rates that exceed 8 % .
Those restrictions include reduced service hours for many businesses , a ban on indoor dining and bar service , and limits on gathering sizes to 25 people or less .
`` Let me remind you that people are dying every day from this horrible virus , '' Pritzker said .
`` And thousands who have recovered are still suffering from life-threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported 83 more people were hospitalized with COVID-19 Tuesday than the previous day , with 1,596 patients now being treated in hospitals throughout the state for the infection .
Of those hospitalized , 347 are in intensive care .
The state has reported three straight days of increased hospitalization counts for patients with the virus .
COVID-19 patients are taking up 4.6 % of the state 's hospital beds , according to IDPH figures .
At the height of the pandemic in late April though , COVID-19 patients were taking up nearly 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During his news conference , Pritzker also urged residents to participate in the census in order to ensure better federal funding and representation .
The governor also took a swipe at Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan , a fellow Democrat , regarding the empaneling of a special legislative committee to investigate Madigan 's dealings with ComEd , saying perhaps the committee will `` actually get some of those answers '' to questions Madigan has avoided answering .
Pritzker also spoke about President Donald Trump 's visit to Kenosha Tuesday , calling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president is looking for ways to `` sow division . ''

Pritzker warns of Labor Day COVID-19 infections as regions see spikes
Gov. J.B. Pritzker urges Illinoisans to take precautions against spreading COVID-19 as they take part in holiday events this coming Labor Day weekend. Courtesy of Blueroomstream.com
As COVID-19 cases rose by 2,128 on Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged residents to be cautious about social gatherings during the coming Labor Day holiday weekend.
"You're going to let your guard down because you'll be gathering with people you know, but that's exactly where spread is occurring," he warned. "The reality is you don't know where everybody who's there has been, and unless you maintain social distance and are mindful about wearing masks, there can be -- and has been -- a significant amount of spread."
Pritzker noted nine of the state's 11 regions have seen increases in the average infection rates over the past week, including four regions where the increase amounted to more than one full percentage point.
The admonition from the governor comes as state health officials announced Wednesday that 27 more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19, bringing the state's death toll from the virus to 8,091.
Thirteen of the deaths were in Chicago and the collar counties, and 14 were downstate.
Since the outbreak began, 238,643 people have been infected in Illinois.
With the new infections, the state's seven-day rate of positive test results stands at 4.5%, the highest level since early June. However, Illinois Department of Public Health officials acknowledged problems collecting some test data over the past few days, which has affected the number of test results the state agency is reporting.
Pritzker warned residents to remain vigilant about washing hands, wearing masks and maintaining social distance, or they could see restrictions on businesses and gatherings that other parts of the state have already experienced.
Two regions -- the Metro East region near St. Louis and the region containing Will and Kankakee counties -- are under "enhanced mitigation efforts" intended to help lower infection rates that exceed 8%. Those restrictions include reduced service hours for many businesses, a ban on indoor dining and bar service, and limits on gathering sizes to 25 people or less.
"Let me remind you that people are dying every day from this horrible virus," Pritzker said. "And thousands who have recovered are still suffering from life-threatening pulmonary and cardiac symptoms."
IDPH reported 83 more people were hospitalized with COVID-19 Tuesday than the previous day, with 1,596 patients now being treated in hospitals throughout the state for the infection. Of those hospitalized, 347 are in intensive care.
The state has reported three straight days of increased hospitalization counts for patients with the virus.
COVID-19 patients are taking up 4.6% of the state's hospital beds, according to IDPH figures. At the height of the pandemic in late April though, COVID-19 patients were taking up nearly 16% of the state's hospital beds.
During his news conference, Pritzker also urged residents to participate in the census in order to ensure better federal funding and representation.
The governor also took a swipe at Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, a fellow Democrat, regarding the empaneling of a special legislative committee to investigate Madigan's dealings with ComEd, saying perhaps the committee will "actually get some of those answers" to questions Madigan has avoided answering.
Pritzker also spoke about President Donald Trump's visit to Kenosha Tuesday, calling it a "political stunt" where the president is looking for ways to "sow division."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-02--GoFundMe page set up for Palatine Uber driver who was shot in Chicago

