dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--2,084 new COVID-19 cases as Pritzker announces tougher face mask enforcement

As new cases of COVID-19 surge , hitting 2,084 Friday , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced tougher measures to enforce face coverings and group size limits and to fine businesses and schools that do n't comply up to $ 2,500 .
There were 21 additional COVID-19 deaths , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported .
The last time the daily caseload topped 2,000 was May 24 .
That brings the total Illinois cases to 190,508 and fatalities to 7,613 .
The IDPH is filing emergency rules that would give law enforcement and local health departments the ability to issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and schools that do n't enforce wearing masks .
`` We 're at a make or break '' moment in the state , Pritzker said in Chicago .
The new policies , which also include child-care centers , are intended to reduce the spread of the virus .
Individuals would not be fined .
A panel of state lawmakers must first approve the policies .
Some schools in certain areas of the state have said they do n't intend to require masks , Pritzker said .
`` We have a mandate for schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must wear masks .
This gives county public health authorities the ability to go in and consult with the schools and to give them a better enforcement mechanism or at least better ideas on how to make sure schools are safer . ''
Meanwhile , large crowds at bars are raising alarms about infections among people in their 20s , health experts say .
Currently , the size of gatherings is limited to 50 and fewer .
Face masks in public areas were mandated May 1 .
The enforcement would begin with educating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then ordering a reduction in gathering sizes , then slapping scofflaws with a misdemeanor and fines ranging from $ 75 to $ 2,500 .
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs criticized the actions , calling on Pritzker `` to abandon his 'mask rule ' and work with the legislature on this issue . ''
`` I am committed to respecting his priorities while recognizing the undue hardship his current rule places on businesses that are already struggling across Illinois , '' he said .
The governor had attempted similar enforcement rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this spring , and he withdrew them .
Pritzker also signed a law that creates penalties for anyone assaulting retail workers who ask customers to wear masks , and extends disabilities benefits for injured police and firefighters if their recoveries were hindered by COVID-19 .
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is 1,486 across the state .
Meanwhile , the state 's virus test positivity rate was 4.4 % based on 46,869 tests , up from 4 % on Thursday .
The seven-day average is 4.1 % .
`` As I 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health departments all across our state , it 's clear there is still an even greater need to get people to wear masks -- especially to protect front-line workers , whether they 're at the front of a store asking you to put on your mask or whether they 're responding to 911 calls to save those in distress , '' Pritzker said .
`` These rules , which provide multiple opportunities for compliance before any penalty is issued , are a common sense way to enforce public health guidelines , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that the minority of people who refuse to act responsibly wo n't take our state backward . ''
The state has eased COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions gradually with a five-phase plan .
Illinois is in Phase 4 that allows gatherings of 50 or less and indoor dining , for example .
Since Phase 4 began June 26 , there has been an average of 1,188 daily cases of COVID-19 .
In Phase 3 , which had more restrictions such as permitting gatherings of 10 or less , new cases averaged 835 a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions to monitor COVID-19 conditions and predict whether a surge is occurring .
A combination of sustained increases in the test positivity rate and hospitalizations , or a reduction below 20 % in the number of ICU or hospital beds available can trigger restrictions for a region , such as banning indoor dining at restaurants .
Another trigger is three consecutive days with an 8 % or greater positivity rate .
Hospitalizations are growing , averaging 1,460 during the last seven days , compared to 1,420.6 on average from July 24 to 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show no warnings issued yet for increases in hospital admissions and positivity rates .
Average test positivity rates as of Tuesday by region included 5.7 % in suburban Cook County , 4.5 % in DuPage and Kane counties , 5.1 % in Lake and McHenry counties , and 5.9 % in Will and Kankakee counties .
Separate statistics show the suburbs tripped state warning levels in one metric for exceeding 50 per 100,000 cases of COVID-19 for the week ending Aug. 1 , the IDPH reported Friday .
Kane County is at 91 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 80 , Lake is at 76 , Will is at 71 , suburban Cook is at 67 , and DuPage County is at 64 .
The localized information is intended to help Illinoisans make informed decisions about going to other counties amid the pandemic .
Thirteen counties outside the metro area were red-flagged by IDPH for triggering warnings in two or more health metrics Friday : Cass , Coles , Grundy , Iroquois , Jackson , Monroe , Perry , Saline , St. Clair , Tazewell , Union , Williamson , and @ @

2,084 new COVID-19 cases as Pritzker announces tougher face mask enforcement
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks about measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Daily Herald File Photo
Gov. J.B. Pritzker motions that people sometimes forget to wear their mask even when they have it their pocket Monday in Springfield as he unveils a new mask awareness campaign called "It Only Works If You Wear It." Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP
As new cases of COVID-19 surge, hitting 2,084 Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced tougher measures to enforce face coverings and group size limits and to fine businesses and schools that don't comply up to $2,500.
There were 21 additional COVID-19 deaths, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported. The last time the daily caseload topped 2,000 was May 24.
That brings the total Illinois cases to 190,508 and fatalities to 7,613.
The IDPH is filing emergency rules that would give law enforcement and local health departments the ability to issue warnings, then levy penalties for businesses and schools that don't enforce wearing masks.
"We're at a make or break" moment in the state, Pritzker said in Chicago. The new policies, which also include child-care centers, are intended to reduce the spread of the virus. Individuals would not be fined.
A panel of state lawmakers must first approve the policies.
Some schools in certain areas of the state have said they don't intend to require masks, Pritzker said.
"We have a mandate for schools that when they are reopening, people must wear masks. This gives county public health authorities the ability to go in and consult with the schools and to give them a better enforcement mechanism or at least better ideas on how to make sure schools are safer."
Meanwhile, large crowds at bars are raising alarms about infections among people in their 20s, health experts say.
Currently, the size of gatherings is limited to 50 and fewer. Face masks in public areas were mandated May 1.
The enforcement would begin with educating those who don't follow mandates, then ordering a reduction in gathering sizes, then slapping scofflaws with a misdemeanor and fines ranging from $75 to $2,500.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs criticized the actions, calling on Pritzker "to abandon his 'mask rule' and work with the legislature on this issue."
"I am committed to respecting his priorities while recognizing the undue hardship his current rule places on businesses that are already struggling across Illinois," he said.
The governor had attempted similar enforcement rules that were met with resistance by lawmakers this spring, and he withdrew them.
Pritzker also signed a law that creates penalties for anyone assaulting retail workers who ask customers to wear masks, and extends disabilities benefits for injured police and firefighters if their recoveries were hindered by COVID-19.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is 1,486 across the state.
Meanwhile, the state's virus test positivity rate was 4.4% based on 46,869 tests, up from 4% on Thursday. The seven-day average is 4.1%.
"As I've visited with and listened to mayors and health departments all across our state, it's clear there is still an even greater need to get people to wear masks -- especially to protect front-line workers, whether they're at the front of a store asking you to put on your mask or whether they're responding to 911 calls to save those in distress," Pritzker said.
"These rules, which provide multiple opportunities for compliance before any penalty is issued, are a common sense way to enforce public health guidelines," he said. "These rules will help ensure that the minority of people who refuse to act responsibly won't take our state backward."
The state has eased COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions gradually with a five-phase plan. Illinois is in Phase 4 that allows gatherings of 50 or less and indoor dining, for example. Since Phase 4 began June 26, there has been an average of 1,188 daily cases of COVID-19.
In Phase 3, which had more restrictions such as permitting gatherings of 10 or less, new cases averaged 835 a day.
The state is divided into 11 regions to monitor COVID-19 conditions and predict whether a surge is occurring.
A combination of sustained increases in the test positivity rate and hospitalizations, or a reduction below 20% in the number of ICU or hospital beds available can trigger restrictions for a region, such as banning indoor dining at restaurants.
Another trigger is three consecutive days with an 8% or greater positivity rate.
Hospitalizations are growing, averaging 1,460 during the last seven days, compared to 1,420.6 on average from July 24 to 30.
Updated metrics for the suburban regions show no warnings issued yet for increases in hospital admissions and positivity rates. Average test positivity rates as of Tuesday by region included 5.7% in suburban Cook County, 4.5% in DuPage and Kane counties, 5.1% in Lake and McHenry counties, and 5.9% in Will and Kankakee counties.
Separate statistics show the suburbs tripped state warning levels in one metric for exceeding 50 per 100,000 cases of COVID-19 for the week ending Aug. 1, the IDPH reported Friday. Kane County is at 91 cases per 100,000 people, McHenry is at 80, Lake is at 76, Will is at 71, suburban Cook is at 67, and DuPage County is at 64.
The localized information is intended to help Illinoisans make informed decisions about going to other counties amid the pandemic.
Thirteen counties outside the metro area were red-flagged by IDPH for triggering warnings in two or more health metrics Friday: Cass, Coles, Grundy, Iroquois, Jackson, Monroe, Perry, Saline, St. Clair, Tazewell, Union, Williamson, and Winnebago.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Cubs-Cardinals series postponed after another COVID-19 positive test

This weekend 's scheduled Cubs-Cardinals series in St. Louis has been postponed , according to reports .
It was announced early that Friday night 's game had been postponed and now it looks as if the whole series is off , too .
There 's no word yet on when the series will be made up .
`` Following an additional positive test for COVID-19 by a St. Louis Cardinals player , tonight 's scheduled game between the Cardinals and Cubs at Busch Stadium has been postponed to allow for additional testing and to complete the contact tracing process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Louis Post-Dispatch , the Cardinals will go through another round of testing and contact tracing to determine if the spread is wider .
The Cardinals have n't played in nine days because 13 people in their traveling party -- 6 players and 7 staff members -- tested positive after a series in Minnesota .
St. Louis placed the six players on the injured list , including shortstop Paul DeJong and catcher Yadier Molina , and appeared ready to resume their schedule against the Cubs .
The Cubs have not had a player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began July 3 .
The Cubs will play again on Tuesday night in Cleveland .

