dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Aide who testified against Trump escorted out of White House

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump has ousted Gordon Sondland , his ambassador to the European Union , who delivered damaging testimony during the impeachment inquiry .
Sondland said in a statement Friday that Trump intends to recall him effectively immediately .
The action came just hours after Alexander Vindman , the decorated soldier and national security aide who played a central role in the impeachment case , was escorted out of the White House complex .
Vindman 's lawyer said his client was asked to leave in retaliation for `` telling the truth . ''
`` The truth has cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his career , and his privacy , '' David Pressman , an attorney for Vindman , said in a statement .
The Army said in a statement that Vindman and his twin brother , Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman , who also was asked to leave his job as a White House lawyer on Friday , have been reassigned to the Army .
Alexander Vindman 's lawyer issued a one-page statement that accused Trump of taking revenge on his client .
`` He did what any member of our military is charged with doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he obeyed his oath , and he served his country , even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril , '' Pressman said .
`` And for that , the most powerful man in the world -- buoyed by the silent , the pliable , and the complicit -- has decided to exact revenge . ''
The White House did not respond to Pressman 's accusation .
`` We do not comment on personnel matters , '' said John Ullyot , spokesman for the National Security Council , the foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vindman was an expert on Ukraine .
Vindman 's status had been uncertain since he testified that he did n't think it was `` proper '' for Trump to `` demand that a foreign government investigate '' former Vice President Joe Biden and his son 's dealings with the energy company Burisma in Ukraine .
Vindman 's ouster , however , seemed imminent after Trump mocked him Thursday during his post-acquittal celebration with Republican supporters in the East Room and said Friday that he was not happy with him .
`` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House .
`` You think I 'm supposed to be happy with him ?
I 'm not .
...
They are going to be making that decision . ''
Vindman , a 20-year Army veteran , wore his uniform full of medals , including a purple heart , when he appeared late last year for what turned out to be a testy televised impeachment hearing .
Trump supporters raised questions about the Soviet Jewish immigrant 's allegiance to the United States and noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government of Ukraine -- offers Vindman said he swiftly dismissed .
`` I am an American , '' he stated emphatically .
`` The White House is running a two for one special today on deep state leakers , '' Rep. Paul Gosar , an Arizona Republican , wrote on Twitter .
A Twitter account used by the president 's reelection campaign , @ TrumpWarRoom , claimed Vindman leaked information to the whistleblower , whose complaint about Trump 's call ignited the investigation , and `` colluded with Democrats to start the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSC official Tim Morrison testified that others had brought concerns that Vindman may have leaked something .
Vindman , in his own congressional testimony , denied leaking any information .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the firing was another example of how the `` White House runs away from the truth . ''
`` Lt. Col. Vindman lived up to his oath to protect and defend our Constitution , '' Schumer said in a statement .
`` This action is not a sign of strength .
It only shows President Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 Democratic presidential nominee , recalled how Vindman in testimony before the House impeachment panel said that he reassured his worried father that would be `` fine for telling the truth . ''
`` It 's appalling that this administration may prove him wrong , '' Clinton said in a tweet .
At last fall 's hearing , when the senior Republican on the House Intelligence Committee , Rep. Devin Nunes , addressed him as `` Mr. Vindman , '' the Iraq War veteran replied : `` Ranking member , it 's Lt. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Esper was asked what the Pentagon would do to ensure that Vindman faces no retribution .
`` We protect all of our service members from retribution or anything like that , '' Esper said .
`` We 've already addressed that in policy and other means . ''
Alexander Vindman is scheduled to enter a military college in Washington , D.C. , this summer , and his brother is to be assigned to the Army General Counsel 's Office , according to two officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymity .
Pressman said Vindman was among a handful of men and women who courageously `` put their faith in country ahead of fear '' but have `` paid a price . ''
`` There is no question in the mind of any American why this man 's job is over , why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House , '' Pressman said .
`` Lt. Col. Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth .
His honor , his commitment to right , frightened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller , Eric Tucker and Bob Burns contributed to this report .

Trump ousts two impeachment inquiry witnesses
FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, file photo, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, during a public impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump's efforts to tie U.S. aid for Ukraine to investigations of his political opponents. President Donald Trump has ousted Sondland, who gave damaging testimony in impeachment inquiry.
FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2019, file photo National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is sworn in to testify before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington during a public impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump's efforts to tie U.S. aid for Ukraine to investigations of his political opponents. Vindman was escorted out of the White House complex on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, according to his lawyer.
WASHINGTON -- Exacting swift punishment against those who crossed him, an emboldened President Donald Trump on Friday ousted two government officials who had delivered damaging testimony against him during his impeachment hearings. The president took retribution just two days after his acquittal by the Senate.
First came news that Trump had ousted Lt. Col Alexander Vindman, the decorated soldier and national security aide who played a central role in the Democrats' impeachment case. He was escorted out of the White House complex Friday, according to his lawyer, who said he was asked to leave in retaliation for "telling the truth."
"The truth has cost Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy," David Pressman, an attorney for Vindman, said in a statement. The Army said in a statement that Vindman and his twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who also was asked to leave his job as a White House lawyer on Friday, had been reassigned to the Army.
Next came word that Gordon Sondland, Trump's ambassador to the European Union, also was out.
"I was advised today that the President intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union," Sondland said in a statement.
The White House had not been coy about whether Trump would retaliate against those he viewed as foes in the impeachment drama. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Thursday that Trump was glad it was over and "maybe people should pay for that."
Sondland was a crucial witness in the House impeachment inquiry, telling investigators￼ that "Everyone was in the loop" on Trump's desire to press Ukraine for politically charged investigations￼. He told lawmakers how he came to understand that there was a "quid pro quo" ￼connecting a desired White House visit for Ukraine's leader and an announcement that the country would￼ conduct the investigations the president wanted.
Alexander Vindman's lawyer issued a one-page statement that accused Trump of taking revenge on his client.
"He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day: he followed orders, he obeyed his oath, and he served his country, even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril," Pressman said. "And for that, the most powerful man in the world -- buoyed by the silent, the pliable, and the complicit -- has decided to exact revenge."
The White House did not respond to Pressman's accusation.
"We do not comment on personnel matters," said John Ullyot, spokesman for the National Security Council, the foreign policy arm of the White House where Vindman was an expert on Ukraine.
Vindman's status had been uncertain since he testified that he didn't think it was "proper" for Trump to "demand that a foreign government investigate" former Vice President Joe Biden and his son's dealings with the energy company Burisma in Ukraine. Vindman's ouster, however, seemed imminent after Trump mocked him Thursday during his post-acquittal celebration with Republican supporters in the East Room and said Friday that he was not happy with him.
"You think I'm supposed to be happy with him?" Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. "I'm not. ... They are going to be making that decision."
Vindman, a 20-year Army veteran, wore his uniform full of medals, including a purple heart, when he appeared late last year for what turned out to be a testy televised impeachment hearing. Trump supporters raised questions about the immigrant's allegiance to the United States -- his parents fled the Soviet Union when he was a child --and noted that he had received offers to work for the government of Ukraine, offers Vindman said he swiftly dismissed.
"I am an American," he stated emphatically.
Trump backers cheered Vindman's removal, while Democrats were aghast.
"The White House is running a two for one special today on deep state leakers," Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican, wrote on Twitter.
A Twitter account used by the president's reelection campaign, @TrumpWarRoom, claimed Vindman leaked information to the whistleblower whose complaint about Trump's call ignited the investigation, and "colluded with Democrats to start the partisan impeachment coup."
Former Trump NSC official Tim Morrison testified that others had brought concerns that Vindman may have leaked something. Vindman, in his own congressional testimony, denied leaking any information.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the firing was another example of how the "White House runs away from the truth."
