dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--From onion loaves to chocolate cake -- a guide to iconic suburban eats

Now that 's a maxim diners can embrace , especially when options include a towering slice of Portillo 's famed chocolate cake .
But that treat is just one of the many well-known , well-loved dishes favored by suburban diners -- and dearly missed by those who move away .
The list includes Chicago-style hot dogs , onion loaves , deep dish pizza and other items .
Some were created at suburban eateries .
Others originated in Chicago and migrated north and west when restaurateurs relocated .
We take a look at where diners can find some of the 'burbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among this eatery 's claims to fame is its French-fried onion brick served at two Glenview locations .
No less an authority than comedian Jim Gaffigan , who spent his childhood in Elgin and Barrington , revealed during a Daily Herald interview that he counts Hackney 's signature onion loaf among his most vivid childhood memories .
No seats .
No ketchup .
No pretense .
No nonsense .
That 's the promise of this River Grove hot dog stand that claims to serve the best hot dogs in the country .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Avenue in Chicago and , in 1950 , moved to a modest brick building on River Road .
The menu remains unchanged except for the essentials : Vienna Beef hot dogs served with mustard , onion relish and peppers ; plus tamales , french fries and soft drinks .
High school sweethearts Maurie and Flaurie Berman opened their original drive-in restaurant in Chicago in 1948 and a second location on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling in 2009 .
In addition to the titular hot dog -- topped with golden mustard , tangy piccalilli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onions and a hot pepper , accompanied by the trademark Superfries -- the menu includes a Romanian/Hungarian/Polish sausage version and assorted Superburgers .
A favorite of `` Will & Grace '' star and Glen Ellyn native Sean Hayes , Portillo 's was founded in 1963 in Villa Park and has locations in Addison , Arlington Heights , Batavia , Bloomingdale , Crystal Lake , Deerfield , Downers Grove , Elgin , Elk Grove Village , Elmhurst , Glendale Heights , Gurnee , Naperville , Rolling Meadows , Schaumburg , St. Charles , Streamwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Willowbrook among others .
If you go , you 'll want to sample the famous double-layer chocolate cake , which is slathered in creamy chocolate frosting .
Eat it before -- or after -- the popular slow-roasted Italian beef sandwich .
The `` jet fresh '' seafood for which this Wheeling mainstay is renowned includes Alaskan king crab legs and garlic rolls .
Both contribute to the nearly 1 million customers who dine annually at the Milwaukee Avenue restaurant , which after nearly 38 years remains among the top 100 grossing restaurants in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made this former lunch counter famous remain in use today at the homestyle restaurant in Willowbrook that occupies a onetime stretch of the famed Route 66 .
House specialties include fried and roasted chicken as well as such comfort fare as pork chops , baby back ribs , mac and cheese , corn fritters and cheese curds .
Lou Malnati and his wife Jean opened their first pizzeria in 1971 in Lincolnwood , where his signature deep-dish creation quickly became a top-seller .
Among the most popular offerings is the Lou , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topped with three cheeses on a garlic buttercrust .
Add a Malnati salad and you 've got a few meals .
You 'll find restaurants in Addison , Aurora , Bloomingdale , Buffalo Grove , Carol Stream , Carpentersville , Cary , Downers Grove , Elgin , Elk Grove Village , Elmhurst , Geneva , Glenview , Grayslake , Lake Zurich , Libertyville , Mount Prospect , Naperville , Northbrook , Palatine and Schaumburg among other cities .
And that 's just in Illinois .
The family-run Franks for the Memories in Mundelein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which originated in Buffalo , New York , in 1964 ) to the Chicago area in 1984 .
Today , Jim Schultz Jr. , son of founders and Buffalo Grove natives Jim and Carol Schultz , runs the restaurant that daily serves up Buffalo-style chicken wings with a side of celery and blue cheese dressing .
In 1953 , three siblings founded snack shops in Evanston .
Seven years later , two of the brothers established a pancake house in Wilmette .
Additional restaurants subsequently opened in Arlington Heights , Glenview , Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other locations .
At every one , the apple pancake remains a house favorite .
Walker Bros. ' traditional apple cinnamon pancake could double as dessert instead of breakfast , especially when paired with French vanilla ice cream ( for an additional $ 2.50 ) .
Filled with fresh apples , it 's topped with Korintje cinnamon sugar glaze .
Best of all , a frozen version is available to take home .
• Know or love other iconic suburban foods ?
Send your suggestions with desciptions to Barbara Vitello at bvitello @ @ @

From onion loaves to chocolate cake -- a guide to iconic suburban eats
Life is short, eat dessert first. Especially when it's chocolate cake from Portillo's. Courtesy of Portillo's
"Life is short -- eat dessert first."
Now that's a maxim diners can embrace, especially when options include a towering slice of Portillo's famed chocolate cake.
But that treat is just one of the many well-known, well-loved dishes favored by suburban diners -- and dearly missed by those who move away. The list includes Chicago-style hot dogs, onion loaves, deep dish pizza and other items.
Some were created at suburban eateries. Others originated in Chicago and migrated north and west when restaurateurs relocated.
We take a look at where diners can find some of the 'burbs' best-loved and most iconic fare.
Among this eatery's claims to fame is its French-fried onion brick served at two Glenview locations.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer One of the post popular items at Hackney's in Glenview is its famed onion loaf. Fans include comedian Jim Gaffigan.
No less an authority than comedian Jim Gaffigan, who spent his childhood in Elgin and Barrington, revealed during a Daily Herald interview that he counts Hackney's signature onion loaf among his most vivid childhood memories.
No seats. No ketchup. No pretense. No nonsense. That's the promise of this River Grove hot dog stand that claims to serve the best hot dogs in the country. It opened in 1946 at Polk Street and Western Avenue in Chicago and, in 1950, moved to a modest brick building on River Road. The menu remains unchanged except for the essentials: Vienna Beef hot dogs served with mustard, onion relish and peppers; plus tamales, french fries and soft drinks.
High school sweethearts Maurie and Flaurie Berman opened their original drive-in restaurant in Chicago in 1948 and a second location on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling in 2009.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer The signature dish at Superdawg is the titular hot dog served over a bed of french fries and accompanied by a juicy pickle.
In addition to the titular hot dog -- topped with golden mustard, tangy piccalilli, kosher dill pickle, chopped Spanish onions and a hot pepper, accompanied by the trademark Superfries -- the menu includes a Romanian/Hungarian/Polish sausage version and assorted Superburgers.
A favorite of "Will & Grace" star and Glen Ellyn native Sean Hayes, Portillo's was founded in 1963 in Villa Park and has locations in Addison, Arlington Heights, Batavia, Bloomingdale, Crystal Lake, Deerfield, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Glendale Heights, Gurnee, Naperville, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Streamwood, Vernon Hills, Villa Park and Willowbrook among others.
Portillo's Italian beef is one of the suburbs' most-celebrated sandwiches. - Courtesy of Portillo's
If you go, you'll want to sample the famous double-layer chocolate cake, which is slathered in creamy chocolate frosting. Eat it before -- or after -- the popular slow-roasted Italian beef sandwich.
The "jet fresh" seafood for which this Wheeling mainstay is renowned includes Alaskan king crab legs and garlic rolls. Both contribute to the nearly 1 million customers who dine annually at the Milwaukee Avenue restaurant, which after nearly 38 years remains among the top 100 grossing restaurants in the country.
The original recipes that made this former lunch counter famous remain in use today at the homestyle restaurant in Willowbrook that occupies a onetime stretch of the famed Route 66. House specialties include fried and roasted chicken as well as such comfort fare as pork chops, baby back ribs, mac and cheese, corn fritters and cheese curds.
Lou Malnati and his wife Jean opened their first pizzeria in 1971 in Lincolnwood, where his signature deep-dish creation quickly became a top-seller. Among the most popular offerings is the Lou, which includes spinach, garlic and Roma tomatoes topped with three cheeses on a garlic buttercrust. Add a Malnati salad and you've got a few meals.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is famous for deep-dish pizza, including the signature Lou. - Daily Herald File photo
You'll find restaurants in Addison, Aurora, Bloomingdale, Buffalo Grove, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, Cary, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Geneva, Glenview, Grayslake, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Northbrook, Palatine and Schaumburg among other cities. And that's just in Illinois.
The family-run Franks for the Memories in Mundelein claims to have introduced Buffalo wings (which originated in Buffalo, New York, in 1964) to the Chicago area in 1984. Today, Jim Schultz Jr., son of founders and Buffalo Grove natives Jim and Carol Schultz, runs the restaurant that daily serves up Buffalo-style chicken wings with a side of celery and blue cheese dressing.
In 1953, three siblings founded snack shops in Evanston. Seven years later, two of the brothers established a pancake house in Wilmette. Additional restaurants subsequently opened in Arlington Heights, Glenview, Lake Zurich, Lincolnshire and Schaumburg, among other locations. At every one, the apple pancake remains a house favorite.
Walker Bros.' traditional apple cinnamon pancake could double as dessert instead of breakfast, especially when paired with French vanilla ice cream (for an additional $2.50). Filled with fresh apples, it's topped with Korintje cinnamon sugar glaze. Best of all, a frozen version is available to take home.
• Know or love other iconic suburban foods? Send your suggestions with desciptions to Barbara Vitello at bvitello@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Switzerland: 2 trains collide in mountain railway tunnel

GENEVA -- Two trains collided in a tunnel on a mountain railway in Switzerland on Friday , slightly injuring a @ @ @ @ @ operator said .
A car shuttle train transporting about 15 vehicles hit the side of @ @ @ @ @ about 30 people on board that was traveling in the opposite direction , Matterhorn Gotthard @ @ @ @ @ broadcaster SRF .
The cause of the crash near Oberwald , in Valais canton ( @ @ @ @ @ , was n't immediately clear .
The line between Realp and Ulrichen , part of @ @ @ @ @ connects the ski resort of Zermatt with central and eastern Swizerland , was closed following @ @ @

