dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-03--Trump said to be improving but next 48 hours 'critical'

BETHESDA , Md .
-- President Donald Trump went through a `` very concerning '' period Friday and faces a `` critical '' next two days in his fight against COVID-19 at a military hospital , his chief of staff said Saturday -- in contrast to a rosier assessment moments earlier by Trump doctors , who took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House before his hospital admission .
`` We 're still not on a clear path yet to a full recovery , '' White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center .
The changing , and at times contradictory accounts , created a credibility crisis for the White House at a crucial moment , with the president 's health and the nation 's leadership on the line .
With Trump expected to remain hospitalized several more days and the presidential election looming , his condition is being anxiously watched by Americans .
Moreover , the president 's health represents a national security issue of paramount importance not only to the functions of the U.S. government but to countries around the world , friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley and other doctors raised more questions than it answered .
Conley repeatedly refused to say whether the president ever needed supplemental oxygen , despite repeated questioning , and declined to share key details including how high a fever Trump had been running before it came back down to a normal range .
Conley also revealed that Trump had begun exhibiting `` clinical indications '' of COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon , earlier than previously known .
Conley spent much of the briefing dodging reporters ' questions , as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no oxygen .
None at this moment .
And yesterday with the team , while we were all here , he was not on oxygen , '' Conley said .
But according to a person familiar with Trump 's condition , Trump was administered oxygen at the White House on Friday morning , well before he was transported to the military hospital by helicopter that evening .
The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press only on condition of anonymity , Conley said that Trump 's symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congestion and fatigue `` are now resolving and improving , '' and said the president had been fever-free for 24 hours .
But Trump also is taking aspirin , which lowers body temperature and could mask or mitigate that symptom .
`` He 's in exceptionally good spirits , '' said another doctor , Sean Dooley , who said Trump 's heart , kidney , and liver functions were normal and that he was not having trouble breathing or walking around .
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese , putting him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide and killed more than 200,000 people in the U.S. Meadows himself had insisted Friday morning that Trump had only `` mild symptoms '' as the White House tried to project an image of normalcy .
It was unclear whether Trump already had received oxygen when Meadows spoke .
`` President Trump remains in good spirits , has mild symptoms and has been working throughout the day , '' press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said late in the day on Friday .
She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reed as a precaution .
Trump 's administration has been less than transparent with the public throughout the pandemic , both about the president 's health and the virus ' spread inside the White House .
The first word that a close aide to Trump had been infected came from the media , not the White House .
And aides have repeatedly declined to share basic health information , including a full accounting of the president 's symptoms , what tests he 's undertaken and the results .
In a memo released late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been treated at the hospital with remdesivir , an antiviral medication , after sharing that he 'd taking another experimental drug at the White House .
Conley declined to say when Trump had last been tested before he was confirmed to have COVID-19 late Thursday .
He initially suggested that Trump was 72 hours into the diagnosis -- which would mean that he was confirmed infected Wednesday .
Conley later clarified that Trump was administered an accurate test for the virus on Thursday afternoon , after White House aide Hope Hicks was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` clinical indications '' of the virus .
The White House has said Trump was expected to stay at the hospital for `` a few days '' and would continue to work from its presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties .
In addition to accessibility to tests and equipment , the decision to move to the hospital on Friday was made , at least in part , with the understanding that hurrying there later could send a worrying signal if he took a turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conley said Trump 's blood oxygen level was 96 % , which is in the normal range .
The two experimental drugs he has received , given through an IV , have shown some promise against COVID-19 .
On Friday , he was given a single dose of a drug Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. is testing to supply antibodies to help his immune system fight the virus .
Friday night , he began a five-day course of remdesivir , a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients .
The drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help the immune system rid the body of virus and remdesivir curbs the virus ' ability to multiply .
`` We 're maximizing all aspects of his care , '' attacking the virus in multiple ways , Conley said .
`` I did n't want to hold anything back if there was any possibility it would add value to his care . ''
He noted that in many cases , COVID-19 can become more dangerous as the body responds .
`` The first week of COVID , and in particular day seven to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determining the likely course of this illness , '' he said .
At the same time , the White House has been working to trace a flurry of new infections of close Trump aides and allies .
Attention is focused in particular on last Saturday 's White House event introducing Trump 's Supreme Court nominee .
That day , Trump gathered more than 150 people in the Rose Garden , where they mingled , hugged and shook hands -- overwhelmingly without masks .
There were also several indoor receptions , where Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett , her family , senators and others spent time in the close quarters of the White House , photographs show .
Among those who attended and have now tested positive : former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , the president of the University of Notre Dame , and at least two Republican lawmakers -- Utah Sen. Mike Lee and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis .
The president 's campaign manager , Bill Stepien , and the head of the Republican National Committee , Ronna McDaniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were not at the event .
Despite its failure to protect the president and senior staff from infection , the White House has given no indication that it intends to make any major protocol changes , such as mandating that everyone wears a mask .
Meadows , the chief of staff , accompanied the president to the hospital aboard Marine One , the kind of small , enclosed space where experts say the virus easily spreads .
Those aboard did wear masks .
While Vice President Mike Pence is currently off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's vice presidential debate , he and his staff are operating under a `` business as usual '' approach .
He 's still planning to travel to Arizona on Thursday , Indiana on Friday and Florida on Saturday for events instead of isolating himself after potential exposure and to protect himself from contracting the virus anywhere else .
Colvin and Miller reported from Washington .
Associated Press chief medical writer Marilynn Marchione contributed to this report from Milwaukee .