Cubs-Cardinals series postponed after more Cards COVID-19 positive cases
St. Louis Cardinals' Paul DeJong, left, Yadier Molina are among the players who have tested positive for coronavirus. Associated Press
Friday was supposed to be baseball's return to semi-normalcy, with every team playing games.
Instead, MLB received another kick in the teeth from COVID-19.
Two more St. Louis Cardinals players tested positive for the virus, bringing the total among players and staff members to 16. Friday's scheduled game with the Cubs at Busch Stadium was immediately canceled.
As the day wore on, it became obvious the entire three-game weekend series would be wiped out. Reports suggested the team flew back to Chicago on Friday evening. The Cubs' next scheduled game is Tuesday in Cleveland, so it's likely they'll hold some team workouts at Wrigley Field this weekend.
The Cubs released a statement from team president Theo Epstein.
"Based on the information MLB has shared with us, postponing this series is a necessary step to protect the health and safety of the Cardinals and the Cubs. Therefore, it is absolutely the right thing to do.
"While it's obviously less than ideal, this is 2020, and we will embrace whatever steps are necessary to promote player and staff well-being and increase our chances of completing this season in safe fashion.
"We will be ready to go on Tuesday in Cleveland. In the meantime, we wish the Cardinals personnel involved a quick and complete recovery."
The Cubs have not had any players test positive for the coronavirus since summer training began on July 3. They'll get out of town and wait for the next game.
For the Cardinals, it's not so easy. The weekend wipeout will give St. Louis 10 unplayed games in a season that's only going to 60. The Cubs are not scheduled to return to St. Louis, while the Cardinals have two trips to Chicago on the calendar for a total of seven games.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the two latest players who tested positive are outfielder Austin Dean and reliever Ryan Helsley. A staff member also tested positive.
After playing in Minnesota last week, the Cardinals had 13 positive tests -- seven players and six staff members. The three recent additions are concerning because those players were with the team as it stayed quarantined in Milwaukee last weekend and during workouts at Busch Stadium this week.
According to the Post-Dispatch, some players experienced mild symptoms of the disease. A few staff members had more serious symptoms, but no one has required a hospital visit.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Harvest Bible fires 2 workers over hazing at its youth summer camp

Harvest Bible Chapel has fired two workers and suspended two others over hazing accusations involving campers at its Camp Harvest in Michigan .
The church announced the measures in a post on its website Wednesday .
It did not name the workers .
According to the post , one of the hazings was a challenge from a student pastor -- an adult -- for campers to put pain-relief numbing cream on themselves .
The note did n't say what body part the kids were to put the cream on but said that no one was `` visibly exposed . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pastor '' is an adult who ministers to youths .
`` Harvest Bible Chapel and Camp Harvest do not condone hazing of any kind and seek to create an environment at camp that glorifies Christ and that is safe for our guests , students and staff , '' the statement said .
The alleged hazings occurred July 14-24 .
The first week was for junior high students from all Harvest church campuses ; the second was for high school students from its Elgin and Crystal Lake campuses .
The camp is in Newaygo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of an unauthorized game called `` Silent Football '' late one night involving staff members , campers and cabin leaders .
Losers are punished at the end of the game , the church said .
It described some of the punishments as `` juvenile and immature '' but that others `` crossed the line of what is acceptable behavior from cabin leaders '' and staff members because they involved embarrassment , humiliation and `` gross '' behavior .
It did not describe the behaviors specifically .
The second was the `` Icy-Hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The church said it found no evidence of person-to-person contact , nor any moment where people exposed themselves .
The `` Silent Football '' incident was discovered during the second week by the camp 's director and senior operations director , who also were notified by parents of campers who had been there the first week .
They then discovered the `` Icy-Hot Challenge . ''
Both cases were reported to Michigan 's Licensing and Regulatory Agency , which licenses camps .
It also was reported to the Illinois Department of Children and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Human Services , the church said .
The church has fired the student pastor and the camp worker who oversaw the `` Silent Football '' punishments .
Two other camp workers were suspended over `` Silent Football . ''
Another student pastor and a Harvest Christian Academy worker have resigned .
The church says the two saw the situations and should have reported them to leaders .
The church said it is reviewing its camp and student ministry practices , including worker supervision , and will retrain its staff .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online until it is finished with that review .
`` We apologize to you , our church family , for what occurred with these hazing incidents and for breaking your trust , and we ask for your forgiveness .
We ask that you pray for those involved , for our staff in taking next steps for restoration and correction , and especially for each child affected by these very unfortunate events , '' the church statement said .
In August 2018 , Michigan authorities investigated the camp after reports one of its female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers who were 16 and 17 years old .
The camp immediately fired the worker but did not file a report with the state for 10 days .
The state found the camp violated a law that required it to conduct criminal background checks on its workers , because there was no evidence of one in the worker 's personnel file .
In late 2019 , a Kane County judge found a pastor from Harvest guilty of disorderly conduct , regarding sexually oriented text messages he exchanged with a teenage parishioner .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus to Camp Harvest , where the then-student pastor was a cabin counselor .

Harvest Bible fires 2 workers over hazing at its youth summer camp
An earlier version was incorrect about why two workers resigned. Church officials said the two saw or had knowledge of situations that should have been reported to leaders.
Harvest Bible Chapel has fired two workers and suspended two others over hazing accusations involving campers at its Camp Harvest in Michigan.
The church announced the measures in a post on its website Wednesday. It did not name the workers.
According to the post, one of the hazings was a challenge from a student pastor -- an adult -- for campers to put pain-relief numbing cream on themselves. The note didn't say what body part the kids were to put the cream on but said that no one was "visibly exposed."
At the church, a "student pastor" is an adult who ministers to youths.
"Harvest Bible Chapel and Camp Harvest do not condone hazing of any kind and seek to create an environment at camp that glorifies Christ and that is safe for our guests, students and staff," the statement said.
The alleged hazings occurred July 14-24. The first week was for junior high students from all Harvest church campuses; the second was for high school students from its Elgin and Crystal Lake campuses.
The camp is in Newaygo, Michigan.
The first case was part of an unauthorized game called "Silent Football" late one night involving staff members, campers and cabin leaders. Losers are punished at the end of the game, the church said.
It described some of the punishments as "juvenile and immature" but that others "crossed the line of what is acceptable behavior from cabin leaders" and staff members because they involved embarrassment, humiliation and "gross" behavior.
It did not describe the behaviors specifically.
The second was the "Icy-Hot Challenge" involving the pain-relief cream. The church said it found no evidence of person-to-person contact, nor any moment where people exposed themselves.
The "Silent Football" incident was discovered during the second week by the camp's director and senior operations director, who also were notified by parents of campers who had been there the first week. They then discovered the "Icy-Hot Challenge."
Both cases were reported to Michigan's Licensing and Regulatory Agency, which licenses camps. It also was reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the church said.
The church has fired the student pastor and the camp worker who oversaw the "Silent Football" punishments. Two other camp workers were suspended over "Silent Football."
Another student pastor and a Harvest Christian Academy worker have resigned. The church says the two saw or had knowledge of situations that should have been reported to leaders. It did not say if those situations included "Silent Football" and the challenge.
The church said it is reviewing its camp and student ministry practices, including worker supervision, and will retrain its staff.
It has decided to conduct student ministry only online until it is finished with that review.
"We apologize to you, our church family, for what occurred with these hazing incidents and for breaking your trust, and we ask for your forgiveness. We ask that you pray for those involved, for our staff in taking next steps for restoration and correction, and especially for each child affected by these very unfortunate events," the church statement said.
In August 2018, Michigan authorities investigated the camp after reports one of its female adult workers had improperly touched five other workers who were 16 and 17 years old. The camp immediately fired the worker but did not file a report with the state for 10 days.
The state found the camp violated a law that required it to conduct criminal background checks on its workers, because there was no evidence of one in the worker's personnel file.
In late 2019, a Kane County judge found a pastor from Harvest guilty of disorderly conduct, regarding sexually oriented text messages he exchanged with a teenage parishioner. The two had met while traveling on a bus to Camp Harvest, where the then-student pastor was a cabin counselor.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Glenbrook South student remembered for his  'endearing spirit'

The Glenbrook South High School community on Friday was grappling with the loss of student Elias Valdez , who died Wednesday night in what has been ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiner 's office .
Elias , 15 , whom Glenbrook South officials described as a rising sophomore , is being remembered as `` a kind , charismatic young man who exhibited great leadership qualities , '' Principal Lauren Fagel wrote in an email sent to the school community Friday that also offered grief support for students and staff members by Zoom and in-person .
Glenview police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the village since the 2004 double-slaying of Mary Lacey and her mother , Margaret Ballog , by Lacey 's ex-boyfriend Steven Zirko .
Police said a passerby found the boy lying in a grassy area around 7 p.m. Wednesday on the 1200 block of Greenwood Road ; he 'd apparently been stabbed in the chest .
He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge , where he died during surgery .
A GoFundMe account to help pay for Valdez 's funeral expenses was established by friend Becky Guadagno on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By late Friday afternoon , however , the goal had been raised to $ 30,000 , 530 donors already had raised $ 23,288 , and the page had been shared more than 1,200 times .
Valdez was a wrestler at South ; he took to it right away but still worked hard , according to the statement school officials said Fagel crafted with the help of Titans wrestling coach Pat Castillo and assistant coach Chris Albandia .
`` Elias ventured into the sport of wrestling this past school year .
Coaches immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and work ethic , '' the statement said .
`` Elias really connected with wrestling , and he seemed to have found the brotherhood among his teammates that is often provided by sport .
`` We 're glad we had the time we did have with Elias and know a void has been left . ''
Valdez 's killing is under investigation by the Glenview Police Department and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force .
Anyone with information is asked to call the Glenview Police Department 's tip line at ( 847 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We will miss Elias and his endearing spirit , '' Fagel said in her email .
`` We will always remember him as a true Titan . ''

