dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Stay-at-home order extended through May 30; face coverings required starting May 1

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker is extending the state 's stay-at-home order through May 30 .
The governor said the move is necessary because a plateau of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is n't expected until the middle of next month .
Without the stay-at-home restrictions , death rates and hospitalizations would rise sharply beginning in a few weeks , he said , citing research from universities , public health agencies and consulting firms .
Starting May 1 , everyone will be required to wear face coverings in public places as well .
Essential businesses are required to provide protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain a 6-foot distance from co-workers or customers , under the new order .
Meanwhile , state health officials announced another 123 people had died from the coronavirus and an additional 1,826 are infected .
That brings the state 's death toll from the disease to 1,688 and the number of infections statewide to 36,934 .
As part of the stay-at-home extension , Pritzker is loosening the restrictions on businesses .
Notably , animal grooming operations along with greenhouses , gardening centers and nurseries are being allowed to reopen .
Retail stores are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services as well .
He 's also allowing state parks and golf courses to reopen `` under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity . ''
At his daily briefing Thursday , Pritzker introduced several researchers who were consulted and provided models to the governor to help guide his decision to extend the stay-at-home order .
Sergei Maslov , a professor of bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , said that without the original stay-at-home order , the state would have seen `` 20 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has recorded so far from the coronavirus .
`` In short , our models show the prompt actions by the governor and all of the population in Illinois prevented a health care disaster , '' he said .
`` But it 's not the time to let our guard down . ''
Because the number of cases the state is recording has yet to plateau , a second wave of cases could overwhelm the state 's health care system if social distancing and other precautions are n't kept in place , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April to mid-May , according to the state 's most recent projections .
`` If we discontinued effective strategies prematurely , there will be major setbacks that will cost us lives , '' said Dr. Oluwatoyin Adeyemi , a Rush University infectious disease professor .
`` We 've come too far and achieved too much to undo our progress . ''
Republicans praised the governor for adjusting the restrictions but said he did n't go far enough .
`` I am pleased this stay-at-home extension contains recommendations submitted by Senate Republicans that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small businesses , essential health care procedures and state parks , '' said Republican Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington .
`` However , downstate communities , while following the proper social distancing guidelines , are not seeing the same number of cases , but they 're suffering just the same economically . ''
While the majority of cases and deaths have occurred in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs , Pritzker scoffed at the idea of lifting the precautions for parts of the state that have n't been hit as hard by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure how to answer that , '' he said .
`` This virus knows no boundaries , folks .
No one is immune from this , no matter where they live .
We are trying to take into account the differences between population densities in one area of our state versus another . ''
More than 90 % of the confirmed cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed in residents in Cook , DuPage , Kane , Lake , McHenry and Will counties , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in these counties as well .
However , only about 1 % of the state 's population has been tested and the disease has been found in patients in 96 of the state 's 102 counties .

Stay-at-home order extended through May 30; face coverings required starting May 1
This chart provided by the governor's office shows the projections from researchers at University of Illinois and University of Chicago on when coronavirus deaths in Illinois will plateau. Courtesy of the state of Illinois
This chart provided by the governor's office shows the effect of the state's stay-at-home order on the use of ventilators, ICU beds and hospital beds under the current stay-at-home order (the first bar in each category), without a stay-at-home order (the second bar) and with the order lifted after today (the third bar). Courtesy of the state of Illinois
This chart provided by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday shows the number of COVID-19 deaths along the bottom, with the green dotted line depicted how many deaths would have occurred without the stay-at-home order. The orange dotted-line indicates how many deaths researchers say could occur if the stay-at-home order was not extended through May 30. Courtesy of the state of Illinois
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces an extension of the stay-at-home order as well as a mandatory face covering order at his daily Illinois coronavirus update Thursday at the Thompson Center. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is extending the state's stay-at-home order through May 30.
The governor said the move is necessary because a plateau of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations isn't expected until the middle of next month. Without the stay-at-home restrictions, death rates and hospitalizations would rise sharply beginning in a few weeks, he said, citing research from universities, public health agencies and consulting firms.
Starting May 1, everyone will be required to wear face coverings in public places as well.
Essential businesses are required to provide protective equipment to employees who are not able to maintain a 6-foot distance from co-workers or customers, under the new order.
Meanwhile, state health officials announced another 123 people had died from the coronavirus and an additional 1,826 are infected.
That brings the state's death toll from the disease to 1,688 and the number of infections statewide to 36,934.
As part of the stay-at-home extension, Pritzker is loosening the restrictions on businesses. Notably, animal grooming operations along with greenhouses, gardening centers and nurseries are being allowed to reopen. Retail stores are being allowed to operate delivery and pickup services as well.
He's also allowing state parks and golf courses to reopen "under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity."
And Illinoisans forced to postpone surgeries and tests so hospitals could increase capacity for COVID-19 patients will be able to begin rescheduling some of them. Both Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike declined to specify which procedures are still under a moratorium.
Before health care centers can begin performing surgeries, their officials must meet the state health department's "exact specifications," Pritzker said. Hospitals must have enough personal protective gear and ensure bed capacity is sufficient to handle new COVID-19 patients. Potential procedure recipients must also be proven to not have the virus.
At his daily briefing Thursday, Pritzker introduced several researchers who were consulted and provided models to the governor to help guide his decision to extend the stay-at-home order.
Sergei Maslov, a professor of bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said that without the original stay-at-home order, the state would have seen "20 times" the number of deaths the state has recorded so far from the coronavirus.
"In short, our models show the prompt actions by the governor and all of the population in Illinois prevented a health care disaster," he said. "But it's not the time to let our guard down."
Because the number of cases the state is recording has yet to plateau, a second wave of cases could overwhelm the state's health care system if social distancing and other precautions aren't kept in place, he said. The plateau is expected in late April to mid-May, according to the state's most recent projections.
"If we discontinued effective strategies prematurely, there will be major setbacks that will cost us lives," said Dr. Oluwatoyin Adeyemi, a Rush University infectious disease professor. "We've come too far and achieved too much to undo our progress."
Republicans praised the governor for adjusting the restrictions but said he didn't go far enough.
"I am pleased this stay-at-home extension contains recommendations submitted by Senate Republicans that will ease some of the onerous restrictions on small businesses, essential health care procedures and state parks," said Republican Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington. "However, downstate communities, while following the proper social distancing guidelines, are not seeing the same number of cases, but they're suffering just the same economically."
While the majority of cases and deaths have occurred in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, Pritzker scoffed at the idea of lifting the precautions for parts of the state that haven't been hit as hard by the virus.
"I'm not sure how to answer that," he said. "This virus knows no boundaries, folks. No one is immune from this, no matter where they live. We are trying to take into account the differences between population densities in one area of our state versus another."
More than 90% of the confirmed cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed in residents in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. And 91% of the deaths were recorded in these counties as well.
However, only about 1% of the state's population has been tested and the disease has been found in patients in 96 of the state's 102 counties.
• Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Rules for May: Face-covering requirement, more business activities, some fishing and golf

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's new executive order will include the following changes , effective May 1 : Beginning on May 1 , individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they ca n't maintain a 6-foot social distance .
Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces , such as stores .
This new requirement applies to all individuals over age 2 who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask .
Greenhouses , garden centers and nurseries can reopen as essential businesses .
They must follow social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers wear face coverings .
Animal grooming services can reopen .
Retail stores can reopen to fulfill telephone and online orders through curbside pickup and delivery even if they are not designated as essential businesses .
Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain 6 feet of social distancing , as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers .
This will include occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions such as staggering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers .
Educational institutions can establish procedures for pickup of necessary supplies or student belongings .
Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines , including social distancing .
State parks will begin reopening in phases .
Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be permitted .
Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and when ensuring social distancing is followed .

Rules for May: Face-covering requirement, more business activities, some fishing and golf
Gov. J.B. Pritzker's new executive order will include the following changes, effective May 1:
Face coverings
Beginning on May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can't maintain a 6-foot social distance. Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement applies to all individuals over age 2 who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask.
New essential businesses
Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries can reopen as essential businesses. They must follow social distancing requirements and require that employees and customers wear face coverings. Animal grooming services can reopen.
Nonessential retail
Retail stores can reopen to fulfill telephone and online orders through curbside pickup and delivery even if they are not designated as essential businesses.
Essential businesses and manufacturing:
Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain 6 feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers. This will include occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential lines for manufacturers.
Schools
Educational institutions can establish procedures for pickup of necessary supplies or student belongings. Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.
Outdoor recreation
State parks will begin reopening in phases. Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be permitted. Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and when ensuring social distancing is followed.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Big crowds on first day of COVID-19 testing facility in Aurora