"Lt. Col. Vindman lived up to his oath to protect and defend our Constitution," Schumer said in a statement. "This action is not a sign of strength. It only shows President Trump's weakness."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Hoffman Estates Democrat, issued a statement decrying Vindman's ouster.
"Lt. Col. Vindman is a patriot and Purple Heart recipient who was willing to testify, under oath, and fight for both our nation as well as our Constitution," Duckworth said.
"Donald Trump is a coward who has never served anything but his own interests, and he is not fit to be Commander in Chief of any American who is willing to sacrifice in uniform for the rest of us. Every Senate Republican, except one, sent Donald Trump a clear message this week: that you can abuse the power of your office and we will protect you. We're now living with the consequences as an emboldened Trump feels free to punish anyone who would stand up to his illegal actions by doing the most American thing anyone can do: speaking out for what is right."
Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, recalled how Vindman said in testimony before the House impeachment panel that he had reassured his worried father that he would be "fine for telling the truth."
"It's appalling that this administration may prove him wrong," Clinton said in a tweet.
At last fall's hearing, when the senior Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, addressed him as "Mr. Vindman," the Iraq War veteran replied, "Ranking member, it's Lt. Col. Vindman please."
Defense Secretary Mark Esper was asked what the Pentagon would do to ensure that Vindman faces no retribution. "We protect all of our service members from retribution or anything like that," Esper said. "We've already addressed that in policy and other means."
Alexander Vindman is scheduled to enter a military college in Washington, D.C., this summer, and his brother is to be assigned to the Army General Counsel's Office, according to two officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and so spoke on condition of anonymity.
Pressman said Vindman was among a handful of men and women who courageously "put their faith in country ahead of fear" but have "paid a price."
"There is no question in the mind of any American why this man's job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House," Pressman said. "Lt. Col. Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful."
AP writers Nancy Benac, Zeke Miller, Eric Tucker and Bob Burns contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Des Plaines Kmart, the last in Illinois, will close at end of April

Attention , Kmart shoppers !
You have until the end of April to shop at the last Kmart in Illinois .
Des Plaines Economic Development Coordinator Patrick Ainsworth said the manager of the city 's Kmart at 1155 E. Oakton St. informed officials about the planned closure Thursday .
`` I do know it did have its customer base , '' Ainsworth said Friday .
Larry Costello , a spokesman for Sears and Kmart parent company Transform Holdco in Hoffman Estates , declined to comment on the Des Plaines store .
Ainsworth said the Des Plaines Kmart manager told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of April .
In August , Transform Holdco shuttered several Kmart stores , including one in southwest suburban Bridgeview .
That left the Kmart in Des Plaines as the final one standing in Illinois , Transform Holdco officials said .
Des Plaines records show the Kmart opened in 1975 .
While blue-light specials on discounted items accompanied by the `` Attention , Kmart shoppers ! ''
announcement was a draw until fading in the 1990s , perhaps the store 's biggest moment came when it was used as a wedding venue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ met while working at the Kmart at Oakton and Lee streets , were married by a judge in the store on May 7 , 1999 .
There were about 130 guests along with Kmart employees and assorted onlookers around them .
Optimism reigned at the Kmart in August 2016 when Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen and local dignitaries participated in a grand reopening ceremony following remodeling .
Other fun that day included food vendors , a basketball dunking competition , bands and children 's activities .
The roughly 9½-acre Kmart site could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ainsworth said .
It 's in a tax increment financing district bounded by Webster Lane on the west , River Road to the east , on the south just behind the Kmart and to the north where Lee meets Graceland Avenue .
`` We 're excited about the future opportunities for potential redevelopment , '' he said .
Transit plans for the area could increase its appeal to developers , he said .
Des Plaines is proposing construction of a Metra commuter rail station off Oakton east of Lee as part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O'Hare International Airport and Union Station in Chicago , Ainsworth said .