Glenbrook South student remembered for his 'endearing spirit'
Glenview police investigate the stabbing of the 15-year-old Elias Valdez on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Valdez was a rising sophomore at Glenbrook South High School and a member of the wrestling team. Courtesy of Northshore Updates
The Glenbrook South High School community on Friday was grappling with the loss of student Elias Valdez, who died Wednesday night in what has been ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Elias, 15, whom Glenbrook South officials described as a rising sophomore, is being remembered as "a kind, charismatic young man who exhibited great leadership qualities," Principal Lauren Fagel wrote in an email sent to the school community Friday that also offered grief support for students and staff members by Zoom and in-person.
Glenview police said it was the first murder in the village since the 2004 double-slaying of Mary Lacey and her mother, Margaret Ballog, by Lacey's ex-boyfriend Steven Zirko.
Police said a passerby found the boy lying in a grassy area around 7 p.m. Wednesday on the 1200 block of Greenwood Road; he'd apparently been stabbed in the chest. He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he died during surgery.
A GoFundMe account to help pay for Valdez's funeral expenses was established by friend Becky Guadagno on Thursday afternoon with a goal of $15,000. By late Friday afternoon, however, the goal had been raised to $30,000, 530 donors already had raised $23,288, and the page had been shared more than 1,200 times.
Valdez was a wrestler at South; he took to it right away but still worked hard, according to the statement school officials said Fagel crafted with the help of Titans wrestling coach Pat Castillo and assistant coach Chris Albandia.
"Elias ventured into the sport of wrestling this past school year. Coaches immediately recognized natural ability, coupled with drive and work ethic," the statement said. "Elias really connected with wrestling, and he seemed to have found the brotherhood among his teammates that is often provided by sport.
"We're glad we had the time we did have with Elias and know a void has been left."
Valdez's killing is under investigation by the Glenview Police Department and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force. Anyone with information is asked to call the Glenview Police Department's tip line at (847) 961-6055 or email gpdtipline@glenview.il.us.
"We will miss Elias and his endearing spirit," Fagel said in her email. "We will always remember him as a true Titan."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--DuPage County Board candidate says Democrats abandoned her when going got tough

Nearly two weeks after announcing she was bowing out of a DuPage County Board race , Glen Ellyn Democrat Hadiya Afzal has not officially withdrawn her candidacy , causing consternation among some members of her own party .
After initially apologizing for a tweet quickly seized upon by conservatives and even Texas Sen. Ted Cruz , Afzal , the Democratic nominee for a District 4 seat on the county board , has taken a more defiant posture in interviews with a podcast and the Daily Herald .
She now says local Democrats bear some blame for her decision to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general election .
`` You ca n't have a local Democratic Party that purports to support and promote young candidates , progressive candidates of color , female candidates , if they refuse to stand by them in difficult times , '' said Afzal , a recent college graduate .
`` I want to make sure this does n't happen again to any other candidate . ''
Afzal implied some Democrats were working against her in a conversation with the Muslim Rumspringa podcast hosts , who dedicated a one-hour episode to her departure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month about protests in Portland , Oregon .
She also cast doubt that a `` 20-year-old 's tweet '' would be a liability to other campaigns .
In November , Democrats are trying to take control of the Republican-dominated county board .
Afzal narrowly won a five-way primary race for the chance to challenge Republican incumbent Tim Elliott , a Glen Ellyn attorney .
`` We had such strong progressive policies and beliefs , '' Afzal said in the podcast episode .
`` And that 's additionally a reason why we were pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with voters when talking about these issues , but again it was just party people that we needed to convince and that did n't happen . ''
DuPage Democratic Party Chairwoman Cynthia Borbas said in a statement that some of Afzal 's comments are unfounded , but she would not specify which ones .
Afzal 's remarks also came as a surprise to county board members Dawn DeSart and Liz Chaplin , two Democrats who said Afzal 's podcast interview contradicted her apology .
Afzal posted that she was repeatedly watching a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` laughing every single time . ''
The clip appears to show a federal officer throwing a projectile over a barricade , then being hit in the head by a projectile .
Afzal 's tweet surfaced after conservative social media personality Andy Ngo shared a screenshot to his Twitter followers July 26 .
Afzal has said she became the target of death threats and `` racist , sexist , and Islamaphobic harassment . ''
During the podcast , Afzal said she first received a message of support from the party chairwoman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders recommended she step aside .
Afzal said she felt abandoned and hurt hearing that `` people were 'making calls all day ' and no one thought to make a call to me , myself , and were instead reaching out through an intermediary to demand that I withdraw . ''
`` And I think it 's really just the culmination of a series and a campaign of intentional and deliberate undermining and harassment from certain individuals here as well , which is an endemic problem for young progressives , especially women and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Afzal said in the podcast last week .
It 's unclear to whom Afzal was referring ; she would not elaborate .
`` I know there were some concerns from some candidates and elected officials that this could harm other candidates that are running and distract from other candidates , '' Chaplin said Friday .
`` So I know that was discussed among some people , but , honestly , that 's about the extent of it . ''
Chaplin said Borbas asked her to call Afzal and let her know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by announcing her intention to leave the race .
Chaplin said she told Afzal she hoped she would stay involved with politics .
`` Putting that tweet out there was not probably the best decision she could have made , but the attacks that she received were unfounded , so I wanted to call her to give her some support , '' she said .
Chaplin and DeSart said they were surprised to hear a segment of the podcast when the hosts were laughing as Afzal described the video .
Afzal said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comical compared to the violence that the protesters were being met with by those same officers . ''
`` Violence is never right , and it 's certainly never 'funny , ' '' DeSart wrote in an email .
`` To me , that seemed to negate Hadiya 's apology . ''
She also said she was surprised to hear Afzal complain about local Democrats two days after posting a withdrawal letter citing the `` awful things people on the international platform , Twitter , '' were saying about her .
Afzal has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the DuPage County clerk 's office .
`` This greatly burdens the DPDC , because it hurts the District 4 County Board race , '' DeSart said .
`` The party needs to know one way or the other , sooner rather than later . ''
The last day a candidate can withdraw is Aug. 27 .
The deadline for the party to submit a replacement candidate is the day before .
Afzal this week said she will turn in the paperwork and that she is n't reconsidering her decision .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other candidates and Democrats are upset about what happened and that she ultimately is dropping out because of safety concerns .
Afzal said she was disappointed by what she called a lack of support from local Democratic leaders in contrast to Republicans defending GOP county board members who faced their own controversies this summer .
Pete DiCianni sparked an outcry when he confronted Black Lives Matter supporters during a pro-police rally and for responding crudely to an email from a resident demanding his resignation .
Sean Noonan came under fire for `` liking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't stop rioting until a few of them `` are shot dead . ''
`` They issued their apologies for what they had done , '' Afzal said .
`` And they managed to move on , and I think that if we had done the same , perhaps it would n't have ended this way . ''

