dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Suburban parents share challenges of e-learning during COVID-19 schools shutdown

Sara Sadat is fast reaching the point of pulling out her hair between juggling working from home and making sure her three children are using e-learning opportunities provided by their schools .
`` With my husband continuously on the job , I 'm a little concerned , '' said Sadat , a Lisle village trustee and senior manager in the finance industry .
`` I have a lot of virtual meetings ... kids are running around in the back .
It just comes down to isolating them from pretty much all the chaos that happens in the house . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting Tuesday and running until March 30 , suburban parents working outside or homebound are struggling to keep it together while ensuring their children are getting educational support .
School districts are excused from having to make up for this emergency closure , deemed an `` act of God '' by state authorities .
But those with e-learning capabilities are exploring new ways to keep students engaged .
Sadat said her 13-year-old daughter Zoya , an eighth-grader at Lisle Junior High , will be recording clips of herself playing the flute and saxophone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Music teachers also are using YouTube videos for instruction .
Zoya and Sadat 's fifth-grader , Yunus , will be using a Chromebook to keep up with assignments and interactive lessons , while her second-grader Myra will study using online work sheets , games and math learning programs .
The challenge is getting them to focus before they sneak away to play video games .
`` We really have to be on top of them , '' Sadat said .
`` Their morale is kind of low .
Initially , they were very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but as reality hit them today they were like , ' I ca n't believe I 'm not going to see my friends . '
The learning curve for us is keeping them on task , on schedule and regimented . ''
Having schools that are prepared to provide e-learning is a luxury not all suburban families enjoy .
`` It 's amazing how in this horrible time , teachers are going above and beyond to make sure kids stay on track , '' said Leora Smith of Crystal Lake , whose family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Husmann Elementary School in Crystal Lake dropped off a Chromebook and e-learning materials for Smith 's fourth-grader , Noah Feinberg .
`` Today , he had to watch a video about the effects of hand sanitizer and explain it to us ... how it 's made , how it works , why it 's important right now , '' Smith said .
`` Every subject has like a complete task list and it 's interactive . ''
Her 17-year-old son Ben , a senior at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has been a bigger life lesson than any other , said Smith , who runs a home-based dog breeding and training business .
`` This whole virus situation has taught them so much more than they could ever get through e-learning , '' Smith said .
`` You just have to look for the silver lining . ''

Suburban parents share challenges of e-learning during COVID-19 schools shutdown
Sara Sadat is fast reaching the point of pulling out her hair between juggling working from home and making sure her three children are using e-learning opportunities provided by their schools.
"With my husband continuously on the job, I'm a little concerned," said Sadat, a Lisle village trustee and senior manager in the finance industry. "I have a lot of virtual meetings ... kids are running around in the back. It just comes down to isolating them from pretty much all the chaos that happens in the house."
Amid a COVID-19-induced statewide shutdown of schools starting Tuesday and running until March 30, suburban parents working outside or homebound are struggling to keep it together while ensuring their children are getting educational support.
School districts are excused from having to make up for this emergency closure, deemed an "act of God" by state authorities. But those with e-learning capabilities are exploring new ways to keep students engaged.
- Paul Valade | Staff Photographer Lisle resident and village trustee Sara Sadat oversees her children's e-learning work Monday at their home. Her 7-year-old daughter Myra, 7, right, is a second-grader at Lisle Elementary School.
Sadat said her 13-year-old daughter Zoya, an eighth-grader at Lisle Junior High, will be recording clips of herself playing the flute and saxophone for the band director's review. Music teachers also are using YouTube videos for instruction.
Zoya and Sadat's fifth-grader, Yunus, will be using a Chromebook to keep up with assignments and interactive lessons, while her second-grader Myra will study using online work sheets, games and math learning programs. The challenge is getting them to focus before they sneak away to play video games.
"We really have to be on top of them," Sadat said. "Their morale is kind of low. Initially, they were very excited to spend time at home, but as reality hit them today they were like, 'I can't believe I'm not going to see my friends.' The learning curve for us is keeping them on task, on schedule and regimented."
Having schools that are prepared to provide e-learning is a luxury not all suburban families enjoy.
"It's amazing how in this horrible time, teachers are going above and beyond to make sure kids stay on track," said Leora Smith of Crystal Lake, whose family is under health quarantine.
- Paul Valade | Staff Photographer Lisle village Trustee Sara Sadat, standing, oversees her children's e-learning work Monday at their home. From left, Zoya, 13, Myra, 7, and Yunus, 11, were working on various lessons at their dining room table. Their father, Raza Siddiqui, works long hours out of the home but is present in a cardboard cutout set up near the table.
A teacher from Husmann Elementary School in Crystal Lake dropped off a Chromebook and e-learning materials for Smith's fourth-grader, Noah Feinberg.
"Today, he had to watch a video about the effects of hand sanitizer and explain it to us ... how it's made, how it works, why it's important right now," Smith said. "Every subject has like a complete task list and it's interactive."
Her 17-year-old son Ben, a senior at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, lost his job at Panera Bread, which has been a bigger life lesson than any other, said Smith, who runs a home-based dog breeding and training business.
"This whole virus situation has taught them so much more than they could ever get through e-learning," Smith said. "You just have to look for the silver lining."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Rolling Meadows park director wraps up career spanning 39 years

One common trait of Rolling Meadows ' old and new park directors , like many in their field , is that they 've spent much of their lives in the parks .
Kevin Romejko , who started last week as executive director of the Rolling Meadows Park District , recalls fondly his time as a teen running a T-ball league where he grew up in Schaumburg .
`` It 's what I 've known .
It 's what I 've done .
It 's what I 've loved , '' he said .
And for Amy Charlesworth , who wrapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district that included 17 years as executive director , it was vacation Bible camps and other parks jobs in her native Minnesota .
That was even before she graduated from Winona State University and saw a job posting for recreation supervisor in Rolling Meadows .
She took the gig -- which included driving the Zamboni and making ice -- and eventually worked her way up the ranks to be the head parks boss .
It was during that time that she earned state and local accolades , including a recent lifetime achievement award @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The agency labeled the park district as a leader in parks and programming , with ice and gymnastics facilities used around the clock by residents and nonresidents alike , and the growth of an in-house youth hockey team into its own league under Charlesworth 's direction .
`` There was always something new to learn and something different to offer the community , '' said Charlesworth , who capped off her 39-year career on Friday .
During Charlesworth 's tenure , the park district added walking and biking paths , updated facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million worth of ice arena and parking lot upgrades in 2015 at the Nelson Sports Complex , and improved nine parks .
`` The goal was to have a different look and feel to each park , so it 's a destination park , '' she said .
After Charlesworth announced in October that she planned to retire , the park board started collecting resumes for a successor .
They received 19 applications , inviting some back for interviews in January , before selecting Romejko for the $ 125,000-a-year post .
The board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's the first executive director job for Romejko , who was superintendent of business services at the Bartlett Park District since 2016 , and previously director of administrative services at the Wheeling Park District and human resource manager and safety coordinator at the Palatine Park District .
He also worked in facility management and programming at park districts in Schaumburg and Northbrook .
`` He is a highly qualified individual with many years of experience , '' park board President Bill Cooley said in a district announcement .
`` We are confident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as our executive director . ''
First up on Romejko 's to-do list : overseeing a $ 600,000 inclusive playground and pickleball court project at Cardinal Drive Park .
The board approved a contract for design work last week , with the upgrades scheduled to take place this summer .