A fourth state-run drive-through COVID-19 testing facility opened Thursday morning in Aurora to a long line of vehicles and reached capacity in just 4½ hours .
Aurora police said drivers in 97 cars and trucks were waiting to get tested when the facility officially opened at 8 a.m. at the Chicago Premium Outlets mall , just north of I-88 at Farnsworth Avenue .
Authorities closed the site and stopped allowing more vehicles to enter by 12:45 p.m. because the facility had reached its capacity of 600 specimens a day .
It took hours to finish testing everyone who was waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the average wait to get tested was about 2½ hours .
The Aurora site is available to anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms , such as coughing and shortness of breath , and a doctor 's permission is not required .
All health care workers and first responders can get a test regardless of symptoms , officials said .
Despite the large number of vehicles , Lewbel said there were no traffic issues on the roads around the mall .
`` Everything is within the mall 's property , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take traffic off the main road and then put it inside the mall . ''
Vehicles must enter the property from Farnsworth Avenue and use the ring road to reach the testing site , which is south of Bilter Road .
All the tests are self-administered swabs , officials said .
So each person getting tested is handed the swab and directions through their car window .
They then must swab their own nose and place the swab back in the bottle .
Once the test is completed , they leave using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and done on a first-come , first-served basis .
The facility opens daily at 8 a.m. and closes by 4 p.m. or when testing capacity is reached .
Operations at the site are managed by the Illinois National Guard with traffic management and security assistance from Aurora police .
Mayor Richard Irvin said in a statement that he 's proud to see a testing site in the state 's second largest city .
`` Testing is a key step to preventing the community spread of COVID-19 we are experiencing in Illinois and throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Aurora is proud to partner with the state of Illinois and the Illinois National Guard to host this site right here in our community . ''

Big crowds on first day of COVID-19 testing facility in Aurora
A fourth state-run drive-through COVID-19 testing facility opened Thursday morning in Aurora to a long line of vehicles and reached capacity in just 4½ hours.
Aurora police said drivers in 97 cars and trucks were waiting to get tested when the facility officially opened at 8 a.m. at the Chicago Premium Outlets mall, just north of I-88 at Farnsworth Avenue.
Authorities closed the site and stopped allowing more vehicles to enter by 12:45 p.m. because the facility had reached its capacity of 600 specimens a day. It took hours to finish testing everyone who was waiting in line.
Police spokesman Paris Lewbel said the average wait to get tested was about 2½ hours.
The Aurora site is available to anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath, and a doctor's permission is not required.
All health care workers and first responders can get a test regardless of symptoms, officials said.
Despite the large number of vehicles, Lewbel said there were no traffic issues on the roads around the mall.
"Everything is within the mall's property," he said. "It was always designed so it would take traffic off the main road and then put it inside the mall."
Vehicles must enter the property from Farnsworth Avenue and use the ring road to reach the testing site, which is south of Bilter Road.
All the tests are self-administered swabs, officials said. So each person getting tested is handed the swab and directions through their car window. They then must swab their own nose and place the swab back in the bottle.
Once the test is completed, they leave using the exit at Bilter.
Testing is free and done on a first-come, first-served basis.
The facility opens daily at 8 a.m. and closes by 4 p.m. or when testing capacity is reached.
Operations at the site are managed by the Illinois National Guard with traffic management and security assistance from Aurora police.
Mayor Richard Irvin said in a statement that he's proud to see a testing site in the state's second largest city.
"Testing is a key step to preventing the community spread of COVID-19 we are experiencing in Illinois and throughout the country," Irvin said. "Aurora is proud to partner with the state of Illinois and the Illinois National Guard to host this site right here in our community."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--'COVID toes' reported in some patients with the coronavirus

Laying waste to lives and livelihoods , dividing people in regard to `` opening up '' states and economies , the coronavirus again looks to kick us when we 're down .
Yes , COVID toes , a term given to discolored toes reported in some patients who have tested as COVID-19 positive .
`` It kind of just happens out of the blue , '' said Dr. Jill Cotseones , a dermatologist with Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital .
`` All of a sudden you 're feeling well and then you might start to develop a reddish-purplish discoloration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toe that gets maybe a little bit bigger over the next few days and then starts to involve a few of the other toes as well , '' she said .
It 's a discoloration similar to pernio , or the frost bite-like inflammation after exposure to cold environments .
Though less common , fingers and hands also may be affected .
The good news ?
In and of itself it 's not dangerous , Cotseones said .
`` The skin lesions will just kind of resolve on their own with no treatments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think what it 's signifying , especially if it is in a younger individual , they may not have any other symptoms of the virus but it means that they may have the virus so they 've really got to self-quarantine and be careful and protect that vulnerable population . ''
Cotseones has yet to see a case of COVID toes , initially linked to the coronavirus in data from China and Italy where COVID-19 first struck .
But there is mounting evidence in the United States .
Other skin conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus -- hives ; a netlike red rash called livedo reticularis ; a chickenpox-like eruption ; and petechiae , red speckles normally seen in people with low platelets .
Doctors caution that the presence of a skin condition does not necessarily indicate the patient has the coronavirus .
In a Today.com article , without dismissing a relationship , Temple University 's Dr. Tracey Vlahovic said there 's currently not a `` one-to-one correlation '' between toe discoloration and COVID-19 .
With any information potentially valuable to battle this mysterious , evolving pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toes are grabbing the attention of the dermatology community , including a registry of associated skin manifestations on the American Academy of Dermatology website .
`` There 's definitely cases in the United States , '' said Cotseones , noting that this one seems specific to COVID-19 .
These lesions -- more common in children and adolescents , the University of Pennsylvania 's Dr. Misha Rosenbach notes in an AAD article , do not indicate the severity of the illness nor are they a predictor of hospitalization .
COVID toes do seem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and may be the only symptoms a person presents .
Because of that , it should be evaluated by a physician or dermatologist -- particularly if they persist or worsen , Cotseones said .
`` I would love it if the people would reach out to a physician and ideally get tested , '' she said .
`` If it 's something that 's persisting , it absolutely needs to be investigated by a doctor and we need to rule out other things , like autoimmune diseases or vascular disease .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` so I just want people to know that although , yes , right now we 're going through this COVID pandemic , I do n't want them to just think their toes are automatically related to that .
They definitely need to be evaluated by a doctor . ''

'COVID toes' reported in some patients with the coronavirus
The good news about COVID toes? In and of itself, it's not dangerous. Courtesy Dr. Amy Paller, Northwestern University
COVID toes is a discoloration similar to pernio, or the frost bite-like inflammation after exposure to cold. Courtesy of Dr. Amy Paller, Northwestern University
Just great.
Laying waste to lives and livelihoods, dividing people in regard to "opening up" states and economies, the coronavirus again looks to kick us when we're down.
With COVID toes.
Yes, COVID toes, a term given to discolored toes reported in some patients who have tested as COVID-19 positive.
"It kind of just happens out of the blue," said Dr. Jill Cotseones, a dermatologist with Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital.
"All of a sudden you're feeling well and then you might start to develop a reddish-purplish discoloration, like a tiny little spot on the toe that gets maybe a little bit bigger over the next few days and then starts to involve a few of the other toes as well," she said.
It's a discoloration similar to pernio, or the frost bite-like inflammation after exposure to cold environments. Though less common, fingers and hands also may be affected.
The good news? In and of itself it's not dangerous, Cotseones said.
"The skin lesions will just kind of resolve on their own with no treatments at all," she said. "I think what it's signifying, especially if it is in a younger individual, they may not have any other symptoms of the virus but it means that they may have the virus so they've really got to self-quarantine and be careful and protect that vulnerable population."
Cotseones has yet to see a case of COVID toes, initially linked to the coronavirus in data from China and Italy where COVID-19 first struck. But there is mounting evidence in the United States.
Other skin conditions are being reported in relation to the virus -- hives; a netlike red rash called livedo reticularis; a chickenpox-like eruption; and petechiae, red speckles normally seen in people with low platelets. Doctors caution that the presence of a skin condition does not necessarily indicate the patient has the coronavirus.
In a Today.com article, without dismissing a relationship, Temple University's Dr. Tracey Vlahovic said there's currently not a "one-to-one correlation" between toe discoloration and COVID-19.
With any information potentially valuable to battle this mysterious, evolving pandemic, everything is on the table. COVID toes are grabbing the attention of the dermatology community, including a registry of associated skin manifestations on the American Academy of Dermatology website.
"There's definitely cases in the United States," said Cotseones, noting that this one seems specific to COVID-19.
These lesions -- more common in children and adolescents, the University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Misha Rosenbach notes in an AAD article, do not indicate the severity of the illness nor are they a predictor of hospitalization.
COVID toes do seem to precede other symptoms of the virus, and may be the only symptoms a person presents. Because of that, it should be evaluated by a physician or dermatologist -- particularly if they persist or worsen, Cotseones said.
"I would love it if the people would reach out to a physician and ideally get tested," she said.
"If it's something that's persisting, it absolutely needs to be investigated by a doctor and we need to rule out other things, like autoimmune diseases or vascular disease.
"There's other causes," she said, "so I just want people to know that although, yes, right now we're going through this COVID pandemic, I don't want them to just think their toes are automatically related to that. They definitely need to be evaluated by a doctor."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--How a Geneva family turned their nightly dinners at home into a themed occasion

Stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic , the McCall family of Geneva has made the most of their time together by dressing up as a different cast of characters every night , ranging from `` The Breakfast Club '' and `` Scooby-Doo '' to superheroes and iconic rockers .
Then , after capturing their ensembles in a family photo , they 'd sit down to a carefully planned meal based on their chosen theme .
The elaborate dinners began March 30 when 6-year-old Lyla asked if she could wear her fancy white dress to dinner .
Already in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyla 's mom , Lindsey , dug out her mother 's old wedding gown while the rest of the family got dressed up for a mock Italian wedding reception , complete with an after-dinner dance party .
The next morning , Lyla and her 4-year-old brother , Sidney , asked what their dinner plans would entail that evening .
So the McCalls brought out their animal print , made carnival food and built their night around watching the buzzworthy Netflix documentary , `` Tiger King . ''
The ideas snowballed from there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themes that were feasible using only clothing and props from around the house : `` Star Wars , '' `` Pee-Wee 's Playhouse , '' Michael Jackson through the decades .
`` We had started these dinners just to kind of keep the kids occupied , '' Lindsey said .
`` It was that little bit of structure that the kids really liked . ''
But it also became a welcome distraction for Lindsey and her husband , Ryan , who have been trying to navigate the effects of the global health crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsey 's sister , Marissa Jenniches , who recently moved to the area , also participated in the nightly dinners ; she and Ryan were the creative eyes behind the family photo shoots .
`` In the midst of all this chaos that 's been going on ... it was just ( a few ) hours of the night where we could forget about all that stuff and spend time as a family , '' Lindsey said .
The McCalls would start getting ready at 5 p.m. each night , picking out clothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces .
They certainly had their creative differences from time to time , Lindsey said , laughing .
But they always found the perfect details to complete their collective look .
The dinners required some imagination , too .
When they dressed as characters from `` Grease , '' they transformed their kitchen into the `` McCall Frosty Palace , '' serving Rydell Beyond Burgers , Sandy 's sweet potato fries and Frenchy 's strawberry milkshakes .
On '80s aerobics night , the meal consisted of some of the decade 's most defining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Cheez Whiz .
It was n't long before the family 's photos started gaining social media attention from friends , relatives and complete strangers who followed every post , Lindsey said .
Some started themed dinners with their own families .
Wanting to end on a high note , the McCalls held their last major theme night Sunday based on `` The Wizard of Oz '' -- a bittersweet ending , Lindsey said .
But they 've continued to organize nightly activities on a smaller scale , such as a campfire on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ravinia-style picnic on Wednesday .
`` It 's just something fun that we did as a family , '' Lindsey said , `` and it 's brought a lot of inspiration to other people . ''

How a Geneva family turned their nightly dinners at home into a themed occasion
Using props and outfits around the house, the McCall family of Geneva dresses up like the cast of "Scooby-Doo" for one of their nightly themed dinners. Courtesy of the McCall family
Stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, the McCall family of Geneva started planning elaborate themed dinners every night, complete with coordinating costumes, props and food. Here, Lindsey and Ryan McCall, center; their 6-year-old daughter, Lyla; 4-year-old son, Sidney; and Lindsey's sister, Marissa Jenniches, left, dress up as characters from "The Breakfast Club." Courtesy of the McCall family
Twenty-one days. Twenty-one themed dinners. Twenty-one sets of coordinating costumes, props and activities.
Stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, the McCall family of Geneva has made the most of their time together by dressing up as a different cast of characters every night, including those from "The Breakfast Club" and "Scooby-Doo" as well as superheroes and iconic rockers. Then, after capturing their ensembles in a family photo, they sit down to a carefully planned meal based on their chosen theme.
Hair dye, band T-shirts and heavy eyeliner were integral in the McCall family's punk-themed dinner one night this month. - Courtesy of the McCall family
The elaborate dinners began March 30 when 6-year-old Lyla asked if she could wear her fancy white dress to dinner. Already in the midst of preparing an Italian meal, Lyla's mom, Lindsey, dug out her mother's old wedding gown while the rest of the family got dressed up for a mock Italian wedding reception, complete with an after-dinner dance party.
The next morning, Lyla and her 4-year-old brother, Sidney, asked what their dinner plans would entail that evening. So the McCalls brought out their animal print, made carnival food and built their night around watching the buzzworthy Netflix documentary "Tiger King."
The ideas snowballed from there, and they soon had a list of themes that were feasible using only clothing and props from around the house: "Star Wars," "Pee-wee's Playhouse," Michael Jackson through the decades.
"We had started these dinners just to kind of keep the kids occupied," Lindsey said. "It was that little bit of structure that the kids really liked."
Lindsey McCall, center, and her family dressed up as characters from the 1980s TV show "Pee-Wee's Playhouse." - Courtesy of the McCall family
But it also became a welcome distraction for Lindsey and her husband, Ryan, who have been trying to navigate the effects of the global health crisis on their family dentistry in Geneva. Lindsey's sister, Marissa Jenniches, who recently moved to the area, also participated in the nightly dinners; she and Ryan were the creative eyes behind the family photo shoots.
"In the midst of all this chaos that's been going on ... it was just (a few) hours of the night where we could forget about all that stuff and spend time as a family," Lindsey said.
On the night of their "Grease" dinner, the McCall family transformed their kitchen into a diner and served Rydell Beyond Burgers, Sandy's sweet potato fries and Frenchy's strawberry milkshakes. - Courtesy of the McCall family
The McCalls would start getting ready at 5 p.m. each night, picking out clothing, styling their hair, painting their faces. They certainly had their creative differences from time to time, Lindsey said, laughing. But they always found the perfect details to complete their collective look.
The dinners required some imagination, too. When they dressed as characters from "Grease," they transformed their kitchen into the "McCall Frosty Palace," serving Rydell Beyond Burgers, Sandy's sweet potato fries and Frenchy's strawberry milkshakes. On '80s aerobics night, the meal consisted of some of the decade's most defining foods: sloppy joes, Ore-Ida fries and Cheez Whiz.
The themed dinners organized by the McCall family for three weeks straight started March 30 with a mock Italian wedding reception. Six-year-old Lyla wanted to wear her fancy white dress, so her mom, Lindsey, center, dug out an old wedding gown and cooked an elaborate Italian meal. Lindsey's husband, Ryan; son, Sidney; and sister, Marissa Jenniches also dressed up for the occasion. - Courtesy of the McCall family
It wasn't long before the family's photos started gaining social media attention from friends, relatives and complete strangers who followed every post, Lindsey said. Some started themed dinners with their own families.
Wanting to end on a high note, the McCalls held their last major theme night Sunday based on "The Wizard of Oz" -- a bittersweet ending, Lindsey said. But they've continued to organize nightly activities on a smaller scale, such as a campfire on Monday and a streamed concert with a Ravinia-style picnic on Wednesday.
"It's just something fun that we did as a family," Lindsey said, "and it's brought a lot of inspiration to other people."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Suburban Chicago closing in on Georgia for number of COVID-19 deaths

We broke down COVID-19 statistics available April 22 and came up with some interesting comparisons : • If the Chicago suburbs were a state , it would have the 11th highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation .
Total suburban deaths of 829 would come in just under Georgia 's total of 848 .
( Suburban Chicago 's population is 6,116,000 ; Georgia 's is 3,992,681 . )
• If Cook County were a state , it would have the ninth highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation .
Cook County 's 1,072 deaths would total 145 more than Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population is 5,180,493 ; while Florida 's is 21,990,000 . )
• If the Chicago metro area were a state , it would have the ninth highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation .
Chicago metro 's 1,433 deaths would come in just under California 's total of 1,440 .
( Chicago metro 's population is 8,865,000 ; California 's population is 39,500,000 . )
• If the Cook County suburbs were a state , it would have the 18th highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation .
Suburban Cook County 's 468 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 508 .
( Suburban Cook 's population is 2,431,493 ; Colorado 's population is 5,029,196 . )
• If Chicago were a state , it would have the 17th highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation .
Chicago 's 604 deaths would come in about the same as Ohio 's 610 .
( Chicago population is 2,749,000 ; Ohio 's population is 11,750,000 . )
• Eighteen states have fewer deaths than Will County ( 110 ) .
• Sixteen states have fewer deaths than Lake County ( which has the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Suburban Chicago closing in on Florida for number of COVID-19 deaths
An interactive map on the Daily Herald's website allows searches of COVID-19 case numbers by ZIP code. You can try it at the bottom of this article.
We broke down COVID-119 statistics available April 23 and came up with some interesting comparisons:
• If the Chicago suburbs were a state, it would have the 11th-highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation. Total suburban deaths of 902 would come in under Florida's total of 987. (Suburban Chicago's population is 6,116,000; Florida's is 21,990,000.)
• If Cook County were a state, it would have the 10th-highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation. Cook County's 1,142 deaths would total 155 more than Florida's 987. (Cook County's population is 5,180,493; while Florida's is 21,990,000.)
• If the Chicago metro area were a state, it would have the ninth-highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation. Chicago metro's 1,543 deaths would come in just over California's total of 1,512. (Chicago metro's population is 8,865,000; California's population is 39,500,000.)
• If the Cook County suburbs were a state, it would have the 17th-highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation. Suburban Cook County's 501 deaths would come in 40 below Colorado's 552. (Suburban Cook's population is 2,431,493; Colorado's population is 5,029,196.)
• If Chicago were a state, it would have the 15th-highest COVID-19 death toll in the nation. Chicago's 641 deaths would come in just under Ohio's 656. (Chicago population is 2,749,000; Ohio's population is 11,750,000.)
• 19 states have fewer deaths than DuPage County (118).
• 19 states have fewer deaths than Will County (119).
• 18 states have fewer deaths than Lake County (98).
Interactive map


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--April 23 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

• Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below .
• As of Thursday , suburban Cook County had 10,738 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 501 deaths , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 15,073 cases and 641 fatalities .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health listed 514 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines , 228 cases in Glenview , 171 in Mount Prospect , 148 in Wheeling , 130 in Palatine , 118 in Park Ridge , 123 in Streamwood , 117 in Schaumburg , 110 in Arlington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 72 in Elk Grove Village , 55 in Rolling Meadows , 52 in Prospect Heights , and 40 in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
• The Lake County Health Department lists 2,578 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 98 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Thursday .
• Cases in some Lake County towns : 725 to 729 in Waukegan and 20 to 24 in unincorporated areas of Waukegan ; 85 to 89 in Gurnee and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas of Gurnee ; 60 to 64 in Round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas of Round Lake ; 75 to 79 in Mundelein and 10 to 14 in unincorporated areas of Mundelein ; 30 to 34 in Libertyville and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas of Libertyville ; 50 to 54 in Vernon Hills and less than five in unincorporated areas ; 20 to 24 in Grayslake and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas of Grayslake ; 35 to 39 in Wauconda and five to nine in unincorporated areas of Wauconda ; 35 to 39 in Buffalo Grove and less than five in unincorporated areas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and 30 to 34 in Lake Zurich and less than five in unincorporated Lake Zurich ; and 15 to 19 in Lake Villa and 15 to 19 in unincorporated Lake Villa .
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 2,075 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 118 deaths on its coronavirus website Thursday .
• Cases per suburb include 159 in Addison , 146 in Naperville ( DuPage portion ) , 141 in Bensenville , 139 in Carol Stream , 108 each in Elmhurst and Glendale Heights , 106 in Lombard , 88 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 68 in Downers Grove , and 65 in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) .
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 902 cases of COVID-19 with 39 deaths on its website Thursday at kanehealth.com .
• Cases per town include 367 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 172 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 55 in St. Charles , 37 in Geneva , 31 each in Batavia and South Elgin , 23 in North Aurora , 14 in Gilberts , and 10 in Sugar Grove .
• There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department 's website Thursday .
• There have been 1,885 cases of COVID-19 and 119 deaths , according to the Will County Health Department 's website Thursday .
• Cases per town include 134 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) , and 16 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

April 23 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website, shown here at the end of March, that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Interactive map
• Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below.
Cook County
• As of Thursday, suburban Cook County had 10,738 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 501 deaths, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 15,073 cases and 641 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health listed 514 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines, 228 cases in Glenview, 171 in Mount Prospect, 148 in Wheeling, 130 in Palatine, 118 in Park Ridge, 123 in Streamwood, 117 in Schaumburg, 110 in Arlington Heights, 97 in Hoffman Estates, 72 in Elk Grove Village, 55 in Rolling Meadows, 52 in Prospect Heights, and 40 in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department lists 2,578 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 98 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Thursday.
• Cases in some Lake County towns: 725 to 729 in Waukegan and 20 to 24 in unincorporated areas of Waukegan; 85 to 89 in Gurnee and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas of Gurnee; 60 to 64 in Round Lake and 35 to 39 in unincorporated areas of Round Lake; 75 to 79 in Mundelein and 10 to 14 in unincorporated areas of Mundelein; 30 to 34 in Libertyville and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas of Libertyville; 50 to 54 in Vernon Hills and less than five in unincorporated areas; 20 to 24 in Grayslake and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas of Grayslake; 35 to 39 in Wauconda and five to nine in unincorporated areas of Wauconda; 35 to 39 in Buffalo Grove and less than five in unincorporated areas of Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion); and 30 to 34 in Lake Zurich and less than five in unincorporated Lake Zurich; and 15 to 19 in Lake Villa and 15 to 19 in unincorporated Lake Villa.
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 2,075 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 118 deaths on its coronavirus website Thursday.
• Cases per suburb include 159 in Addison, 146 in Naperville (DuPage portion), 141 in Bensenville, 139 in Carol Stream, 108 each in Elmhurst and Glendale Heights, 106 in Lombard, 88 in Willowbrook, 89 in West Chicago, 68 in Downers Grove, and 65 in Aurora (DuPage County portion).
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 902 cases of COVID-19 with 39 deaths on its website Thursday at kanehealth.com.
• Cases per town include 367 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 172 in Elgin (Kane portion), 55 in St. Charles, 37 in Geneva, 31 each in Batavia and South Elgin, 23 in North Aurora, 14 in Gilberts, and 10 in Sugar Grove.
McHenry County
• There are 437 cases of COVID-19 and 27 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department's website Thursday.
Will County
• There have been 1,885 cases of COVID-19 and 119 deaths, according to the Will County Health Department's website Thursday.
• Cases per town include 134 in Naperville (Will County portion), and 16 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Golf courses to open in Illinois May 1

Golf courses to open in Illinois May 1

Dust off those clubs and wash those Titleists , everybody .
Because golf will be open for business in Illinois @ @ @ @ @ are still being worked out , but according to a release sent out by Gov @ @ @ @ @ afternoon , courses can operate `` under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department @ @ @ @ @ ( DCEO ) . ''
We are expecting more information soon from Carrie Williams , @ @ @ @ @ Illinois PGA .

Golf courses to open in Illinois May 1
Golf courses across the state are expected to open with restrictions May 1, according to the governor. Daily Herald File Photo
Dust off those clubs and wash those balls, everybody.
Because golf will be open for business in Illinois, beginning May 1.
Details are still being worked out, but according to a release sent out by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Thursday afternoon, courses will be able to operate "under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)."
"The Allied Golf Associations of Illinois are thrilled that the governor's office has seen fit to reintroduce golf in a safe manner," Carrie Williams, the Executive Director of the Illinois PGA, told the Daily Herald in a phone interview. "As a group of associations that administer and support the game, we trust the governor's office and the stable of experts they have on hand to determine how golf could be reallowed with minimum touch points and minimum concern about the spread of (corona)virus."
Williams said the Allied Golf Associations of Illinois provided the governor's office with information of how neighboring states were allowing their residents to golf.
Restrictions on golf are likely to include a mix of the following at first:
• Walking only
• Standard tee time intervals of approximately 10 minutes.
• All payments will be made online
• No access to clubhouses
In addition to golf courses, state parks will begin a phased reopening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing and boating will be permitted, as long as there are not more than two people in a group.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Emergency dispatchers to sue Cook County for COVID-19 info

The Northwest Central Dispatch System plans to go to court Friday to try to get the Cook County Department of Public Health to release information on confirmed COVID-19 patients in the Northwest suburbs .
The anticipated filing of a temporary restraining order in Cook County circuit court follows an unsuccessful lobbying effort by the Arlington Heights-based dispatch system and elected officials in some of its 11 member communities .
But Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle turned down the request , while a resolution to provide addresses of COVID-19 patients sponsored by 14th District Commissioner Scott Britton of Glenview and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to committee Thursday .
That resolution earned letters of support from mayors and village presidents in Arlington Heights , Buffalo Grove , Palatine and Wheeling .
`` NWCDS truly had hoped that the County Board would take action to facilitate the release of the COVID-19 information to NWCDS at that meeting , '' dispatch system officials said in a news release .
`` Because the Cook County Board did not act to release COVID-19 information to the 911 center , NWCDS is moving forward with its legal action on April 24 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a judge . ''
Officials from the dispatch system , which answers 911 calls for police and fire departments in the Northwest suburbs , argue that having information on coronavirus patients would increase the safety precautions paramedics , police and firefighters take before they arrive on emergency calls .
Dispatchers planned to enter the information into their computer-aided dispatch system as `` premise warnings '' when sending police or fire responders to an address , but vowed to remove the information after an agreed amount of time .
In a conference call with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county health department 's decision to withhold information on COVID-19 patients .
`` My personal position had been that we should follow Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines , '' Preckwinkle said .
`` My understanding is that those guidelines suggested that our first responders should assume that any residence that they go to is possibly infected by COVID-19 since 80 % of the people who get the disease have either mild symptoms or are asymptomatic . ''
That 's a similar view to that of the McHenry County Health Department , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients until McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim and four police departments sued earlier this month .
A judge ruled that the names should be provided , but must be kept confidential and purged from the 911 dispatch system seven days after the health department deems a patient no longer contagious .
Lake County Health Department officials also have opted not to provide patient information to police and first responders .
Cook County Corporation Counsel Laura Lechowicz Felicione said the county had yet to be served with a lawsuit , but she is already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's attorney 's office on a formal response .