DuPage County Board candidate says Democrats abandoned her when going got tough
Nearly two weeks after announcing she was bowing out of a DuPage County Board race, Glen Ellyn Democrat Hadiya Afzal has not officially withdrawn her candidacy, causing consternation among some members of her own party.
After initially apologizing for a tweet quickly seized upon by conservatives and even Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Afzal, the Democratic nominee for a District 4 seat on the county board, has taken a more defiant posture in interviews with a podcast and the Daily Herald.
She now says local Democrats bear some blame for her decision to end her campaign less than 100 days from the general election.
"You can't have a local Democratic Party that purports to support and promote young candidates, progressive candidates of color, female candidates, if they refuse to stand by them in difficult times," said Afzal, a recent college graduate. "I want to make sure this doesn't happen again to any other candidate."
Afzal implied some Democrats were working against her in a conversation with the Muslim Rumspringa podcast hosts, who dedicated a one-hour episode to her departure and the reaction to her tweet last month about protests in Portland, Oregon.
She also cast doubt that a "20-year-old's tweet" would be a liability to other campaigns. In November, Democrats are trying to take control of the Republican-dominated county board. Afzal narrowly won a five-way primary race for the chance to challenge Republican incumbent Tim Elliott, a Glen Ellyn attorney.
"We had such strong progressive policies and beliefs," Afzal said in the podcast episode. "And that's additionally a reason why we were pushed out, because we had made headway with voters when talking about these issues, but again it was just party people that we needed to convince and that didn't happen."
DuPage Democratic Party Chairwoman Cynthia Borbas said in a statement that some of Afzal's comments are unfounded, but she would not specify which ones. Afzal's remarks also came as a surprise to county board members Dawn DeSart and Liz Chaplin, two Democrats who said Afzal's podcast interview contradicted her apology.
Afzal posted that she was repeatedly watching a video of a clash between protesters and officers and "laughing every single time." The clip appears to show a federal officer throwing a projectile over a barricade, then being hit in the head by a projectile.
Afzal's tweet surfaced after conservative social media personality Andy Ngo shared a screenshot to his Twitter followers July 26. Afzal has said she became the target of death threats and "racist, sexist, and Islamaphobic harassment."
During the podcast, Afzal said she first received a message of support from the party chairwoman, but later that same day local party leaders recommended she step aside.
Afzal said she felt abandoned and hurt hearing that "people were 'making calls all day' and no one thought to make a call to me, myself, and were instead reaching out through an intermediary to demand that I withdraw."
"And I think it's really just the culmination of a series and a campaign of intentional and deliberate undermining and harassment from certain individuals here as well, which is an endemic problem for young progressives, especially women and minority, candidates running for office," Afzal said in the podcast last week.
It's unclear to whom Afzal was referring; she would not elaborate.
"I know there were some concerns from some candidates and elected officials that this could harm other candidates that are running and distract from other candidates," Chaplin said Friday. "So I know that was discussed among some people, but, honestly, that's about the extent of it."
Chaplin said Borbas asked her to call Afzal and let her know that "she did the right thing" by announcing her intention to leave the race. Chaplin said she told Afzal she hoped she would stay involved with politics.
"Putting that tweet out there was not probably the best decision she could have made, but the attacks that she received were unfounded, so I wanted to call her to give her some support," she said.
Chaplin and DeSart said they were surprised to hear a segment of the podcast when the hosts were laughing as Afzal described the video. Afzal said the "reaction from the officers seemed so comical compared to the violence that the protesters were being met with by those same officers."
"Violence is never right, and it's certainly never 'funny,'" DeSart wrote in an email. "To me, that seemed to negate Hadiya's apology."
She also said she was surprised to hear Afzal complain about local Democrats two days after posting a withdrawal letter citing the "awful things people on the international platform, Twitter," were saying about her.
Afzal has not submitted an official notice of withdrawal to the DuPage County clerk's office.
"This greatly burdens the DPDC, because it hurts the District 4 County Board race," DeSart said. "The party needs to know one way or the other, sooner rather than later."
The last day a candidate can withdraw is Aug. 27. The deadline for the party to submit a replacement candidate is the day before.
Afzal this week said she will turn in the paperwork and that she isn't reconsidering her decision. She maintains her apology was sincere, that other candidates and Democrats are upset about what happened and that she ultimately is dropping out because of safety concerns.
Afzal said she was disappointed by what she called a lack of support from local Democratic leaders in contrast to Republicans defending GOP county board members who faced their own controversies this summer.
Pete DiCianni sparked an outcry when he confronted Black Lives Matter supporters during a pro-police rally and for responding crudely to an email from a resident demanding his resignation. Sean Noonan came under fire for "liking" a Facebook comment that claimed people won't stop rioting until a few of them "are shot dead."
"They issued their apologies for what they had done," Afzal said. "And they managed to move on, and I think that if we had done the same, perhaps it wouldn't have ended this way."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Sport-specific guidelines for fall sports released by IHSA

The Illinois High School Association Friday released specific guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic for boys and girls cross country , boys and girls golf , girls tennis and girls swimming , all of which are scheduled to begin practicing Monday .
In each of the documents , the IHSA stresses , `` The guidelines explained in this document are intended to decrease potential exposure to respiratory droplets and potential for illness through safe practices such as social distancing , proper hygiene , and appropriate protective equipment .
This is not an exhaustive list , and school officials may take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by their school district and/or local health officials . ''
• All competitions are to be held only against schools within a conference or within a COVID region .
While that is not stated specifically in the golf document , IHSA associate executive director Kurt Gibson confirmed those restrictions apply to all sports , including golf .
• Face coverings are always required when not engaged in training , competing or other strenuous activity .
In golf , however , the document states players are not required to wear face coverings , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to maintain social distancing .
If an individual would like to wear a mask on the playing course or in a meeting , they may do so .
There is no prohibition on the color of the mask .
• Social distancing between individuals of at least 6 feet must be maintained at all times .
Handshakes , fist bumps , hugging , etc.
, are not permissible .
• Spectators are permitted at events as long as they maintain social distancing throughout the event as outlined in the IHSA Return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if meet hosts allow spectators , they must wear facial coverings and maintain 6 feet social distance at all times .
• For transportation to events , schools must consider social distancing requirements when scheduling contests and events for the fall .
Social distancing will need to be maintained on buses/vans .
Thus , multiple buses/vans and/or parental/guardian transportation could likely be needed .
• In golf , student participants , coaches , and officials are restricted to a combined 50 per wave .
A wave is defined as an individual group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers ) .
Hosts can have multiple waves at an invitational as long as the waves are spaced out so that they do n't intermingle .
Each document also states : Currently , state series events are to be determined in order to ensure that the events can be conducted safely and in accordance with the Governor 's Restore Illinois Guidelines .
The IHSA will make every effort to conduct some form of state series event and will announce decisions related to this as they become available .
Golf competition can begin Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country and swimming Aug. 24 .
The fall season is scheduled to conclude Oct. 24 .

Sport-specific guidelines for fall sports released by IHSA
The Illinois High School Association Friday released specific guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic for boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, girls tennis and girls swimming, all of which are scheduled to begin practicing Monday.
In each of the documents, the IHSA stresses, "The guidelines explained in this document are intended to decrease potential exposure to respiratory droplets and potential for illness through safe practices such as social distancing, proper hygiene, and appropriate protective equipment. This is not an exhaustive list, and school officials may take additional measures based on requirements set forth by their school district and/or local health officials."
The highlights include:
• All competitions are to be held only against schools within a conference or within a COVID region. While that is not stated specifically in the golf document, IHSA associate executive director Kurt Gibson confirmed those restrictions apply to all sports, including golf.
• Face coverings are always required when not engaged in training, competing or other strenuous activity. In golf, however, the document states players are not required to wear face coverings, but may do so, particularly when not able to maintain social distancing. If an individual would like to wear a mask on the playing course or in a meeting, they may do so. There is no prohibition on the color of the mask.
• Social distancing between individuals of at least 6 feet must be maintained at all times. Handshakes, fist bumps, hugging, etc., are not permissible.
• Spectators are permitted at events as long as they maintain social distancing throughout the event as outlined in the IHSA Return to Play Phase 4 Guidelines. In swimming, if meet hosts allow spectators, they must wear facial coverings and maintain 6 feet social distance at all times.
• For transportation to events, schools must consider social distancing requirements when scheduling contests and events for the fall. Social distancing will need to be maintained on buses/vans. Thus, multiple buses/vans and/or parental/guardian transportation could likely be needed.
• In golf, student participants, coaches, and officials are restricted to a combined 50 per wave. A wave is defined as an individual group (golfers, coaches, officials and volunteers). Hosts can have multiple waves at an invitational as long as the waves are spaced out so that they don't intermingle.
Each document also states: Currently, state series events are to be determined in order to ensure that the events can be conducted safely and in accordance with the Governor's Restore Illinois Guidelines. The IHSA will make every effort to conduct some form of state series event and will announce decisions related to this as they become available.
Golf competition can begin Thursday, tennis Aug. 20, and cross country and swimming Aug. 24. The fall season is scheduled to conclude Oct. 24.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Aug. 7 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Suburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 93,195 cases in the suburbs as of Friday .
That 's 49 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 3,838 deaths in the suburbs , representing 50 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Friday , suburban Cook County had 46,878 cases and 2,113 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 63,124 cases and 2,807 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Des Plaines , 945 cases and 65 deaths in Wheeling , 925 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine , 794 cases and 23 deaths in Streamwood , 782 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 774 cases and 21 deaths in Schaumburg , 747 cases and 50 deaths in Glenview , 728 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights , 584 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 642 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 443 cases and 13 deaths in Rolling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Northbrook , 431 cases and 39 deaths in Elk Grove Village , 308 cases and 9 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 151 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 11,994 cases and 517 deaths as of Friday .
• Top counts : 951 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 903 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago , 792 cases and 12 deaths in Glendale Heights , 751 cases and 38 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Carol Stream , 609 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville , 576 cases and 27 deaths in Lombard , 556 cases and 43 deaths in Elmhurst , 482 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 458 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton , 347 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn , 331 cases and 5 deaths in Villa Park , 312 cases and 3 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) .
Lake County • The county listed 12,484 cases and 427 deaths on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 3,160 to 3,164 in Waukegan , 745 to 749 in Round Lake Beach , 460 to 464 in Mundelein , 405 to 409 in Gurnee , 325 to 329 in Round Lake , 235 to 239 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 245 to 249 in Lake Zurich , 225 to 229 in Vernon Hills , 190 to 194 in Wauconda , 180 to 184 in Libertyville , 165 to 169 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 9,684 cases with 302 deaths on its website Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 2,226 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 921 in Carpentersville , 560 in St. Charles , 423 in South Elgin , 280 in Geneva , 267 in North Aurora , 229 in Batavia , and 77 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 3,133 cases and 113 deaths , according to the health department Friday .
Will County • 9,020 cases and 345 deaths as of Friday .
• Cases per town include 622 in Naperville ( Will County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will County portion ) .