Rolling Meadows park director wraps up career spanning 39 years
One common trait of Rolling Meadows' old and new park directors, like many in their field, is that they've spent much of their lives in the parks.
Kevin Romejko, who started last week as executive director of the Rolling Meadows Park District, recalls fondly his time as a teen running a T-ball league where he grew up in Schaumburg.
"It's what I've known. It's what I've done. It's what I've loved," he said.
And for Amy Charlesworth, who wrapped up a near-four-decade career with the park district that included 17 years as executive director, it was vacation Bible camps and other parks jobs in her native Minnesota.
That was even before she graduated from Winona State University and saw a job posting for recreation supervisor in Rolling Meadows. She took the gig -- which included driving the Zamboni and making ice -- and eventually worked her way up the ranks to be the head parks boss.
It was during that time that she earned state and local accolades, including a recent lifetime achievement award from the Illinois Park & Recreation Association.
The agency labeled the park district as a leader in parks and programming, with ice and gymnastics facilities used around the clock by residents and nonresidents alike, and the growth of an in-house youth hockey team into its own league under Charlesworth's direction.
"There was always something new to learn and something different to offer the community," said Charlesworth, who capped off her 39-year career on Friday.
During Charlesworth's tenure, the park district added walking and biking paths, updated facilities for ADA compliance, made $3 million worth of ice arena and parking lot upgrades in 2015 at the Nelson Sports Complex, and improved nine parks.
"The goal was to have a different look and feel to each park, so it's a destination park," she said.
After Charlesworth announced in October that she planned to retire, the park board started collecting resumes for a successor. They received 19 applications, inviting some back for interviews in January, before selecting Romejko for the $125,000-a-year post. The board approved his three-year contract last Tuesday.
It's the first executive director job for Romejko, who was superintendent of business services at the Bartlett Park District since 2016, and previously director of administrative services at the Wheeling Park District and human resource manager and safety coordinator at the Palatine Park District. He also worked in facility management and programming at park districts in Schaumburg and Northbrook.
"He is a highly qualified individual with many years of experience," park board President Bill Cooley said in a district announcement. "We are confident that he will do a fantastic job as our executive director."
First up on Romejko's to-do list: overseeing a $600,000 inclusive playground and pickleball court project at Cardinal Drive Park. The board approved a contract for design work last week, with the upgrades scheduled to take place this summer.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Back home in the suburbs, college students face uncertainties over online learning

First came the excitement about a prolonged vacation .
Then reality set in .
How is online learning going to play out , especially for classes that require hands-on work ?
What about group presentations ?
How will I handle it all ?
Will my grades suffer ?
Those are some of the questions troubling 20-year-old Justin Ethithara of Des Plaines and other suburban college students whose schools have closed or canceled in-person classes in the face of the new coronavirus outbreak .
Their lives upended , students are finding themselves back home in the suburbs , with no guarantees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal .
Ethithara , a sophomore at Marquette University in Milwaukee , was on spring break last week when he learned the time off would be extended by a week and after that he 'd continue classes online until April 10 .
Marquette students could go back to school only during the day Sunday to pick up their belongings .
`` At first I was super excited because I loved the idea of having an extended spring break , but then I realized what was going to happen , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to focus here at home .
Mentally , I want to be on spring break .
Now , I am kind of worried my grades are going to kind of slip down . ''
Michigan State University student Erika Christensen came back to her hometown of Naperville on March 12 , a day after students were told all classes would be held online until April 20 .
No in-person meetings would be permitted in the meantime .
Students are not required to leave campus , but were strongly encouraged to do so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a cold , so she figured she 'd head home and leave the dorm room to her roommate , a native of Wyoming who was planning to stay .
Christensen said she 's taken some online classes previously , but not an entire semester load .
`` You have to tell yourself , ' I 'm not going to jeopardize my grade just because I 'm home , ' '' she said .
`` You want to be able to say , ' I know this material . '
'' Madison Knott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indiana University , was scheduled to go on spring break Monday .
Students were informed last week the school would close and they could not return to campus until April 6 , she said .
Starting March 23 , classes will take place online via web conferencing , she said .
The move was not unexpected , particularly after Ohio State University and others announced closures , Knott said .
Despite having taken several classes online in the past , Knott is worried about how she will tackle that now .
She 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her five classes are in lecture format , she said .
The other three are studio or lab classes , relying on in-person work such as 3-D designs , paper making and the like .
`` I 'm more worried about my grades , '' Knott said .
`` Lectures are a lot easier , you watch and take notes .
It 's a lot harder when you have lab . ''
Still , some have it worse , she said , like some fellow students who went back to California and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 a.m. , which is 8 a.m. in Indiana .
Ashia Walker , 19 , of Elgin , said she plans to come home from Loyola University Chicago early this week .
The sophomore economics major was shocked to find out March 5 that the campus would be closing and students had to pack and be out by Thursday .
She 's never taken online classes and has lots of uncertainties about how that will happen .
`` Many of the professors were kind of confused about what mode they would go with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice-overs , or have a video and send it out so we could watch it anytime ? ''
But she , too , is keeping things in perspective .
It 's an inconvenience to have to move out of her dorm room but international students have it much worse , she said , having to figure out if they can go home or where to stay otherwise .
There are other things the students will miss out on .
Christensen is in the marching band at Michigan State and sings with the women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been canceled , all the more disappointing because the school was celebrating its 150th anniversary of the band program , she said .
`` A lot of us are really bummed , but we also keep a sense of humor about it , '' she said .
Ethithara had been choreographing a dance for the annual Indian Student Association show in about two weeks , while also working with others to finish a robotic arm by the end of the semester .
Walker is n't sure if she can keep her work-study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archdiocese of Chicago .
Loyola University wo n't pay her salary while the school is closed , she said .
The archdiocese offered to pay her , but she 's not sure about the scheduling and format of her online classes , and whether she can tackle the commute to Chicago , she said .
The students did agree about one thing : they are not too concerned about being sickened by COVID-19 .
Knott and her parents planned to leave Saturday for spring break in Arizona , where they were to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some worry about her grandparents in Elgin , knowing the disease is more serious for older people , she said .
`` I am not that worried about it because it does n't really affect younger people , '' Ethithara said .
`` You ca n't really do anything about it except being careful ourselves -- and hoping for the best . ''

Back home in the suburbs, college students face uncertainties over online learning
First came the excitement about a prolonged vacation. Then reality set in.
How is online learning going to play out, especially for classes that require hands-on work? What about group presentations? How will I handle it all? Will my grades suffer?
Those are some of the questions troubling 20-year-old Justin Ethithara of Des Plaines and other suburban college students whose schools have closed or canceled in-person classes in the face of the new coronavirus outbreak.
Their lives upended, students are finding themselves back home in the suburbs, with no guarantees about when life will go back to normal.
Ethithara, a sophomore at Marquette University in Milwaukee, was on spring break last week when he learned the time off would be extended by a week and after that he'd continue classes online until April 10.
Marquette students could go back to school only during the day Sunday to pick up their belongings.
"At first I was super excited because I loved the idea of having an extended spring break, but then I realized what was going to happen," he said. "I know it's really hard to focus here at home. Mentally, I want to be on spring break. Now, I am kind of worried my grades are going to kind of slip down."
Michigan State University student Erika Christensen came back to her hometown of Naperville on March 12, a day after students were told all classes would be held online until April 20. No in-person meetings would be permitted in the meantime.
Students are not required to leave campus, but were strongly encouraged to do so. Christensen, a computer science major, had a cold, so she figured she'd head home and leave the dorm room to her roommate, a native of Wyoming who was planning to stay.
Christensen said she's taken some online classes previously, but not an entire semester load.
"You have to tell yourself, 'I'm not going to jeopardize my grade just because I'm home,'" she said. "You want to be able to say, 'I know this material.'"
Madison Knott of Elgin, a 19-year-old sophomore at Indiana University, was scheduled to go on spring break Monday. Students were informed last week the school would close and they could not return to campus until April 6, she said.
Starting March 23, classes will take place online via web conferencing, she said. The move was not unexpected, particularly after Ohio State University and others announced closures, Knott said.
Despite having taken several classes online in the past, Knott is worried about how she will tackle that now. She's an interior design major and only two of her five classes are in lecture format, she said. The other three are studio or lab classes, relying on in-person work such as 3-D designs, paper making and the like.
"I'm more worried about my grades," Knott said. "Lectures are a lot easier, you watch and take notes. It's a lot harder when you have lab."
Still, some have it worse, she said, like some fellow students who went back to California and will have to start some classes at 5 a.m., which is 8 a.m. in Indiana.
Ashia Walker, 19, of Elgin, said she plans to come home from Loyola University Chicago early this week.
The sophomore economics major was shocked to find out March 5 that the campus would be closing and students had to pack and be out by Thursday. She's never taken online classes and has lots of uncertainties about how that will happen.
"Many of the professors were kind of confused about what mode they would go with. Do they do PowerPoint and do voice-overs, or have a video and send it out so we could watch it anytime?"
But she, too, is keeping things in perspective. It's an inconvenience to have to move out of her dorm room but international students have it much worse, she said, having to figure out if they can go home or where to stay otherwise.
There are other things the students will miss out on.
Christensen is in the marching band at Michigan State and sings with the women's Glee Club, but all performances have been canceled, all the more disappointing because the school was celebrating its 150th anniversary of the band program, she said.
"A lot of us are really bummed, but we also keep a sense of humor about it," she said.
Ethithara had been choreographing a dance for the annual Indian Student Association show in about two weeks, while also working with others to finish a robotic arm by the end of the semester.
Walker isn't sure if she can keep her work-study job as an administrative aide for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Loyola University won't pay her salary while the school is closed, she said. The archdiocese offered to pay her, but she's not sure about the scheduling and format of her online classes, and whether she can tackle the commute to Chicago, she said.
The students did agree about one thing: they are not too concerned about being sickened by COVID-19.
Knott and her parents planned to leave Saturday for spring break in Arizona, where they were to meet relatives from Iowa. She did have some worry about her grandparents in Elgin, knowing the disease is more serious for older people, she said.
"I am not that worried about it because it doesn't really affect younger people," Ethithara said. "You can't really do anything about it except being careful ourselves -- and hoping for the best."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Nearly 3,000 solar panels will help power Glenbard East