And Oakton and Lee is a proposed stop for Pace 's new rapid transit network , Pulse , for enhanced express bus service .
Free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports are among the features planned for the streamlined route .
Des Plaines would be on the Pulse Dempster Line .
The service would have bus stops in Evanston , Skokie , Morton Grove , Niles , Park Ridge , Des Plaines , Rosemont and at O'Hare .

Des Plaines Kmart, the last in Illinois, will close at end of April
Attention, Kmart shoppers! You have until the end of April to shop at the last Kmart in Illinois.
Des Plaines Economic Development Coordinator Patrick Ainsworth said the manager of the city's Kmart at 1155 E. Oakton St. informed officials about the planned closure Thursday.
"I do know it did have its customer base," Ainsworth said Friday.
Larry Costello, a spokesman for Sears and Kmart parent company Transform Holdco in Hoffman Estates, declined to comment on the Des Plaines store. Ainsworth said the Des Plaines Kmart manager told the city the store will close at the end of April.
In August, Transform Holdco shuttered several Kmart stores, including one in southwest suburban Bridgeview. That left the Kmart in Des Plaines as the final one standing in Illinois, Transform Holdco officials said.
Des Plaines records show the Kmart opened in 1975. While blue-light specials on discounted items accompanied by the "Attention, Kmart shoppers!" announcement was a draw until fading in the 1990s, perhaps the store's biggest moment came when it was used as a wedding venue.
Kathy Gilbert and Gus Ladas, who met while working at the Kmart at Oakton and Lee streets, were married by a judge in the store on May 7, 1999. There were about 130 guests along with Kmart employees and assorted onlookers around them.
Optimism reigned at the Kmart in August 2016 when Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen and local dignitaries participated in a grand reopening ceremony following remodeling. Other fun that day included food vendors, a basketball dunking competition, bands and children's activities.
The roughly 9½-acre Kmart site could be redeveloped for commercial and/or residential uses, Ainsworth said. It's in a tax increment financing district bounded by Webster Lane on the west, River Road to the east, on the south just behind the Kmart and to the north where Lee meets Graceland Avenue.
"We're excited about the future opportunities for potential redevelopment," he said.
Transit plans for the area could increase its appeal to developers, he said.
Des Plaines is proposing construction of a Metra commuter rail station off Oakton east of Lee as part of the North Central Service that includes stops at O'Hare International Airport and Union Station in Chicago, Ainsworth said. And Oakton and Lee is a proposed stop for Pace's new rapid transit network, Pulse, for enhanced express bus service. Free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports are among the features planned for the streamlined route.
Des Plaines would be on the Pulse Dempster Line. The service would have bus stops in Evanston, Skokie, Morton Grove, Niles, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Rosemont and at O'Hare.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Couple diagnosed with coronavirus now out of Hoffman Estates hospital

A Chicago couple who were diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus have been discharged from a Hoffman Estates hospital .
Amita St. Alexius Medical Center spokesman Timothy Nelson reported the unidentified couple in their 60s `` have been discharged to their home under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health . ''
`` The couple will remain in home isolation with daily monitoring by public health officials until CDC provides clearance that they can leave their home , '' said Melaney Arnold , an IDPH spokeswoman .
There 's no clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region to be clear of the viral threat .
`` Just a reminder that this is a novel coronavirus , public health officials are still learning about it , and guidance may change , '' Arnold said .
The woman was first admitted in late January after returning from China 's Wuhan region , where the outbreak began .
Chinese officials have since closed off that area to prevent further spreading of the disease that has sickened thousands and killed hundreds there .
The woman 's husband did not go to China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of January and was quarantined along with his wife after results showed he had contracted coronavirus .
It was the first case of person-to-person transmission in the United States .
The virus can cause fever , coughing , wheezing and pneumonia , health officials said .
While the couple asked for privacy , they did release a statement through the hospital .
`` With it being an uncomfortable situation , the care and the services we 've received have been great .