Trump said to be improving but next 48 hours 'critical'
In this image released by the White House, President Donald Trump works in his conference room at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, after testing positive for COVID-19. (Joyce N. Boghosian/The White House via AP)
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows gives a thumbs up following a medical briefing with reporters at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, on President Donald Trump, who was admitted to the hospital after contracting the coronavirus.
The helicopter that will carry President Donald Trump to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., lands on the South Lawn of White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. The White House says Trump will spend a "few days" at the military hospital after contracting COVID-19.
This shows a White House memorandum released Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 by the Physician to the President, confirming that both President Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Air Force One to travel to the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
President Donald Trump salutes as he boards Marine One as he leaves the White House to go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he tested positive for COVID-19, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Washington.
President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he leaves the White House to go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he tested positive for COVID-19, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Washington.
President Donald Trump boards Marine One as he leaves the White House to go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he tested positive for COVID-19, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Washington.
Dr. Sean Conley, physician to President Donald Trump, briefs reporters at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. Trump was admitted to the hospital after contracting the coronavirus.
In this image released by the White House, President Donald Trump works in the Presidential Suite at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, after testing positive for COVID-19. (Joyce N. Boghosian/The White House via AP)
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows gives a thumbs up following a medical briefing with reporters at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, on President Donald Trump, who was admitted to the hospital after contracting the coronavirus.
The helicopter that will carry President Donald Trump to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., lands on the South Lawn of White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. The White House says Trump will spend a "few days" at the military hospital after contracting COVID-19.
This shows a White House memorandum released Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 by the Physician to the President, confirming that both President Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Air Force One to travel to the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
President Donald Trump salutes as he boards Marine One as he leaves the White House to go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he tested positive for COVID-19, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Washington.
President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he leaves the White House to go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he tested positive for COVID-19, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Washington.
President Donald Trump boards Marine One as he leaves the White House to go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he tested positive for COVID-19, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Washington.
Dr. Sean Conley, physician to President Donald Trump, briefs reporters at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. Trump was admitted to the hospital after contracting the coronavirus.
Dr. Sean Conley, physician to President Donald Trump, briefs reporters Saturday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Trump was admitted to the hospital after contracting the coronavirus. Associated Press
BETHESDA, Md. -- President Donald Trump went through a "very concerning" period Friday and faces a "critical" next two days in his fight against COVID-19 at a military hospital, his chief of staff said Saturday -- in contrast to a rosier assessment moments earlier by Trump doctors, who took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House before his hospital admission.
Trump remained at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday. He offered his own assessment of his status Saturday evening in a video from his hospital suite, saying he was beginning to feel better and hoped to "be back soon."
Hours earlier, chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters outside the hospital, "We're still not on a clear path yet to a full recovery." In an update Saturday night, Trump's chief doctor expressed cautious optimism but added that the president was "not yet out of the woods."
The changing, and at times contradictory, accounts created a credibility crisis for the White House at a crucial moment, with the president's health and the nation's leadership on the line. With Trump expected to remain hospitalized several more days and the presidential election looming, his condition is being anxiously watched by Americans.
Moreover, the president's health represents a national security issue of paramount importance not only to the functions of the U.S. government but to countries around the world, friendly and otherwise.
Saturday's briefing by Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley and other doctors raised more questions than it answered. Conley repeatedly refused to say whether the president ever needed supplemental oxygen, despite repeated questioning, and declined to share key details including how high a fever Trump had been running before it came back down to a normal range. Conley also revealed that Trump had begun exhibiting "clinical indications" of COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon, earlier than previously known.
Conley spent much of the briefing dodging reporters' questions, as he was pressed for details.
"Thursday no oxygen. None at this moment. And yesterday with the team, while we were all here, he was not on oxygen," Conley said.
But according to a person familiar with Trump's condition, Trump was administered oxygen at the White House on Friday morning, well before he was transported to the military hospital by helicopter that evening. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press only on condition of anonymity,
Conley said that Trump's symptoms, including a mild cough, nasal congestion and fatigue "are now resolving and improving," and said the president had been fever-free for 24 hours. But Trump also is taking aspirin, which lowers body temperature and could mask or mitigate that symptom.
"He's in exceptionally good spirits," said another doctor, Sean Dooley, who said Trump's heart, kidney, and liver functions were normal and that he was not having trouble breathing or walking around.
In an evening health update, Conley said Trump had been up and moving around his medical suite without difficulty and conducting business. "While not yet out of the woods, the team remains cautiously optimistic," he said.
In the hospital video, Trump defended his decision to continue campaigning and holding large events in the midst of a pandemic.
"I had no choice," said Trump, who refused to abide by basic public health recommendations, including mask-wearing. "I had to be out front ... I can't be locked up in a room upstairs and totally safe. ... As a leader, you have to confront problems."
Trump also thanked his medical team and hailed the state-of-the-art treatments he was receiving, comparing them to "miracles coming down from God." Trump's medical care is far superior to the average American's, with around-the-clock attention and experimental treatments.
The president was angry at Meadows' public assessment of his health and, in an effort to prove his vitality, Trump ordered up the video and authorized longtime confidant Rudy Giuliani to release a statement on his behalf that he was feeling well, according to a Republican close to the White House not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations.
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide and killed more than 200,000 people in the U.S.
First lady Melania Trump remained at the White House to recover from her own bout with the virus. She was "really handling it very nicely," Trump said in the video, noting with a touch of humor that she was "just a little tiny bit younger" -- in fact, 24 years younger.
Meadows himself had insisted Friday morning that Trump had only "mild symptoms" as the White House tried to project an image of normalcy. It was unclear whether Trump already had received oxygen when Meadows spoke.
"President Trump remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms and has been working throughout the day," press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said late in the day on Friday. She said Trump had only been sent to Walter Reed as a precaution.
Trump's administration has been less than transparent with the public throughout the pandemic, both about the president's health and the virus' spread inside the White House. The first word that a close aide to Trump had been infected came from the media, not the White House. And aides have repeatedly declined to share basic health information, including a full accounting of the president's symptoms, what tests he's undertaken and the results.
In a memo released late Friday, Conley did report that Trump had been treated at the hospital with remdesivir, an antiviral medication, after sharing that he'd taking another experimental drug at the White House.
Conley declined to say when Trump had last been tested before he was confirmed to have COVID-19 late Thursday. He initially suggested that Trump was 72 hours into the diagnosis -- which would mean that he was confirmed infected Wednesday. Conley later clarified that Trump was administered an accurate test for the virus on Thursday afternoon, after White House aide Hope Hicks was confirmed to be positive and Trump exhibited "clinical indications" of the virus.
The White House has said Trump was expected to stay at the hospital for "a few days" and would continue to work from its presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties. In addition to accessibility to tests and equipment, the decision to move to the hospital on Friday was made, at least in part, with the understanding that hurrying there later could send a worrying signal if he took a turn for the worse.
On Saturday, Conley said Trump's blood oxygen level was 96%, which is in the normal range. The two experimental drugs he has received, given through an IV, have shown some promise against COVID-19. On Friday, he was given a single dose of a drug Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. is testing to supply antibodies to help his immune system fight the virus.
Friday night, he began a five-day course of remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients. The drugs work in different ways -- the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus and remdesivir curbs the virus' ability to multiply.
"We're maximizing all aspects of his care," attacking the virus in multiple ways, Conley said. "I didn't want to hold anything back if there was any possibility it would add value to his care."
He noted that in many cases, COVID-19 can become more dangerous as the body responds. "The first week of COVID, and in particular day seven to 10, are the most critical in determining the likely course of this illness," he said.
At the same time, the White House has been working to trace a flurry of new infections of close Trump aides and allies. Attention is focused in particular on last Saturday's White House event introducing Trump's Supreme Court nominee. That day, Trump gathered more than 150 people in the Rose Garden, where they mingled, hugged and shook hands -- overwhelmingly without masks. There were also several indoor receptions, where Trump's Supreme Court pick, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, her family, senators and others spent time in the close quarters of the White House, photographs show.
Among those who attended and have now tested positive: former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, the president of the University of Notre Dame, and at least two Republican lawmakers -- Utah Sen. Mike Lee and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis. The president's campaign manager, Bill Stepien, and the head of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, have also tested positive, though they were not at the event. Another prominent Republican who has tested positive: Sen. Ron Johnson. R-Wis.
One of the president's personal assistants, Nick Luna, tested positive after having traveled with Trump several times recently, a White House official said Saturday night. The official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter by name and requested anonymity.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-03--Constable: Italian immigrant, U.S. Army veteran writes love story at age 87

Even before he watched American soldiers drive the Nazis from his Italian village , Rocco Blasi dreamed of living in the United States .
`` It was something I wanted so badly .
It becomes so much a part of you , '' remembers Blasi , who made good on his dreams by becoming a member of the U.S. Army , a college professor , a founder and early president of the Arts Council of Mount Prospect , and the author of several books , including his recent first novel , published at age 87 , about a turbulent Eighth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrated to the U.S. would send care packages to Blasi 's family in Italy and tell stories about a land of plenty , where comfort and success were possible .
`` I would see American movies over and over again , '' remembers Blasi , who learned how to tap dance because of American actor Gene Kelly .
`` It was so natural for me to love America . ''
Blasi grew up as one of six children born to a poor grocer named Cesare and a hardworking mom named Rosa in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Italian boot 's ankle , '' Blasi says .
`` I do n't know if my parents finished grade school , '' Blasi says .
His father used two mules to haul food from the city to his grocery .
Blasi 's only toy was a used ball , and he never had a new book .
But the boy craved knowledge and skipped ahead during grade school .
`` I always wanted to know things , ask questions , '' he says .
`` By the time the war came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth grade , '' Blasi says , recalling how his town 's sheriff killed a Nazi soldier and inflamed the German Army .
`` The Germans blew up our bridges and said they 'd kill us all . ''
A pair of Jewish exiles who spoke perfect German calmed the situation , and the Germans occupied Laurenzana for six months before fleeing a couple of days before a squad of Americans and Canadians liberated the town .
Blasi wanted to go to high school in the city of Potenza , about 22 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the money . ''
A priest negotiated an orphan discount for Blasi , even though his parents were alive , and he walked 3½ miles from an orphanage to get to high school .
Even then , there were problems .
`` My English teacher got sick , so they put me in a French class , '' Blasi says .
He got his bachelor 's degree from a college in Salerno , Italy , before being accepted into the University of Naples Medical School .
The impoverished school , which kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still too expensive for Blasi .
`` I could n't afford the books , let alone tuition , '' he remembers .
An older sister , who immigrated to the U.S. , enticed their parents to join her in Chicago .
Blasi and two younger sisters took a 20-day ship journey from Naples to New York City around Christmas of 1953 , just before Blasi 's 21st birthday .
Living in a house on the Northwest Side of Chicago , Blasi found a job filing for Kemper Insurance .
`` My English was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read , '' he says .
Because he already knew Latin , Greek and Italian , Blasi picked up English and Spanish quickly and earned several promotions at work .
He graduated in three years from DePaul University in 1957 as an English major .
Then he enlisted in the U.S. Army .
`` It was the least I could do for a country I loved , '' Blasi says .
Excelling during training at Missouri 's Fort Leonard Wood , Blasi was sent to officer 's school , but was told he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was n't an American citizen .
Even so , Blasi was sent to Germany , where he quickly learned German , and became a translator and leader in the Army 's intelligence division , sworn to keep those secrets from falling into enemy hands .
`` I was supposed to shoot a bazooka at the safe with all the documents , '' he remembers .
During his two years in Germany , he had a memorable leave .
`` I drove a 1949 Ford over the Alps all the way to southern Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service completed , Blasi was sworn in as an American citizen on Aug. 16 , 1960 .
`` My father died that afternoon of cancer , '' he says .
Having already written a book of his poetry in Italian , Blasi worked as a technical writer for National Cylinder Gas in Chicago before becoming editor of publications and books for Central Scientific Company in Chicago .
Using the G.I .
Bill , Blasi earned a master 's degree in English at DePaul in 1965 and a doctoral degree from Loyola University in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teaching , spending 40 years at Wright College in Chicago , where he retired as the head of the English Department , and teaching part-time at Harper College in Palatine for 15 years .
`` Harper was a special place for me because it was at night , '' Blasi says , noting his students clearly wanted to learn and always came prepared .
`` I loved it .
It was just a joy . ''
The father of five , and grandfather to five , Blasi has been married to his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
Living in the same house in Mount Prospect since 1973 , Blasi coached soccer , was involved in Boy Scouts , earned a black belt in karate , and encouraged the arts through his leadership in the Arts Council of Mount Prospect .
His actress daughter , Rosa , won awards as the star of the `` Strong Medicine '' series on the Lifetime channel .
Having written his doctoral thesis on translating an Eighth Century love story , Blasi gives it a new twist in his novel , `` Florio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published by Vanguard Press in England , '' Long before Romeo and Juliet , there were Florio and Biancofiore , '' Blasi says .
The transformation of a poor Italian immigrant into a highly educated English novelist is n't lost on him .
Blasi says , `` Life is full of delicious ironies , do n't you find ? ''