Glenbard High School District 87 is bringing solar power to one of its campuses as more suburban schools are drawn to the cost savings and environmental benefits of the renewable energy source .
A $ 2.7 million project will install more than 2,900 solar panels on the roof of Glenbard East High School in Lombard .
The solar array will provide power for about 40 % to 45 % of the building and allow the school to cut planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1,000 metric tons each year .
`` Not only is it a smart thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right message to students and the community in terms of what kind of district we want to be , '' Assistant Superintendent Chris McClain said .
The project is slated to receive $ 1 million in rebates and renewable energy credits to offset the cost .
With its expansive , relatively flat roof , the Lombard school is the first in the district to use solar panels in a large-scale capacity .
But two others -- Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream and Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn -- may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depending on the availability of financial incentives through the Illinois Power Agency 's Adjustable Block Program .
`` The other key determinant for us would be the environment at the school , '' McClain said .
`` Do we have sufficient enough amount of roofing that is current for it to make sense ?
Because it would n't make sense to put panels on roofs that need to be replaced over the next couple three years . ''
The district plans on starting the installation in May .
The roof-mounted solar array is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Nov. 30 .
In the short term , the system will generate roughly $ 125,000 to $ 150,000 in savings on electricity costs , according to estimates .
In the long term , the district could reap as much as $ 250,000 in savings annually .
The district has not yet made a decision on how to fund the project .
But the school board 's finance and facility committee has considered issuing debt and then using the incentives and energy savings to make the bond payments .
`` Then after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ savings could be used for other areas of reinvestment , whether there are other projects that we want to do in other parts of the district , or those are just dollars that are available to the district to invest in instructional programs , '' McClain said .
District 87 now joins Libertyville Elementary District 70 , Huntley Community School District 158 and Grayslake Elementary District 46 in adding solar panels to schools .
`` This system will deliver significant cost savings and a clean , sustainable energy source long into the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a project announcement .
`` The system will also provide our students and staff with a rich learning opportunity . ''
The district 's energy conservation vendor , Performance Services , Inc. , offers a partnership with the National Energy Education Development Project to provide a solar curriculum program for students .
The panels , manufactured by Jinko Solar , reflect a district mission to reduce energy costs .
Two other schools -- Glenbard North and Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn -- have received the Energy Star certification by the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy conservation in public schools .

Nearly 3,000 solar panels will help power Glenbard East
Glenbard East High School in Lombard will have more than 2,900 solar panels on its roof. Courtesy of Glenbard High School District 87
Glenbard High School District 87 is bringing solar power to one of its campuses as more suburban schools are drawn to the cost savings and environmental benefits of the renewable energy source.
A $2.7 million project will install more than 2,900 solar panels on the roof of Glenbard East High School in Lombard. The solar array will provide power for about 40% to 45% of the building and allow the school to cut planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1,000 metric tons each year.
"Not only is it a smart thing to do financially, it really sends the right message to students and the community in terms of what kind of district we want to be," Assistant Superintendent Chris McClain said.
The project is slated to receive $1 million in rebates and renewable energy credits to offset the cost. With its expansive, relatively flat roof, the Lombard school is the first in the district to use solar panels in a large-scale capacity.
But two others -- Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream and Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn -- may be ideal candidates for solar power, depending on the availability of financial incentives through the Illinois Power Agency's Adjustable Block Program.
"The other key determinant for us would be the environment at the school," McClain said. "Do we have sufficient enough amount of roofing that is current for it to make sense? Because it wouldn't make sense to put panels on roofs that need to be replaced over the next couple three years."
The district plans on starting the installation in May. The roof-mounted solar array is expected to be complete and generating power by Nov. 30.
In the short term, the system will generate roughly $125,000 to $150,000 in savings on electricity costs, according to estimates. In the long term, the district could reap as much as $250,000 in savings annually.
The district has not yet made a decision on how to fund the project. But the school board's finance and facility committee has considered issuing debt and then using the incentives and energy savings to make the bond payments.
"Then after the savings match the cost, any future savings could be used for other areas of reinvestment, whether there are other projects that we want to do in other parts of the district, or those are just dollars that are available to the district to invest in instructional programs," McClain said.
District 87 now joins Libertyville Elementary District 70, Huntley Community School District 158 and Grayslake Elementary District 46 in adding solar panels to schools.
"This system will deliver significant cost savings and a clean, sustainable energy source long into the future," Superintendent David Larson said in a project announcement. "The system will also provide our students and staff with a rich learning opportunity."
The district's energy conservation vendor, Performance Services, Inc., offers a partnership with the National Energy Education Development Project to provide a solar curriculum program for students.
The panels, manufactured by Jinko Solar, reflect a district mission to reduce energy costs. Two other schools -- Glenbard North and Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn -- have received the Energy Star certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The designation recognizes energy conservation in public schools.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Aurora city hall closed to public, mayor enacts emergency powers

Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora will ban patient visitors starting Tuesday morning , and has asked doctors to postpone elective surgeries , as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic , its chief executive officer announced Monday .
John Diederich spoke at a news conference conducted by Mayor Richard Irvin at Aurora 's City Hall .
Patients will be allowed to have one support person .
Exceptions may be made when patients are nearing death , Diederich said .
He also spoke about a separate triage area the hospital is setting up in its Emergency Department for flu and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formal emergency for the state 's second-largest city , which gives him more powers , including the ability to order residents to shelter in place or be quarantined .
He also announced that City Hall will be closed to the public Wednesday through March 31 .
Some city hall workers will work at city hall , but others will be working from home .
Residents who need to conduct city business should call ( 630 ) 256-INFO or email myaurora @ aurora-il.org .
The city council will not meet ; the mayor will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters that normally require a city council vote .
Still , `` Aurora is still open for business , but we just have to operate a little differently , '' Irvin said .
Irvin also had two restaurant owners speak about their plans to offer delivery or carryout service , and said the city will help publicize such businesses .
Ron Woerman , owner of O'Malley 's and Spartan House , said he intends to bring meals out to customers ' cars , not have them come in the buildings , because having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat the purpose . ''
Chief Management Officer Alex Alexandriou , in response to a question , stressed that no , people wo n't be able to order liquor with their carryout meals .
And , `` it is not OK to have people wait inside while they wait for their food and be served alcohol .
We want to make sure we stick to the spirit of social distancing and the purpose of the governor 's order and what our experts have been consistently suggesting to defeat the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired of hearing people say COVID-19 only affects old or ill people , `` as if they do n't matter .
`` We all matter , '' he said .