Everyone 's been very kind and very respectful , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best health care experience we 've ever had , but we 're definitely looking forward to getting home and getting life back to normal . ''

Couple diagnosed with coronavirus now out of Hoffman Estates hospital
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the 2019 novel coronavirus, which has been responsible for dozens of deaths in China. Associated Press
A Chicago couple who were diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus have been discharged from a Hoffman Estates hospital.
Amita St. Alexius Medical Center spokesman Timothy Nelson reported the unidentified couple in their 60s "have been discharged to their home under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health."
"The couple will remain in home isolation with daily monitoring by public health officials until CDC provides clearance that they can leave their home," said Melaney Arnold, an IDPH spokeswoman.
There's no clear timeline for when health officials will determine the region to be clear of the viral threat.
"Just a reminder that this is a novel coronavirus, public health officials are still learning about it, and guidance may change," Arnold said.
The woman was first admitted in late January after returning from China's Wuhan region, where the outbreak began. Chinese officials have since closed off that area to prevent further spreading of the disease that has sickened thousands and killed hundreds there.
The woman's husband did not go to China and he became ill at the end of January and was quarantined along with his wife after results showed he had contracted coronavirus. It was the first case of person-to-person transmission in the United States.
The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia, health officials said.
While the couple asked for privacy, they did release a statement through the hospital.
"With it being an uncomfortable situation, the care and the services we've received have been great. Everyone's been very kind and very respectful," the statement read. "This has been the best health care experience we've ever had, but we're definitely looking forward to getting home and getting life back to normal."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Remains of Elgin soldier who went MIA in Korean War identified

An Elgin service member will be buried in St. Charles later this month , more than 69 years after he went missing in action in the Korean War .
Army Master Sgt .
Harold F. Drews was 21 when he went missing in action Dec. 12 , 1950 .
He was killed in the Korean War and his remains were identified Nov. 5 , the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Friday .
He will be buried Feb. 19 in St. Charles .
Drews was assigned to King Company , 3rd Battalion , 31st Infantry Regiment , 7th Infantry Division .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his unit was engaged in intense fighting with the Chinese People 's Volunteer Forces near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea .
An Army spokesman told the Daily Herald that Drews ' relatives do n't want to make public comments .
The St. Charles funeral home also declined to comment , citing the family 's wishes .
Drews was the son of Fred and Emma Drews of Elgin .
He enlisted in the Army in July 1948 and was stationed in Japan for 18 months before going to Korea , a newspaper clipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States in July 2018 a total 55 boxes said to contain the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War .
The release followed a summit a month earlier between President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un .
To identify Drews ' remains , scientists used anthropological analysis , circumstantial evidence , mitochondrial DNA and autosomal DNA analysis .
Drews ' name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu , Hawaii .
A rosette will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicate he has been accounted for , the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said .

Remains of Elgin soldier who went MIA in Korean War identified
An old newspaper clipping reports Elgin resident Harold F. Drews as missing in action in the Korean War. courtesy of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Harold F. Drews was 21 when he went missing in action in the Korean War. He will be buried Feb. 19 in St. Charles. Courtesy of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
An Elgin service member will be buried in St. Charles later this month, more than 69 years after he went missing in action in the Korean War.
Army Master Sgt. Harold F. Drews was 21 when he went missing in action Dec. 12, 1950. He was killed in the Korean War and his remains were identified Nov. 5, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Friday. He will be buried Feb. 19 in St. Charles.
Drews was assigned to King Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. For several days in December 1950, his unit was engaged in intense fighting with the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.
An Army spokesman told the Daily Herald that Drews' relatives don't want to make public comments. The St. Charles funeral home also declined to comment, citing the family's wishes.
Drews was the son of Fred and Emma Drews of Elgin. He enlisted in the Army in July 1948 and was stationed in Japan for 18 months before going to Korea, a newspaper clipping said.