Constable: Italian immigrant, U.S. Army veteran writes love story at age 87
An Italian immigrant, Rocco Blasi of Mount Prospect is a college professor and has written his first novel. Courtesy of Rocco Blasi
Fluent in seven languages, Italian immigrant Rocco Blasi earned his doctoral degree in English and became a distinguished college professor. At age 87, the longtime Mount Prospect resident has published his first novel. Courtesy of Rocco Blasi
As a boy in Italy, Rocco Blasi cheered the American troops that drove the Nazis out of his village in 1945. After immigrating to the United States, Blasi, who now lives in Mount Prospect, enlisted in the U.S. Army. Courtesy of Rocco Blasi
An Italian immigrant, Rocco Blasi enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 25. The Mount Prospect resident, 87, served in intelligence for two years in Germany and became a U.S. citizen in 1960. Courtesy of Rocco Blasi
Even before he watched American soldiers drive the Nazis from his Italian village, Rocco Blasi dreamed of living in the United States.
"It was something I wanted so badly. It becomes so much a part of you," remembers Blasi, who made good on his dreams by becoming a member of the U.S. Army, a college professor, a founder and early president of the Arts Council of Mount Prospect, and the author of several books, including his recent first novel, published at age 87, about a turbulent Eighth Century love story.
Relatives who had immigrated to the U.S. would send care packages to Blasi's family in Italy and tell stories about a land of plenty, where comfort and success were possible.
"I would see American movies over and over again," remembers Blasi, who learned how to tap dance because of American actor Gene Kelly. "It was so natural for me to love America."
Blasi grew up as one of six children born to a poor grocer named Cesare and a hardworking mom named Rosa in the small working-class town of Laurenzana, "in the Italian boot's ankle," Blasi says.
"I don't know if my parents finished grade school," Blasi says.
His father used two mules to haul food from the city to his grocery. Blasi's only toy was a used ball, and he never had a new book. But the boy craved knowledge and skipped ahead during grade school. "I always wanted to know things, ask questions," he says.
That wasn't easy.
"By the time the war came to our city, I was in fifth grade," Blasi says, recalling how his town's sheriff killed a Nazi soldier and inflamed the German Army. "The Germans blew up our bridges and said they'd kill us all."
A pair of Jewish exiles who spoke perfect German calmed the situation, and the Germans occupied Laurenzana for six months before fleeing a couple of days before a squad of Americans and Canadians liberated the town.
Blasi wanted to go to high school in the city of Potenza, about 22 miles away, "but we didn't have the money." A priest negotiated an orphan discount for Blasi, even though his parents were alive, and he walked 3½ miles from an orphanage to get to high school. Even then, there were problems.
"My English teacher got sick, so they put me in a French class," Blasi says.
He got his bachelor's degree from a college in Salerno, Italy, before being accepted into the University of Naples Medical School. The impoverished school, which kept its sole microscope behind glass, was still too expensive for Blasi.
"I couldn't afford the books, let alone tuition," he remembers.
An older sister, who immigrated to the U.S., enticed their parents to join her in Chicago. Blasi and two younger sisters took a 20-day ship journey from Naples to New York City around Christmas of 1953, just before Blasi's 21st birthday. Living in a house on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Blasi found a job filing for Kemper Insurance.
"My English was so bad, but numbers I could read," he says. Because he already knew Latin, Greek and Italian, Blasi picked up English and Spanish quickly and earned several promotions at work. He graduated in three years from DePaul University in 1957 as an English major. Then he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
"It was the least I could do for a country I loved," Blasi says. Excelling during training at Missouri's Fort Leonard Wood, Blasi was sent to officer's school, but was told he couldn't become an officer because he wasn't an American citizen.
Even so, Blasi was sent to Germany, where he quickly learned German, and became a translator and leader in the Army's intelligence division, sworn to keep those secrets from falling into enemy hands. "I was supposed to shoot a bazooka at the safe with all the documents," he remembers.
During his two years in Germany, he had a memorable leave. "I drove a 1949 Ford over the Alps all the way to southern Italy," he says. His Army service completed, Blasi was sworn in as an American citizen on Aug. 16, 1960. "My father died that afternoon of cancer," he says.
Having already written a book of his poetry in Italian, Blasi worked as a technical writer for National Cylinder Gas in Chicago before becoming editor of publications and books for Central Scientific Company in Chicago. Using the G.I. Bill, Blasi earned a master's degree in English at DePaul in 1965 and a doctoral degree from Loyola University in 1974. He found his calling in teaching, spending 40 years at Wright College in Chicago, where he retired as the head of the English Department, and teaching part-time at Harper College in Palatine for 15 years.
"Harper was a special place for me because it was at night," Blasi says, noting his students clearly wanted to learn and always came prepared. "I loved it. It was just a joy."
The father of five, and grandfather to five, Blasi has been married to his wife, Joyce, for more than 48 years. Living in the same house in Mount Prospect since 1973, Blasi coached soccer, was involved in Boy Scouts, earned a black belt in karate, and encouraged the arts through his leadership in the Arts Council of Mount Prospect. His actress daughter, Rosa, won awards as the star of the "Strong Medicine" series on the Lifetime channel.
Having written his doctoral thesis on translating an Eighth Century love story, Blasi gives it a new twist in his novel, "Florio and Biancofiore: Peripatetic Lovers," published by Vanguard Press in England,
"Long before Romeo and Juliet, there were Florio and Biancofiore," Blasi says.
The transformation of a poor Italian immigrant into a highly educated English novelist isn't lost on him. Blasi says, "Life is full of delicious ironies, don't you find?"


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-03--With 2,442 new COVID-19 cases, Illinois reaches 300,000, adds 31 deaths

With the addition of 2,442 new confirmed cases , Illinois has topped 300,000 COVID-19 cases , state health authorities announced Saturday .
The additional cases Saturday brings the state 's total to 300,088 since the outbreak began , a grim milestone as Illinois experienced its highest daily case number since Sept. 25 and fourth consecutive day of more than 2,000 new infections .
The state also reported 31 more confirmed deaths linked to COVID-19 , most of them downstate .
Seven of the reported deaths occurred in Cook County , one in Kane County and four in Will County .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ total to 8,774 , officials reported .
Despite the high case totals , the test positivity rate remained at 3.4 % for a second consecutive day .
Within the previous 24 hours , officials said Saturday , laboratories reported 71,634 tests , bringing the total to more than 5.8 million .
It is the second straight day , but only fourth overall , on which more than 70,000 tests have been reported .
As of Friday night , 1,535 people hospitalized in the state with COVID-19 , down from 1,678 Thursday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensive care unit -- down 12 from Thursday -- and 140 were on ventilators , 22 fewer than the previous day .

With 2,442 new COVID-19 cases, Illinois reaches 300,000, adds 31 deaths
With the addition of 2,442 new confirmed cases, Illinois has topped 300,000 COVID-19 cases, state health authorities announced Saturday.
The additional cases Saturday brings the state's total to 300,088 since the outbreak began, a grim milestone as Illinois experienced its highest daily case number since Sept. 25 and fourth consecutive day of more than 2,000 new infections.
The state also reported 31 more confirmed deaths linked to COVID-19, most of them downstate. Seven of the reported deaths occurred in Cook County, one in Kane County and four in Will County.
The additional deaths brings the state's total to 8,774, officials reported.
Despite the high case totals, the test positivity rate remained at 3.4% for a second consecutive day. Within the previous 24 hours, officials said Saturday, laboratories reported 71,634 tests, bringing the total to more than 5.8 million. It is the second straight day, but only fourth overall, on which more than 70,000 tests have been reported.
As of Friday night, 1,535 people hospitalized in the state with COVID-19, down from 1,678 Thursday night. Of those patients 361 were in an intensive care unit -- down 12 from Thursday -- and 140 were on ventilators, 22 fewer than the previous day.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-03--Bears now will play at 3:25 p.m. after Newton tests positive, Pats-Chiefs game postponed