Emergency dispatchers to sue Cook County for COVID-19 info
The Northwest Central Dispatch System plans to go to court Friday to try to get the Cook County Department of Public Health to release information on confirmed COVID-19 patients in the Northwest suburbs.
The anticipated filing of a temporary restraining order in Cook County circuit court follows an unsuccessful lobbying effort by the Arlington Heights-based dispatch system and elected officials in some of its 11 member communities.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle turned down the request, while a resolution to provide addresses of COVID-19 patients sponsored by 14th District Commissioner Scott Britton of Glenview and five other county board members was sent to committee Thursday. That resolution earned letters of support from mayors and village presidents in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine and Wheeling.
"NWCDS truly had hoped that the County Board would take action to facilitate the release of the COVID-19 information to NWCDS at that meeting," dispatch system officials said in a news release. "Because the Cook County Board did not act to release COVID-19 information to the 911 center, NWCDS is moving forward with its legal action on April 24, 2020, and will request a hearing with a judge."
Officials from the dispatch system, which answers 911 calls for police and fire departments in the Northwest suburbs, argue that having information on coronavirus patients would increase the safety precautions paramedics, police and firefighters take before they arrive on emergency calls. Dispatchers planned to enter the information into their computer-aided dispatch system as "premise warnings" when sending police or fire responders to an address, but vowed to remove the information after an agreed amount of time.
In a conference call with reporters late Thursday afternoon, Preckwinkle defended the county health department's decision to withhold information on COVID-19 patients.
"My personal position had been that we should follow Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines," Preckwinkle said. "My understanding is that those guidelines suggested that our first responders should assume that any residence that they go to is possibly infected by COVID-19 since 80% of the people who get the disease have either mild symptoms or are asymptomatic."
That's a similar view to that of the McHenry County Health Department, which declined to provide names of COVID-19 patients until McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim and four police departments sued earlier this month. A judge ruled that the names should be provided but must be kept confidential and purged from the 911 dispatch system seven days after the health department deems a patient no longer contagious.
Lake County Health Department officials also have opted not to provide patient information to police and first responders.
Cook County Corporation Counsel Laura Lechowicz Felicione said the county had yet to be served with a lawsuit but she is already coordinating with the health department and state's attorney's office on a formal response.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--'Mundelein Strong' T-shirts raise $1,050 for food banks

Mundelein residents with a desire to give back partnered with a local screen printer to raise $ 1,050 in a little more than two weeks selling apparel emblazoned with the phrase `` Mundelein Strong . ''
Martijn Loerakker said the money from the first run of T-shirts and hoodies went to local food banks .
`` In one way it 's not a lot , but in another way it is meaningful to those who need it , '' Loerakker said Thursday .
He said $ 300 went to the Fremont Township Food Pantry and $ 750 went to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 120 and The Chapel in Mundelein to provide meals to area students who normally receive free or reduced price lunches at school .
Loerakker said he was driving last month when he saw Ultimate Screen-Printing and the idea struck him .
`` I thought it would be an opportunity to put something together , '' he said .
Matt Hermestross , who runs the company started more than 40 years ago by his father , said he liked Loerakker 's idea and soon they had a design finalized and an online store set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emily , and their daughter Remy , a sophomore at Mundelein High School , helped get the word out on Facebook .
About 150 orders came in during the first round of sales from March 31 to April 15 .
Hermestross said the company just finished making all the apparel Thursday and will be getting it out to customers in the coming week .
Loerakker said he hopes there is more demand for shirts so he and Hermestross can reopen the online store .
Those interested in buying a shirt can reach out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subject line : mundeleinstrong .

'Mundelein Strong' T-shirts raise $1,050 for food banks
The Loerakker family of Mundelein poses with a banner bearing the "Mundelein Strong" slogan that is emblazoned on apparel sold to raise money for local food banks. From left are Emily, daughters Maika and Remy, and Martijn. Courtesy of Jackie Johns/Photography by Jackie
Mundelein residents with a desire to give back partnered with a local screen printer to raise $1,050 in a little more than two weeks.
Martijn Loerakker said the money from the first run of T-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with the phrase "Mundelein Strong" went to local food banks.
"In one way it's not a lot, but in another way it is meaningful to those who need it," Loerakker said Thursday.
He said $300 went to the Fremont Township Food Pantry and $750 went to the program run by Mundelein High School District 120 and The Chapel in Mundelein to provide meals to area students who normally receive free or reduced price lunches at school.
Loerakker said he was driving last month when he saw Ultimate Screen-Printing and the idea struck him.
"I thought it would be an opportunity to put something together," he said.
Matt Hermestross, who runs the company started more than 40 years ago by his father, said he liked Loerakker's idea, and soon they had a design finalized and an online store set up.
Loerakker said his wife, Emily, and their daughter Remy, a sophomore at Mundelein High School, helped get the word out on Facebook.
About 150 orders came in during the first round of sales from March 31 to April 15. Hermestross said the company just finished making all the apparel Thursday and will be getting it out to customers in the coming week.
Loerakker said he hopes there is more demand for shirts so he and Hermestross can reopen the online store. Those interested in buying a shirt can reach out to him at maeloerakker@gmail.com with the subject line: mundeleinstrong.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Lawsuit accuses District 300 of negligence after cheerleader was injured in stunt

Parents of a former Jacobs High School student have sued Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 for damages , arguing their daughter was severely injured while doing a cheerleading `` flyer stunt '' because coaches failed to provide adequate safety protection .
The girl , who was 14 when she was injured in 2019 , suffered a concussion that has led to chronic headaches , visual disturbances and cognitive difficulties , her attorneys Jeffrey and Shauna Martin said this week .
The girl went from being a normal high school student to being in isolation with a home tutor ; light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to wear therapeutic glasses to shield her from light , the attorneys said .
The injury occurred Aug. 28 , 2019 , while cheerleaders were working on the stunt in which two cheerleaders attempt to lift a cheerleader to shoulder height or above their heads .
A spotter or `` safety ring '' of cheerleaders is supposed to be in place to guard against a fall .
According to Jeffrey Martin and the lawsuit , which was filed in Kane County this month , the safety ring was not present , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a thin blue mat .
The lawsuit argued the girl had attempted `` flyer stunts '' during eight practices before the fall .
In each of the previous practices , the girl failed to complete the stunt but never hit the ground because there was a safety ring in place to catch her , according to the suit .
`` Given this cheerleading group 's inability to successfully complete the stunt previously and knowing that ( she ) fell before , the cheerleading coaching staff demonstrated a conscious indifference to ( her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety ring of girls present , '' Jeffrey Martin said .
District 300 spokesman Anthony McGinn said the district does not comment on pending litigation .
The two sides are next due in court July 2 and the family seeks unspecified damages .

Lawsuit accuses District 300 of negligence after cheerleader was injured in stunt
Parents of a former Jacobs High School student have sued Community Unit School Distict 300 for damages, arguing their daughter was severely injured in August 2019 doing a cheerleading "flyer stunt" and coaches failed to have a ring of her fellow cheerleaders to catch her. Getty Images stock photo
Parents of a former Jacobs High School student have sued Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 for damages, arguing their daughter was severely injured while doing a cheerleading "flyer stunt" because coaches failed to provide adequate safety protection.
The girl, who was 14 when she was injured in 2019, suffered a concussion that has led to chronic headaches, visual disturbances and cognitive difficulties, her attorneys, Jeffrey and Shauna Martin, said this week.
District 300 spokesman Anthony McGinn said the district does not comment on pending litigation.
The girl went from being a normal high school student to being in isolation with a home tutor; light and noise can trigger headaches and she has to wear therapeutic glasses to shield her from light, the attorneys said.
The injury occurred Aug. 28, 2019, while cheerleaders were working on the stunt in which two cheerleaders attempt to lift a cheerleader to shoulder height or above their heads. A spotter or "safety ring" of cheerleaders is supposed to be in place to guard against a fall.
According to Jeffrey Martin and the lawsuit, which was filed in Kane County this month, the safety ring was not present, and the girl fell and struck her head on a thin blue mat.
The lawsuit argued the girl had attempted "flyer stunts" during eight practices before the fall. In each of the previous practices, the girl failed to complete the stunt but never hit the ground because there was a safety ring in place to catch her, according to the suit.
"Given this cheerleading group's inability to successfully complete the stunt previously and knowing that (she) fell before, the cheerleading coaching staff demonstrated a conscious indifference to (her) safety by failing to have a safety ring of girls present," Jeffrey Martin said.
The two sides are next due in court July 2 and the family seeks unspecified damages.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Their Life's Work: Knife sharpener tries to keep his edge during pandemic

Nearly everyone was wearing masks , including Dave Nells , who runs Sharpening by Dave from a van with his wife , Amanda .
As one of just a few vendors spaced a safe distance apart in the Palatine Metra parking lot , he set up shop during the final Saturday of the town 's winter farmers market .
The business thrives in the spring from farmers markets , gardening center/club events , Easter and Passover events .
But most of them have been canceled .
Sharpening by Dave started 20 years ago and has quite a reach .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Brookfield north to Racine , Wisconsin , and from Huntley east to Lake Michigan .
Since the stay-at-home order was issued , Nells is banking on all of the home cooks and gardeners will need their implements given a good edge .
The Lindenhurst residents dropped the 10-item requirement for house calls in Lake County .
Other customers need 10 items per visit , but they encourage neighbors to bundle their items .
All safety features are in place : masks , distancing , sanitizing items .
At house calls , customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call or a text when the job is done .
Nells says he plans to be at Palatine 's summer market , which begins May 2 .
`` I know we are not in this alone .
We will continue to adapt to our new normal .
I hope that people can see that we are still open for their sharpening needs , '' he said .
• Do you know of a suburban small business with a compelling story to tell about working through the pandemic ?
Send photo director Jeff Knox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the subject line at jknox @ dailyherald.com , and we 'll consider it .