Switzerland: 2 trains collide in mountain railway tunnel
GENEVA -- Two trains collided in a tunnel on a mountain railway in Switzerland on Friday, slightly injuring a few people, the railway operator said.
A car shuttle train transporting about 15 vehicles hit the side of a local passenger train with about 30 people on board that was traveling in the opposite direction, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn spokesman Jan Baerwalde told broadcaster SRF.
The cause of the crash near Oberwald, in Valais canton (state) in southern Switzerland, wasn't immediately clear.
The line between Realp and Ulrichen, part of a scenic Alpine route that connects the ski resort of Zermatt with central and eastern Swizerland, was closed following the collision.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--56 injured in blast at Turkish fireworks factory

ANKARA , Turkey -- An explosion at a fireworks factory in northwestern Turkey injured at least 56 people Friday , @ @ @ @ @ .
There were an estimated 150 workers at the factory outside the town of Hendek @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Cetin Oktay Kaldirim told state-run Anadolu Agency .
At least 56 of them @ @ @ @ @ Kaldirim said on Twitter , adding that no lives were lost .
News reports said @ @ @ @ @ condition .
Several firefighters and ambulances were sent to the factory , which is away @ @ @ @ @ , explosions were continuing , hampering efforts to bring the fire under control .
The @ @ @ @ @ n't immediately known .
Earlier , television video showed a large , mushroom-shaped cloud of @ @ @ @ @ .
HaberTurk television said authorities blocked roads leading to the factory .
Families rushed to @ @ @ @ @ their loved ones .

4 dead, 97 injured in blast at Turkish fireworks factory
Smoke billows from a fire following an explosion at a fireworks factory outside the town of Hendek, Sakarya province, northwestern Turkey, Friday July 3, 2020. There were an estimated 150 workers at the factory, Gov. Cetin Oktay Kaldirim told state-run Anadolu Agency. Several firefighters and ambulances were sent to the factory, which is away from residential areas, but explosions continued to hamper efforts to bring the fire under control. The cause of the blast wasn't immediately known. (IHA via AP) Associated Press
ANKARA, Turkey -- An explosion at a fireworks factory in northwestern Turkey on Friday killed four people and injured 97 others, officials said. At least three people were reported missing.
There were 186 workers at the factory outside the town of Hendek, in Sakarya province, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters.
Koca, who traveled to the area along with two other ministers, said the explosion killed four workers while 97 others were hospitalized. Close to 40 of the injured were later discharged, he said, adding that of the remaining workers, just one was in critical condition.
At least three people remain unaccounted for, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told reporters, without saying whether they were feared dead.
The cause of the blast at the factory, which is away from residential areas, was under investigation.
Two helicopters and a plane were sent to the area to assist firefighters teams, whose efforts were hampered by continuing explosions. The blaze was brought under control several hours later, officials said.
Koca said 85 ambulances, two air ambulances and 11 rescue teams were sent to the area.
Earlier, television video showed a large, mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke rising from the factory.
HaberTurk television said authorities blocked roads leading to the factory. Families rushed to the site for news of their loved ones.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Death toll from COVID-19 surpasses 7,000 in Illinois

Cases of COVID-19 rose by 868 and deaths increased by 18 Friday , a week after the state lifted multiple restrictions intended to reduce the spread of the respiratory disease , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported .
Statewide , the number of Illinoisans infected with COVID-19 stands at 145,750 and people perishing from the virus totals 7,005 .
Tests for the disease surpassed 1.7 million and the seven-day average positivity rate was 2.6 % .
On June 26 , the state shifted to Phase 4 of a five-phase reopening plan , permitting gatherings of 50 or less and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to resume operating under IDPH rules .
That came on the heels of entering Phase 3 on May 29 , the first step toward easing many strict stay at home rules such as reopening restaurants for outdoor dining .
Since then , the average number of daily cases in June was 756.5 , compared to an average of 855 cases in the first three days of July .
As Illinois enters a hot , holiday weekend , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker urged residents to wear masks in public while warning businesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limiting the number of customers .
`` If establishments can not abide by capacity requirements , I will not hesitate to close them to keep people safe , '' Pritzker said .
Effective Monday , Chicago has instituted a two-week quarantine for city residents and visitors to Chicago returning from states with COVID-19 outbreaks .
Those states comprise : Alabama , Arkansas , California , Florida , Georgia , Idaho , Louisiana , Mississippi , North Carolina , Nevada , South Carolina , Tennessee , Texas and Utah .
The actions do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beg the question of whether Pritzker will follow suit .
So far , the state is not considering implementing a statewide travel order , Pritzker spokesman Jason Rubin said .
`` Municipalities have the ability to issue more stringent guidance for their communities .
With other cities in the country experiencing spikes as Independence Day weekend approaches , the governor believes extra caution is warranted , especially when advised by public health experts . ''
On May 29 , Illinois entered Phase 3 or Recovery of a allowing gatherings of 10 or less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as outdoor dining only for restaurants .

Death toll from COVID-19 surpasses 7,000 in Illinois
Cases of COVID-19 rose by 868 and deaths increased by 18 Friday, a week after the state lifted multiple restrictions intended to reduce the spread of the respiratory disease, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported.
Statewide, the number of Illinoisans infected with COVID-19 stands at 145,750 and people perishing from the virus totals 7,005.
Tests for the disease surpassed 1.7 million and the seven-day average positivity rate was 2.6%.
On June 26, the state shifted to Phase 4 of a five-phase reopening plan, permitting gatherings of 50 or less and allowing multiple businesses, including movie theaters, to resume operating under IDPH rules.
That came on the heels of entering Phase 3 on May 29, the first step toward easing many strict stay at home rules such as reopening restaurants for outdoor dining.
Since then, the average number of daily cases in June was 756.5, compared to an average of 855 cases in the first three days of July.
As Illinois enters a hot, holiday weekend, Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged residents to wear masks in public while warning businesses, like bars, to follow current rules limiting the number of customers.
"If establishments cannot abide by capacity requirements, I will not hesitate to close them to keep people safe," Pritzker said.
Effective Monday, Chicago has instituted a two-week quarantine for city residents and visitors to Chicago returning from states with COVID-19 outbreaks. Those states comprise: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
The actions do not affect other parts of the state but beg the question of whether Pritzker will follow suit.
So far, the state is not considering implementing a statewide travel order, Pritzker spokesman Jason Rubin said.
"Municipalities have the ability to issue more stringent guidance for their communities. With other cities in the country experiencing spikes as Independence Day weekend approaches, the governor believes extra caution is warranted, especially when advised by public health experts."
On May 29, Illinois entered Phase 3 or Recovery of a allowing gatherings of 10 or less and let multiple business reopen with caveats such as outdoor dining only for restaurants.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Wheaton College chaplain fired for "inappropriate" sexual, racial comments

Wheaton College President Philip Ryken said in an email to students and faculty Friday that chaplain Timothy Blackmon has been fired for `` inappropriate comments and actions of a racial and sexual nature '' toward staff members .
Blackmon , the sixth chaplain in the college 's history , `` did not engage in sexually immoral relationships or physical sexual misconduct , '' Ryken added in his email .
Efforts to reach Blackmon , 50 , who was hired in 2015 , were not immediately successful .
He did not respond to a Facebook message , and his Twitter account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in his email that the college hired `` external professionals '' to investigate allegations against Blackmon .
`` The investigation revealed conduct inconsistent with Wheaton 's policies and commitments .
Following this investigation and adjudication , as well as a trustee review process , Tim Blackmon is no longer employed at Wheaton College , '' the email read .
`` Because of the unique role of the Chaplain as one of Wheaton 's primary spiritual leaders , we believe it is important to share this information with the campus community .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a personnel process , though , we do not plan to provide additional information beyond this message and encourage our community to respect the privacy of the individuals involved . ''
Joseph Moore , spokesman for the college , said Friday there would be no additional comment from the evangelical Christian college .
Ryken 's email did not detail a timeline for the investigation or specify Blackmon 's actual termination date .
Ryken said he would soon name an interim chaplain for the 2020-21 school year , and that concerned students may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to someone from the chaplain 's office within 24 hours .
`` We recognize that this is painful news , '' the email concluded .
`` As our community experiences brokenness , we also recognize our ongoing need of restoration and reconciliation .
We lament this situation and pray for all who have been affected by these events , as well as for Reverend Blackmon and his family . ''
Blackmon is a Netherlands native and a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids , Michigan .
On March 19 , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College campus community about the COVID-19 pandemic .
That letter has since been removed from the college 's website .