North Korea turned over to the United States in July 2018 a total 55 boxes said to contain the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War. The release followed a summit a month earlier between President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un.
To identify Drews' remains, scientists used anthropological analysis, circumstantial evidence, mitochondrial DNA and autosomal DNA analysis.
Drews' name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Rozner: Cubs' Epstein not surprised he's gone from hero to target of fans' wrath

It has been quite a while since the Cubs headed for Arizona after such a quiet winter -- and on the heels of missing the playoffs .
And the man who rescued the franchise from a shocking lack of competence on the way to ending the worst title drought in sports history , has gone from Chicago hero to the focus of fan wrath after moving on from Joe Maddon and shopping the faithful 's most beloved stars .
Yep , it happens that fast when expectations skyrocket and winning exacts a price .
`` The key is you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things about you , and then you do n't have to listen when they 're not , '' Cubs president Theo Epstein said recently .
`` You ca n't define your self-worth based on people being reactive to a moment of success -- or not .
`` I 'm proud that we hired Joe .
And I 'm proud of the five years we had together , and I also know it was the right thing to do for the organization .
`` Things change .
Just like your manager can be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then become not the right guy for another moment in time , you know going into an offseason -- or a period of the CBA -- that you 're going to be really aggressive , that you 're going to acquire through trade or free agency some big-name players , and you 're going to be lauded , hopefully , not just in the offseason , but when your team wins .
`` You 're going to be well thought of . ''
`` There 's going to be times when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe a year before people think you have to , '' Epstein said , `` or you 're gon na have to reset the roster , or you 're going to run out of financial flexibility and be less active for a couple seasons , and you know you 're not going to be as well thought of .
`` That 's just the reality . ''
It 's not like Epstein has n't been through it before .
Even after ending the curse in Boston and winning a pair of titles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he left for Chicago , he became a target after any season that did not end with Red Sox rings .
Now he 's become the focus of Cub fans who want to know why the North Siders are n't spending more and are n't favored to win in 2020 .
`` We knew once this CBA came out , '' Epstein said of luxury and repeater taxes , `` there would be some real challenges toward the end of it for big market teams that had developed a lot of good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had added free agents on top and had won .
`` If you look at the three teams that won in '16 , '17 , '18 ( Chicago , Houston and Boston ) , it has n't been a real active winter for any of us in terms of adding players .
`` Part of that is the reality of the CBA .
We knew it would be challenging and ultimately there would be a choice between maximizing the moment in '20 and '21 or taking a longer-term view and trading out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to win . ''
In other words , Epstein did not want to drive the big blue bus off a cliff .
`` It 's pretty clear in talking to everyone in the organization , including ownership , that no one wants to follow a good run of five or six years and be out of it for five or six years , '' Epstein said .
`` We wanted a smoother transition .
`` There 's going to be change whether you like it or not , so better to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms , and try not to have a real falloff where you have to put your fans through a long period of non-competitiveness . ''
A reasonable person would likely admit to being surprised that so many players who arrived so young and performed so well under immense pressure have not taken steps forward .
This has unquestionably hurt the program .
Either way , says Epstein , this disruption was inevitable .
`` There was always going to be a time when our players reached free agency , so we 've been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 've worked really hard to try to sign players to extensions .
Those offers have been turned down and I respect the players ' right to do that .
`` If you 're in that spot where you ca n't sign them and you do n't have flexibility to keep adding , then you have to look for ways to transition more on your terms .
`` All we 've done is to be open-minded about it .
There have n't been many transactions .
There has n't been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just transparent about the fact that we 're open to it and considering it . ''
While the focus has been on Kris Bryant , he 's not the only player the Cubs have shopped in the last five months , and yet even Bryant could be here for the rest of his career if he wanted to be .
To this point it seems free agency for Bryant is inevitable , which puts the Cubs in a spot where they have to get something for him in 2020 .
The alternative is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2021 and let him walk .
That would be unwise , but the Cubs would n't be the first team to do it .