Their Life's Work: Knife sharpener tries to keep his edge during pandemic
Nearly everyone was wearing masks, including Dave Nells, who runs Sharpening by Dave from a van with his wife, Amanda.
As one of just a few vendors spaced a safe distance apart in the Palatine Metra parking lot, he set up shop during the final Saturday of the town's winter farmers market.
The business thrives in the spring from farmers markets, gardening center/club events, Easter and Passover events.
But most of them have been canceled.
Sharpening by Dave started 20 years ago and has quite a reach. From their two vans, they serve customers from Brookfield north to Racine, Wisconsin, and from Huntley east to Lake Michigan.
Since the stay-at-home order was issued, Nells is banking on all of the home cooks and gardeners will need their implements given a good edge.
The Lindenhurst residents dropped the 10-item requirement for house calls in Lake County. Other customers need 10 items per visit, but they encourage neighbors to bundle their items.
All safety features are in place: masks, distancing, sanitizing items.
At house calls, customers leave their items outside and get a call or a text when the job is done.
Nells says he plans to be at Palatine's summer market, which begins May 2.
"I know we are not in this alone. We will continue to adapt to our new normal. I hope that people can see that we are still open for their sharpening needs," he said.
• Do you know of a suburban small business with a compelling story to tell about working through the pandemic? Send photo director Jeff Knox a detailed email with LIFE'S WORK in the subject line at jknox@dailyherald.com, and we'll consider it.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Feder: John Kass apologizes for media 'doing just fine' comment

John Kass , the Chicago Tribune 's most prominent columnist , says he knows he raised the ire of media colleagues with what they viewed as an attack on their beleaguered profession .
And now he 's sorry for that .
`` Unlike the tens of millions of Americans who have lost their jobs , America 's cultural elites , in politics , government and media , are doing just fine during the coronavirus shutdown , '' Kass wrote in his Thursday column headlined : `` Just think about the guy in line at the food pantry . ''
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own newspaper -- took Kass to task on social media for saying they 're `` doing just fine '' only days after Tribune Publishing announced another wave of companywide furloughs , salary reductions and staff cutbacks .
Kass acknowledged that his phrasing of `` media elites '' had angered colleagues .
`` I am truly sorry I was not clear , '' he told me in an email .
`` I was referring to myself as a columnist who has the luxury of working from home , and to the TV talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sampling of the criticism and more at robertfeder.com .

Feder: John Kass apologizes for media 'doing just fine' comment
John Kass, the Chicago Tribune's most prominent columnist, says he knows he raised the ire of media colleagues with what they viewed as an attack on their beleaguered profession. And now he's sorry for that.
"Unlike the tens of millions of Americans who have lost their jobs, America's cultural elites, in politics, government and media, are doing just fine during the coronavirus shutdown," Kass wrote in his Thursday column headlined: "Just think about the guy in line at the food pantry."
A chorus of journalists -- including some from his own newspaper -- took Kass to task on social media for saying they're "doing just fine" only days after Tribune Publishing announced another wave of companywide furloughs, salary reductions and staff cutbacks.
Kass acknowledged that his phrasing of "media elites" had angered colleagues.
"I am truly sorry I was not clear," he told me in an email. "I was referring to myself as a columnist who has the luxury of working from home, and to the TV talking heads, politicians and bureaucrats.
See a sampling of the criticism and more at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Illinois rents refrigerated trailers as COVID-19 morgue contingency

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois has rented refrigerated semitrailer trucks to store the bodies of COVID-19 victims in case morgues become filled to capacity .
The `` more than 20 '' trailers rented by the state thus far are `` part of the state 's response to expand mortuary capacity , '' IEMA spokeswoman Rebecca Clark said in an email .
`` These structures are being retrofitted for medical examiners throughout the state should a need arise , '' she said .
Clark said 12 counties -- Bureau , Champaign , Hamilton , Kane , Kankakee , LaSalle , Lee , Piatt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williamson -- have requested trailers be `` pre-positioned in the event there is a need . ''
The state rented at least 10 trailers from Cooling Concepts LLC , located in Belleville , according to a Tuesday invoice published on the comptroller 's office 's running total of state COVID-19-related expenditures .
The invoice of $ 29,137.02 is for the `` rental of 10 refrigerator trailers for COVID-19 response . ''
Don White , vice president of business development at Cooling Concepts , said in an email that the privacy policy built into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it from disclosing information on the matter .
He added that Cooling Concepts `` specializes in equipment for food delivery , food storage , and pharmaceutical delivery , and pharmaceutical storage . ''
Cook County , which had recorded 1,142 of the state 's 1,688 COVID-19 deaths as of Thursday , already has refrigerated trailers of its own .
An April 9 news release said the county acquired 14 refrigerated trailers and was in the process of securing six more to support a refrigerated warehouse that can hold more than 2,000 decedents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at hospitals experiencing surges so their morgues are not overwhelmed , according to the release .
`` We do not anticipate needing any space beyond what we have already acquired , '' said Natalia Derevyanny , a county spokesperson .
Refrigerated trailers have been used by hospitals in states such as New York , Massachusetts and Tennessee as overflow morgue capacity .
As of Thursday , according to Illinois Department of Public Health data , Will County has recorded Illinois ' second-most total deaths from COVID-19 with 119 , followed by DuPage County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Remaining counties have recorded fewer than 40 each .
A model released by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's administration on Thursday shows peak deaths are projected to be between 50 and 150 per day from now through the first week in May .
Over the past week , Illinois has twice seen 125 deaths in a day , its largest daily increase .
Thursday 's reported death toll was 123 .

Illinois rents refrigerated trailers as COVID-19 morgue contingency
A refrigerated semitrailer truck from Cooling Concepts LLC is seen in a 2017 promotional video. The state rented 10 trailers from the Belleville company to be used as overflow morgue capacity for COVID-19 victims. Cooling Concepts LLC, screenshot via Vimeo
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois has rented refrigerated semitrailer trucks to store the bodies of COVID-19 victims in case morgues become filled to capacity.
The "more than 20" trailers rented by the state thus far are "part of the state's response to expand mortuary capacity," IEMA spokeswoman Rebecca Clark said in an email.
"These structures are being retrofitted for medical examiners throughout the state should a need arise," she said.
Clark said 12 counties -- Bureau, Champaign, Hamilton, Kane, Kankakee, LaSalle, Lee, Piatt, Wayne, Whiteside, Will and Williamson -- have requested trailers be "pre-positioned in the event there is a need."
The state rented at least 10 trailers from Cooling Concepts LLC, located in Belleville, according to a Tuesday invoice published on the comptroller's office's running total of state COVID-19-related expenditures. The invoice of $29,137.02 is for the "rental of 10 refrigerator trailers for COVID-19 response."
Don White, vice president of business development at Cooling Concepts, said in an email that the privacy policy built into all of the company's contracts prevents it from disclosing information on the matter. He added that Cooling Concepts "specializes in equipment for food delivery, food storage, and pharmaceutical delivery, and pharmaceutical storage."
Cook County, which had recorded 1,142 of the state's 1,688 COVID-19 deaths as of Thursday, already has refrigerated trailers of its own. An April 9 news release said the county acquired 14 refrigerated trailers and was in the process of securing six more to support a refrigerated warehouse that can hold more than 2,000 decedents.
Cook County's trailers will be pre-positioned at hospitals experiencing surges so their morgues are not overwhelmed, according to the release.
"We do not anticipate needing any space beyond what we have already acquired," said Natalia Derevyanny, a county spokesperson.
Refrigerated trailers have been used by hospitals in states such as New York, Massachusetts and Tennessee as overflow morgue capacity.
As of Thursday, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data, Will County has recorded Illinois' second-most total deaths from COVID-19 with 119, followed by DuPage County with 118 and Lake County with 100. Remaining counties have recorded fewer than 40 each.
A model released by Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration on Thursday shows peak deaths are projected to be between 50 and 150 per day from now through the first week in May. Over the past week, Illinois has twice seen 125 deaths in a day, its largest daily increase. Thursday's reported death toll was 123.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Palatine High School hockey player dies after weekend dirt bike crash

Hundreds of family members , friends , classmates and teammates celebrated the life of Palatine teen Andrew Marton from a distance in a ceremony outside Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge Wednesday .
The 16-year-old Palatine High School student died Tuesday afternoon from injuries suffered in a dirt bike crash on Saturday .
Andrew Marton was riding with his father , Adam , enjoying the hobby they shared for years , said Jill Readel , Andrew 's aunt .
The Martons were near their Palatine home on a city street when Andrew somehow lost control , left the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a helmet .
Adam Marton performed CPR until paramedics arrived , but Andrew was unresponsive .
He never regained consciousness .
He was declared brain dead at Advocate Lutheran at 2:57 p.m. Tuesday .
`` He was amazing , full of life , '' said Jill Maczko , Andrew 's aunt .
`` He had huge dreams . ''
Marton 's organs were donated to five individuals , a 17-year-old boy among them .
`` He was obviously such a big-hearted person to do such a thing at the age of 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page established late Tuesday to help the family with medical expenses raised over $ 35,000 in less than 24 hours .
Andrew was a three-sport athlete who participated in golf and water polo .
His main sport was hockey ; he played for the Palatine-Schaumburg District 211 team .
That hockey community came out in droves to honor one of its own Wednesday .
During a 6:30 p.m. ceremony by A Gift of Hope , the nonprofit group that provides organ and tissue donation services , the organization 's flag was raised in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the flag ascended the pole , the sounds of hockey sticks banging on the ground in Andrew 's honor -- the traditional hockey salute -- could be heard throughout the area .
`` It was really cool , '' Readel said .
`` And the night before all the players put their sticks and jerseys out on their front porch with the lights on all night .
It 's a hockey thing when somebody passes . ''
Parents Adam and Marisa Marton and Andrew 's little brother , Zach , wore Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's stick aloft in tribute to his son as the Gift of Hope flag went up the flagpole .
`` It was the most amazing , amazing tribute I 've ever seen in my entire life , '' said family friend Nicole Olson .
`` The entire street across from Lutheran General was filled with people .
They had to bring the police out there . ''
In addition to the hundreds who spread out across the street from the hospital to see the ceremony , another 827 people watched live via Readel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many lives he actually touched , '' Readel said of her nephew .
`` He was just such a good , warm-spirited kid .
He was so patient , kind and always helpful . ''
Andrew got his driver 's license in February when he turned 16 .
He proudly bought his first car with money he had saved doing odd jobs , Maczko said .
He took his parents and brother out for a spin in his new wheels last Friday .
`` It was their first family ride in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , '' Maczko said .
`` It 's the most beautiful thing ever , because how would they know what was ahead of them ? ''