Wheaton College chaplain fired for "inappropriate" sexual, racial comments
The Rev. Timothy Blackmon, shown here in a 2016 Wheaton Magazine article from when he was hired as Wheaton College's sixth chaplain, was fired by the college for "inappropriate comments and actions of a racial and sexual nature" toward staff members. Courtesy of Wheaton College
Wheaton College President Philip Ryken said in an email to students and faculty Friday that chaplain Timothy Blackmon has been fired for "inappropriate comments and actions of a racial and sexual nature" toward staff members.
Blackmon, the sixth chaplain in the college's history, "did not engage in sexually immoral relationships or physical sexual misconduct," Ryken added in his email.
Efforts to reach Blackmon, 50, who was hired in 2015, were not immediately successful. He did not respond to a Facebook message, and his Twitter account did not allow direct messages.
Ryken wrote in his email that the college hired "external professionals" to investigate allegations against Blackmon.
"The investigation revealed conduct inconsistent with Wheaton's policies and commitments. Following this investigation and adjudication, as well as a trustee review process, Tim Blackmon is no longer employed at Wheaton College," the email read. "Because of the unique role of the Chaplain as one of Wheaton's primary spiritual leaders, we believe it is important to share this information with the campus community. In deference to the confidentiality of multiple parties in a personnel process, though, we do not plan to provide additional information beyond this message and encourage our community to respect the privacy of the individuals involved."
Joseph Moore, spokesman for the college, said Friday there would be no additional comment from the evangelical Christian college.
Ryken's email did not detail a timeline for the investigation or specify Blackmon's actual termination date.
Ryken said he would soon name an interim chaplain for the 2020-21 school year, and that concerned students may email chaplains.office@wheaton.edu to be connected to someone from the chaplain's office within 24 hours.
"We recognize that this is painful news," the email concluded. "As our community experiences brokenness, we also recognize our ongoing need of restoration and reconciliation. We lament this situation and pray for all who have been affected by these events, as well as for Reverend Blackmon and his family."
Blackmon is a Netherlands native and a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
On March 19, he wrote a pastoral letter to the Wheaton College campus community about the COVID-19 pandemic. That letter has since been removed from the college's website.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Flags flying in Warrenville for the Fourth of July

A Warrenville field has become a sea of red , white and blue for a good cause on the Fourth of July .
Dozens of volunteers came together last weekend to display more than 500 American flags at Warrenville VFW Post 8081 , 3S371 Mignin Drive .
Many of the flags have since been sold as part of a fundraiser run by the post , its auxiliary , and Warrenville American Legion Post 589 .
`` The response has been phenomenal , '' said Bob Zaborowski , senior vice commander of VFW Post 8081 .
The `` field of flags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a retired high school administrator who lives in Wheaton .
Keller said he was planning to install 2,020 flags and have a traveling Vietnam Wall at Seven Gables Park in Wheaton .
But that event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
While Warrenville had to cancel its Fourth of July celebration , Keller said the city gave the VFW permission to have a flag display .
`` Instead of letting the Fourth of July go by without a parade and fireworks , '' Keller said , `` I thought this would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support our flag , support our military and support our veterans . ''
Keller has a great of deal of experience with flag displays .
Since 2013 , he has organized displays at a variety of locations , including West Aurora High School , Kaneland High School in Maple Park , and Metea Valley High School in Aurora .
Each display has 3-by-5-foot flags attached to poles in perfect rows and columns .
`` Walking through the field of flags is peaceful , '' Keller said .
`` It 's very patriotic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were left over from previous events .
All the flags are available for purchase .
The cost for one flag with a pole is $ 10 .
Because of restrictions on crowd size , organizers did little to promote the field of flags .
There was no opening ceremony for the event .
Still , Zaborowski said the flags have sold well .
Many were seen in yards around Warrenville .
`` I think people are showing a little more patriotism , '' he said .
The display will remain until Sunday afternoon @

Flags flying in Warrenville for the Fourth of July
A Warrenville field has become a sea of red, white and blue for a good cause on the Fourth of July.
Dozens of volunteers came together last weekend to display more than 500 American flags at Warrenville VFW Post 8081, 3S371 Mignin Drive. Many of the flags have since been sold as part of a fundraiser run by the post, its auxiliary, and Warrenville American Legion Post 589.
By Friday morning, roughly 220 flags remained.
"The response has been phenomenal," said Bob Zaborowski, senior vice commander of VFW Post 8081.
The "field of flags" was provided by Rudy Keller, a retired high school administrator who lives in Wheaton.
Keller said he was planning to install 2,020 flags and have a traveling Vietnam Wall at Seven Gables Park in Wheaton. But that event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Warrenville had to cancel its Fourth of July celebration, Keller said the city gave the VFW permission to have a flag display.
"Instead of letting the Fourth of July go by without a parade and fireworks," Keller said, "I thought this would be a nice, patriotic effort to support our flag, support our military and support our veterans."
Keller has a great of deal of experience with flag displays.
Since 2013, he has organized displays at a variety of locations, including West Aurora High School, Kaneland High School in Maple Park, and Metea Valley High School in Aurora. Each display has 3-by-5-foot flags attached to poles in perfect rows and columns.
"Walking through the field of flags is peaceful," Keller said. "It's very patriotic."
Keller said the flags in Warrenville were left over from previous events.
All the flags are available for purchase. The cost for one flag with a pole is $10.
"That's a bargain," Keller said.
Because of restrictions on crowd size, organizers did little to promote the field of flags. There was no opening ceremony for the event.
Still, Zaborowski said the flags have sold well. Many were seen in yards around Warrenville.
"I think people are showing a little more patriotism," he said.
The display will remain until Sunday afternoon.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Constable: They were married 68 years. They died 2 days apart. Now they are buried together.

Haunting twin trumpet refrains of taps echo across Fort Sheridan National Cemetery before the members of the Honor Guard from Libertyville crisply fold a pair of U.S. flags in memory of Irene and Wilbert `` Bill '' Saffell , who both served in the Army during World War II , were married for 68 years and died two days apart at opposite ends of their Park City mobile home , where Old Glory always flew from their flagpole .
`` My dad said , 'Hey , could you put in a good word for me ? '
'' daughter Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom died peacefully on May 8 and her dad , 93 , followed on May 10 .
`` Mom was in hospice at one end , and Dad was in hospice at the other end .
As much as it 's still painful , they died so close together we could bury them together at Fort Sheridan with full military honors . ''
Their military service is what brought them together .
Born in August 1921 in North Chicago to Joseph and Helen Pasiewicz , Irene graduated from Waukegan High School and wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Northern Illinois University briefly , but the family did n't have money for college .
So she made an unusual career choice for women of that era .
`` Mom and a girlfriend , her first name was also Irene , decided to join the military , '' Chris Saffell says .
Her mother served during the war as a sergeant and spent 28 years in civil service at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in North Chicago before retiring .
`` She was the one who scheduled all the men for their physicals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When she saw dad , she noticed his blue eyes . ''
Bill was born in September 1926 in Oak Ridge , Missouri .
His dad , a farmer named Amie Martin Saffell , died when Bill was 3 years old , and the boy grew up with his mom , Alpha , on a small farm near Bonne Terre , Missouri , until they moved to Manchester , Michigan , where he graduated high school .
As a teen , he worked in the fields of a farm owned by Henry Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who often stopped to chat with his workers .
Enlisting in the Army , Bill shipped out to the Philippines in 1945 .
`` Even though the war was officially over , it was n't over , '' Chris Saffell says , noting her dad saw some combat .
`` He never really talked about that .
He 'd say how nasty and hot it was with the humidity and the rain . ''
Bill and Irene met after he returned from overseas and she was working in civil service at Great Lakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , 1952 , at Holy Rosary Church in North Chicago and had four children -- Martin Saffell of Lansing , Michigan ; Chris , a retired Gurnee police officer ; Lauretta Saffell of Gurnee ; and Robert Saffell of Zion ; and grandchildren Alex , Andrew and Megan Saffell of Zion .
Bill served stateside during the Korean War , and Chris was born while the family was stationed in Alaska , which was n't yet a state .
During the start of the Vietnam War , the family was stationed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nellingen , just south of Stuttgart , Germany .
Bill retired from the Army in 1968 .
He later worked for Abbott Laboratories and at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville .
Bill was in Condell this spring , until he was allowed to return home April 30 .
`` Once she knew Dad was home , she gave up , '' Chris Saffell says .
Like her parents , Chris Saffell enlisted in the Army after graduating from North Chicago High School .
`` She helped me get through basic training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom , who went through basic training without weapons for her Army service .
`` She gave me an idea what it was like , up early , always doing something .
She taught me to properly fold clothes for the foot locker . ''
A devout Catholic , Irene also loved crocheting .
Bill enjoyed NASCAR racing and loved growing vegetables and keeping a pristine garden around their home .
Their house is filled with plaques , flags and other reminders of their service to our nation .
They would have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrival of the Illinois Patriot Guard on motorcycles at their graveyard service , arranged by Gurnee Salata Funeral Home , their daughter says .
`` He outranked her ( sergeant first class to sergeant ) on paper , but they worked together on everything , '' Chris Saffell says of her parents .
`` Bottom line is they were just in love with each other . ''