Aurora city hall closed to public, mayor enacts emergency powers
Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora will ban patient visitors starting Tuesday morning, and has asked doctors to postpone elective surgeries, as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its chief executive officer announced Monday.
John Diederich spoke at a news conference conducted by Mayor Richard Irvin at Aurora's City Hall.
Patients will be allowed to have one support person. Exceptions may be made when patients are nearing death, Diederich said. He also spoke about a separate triage area the hospital is setting up in its Emergency Department for flu and potential COVID-19 patients.
Irvin declared a formal emergency for the state's second-largest city, which gives him more powers, including the ability to order residents to shelter in place or be quarantined. He also announced that City Hall will be closed to the public Wednesday through March 31. Some city hall workers will work at city hall, but others will be working from home. Residents who need to conduct city business should call (630) 256-INFO or email myaurora@aurora-il.org.
The city council will not meet; the mayor will have the authority to deal with pressing matters that normally require a city council vote.
Still, "Aurora is still open for business, but we just have to operate a little differently," Irvin said.
Irvin also had two restaurant owners speak about their plans to offer delivery or carryout service, and said the city will help publicize such businesses.
Ron Woerman, owner of O'Malley's and Spartan House, said he intends to bring meals out to customers' cars, not have them come in the buildings, because having crowds waiting inside "would kind of defeat the purpose."
Chief Management Officer Alex Alexandriou, in response to a question, stressed that no, people won't be able to order liquor with their carryout meals. And, "it is not OK to have people wait inside while they wait for their food and be served alcohol. We want to make sure we stick to the spirit of social distancing and the purpose of the governor's order and what our experts have been consistently suggesting to defeat the spread of the virus."
Irvin said he is also tired of hearing people say COVID-19 only affects old or ill people, "as if they don't matter.
"We all matter," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Kane judge denies new trial in 1996 murder of Aurora boy, 6

A Kane County judge has denied the latest attempt for a new trial by a Montgomery man , who is serving a life sentence for killing a 6-year-old boy in a gang retaliation .
D.J .
Tegeler issued his ruling Monday in the case of Mark A. Downs , 43 , who is serving a 70-year prison term for shooting Nico Contreras on Nov. 10 , 1996 , as he slept at his grandparents ' home in Aurora .
A jury convicted Downs of first-degree murder after a trial in April 2009 .
Down 's co-defendant , Elias Diaz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving a 60-year term .
On that night , Diaz drove Downs to an east-side home to retaliate against a rival gang member .
Downs got out , crept to the rear of the house and shot through a window where he believed his target would be asleep , according to prosecutors .
Instead , Downs hit Nico with two bullets .
Tegeler heard the tail end of Downs ' case in late February .
Downs argued his attorney was ineffective , thus denying him a fair trial .
He noted his defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Defender David Kliment , did n't want to hear of an alibi defense and barely took time to meet with Downs to prepare a defense .
Downs ' brother also testified that he told Kliment , who is now a judge , about an alibi but Kliment did n't want to talk to him .
But prosecutors noted Kliment tried to obtain attendance records from a West Chicago candle factory where Downs and his brother were temporary workers , but the company did n't have any documentation .
Not presenting an alibi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy , prosecutors noted .
Defense attorney Don Zuelke also argued jurors were not able to hear details of a deal a key witness against Downs made with prosecutors to avoid a longer prison term .
Kane County State 's Attorney Joe McMahon said Downs is in prison where he belongs .
`` This office was committed to justice for Nico Contreras , his family and the people of Aurora when Mark Downs and Elias Diaz shot and killed him in 1996 , and it maintains that commitment today .
Mr. Downs is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to escape responsibility for his outrageous conduct , '' McMahon said .

Kane judge denies new trial in 1996 murder of Aurora boy, 6
A Kane County judge has denied the latest attempt for a new trial by a Montgomery man, who is serving a life sentence for killing a 6-year-old boy in a gang retaliation.
D.J. Tegeler issued his ruling Monday in the case of Mark A. Downs, 43, who is serving a 70-year prison term for shooting Nico Contreras on Nov. 10, 1996, as he slept at his grandparents' home in Aurora.
A jury convicted Downs of first-degree murder after a trial in April 2009. Down's co-defendant, Elias Diaz, 50, also was convicted and is serving a 60-year term.
On that night, Diaz drove Downs to an east-side home to retaliate against a rival gang member. Downs got out, crept to the rear of the house and shot through a window where he believed his target would be asleep, according to prosecutors.
Instead, Downs hit Nico with two bullets.
Tegeler heard the tail end of Downs' case in late February. Downs argued his attorney was ineffective, thus denying him a fair trial. He noted his defense attorney at the time, then-Kane County Public Defender David Kliment, didn't want to hear of an alibi defense and barely took time to meet with Downs to prepare a defense.
Downs' brother also testified that he told Kliment, who is now a judge, about an alibi but Kliment didn't want to talk to him.
But prosecutors noted Kliment tried to obtain attendance records from a West Chicago candle factory where Downs and his brother were temporary workers, but the company didn't have any documentation. Not presenting an alibi defense also was a matter of trial strategy, prosecutors noted.
Defense attorney Don Zuelke also argued jurors were not able to hear details of a deal a key witness against Downs made with prosecutors to avoid a longer prison term.
Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said Downs is in prison where he belongs.
"This office was committed to justice for Nico Contreras, his family and the people of Aurora when Mark Downs and Elias Diaz shot and killed him in 1996, and it maintains that commitment today. Mr. Downs is a murderous gang member who continues to try to escape responsibility for his outrageous conduct," McMahon said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--First coronavirus death in Illinois; 22 cases at nursing home

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday announced the state 's first COVID-19 death of a Chicago woman in her 60s , and an outbreak in a nursing home in Willowbrook .
The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois has reached 160 , officials said , compared to 105 announced Monday .
There are 22 confirmed cases of the disease  -- 18 residents and four staff members -- at the Chateau Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Willowbrook , a 150-bed facility .
`` Each of the individuals that these 22 people have come in contact with will now be tracked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're feeling , and we 'll start monitoring them as well , '' DuPage Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala said during a Tuesday evening press briefing .
`` What we know on average is that each case that is identified often comes with an average of 90 individuals who they have come into contact with , so it 's a large number of individuals that we 'll be reaching out to . ''
When health officials contact those people , she said , `` We recommend that they stay at home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for medical care if and when they develop medical symptoms . ''
Ayala said officials provided 200 test kits for the facility and praised the state health department for `` working to get those test kits to us , particularly for this extremely vulnerable population . ''
Health officials said they do n't know how the virus got into the facility .
`` We do n't know how it was contracted , but we do appreciate the quick action of the clinical staff at the nursing home , and we feel that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both in diagnosing as well as providing the preventive measures that will help us , '' Ayala said .
`` Even though the number seems high , the actions that they took will be helpful going forward . ''
When he learned of the 22 cases Tuesday , `` I said , 'Oh my God , ' '' DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said .
`` My heart sank , and I immediately thought of all the families and the folks over there that have been working round-the-clock to prevent this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to be strong , '' Cronin said , adding that everyone needs to be practicing social distancing .
`` `` We have been working with this long-term care facility for several weeks .
I believe that the owners and the operators are responsible people . ''
DuPage County announced a disaster proclamation Sunday during a briefing after the first Chateau COVID-19 case was confirmed .
`` Our residents ' health , safety and well-being is our highest priority , '' said Ron Nunziato , CEO of Extended Care LLC , the consulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We anticipated it was n't if , it was when , a resident would become affected . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Illinois Department of Public Health are working with DuPage and Chateau officials .
`` We got our team in there and came up with a plan to test every resident on Sunday , '' IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike said .
`` All of the individuals who have tested positive are now isolated at the facility or at a hospital and visitors have been restricted , '' Pritzker said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicagoan who had come into contact with a person diagnosed with coronavirus and was diagnosed with the disease earlier in March .
Pritzker said `` there are moments when we feel like this is more than we can bear .
This is one of those moments , but we will get through this together . ''
`` All of Illinois stands with this patient 's family and loved ones in mourning her loss and honoring her memory , '' Pritzker said .
Experts expect for a majority of people in good health under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a mild illness with symptoms similar to the common cold or flu .
Those might include sore throat , runny nose , aches , fever , and coughing .
But for the elderly and those with medical conditions such as heart disease , it can result in serious illness and death .
However , Ezike noted that the first two people diagnosed with COVID-19 in late January have recovered and are out of quarantine .
Pritzker , who has clashed with the White House over a lack of test kits for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is monopolizing supplies and not giving them to the states . ''
On Monday , Pritzker prohibited gatherings of 25 people or more on the heels of ordering restaurants and bars to close with the exception of takeout service .
He clarified that essential services like groceries , drug stories , banks , credit unions and shelters should remain open .
And to critics who suggested he was overstepping his constitutional authority , Pritzker disagreed , saying Tuesday `` it is exactly in times like these when the constitutional boundaries of democracy should @ @ @ @