Aug. 7 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Faculty, staff and students take part in the free on-campus COVID-19 walk-up testing sites at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Courtesy of the University of Illinois
Interactive map
Suburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 93,195 cases in the suburbs as of Friday. That's 49% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
There have been 3,838 deaths in the suburbs, representing 50% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Friday, suburban Cook County had 46,878 cases and 2,113 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 63,124 cases and 2,807 fatalities.• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,992 cases and 104 deaths in Des Plaines, 945 cases and 65 deaths in Wheeling, 925 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine, 794 cases and 23 deaths in Streamwood, 782 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 774 cases and 21 deaths in Schaumburg, 747 cases and 50 deaths in Glenview, 728 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights, 584 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 642 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 443 cases and 13 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 437 cases and 42 deaths in Northbrook, 431 cases and 39 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 308 cases and 9 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 151 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 11,994 cases and 517 deaths as of Friday.
• Top counts: 951 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 903 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago, 792 cases and 12 deaths in Glendale Heights, 751 cases and 38 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 665 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 609 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 576 cases and 27 deaths in Lombard, 556 cases and 43 deaths in Elmhurst, 482 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 458 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton, 347 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn, 331 cases and 5 deaths in Villa Park, 312 cases and 3 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion).
Lake County • The county listed 12,484 cases and 427 deaths on its website Friday.
• Top counts: 3,160 to 3,164 in Waukegan, 745 to 749 in Round Lake Beach, 460 to 464 in Mundelein, 405 to 409 in Gurnee, 325 to 329 in Round Lake, 235 to 239 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 245 to 249 in Lake Zurich, 225 to 229 in Vernon Hills, 190 to 194 in Wauconda, 180 to 184 in Libertyville, 165 to 169 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 9,684 cases with 302 deaths on its website Friday.
• Top counts: 3,879 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 2,226 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 921 in Carpentersville, 560 in St. Charles, 423 in South Elgin, 280 in Geneva, 267 in North Aurora, 229 in Batavia, and 77 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 3,133 cases and 113 deaths, according to the health department Friday.
Will County• 9,020 cases and 345 deaths as of Friday.
• Cases per town include 622 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 114 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Wheeling TGI Fridays restaurant closes

Wheeling TGI Fridays restaurant closes

A TGI Fridays restaurant in Wheeling has closed after 13 years of operation in the Lake-Cook Road corridor .
Wheeling 's TGI Fridays debuted about a year after other retailers and restaurants opened in a strip mall in the 1500 block of Lake-Cook in 2006 , just west of Target and across the street from Walmart .
The building that housed TGI Fridays is on the perimeter of the development with Binny 's Beverage Depot , Potbelly Sandwich Works , T-Mobile and other businesses .
`` Unfortunately , there was no prior communication from the restaurant concerning their closure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
`` I can confirm that the store is now closed , but I can not provide a date for the last meal service . ''
TGI Fridays spokeswoman Peyton Sadler said the Wheeling location was owned by a franchisee , and the company was unable to comment on the closure .
TGI Fridays has a mix of corporate-owned stores and franchisees .
Sfondilis said Director of Economic Development Patrick Ainsworth has contacted the property owner in an effort to work together to fill the now-available TGI Fridays building .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road create some unique challenges , '' he said , `` but the village has some occupancy options that it will consider and pursue . ''

Wheeling TGI Fridays restaurant closes
A TGI Fridays restaurant in Wheeling has closed after 13 years of operation in the Lake-Cook Road corridor.
Wheeling's TGI Fridays debuted about a year after other retailers and restaurants opened in a strip mall in the 1500 block of Lake-Cook in 2006, just west of Target and across the street from Walmart. The building that housed TGI Fridays is on the perimeter of the development with Binny's Beverage Depot, Potbelly Sandwich Works, T-Mobile and other businesses.
"Unfortunately, there was no prior communication from the restaurant concerning their closure," Wheeling Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said Friday. "I can confirm that the store is now closed, but I cannot provide a date for the last meal service."
TGI Fridays spokeswoman Peyton Sadler said the Wheeling location was owned by a franchisee, and the company was unable to comment on the closure. TGI Fridays has a mix of corporate-owned stores and franchisees.
Sfondilis said Director of Economic Development Patrick Ainsworth has contacted the property owner in an effort to work together to fill the now-available TGI Fridays building.
"The pandemic combined with the construction on Lake-Cook Road create some unique challenges," he said, "but the village has some occupancy options that it will consider and pursue."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Man sought in Bloomingdale, Wheaton home burglaries

Bloomingdale and Wheaton police are looking for a man who burglarized two homes this week -- including one where the resident was home at the time .
Bloomingdale Detective Joseph Battaglia said a man , believed to be white or Hispanic , burglarized a townhouse around 1 p.m. Tuesday on Waverly Court .
The man , wearing a white T-shirt , approached the front door and rang the doorbell -- which activated the video recording on the Ring doorbell .
The video shows him picking up an Amazon package that was on the porch , then putting it down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked , then went to an unlocked window on the side of townhouse and entered .
He took electronic items , Battaglia said .
After he left , he rang the doorbell again , then ran off .
The resident was in an upstairs room , and did not hear anything , Battaglia said .
The same man is suspected in a burglary at 4 p.m. Wednesday at a residence near Bloomingdale and Geneva roads in Wheaton , Battaglia said .
A doorbell video shows him riding a bicycle up to the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away , Battaglia said .
Anyone with information is asked to call Battaglia at ( 630 ) 529-9868 or leave an anonymous tip at ( 630 ) 671-5756 .

Man arrested in Bloomingdale, Wheaton burglaries
Police have arrested a man who they say burglarized homes in Bloomingdale and Wheaton this week -- including one where the resident was home at the time.
Before the arrest announced Friday evening, Bloomingdale Detective Joseph Battaglia said a man burglarized a townhouse around 1 p.m. Tuesday on Waverly Court.
Police said the suspect, whom they did not name, approached the front door and rang the doorbell -- which activated the video recording on the Ring doorbell. The video shows him picking up a package that was on the porch, then putting it down.
He checked the door, which was locked, then went to an unlocked window on the side of townhouse and entered. He took electronic items, Battaglia said. After he left, he rang the doorbell again, then ran off.
The resident was in an upstairs room, and did not hear anything, Battaglia said.
The same man is suspected in a burglary at 4 p.m. Wednesday at a residence near Bloomingdale and Geneva roads in Wheaton, Battaglia said. A doorbell video shows him riding a bicycle up to the home, taking a package and riding away, Battaglia said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Worker killed in heavy machinery accident in Volo

An excavation company worker from Woodstock was killed shortly after noon Friday in an accident that occurred in the 30800 @ @ @ @ @ in Volo , according to the Lake County sheriff 's office .
Sheriff 's deputies @ @ @ @ @ man who worked for Kanzler Construction in Volo .
According to Sgt .
Christopher Covelli @ @ @ @ @ arm `` sustained major trauma '' after it became stuck in a gravel screening machine @ @ @ @ @ free rocks that had been stuck in the hopper .
A fellow employee called 911 @ @ @ @ @ upon the deputies ' arrival , Covelli said .
The man 's name has not @ @ @ @ @ County coroner has scheduled an autopsy for Monday , Aug. 10 or Tuesday , Aug. @ @ @ @ @ ongoing and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified , Covelli said .

Worker killed in heavy machinery accident in Volo
An excavation company worker from Woodstock was killed shortly after noon Friday in an accident that occurred in the 30800 block of North Route 12 in Volo, according to the Lake County sheriff's office.
Sheriff's deputies did not identify the 33-year-old man who worked for Kanzler Construction in Volo.
According to Sgt. Christopher Covelli, the man's right arm "sustained major trauma" after it became stuck in a gravel screening machine when he reportedly attempted to free rocks that had been stuck in the hopper.
A fellow employee called 911 but the man was dead upon the deputies' arrival, Covelli said.
The man's name has not been released. The Lake County coroner has scheduled an autopsy for Monday, Aug. 10 or Tuesday, Aug. 11.
An investigation is ongoing and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified, Covelli said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Palatine boxing, martial arts business looking at new location

A Palatine boxing and martial arts business that had closed is looking to reopen in a new location in the village .
Palatine village council members Monday night are expected to consider a proposal from Rumi Maki Martial Arts and Fitness to take over vacant space at the Village Green Shopping Center at 297 N. Northwest Highway .
Rumi Maki previously operated at Foxfire Plaza at Rand and Hicks roads , which is anchored by Butera Market .
Pedro Calla , a former boxer on Peru 's national team , founded Rumi Maki in 2009 .
Rumi Maki originally operated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a stand-alone operation at Foxfire Plaza .
Calla explained why he wants to open in the 6,250-square-foot space at Village Green during a recent Palatine zoning board of appeals public hearing .
The advisory panel is recommending that the village council formally approve a special-use permit for Rumi Maki .
`` Four months ago , I had to close my business on Rand Road , my last location , '' said Calla , a Wauconda resident who is a boxing and fitness trainer .
`` That location was actually too big for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the last one .
And considering this situation with the pandemic , I starting thinking to get a smaller place . ''
Under the proposal , Rumi Maki would take over the space that was vacated by Master Dance about two years ago .
Rumi Maki would offer fitness classes , children 's boxing and taekwondo , kickboxing , boot camp , and beginner and advanced boxing classes .
In addition , Rumi Maki intends to have open gym hours for members as well as personal training .
Zoning board of appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a good traffic flow for parents who drop off and pick up their children for classes at Rumi Maki .
To address the issue , Calla said he would develop a plan to ensure the traffic does n't interfere with nearby businesses in the strip mall that include Kids Kustom Parties and Lou Malnati 's Pizzeria .
`` The petitioner is a good business person , a good athlete , and he trains his students very well , '' said zoning board of appeals Chairman Jan Wood , who co-owns JP Wood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he `` has a great business and it 's a great business to keep everyone healthy , working strong .
I 'm very supportive of the business . ''
Calla was 15 when he started his boxing career in Lima , Peru , and rose to become national champion for seven consecutive years .
He served as captain of Peru 's national team and participated in the Pan-American Games and other high-level competition .
Ruki Maki plans to be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday , 9 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to noon Sundays .