Palatine High School hockey player dies after weekend dirt bike crash
Andrew Marton, second from right, with his family recently: younger brother Zach, mother Marisa Marton and father Adam Marton. Courtesy of Jill Readel
Andrew Marton, 16, of Palatine died Tuesday after a dirt bike crash near his home Saturday. Courtesy of Jill Readel
Hundreds of family members, friends, classmates and teammates celebrated the life of Palatine teen Andrew Marton from a distance in a ceremony outside Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge Wednesday.
The 16-year-old Palatine High School student died Tuesday afternoon from injuries suffered in a dirt bike crash on Saturday.
Andrew Marton was riding with his father, Adam, enjoying the hobby they shared for years, said Jill Readel, Andrew's aunt. The Martons were near their Palatine home on a city street when Andrew somehow lost control, left the road and struck a tree. He was wearing a helmet.
Adam Marton performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but Andrew was unresponsive. He never regained consciousness. He was declared brain dead at Advocate Lutheran at 2:57 p.m. Tuesday.
"He was amazing, full of life," said Jill Maczko, Andrew's aunt. "He had huge dreams."
Marton's organs were donated to five individuals, a 17-year-old boy among them.
"He was obviously such a big-hearted person to do such a thing at the age of 16," Maczko said.
A GoFundMe page established late Tuesday to help the family with medical expenses raised over $35,000 in less than 24 hours.
Andrew was a three-sport athlete who participated in golf and water polo. His main sport was hockey; he played for the Palatine-Schaumburg District 211 team. That hockey community came out in droves to honor one of its own Wednesday.
Andrew Marton, 16, of Palatine was a three-sport athlete, his primary one being hockey. He died Tuesday after a dirt bike crash near his home Saturday. - Courtesy of Jill Readel
During a 6:30 p.m. ceremony by A Gift of Hope, the nonprofit group that provides organ and tissue donation services, the organization's flag was raised in honor of Andrew's lifesaving donations.
As the flag ascended the pole, the sounds of hockey sticks banging on the ground in Andrew's honor -- the traditional hockey salute -- could be heard throughout the area.
"It was really cool," Readel said. "And the night before all the players put their sticks and jerseys out on their front porch with the lights on all night. It's a hockey thing when somebody passes."
Parents Adam and Marisa Marton and Andrew's little brother, Zach, wore Andrew's hockey jerseys. Adam held Andrew's stick aloft in tribute to his son as the Gift of Hope flag went up the flagpole.
"It was the most amazing, amazing tribute I've ever seen in my entire life," said family friend Nicole Olson. "The entire street across from Lutheran General was filled with people. They had to bring the police out there."
At a Wednesday evening ceremony by A Gift of Hope, the nonprofit group that provides organ and tissue donation services, the organization's flag was raised in honor of Andrew Marton's lifesaving donations. His hockey teammates banged their sticks on the ground -- the traditional hockey salute -- in Andrew's honor as the flag was raised. - Courtesy of Jill Readel
In addition to the hundreds who spread out across the street from the hospital to see the ceremony, another 827 people watched live via Readel's Facebook page.
"Nobody realized how many lives he actually touched," Readel said of her nephew. "He was just such a good, warm-spirited kid. He was so patient, kind and always helpful."
Andrew got his driver's license in February when he turned 16. He proudly bought his first car with money he had saved doing odd jobs, Maczko said. He took his parents and brother out for a spin in his new wheels last Friday.
"It was their first family ride in his car. My brother has it on video," Maczko said. "It's the most beautiful thing ever, because how would they know what was ahead of them?"


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--What others are writing about COVID-19

What others are writing about COVID-19

Autopsies of some COVID-19 patients are showing lungs filled with hundreds of tiny blood clots .
Doctors think these microclots could explain some unsettling cases that have not followed the typical pattern for a respiratory virus .
The Washington Post talks to doctors and researchers .
With lobbying push , gyms get on Phase One of Trump 's reopening plan Even executives in the fitness industry were surprised to see gyms on President Donald Trump 's list of businesses that should be among the first to reopen when stay-at-home orders are lifted .
How did this relatively small industry get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN looks into the industry 's lobbying effort .
`` I did not sign up for the military .
I signed up for Walmart . ''
What grocery store workers say they 're facing during the pandemic .
It 's crucial that grocery stores stay open during the pandemic , but workers say employers are n't taking the necessary steps to protect them .
Vox talks to store workers around the country .
How the virus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt may help coronavirus researchers The USS Theodore Roosevelt 's 4,800 sailors could be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand how COVID-19 spreads through communities , especially asymptomatic transmission .
The Washington Post explains .
Two Parents .
Two Kids .
Two Jobs .
No Child Care .
And No End in Sight .
This column from The New York Times ' Farhad Manjoo is worth a click just to see the note his kids wrote declaring war on their parents .
He also makes some good points on the current debate about `` opening up '' society : `` The economy will not really 'open up , ' and life will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as parents do n't have any place to send our children during the day .
Something will have to give . ''
Even the comments on this column are interesting .
Read the column here .
The public skewering of Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman , champion of reopening casinos Anderson Cooper 's face tells the story here .
The Washington Post recaps the controversy surrounding the Las Vegas mayor 's flurry of media interviews this week .

What others are writing about COVID-19
Healthcare workers at Regions Hospital, including Tamara Hill, an ER nurse wiping away tears, come outside Wednesday to thank Xcel Energy crew members who had lined the street outside Regions to greet health care workers in St. Paul, Minnesota. Associated Press
A mysterious blood-clotting complication is killing coronavirus patients
Autopsies of some COVID-19 patients are showing lungs filled with hundreds of tiny blood clots. Doctors think these microclots could explain some unsettling cases that have not followed the typical pattern for a respiratory virus. The Washington Post talks to doctors and researchers.
With lobbying push, gyms get on Phase One of Trump's reopening plan
Even executives in the fitness industry were surprised to see gyms on President Donald Trump's list of businesses that should be among the first to reopen when stay-at-home orders are lifted. How did this relatively small industry get to the front of the line? CNN looks into the industry's lobbying effort.
"I did not sign up for the military. I signed up for Walmart." What grocery store workers say they're facing during the pandemic.
It's crucial that grocery stores stay open during the pandemic, but workers say employers aren't taking the necessary steps to protect them. Vox talks to store workers around the country.
How the virus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt may help coronavirus researchers
The USS Theodore Roosevelt's 4,800 sailors could be the perfect case study for researchers looking to understand how COVID-19 spreads through communities, especially asymptomatic transmission. The Washington Post explains.
Two Parents. Two Kids. Two Jobs. No Child Care. And No End in Sight.
This column from The New York Times' Farhad Manjoo is worth a click just to see the note his kids wrote declaring war on their parents. He also makes some good points on the current debate about "opening up" society: "The economy will not really 'open up,' and life will not really return to normal, as long as parents don't have any place to send our children during the day. Something will have to give." Even the comments on this column are interesting. Read the column here.
The public skewering of Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, champion of reopening casinos
Anderson Cooper's face tells the story here. The Washington Post recaps the controversy surrounding the Las Vegas mayor's flurry of media interviews this week.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--A song to make you smile: 'I Won't Back Down' by Tom Petty

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ I Wo n't Back Down '' by Tom Petty , a solo hit released in @ @

A song to make you smile: 'I Won't Back Down' by Tom Petty
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty, a solo hit released in 1989.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Jordan could have played major league baseball -- with Oakland A's