First coronavirus death in Illinois; 22 cases at DuPage County nursing home
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday announced the state's first COVID-19 death, of a Chicago woman in her 60s, and an outbreak in a nursing home in Willowbrook.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois has reached 160, officials said, compared to 105 announced Monday.
There are 22 confirmed cases of the disease -- 18 residents and four staff members -- at the Chateau Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Willowbrook, a 150-bed facility.
"Each of the individuals that these 22 people have come in contact with will now be tracked and identified and asked about how they're feeling, and we'll start monitoring them as well," DuPage Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala said during a Tuesday evening press briefing. "What we know on average is that each case that is identified often comes with an average of 90 individuals who they have come into contact with, so it's a large number of individuals that we'll be reaching out to."
When health officials contact those people, she said, "we recommend that they stay at home, that they self-quarantine and that they reach out for medical care if and when they develop medical symptoms."
Ayala said officials provided 200 test kits for the facility and praised the state health department for "working to get those test kits to us, particularly for this extremely vulnerable population."
Health officials said they don't know how the virus got into the facility.
"We don't know how it was contracted, but we do appreciate the quick action of the clinical staff at the nursing home, and we feel that it was because of their quick action, both in diagnosing as well as providing the preventive measures, that will help us," Ayala said. "Even though the number seems high, the actions that they took will be helpful going forward."
When he learned of the 22 cases Tuesday, "I said, 'Oh my God,'" DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said. "My heart sank, and I immediately thought of all the families and the folks over there that have been working round-the-clock to prevent this from spreading."
"We've got to be strong," Cronin said, adding that everyone needs to be practicing social distancing. "We have been working with this long-term care facility for several weeks. I believe that the owners and the operators are responsible people."
DuPage County announced a disaster proclamation Sunday during a briefing after the first Chateau COVID-19 case was confirmed.
"Our residents' health, safety and well-being is our highest priority," said Ron Nunziato, CEO of Extended Care LLC, the consulting company working with Chateau on Sunday. "We anticipated it wasn't if, it was when, a resident would become affected."
The Centers for Disease Control and Illinois Department of Public Health are working with DuPage and Chateau officials.
"We got our team in there and came up with a plan to test every resident on Sunday," IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike said.
"All of the individuals who have tested positive are now isolated at the facility or at a hospital, and visitors have been restricted," Pritzker said.
The Illinoisan who died was a Chicagoan who had come into contact with a person diagnosed with the coronavirus and was diagnosed with the disease earlier in March.
Later Tuesday, the Cook County medical examiner's office said a 61-year-old woman from Chicago had died Monday at University of Chicago Medical Center and had tested positive for COVID-19.
McHenry County reported two additional cases Tuesday. The women, one in her 40s and one in her 50s, had no travel to a high-risk country or contact with a known COVID-19 patient and are considered to be community transmission, the health department reported. The county's cases now total four.
Pritzker said "there are moments when we feel like this is more than we can bear. This is one of those moments, but we will get through this together."
"All of Illinois stands with this patient's family and loved ones in mourning her loss and honoring her memory," Pritzker said.
Experts expect that for a majority of people in good health under age 60, the infection would result in a mild illness with symptoms similar to the common cold or flu. Those might include sore throat, runny nose, aches, fever and coughing.
But for the elderly and those with medical conditions such as heart disease, it can result in serious illness and death.
However, Ezike noted that the first two people diagnosed with COVID-19 in late January have recovered and are out of quarantine.
Pritzker, who has clashed with the White House over a lack of test kits for COVID-19, said Tuesday "the federal government is monopolizing supplies and not giving them to the states."
On Monday, Pritzker prohibited gatherings of 50 people or more on the heels of ordering restaurants and bars to close with the exception of takeout service.
He clarified that essential services like groceries, drug stories, banks, credit unions and shelters should remain open.
And to critics who suggested he was overstepping his constitutional authority, Pritzker disagreed, saying Tuesday, "It is exactly in times like these when the constitutional boundaries of democracy should be respected."
• Daily Herald Staff Writer Steve Zalusky contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Polls at 40 suburban Cook County precincts to stay open late

Polling places at 40 suburban Cook County precincts will stay open an extra hour as a result of a court @ @ @ @ @ other problems , Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough said .
Polls will stay open until @ @ @ @ @ : For other election information , suburban voters should visit cookcountyclerk.com/ElectionUpdates .

Polls at 40 suburban Cook County precincts to stay open late
Voters cast their ballots during early voting in Chicago while wearing protective gloves. Associated press
Polling places at 40 suburban Cook County precincts will stay open an extra hour as a result of a court order after late openings or other problems, Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough said.
Polls will stay open until 8 p.m. at these precincts:
Barrington 2, Barrington Village Hall
Barrington 10, Willow Creek Community Church
Berwyn 2, Moose Lodge
Berwyn 3, Pershing School
Bremen 40, Country Club Hills City Hall
Elk Grove 14, Clearbrook
Elk Grove 28, Clearbrook
Elk Grove 40, Clearbrook
Leyden 18, East Leyden High School
Lyons 31, Village of Indian Head Park
Lyons 39, First Congregation Church of Western Springs
Lyons 43, St. John Lutheran School
Lyons 69, St. James Church
Lyons 70, Willow Hill Apartments
Maine 47, Arndt Park Fieldhouse
Maine 50, Public Works Service Center
New Trier 12, Winnetka Presbyterian Church
New Trier 19, Winnetka Presbyterian Church
New Trier 41, Winnetka Presbyterian Church
Niles 1, White Eagle Banquets
Niles 12, Oliver McCracken
Orland 68, Century Junior High School
Palos 1, Nativity BVM Ukranian Catholic Church
Proviso 45, Irving School
Proviso 86, Roosevelt School
Schaumburg 40, Aldrin School
Schaumburg 57, Adlai Stevenson School
Stickney , Stickney Township North Clinic
Stickney 17, Stickney Township North Clinic
Stickney 20, Louis S Viverito Senior Center
Thornton 7, Lansing Police Department
Thornton 14, American Legion Post 330
Thornton 31, A Reliable Auto Parts
Wheeling 6, Living Christ Lutheran Church
Worth 30, Harnew School
Worth 44, Harnew School
Worth 63, Harnew School
Worth 92, Hannum School
Worth 94, Hannum School
For other election information, suburban voters should visit cookcountyclerk.com/ElectionUpdates.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Whole Foods in Willowbrook opening early for seniors during coronavirus outbreak

The idea came to Willowbrook Mayor Frank Trilla when he heard news on the radio about Australian grocery stores offering designated shopping hours just for seniors .
It was only two days after public health officials announced the first confirmed case of coronavirus in DuPage County : a woman in her 60s who lives in a nursing home in Willowbrook .
There have since been an additional 22 confirmed cases at the facility -- 18 residents and four employees .
Trilla knew the idea of `` elderly hours '' in stores would take hold in a town where 24 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older .
So the mayor approached Mike Kowalski , the manager of the Willowbrook Whole Foods , and he agreed to open the store a half-hour early for elderly people at higher risk of falling seriously ill with COVID-19 .
`` It 's a pilot program right now , and then because everything is such a fluid situation , we will evaluate and move forward , '' Kowalski said .
Starting at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday , senior shoppers and people with disabilities will be able to get their grocery shopping done with less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not emptied by panic buying .
`` It keeps them out of the crowds , '' Trilla said .
Dollar General also has embraced the concept .
Beginning Tuesday , the discount-store chain is dedicating the first hour of store operations exclusively to seniors .
`` We appreciate our customers ' understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices , '' CEO Todd Vasos said in an announcement .
In Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers avoid the opening shopping hour from 7 to 8 a.m. so seniors and people with compromised immune systems can get their groceries in a less-crowded environment .
Sunset foods will not be regulating that in any way , but it 's encouraging customers to help its five stores in Highland Park , Lake Forest , Libertyville , Long Grove and Northbrook reserve the hour for the groups most vulnerable to the coronavirus , spokeswoman Sarah Hanlon said .
`` We are really just kind of asking the community to help us in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Hanlon said .
Trilla now hopes other chains come on board .
`` We 've put some feelers out , trying to get our stores to come along with the idea , '' he said .