The Chicago Bears game Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts now will start at 3:25 p.m. Central on CBS after the New England Patriots-Kansas City Chiefs game was postponed as a result of quarterback Cam Newton testing positive for the novel coronavirus .
The NFL announced Saturday that the Patriots-Chiefs game in Kansas City now is slated to be played Monday or Tuesday and attributed the postponement to positive coronavirus tests `` on both teams . ''
It was the second NFL game scheduled for Sunday to be postponed , with this week 's outbreak on the Tennessee Titans having led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pittsburgh Steelers being pushed to later in the season .
The league said in a written statement that both teams were working with the league and the NFL Players Association , in consultation with infectious-disease experts , to `` evaluate multiple close contacts , perform additional testing and monitor developments . ''
The NFL also said : `` All decisions will be made with the health and safety of players , team and gameday personnel as our primary consideration . ''
Newton 's positive test was confirmed by a person familiar with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their players tested positive but did not identify the player .
`` Late last night , we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19 , '' the team said in a written statement released Saturday .
`` The player immediately entered self-quarantine .
Several additional players , coaches and staff who have been in close contact with the player received point of care tests this morning and all were negative for COVID-19 . ''
The Patriots had been scheduled to travel Saturday to Kansas City but said they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL .
`` We are in close consultation with the NFL , as well as our team of independent doctors and specialists , and will follow their guidance regarding our scheduled trip to Kansas City and game against the Chiefs , '' the Patriots said in their statement .
`` The health and safety of our team , as well as our opponent , are of highest priority . ''
Newton , the former league MVP for the Carolina Panthers who signed with the Patriots in July , becomes the most prominent NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus .
He took over for six-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady , who left the team in March to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , as the Patriots ' starter at quarterback and was impressive while leading them to two victories in their first three games of the season .
Newton 's positive test comes with the NFL dealing with its first outbreak on a team this season .
Three more members of the Titans , including one player and two team staffers , tested positive in results returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of positive tests for the Titans this week to 16 , including eight players and eight other members of the organization .
The NFL previously moved the Titans-Steelers game to Oct. 25 in Week 7 of the season .
The league first had said the game would be played Monday or Tuesday , then announced the further postponement after more positive tests results for the Titans .
That was the first postponement of the season as the NFL operates during the pandemic with teams based in their home cities , practicing in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own stadiums .
The first three weeks of the season were completed with few positive tests and no disruptions to the schedule .
An unidentified NFL player missed his team 's Week 2 game after testing negative but exhibiting symptoms .
The Atlanta Falcons ' game last Sunday against the Chicago Bears in Atlanta was played after Falcons rookie cornerback A.J .
Terrell tested positive in the results returned the day before the game .
`` I think this is something we 've been preparing for from the very beginning of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL 's chief medical officer , said in a phone interview Friday , before Newton 's positive test and the Patriots-Chiefs postponement .
`` As we 've said repeatedly , we expect to have new positive cases .
No matter how careful everyone is or how stringent our protocols are , as long as this disease remains endemic in our society , it 's going to be extraordinarily difficult , if not impossible , to avoid any new positive cases .
`` So that 's why our focus has never been on elimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's medically impossible .
Instead , we 've focused on mitigation , which means when we do have a positive case that we try as best possible to prevent spread within any of our team communities or our league as a whole .
The events of this week are exactly why we planned and put the protocols in place that we have .
We had a plan and a preparation there to walk through when this unfolded . ''
The Titans ' facility remains closed and Sills said Friday it will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convinced that we 've reached the end of the transmission event that occurred earlier this week and that we have put in place all the measures to keep everyone safe there . ''
The Minnesota Vikings , who played the Titans last Sunday in Minneapolis , reopened their facility Thursday under enhanced health and safety protocols .
The Vikings again had no positive tests in the testing results returned Saturday , according to a person familiar with those results .
The Vikings have had no positive tests this week and the NFL plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as scheduled Sunday in Houston .
NFL players , coaches and certain team staffers are tested daily for the coronavirus , except on game days , under the protocols developed by the league and players ' union .
After the outbreak on the Titans , the league informed teams of enhanced protocols for teams experiencing an outbreak or exposed to one .
Those protocols include daily point-of-care tests in addition to the regular testing , including game days ; and a mask-wearing requirement for players , along with coaches and staffers , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocols say that players on those teams also should wear gloves while on the practice field , with the lone exception being a quarterback 's throwing hand .
Players are prohibited from gathering away from a team 's facility , under the enhanced protocols .
The league and NFLPA have extended their regular daily testing indefinitely .
That testing program now covers players and coaches while teams are on their bye week .
The NFL has imposed heavy fines on head coaches and teams - of $ 100,000 per coach and $ 250,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directive that coaches and staffers must wear face coverings properly while on the sideline during games .
Players are not required to wear masks while on the sideline during games except for in a couple selected cities in which that 's required under local guidelines .
The NFL previously has left open the possibility of switching to a `` bubble '' format , like the NBA did with all teams gathered at a single site in the Orlando area , for the postseason .
Some experts believe the NFL should consider having teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay in a hotel instead of going home from the team facility every night .

Bears now will play at 3:25 p.m. after Newton tests positive, Pats-Chiefs game postponed
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton jogs off the field after the Sept. 20 game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. associated press
The Chicago Bears game Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts now will start at 3:25 p.m. Central on CBS after the New England Patriots-Kansas City Chiefs game was postponed as a result of quarterback Cam Newton testing positive for the novel coronavirus.
The NFL announced Saturday that the Patriots-Chiefs game in Kansas City now is slated to be played Monday or Tuesday and attributed the postponement to positive coronavirus tests "on both teams." It was the second NFL game scheduled for Sunday to be postponed, with this week's outbreak on the Tennessee Titans having led to their game in Nashville against the Pittsburgh Steelers being pushed to later in the season.
The league said in a written statement that both teams were working with the league and the NFL Players Association, in consultation with infectious-disease experts, to "evaluate multiple close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments." The NFL also said: "All decisions will be made with the health and safety of players, team and gameday personnel as our primary consideration."
Newton's positive test was confirmed by a person familiar with the situation. The Patriots confirmed that one of their players tested positive but did not identify the player.
"Late last night, we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19," the team said in a written statement released Saturday. "The player immediately entered self-quarantine. Several additional players, coaches and staff who have been in close contact with the player received point of care tests this morning and all were negative for COVID-19."
The Patriots had been scheduled to travel Saturday to Kansas City but said they had delayed that trip pending consultations with the NFL.
"We are in close consultation with the NFL, as well as our team of independent doctors and specialists, and will follow their guidance regarding our scheduled trip to Kansas City and game against the Chiefs," the Patriots said in their statement. "The health and safety of our team, as well as our opponent, are of highest priority."
Newton, the former league MVP for the Carolina Panthers who signed with the Patriots in July, becomes the most prominent NFL player to have tested positive this season for the coronavirus. He took over for six-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady, who left the team in March to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as the Patriots' starter at quarterback and was impressive while leading them to two victories in their first three games of the season.
Newton's positive test comes with the NFL dealing with its first outbreak on a team this season. Three more members of the Titans, including one player and two team staffers, tested positive in results returned Saturday. That brought the total number of positive tests for the Titans this week to 16, including eight players and eight other members of the organization.
The NFL previously moved the Titans-Steelers game to Oct. 25 in Week 7 of the season. The league first had said the game would be played Monday or Tuesday, then announced the further postponement after more positive tests results for the Titans.
That was the first postponement of the season as the NFL operates during the pandemic with teams based in their home cities, practicing in their own facilities and playing home games in their own stadiums. The first three weeks of the season were completed with few positive tests and no disruptions to the schedule.
An unidentified NFL player missed his team's Week 2 game after testing negative but exhibiting symptoms. The Atlanta Falcons' game last Sunday against the Chicago Bears in Atlanta was played after Falcons rookie cornerback A.J. Terrell tested positive in the results returned the day before the game.
"I think this is something we've been preparing for from the very beginning of our preparations," Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, said in a phone interview Friday, before Newton's positive test and the Patriots-Chiefs postponement. "As we've said repeatedly, we expect to have new positive cases. No matter how careful everyone is or how stringent our protocols are, as long as this disease remains endemic in our society, it's going to be extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible, to avoid any new positive cases.
"So that's why our focus has never been on elimination of the virus because we just know that's medically impossible. Instead, we've focused on mitigation, which means when we do have a positive case that we try as best possible to prevent spread within any of our team communities or our league as a whole. The events of this week are exactly why we planned and put the protocols in place that we have. We had a plan and a preparation there to walk through when this unfolded."
The Titans' facility remains closed and Sills said Friday it will not be reopened until the league is "convinced that we've reached the end of the transmission event that occurred earlier this week and that we have put in place all the measures to keep everyone safe there."
The Minnesota Vikings, who played the Titans last Sunday in Minneapolis, reopened their facility Thursday under enhanced health and safety protocols. The Vikings again had no positive tests in the testing results returned Saturday, according to a person familiar with those results. The Vikings have had no positive tests this week and the NFL plans for the Vikings-Texans game to be played as scheduled Sunday in Houston.
NFL players, coaches and certain team staffers are tested daily for the coronavirus, except on game days, under the protocols developed by the league and players' union. After the outbreak on the Titans, the league informed teams of enhanced protocols for teams experiencing an outbreak or exposed to one. Those protocols include daily point-of-care tests in addition to the regular testing, including game days; and a mask-wearing requirement for players, along with coaches and staffers, while on the practice field.
The enhanced protocols say that players on those teams also should wear gloves while on the practice field, with the lone exception being a quarterback's throwing hand. Players are prohibited from gathering away from a team's facility, under the enhanced protocols.
The league and NFLPA have extended their regular daily testing indefinitely. That testing program now covers players and coaches while teams are on their bye week. The NFL has imposed heavy fines on head coaches and teams - of $100,000 per coach and $250,000 per team - for violations of its directive that coaches and staffers must wear face coverings properly while on the sideline during games. Players are not required to wear masks while on the sideline during games except for in a couple selected cities in which that's required under local guidelines.
The NFL previously has left open the possibility of switching to a "bubble" format, like the NBA did with all teams gathered at a single site in the Orlando area, for the postseason. Some experts believe the NFL should consider having teams require players, coaches and staffers to stay in a hotel instead of going home from the team facility every night.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-03--Rozner: Why Theo Epstein will probably make some major changes to Cubs