Constable: They were married 68 years. They died 2 days apart. Now they are buried together.
Haunting twin trumpet refrains of taps echo across Fort Sheridan National Cemetery before the members of the Honor Guard from Libertyville crisply fold a pair of U.S. flags in memory of Irene and Wilbert "Bill" Saffell, who both served in the Army during World War II, were married for 68 years and died two days apart at opposite ends of their Park City mobile home, where Old Glory always flew from their flagpole.
"My dad said, 'Hey, could you put in a good word for me?'" daughter Chris Saffell says in explaining how her 98-year-old mom died peacefully on May 8 and her dad, 93, followed on May 10. "Mom was in hospice at one end, and Dad was in hospice at the other end. As much as it's still painful, they died so close together we could bury them together at Fort Sheridan with full military honors."
Their military service is what brought them together.
Her family didn't have the money for college, so Irene Pasiewicz enlisted in the U.S. Army. That's where she met Wilbert (Bill) Saffell, another World War II veteran. They were married for 68 years, died two days apart this spring and are buried together in Fort Sheridan National Cemetery. - Courtesy of Saffell Family
Born in August 1921 in North Chicago to Joseph and Helen Pasiewicz, Irene graduated from Waukegan High School and wanted to become a teacher. She went to Northern Illinois University briefly, but the family didn't have money for college. So she made an unusual career choice for women of that era.
"Mom and a girlfriend, her first name was also Irene, decided to join the military," Chris Saffell says.
Her mother served during the war as a sergeant and spent 28 years in civil service at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in North Chicago before retiring.
"She was the one who scheduled all the men for their physicals," Chris Saffell says. "When she saw dad, she noticed his blue eyes."
Bill was born in September 1926 in Oak Ridge, Missouri. His dad, a farmer named Amie Martin Saffell, died when Bill was 3 years old, and the boy grew up with his mom, Alpha, on a small farm near Bonne Terre, Missouri, until they moved to Manchester, Michigan, where he graduated high school. As a teen, he worked in the fields of a farm owned by Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Co., who often stopped to chat with his workers.
A World War II veteran, Wilbert (Bill) Saffell and his wife, Irene, also a World War II veteran, were married for 68 years. They died two days apart and are buried together in Fort Sheridan National Cemetery. - Courtesy of Saffell Family
Enlisting in the Army, Bill shipped out to the Philippines in 1945.
"Even though the war was officially over, it wasn't over," Chris Saffell says, noting her dad saw some combat. "He never really talked about that. He'd say how nasty and hot it was with the humidity and the rain."
Bill and Irene met after he returned from overseas and she was working in civil service at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. They married on Jan. 5, 1952, at Holy Rosary Church in North Chicago and had four children -- Martin Saffell of Lansing, Michigan; Chris, a retired Gurnee police officer; Lauretta Saffell of Gurnee; and Robert Saffell of Zion; and grandchildren Alex, Andrew and Megan Saffell of Zion.
Married in 1952, Wilbert "Bill" and Irene Saffell both served in the U.S. Army during World War II and were married for 68 years. - Courtesy of Saffell Family
Bill served stateside during the Korean War, and Chris was born while the family was stationed in Alaska, which wasn't yet a state. During the start of the Vietnam War, the family was stationed from 1963 to 1966 at a U.S. base in Nellingen, just south of Stuttgart, Germany. Bill retired from the Army in 1968. He later worked for Abbott Laboratories and at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
Bill was in Condell this spring, until he was allowed to return home April 30. "Once she knew Dad was home, she gave up," Chris Saffell says. Like her parents, Chris Saffell enlisted in the Army after graduating from North Chicago High School.
"She helped me get through basic training," the daughter says of her mom, who went through basic training without weapons for her Army service. "She gave me an idea what it was like, up early, always doing something. She taught me to properly fold clothes for the foot locker."
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer World War II veterans Wilbert "Bill" and Irene Saffell always flew the flag outside their home in Park City. Daughter Chris Saffell, an Army veteran who went on to a career as a police officer in Gurnee, says her mom's advice helped her during her basic training.
A devout Catholic, Irene also loved crocheting. Bill enjoyed NASCAR racing and loved growing vegetables and keeping a pristine garden around their home.
Their house is filled with plaques, flags and other reminders of their service to our nation. They would have been pleased with the Honor Guard and the arrival of the Illinois Patriot Guard on motorcycles at their graveyard service, arranged by Gurnee Salata Funeral Home, their daughter says.
"He outranked her (sergeant first class to sergeant) on paper, but they worked together on everything," Chris Saffell says of her parents. "Bottom line is they were just in love with each other."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--How downtown Naperville got a shaved ice stand during a pandemic

If there were no COVID-19 pandemic , it 's also likely there would be no shaved ice trailer in downtown Naperville .
Sno Problems was born out of the quarantine boredom of Naperville native Brittany Harriman , a shaved ice fan who missed the trailers , with names like Cowboy Corner and Trailer Trash Treatz , that are common around campus in her college town of Stillwater , Oklahoma .
Growing up unable to eat dairy , Harriman said , she and her family would travel to Tropical Sno in Western Springs , the closest place to get shaved ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she likes -- and now sells at Sno Problems -- is a step up from the typical snow cone .
`` It 's fluffy like snow .
It melts in your mouth , '' she said .
`` It 's definitely better . ''
So while passing the time during the stay-at-home order , Harriman said , she asked her mom if she could start her own shaved ice stand .
The answer was a yes .
`` We ran with it , '' she said .
She researched shaved ice production and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her friends to staff the stand with her .
This solved two problems , since she said many friends were unable to find jobs or internships as they would during a typical summer because of the pandemic .
The Naperville Central High School graduate , a junior at Oklahoma State University , now is co-owner of Sno Problems , along with her Naperville Central student brother , Trevor Harriman .
The plan is for Trevor to continue running the stand on weekends when his older sister returns to Oklahoma to continue her studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sno Problems -- which opened Thursday -- is scheduled to be open daily from noon to 11 p.m. at the corner of Webster Street and Aurora Avenue .
The property where the trailer stands is owned by Marquette Companies , which developed the Water Street District on the site , including a hotel , restaurants and shops .
It 's adjacent to the Naperville Municipal Center and across from the Naper Settlement .
Harriman said she was thrilled to score a downtown spot so customers can take their treats to-go .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said about the downtown corner .
`` And we got it . ''
Nick Ryan , CEO of Marquette Companies , said the firm was `` very impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit '' of the Sno Problems founders and `` loved that they were taking initiative to help provide jobs and a great summer amenity to Water Street . ''
A regular-sized shaved ice at Sno Problems runs $ 5 , while a small is $ 3 .
There 's a $ 1 upcharge for gourmet flavors .
Customers also can add flavored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to their ice for a boost .
There 's sweet cream in Harriman 's favorite , the `` Dirty 630 , '' which includes cappuccino and chocolate syrups topped with sweet cream and tastes like a mocha .
Sno Problems also will set itself apart with eco-friendly packaging and a commitment to donate a portion of proceeds to charities including Black Lives Matter and canine cancer organizations .
`` We said , 'If we want to run a business , we want to do it our way -- our moral way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business was n't exactly in the plans for Harriman , but she 's embracing it , especially as Sno Problems launches on a holiday weekend during a string of 90-degree days in the middle of a pandemic .
`` I just like challenging myself and entrepreneurship , '' Harriman said , `` and I love being with people . ''

How downtown Naperville got a shaved ice stand during a pandemic
If there were no COVID-19 pandemic, it's also likely there would be no shaved ice trailer in downtown Naperville.
Sno Problems was born out of the quarantine boredom of Naperville native Brittany Harriman, a shaved ice fan who missed the trailers, with names like Cowboy Corner and Trailer Trash Treatz, that are common around campus in her college town of Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Growing up unable to eat dairy, Harriman said, she and her family would travel to Tropical Sno in Western Springs, the closest place to get shaved ice as a summer treat. The kind she likes -- and now sells at Sno Problems -- is a step up from the typical snow cone.
"It's fluffy like snow. It melts in your mouth," she said. "It's definitely better."
So while passing the time during the stay-at-home order, Harriman said, she asked her mom if she could start her own shaved ice stand. The answer was a yes.
"We ran with it," she said.
She researched shaved ice production and business management, then hired several of her friends to staff the stand with her. This solved two problems, since she said many friends were unable to find jobs or internships as they would during a typical summer because of the pandemic.
The Naperville Central High School graduate, a junior at Oklahoma State University, now is co-owner of Sno Problems, along with her Naperville Central student brother, Trevor Harriman. The plan is for Trevor to continue running the stand on weekends when his older sister returns to Oklahoma to continue her studies in sports media.
Until then, Sno Problems -- which opened Thursday -- is scheduled to be open daily from noon to 11 p.m. at the corner of Webster Street and Aurora Avenue.
The property where the trailer stands is owned by Marquette Companies, which developed the Water Street District on the site, including a hotel, restaurants and shops. It's adjacent to the Naperville Municipal Center and across from the Naper Settlement.
Harriman said she was thrilled to score a downtown spot so customers can take their treats to-go.
"It seemed like a dream," she said about the downtown corner. "And we got it."
Nick Ryan, CEO of Marquette Companies, said the firm was "very impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit" of the Sno Problems founders and "loved that they were taking initiative to help provide jobs and a great summer amenity to Water Street."
A regular-sized shaved ice at Sno Problems runs $5, while a small is $3. There's a $1 upcharge for gourmet flavors.
Customers also can add flavored sweet creams, similar to coffee creamer, to their ice for a boost. There's sweet cream in Harriman's favorite, the "Dirty 630," which includes cappuccino and chocolate syrups topped with sweet cream and tastes like a mocha.
Sno Problems also will set itself apart with eco-friendly packaging and a commitment to donate a portion of proceeds to charities including Black Lives Matter and canine cancer organizations.
"We said, 'If we want to run a business, we want to do it our way -- our moral way,'" Harriman said.
Starting a business wasn't exactly in the plans for Harriman, but she's embracing it, especially as Sno Problems launches on a holiday weekend during a string of 90-degree days in the middle of a pandemic.
"I just like challenging myself and entrepreneurship," Harriman said, "and I love being with people."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Where to find July 4 fireworks, modified parades and decorating contests