All Whole Foods stores opening early for seniors during coronavirus outbreak
Whole Foods Market in Willowbrook opens at 9 a.m., but those over 60 can begin shopping at 8 a.m. Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
The idea came to Willowbrook Mayor Frank Trilla when he heard news on the radio about Australian grocery stores offering designated shopping hours just for seniors.
It was only two days after public health officials announced the first confirmed case of coronavirus in DuPage County: a woman in her 60s who lives in a nursing home in Willowbrook. There have since been an additional 22 confirmed cases at the facility -- 18 residents and four employees.
Trilla knew the idea of "elderly hours" in stores would take hold in a town where 24% of the population is 65 and older.
So the mayor approached Mike Kowalski, the manager of the Willowbrook Whole Foods, and he agreed to open the store early for elderly people at higher risk of falling seriously ill with COVID-19.
By Tuesday night, the idea expanded nationwide with the Amazon-owned grocer announcing all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will adopt the accommodations.
Starting Wednesday, Whole Foods customers who are 60 and older will be able to get their grocery shopping done one hour before stores open to the general public.
"We are setting aside this time to help these customers, who national health authorities have identified as among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, feel more comfortable shopping our stores and helping to ensure they are able to get the items they need in a less crowded environment," the company said in a statement.
The adjusted hours also will allow seniors to shop when shelves are fully stocked and not emptied by panic buying.
"It's a pilot program right now, and then because everything is such a fluid situation, we will evaluate and move forward," Kowalski said.
Dollar General also has embraced the concept. The discount-store chain on Tuesday began dedicating the first hour of store operations exclusively to seniors.
"We appreciate our customers' understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices," CEO Todd Vasos.
In Lake County, Sunset Foods is requesting that customers avoid the opening shopping hour from 7 to 8 a.m. so seniors and people with compromised immune systems can get their groceries in a less-crowded environment. Sunset foods will not be regulating that in any way, but it's encouraging customers to help its five stores in Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Long Grove and Northbrook reserve the hour, Sarah Hanlon said.
"We are really just kind of asking the community to help us in keeping that time available for them," Hanlon said.
Trilla now hopes other chains come on board.
"We've put some feelers out, trying to get our stores to come along with the idea," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Macy's, Ulta to close stores due to COVID-19

Ulta Beauty and Macy 's announced Tuesday they will be temporality closing their stores due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak .
Macy 's is closing stores at the end of the day Tuesday and will remain closed until March 31 , officials said in a statement .
All Macy 's , Bloomingdale 's , Bluemercury , Macy 's Backstage , Bloomingdales the Outlet and Market by Macy 's stores will be closed .
The New York-based department store chain has suburban stores in Bolingbrook , Oak Brook , Schaumburg and Skokie .
Bolingbrook-based Ulta Beauty will close all stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 31 , company officials said .
`` We understand the direct impact this will have on our associates and guests , '' said Ulta CEO Mary Dillon .
`` But during these critical times , we believe it is absolutely necessary to prioritize their safety and that of the broader communities we serve .
Both chains will continue to operate online through its respective apps and at macys.com and ulta.com .
Ulta stores , in addition , will provide pickup service for online orders at its stores , the company said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay and benefits during the closures .
`` We will work with government and health officials to assess when we will reopen our stores and safely bring our colleagues back to work , '' said Macy 's Chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette .
`` During this closure , we will continue to serve our customers through our e-commerce sites . ''
Ulta officials also announced the company is withdrawing its investor guidance previously issued for fiscal 2020 due to the fast changing nature of the COVID-19 .
No timetable for an update was @ @

Macy's, Ulta to close stores due to COVID-19
New York-based department store chain Macy's is closing all stores until March 31 due to the coronavirus outbreak, officials said. AP File Photo
Ulta Beauty will temporarily close all stores from Thursday until at least March 31 due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, officials said. Daily Herald file photo
Ulta Beauty and Macy's announced Tuesday they will be temporality closing their stores due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.
Macy's is closing stores at the end of the day Tuesday and will remain closed until March 31, officials said in a statement. All Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Bluemercury, Macy's Backstage, Bloomingdales the Outlet and Market by Macy's stores will be closed. The New York-based department store chain has suburban stores in Bolingbrook, Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Skokie.
Bolingbrook-based Ulta Beauty will close all stores from 6 p.m. Thursday until at least March 31, company officials said.
"We understand the direct impact this will have on our associates and guests," said Ulta CEO Mary Dillon. "But during these critical times, we believe it is absolutely necessary to prioritize their safety and that of the broader communities we serve.
Both chains will continue to operate online through its respective apps and at macys.com and ulta.com. Ulta stores, in addition, will provide pickup service for online orders at its stores, the company said.
Both companies said their employees will receive pay and benefits during the closures.
"We will work with government and health officials to assess when we will reopen our stores and safely bring our colleagues back to work," said Macy's Chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette. "During this closure, we will continue to serve our customers through our e-commerce sites."
Ulta officials also announced the company is withdrawing its investor guidance previously issued for fiscal 2020 due to the fast changing nature of the COVID-19. No timetable for an update was given.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Trump wants quick checks sent to public in virus response