Theo Epstein is not the type to drive a franchise off a cliff .
He could if he wanted to .
He could simply play it out next season with the same roster , hope for the best and then let half the lineup walk as free agents .
But that 's not his style .
Whether or not he stays beyond next season , Epstein does n't want to leave the Cubs without a roster for 2022 and headed for the state in which he discovered this rotting corpse .
It was n't his intention to rebuild an entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop a bag of dread in the next GM 's lap .
It will be 10 years for Epstein on the North Side in 2021 and in the past he has spoken of a decade being the length at which a front office needs a new voice -- and the execs within it a fresh start .
Those were generalities , not a promise , but without a contract beyond 2021 it 's fair to wonder if he might want to try a different team , a new type of job in baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He would make an excellent commissioner , though he would also hate it .
Epstein loves to compete and there 's no winning in that job .
But as it stands , after 2021 the Cubs will lose free agents Kris Bryant , Anthony Rizzo , Javy Baez and Kyle Schwarber .
This winter , Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood are free agents , and Jon Lester has a $ 25 million team option or a $ 10-million buyout .
The guess here is the Cubs will pay him the buyout and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to remain at a reduced price .
Based on the ugly finish in 2018 , followed by another in 2019 , Epstein wanted to begin making changes last winter , but poor player performances and an odd marketplace made that difficult .
Considering the current economic climate with so much uncertainty and plummeting revenues , it 's hard to predict what the appetite will be for Cubs players making decent money while unable to hit in 2020 .
Beyond 2021 , some of these players are going to be in for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years to recover from the economic disaster that was this abbreviated season .
As for what just occurred with the Cubs and Marlins , there should be little surprise given what you witnessed over the previous month or two , so the word `` shock '' did not belong in the many headlines after the Marlins dispatched the Cubs in a pair of low-scoring games .
It 's not shocking at all .
The Cubs looked like a .500 team heading to Arizona and might not have made the playoffs had there been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the players expressed sadness and dismay over losing , a result they did n't see coming and could not explain .
They 're players .
They expect to win and ca n't explain losing .
But this group has n't played like the 2016 champs since the 2017 postseason , when the staff was on fumes and Joe Maddon exacerbated the situation with more bizarre postseason managing .
They won 95 games in 2018 , but when Baez cooled off in the final weeks , the offense evaporated and Milwaukee caught the Cubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they lost nine in a row in September when there was still a chance and let go of the rope as Maddon could only sit and watch it happen .
Now , that group is one year older and many a year closer to finding a new address , perhaps only a month or two from that fate unless some are willing to sign extensions for much less than they imagined .
But what a run it has been , with five playoff appearances , three NLCS and a World Series in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the franchise since 1908 , and arguably the best in its history .
For many fans , it 's all they could have ever hoped for , but for Epstein it is not what he expected , a young group that had so many good years in front of it , a group that has now hit a wall .
Three years without winning a playoff game .
You do n't need a bigger sample size .
If given the chance , and the market will determine that , Epstein will begin now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group that gave Cub fans the thrill of a lifetime .
It does n't mean it wo n't hurt him to do it , but it 's not his job to fall in love with his players .
That 's your job .
His job is to keep the team contending for as long as possible .
This group has n't done that since 2017 .
Change is necessary , sooner than later if the market allows .
Theo Epstein is n't going to drive this bus off a cliff and jump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaves the ground .
As he departs , he wants to make certain the team is still in a position to win .
Whenever that might be .

Rozner: Why Theo Epstein will probably make some major changes to Cubs
Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein looks on during a spring training baseball workout in Mesa, Arizona. Associated PRess/Feb. 12, 2020
Theo Epstein is not the type to drive a franchise off a cliff.
He could if he wanted to. He could simply play it out next season with the same roster, hope for the best and then let half the lineup walk as free agents.
But that's not his style.
Whether or not he stays beyond next season, Epstein doesn't want to leave the Cubs without a roster for 2022 and headed for the state in which he discovered this rotting corpse. It wasn't his intention to rebuild an entire organization, win a championship and then drop a bag of dread in the next GM's lap.
It will be 10 years for Epstein on the North Side in 2021 and in the past he has spoken of a decade being the length at which a front office needs a new voice -- and the execs within it a fresh start.
Those were generalities, not a promise, but without a contract beyond 2021 it's fair to wonder if he might want to try a different team, a new type of job in baseball, another sport or even politics.
He would make an excellent commissioner, though he would also hate it. Epstein loves to compete and there's no winning in that job.
But as it stands, after 2021 the Cubs will lose free agents Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez and Kyle Schwarber. This winter, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood are free agents, and Jon Lester has a $25 million team option or a $10-million buyout.
The guess here is the Cubs will pay him the buyout and then hope Lester -- 37 in January -- wants to remain at a reduced price.
Based on the ugly finish in 2018, followed by another in 2019, Epstein wanted to begin making changes last winter, but poor player performances and an odd marketplace made that difficult.
Considering the current economic climate with so much uncertainty and plummeting revenues, it's hard to predict what the appetite will be for Cubs players making decent money while unable to hit in 2020.
Beyond 2021, some of these players are going to be in for a surprise. It might take MLB five years to recover from the economic disaster that was this abbreviated season.
As for what just occurred with the Cubs and Marlins, there should be little surprise given what you witnessed over the previous month or two, so the word "shock" did not belong in the many headlines after the Marlins dispatched the Cubs in a pair of low-scoring games.
It's not shocking at all. The Cubs looked like a .500 team heading to Arizona and might not have made the playoffs had there been a full regular season.
Naturally, the players expressed sadness and dismay over losing, a result they didn't see coming and could not explain. They're players. They expect to win and can't explain losing.
But this group hasn't played like the 2016 champs since the 2017 postseason, when the staff was on fumes and Joe Maddon exacerbated the situation with more bizarre postseason managing.
They won 95 games in 2018, but when Baez cooled off in the final weeks, the offense evaporated and Milwaukee caught the Cubs with a remarkable September.
In 2019, they lost nine in a row in September when there was still a chance and let go of the rope as Maddon could only sit and watch it happen.
Now, that group is one year older and many a year closer to finding a new address, perhaps only a month or two from that fate unless some are willing to sign extensions for much less than they imagined.
But what a run it has been, with five playoff appearances, three NLCS and a World Series in six years, the best stretch for the franchise since 1908, and arguably the best in its history.
For many fans, it's all they could have ever hoped for, but for Epstein it is not what he expected, a young group that had so many good years in front of it, a group that has now hit a wall.
Three years without winning a playoff game. You don't need a bigger sample size.
If given the chance, and the market will determine that, Epstein will begin now to reshape the roster and break up a group that gave Cub fans the thrill of a lifetime.
It doesn't mean it won't hurt him to do it, but it's not his job to fall in love with his players. That's your job. His job is to keep the team contending for as long as possible.
This group hasn't done that since 2017. Change is necessary, sooner than later if the market allows.
Theo Epstein isn't going to drive this bus off a cliff and jump out the door before just before it leaves the ground. As he departs, he wants to make certain the team is still in a position to win.
Whenever that might be.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-03--Illinois COVID-19 case counts per county, ZIP code as of Oct. 2

Interactive mapSuburbs ' portion There have been 133,842 COVID-19 cases in the suburbs as of Friday .
That 's 45 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 4,163 deaths in the suburbs , representing 47.6 % of all COVID-19 deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Friday , suburban Cook County had 65,905 cases and 2,275 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 81,012 cases and 2,964 fatalities .
• Top suburb case counts as of Friday from Cook County 's health department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,481 cases and 106 deaths in Des Plaines , 1,416 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine , 1,211 cases and 23 deaths in Schaumburg , 1,194 cases and 74 deaths in Wheeling , 1,176 cases and 38 deaths in Arlington Heights , 1,148 cases and 26 deaths in Streamwood , 1,060 cases and 12 deaths in Mount Prospect , 986 cases and 51 deaths in Glenview , 892 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 773 cases and 13 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 629 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 585 cases and 42 deaths in Northbrook , 577 cases and 14 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 403 cases and 9 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 228 cases and 21 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 17,936 cases and 565 deaths as of Friday .
• Top counts : 1,310 cases and 39 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) , 1,305 cases and 10 deaths in Addison , 1,166 cases and 13 deaths in West Chicago , 1,044 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and 30 deaths in Carol Stream , 934 cases and 47 deaths in Elmhurst , 864 cases and 30 deaths in Lombard , 765 cases and 25 deaths in Wheaton , 742 cases and 15 deaths in Bensenville , 748 cases and 12 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 579 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn , 511 cases and 6 deaths in Villa Park , and 456 cases and 4 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) .
• Most recent top counts : 4,005 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,084 in Round Lake Beach , 660 to 664 in Mundelein , 580 to 584 in Gurnee , 445 to 449 in Round Lake , 335 to 339 in Lake Zurich , 330 to 334 in Vernon Hills , 305 to 309 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 280 to 284 in Libertyville , 270 to 274 in Grayslake , 260 to 264 in Wauconda .
Kane County • The county confirmed 13,412 cases with 327 deaths on its website Friday .
• Top counts : 4,780 cases in Aurora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 1,229 in Carpentersville , 1,037 in St. Charles , 643 in South Elgin , 489 in Geneva , 372 in Batavia , 353 in North Aurora , 161 in Hampshire , 163 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) and 140 in Gilberts .
McHenry County • 4,705 cases and 119 deaths , according to the health department Friday .
Will County • 14,419 cases and 383 deaths listed on its website Friday .
• Cases per town include 1,072 in Naperville ( Will County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will County portion ) .