July 4 weekend is here -- minus much of the usual fanfare .
Festivals and most fireworks displays have been canceled because of COVID-19 , and what festivities remain are far from traditional .
But thanks to car parades , decorated-home routes and a few fireworks options , you can still get your fill of red , white and blue this weekend .
• McHenry : Fireworks will be launched at 9:30 p.m. July 4 from two locations -- the areas of Knox Park/Municipal Center and Fox Ridge Park -- to allow residents to view the displays from home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
The rain date is Sunday , July 5. cityofmchenry.org .
• Naperville : Fireworks in Naperville this year offer a few viewing options and a new location at the Frontier Sports Complex .
The display will run 9:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday , July 4 .
Viewers can watch from their cars or at a large field in the park , but they are asked to practice social distancing .
Parking is available at the park , 3380 Cedar Glade Drive , and at Neuqua Valley High School , 2360 95th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good news : Drive-In fireworks have been scheduled for July 2 , 3 and 4 at Boomers Stadium .
The bad news : The established viewing areas around the stadium are all sold out .
boomersbaseball.com .
• Spring Grove : Richardson Farm in Spring Grove opens for parking at 6 p.m. July 4 at 909 English Prairie Road .
Attendees can stay in their cars or set up chairs in front of their cars to enjoy a picnic .
Bring your own food , buy some at food trucks or get snacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corn and doughnuts .
$ 20 per car , cash only .
Phase 4 social distancing rules will be in place .
richardsonadventurefarm.com .
• Arlington Heights : Baird & Warner is sponsoring the 4th of July Parade Reimagined from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 4 .
Participants will be stationed in the parking lot at 210 W. Northwest Hwy.
, and visiting cars can drive by to enjoy live music , wave to veterans and the mayor and more .
Social distancing will be observed .
• Aurora : Replacing the traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Salute to Healthcare Workers Fourth of July Processional .
Included in the processional will be 10 vehicles from Aurora 's police and fire departments , the city 's emergency management agency and the Kane County sheriff 's office .
The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. July 4 at Rush-Copley Medical Center , 2000 Ogden Ave. , and it 's expected to end about 10:45 a.m. at AMITA Health Mercy Medical Center .
See the route at aurora-il.org .
• Barrington : The village of Barrington is encouraging residents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive through their neighborhoods from 10 a.m. to noon July 4 , creating mini-parades for Barrington JULY 4th Reimagined .
The village will also deploy a small parade of fire and police vehicles , along with Bob the DJ .
There will be prizes , and the parade will be livestreamed on Facebook .
www.barrington-il.gov .
• Batavia : The Batavia VFW Post 1197 will host a mini parade for kids on its 6-acre property at 645 S. River St. , where leaders say they have plenty of room to social distance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. , and they 'll march around the perimeter starting at 10:30 on July 4 .
Fire trucks will be parked at the post for kids to tour .
After the parade , the post will offer hot dogs , chips and soda free to children younger than 8 and $ 5 a plate for anyone older .
Those who want to watch can bring lawn chairs .
vfw1197.org .
• Carol Stream : Residents and businesses are asked to decorate in honor of July 4 .
Prizes will be awarded .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and posted on the village website at www.carolstream.org for those who want to see the decorations July 4 .
• Glen Ellyn : A Patriotic Home and Storefront Decorating Contest calls for participants to meld creativity and patriotism .
The addresses of all registered houses and businesses will be posted at www.GlenEllyn4thOfJuly.org/patriotic-addresses so people can check them out .
• Glenview : The Glenview Park District is staging a reverse parade from 10 a.m. to noon July 4 at Community Park West , 1001 Zenith Ave. Preregistered spectators can drive past the stationary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but advance tickets are required by visiting glenview4th.org .
Patriotic music will play on WHPK 88.5-FM during the event .
• Highland Park : The Virtual Kids , Bike & Pet Parade -- Highland Park Style will be presented via video at noon July 4 .
The chamber will post the video on the event page of its website , www.chamberhp.com , and also on its Facebook and Instagram accounts .
• Lakemoor : The Village of Lakemoor July Fourth Parade of Homes encourages residents to decorate the outside of their houses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to drive , walk or bike around town July 4 and 5 .
For details , visit https : //sites.google.com/lakemoor.net/village-july-4th-event/home ?
fbclid=IwAR025KeyRRwIDYFdSDsSdjwA5CoS5VbtnGt8gWj3PzYhAJeYRFgE6NMuMu4 .
• Lincolnshire : The villagewide # LincolnshireStrong Independence Day house decorating contest encourages residents to decorate their houses , front yards , driveways and balconies for Independence Day .
• McHenry : The `` Cavalcade for our Country '' will feature dozens of decorated boats on the Chain O ' Lakes throughout the day July 4 .
The procession will begin at 10:30 a.m. from the Snuggery on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , boats will sail through each of the lakes in the Chain and pass several parks so those on land can watch .
For more information and a schedule of stops , visit the event 's Facebook page at https : //tinyurl.com/yal3z7s9 .
• Naperville : Celebrating Naperville 's Heroes is the theme of a rally hosted by Safe DuPage at 9:30 a.m. July 4 at Rotary Hill .
The event will feature speakers , and attendees are encouraged to wear red , white and blue and bring a flag to wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone to wear masks and respect social distancing guidelines .
See www.facebook.com/events/267715161213458/ .
• Northbrook : Northbrook is hosting a Fourth of July `` Porch Parade . ''
Residents were invited to decorate their houses , lawns and porches and submit their addresses to compete to win and to be added to an interactive parade route .
For those who want to see the houses across town from 2 to 4 p.m. July 4 , the map will be shared via the village website at northbrook.il.us , as well as on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Villa Park , Lombard , Wheaton and Glen Ellyn : At 10 a.m. July 4 , DuPage Democrats are hosting a car parade and encouraging people to decorate .
Awards will be given ; registration is requested .
The cars will gather at the Safari Land parking lot at 701 North Ave. , Villa Park , and will get maps to the route .
For information , go to www.facebook.com/events/215334566153782/ .
• Waukegan : The Virtual Waukegan American Independence Parade -- Shoebox Edition runs 1 to 2 p.m. July 4 at www.facebook.com/events/654966672028140/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in advance by decorating a `` mini float '' with a box .
For information , contact Debra at dcarl @ waukeganparks.org or ( 847 ) 360-4740 .
• Wheaton : Families are invited to participate in Wheaton Kids 4th of July Parade on July 4 at Adams Park , 201 N. Main St .
Participants are encouraged to wear a costume and decorate their bikes or other ride-on toys .
Families are asked to reserve a spot and observe safe practices .
Staging and a collection drive of nonperishable food and personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the parade starting at 10. www.facebook.com/Wheaton4thKids/ .

Where to find July 4 fireworks, modified parades and decorating contests
July 4 weekend is here -- minus much of the usual fanfare.
Festivals and most fireworks displays have been canceled because of COVID-19, and what festivities remain are far from traditional. But thanks to car parades, decorated-home routes and a few fireworks options, you can still get your fill of red, white and blue this weekend.
Fireworks
• McHenry: Fireworks will be launched at 9:30 p.m. July 4 from two locations -- the areas of Knox Park/Municipal Center and Fox Ridge Park -- to allow residents to view the displays from home. Neither site will be accessible to the public. The rain date is Sunday, July 5. cityofmchenry.org.
• Naperville: Fireworks in Naperville this year offer a few viewing options and a new location at the Frontier Sports Complex. The display will run 9:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Viewers can watch from their cars or at a large field in the park, but they are asked to practice social distancing. Parking is available at the park, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive, and at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St.
• Schaumburg: First, the good news: Drive-In fireworks have been scheduled for July 2, 3 and 4 at Boomers Stadium. The bad news: The established viewing areas around the stadium are all sold out. boomersbaseball.com.
• Spring Grove: Richardson Farm in Spring Grove opens for parking at 6 p.m. July 4 at 909 English Prairie Road. Attendees can stay in their cars or set up chairs in front of their cars to enjoy a picnic. Bring your own food, buy some at food trucks or get snacks from golf carts selling beer, kettle corn and doughnuts. $20 per car, cash only. Phase 4 social distancing rules will be in place. richardsonadventurefarm.com.
Parade alternatives
• Arlington Heights: Baird & Warner is sponsoring the 4th of July Parade Reimagined from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 4. Participants will be stationed in the parking lot at 210 W. Northwest Hwy., and visiting cars can drive by to enjoy live music, wave to veterans and the mayor and more. Social distancing will be observed.
• Aurora: Replacing the traditional Fourth of July parade this year is a Salute to Healthcare Workers Fourth of July Processional. Included in the processional will be 10 vehicles from Aurora's police and fire departments, the city's emergency management agency and the Kane County sheriff's office. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. July 4 at Rush-Copley Medical Center, 2000 Ogden Ave., and it's expected to end about 10:45 a.m. at AMITA Health Mercy Medical Center. See the route at aurora-il.org.
• Barrington: The village of Barrington is encouraging residents to decorate cars, bicycles and wagons and drive through their neighborhoods from 10 a.m. to noon July 4, creating mini-parades for Barrington JULY 4th Reimagined. The village will also deploy a small parade of fire and police vehicles, along with Bob the DJ. There will be prizes, and the parade will be livestreamed on Facebook. www.barrington-il.gov.
• Batavia: The Batavia VFW Post 1197 will host a mini parade for kids on its 6-acre property at 645 S. River St., where leaders say they have plenty of room to social distance. Kids are asked to gather at 10 a.m., and they'll march around the perimeter starting at 10:30 on July 4. Fire trucks will be parked at the post for kids to tour. After the parade, the post will offer hot dogs, chips and soda free to children younger than 8 and $5 a plate for anyone older. Those who want to watch can bring lawn chairs. vfw1197.org.
• Carol Stream: Residents and businesses are asked to decorate in honor of July 4. Prizes will be awarded. The addresses will be listed on a map and posted on the village website at www.carolstream.org for those who want to see the decorations July 4.
• Glen Ellyn: A Patriotic Home and Storefront Decorating Contest calls for participants to meld creativity and patriotism. The addresses of all registered houses and businesses will be posted at www.GlenEllyn4thOfJuly.org/patriotic-addresses so people can check them out.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer Jacki Ruh and her family have decorated the exterior of their home for the Fourth of July and the Northbrook Porch Parade.
• Glenview: The Glenview Park District is staging a reverse parade from 10 a.m. to noon July 4 at Community Park West, 1001 Zenith Ave. Preregistered spectators can drive past the stationary floats. The event is free, but advance tickets are required by visiting glenview4th.org. Patriotic music will play on WHPK 88.5-FM during the event.
• Highland Park: The Virtual Kids, Bike & Pet Parade -- Highland Park Style will be presented via video at noon July 4. The chamber will post the video on the event page of its website, www.chamberhp.com, and also on its Facebook and Instagram accounts.
• Lakemoor: The Village of Lakemoor July Fourth Parade of Homes encourages residents to decorate the outside of their houses and show off their patriotism for those who want to drive, walk or bike around town July 4 and 5. For details, visit https://sites.google.com/lakemoor.net/village-july-4th-event/home?fbclid=IwAR025KeyRRwIDYFdSDsSdjwA5CoS5VbtnGt8gWj3PzYhAJeYRFgE6NMuMu4.
• Lincolnshire: The villagewide #LincolnshireStrong Independence Day house decorating contest encourages residents to decorate their houses, front yards, driveways and balconies for Independence Day.
• McHenry: The "Cavalcade for our Country" will feature dozens of decorated boats on the Chain O' Lakes throughout the day July 4. The procession will begin at 10:30 a.m. from the Snuggery on the upper Fox River in McHenry. From there, boats will sail through each of the lakes in the Chain and pass several parks so those on land can watch. For more information and a schedule of stops, visit the event's Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/yal3z7s9.
• Naperville: Celebrating Naperville's Heroes is the theme of a rally hosted by Safe DuPage at 9:30 a.m. July 4 at Rotary Hill. The event will feature speakers, and attendees are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and bring a flag to wave. In addition, organizers are asking everyone to wear masks and respect social distancing guidelines. See www.facebook.com/events/267715161213458/.
• Northbrook: Northbrook is hosting a Fourth of July "Porch Parade." Residents were invited to decorate their houses, lawns and porches and submit their addresses to compete to win and to be added to an interactive parade route. For those who want to see the houses across town from 2 to 4 p.m. July 4, the map will be shared via the village website at northbrook.il.us, as well as on social media or by texting 4THJULY to 888777.
• Villa Park, Lombard, Wheaton and Glen Ellyn: At 10 a.m. July 4, DuPage Democrats are hosting a car parade and encouraging people to decorate. Awards will be given; registration is requested. The cars will gather at the Safari Land parking lot at 701 North Ave., Villa Park, and will get maps to the route. For information, go to www.facebook.com/events/215334566153782/.
• Waukegan: The Virtual Waukegan American Independence Parade -- Shoebox Edition runs 1 to 2 p.m. July 4 at www.facebook.com/events/654966672028140/. Families, businesses and organizations participated in advance by decorating a "mini float" with a box. For information, contact Debra at dcarl@waukeganparks.org or (847) 360-4740.
• Wheaton: Families are invited to participate in Wheaton Kids 4th of July Parade on July 4 at Adams Park, 201 N. Main St. Participants are encouraged to wear a costume and decorate their bikes or other ride-on toys. Families are asked to reserve a spot and observe safe practices. Staging and a collection drive of nonperishable food and personal care items start at 9:30 a.m., with the parade starting at 10. www.facebook.com/Wheaton4thKids/.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Comfort packages assembled for troops in memory of Marine killed in action in 2010