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is asking Congress to unleash a torrent of emergency economic aid to help people through the financial pain of the coronavirus crisis , with sizable checks directly to Americans as part of the deal .
Trump wants checks out to the public within two weeks , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday as state and local officials acted more forcefully to restrict gatherings and mobility in the face of growing sickness .
`` The president has instructed me we have to do this now . ''
The proposal to send checks requires approval from Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the yet-to-be disclosed amount should be significant and millionaires wo n't get it .
`` We want to make sure Americans get money in their pockets quickly , '' Mnuchin said .
After a savage drop Monday , the stock market rose during the briefing at which Trump and his aides sketched out elements of the economic rescue package .
Mnuchin was pitching the roughly $ 850 billion package to Senate Republicans at a private lunch , with officials aiming to have Congress approve it this week .
Some lawmakers were skeptical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very leery of doing something like in 2008 , '' said Indiana Republican Sen. Mike Braun .
But the other senator from Indiana , Todd Young , chairman of the Republican Senate campaign committee , said he was open to approving $ 1,000 checks and wants aid out the door as as soon as possible .
He said he was the only passenger on his flight back to Washington .
`` The Senate will not adjourn until we have passed significant and bold new steps above and beyond what the House has passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong underlying economy weather this storm , '' McConnell said .
Bigger than the 2008 bank bailout or the 2009 recovery act , the White House proposal aims to provide a massive tax cut for wage-earners , $ 50 billion for the airline industry and $ 250 billion for small businesses .
Two people familiar with the request described it to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were n't authorized to speak publicly .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the chairman of the House Transportation Committee , Rep. Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Mnuchin in the morning .
The Democrats `` emphasized that protecting workers ' paychecks and benefits was their top priority , and that immediate action was needed , '' said Drew Hammill , Pelosi 's spokesman .
Congress was being asked to approve the most far-reaching economic rescue package since the Great Recession of 2008 .
`` There 's great spirit '' among lawmakers , President Donald Trump said at the White House briefing as he outlined several elements of the rescue plan .
`` I can say that for Republicans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enormous political and economic undertaking as a slow-moving Congress tries to rise to the occasion of these fast times .
The debate is sure to revive the sharp divisions over the costly bank bailout and economic recovery of the Obama and Bush era .
Particularly striking is McConnell 's urgency after having adjourned the Senate over the weekend while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi muscled through an aid package .
Angry senators from both parties boarded planes returning to a changed Washington , as Trump declared a state of emergency , the virus spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal guidelines against so many people gathering , senators had no choice but to convene .
Legislating can not be done from home .
The House is on a recess .
The White House hopes the measure will pass quickly , possibly this week , an enormous political undertaking as the administration scrambled to contain the economic fallout of the severe disruptions to American life from the outbreak .
The rush to inject cash and resources into the economy is an effort unlike any since the 2008 economic crisis , with political and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect Americans from the health and financial fallout .
The new proposal is beyond the House 's estimated $ 100 billion aid package of sick pay , emergency food aid and free virus testing that was approved over the weekend and is pending before the Senate .
Now Congress will be rushing to pass two -- a massive , sweeping response to the virus outbreak that is rewriting America 's way of life .
Muscling the aid will test Congress and the White House at a pivotal moment in the crisis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties have vastly different outlooks on the best way to prop up the economy and help Americans .
Senate Democrats have proposed their own $ 750 billion package -- boosting hospital capacity and unemployment checks for the suddenly jobless -- with deep negotiations to come .
All sides -- the House , Senate and White House -- agree more federal resources are needed to handle what 's coming .
At the start of the month , Congress approved $ 8.3 billion in initial aid .
Trump quickly signed into law the measure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tests and potential treatments , and funding to help state and local governments respond to the threat .
During the recession , the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 , passed in February of that year , had an initial price tag of $ 787 billion which was revised later to $ 831 billion .
That was under Barack Obama .
The Tarp passed in the fall of 2008 to help troubled banks had a price tag of $ 700 billion .
It was put together by the George W. Bush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ auto bailouts for General Motors and Chrysler .
All of that money for the banks and the auto companies was paid back .
Now , Republicans often reluctant to spend federal dollars did not flinch at the head-spinning number , as a roster of America 's big and small industries -- airlines , hotels , retailers -- lined up for aid .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , called for sending $ 1,000 to every adult American -- an idea the White House now is proposing , though not necessarily that sum .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy are seeking help in withstanding the fallout as schools close and Americans are being told they should stay inside , skip nonessential travel and avoid gatherings with 10 people or more .
That means no dining out , no boarding planes , no shopping the malls as a great national shutdown sparks business closures , layoffs and lost paychecks for rents , mortgages and everyday needs .
The nation 's largest business organization , the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , asked the Trump administration and Congress on Monday to act rapidly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avert a `` potentially devastating '' hit to the economy .
The request from the U.S. airlines alone could easily top $ 50 billion , according to Airlines for America , the trade group representing the carriers .
Pulling together the new package will challenge the basic logistics of governing as Congress itself struggled to adapt to the new normal .
House Democrats were told on a conference call they wo n't be recalled to Washington until the next package is ready for action , according to people familiar with the call but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long and Kevin Freking in Washington , Philip Marcelo in Boston and David Eggert in Lansing , Michigan , contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute 's Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Trump wants quick checks sent to public in virus response
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks during a press briefing with the coronavirus task force, at the White House, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Washington, as President Donald Trump looks on. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing with the coronavirus task force, at the White House, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is asking Congress to unleash a torrent of emergency economic aid to help people through the financial pain of the coronavirus crisis, with sizable checks directly to Americans as part of the deal.
Trump wants checks out to the public within two weeks, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday as state and local officials acted more forcefully to restrict gatherings and mobility in the face of growing sickness. "The president has instructed me we have to do this now."
The proposal to send checks requires approval from Congress. Details were scant, except Mnuchin said the yet-to-be disclosed amount should be significant and millionaires won't get it.
"We want to make sure Americans get money in their pockets quickly," Mnuchin said. After a savage drop Monday, the stock market rose during the briefing at which Trump and his aides sketched out elements of the economic rescue package.
Mnuchin was pitching the roughly $850 billion package to Senate Republicans at a private lunch, with officials aiming to have Congress approve it this week. Some lawmakers were skeptical. "I'm going to be very leery of doing something like in 2008," said Indiana Republican Sen. Mike Braun.
But the other senator from Indiana, Todd Young, chairman of the Republican Senate campaign committee, said he was open to approving $1,000 checks and wants aid out the door as as soon as possible. He said he was the only passenger on his flight back to Washington.
Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised swift action of some sort.
"The Senate will not adjourn until we have passed significant and bold new steps above and beyond what the House has passed to help our strong nation and our strong underlying economy weather this storm," McConnell said.
Bigger than the 2008 bank bailout or the 2009 recovery act, the White House proposal aims to provide a massive tax cut for wage-earners, $50 billion for the airline industry and $250 billion for small businesses.
Two people familiar with the request described it to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, spoke by phone with Mnuchin in the morning. The Democrats "emphasized that protecting workers' paychecks and benefits was their top priority, and that immediate action was needed," said Drew Hammill, Pelosi's spokesman.
Congress was being asked to approve the most far-reaching economic rescue package since the Great Recession of 2008.
"There's great spirit" among lawmakers, President Donald Trump said at the White House briefing as he outlined several elements of the rescue plan. "I can say that for Republicans and Democrats."
But it's an enormous political and economic undertaking as a slow-moving Congress tries to rise to the occasion of these fast times.
The debate is sure to revive the sharp divisions over the costly bank bailout and economic recovery of the Obama and Bush era. Particularly striking is McConnell's urgency after having adjourned the Senate over the weekend while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi muscled through an aid package.
Angry senators from both parties boarded planes returning to a changed Washington, as Trump declared a state of emergency, the virus spread and the economic free-fall worsened. Despite federal guidelines against so many people gathering, senators had no choice but to convene. Legislating cannot be done from home. The House is on a recess.
The White House hopes the measure will pass quickly, possibly this week, an enormous political undertaking as the administration scrambled to contain the economic fallout of the severe disruptions to American life from the outbreak.
The rush to inject cash and resources into the economy is an effort unlike any since the 2008 economic crisis, with political and economic interventions and eye-popping sums to try to protect Americans from the health and financial fallout.
The new proposal is beyond the House's estimated $100 billion aid package of sick pay, emergency food aid and free virus testing that was approved over the weekend and is pending before the Senate.
Now Congress will be rushing to pass two -- a massive, sweeping response to the virus outbreak that is rewriting America's way of life.
Muscling the aid will test Congress and the White House at a pivotal moment in the crisis and in an election year when the two parties have vastly different outlooks on the best way to prop up the economy and help Americans.
Senate Democrats have proposed their own $750 billion package -- boosting hospital capacity and unemployment checks for the suddenly jobless -- with deep negotiations to come.
All sides -- the House, Senate and White House -- agree more federal resources are needed to handle what's coming.
At the start of the month, Congress approved $8.3 billion in initial aid. Trump quickly signed into law the measure, which provided federal agencies money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments, and funding to help state and local governments respond to the threat.
During the recession, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, passed in February of that year, had an initial price tag of $787 billion which was revised later to $831 billion. That was under Barack Obama.
The Tarp passed in the fall of 2008 to help troubled banks had a price tag of $700 billion. It was put together by the George W. Bush administration, and provided money for the auto bailouts for General Motors and Chrysler. All of that money for the banks and the auto companies was paid back.
Now, Republicans often reluctant to spend federal dollars did not flinch at the head-spinning number, as a roster of America's big and small industries -- airlines, hotels, retailers -- lined up for aid.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, called for sending $1,000 to every adult American -- an idea the White House now is proposing, though not necessarily that sum.
Industries representing a broad swath of the economy are seeking help in withstanding the fallout as schools close and Americans are being told they should stay inside, skip nonessential travel and avoid gatherings with 10 people or more.
That means no dining out, no boarding planes, no shopping the malls as a great national shutdown sparks business closures, layoffs and lost paychecks for rents, mortgages and everyday needs.
The nation's largest business organization, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, asked the Trump administration and Congress on Monday to act rapidly to help companies have access to cash and avert a "potentially devastating" hit to the economy.
The request from the U.S. airlines alone could easily top $50 billion, according to Airlines for America, the trade group representing the carriers.
Pulling together the new package will challenge the basic logistics of governing as Congress itself struggled to adapt to the new normal.
House Democrats were told on a conference call they won't be recalled to Washington until the next package is ready for action, according to people familiar with the call but unauthorized to discuss it and granted anonymity.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor, Matthew Daly, Martin Crutsinger, Colleen Long and Kevin Freking in Washington, Philip Marcelo in Boston and David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan, contributed to this report.
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Buffalo Grove orders public places closed after employees potentially exposed to COVID-19

Buffalo Grove Village President Beverly Sussman issued an executive order Tuesday closing all places of `` public assemblage , '' a day after officials learned that village employees may have been exposed to the coronavirus .
The order goes into effect at midnight Wednesday and will last until further notice of the village .
It includes health and fitness centers , movie theaters , bowling alleys and recreational/entertainment facilities , as well as the lobbies of all public buildings , except for the village 's police station .
`` We take these measures very seriously and , while we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and businesses , we must take action to prevent unnecessary public interaction to protect the entire community , '' Sussman said in an announcement of the order .
`` We very much appreciate our local businesses that have already opted to voluntarily close to slow the spread of COVID-19 . ''
A public assemblage does not include normal work attendance , according to the order .
According to the announcement , Village Manager Dane Bragg was made aware Monday night that village employees potentially were exposed to COVID-19 through a vendor who does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a result , village employees who worked in the same area as that person are now working remotely .
The vendor currently has no symptoms of the virus , officials said .
The initial exposure occurred between the vendor and a friend 's parent , who had recently returned from Europe , village officials said .
The parent displayed flu-like symptoms and was tested for COVID-19 .
The test results are not yet available , but are expected in the next 24 to 48 hours .
No village employees are allowed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential exposure occurred .
Village hall has been inspected by a cleaning firm that will commercially sanitize the area where the potential exposure occurred , as well as the entire building , officials said .