Illinois COVID-19 case counts per county, ZIP code as of Oct. 2
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion There have been 133,842 COVID-19 cases in the suburbs as of Friday. That's 45% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
There have been 4,163 deaths in the suburbs, representing 47.6% of all COVID-19 deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Friday, suburban Cook County had 65,905 cases and 2,275 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 81,012 cases and 2,964 fatalities.
• Top suburb case counts as of Friday from Cook County's health department and the medical examiner's office: 2,481 cases and 106 deaths in Des Plaines, 1,416 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine, 1,211 cases and 23 deaths in Schaumburg, 1,194 cases and 74 deaths in Wheeling, 1,176 cases and 38 deaths in Arlington Heights, 1,148 cases and 26 deaths in Streamwood, 1,060 cases and 12 deaths in Mount Prospect, 986 cases and 51 deaths in Glenview, 892 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 773 cases and 13 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 629 cases and 40 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 585 cases and 42 deaths in Northbrook, 577 cases and 14 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 403 cases and 9 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 228 cases and 21 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 17,936 cases and 565 deaths as of Friday.
• Top counts: 1,310 cases and 39 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 1,305 cases and 10 deaths in Addison, 1,166 cases and 13 deaths in West Chicago, 1,044 cases and 13 deaths in Glendale Heights, 950 cases and 30 deaths in Carol Stream, 934 cases and 47 deaths in Elmhurst, 864 cases and 30 deaths in Lombard, 765 cases and 25 deaths in Wheaton, 742 cases and 15 deaths in Bensenville, 748 cases and 12 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 579 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn, 511 cases and 6 deaths in Villa Park, and 456 cases and 4 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion).
Lake County • The county listed 17,347 cases and 479 deaths Friday.
• Most recent top counts: 4,005 to 4,009 in Waukegan, 1,080 to 1,084 in Round Lake Beach, 660 to 664 in Mundelein, 580 to 584 in Gurnee, 445 to 449 in Round Lake, 335 to 339 in Lake Zurich, 330 to 334 in Vernon Hills, 305 to 309 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 280 to 284 in Libertyville, 270 to 274 in Grayslake, 260 to 264 in Wauconda.
Kane County• The county confirmed 13,412 cases with 327 deaths on its website Friday.
• Top counts: 4,780 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 3,052 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 1,229 in Carpentersville, 1,037 in St. Charles, 643 in South Elgin, 489 in Geneva, 372 in Batavia, 353 in North Aurora, 161 in Hampshire, 163 in Algonquin (Kane County portion) and 140 in Gilberts.
McHenry County• 4,705 cases and 119 deaths, according to the health department Friday.
Will County• 14,419 cases and 383 deaths listed on its website Friday.
• Cases per town include 1,072 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 198 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-03--Real or fake? Sunday night documentary tries to prove existence of Lincoln death photo

The image is haunting , depicting a gaunt-faced man with a familiar beard , staring ahead lifelessly .
The right eye is bulging and appears disfigured from an unseen wound .
Some experts believe the man is Abraham Lincoln , captured hours after the nation 's beloved 16th president succumbed to an assassin 's bullet on April 15 , 1865 , a heretofore unknown photo of incalculable emotional and historic value .
The original ambrotype image is locked away in an Illinois safe deposit box , the subject of court fights , accusations of robbery and a Discovery network documentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unravel the mystery behind it .
`` In the world of authenticating , this is like finding the Holy Grail , '' said Whitny Braun , a California investigator whose effort to determine if the photo is real is traced in Discovery 's special , `` The Lost Lincoln . ''
The man who claims to own the image is suing to halt the show from being aired .
After looking into it for two years , Braun said she 's 99 % convinced the photo is genuine .
She and the special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it makes more sense for it to be real than not .
Discovery , meanwhile , is putting its reputation on the line .
The network is either telling the world of a historic treasure or producing the 2020 version of `` The Mystery of Al Capone 's Vaults , '' Geraldo Rivera 's laughingstock 1986 special that revealed an empty safe .
`` I 've seen enough of these things to know that this is a whole lot of hysteria about something that is not Lincoln , '' said Harold Holzer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Image : Abraham Lincoln and the Popular Print , '' traced the 130 known photographs of the former president .
Braun learned about the image two years ago when she was cold-called by Jerald Spolar , the Illinois dentist who claims ownership .
She did n't believe the story .
At first glance , the face looks different -- thinner , smoother -- than the image most Americans are familiar with .
As the story goes , the image was captured by Henry Ulke , a professional photographer who lived across the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boardinghouse where Lincoln was brought after being shot .
Lincoln died early the next morning , and Ulke supposedly took the picture in secret before the president 's body was taken to the White House .
It was an ambrotype , a process where a photo is created by using a glass negative on a dark background .
That alone has led some experts to doubt the picture 's authenticity , since ambrotypes were largely out of style by the mid-1860s .
It was kept secret because Lincoln 's powerful secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed to any images of the dead president .
Only one fuzzy photo is known to exist , taken from a distance when Lincoln 's body was lying in state in New York , Holzer said .
The photo was quietly given to the descendants of Nancy Hanks , Lincoln 's mother , in Illinois ( actor Tom Hanks is a distant cousin ) , and in the 1980s was in the possession of Margaret Hanks , a second cousin once removed of the former president .
Before she died in 1986 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larry Davis , an auctioneer and Civil War buff from Quincy , Illinois .
They included the ambrotype , affixed with a Post-it note saying `` Cousin Abe , '' Gips said .
Davis , who would not comment when reached by The Associated Press , alleges in court papers that his ex-wife stole the ambrotype and sold it to Spolar .
The dentist disputes that he bought stolen property , said lawyer Bill Holbrow III , and has spent several years trying to prove the photo is genuine .
Braun goes through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facial recognition experts , medical experts , a ballistics expert , Lincoln scholars and descendants of Ulke .
`` My first reaction was 'how could this be , ' '' Braun said .
`` How could a plate like this go unnoticed for 150 years ?
My initial thought was that it was too good to be true . ''
The experts convinced her .
The ballistics expert -- Braun 's father -- showed how it was unlikely there would be an exit wound from the bullet fired into Lincoln 's head .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the image had a slight scar under the lip consistent with one Lincoln had .
Ulke 's descendants explained how Henry Ulke specialized in `` death photos , '' particularly ones with the eyes left open .
`` There will be plenty of naysayers , of course , as there is with anything , especially the historians , '' Gips said .
But the photo was taken in complete secrecy and shared with very few people , which only makes him believe it more , he said .
The human frailty caught in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Braun .
`` It 's a really important piece of history that 's incredible , '' Gips said .
`` It 's not what you 'd expect .
You 'd expect to see blood pouring out of his eye .
But you get a sense of eeriness .
You do n't get a shock value or disgust . ''
Could that be because it is n't real ?
The image has been seen by several people in the community of Lincoln experts and is not believed , Holzer said .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In one of the last photographs of Lincoln taken alive , his once-full beard was wispy , almost a goatee , he said .
But the man in the image has a full beard .
Braun said there 's evidence that the photo was retouched to add more facial hair and to color the cheeks , making them appear smoother .
Holzer also said Lincoln was stripped of his clothes to check for other wounds when he was brought to the boardinghouse , yet the man in the picture is wearing a shirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's an ambrotype used at a time most photographers had moved on to another process , and taken with apparently good lighting .
`` Not every man with a beard photographed after 1861 was Abraham Lincoln , '' he said .
`` It 's going to take a lot for me to take this seriously .
It does n't scan . ''
As of Thursday , it was n't entirely sure the Discovery documentary would air .
Spolar has asked a California judge to stop it , a lawsuit Discovery dismisses in court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He 's also sued Braun , saying she violated a nondisclosure agreement made when he showed her a copy of the image , and is attempting to profit off somebody else 's property .
Braun declined to comment on the action .
If the photo was proved genuine , there 's no telling what it would be worth on the open market .
In 2011 , billionaire William Koch paid $ 2.3 million for the only known photograph of the Wild West gunfighter Billy the Kid .
Braun said it should be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people , '' she said .