Volunteers gathered in an Arlington Heights bowling alley for the fourth consecutive day Friday to assemble comfort packages for overseas troops in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl .
James Bray Stack , who was killed in action in 2010 .
Wearing masks and taking other safety precautions , the Help USA Troops volunteers worked in the middle of Beverly Lanes to finish filling what 's expected to be about 500 boxes with personal hygiene items , pocket-size food and snacks , powdered drinks , cards of thanks and more .
Donations were dropped off at collection points across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police stations in Buffalo Grove and Barrington also were drop-off locations .
Stack 's mother-in-law , Dawn Hedrick of Arlington Heights , who heads the nonprofit Help USA Troops , said the organization had planned to ship 1,500 to 1,700 packages to the military before the COVID-19 pandemic , but was happy to collect enough donations for something to send this year .
`` I just want , as a citizen of the United States , for ( people ) to support the troops , '' Hedrick said during a break Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them enough as a country .
...
It 's not that much to send a granola bar or some stuff like that , but it means something to them . ''
Stack , 20 , of Arlington Heights , was killed Nov. 10 , 2010 , in southern Afghanistan .
His 3rd Battalion/5th Regiment suffered the highest casualty rate of any Marine unit during the war up to that time .
Stack , a rifleman , was on foot patrol when he was shot and killed , leaving behind his wife , Katie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Katie and Mikayla , now 10 , were among those who worked to assemble the packages in Beverly Lanes .
Help USA Troops was founded in 2011 .
`` Personally , it means a lot , because it is in my husband 's name , '' said Katie Stack , who was 19 when she lost the man who also was her high school sweetheart .
`` Having that as the foundation of it just means a significant amount , because people still care and the people still take time out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide for our troops . ''

Comfort packages assembled for troops in memory of Marine killed in action in 2010
Volunteers gathered in an Arlington Heights bowling alley for the fourth consecutive day Friday to assemble comfort packages for overseas troops in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. James Bray Stack, who was killed in action in 2010.
Wearing masks and taking other safety precautions, the Help USA Troops volunteers worked in the middle of Beverly Lanes to finish filling what's expected to be about 500 boxes with personal hygiene items, pocket-size food and snacks, powdered drinks, cards of thanks and more.
Donations were dropped off at collection points across Arlington Heights, including police headquarters. Police stations in Buffalo Grove and Barrington also were drop-off locations.
Stack's mother-in-law, Dawn Hedrick of Arlington Heights, who heads the nonprofit Help USA Troops, said the organization had planned to ship 1,500 to 1,700 packages to the military before the COVID-19 pandemic, but was happy to collect enough donations for something to send this year.
"I just want, as a citizen of the United States, for (people) to support the troops," Hedrick said during a break Friday. "I don't think we support them enough as a country. ... It's not that much to send a granola bar or some stuff like that, but it means something to them."
Stack, 20, of Arlington Heights, was killed Nov. 10, 2010, in southern Afghanistan.
His 3rd Battalion/5th Regiment suffered the highest casualty rate of any Marine unit during the war up to that time. Stack, a rifleman, was on foot patrol when he was shot and killed, leaving behind his wife, Katie, and a 1-year-old girl, Mikayla.
Katie and Mikayla, now 10, were among those who worked to assemble the packages in Beverly Lanes. Help USA Troops was founded in 2011.
"Personally, it means a lot, because it is in my husband's name," said Katie Stack, who was 19 when she lost the man who also was her high school sweetheart. "Having that as the foundation of it just means a significant amount, because people still care and the people still take time out of their days to honor my husband and provide for our troops."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Rozner: The night Steve Stone was the star of stars