Before joining the White Sox in 1995 and beginning a solid six-year run in the starting rotation , Mike Sirotka pitched his way up the minor-league ladder .
He spent plenty of time with Michael Jordan , who stepped away from the Bulls in 1994 and joined the Sox .
`` Highly improved spring of 1995 , '' Sirotka said .
`` He absolutely had turned the corner and ( was ) MLB material .
It 's a shame we never got to see that play out . ''
A player 's strike ended the '94 major-league season on Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the way into the following spring .
Wanting no part of playing on the White Sox 's potential replacement team in 1995 , Jordan left training camp on March 10 and was back in the NBA with the Bulls a week later .
Deciding to give baseball a shot at the age of 31 after not having played the sport for 13 years , Jordan spent the 1994 season with the Birmingham Barons , the Sox 's Class AA minor-league team .
In his one professional season , Jordan hit .202./.289/.266 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 stolen bases in 127 games .
`` I 'm not a scout , not an expert , '' said Curt Bloom , Birmingham 's radio play-by-play voice since 1992 .
`` But I have seen 3,000 , 4,000 games and I know what I saw .
I know absolutely the potential was there for ( Jordan ) to be a big leaguer . ''
Back in the headlines as ESPN began airing `` The Last Dance , '' a 10-part documentary series looking back on Jordan and the powerhouse Bulls Sunday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA history could have played in the major leagues in 1994 .
On Buster Olney 's `` Baseball Tonight '' podcast , former Oakland general manager Sandy Alderson said he offered Jordan a spot on the Athletics ' 25-man roster before the '94 season .
`` When Jordan stopped playing basketball and decided to try baseball and ultimately went down to the Birmingham Barons , the Chicago White Sox affiliate , when I heard that was happening or about to happen , I called his agent ( David Falk ) right away and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand he may be going to Double-A , ' '' Alderson said .
`` I said , 'Look , I do n't even know who the 25th man is on our major-league team right now .
I will sign him and put him on the major-league roster .
He 'd be part of our 25-man team tomorrow . '
'' Jerry Reinsdorf , still the chairman of the Sox and Bulls , was obviously not happy with Alderson 's ploy to use Jordan to draw needed fans in Oakland .
`` I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ended up getting either a phone call or a message from the White Sox saying , 'Hey , what 's going on here ?
This guy is going to be part of the White Sox organization , ' '' Alderson told Olney .
`` There 's a relationship between the White Sox and the Bulls , but in any event , somebody accused me of tampering .
The guy 's a basketball player .
But anyway , that 's one that got away .
It would 've been fun . ''
Falk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot on their 25-man roster in 1994 .
`` I was excited , '' the agent told MLB.com .
`` And Michael was very appreciative .
But he wanted to do the baseball thing from the ground up .
He did n't feel he deserved a spot on the major-league roster and did n't feel he was ready .
He did n't want to be a Herb Washington type ( of player ) who would just steal bases and be a part-time outfielder . ''
In retrospect , Jordan made the right decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading them to three NBA championships before taking a swing at baseball , Jordan won three more rings after returning to basketball .

Jordan could have played major league baseball -- with Oakland A's
Chicago White Sox minor-leaguer Michael Jordan, right, stretches his arm with help from Kerry Valrie prior to workouts, Sunday, Feb. 26, 1995, in Sarasota, Fla. Associated Press
Chicago White Sox's Michael Jordan is seen during batting practice prior to spring training exhibition game against the Florida Marlins in Miami, Fla., April 1, 1994. Associated Press
Before joining the White Sox in 1995 and beginning a solid six-year run in the starting rotation, Mike Sirotka pitched his way up the minor-league ladder.
He spent plenty of time with Michael Jordan, who stepped away from the Bulls in 1994 and joined the Sox.
"Highly improved spring of 1995," Sirotka said. "He absolutely had turned the corner and (was) MLB material. It's a shame we never got to see that play out."
A player's strike ended the '94 major-league season on Aug. 11, and the work stoppage extended all the way into the following spring.
Wanting no part of playing on the White Sox's potential replacement team in 1995, Jordan left training camp on March 10 and was back in the NBA with the Bulls a week later.
Deciding to give baseball a shot at the age of 31 after not having played the sport for 13 years, Jordan spent the 1994 season with the Birmingham Barons, the Sox's Class AA minor-league team.
In his one professional season, Jordan hit .202./.289/.266 with 3 home runs, 51 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 127 games.
"I'm not a scout, not an expert," said Curt Bloom, Birmingham's radio play-by-play voice since 1992. "But I have seen 3,000, 4,000 games and I know what I saw. I know absolutely the potential was there for (Jordan) to be a big leaguer."
Back in the headlines as ESPN began airing "The Last Dance," a 10-part documentary series looking back on Jordan and the powerhouse Bulls Sunday night, it appears the greatest player in NBA history could have played in the major leagues in 1994.
On Buster Olney's "Baseball Tonight" podcast, former Oakland general manager Sandy Alderson said he offered Jordan a spot on the Athletics' 25-man roster before the '94 season.
"When Jordan stopped playing basketball and decided to try baseball and ultimately went down to the Birmingham Barons, the Chicago White Sox affiliate, when I heard that was happening or about to happen, I called his agent (David Falk) right away and said, 'Hey, look, I understand he may be going to Double-A,'" Alderson said. "I said, 'Look, I don't even know who the 25th man is on our major-league team right now. I will sign him and put him on the major-league roster. He'd be part of our 25-man team tomorrow.'"
Jerry Reinsdorf, still the chairman of the Sox and Bulls, was obviously not happy with Alderson's ploy to use Jordan to draw needed fans in Oakland.
"I know this ended up creating some discussion because I ended up getting either a phone call or a message from the White Sox saying, 'Hey, what's going on here? This guy is going to be part of the White Sox organization,'" Alderson told Olney. "There's a relationship between the White Sox and the Bulls, but in any event, somebody accused me of tampering. The guy's a basketball player. But anyway, that's one that got away. It would've been fun."
Falk confirmed the A's offered Jordan a spot on their 25-man roster in 1994.
"I was excited," the agent told MLB.com. "And Michael was very appreciative. But he wanted to do the baseball thing from the ground up. He didn't feel he deserved a spot on the major-league roster and didn't feel he was ready. He didn't want to be a Herb Washington type (of player) who would just steal bases and be a part-time outfielder."
In retrospect, Jordan made the right decision going back to the Bulls.
After leading them to three NBA championships before taking a swing at baseball, Jordan won three more rings after returning to basketball.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-23--Despite pandemic, Island Lake officials moving forward with summer events

Island Lake officials are holding out hope they wo n't have to cancel the village 's annual Independence Day parade and picnic because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the statewide stay-at-home order .
A fireworks show and a carnival set for later in July remain on the schedule for now , too .
After a lengthy discussion during Thursday night 's village board meeting , trustees opted to reevaluate the schedule in June and decide then if it 's safe -- or even permissible -- to stage the gatherings .
Now that Gov .
J.B Pritzker has extended the stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the village 's Memorial Day activity will be canceled , officials said .
A free outdoor concert scheduled for June likely will be canceled , too .
A band has n't yet been selected for the show .
`` We ca n't congregate together like we did in the past , '' Mayor Charles Amrich said during the meeting , which was held remotely because of the stay-at-home order .
Trustee Chris Carlsen strongly opposed canceling the July events , calling them American traditions .
Trustee Richard McLaughlin did n't want to cancel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England said fireworks and other Independence Day activities encourage people to have parties , which are discouraged by health experts trying to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
The village is contractually obligated to pay for only one of the July events -- the fireworks show .
The board approved a $ 17,500 contract with Melrose Pyrotechnics for the gig last year .
But the village 's attorney , David McArdle , revealed the company offered to waive a 50 % cancellation fee if the board agrees to make a roughly $ 8,750 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fireworks display any time within the next year .
Other suburbs are canceling spring and summer events because of the pandemic .
Memorial Day parades in Arlington Heights and Wauconda were among the first to fall .
Lincolnshire 's Memorial Day ceremony , normally held in Spring Lake Park , is being re-imagined and could end up as a livestreamed event , Village Manager Brad Burke said .
Mundelein 's Memorial Day parade has been scrubbed but an online ceremony is in the works , Mayor Steve Lentz said .
The DuPage County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skies hot air balloon festival and Carol Stream 's Independence Day celebration have been axed .

Despite pandemic, Island Lake officials moving forward with summer events
Island Lake officials are holding out hope they won't have to cancel the village's annual Independence Day parade and picnic because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the statewide stay-at-home order.
A fireworks show and a carnival set for later in July remain on the schedule for now, too.
After a lengthy discussion during Thursday night's village board meeting, trustees opted to reevaluate the schedule in June and decide then if it's safe -- or even permissible -- to stage the gatherings.
Now that Gov. J.B Pritzker has extended the stay-at-home order to May 30, however, the village's Memorial Day activity will be canceled, officials said.
A free outdoor concert scheduled for June likely will be canceled, too. A band hasn't yet been selected for the show.
"We can't congregate together like we did in the past," Mayor Charles Amrich said during the meeting, which was held remotely because of the stay-at-home order.
Trustee Chris Carlsen strongly opposed canceling the July events, calling them American traditions. Trustee Richard McLaughlin didn't want to cancel them, either.
But Trustee Harold England said fireworks and other Independence Day activities encourage people to have parties, which are discouraged by health experts trying to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The village is contractually obligated to pay for only one of the July events -- the fireworks show. The board approved a $17,500 contract with Melrose Pyrotechnics for the gig last year.
But the village's attorney, David McArdle, revealed the company offered to waive a 50% cancellation fee if the board agrees to make a roughly $8,750 deposit that can be used for a fireworks display any time within the next year.
Trustees approved that deal unanimously.
Other suburbs are canceling spring and summer events because of the pandemic.
Memorial Day parades in Arlington Heights and Wauconda were among the first to fall. Lincolnshire's Memorial Day ceremony, normally held in Spring Lake Park, is being re-imagined and could end up as a livestreamed event, Village Manager Brad Burke said.
Mundelein's Memorial Day parade has been scrubbed but an online ceremony is in the works, Mayor Steve Lentz said.
The DuPage County Fair, Lisle's Eyes to the Skies hot air balloon festival and Carol Stream's Independence Day celebration have been axed.