Buffalo Grove orders public places closed after employees potentially exposed to COVID-19
Buffalo Grove Village President Beverly Sussman issued an executive order Tuesday closing all places of "public assemblage," a day after officials learned that village employees may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
The order goes into effect at midnight Wednesday and will last until further notice of the village. It includes health and fitness centers, movie theaters, bowling alleys and recreational/entertainment facilities, as well as the lobbies of all public buildings, except for the village's police station.
"We take these measures very seriously and, while we are sensitive to the inconvenience to our residents and businesses, we must take action to prevent unnecessary public interaction to protect the entire community," Sussman said in an announcement of the order. "We very much appreciate our local businesses that have already opted to voluntarily close to slow the spread of COVID-19."
A public assemblage does not include normal work attendance, according to the order.
According to the announcement, Village Manager Dane Bragg was made aware Monday night that village employees potentially were exposed to COVID-19 through a vendor who does not have contact with the public.
As a result, village employees who worked in the same area as that person are now working remotely. The vendor currently has no symptoms of the virus, officials said.
The initial exposure occurred between the vendor and a friend's parent, who had recently returned from Europe, village officials said. The parent displayed flu-like symptoms and was tested for COVID-19. The test results are not yet available, but are expected in the next 24 to 48 hours.
No village employees are allowed in the area of the building where the potential exposure occurred. Village hall has been inspected by a cleaning firm that will commercially sanitize the area where the potential exposure occurred, as well as the entire building, officials said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Portable hand-washing stations put in popular Geneva shopping district

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce has put two portable hand-washing stations on South Third Street , the city 's well-known @ @ @ @ @ The stations will stay up for at least two weeks .
One is located near @ @ @ @ @ near Fulton Street .

Portable hand-washing stations put in popular Geneva shopping district
The Geneva Chamber of Commerce has put two portable hand-washing stations on South Third Street, the city's well-known shopping and restaurant boulevard.
The stations will stay up for at least two weeks.
One is located near Campbell Street, the other near Fulton Street.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-17--Judge dismisses Haymarket Center's lawsuit against Itasca

Haymarket Center will continue its effort to open a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Itasca after a DuPage County judge dismissed a lawsuit the group filed against the village .
But it remains unclear when the village can resume its review of Haymarket 's proposal because of coronavirus-related restrictions on crowd sizes .
In October , Itasca 's plan commission started hosting a series of public hearings on Haymarket 's plan to convert a Holiday Inn along Irving Park Road into a 240-bed facility for patients with substance-use disorders .
Ultimately , it will be up to the village @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move forward as a planned development .
The process , however , was put on hold in December when Haymarket filed a lawsuit against the village .
The Chicago-based nonprofit group claimed it should have been allowed to seek a special-use permit to operate as a health care facility .
But on Monday , a DuPage judge granted the village 's motion to dismiss the case .
In an email to supporters , Haymarket officials said the judge found the lawsuit was premature `` but also granted us the right to file anew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Should the village ultimately reject our zoning application , rest assured ( Monday 's ) court decision does not prevent us from future legal action on the merits to secure zoning approval , '' wrote Dr. Dan Lustig , Haymarket 's president and CEO .
On Tuesday , the village released a statement saying the legal costs related to the case `` were unfortunate for Itasca taxpayers . ''
But the statement says the dismissal of the lawsuit allows the village to resume the plan commission process .
`` Itasca still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and information that the village needs , '' the statement reads , `` and everyone looks forward to the resumption of the hearings at an appropriate time . ''
Lustig said Haymarket officials anticipate that Itasca may resume the public hearings as early as April 15 , `` although that date may be further delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic . ''
`` At every stage in this process , we become more steadfast in our resolve to expand access to lifesaving substance use disorder treatment , '' he wrote .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's proposal from residents who say Itasca is too small to support the proposed facility .
In addition to costing the town tax revenue by replacing the hotel , opponents say the center would strain police and emergency services .
The fire protection district has one ambulance .
When Itasca tried to have the first public hearing in September at a junior high , it had to be postponed after more than 1,300 people filled the gym and cafeteria -- and 200 to 300 more were waiting to get in .
The public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ village officials could n't secure a large enough venue in time to have an Oct. 2 meeting .
As a result , the first two public hearings had to be held at a high school in neighboring Roselle .
After a drop in the number of residents attending , the meetings were moved back to Peacock Middle School in Itasca .
Still , each meeting has drawn hundreds of people .

Judge dismisses Haymarket Center's lawsuit against Itasca
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that claimed Itasca should have allowed Haymarket Center to seek a special-use permit to open a drug and alcohol treatment center. The project is being considered as a planned development. Daily Herald file photo
Haymarket Center will continue its effort to open a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Itasca after a DuPage County judge dismissed a lawsuit the group filed against the village.
But it remains unclear when the village can resume its review of Haymarket's proposal because of coronavirus-related restrictions on crowd sizes.
In October, Itasca's plan commission started hosting a series of public hearings on Haymarket's plan to convert a Holiday Inn along Irving Park Road into a 240-bed facility for patients with substance-use disorders. Ultimately, it will be up to the village board to decide if the project can move forward as a planned development.
The process, however, was put on hold in December when Haymarket filed a lawsuit against the village. The Chicago-based nonprofit group claimed it should have been allowed to seek a special-use permit to operate as a health care facility.
But on Monday, a DuPage judge granted the village's motion to dismiss the case.
In an email to supporters, Haymarket officials said the judge found the lawsuit was premature "but also granted us the right to file anew after the village makes its ruling."
"Should the village ultimately reject our zoning application, rest assured (Monday's) court decision does not prevent us from future legal action on the merits to secure zoning approval," wrote Dr. Dan Lustig, Haymarket's president and CEO.
On Tuesday, the village released a statement saying the legal costs related to the case "were unfortunate for Itasca taxpayers." But the statement says the dismissal of the lawsuit allows the village to resume the plan commission process.
"Itasca still does not have all of the facts and information that the village needs," the statement reads, "and everyone looks forward to the resumption of the hearings at an appropriate time."
Lustig said Haymarket officials anticipate that Itasca may resume the public hearings as early as April 15, "although that date may be further delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic."
"At every stage in this process, we become more steadfast in our resolve to expand access to lifesaving substance use disorder treatment," he wrote.
Meanwhile, there's been considerable opposition to Haymarket's proposal from residents who say Itasca is too small to support the proposed facility.
In addition to costing the town tax revenue by replacing the hotel, opponents say the center would strain police and emergency services. The fire protection district has one ambulance.
When Itasca tried to have the first public hearing in September at a junior high, it had to be postponed after more than 1,300 people filled the gym and cafeteria -- and 200 to 300 more were waiting to get in.
The public hearing was delayed a second time when village officials couldn't secure a large enough venue in time to have an Oct. 2 meeting. As a result, the first two public hearings had to be held at a high school in neighboring Roselle.
After a drop in the number of residents attending, the meetings were moved back to Peacock Middle School in Itasca. Still, each meeting has drawn hundreds of people.