Steve Stone knew what he was doing to his arm in 1980 .
En route to 25 victories in 37 starts , pitching 250 innings and winning a Cy Young Award for the Baltimore Orioles , at 32 years old and after numerous injuries he also knew time was dwindling .
`` I threw 70 percent curveballs that season because I wanted to help the team , '' Stone said .
`` I knew what would happen to my elbow .
The truth is there was n't much left in my arm at that point anyway . ''
The change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record at the All-Star break , and Stone was named by Orioles manager Earl Weaver to start the Midsummer Classic ahead of Tommy John ( 12-3 ) and Jack Morris ( 11-6 ) , 40 years ago this week .
`` I had won like 10 in a row .
Plus , it was my day to pitch , '' Stone said .
`` I was having the best year .
It was no gift .
But I did n't expect to start .
It was my only All-Star Game and just to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
At Dodger Stadium on July 8 , 1980 , with Keith Jackson , Don Drysdale , Howard Cosell and Al Michaels in the broadcast booth -- men with whom he would later broadcast -- Stone took on J.R. Richard and a ferocious National League lineup .
`` Everywhere you look there 's a future Hall of Famer and you 're standing on the mound throwing to Carlton Fisk behind the plate .
Truly surreal , '' Stone said .
`` You dream of that as a kid and there you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indescribable feeling .
After I warmed up , I took a little time and just looked around .
`` I mean , I have the ball , right ? ''
Stone said laughing .
`` They ca n't do anything until I throw the baseball to home plate . ''
Davey Lopes led off for the National League in the bottom of the first and pulled a curveball down the line for what looked like a basehit , but third baseman Graig Nettles went to his left , made a great diving stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Clearly , they knew what I was doing , '' Stone chuckled .
`` I decided to throw some fastballs . ''
Reggie Smith crushed one of those to deep center , where Fred Lynn caught it at the wall for the second out .
`` Thought it was gone , '' Stone said .
`` That almost changed the story in a hurry . ''
A very scary Dave Parker on 3-2 looked for a curve and Stone got him with a high fastball for the final out of the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The bad news was in the top of the second , Stone had to bat with two on , two out and the fireballing Richard pitching into the shadows at home plate .
`` He 's throwing 100 mph and I 'm having the best year of my life , '' Stone said .
`` I wanted nothing to do with this at-bat .
I did n't need to get hit and break an arm or something .
`` So Bucky Dent bats before me and Richard has given up like 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I figure I wo n't have to bat against him .
What does Bucky do ?
He reaches out and gets a tiny piece and drops it in for a hit .
Great .
Now I have to bat .
`` I get to the plate and I tell ( catcher ) Johnny Bench , ' I ca n't hit and I 'm scared to death .
I will have one foot in the on-deck circle so tell him to just throw it down the middle . '
`` When you have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what a real fastball looks like .
Not my fastball .
A real fastball .
The first one exploded .
Could n't even see it .
I 've never experienced that before and I faced Nolan Ryan and Bob Gibson .
`` I was so far away in the box that I might as well have been in the dugout .
He struck me out on a 2-2 count and I was never so happy to strike out .
I was just sorry it took 5 pitches . ''
Back on the mound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , Bench on a grounder and struck out Dave Kingman to end the inning .
`` When Bench came to bat , I walked in toward the plate and asked ( umpire ) John Kibler for a ball with bigger seams , and tossed him the old one , '' Stone chuckled .
`` I wanted Bench to think I needed big seams for a curveball .
I threw him a fastball and he grounded out .
`` As he ran by , he said , ' I knew you were throwing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'Yeah , but you did n't hit it . '
I was having a really good time out there . ''
Six up , six down .
Stone was beginning to think this could be a special night .
Bob Welch replaced Richard and worked his way out of trouble in the top of the third , and Stone was back to the mound to try for 3 perfect innings .
Stone fooled Ken Reitz , who grounded to second .
Bill Russell flied to left .
And then he struck out Welch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All-Star appearance .
Nine up , nine down .
It was one of the greatest All-Star pitching performances in history from one of the most unlikely pitchers .
A week shy of his 33rd birthday , during the greatest season of his baseball life , Steve Stone shined brighter than any of the 61 stars at Dodger Stadium .
`` There was a camera shot of me slowly walking to the dugout , trying to find my parents in the stands , and I have this huge grin .
There was relief knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big bats anymore , '' Stone said .
`` Look , I was just hoping to get an opportunity to pitch .
I had seen a lot of All-Star Games , but this was the only one I ever attended .
`` I remember it all , from the time in the clubhouse with all those Hall of Famers , to the lineup announcements , to walking to the bullpen during pregame and waiting to hear my name as the All-Star starter in Dodger Stadium .
`` There 's so much I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All-Star Game , Carl Hubbell famously struck out Babe Ruth , Lou Gehrig , Jimmie Foxx , Al Simmons and Joe Cronin in order at the Polo Grounds .
In 1984 , Fernando Valenzuela whiffed Hall of Famers Dave Winfield , Reggie Jackson and George Brett in order in the fourth , and 19-year-old Dwight Gooden fanned Lance Parrish , Chet Lemon and Alvin Davis in order in the fifth .
In 1999 at Fenway Park , Boston 's Pedro Martinez struck out Barry Larkin , Larry Walker and Sammy Sosa to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struck out Mark McGwire and Jeff Bagwell .
Steve Stone may not be remembered in baseball history with those men , but he did turn in one of the greatest performances ever in an All-Star Game .
`` I do n't think an A.L .
pitcher has thrown three perfect innings since and it probably wo n't happen again because no manager wants his pitcher out there that long , '' Stone said .
`` That game was probably the biggest thrill of my baseball life . ''
Ken Griffey Sr. won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home run off John as the National League won 4-2 , but with 16 future Hall of Famers in the game , the talk after the contest was all about the big curveball and the 5-foot-10 righty from Cleveland .
`` So many memories over 13 years , '' Stone said .
`` Played with Willie Mays , Willie McCovey , Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry in San Francisco .
Traded for Ron Santo .
Part of a White Sox three-man rotation in 1973 .
The '77 South Side Hit Men .
Pitched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything I could out of what I was given .
Saw a lot in 13 years .
Grateful for all of it , but nothing more than the 1980 All-Star Game . ''
Forty years have passed , but for Steve Stone the memories are crystal clear .

Rozner: The night Steve Stone was the star of stars
Steve Stone, now a broadcaster for the Sox, greets people from the black carpet during opening day of the last SoxFest at McCormick Place West. Daily Herald File Photo
Baltimore's Steve Stone shows the form he used while becoming the Major League's first 17-game winner Aug. 6, 1980, in a win over the White Sox. Associated Press
Houston's pitcher J.R. Richard puts the hex on Baltimore pitcher Steve Stone during All-Star Game workouts in 1980 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Both started the game and Stone was masterful. He was also scared to death when he faced Richard's 100 mph fastball in the second inning. Associated Press
Steve Stone knew what he was doing to his arm in 1980.
En route to 25 victories in 37 starts, pitching 250 innings and winning a Cy Young Award for the Baltimore Orioles, at 32 years old and after numerous injuries he also knew time was dwindling.
"I threw 70 percent curveballs that season because I wanted to help the team," Stone said. "I knew what would happen to my elbow. The truth is there wasn't much left in my arm at that point anyway."
The change in philosophy led to a sparkling 12-3 record at the All-Star break, and Stone was named by Orioles manager Earl Weaver to start the Midsummer Classic ahead of Tommy John (12-3) and Jack Morris (11-6), 40 years ago this week.
"I had won like 10 in a row. Plus, it was my day to pitch," Stone said. "I was having the best year. It was no gift. But I didn't expect to start. It was my only All-Star Game and just to get on the team was a thrill."
At Dodger Stadium on July 8, 1980, with Keith Jackson, Don Drysdale, Howard Cosell and Al Michaels in the broadcast booth -- men with whom he would later broadcast -- Stone took on J.R. Richard and a ferocious National League lineup.
"Everywhere you look there's a future Hall of Famer and you're standing on the mound throwing to Carlton Fisk behind the plate. Truly surreal," Stone said. "You dream of that as a kid and there you are on the mound. It's an indescribable feeling. After I warmed up, I took a little time and just looked around.
"I mean, I have the ball, right?" Stone said laughing. "They can't do anything until I throw the baseball to home plate."
Davey Lopes led off for the National League in the bottom of the first and pulled a curveball down the line for what looked like a basehit, but third baseman Graig Nettles went to his left, made a great diving stop and threw out the speedy Lopes.
"Clearly, they knew what I was doing," Stone chuckled. "I decided to throw some fastballs."
Reggie Smith crushed one of those to deep center, where Fred Lynn caught it at the wall for the second out.
"Thought it was gone," Stone said. "That almost changed the story in a hurry."
A very scary Dave Parker on 3-2 looked for a curve and Stone got him with a high fastball for the final out of the first inning.
That was the good news. The bad news was in the top of the second, Stone had to bat with two on, two out and the fireballing Richard pitching into the shadows at home plate.
"He's throwing 100 mph and I'm having the best year of my life," Stone said. "I wanted nothing to do with this at-bat. I didn't need to get hit and break an arm or something.
"So Bucky Dent bats before me and Richard has given up like 3 hits in 125 innings to righties. I figure I won't have to bat against him. What does Bucky do? He reaches out and gets a tiny piece and drops it in for a hit. Great. Now I have to bat.
"I get to the plate and I tell (catcher) Johnny Bench, 'I can't hit and I'm scared to death. I will have one foot in the on-deck circle so tell him to just throw it down the middle.'
"When you haven't hit for a while, you forget what a real fastball looks like. Not my fastball. A real fastball. The first one exploded. Couldn't even see it. I've never experienced that before and I faced Nolan Ryan and Bob Gibson.
"I was so far away in the box that I might as well have been in the dugout. He struck me out on a 2-2 count and I was never so happy to strike out. I was just sorry it took 5 pitches."
Back on the mound, Stone got Steve Garvey to pop out, Bench on a grounder and struck out Dave Kingman to end the inning.
"When Bench came to bat, I walked in toward the plate and asked (umpire) John Kibler for a ball with bigger seams, and tossed him the old one," Stone chuckled. "I wanted Bench to think I needed big seams for a curveball. I threw him a fastball and he grounded out.
"As he ran by, he said, 'I knew you were throwing a fastball.' I said, 'Yeah, but you didn't hit it.' I was having a really good time out there."
Six up, six down.
Stone was beginning to think this could be a special night. Bob Welch replaced Richard and worked his way out of trouble in the top of the third, and Stone was back to the mound to try for 3 perfect innings.
Stone fooled Ken Reitz, who grounded to second. Bill Russell flied to left. And then he struck out Welch with a curve to complete his only All-Star appearance.
Nine up, nine down.
It was one of the greatest All-Star pitching performances in history from one of the most unlikely pitchers. A week shy of his 33rd birthday, during the greatest season of his baseball life, Steve Stone shined brighter than any of the 61 stars at Dodger Stadium.
"There was a camera shot of me slowly walking to the dugout, trying to find my parents in the stands, and I have this huge grin. There was relief knowing I didn't have to face those big bats anymore," Stone said. "Look, I was just hoping to get an opportunity to pitch. I had seen a lot of All-Star Games, but this was the only one I ever attended.
"I remember it all, from the time in the clubhouse with all those Hall of Famers, to the lineup announcements, to walking to the bullpen during pregame and waiting to hear my name as the All-Star starter in Dodger Stadium.
"There's so much I'll never forget."
In the 1934 All-Star Game, Carl Hubbell famously struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin in order at the Polo Grounds.
In 1984, Fernando Valenzuela whiffed Hall of Famers Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson and George Brett in order in the fourth, and 19-year-old Dwight Gooden fanned Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon and Alvin Davis in order in the fifth.
In 1999 at Fenway Park, Boston's Pedro Martinez struck out Barry Larkin, Larry Walker and Sammy Sosa to start the game, and in the second struck out Mark McGwire and Jeff Bagwell.
Steve Stone may not be remembered in baseball history with those men, but he did turn in one of the greatest performances ever in an All-Star Game.
"I don't think an A.L. pitcher has thrown three perfect innings since and it probably won't happen again because no manager wants his pitcher out there that long," Stone said. "That game was probably the biggest thrill of my baseball life."
Ken Griffey Sr. won the MVP with 2 two hits and a home run off John as the National League won 4-2, but with 16 future Hall of Famers in the game, the talk after the contest was all about the big curveball and the 5-foot-10 righty from Cleveland.
"So many memories over 13 years," Stone said. "Played with Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry in San Francisco. Traded for Ron Santo. Part of a White Sox three-man rotation in 1973. The '77 South Side Hit Men. Pitched in the World Series.
"Got everything I could out of what I was given. Saw a lot in 13 years. Grateful for all of it, but nothing more than the 1980 All-Star Game."
Forty years have passed, but for Steve Stone the memories are crystal clear.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Emergency dispatch service launches online COVID-19 assessment tool