An Uber driver from Palatine survived being shot in Chicago , but he has a bullet lodged in his brain and likely permanent loss of vision in one eye .
Family and friends hope the public will help pay for his medical expenses .
Tim Rohr , 56 , is hospitalized at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge .
His wife , Lori Rohr , said doctors have said it 's a miracle that he 's alive with his neurological and cognitive functions intact .
But his life has changed dramatically .
`` It 's strange when you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're blind in your right eye , and somebody says you 're lucky .
It does n't feel like you 're lucky , '' Tim Rohr said .
`` You 're just driving there and randomly getting shot -- wrong place , wrong time -- and your life changes in a second . ''
Rohr was shot at 12:54 a.m. Aug. 12 on the 3900 block of South Archer Avenue in Chicago 's Brighton Park neighborhood .
He said he had just dropped off an Uber passenger when he drove by a T-Mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people inside .
Then he heard a shot , he said .
`` I felt my blood run out of my nose and I 'm like , 'Oh , man .
I 'm shot in the head , ' '' he said .
`` I put the car in reverse , went down the entire block , and as I was doing that , I just heard 'pop , pop , pop ' ... just shot after shot after shot . ''
According to Chicago police , three men were involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots were fired from a white Acura SUV ; Rohr said he never saw the SUV .
Police said they continue to investigate , and no arrests have been made .
After stopping down the block to gather his thoughts , Rohr said , he spotted a Chicago police squad car and drove up to the officers for help .
He was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he underwent surgery .
The bullet entered his back , went through his lung , ricocheted off his jaw and lodged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Rohrs have been married for 27 years and have a daughter , Sophie , who started her junior year at Palatine High School the day after her father was shot .
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic , he could n't get visitors at the hospital , which made the experience all the more harrowing , his wife said .
He was discharged from Mount Sinai on Aug. 27 but the next day had to be hospitalized in Park Ridge due to a cerebrospinal fluid leak , for which doctors are deciding whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tim Rohr has an engineering degree and worked in engineering and industrial sales until he lost his job in 2009 due to the Great Recession .
He held other jobs afterward , but without stable , satisfying employment , he decided to start driving for Uber .
Working seven days a week at 60 or more hours per week , he ended up making enough money , coupled with his wife 's income as an instructor for Club Pilates , the Rohrs said .
`` You make the best of every situation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding he enjoyed driving around different neighborhoods in Chicago .
His wife said she worried about him getting in a car accident and the dangers of Chicago , especially lately .
The Rohrs have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act but do n't know what medical bills they will be facing , along with the loss of Tim Rohr 's income and Lori Rohr 's reduced income due to COVID-19 .
Friend Madeline Franklin of Palatine , who 's worked with Lori Rohr at several community theaters , started a GoFundMe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a day .
`` The outpouring of generosity , love and concern for the Rohrs has been unbelievably amazing , '' Franklin said .
Tim Rohr said some days he 's in better spirits than others and credited his wife for her support .
`` She 's always there when times are tough .
It 's been really a beautiful thing , '' he said .
A normally reserved person , he said being in the spotlight feels a bit awkward , but the GoFundMe has been a `` godsend . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- it 's about my wife and my daughter , and we are all in this together , '' he said .

GoFundMe page set up for Palatine Uber driver who was shot in Chicago
Tim Rohr, 56, of Palatine was driving for the ride-share company Uber when he was shot as he witnessed a burglary in Chicago. Courtesy of Lori Rohr
An Uber driver from Palatine survived being shot in Chicago, but he has a bullet lodged in his brain and likely permanent loss of vision in one eye.
Family and friends hope the public will help pay for his medical expenses.
Tim Rohr, 56, is hospitalized at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. His wife, Lori Rohr, said doctors have said it's a miracle that he's alive with his neurological and cognitive functions intact. But his life has changed dramatically.
"It's strange when you have a bullet in your head and you're blind in your right eye, and somebody says you're lucky. It doesn't feel like you're lucky," Tim Rohr said. "You're just driving there and randomly getting shot -- wrong place, wrong time -- and your life changes in a second."
Rohr was shot at 12:54 a.m. Aug. 12 on the 3900 block of South Archer Avenue in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood.
He said he had just dropped off an Uber passenger when he drove by a T-Mobile store with the window smashed and three people inside. Then he heard a shot, he said.
"I felt my blood run out of my nose and I'm like, 'Oh, man. I'm shot in the head,'" he said. "I put the car in reverse, went down the entire block, and as I was doing that, I just heard 'pop, pop, pop' ... just shot after shot after shot."
According to Chicago police, three men were involved in the burglary and the shooting. Police said shots were fired from a white Acura SUV; Rohr said he never saw the SUV. Police said they continue to investigate, and no arrests have been made.
After stopping down the block to gather his thoughts, Rohr said, he spotted a Chicago police squad car and drove up to the officers for help. He was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
A bullet entered Tim Rohr's back, went through his lung, ricocheted off his jaw and lodged in his brain, he said. - Courtesy of Lori Rohr
The bullet entered his back, went through his lung, ricocheted off his jaw and lodged in his brain, he said.
The Rohrs have been married for 27 years and have a daughter, Sophie, who started her junior year at Palatine High School the day after her father was shot. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he couldn't get visitors at the hospital, which made the experience all the more harrowing, his wife said.
He was discharged from Mount Sinai on Aug. 27 but the next day had to be hospitalized in Park Ridge due to a cerebrospinal fluid leak, for which doctors are deciding whether to intervene, the Rohrs said.
Tim Rohr has an engineering degree and worked in engineering and industrial sales until he lost his job in 2009 due to the Great Recession. He held other jobs afterward, but without stable, satisfying employment, he decided to start driving for Uber.
Working seven days a week at 60 or more hours per week, he ended up making enough money, coupled with his wife's income as an instructor for Club Pilates, the Rohrs said.
"You make the best of every situation that you can," Tim Rohr said, adding he enjoyed driving around different neighborhoods in Chicago. His wife said she worried about him getting in a car accident and the dangers of Chicago, especially lately.
The Rohrs have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act but don't know what medical bills they will be facing, along with the loss of Tim Rohr's income and Lori Rohr's reduced income due to COVID-19.
Uber driver Tim Rohr, 56, of Palatine is pictured here about two years ago with his wife, Lori, and their daughter, Sophie. - Courtesy of Lori Rohr
Friend Madeline Franklin of Palatine, who's worked with Lori Rohr at several community theaters, started a GoFundMe page that racked up about $13,000 within a day.
"The outpouring of generosity, love and concern for the Rohrs has been unbelievably amazing," Franklin said.
Tim Rohr said some days he's in better spirits than others and credited his wife for her support.
"She's always there when times are tough. It's been really a beautiful thing," he said.
A normally reserved person, he said being in the spotlight feels a bit awkward, but the GoFundMe has been a "godsend."
"It's not just about me -- it's about my wife and my daughter, and we are all in this together," he said.