Palatine boxing, martial arts business looking at new location
A Palatine boxing and martial arts business that had closed is looking to reopen in a new location in the village.
Palatine village council members Monday night are expected to consider a proposal from Rumi Maki Martial Arts and Fitness to take over vacant space at the Village Green Shopping Center at 297 N. Northwest Highway. Rumi Maki previously operated at Foxfire Plaza at Rand and Hicks roads, which is anchored by Butera Market.
Pedro Calla, a former boxer on Peru's national team, founded Rumi Maki in 2009. Rumi Maki originally operated out of World Gym Palatine and grew to a stand-alone operation at Foxfire Plaza.
Calla explained why he wants to open in the 6,250-square-foot space at Village Green during a recent Palatine zoning board of appeals public hearing. The advisory panel is recommending that the village council formally approve a special-use permit for Rumi Maki.
"Four months ago, I had to close my business on Rand Road, my last location," said Calla, a Wauconda resident who is a boxing and fitness trainer. "That location was actually too big for us. It was 12,000 square feet, the last one. And considering this situation with the pandemic, I starting thinking to get a smaller place."
Under the proposal, Rumi Maki would take over the space that was vacated by Master Dance about two years ago. Rumi Maki would offer fitness classes, children's boxing and taekwondo, kickboxing, boot camp, and beginner and advanced boxing classes.
In addition, Rumi Maki intends to have open gym hours for members as well as personal training.
Zoning board of appeals members voiced concerns about whether there would be a good traffic flow for parents who drop off and pick up their children for classes at Rumi Maki. To address the issue, Calla said he would develop a plan to ensure the traffic doesn't interfere with nearby businesses in the strip mall that include Kids Kustom Parties and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria.
"The petitioner is a good business person, a good athlete, and he trains his students very well," said zoning board of appeals Chairman Jan Wood, who co-owns JP Wood Martial Arts in Palatine Plaza. She said he "has a great business and it's a great business to keep everyone healthy, working strong. I'm very supportive of the business."
Calla was 15 when he started his boxing career in Lima, Peru, and rose to become national champion for seven consecutive years. He served as captain of Peru's national team and participated in the Pan-American Games and other high-level competition.
Ruki Maki plans to be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to noon Sundays.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Paramount Theatre postpones entire Broadway season for a year

Aurora 's Paramount Theatre has postponed its entire 2020-2021 Broadway season for a full year , President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Rater said in a letter Friday to patrons .
The decision comes as entertainment venues across the country struggle with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` Despite our best efforts , we ca n't find a path forward for this season , '' Rater wrote .
`` We do n't know when a vaccine will be developed and available or when capacity restrictions will be lifted , but we do know that , for the foreseeable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do shows and keep everyone safe . ''
Rater said the plan is to open `` Kinky Boots '' on June 30 , 2021 , and then officially launch the theater 's 10th anniversary Broadway season next Sept. 1 .
Scheduled performances of Killer Queen , Frank Caliendo , Jay Leno and Straight No Chaser are still on sale and , Rater hopes , will take place as scheduled next spring and summer , beginning with Killer Queen on April 3 .
Next year 's Broadway schedule will feature `` Rock of Ages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2021 ; `` Cinderella from Nov. 10 , 2021 , to Jan. 9 , 2022 ; `` Groundhog Day '' from Jan. 26 to March 13 , 2022 ; and `` Ragtime '' from April 13 to May 29 , 2022 .
Subscribers who bought tickets for this season 's shows will have those tickets applied to the same four shows next year .
`` A theater is a sanctuary that bonds strangers through shared experiences , awakens the heart through powerful performances and stirs the soul through transformative stories , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ void that is created by Paramount 's stage being bare .
`` We know this impacts our community .
Please know , our lights are merely dimmed right now , and after this intermission , they will shine brighter than ever .
We will all be together when that curtain rises again and the overture fills the air . ''
For detail , call the theater box office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at ( 630 ) 896-6666 .

Paramount Theatre postpones entire Broadway season for a year
Aurora's Paramount Theatre has postponed its entire 2020-2021 Broadway season for a full year, President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Rater said in a letter Friday to patrons.
The decision comes as entertainment venues across the country struggle with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Despite our best efforts, we can't find a path forward for this season," Rater wrote. "We don't know when a vaccine will be developed and available or when capacity restrictions will be lifted, but we do know that, for the foreseeable future, it would be difficult to do shows and keep everyone safe."
Rater said the plan is to open "Kinky Boots" on June 30, 2021, and then officially launch the theater's 10th anniversary Broadway season next Sept. 1.
Scheduled performances of Killer Queen, Frank Caliendo, Jay Leno and Straight No Chaser are still on sale and, Rater hopes, will take place as scheduled next spring and summer, beginning with Killer Queen on April 3.
Next year's Broadway schedule will feature "Rock of Ages" from Sept. 1 to Oct. 17, 2021; "Cinderella from Nov. 10, 2021, to Jan. 9, 2022; "Groundhog Day" from Jan. 26 to March 13, 2022; and "Ragtime" from April 13 to May 29, 2022.
Subscribers who bought tickets for this season's shows will have those tickets applied to the same four shows next year.
"A theater is a sanctuary that bonds strangers through shared experiences, awakens the heart through powerful performances and stirs the soul through transformative stories," Rater wrote. "We understand the void that is created by Paramount's stage being bare.
"We know this impacts our community. Please know, our lights are merely dimmed right now, and after this intermission, they will shine brighter than ever. We will all be together when that curtain rises again and the overture fills the air."
For detail, call the theater box office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at (630) 896-6666.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Amazon may open facility in Winfield

Amazon may open facility in Winfield

A `` very large '' e-commerce company is in discussions to lease part of an industrial building along North Avenue in Winfield .
And while no one is saying it , village documents indicate the potential tenant is Amazon .
Conor Commercial Real Estate last summer celebrated the completion of its 265,550-square-foot North Avenue Commerce Center , built without first securing tenants .
Now the Rosemont-based developer is seeking permission from Winfield to modify the site on the southwest corner of North and Morton Road .
The proposed changes include adding another entrance along St. Charles Road , adding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the building and reconfiguring some of the parking .
Brian Quigley , executive vice president of Conor , on Thursday night told Winfield trustees the changes are needed because Conor is talking to a `` very large '' e-commerce company that 's interested in leasing roughly 150,000 square feet of the building .
If the deal is approved , Quigley said the space would become `` a last-mile delivery facility '' that would provide `` service direct to residents . ''
Winfield officials declined to identify the company involved , but documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's discussion , Quigley simply referred to the prospective tenant as an e-commerce company .
While the potential tenant has signed a letter of intent , he said one condition of the letter is that the new entrance is built .
He said the company would use the additional entrance and reconfigured parking area for vans .
On Friday , Village President Erik Spande said he does n't see a problem with the proposed site changes .
`` It ( the building ) is our first footprint on the North Avenue commercial corridor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we all are very supportive of the Conor group being able to lease the space . ''

Amazon may open facility in Winfield
A "very large" e-commerce company is in discussions to lease part of an industrial building along North Avenue in Winfield.
And while no one is saying it, village documents indicate the potential tenant is Amazon.
Conor Commercial Real Estate last summer celebrated the completion of its 265,550-square-foot North Avenue Commerce Center, built without first securing tenants. Now the Rosemont-based developer is seeking permission from Winfield to modify the site on the southwest corner of North and Morton Road.
The proposed changes include adding another entrance along St. Charles Road, adding a new drive aisle on the east end of the building and reconfiguring some of the parking.
Brian Quigley, executive vice president of Conor, on Thursday night told Winfield trustees the changes are needed because Conor is talking to a "very large" e-commerce company that's interested in leasing roughly 150,000 square feet of the building.
If the deal is approved, Quigley said the space would become "a last-mile delivery facility" that would provide "service direct to residents."
Winfield officials declined to identify the company involved, but documents say it's Amazon.
During Thursday's discussion, Quigley simply referred to the prospective tenant as an e-commerce company.
While the potential tenant has signed a letter of intent, he said one condition of the letter is that the new entrance is built. He said the company would use the additional entrance and reconfigured parking area for vans.
On Friday, Village President Erik Spande said he doesn't see a problem with the proposed site changes.
"It (the building) is our first footprint on the North Avenue commercial corridor," Spande said. "So we all are very supportive of the Conor group being able to lease the space."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Handful of protesters take aim at Mike Ditka in Oakbrook Terrace

A handful of Black Lives Matter supporters gathered Friday outside Ditka 's restaurant in Oakbrook Terrace to protest Mike Ditka 's comments about kneeling during the national anthem .
Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef with the Chicago Activist Coalition for Justice says he 's outraged by the `` despicable and disgusting '' statements the former Chicago Bears coach made during a recent interview with TMZ Sports .
In the interview posted July 26 on TMZ 's website , Ditka criticized athletes kneeling during the national anthem .
`` If you ca n't respect our national anthem , get the hell out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Famer said .
`` That 's the way I feel .
Of course , I 'm old fashioned , so I 'm only going to say what I feel . ''
Ben Yosef said Ditka does n't understand why athletes are kneeing .
`` It 's not about the flag , '' Ben Yosef said .
`` It 's about police brutality . ''
Despite the small size of the protest near the intersection of Route 83 and 22nd Street , Ben Yosef said he 's planning to have a larger gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest in front of the upscale restaurant because of its location .
`` This is a busy street , '' Ben Yosef said .
`` We want people to know that we 're not OK with his ( Ditka 's ) racist statement . ''
Ditka is the chairman of the X League , which is a women 's tackle football league that 's expected to debut in 2021 .
During his tenure as head coach of the Bears , the franchise won its only Super Bowl .
But Ditka was fired after @ @ @ @