Worried about a cough or a sore throat during the COVID-19 pandemic ?
Now , there 's an online tool for that .
The Northwest Central Dispatch System has launched an online COVID-19 assessment tool to assist suburban residents concerned about exposure to the virus .
The Arlington Heights-based emergency dispatch service for many communities in the Northwest suburbs unveiled the assessment tool in late June as a way for local residents to determine a plan of action based on an algorithm developed by Priority Dispatch Inc. John Ferraro , NWCDS executive director , stressed that the tool is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they feel the situation is an emergency .
But for anyone curious about symptoms , the COVID-19 Assessment , Tracking and Triage tool ( CATT ) can be a helpful guide .
`` This is just a tool for citizens to use if they 're not sure , '' Ferraro said .
`` It 's another tool for the toolbox . ''
Residents can access the assessment tool through a link at www.nwcds.org .
They answer a series of questions , anonymously or after providing an email address , phone number or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the tool can track clusters of potential cases .
Through an address or phone number , users can receive information about monitoring their symptoms .
Users of the tool are asked several questions about symptoms -- trouble breathing , a sore throat , a new cough , etc .
-- and about preexisting conditions and possible exposure to others with COVID-19 .
Based on the answers , they are advised as to what action to take .
`` There was some back and forth with Priority Dispatch to get it to where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferraro said .
`` There was some effort put into it but we thought it was a worthwhile thing for the citizens . ''
Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights is among the organizations that works closely with NWCDS and helped oversee CATT 's development .
Dr. Alan Loren , the hospital 's chief medical officer , noted the importance of screening in responding to the pandemic .
`` I think it is helpful because people are so nervous about it , '' Loren said .
`` They do n't know when to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to the doctor or when to just stay at home and treat it with Tylenol .
Screening like this can help answer those questions . ''
Ferraro believes the same technology used for CATT can be tweaked and utilized for future medical emergencies .
`` Something like this might have been good from the beginning of all this but it was n't available , '' he said .
`` But it can be used for this pandemic or anything that happens in the future .
We 'll judge how it 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We 're really just trying to help . ''

Emergency dispatch service launches online COVID-19 assessment tool
Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights is working with the Northwest Central Dispatch System and its new online COVID-19 assessment tool. Daily Herald file photo
Worried about a cough or a sore throat during the COVID-19 pandemic? Now, there's an online tool for that.
The Northwest Central Dispatch System has launched an online COVID-19 assessment tool to assist suburban residents concerned about exposure to the virus.
The Arlington Heights-based emergency dispatch service for many communities in the Northwest suburbs unveiled the assessment tool in late June as a way for local residents to determine a plan of action based on an algorithm developed by Priority Dispatch Inc.
John Ferraro, NWCDS executive director, stressed that the tool isn't meant to discourage people from calling 911 if they feel the situation is an emergency. But for anyone curious about symptoms, the COVID-19 Assessment, Tracking and Triage tool (CATT) can be a helpful guide.
"This is just a tool for citizens to use if they're not sure," Ferraro said. "It's another tool for the toolbox."
Residents can access the assessment tool through a link at www.nwcds.org. They answer a series of questions, anonymously or after providing an email address, phone number or ZIP code.
With a ZIP code, the tool can track clusters of potential cases. Through an address or phone number, users can receive information about monitoring their symptoms.
Users of the tool are asked several questions about symptoms -- trouble breathing, a sore throat, a new cough, etc. -- and about preexisting conditions and possible exposure to others with COVID-19. Based on the answers, they are advised as to what action to take.
"There was some back and forth with Priority Dispatch to get it to where we want it to be," Ferraro said. "There was some effort put into it but we thought it was a worthwhile thing for the citizens."
Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights is among the organizations that works closely with NWCDS and helped oversee CATT's development. Dr. Alan Loren, the hospital's chief medical officer, noted the importance of screening in responding to the pandemic.
"I think it is helpful because people are so nervous about it," Loren said. "They don't know when to go to the hospital or when to go to the doctor or when to just stay at home and treat it with Tylenol. Screening like this can help answer those questions."
Ferraro believes the same technology used for CATT can be tweaked and utilized for future medical emergencies.
"Something like this might have been good from the beginning of all this but it wasn't available," he said. "But it can be used for this pandemic or anything that happens in the future. We'll judge how it's been used and if people find it useful. We're really just trying to help."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-03--Lawsuit over 2016 fall on peanut shells at Elgin pub could come to close

A lawsuit filed by Roselle woman arguing she was severely injured after slipping on peanut shells at Nick 's Pizza & Pub in Elgin in 2016 could be coming to a close .
Attorneys for the pub , where patrons eat peanuts and throw the empty shells on the floor , have argued the shells were `` open and obvious condition '' to Nanci Zappia and others , and want a Kane County judge to decide the case in late August .
Zappia 's attorney , Paul Millewich , said this week he could not discuss specifics of what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but maintained the lawsuit was not frivolous .
`` It 's a very valid lawsuit , '' he said .
The lawsuit was filed in January 2018 , seeking damages of more than $ 50,000 against the restaurant at 990 S. Randall Road .
It argues negligence by the restaurant caused Zappia to fall on a ramp Jan. 23 , 2016 .
Millewich has said injuries required Zappia to have a cervical fusion surgery redone .
Patrons at Nick 's Pizza are offered in-shell peanuts , and sweeping empty shells onto the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pub 's tradition and branding efforts .
Michael Nardulli , an attorney for the restaurant , has filed a motion for summary judgment .
It is like a mini-trial , but with no witnesses ; attorneys from both sides submit legal arguments and the judge , in this case James Murphy , makes a ruling .
`` The peanut shells scattered throughout the restaurant were clearly visible , '' read part of the motion filed by Nardulli , who could not be reached this week for additional comment .
`` A reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have undoubtedly observed the peanut shells on the ground from the moment they entered the restaurant .
They would have felt the shells crack under their feet as they walked to their table .
They would have witnessed other patrons consuming the free peanuts at every table and noticed patrons discarding the shells on the ground . ''
In a March 2019 deposition , Zappia testified she 'd never been to Nick 's or another establishment that had peanut shells on the floor , did n't notice signs advising patrons of peanuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ramp after dinner on her way out .
`` I was up at the top of it and I just flew up in the air and I landed on my shoulder and my neck landed on the upper step of the -- where the tables are for the other level , '' she stated .
`` After I got up , I seen all the peanut shells was on my body . ''
Her husband , Edward Zappia , detailed the impact the fall and injuries have had on their quality of life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do n't go walking any more , '' he said , according to court records .
`` We do n't go bike riding any more .
We could still sit and watch TV .
That 's not a problem .
We can ride in the car .
We can go shopping .
But any kind of physical activity -- no . ''
The two sides are due in court Aug. 25 , although Millewich said the date could be pushed back .

Lawsuit over 2016 fall on peanut shells at Elgin pub could come to close
Nick's Pizza and Pub at Bowes and Randall Roads in Elgin wants a judge to decide on a lawsuit filed by a woman seeking damages from a fall on peanut shells in January 2016. DAILY HERALD FILE
A lawsuit filed by Roselle woman arguing she was severely injured after slipping on peanut shells at Nick's Pizza & Pub in Elgin in 2016 could be coming to a close.
Attorneys for the pub, where patrons eat peanuts and throw the empty shells on the floor, have argued the shells were "open and obvious condition" to Nanci Zappia and others, and want a Kane County judge to decide the case in late August.
Zappia's attorney, Paul Millewich, said this week he could not discuss specifics of what he will argue on behalf of his client, but maintained the lawsuit was not frivolous. "It's a very valid lawsuit," he said.
The lawsuit was filed in January 2018, seeking damages of more than $50,000 against the restaurant at 990 S. Randall Road. It argues negligence by the restaurant caused Zappia to fall on a ramp Jan. 23, 2016.
Millewich has said injuries required Zappia to have a cervical fusion surgery redone.
Patrons at Nick's Pizza are offered in-shell peanuts, and sweeping empty shells onto the wood floor is encouraged and part of the pub's tradition and branding efforts.
Michael Nardulli, an attorney for the restaurant, has filed a motion for summary judgment. It is like a mini-trial, but with no witnesses; attorneys from both sides submit legal arguments and the judge, in this case James Murphy, makes a ruling.
"The peanut shells scattered throughout the restaurant were clearly visible," read part of the motion filed by Nardulli, who could not be reached this week for additional comment. "A reasonable patron in the position of the plaintiff would have undoubtedly observed the peanut shells on the ground from the moment they entered the restaurant. They would have felt the shells crack under their feet as they walked to their table. They would have witnessed other patrons consuming the free peanuts at every table and noticed patrons discarding the shells on the ground."
In a March 2019 deposition, Zappia testified she'd never been to Nick's or another establishment that had peanut shells on the floor, didn't notice signs advising patrons of peanuts and shells, and fell on a ramp after dinner on her way out.
"I was up at the top of it and I just flew up in the air and I landed on my shoulder and my neck landed on the upper step of the -- where the tables are for the other level," she stated. "After I got up, I seen all the peanut shells was on my body."
Her husband, Edward Zappia, detailed the impact the fall and injuries have had on their quality of life in a June 2019 deposition. "We don't go walking any more," he said, according to court records. "We don't go bike riding any more. We could still sit and watch TV. That's not a problem. We can ride in the car. We can go shopping. But any kind of physical activity -- no."
The two sides are due in court Aug. 25, although Millewich said the date could be pushed back.