Real or fake? Sunday night documentary tries to prove existence of Lincoln death photo
Dr. Stanley Burns, left, and Dr. Whitny Braun looking over a photo of what some believe is Abraham Lincoln captured hours after his death on April 15, 1865, in a scene from the documentary "The Lost Lincoln." Associated Press
The image is haunting, depicting a gaunt-faced man with a familiar beard, staring ahead lifelessly. The right eye is bulging and appears disfigured from an unseen wound.
Some experts believe the man is Abraham Lincoln, captured hours after the nation's beloved 16th president succumbed to an assassin's bullet on April 15, 1865, a heretofore unknown photo of incalculable emotional and historic value.
Others dismiss the mere possibility.
The original ambrotype image is locked away in an Illinois safe deposit box, the subject of court fights, accusations of robbery and a Discovery network documentary set to air Sunday that attempts to unravel the mystery behind it.
"In the world of authenticating, this is like finding the Holy Grail," said Whitny Braun, a California investigator whose effort to determine if the photo is real is traced in Discovery's special, "The Lost Lincoln." The man who claims to own the image is suing to halt the show from being aired.
After looking into it for two years, Braun said she's 99% convinced the photo is genuine. She and the special's producer, Archie Gips, say it makes more sense for it to be real than not.
Discovery, meanwhile, is putting its reputation on the line. The network is either telling the world of a historic treasure or producing the 2020 version of "The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults," Geraldo Rivera's laughingstock 1986 special that revealed an empty safe.
"I've seen enough of these things to know that this is a whole lot of hysteria about something that is not Lincoln," said Harold Holzer, whose 1984 book, "The Lincoln Image: Abraham Lincoln and the Popular Print," traced the 130 known photographs of the former president.
Braun learned about the image two years ago when she was cold-called by Jerald Spolar, the Illinois dentist who claims ownership. She didn't believe the story. At first glance, the face looks different -- thinner, smoother -- than the image most Americans are familiar with.
As the story goes, the image was captured by Henry Ulke, a professional photographer who lived across the street from Washington's Ford's Theatre in the boardinghouse where Lincoln was brought after being shot. Lincoln died early the next morning, and Ulke supposedly took the picture in secret before the president's body was taken to the White House.
It was an ambrotype, a process where a photo is created by using a glass negative on a dark background. That alone has led some experts to doubt the picture's authenticity, since ambrotypes were largely out of style by the mid-1860s.
It was kept secret because Lincoln's powerful secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, was strongly opposed to any images of the dead president. Only one fuzzy photo is known to exist, taken from a distance when Lincoln's body was lying in state in New York, Holzer said.
The photo was quietly given to the descendants of Nancy Hanks, Lincoln's mother, in Illinois (actor Tom Hanks is a distant cousin), and in the 1980s was in the possession of Margaret Hanks, a second cousin once removed of the former president. Before she died in 1986, she sold a collection of artifacts to Larry Davis, an auctioneer and Civil War buff from Quincy, Illinois.
They included the ambrotype, affixed with a Post-it note saying "Cousin Abe," Gips said.
Davis, who would not comment when reached by The Associated Press, alleges in court papers that his ex-wife stole the ambrotype and sold it to Spolar. The dentist disputes that he bought stolen property, said lawyer Bill Holbrow III, and has spent several years trying to prove the photo is genuine.
Braun goes through a lengthy process herself, consulting with facial recognition experts, medical experts, a ballistics expert, Lincoln scholars and descendants of Ulke.
"My first reaction was 'how could this be,'" Braun said. "How could a plate like this go unnoticed for 150 years? My initial thought was that it was too good to be true."
The experts convinced her. The ballistics expert -- Braun's father -- showed how it was unlikely there would be an exit wound from the bullet fired into Lincoln's head. The facial experts said the man in the image had a slight scar under the lip consistent with one Lincoln had. Ulke's descendants explained how Henry Ulke specialized in "death photos," particularly ones with the eyes left open.
"There will be plenty of naysayers, of course, as there is with anything, especially the historians," Gips said. But the photo was taken in complete secrecy and shared with very few people, which only makes him believe it more, he said.
The human frailty caught in the image is what is haunting to Braun.
"It's a really important piece of history that's incredible," Gips said. "It's not what you'd expect. You'd expect to see blood pouring out of his eye. But you get a sense of eeriness. You don't get a shock value or disgust."
Could that be because it isn't real? The image has been seen by several people in the community of Lincoln experts and is not believed, Holzer said.
"It's not credible," he said.
In one of the last photographs of Lincoln taken alive, his once-full beard was wispy, almost a goatee, he said. But the man in the image has a full beard. Braun said there's evidence that the photo was retouched to add more facial hair and to color the cheeks, making them appear smoother.
Holzer also said Lincoln was stripped of his clothes to check for other wounds when he was brought to the boardinghouse, yet the man in the picture is wearing a shirt. He's also suspicious that it's an ambrotype used at a time most photographers had moved on to another process, and taken with apparently good lighting.
"Not every man with a beard photographed after 1861 was Abraham Lincoln," he said. "It's going to take a lot for me to take this seriously. It doesn't scan."
As of Thursday, it wasn't entirely sure the Discovery documentary would air. Spolar has asked a California judge to stop it, a lawsuit Discovery dismisses in court papers as "patently frivolous."
He's also sued Braun, saying she violated a nondisclosure agreement made when he showed her a copy of the image, and is attempting to profit off somebody else's property. Braun declined to comment on the action.
If the photo was proved genuine, there's no telling what it would be worth on the open market. In 2011, billionaire William Koch paid $2.3 million for the only known photograph of the Wild West gunfighter Billy the Kid.
Braun said it should be in a museum.
"It belongs to the American people," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-03--Overdoses linked to counterfeit opioid pills

Illinois has issued a warning about overdoses linked to counterfeit opioid pills bought on the street , DuPage County health authorities said Saturday .
The state alerted area health departments to multiple overdoses , including two deaths , over the past week .
Officials did not specify where the overdoses occurred , but the cases involved young people , between the ages of 19 and 23 years old , who referred to the counterfeit pills as `` M30 , '' `` Percocet , '' or oxycodone .
Additional cases are under investigation .
`` We continue to see an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our most vulnerable residents .
Adding to our concerns is this new alert regarding counterfeit pills causing severe symptoms and loss of life in very young people , '' DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said in a statement .
`` I encourage individuals to connect with friends and family who are struggling and help connect them to the various local resources available .
It could help save their lives . ''
The warning comes as the DuPage Narcan Program reports a sharp increase in the use of Narcan , an opiate overdose reversal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age group during September .
As part of the program , first responders learn how to administer the revival drug to stop overdoses .
The Illinois Poison Control Center also recently notified the county health department of a probable near-overdose .
In that case , a young person who overdosed was revived by a family member using Narcan .
`` It 's important to realize that we all possess the power to help save lives .
If a loved one has overdosed , or even a complete stranger , knowing how to respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death , '' Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala said in a statement .
`` If someone has overdosed on opioids , call 9-1-1 and , if available , administer Narcan . ''

Overdoses linked to counterfeit opioid pills
Illinois has issued a warning about overdoses linked to counterfeit opioid pills bought on the street, DuPage County health authorities said Saturday.
The state alerted area health departments to multiple overdoses, including two deaths, over the past week.
Officials did not specify where the overdoses occurred, but the cases involved young people, between the ages of 19 and 23 years old, who referred to the counterfeit pills as "M30," "Percocet," or oxycodone. Additional cases are under investigation.
"We continue to see an increase in fatal drug overdoses and suicides in our most vulnerable residents. Adding to our concerns is this new alert regarding counterfeit pills causing severe symptoms and loss of life in very young people," DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said in a statement. "I encourage individuals to connect with friends and family who are struggling and help connect them to the various local resources available. It could help save their lives."
The warning comes as the DuPage Narcan Program reports a sharp increase in the use of Narcan, an opiate overdose reversal medication, in the 19- to 23-year-old age group during September. As part of the program, first responders learn how to administer the revival drug to stop overdoses.
The Illinois Poison Control Center also recently notified the county health department of a probable near-overdose. In that case, a young person who overdosed was revived by a family member using Narcan.
"It's important to realize that we all possess the power to help save lives. If a loved one has overdosed, or even a complete stranger, knowing how to respond could mean the difference between life and death," Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala said in a statement. "If someone has overdosed on opioids, call 9-1-1 and, if available, administer Narcan."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-03--Arlington Heights hosting listening sessions on inclusivity