Handful of protesters take aim at Mike Ditka in Oakbrook Terrace
A handful of Black Lives Matter supporters gathered Friday outside Ditka's restaurant in Oakbrook Terrace to protest Mike Ditka's comments about kneeling during the national anthem.
Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef with the Chicago Activist Coalition for Justice says he's outraged by the "despicable and disgusting" statements the former Chicago Bears coach made during a recent interview with TMZ Sports.
In the interview posted July 26 on TMZ's website, Ditka criticized athletes kneeling during the national anthem.
"If you can't respect our national anthem, get the hell out of the country," the Hall of Famer said. "That's the way I feel. Of course, I'm old fashioned, so I'm only going to say what I feel."
Ben Yosef said Ditka doesn't understand why athletes are kneeing.
"It's not about the flag," Ben Yosef said. "It's about police brutality."
Despite the small size of the protest near the intersection of Route 83 and 22nd Street, Ben Yosef said he's planning to have a larger gathering.
He said the group decided to protest in front of the upscale restaurant because of its location.
"This is a busy street," Ben Yosef said. "We want people to know that we're not OK with his (Ditka's) racist statement."
Ditka is the chairman of the X League, which is a women's tackle football league that's expected to debut in 2021.
During his tenure as head coach of the Bears, the franchise won its only Super Bowl. But Ditka was fired after the 1992 season.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Cook County offering rent help to tenants facing eviction

With a Cook County eviction moratorium ending in two weeks , the county will use a lottery to distribute $ 20 million in federal CARES Act funds to help income-eligible people with their rent , officials announced Friday .
Applications open Aug. 10 and will close on Aug. 18 .
Up to $ 4,500 will be paid to a landlord for an eligible household selected in the lottery .
The funding will be available to suburban renters with household incomes under 80 percent of the area median income who have unpaid rent charged during the pandemic .
A quarter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit communities .
`` We have conducted outreach throughout Cook County , and we know that renters are facing severe challenges making ends meet due to the pandemic , '' Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a news release .
`` This rental assistance will provide much-needed relief to working families in suburban Cook County . ''
Without supplemental funding , tenants who have fallen behind on their rent due to job loss during the pandemic are at risk of being evicted once they are no longer protected by the eviction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
Commissioner Kevin Morrison of Elk Grove Village said that rental assistance is at the top of his concerns .
`` With the City of Chicago receiving it 's own CARES Act funding , I was glad to see money prioritized for suburban Cook County , '' he said , adding that he is hoping for more funding from the federal government .
The assistance will only scratch the surface of the need , however .
If all the grants were for the maximum amount of $ 4,500 , the program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a population of 2.45 million people .
The program pays one to three months of overdue or future rent .
Residents can review their eligibility and apply for rental assistance at www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery .
Applications are available through the online portal in many languages including Spanish , Polish , Russian , Korean , Chinese , Arabic and Hindi .
Rental assistance funding will be awarded by a lottery system .
Payments will go out on a rolling basis as quickly as possible , officials said .
The funds will be administered by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principal provider of publicly subsidized housing in suburban Cook County .
The program is a part of the county 's COVID-19 Recovery Initiative , which includes zero-interest loans for small businesses and contractors , emergency housing for shelter residents and those re-entering from the justice system , and tax relief for businesses .
For more information , visit www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery .

Cook County offering rent help to tenants facing eviction
With a Cook County eviction moratorium ending in two weeks, the county will use a lottery to distribute $20 million in federal CARES Act funds to help income-eligible people with their rent, officials announced Friday.
Applications open Aug. 10 and will close on Aug. 18. Up to $4,500 will be paid to a landlord for an eligible household selected in the lottery.
The funding will be available to suburban renters with household incomes under 80 percent of the area median income who have unpaid rent charged during the pandemic.
A quarter of the funds are earmarked for the hardest hit communities. "We have conducted outreach throughout Cook County, and we know that renters are facing severe challenges making ends meet due to the pandemic," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a news release. "This rental assistance will provide much-needed relief to working families in suburban Cook County."
Without supplemental funding, tenants who have fallen behind on their rent due to job loss during the pandemic are at risk of being evicted once they are no longer protected by the eviction moratorium, which ends Aug. 22, officials said.
Commissioner Kevin Morrison of Elk Grove Village said that rental assistance is at the top of his concerns. "With the City of Chicago receiving it's own CARES Act funding, I was glad to see money prioritized for suburban Cook County," he said, adding that he is hoping for more funding from the federal government.
The assistance will only scratch the surface of the need, however. If all the grants were for the maximum amount of $4,500, the program would assist 4,444 households in an area with a population of 2.45 million people.
The program pays one to three months of overdue or future rent. Residents can review their eligibility and apply for rental assistance at www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery.
Applications are available through the online portal in many languages including Spanish, Polish, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Arabic and Hindi.
Rental assistance funding will be awarded by a lottery system. Payments will go out on a rolling basis as quickly as possible, officials said.
The funds will be administered by the Housing Authority of Cook County, the principal provider of publicly subsidized housing in suburban Cook County.
The program is a part of the county's COVID-19 Recovery Initiative, which includes zero-interest loans for small businesses and contractors, emergency housing for shelter residents and those re-entering from the justice system, and tax relief for businesses. For more information, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Why a census worker might be knocking on your door

U.S. Census Bureau workers have begun going door-to-door in the Chicago area to count people who did n't respond to earlier communication attempts .
The work is part of the census bureau 's constitutionally mandated , once-a-decade mission to count everyone living in the country .
Census workers hit the streets here and in parts of some other states and Puerto Rico starting last month , according to the bureau .
Attempts will begin in the rest of the country next week .
Field data collection is scheduled to conclude by Sept. 30 .
The data will be used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts , among other purposes .
It 's based on people living in households as of April 1 .
All census takers will have government ID badges with their photographs , U.S. Department of Commerce watermarks , and expiration dates .
Census workers may also carry census bureau bags and other equipment with the bureau 's logo .
To confirm a census taker 's identity , you can call the regional census center in Chicago at ( 312 ) 579-1500 .
If no one is home when a census worker visits , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about responding online at 2020census.gov or by phone at ( 844 ) 330-2020 .
Responses via U.S. mail also will be accepted .
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic , census takers are required to wear masks while working .
Census takers also must complete virtual training on social distancing protocols and other health issues , a bureau news release said .
`` The health and safety of our employees and the public are our top priority at this time , '' said Marilyn A. Sanders , the bureau 's regional director for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary census takers for in-person interviews , said Tim Olson , associate director of field operations .
The agency has offered positions to more than 900,000 people to cover attrition , Olson said .
`` We know from experience that not everyone who has been hired will show up for training or complete their training and report to the field , '' Olson said .
As of this week , more than 63 % of U.S. households had responded to the census , the bureau reported .
That figure is nearly 68 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 63 % in Cook County , more than 77 % in DuPage County , about 74 % in Kane County , about 73 % in Lake County and more than 79 % in McHenry County .

Why a census worker might be knocking on your door
U.S. Census Bureau workers have begun going door-to-door in the Chicago area to count people who didn't respond to earlier communication attempts.
U.S. Census Bureau workers have begun going door-to-door in the Chicago area to count people who didn't respond to earlier communication attempts.
The work is part of the census bureau's constitutionally mandated, once-a-decade mission to count everyone living in the country.
Census workers hit the streets here and in parts of some other states and Puerto Rico starting last month, according to the bureau. Attempts will begin in the rest of the country next week.
Field data collection is scheduled to conclude by Sept. 30.
The data will be used to draw county, state and federal legislative districts, among other purposes. It's based on people living in households as of April 1.
All census takers will have government ID badges with their photographs, U.S. Department of Commerce watermarks, and expiration dates. Census workers may also carry census bureau bags and other equipment with the bureau's logo.
To confirm a census taker's identity, you can call the regional census center in Chicago at (312) 579-1500.
If no one is home when a census worker visits, the employee will leave a notice with information about responding online at 2020census.gov or by phone at (844) 330-2020. Responses via U.S. mail also will be accepted.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, census takers are required to wear masks while working. Census takers also must complete virtual training on social distancing protocols and other health issues, a bureau news release said.
"The health and safety of our employees and the public are our top priority at this time," said Marilyn A. Sanders, the bureau's regional director for the Chicago area.
The bureau needs 500,000 temporary census takers for in-person interviews, said Tim Olson, associate director of field operations. The agency has offered positions to more than 900,000 people to cover attrition, Olson said.
"We know from experience that not everyone who has been hired will show up for training or complete their training and report to the field," Olson said.
As of this week, more than 63% of U.S. households had responded to the census, the bureau reported. That figure is nearly 68% for Illinois.
The response rate is 63% in Cook County, more than 77% in DuPage County, about 74% in Kane County, about 73% in Lake County and more than 79% in McHenry County.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--'Practice is practice:' NIU begins fall camp in smaller groups