Responding to criticism over a lack of diversity within employee ranks , Arlington Heights is taking a major step toward revising village policies , including hiring more minorities and providing more equitable services .
For years , community groups , such as Bridging the Black and White Divide and Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations , have called on village leaders to hire more minority police candidates to be more reflective of the community they serve .
Nearly 82 % of the village 's 74,760 residents and 92 % of its employees are white .
The remaining population is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latino , 1.5 % Black , and 1.7 % two or more races .
Village employees are roughly 3 % Latino and mixed-race , respectively , 1 % Black and .5 % Asian .
In the past few months , residents have urged officials to adopt a formal diversity , equity and inclusion statement and form a village committee to address those issues .
With that aim , the village will host two virtual community listening sessions this month as part of an initiative to gain a deeper understanding of residents ' perceptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and belonging .
`` We 're reviewing the village of Arlington Heights as an employer and as a service provider in our community , '' Village Manager Randy Recklaus said .
Sessions are scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 14 and Oct. 21 .
Register online at seam.ly/Qx5J3vmN .
Each session is limited to 30 participants .
The village hired a diversity consultant , the Kaleidoscope Group , last month to conduct a diversity , equity and inclusion audit and deliver a plan with recommendations .
It will run the listening sessions and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review findings with village leaders .
Final recommendations will be released by the first quarter of 2021 , Recklaus said .
First Presbyterian Church in Aurora is collecting wheelchairs and accessories for persons with disabilities in Kenya and Ethiopia as part of the nonprofit Living With Hope 's Wheels for Africa project through Oct. 25 .
A truck will be parked at the church , 325 E. Downer Place , to receive donations of used wheelchairs , aluminum walkers , crutches , canes , wheelchair footrests , seat cushions , new crutch and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tips .
The equipment will be refurbished and delivered through CURE Hospitals .
`` In Africa , about 85 million people live with disabilities .
An estimated 35 million people who require wheelchairs do not have access to them simply because they are the poorest of the poor , '' said Karen Roberts , First Presbyterian pastor of disabilities .
`` Because of their lack of mobility , people with disabilities face exclusion from schools , workplaces and even from their own communities .
A gift of a wheelchair brings new life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to arrange pickups , call ( 630 ) 844-0050 or email kroberts @ firstpresaurora.org .
The Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations has rescheduled its 52nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Dinner and Concert to 7 p.m. April 17 , at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg .
The event , originally planned for last April and rescheduled to Oct. 24 , has been pushed back again due to concerns over COVID-19 .
It will feature a performance by musical artists , The Five Blind Boys of Alabama .
Ticket/table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be honored and transferred to the new one .
For more information , call the Rev .
Clyde H. Brooks at ( 708 ) 772-8752 , send email to cbrooks @ icdhr.org or visit icdhr.com .
As the daughter of immigrants , Veronica Rodriguez learned how to keep going in the face of adversity .
Rodriguez , 37 , of Hoffman Estates , a dual language teacher at Juliette Low Elementary in Arlington Heights , last week was named the state 's inaugural Bilingual Teacher of the Year .
She will serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bilingual teachers statewide .
She said she is nervous , but excited about the opportunity to inspire others .
`` I love to help , '' Rodriguez said .
`` I feel blessed to be able to show other young educators that it 's not about where you come from or what happens to you , but how you can show resilience even through hard times .
When I began my career , I would have never imagined being recognized like this .
It shows that what you put out into the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rodriguez joined Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 in 2006 and has taught dual language students at Juliette Low ever since .
She spent 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and now teaches third- and fourth-graders .
She also is a teacher mentor and the district 's English Language Learner liaison .
Derek Rogers , pastor of Flowing Forth United Methodist Church in Aurora , will address racism at 10 a.m. today and white privilege at 10 a.m. Sunday , Oct. 11 , as part of a six-part `` We Do n't Talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The church 's drive-in services at Aurora Christian Schools , 2255 Sullivan Road , are open to the public .
Admission and parking are free .
Tune in to services online at flowingforthumc.org .
`` For far too long the church has remained silent on certain uncomfortable topics , choosing to ignore them entirely , cover them up , or even worse to reject the people who bring them up .
We can not let this go on , '' Rogers said .
Rogers said the May 25 killing of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis police officers set off nationwide protests and conversations about race and racism .
`` One thing was made abundantly clear in the weeks that followed , there are deep racial wounds in our society that have been largely swept under the rug , '' he said .
• Share stories , news and happenings from the suburban mosaic at mkrishnamurthy @ dailyherald.com .

Arlington Heights hosting listening sessions on inclusivity
Veronica Rodriguez, a dual language teacher at Juliette Low Elementary School in Arlington Heights, was named the state's first Bilingual Teacher of the Year. Courtesy of Illinois State Board of Education
Living with Hope founder Michael Panther, left, and Karen Roberts, pastor of disabilities at First Presbyterian Church in Aurora, pose with a truck at the church being packed with used wheelchairs bound for African people with disabilities. Courtesy of Al Benson
Responding to criticism over a lack of diversity within employee ranks, Arlington Heights is taking a major step toward revising village policies, including hiring more minorities and providing more equitable services.
For years, community groups, such as Bridging the Black and White Divide and Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations, have called on village leaders to hire more minority police candidates to be more reflective of the community they serve.
Nearly 82% of the village's 74,760 residents and 92% of its employees are white. The remaining population is 10% Asian, nearly 6% Latino, 1.5% Black, and 1.7% two or more races. Village employees are roughly 3% Latino and mixed-race, respectively, 1% Black and .5% Asian.
In the past few months, residents have urged officials to adopt a formal diversity, equity and inclusion statement and form a village committee to address those issues.
With that aim, the village will host two virtual community listening sessions this month as part of an initiative to gain a deeper understanding of residents' perceptions and experiences related to diversity, inclusivity and belonging.
"We're reviewing the village of Arlington Heights as an employer and as a service provider in our community," Village Manager Randy Recklaus said.
Sessions are scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 14 and Oct. 21. Register online at seam.ly/Qx5J3vmN. Each session is limited to 30 participants.
The village hired a diversity consultant, the Kaleidoscope Group, last month to conduct a diversity, equity and inclusion audit and deliver a plan with recommendations. It will run the listening sessions and a virtual town hall meeting in December to review findings with village leaders. Final recommendations will be released by the first quarter of 2021, Recklaus said.
Helping Africans
First Presbyterian Church in Aurora is collecting wheelchairs and accessories for persons with disabilities in Kenya and Ethiopia as part of the nonprofit Living With Hope's Wheels for Africa project through Oct. 25.
A truck will be parked at the church, 325 E. Downer Place, to receive donations of used wheelchairs, aluminum walkers, crutches, canes, wheelchair footrests, seat cushions, new crutch and armpit pads, hand grips and foot tips.
The equipment will be refurbished and delivered through CURE Hospitals.
"In Africa, about 85 million people live with disabilities. An estimated 35 million people who require wheelchairs do not have access to them simply because they are the poorest of the poor," said Karen Roberts, First Presbyterian pastor of disabilities. "Because of their lack of mobility, people with disabilities face exclusion from schools, workplaces and even from their own communities. A gift of a wheelchair brings new life and hope to them."
For information or to arrange pickups, call (630) 844-0050 or email kroberts@firstpresaurora.org.
MLK dinner
The Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations has rescheduled its 52nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Dinner and Concert to 7 p.m. April 17, at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg.
The event, originally planned for last April and rescheduled to Oct. 24, has been pushed back again due to concerns over COVID-19. It will feature a performance by musical artists, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama.
Ticket/table purchases/ads and donations for the original date will be honored and transferred to the new one. For more information, call the Rev. Clyde H. Brooks at (708) 772-8752, send email to cbrooks@icdhr.org or visit icdhr.com.
Bilingual teacher lauded
As the daughter of immigrants, Veronica Rodriguez learned how to keep going in the face of adversity.
Rodriguez, 37, of Hoffman Estates, a dual language teacher at Juliette Low Elementary in Arlington Heights, last week was named the state's inaugural Bilingual Teacher of the Year. She will serve as an ambassador for dual language and bilingual teachers statewide.
She said she is nervous, but excited about the opportunity to inspire others.
"I love to help," Rodriguez said. "I feel blessed to be able to show other young educators that it's not about where you come from or what happens to you, but how you can show resilience even through hard times. When I began my career, I would have never imagined being recognized like this. It shows that what you put out into the world comes back to you tenfold."
Rodriguez joined Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 in 2006 and has taught dual language students at Juliette Low ever since. She spent 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and now teaches third- and fourth-graders. She also is a teacher mentor and the district's English Language Learner liaison.
Racism series
Derek Rogers, pastor of Flowing Forth United Methodist Church in Aurora, will address racism at 10 a.m. today and white privilege at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, as part of a six-part "We Don't Talk About That In Church" sermon series.
The church's drive-in services at Aurora Christian Schools, 2255 Sullivan Road, are open to the public. Admission and parking are free. Tune in to services online at flowingforthumc.org.
"For far too long the church has remained silent on certain uncomfortable topics, choosing to ignore them entirely, cover them up, or even worse to reject the people who bring them up. We cannot let this go on," Rogers said.
Rogers said the May 25 killing of George Floyd -- an unarmed Black man -- by Minneapolis police officers set off nationwide protests and conversations about race and racism. "One thing was made abundantly clear in the weeks that followed, there are deep racial wounds in our society that have been largely swept under the rug," he said.
• Share stories, news and happenings from the suburban mosaic at mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com.