After an anything-but-ordinary summer , the Northern Illinois University football team kicked off anything-but-ordinary fall practices Friday ahead of a sure to be anything-but-ordinary season .
The practice was split into two different times with different groups in each to limit contact , coach Thomas Hammock said .
`` It felt strange , '' cornerback Dillon Thomas said in a phone interview after practice .
Media was not allowed at the practice at any point for photos or interviews .
`` Coaches leading up to this week did a good job about what to expect .
We were prepared in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and half .
For us it was a lot of 7-on-7 and 1-on-1 .
It was all too different without having the D-line around .
But practice is practice and it 's good being out here the first day . ''
Hammock said the nature of the workout made it impossible to single out anyone who stood out to him .
`` We 're really not making it a very competitive situation , '' Hammock said .
`` We 're working on developing , fundamentals , teachings , that sort of thing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're taking our time to teach and install or reteach rather than make it a competitive type situation . ''
The practice began amid uncertainty of the MAC season .
The league is among the last FBS conferences to announce fall plans , whether that be a season as normal , conference-only games , or something else .
Wide receiver Cole Tucker , a DeKalb graduate , said his focus is n't on what happens in a MAC boardroom .
`` We 'll play whenever , '' Tucker said .
`` Spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play whenever they want us to . ''
Thomas equated it to an assignment .
`` I would n't say the level of uncertainty has risen .
It 's just like when you have a due date , '' Thomas said .
`` We just have to figure out ways to save our body for September , October or even the spring .
It 's about ways to stay focused on staying healthy and getting locked in when we have that first date . ''
As it stands now , the first game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Eastern Michigan .
Earlier games against Rhode Island and Maryland have been canceled , as has the Sept. 26 game at Iowa .
With 60 freshmen on the roster , Hammock said the focus is n't on when the season starts .
`` It does n't affect our prep , '' Hammock said .
`` One thing we 've talked about with our team is we have 60-plus freshmen on our roster .
What a great time to develop these young guys and have the quality of work get better .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on us .
All we have to do is get better each day . ''
Hammock said he and his staff worked on coming up with the best possible use of time for the split structure of practices .
He said that the current practice structure is here for a while .
`` We 're going to stay in groups as long as possible , '' Hammock said .
`` We 've come up with what each position group needs .
We figure we can get quality work done in small groups and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like an outbreak .
We still get the work we need to done .
And we 're following training camp procedure . ''
As a receiver , Tucker said he liked the new structure .
`` No linemen and all 7-on-7 , '' Tucker said .
`` Personally I love it . ''

'Practice is practice:' NIU begins fall camp in smaller groups
NIU coach Thomas Hammock, seen here in 2019, kicked off the first fall practice Friday by splitting the team in two different groups at two different times to limit contact. Courtesy of Shaw Media
After an anything-but-ordinary summer, the Northern Illinois University football team kicked off anything-but-ordinary fall practices Friday ahead of a sure to be anything-but-ordinary season.
The practice was split into two different times with different groups in each to limit contact, coach Thomas Hammock said.
"It felt strange," cornerback Dillon Thomas said in a phone interview after practice. Media was not allowed at the practice at any point for photos or interviews.
"Coaches leading up to this week did a good job about what to expect. We were prepared in knowing it was going to be half and half. For us it was a lot of 7-on-7 and 1-on-1. It was all too different without having the D-line around. But practice is practice and it's good being out here the first day."
Hammock said the nature of the workout made it impossible to single out anyone who stood out to him.
"We're really not making it a very competitive situation," Hammock said. "We're working on developing, fundamentals, teachings, that sort of thing more so than competing against one another. We're taking our time to teach and install or reteach rather than make it a competitive type situation."
The practice began amid uncertainty of the MAC season. The league is among the last FBS conferences to announce fall plans, whether that be a season as normal, conference-only games, or something else.
Wide receiver Cole Tucker, a DeKalb graduate, said his focus isn't on what happens in a MAC boardroom.
"We'll play whenever," Tucker said. "Spring, fall, December. We'll play whenever they want us to."
Thomas equated it to an assignment.
"I wouldn't say the level of uncertainty has risen. It's just like when you have a due date," Thomas said. "We just have to figure out ways to save our body for September, October or even the spring. It's about ways to stay focused on staying healthy and getting locked in when we have that first date."
As it stands now, the first game on the NIU schedule is Sept. 19 at Eastern Michigan. Earlier games against Rhode Island and Maryland have been canceled, as has the Sept. 26 game at Iowa.
With 60 freshmen on the roster, Hammock said the focus isn't on when the season starts.
"It doesn't affect our prep," Hammock said. "One thing we've talked about with our team is we have 60-plus freshmen on our roster. What a great time to develop these young guys and have the quality of work get better. The start of the season has no bearing on us. All we have to do is get better each day."
Hammock said he and his staff worked on coming up with the best possible use of time for the split structure of practices. He said that the current practice structure is here for a while.
"We're going to stay in groups as long as possible," Hammock said. "We've come up with what each position group needs. We figure we can get quality work done in small groups and minimize the risk of anything happening, like an outbreak. We still get the work we need to done. And we're following training camp procedure."
As a receiver, Tucker said he liked the new structure.
"No linemen and all 7-on-7," Tucker said. "Personally I love it."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-07--Northwestern starts practice after brief COVID scare

Even with the college football season hanging by a thread , you 'd figure Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald as someone who would be fired up about the challenge ahead .
`` If I could write a story for The Daily Northwestern , I would write , 'Please , wear a mask if you want football !
Socially distance , wash your hands and make great choices socially so we can play Wildcat football , ' '' Fitzgerald said in a Zoom call with reporters Friday .
`` And I 'm looking at the positive , looking at the glass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stewards of the community and that 's what our guys have done .
My hope is the entire student body can do it . ''
There was already some good news for the Wildcats .
They shut down football workouts earlier this week because of a positive test for COVID-19 from a player .
But according to Fitzgerald , that turned out to be a false positive .
Using contact tracing based on the positive test , Northwestern had 37 players in quarantine for a few days , but Fitzgerald said everyone was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first practice .
The new conference games-only Big Ten schedule has the Wildcats opening at Penn State on Sept. 5 .
Asked how often players will be tested for the coronavirus , Fitzgerald said at least twice per week .
`` We 've talked about how the decisions we make are going to be the difference , '' he said .
`` There 's going to be certain teams that stay healthy .
There are going to be certain teams that make great choices socially .
There are going to be teams that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's watching .
`` That 's how we define character , who you are when no one 's watching .
I thought from a football character standpoint , our guys knocked it out of the park .
But that 's going to be a continual challenge .
We 're onboarding more ( NU ) teams every day .
We 'll be onboarding our student body here soon . ''
Most college teams have been together during the summer , which provided a head start in conditioning and learning the playbook .
Fitzgerald talked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked like .
`` Right now , everybody 's on air , '' he said .
`` We 're hitting sleds .
It 's like a car wash , we 're spraying them down .
We 're doing everything the docs told us to do .
`` If you were just walking down the Lake Shore path , I think you 'd be like , 'That looks like a football practice . '
Then when we go to team drills , group drills , it 's more on air , trash cans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Fitzgerald joked that he feels like a seventh-grade gym teacher at a junior high dance , trying to find socially-distanced activities to keep his players occupied .
`` It 's a unique time and it calls for unique leadership and unique decisions , '' he said .
`` If and when we play in the opener , we 'll be ready . ''
Northwestern finished 3-9 last fall , its worst record since 2002 .
If the Wildcats start playing for real , there will be an interesting battle at quarterback .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disappointing debut season .
T.J. Green , who was injured in the opener , was granted a sixth year of eligibility .
Senior Aiden Smith ended up getting the most playing time last fall .
And the Cats added grad transfer Peyton Ramsey , who posted some impressive stats at Indiana .

Northwestern starts practice after brief COVID scare
Northwestern shut down football activities earlier this week due to a positive test for COVID-19. But coach Pat Fitzgerald said it turned out to be a false positive and the Wildcats were full speed ahead for their first official practice on Friday. AP File Photo
Even with the college football season hanging by a thread, you'd figure Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald as someone who would be fired up about the challenge ahead.
"If I could write a story for The Daily Northwestern, I would write, 'Please, wear a mask if you want football! Socially distance, wash your hands and make great choices socially so we can play Wildcat football,'" Fitzgerald said in a Zoom call with reporters Friday.
"And I'm looking at the positive, looking at the glass half full. Let's be great stewards of the community and that's what our guys have done. My hope is the entire student body can do it."
There was already some good news for the Wildcats. They shut down football workouts earlier this week because of a positive test for COVID-19 from a player. But according to Fitzgerald, that turned out to be a false positive.
Using contact tracing based on the positive test, Northwestern had 37 players in quarantine for a few days, but Fitzgerald said everyone was back on the field for Friday's first practice. The new conference games-only Big Ten schedule has the Wildcats opening at Penn State on Sept. 5.
Asked how often players will be tested for the coronavirus, Fitzgerald said at least twice per week.
"We've talked about how the decisions we make are going to be the difference," he said. "There's going to be certain teams that stay healthy. There are going to be certain teams that make great choices socially. There are going to be teams that put the work in when no one's watching.
"That's how we define character, who you are when no one's watching. I thought from a football character standpoint, our guys knocked it out of the park. But that's going to be a continual challenge. We're onboarding more (NU) teams every day. We'll be onboarding our student body here soon."
Most college teams have been together during the summer, which provided a head start in conditioning and learning the playbook. Fitzgerald talked about what Friday's first official practice looked like.
"Right now, everybody's on air," he said. "We're hitting sleds. It's like a car wash, we're spraying them down. We're doing everything the docs told us to do.
"If you were just walking down the Lake Shore path, I think you'd be like, 'That looks like a football practice.' Then when we go to team drills, group drills, it's more on air, trash cans and things of that nature right now."
Fitzgerald joked that he feels like a seventh-grade gym teacher at a junior high dance, trying to find socially-distanced activities to keep his players occupied.
"It's a unique time and it calls for unique leadership and unique decisions," he said. "If and when we play in the opener, we'll be ready."
Northwestern finished 3-9 last fall, its worst record since 2002. If the Wildcats start playing for real, there will be an interesting battle at quarterback.
Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson is back after a disappointing debut season. T.J. Green, who was injured in the opener, was granted a sixth year of eligibility. Senior Aiden Smith ended up getting the most playing time last fall. And the Cats added grad transfer Peyton Ramsey, who posted some impressive stats at Indiana.
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