As for the roster the Cubs take into this season , it 's not likely to make the fan base happy .
`` The moment this CBA came out , we knew '20 and '21 were going to be times people would be scratching their heads because we would n't be able to squeeze any other talent onto this roster , '' Epstein said .
`` You understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it . ''
The fan base , thus far , does not seem inclined to do so .
Winning , it turns out , will have that effect .

Rozner: Cubs' Epstein not surprised he's gone from hero to target of fans' wrath
It has been quite a while since the Cubs headed for Arizona after such a quiet winter -- and on the heels of missing the playoffs.
And the man who rescued the franchise from a shocking lack of competence on the way to ending the worst title drought in sports history, has gone from Chicago hero to the focus of fan wrath after moving on from Joe Maddon and shopping the faithful's most beloved stars.
Yep, it happens that fast when expectations skyrocket and winning exacts a price.
"The key is you don't listen when they're saying nice things about you, and then you don't have to listen when they're not," Cubs president Theo Epstein said recently. "You can't define your self-worth based on people being reactive to a moment of success -- or not.
"I'm proud that we hired Joe. And I'm proud of the five years we had together, and I also know it was the right thing to do for the organization.
"Things change. Just like your manager can be the perfect guy at one moment in time, and then become not the right guy for another moment in time, you know going into an offseason -- or a period of the CBA -- that you're going to be really aggressive, that you're going to acquire through trade or free agency some big-name players, and you're going to be lauded, hopefully, not just in the offseason, but when your team wins.
"You're going to be well thought of."
The flip side is ...
"There's going to be times when you have to get rid of guys maybe a year before people think you have to," Epstein said, "or you're gonna have to reset the roster, or you're going to run out of financial flexibility and be less active for a couple seasons, and you know you're not going to be as well thought of.
"That's just the reality."
It's not like Epstein hasn't been through it before. Even after ending the curse in Boston and winning a pair of titles, setting up a third captured not long after he left for Chicago, he became a target after any season that did not end with Red Sox rings.
Now he's become the focus of Cub fans who want to know why the North Siders aren't spending more and aren't favored to win in 2020.
"We knew once this CBA came out," Epstein said of luxury and repeater taxes, "there would be some real challenges toward the end of it for big market teams that had developed a lot of good players getting more expensive through arbitration, had added free agents on top and had won.
"If you look at the three teams that won in '16, '17, '18 (Chicago, Houston and Boston), it hasn't been a real active winter for any of us in terms of adding players.
"Part of that is the reality of the CBA. We knew it would be challenging and ultimately there would be a choice between maximizing the moment in '20 and '21 or taking a longer-term view and trading out of that position a little bit while still trying to win."
In other words, Epstein did not want to drive the big blue bus off a cliff.
"It's pretty clear in talking to everyone in the organization, including ownership, that no one wants to follow a good run of five or six years and be out of it for five or six years," Epstein said. "We wanted a smoother transition.
"There's going to be change whether you like it or not, so better to make it -- if possible -- on your terms, and try not to have a real falloff where you have to put your fans through a long period of non-competitiveness."
A reasonable person would likely admit to being surprised that so many players who arrived so young and performed so well under immense pressure have not taken steps forward.
This has unquestionably hurt the program.
Either way, says Epstein, this disruption was inevitable.
"There was always going to be a time when our players reached free agency, so we've been mindful of that," Epstein said. "We've worked really hard to try to sign players to extensions. Those offers have been turned down and I respect the players' right to do that.
"If you're in that spot where you can't sign them and you don't have flexibility to keep adding, then you have to look for ways to transition more on your terms.
"All we've done is to be open-minded about it. There haven't been many transactions. There hasn't been a lot of turnover. So we're just transparent about the fact that we're open to it and considering it."
While the focus has been on Kris Bryant, he's not the only player the Cubs have shopped in the last five months, and yet even Bryant could be here for the rest of his career if he wanted to be.
To this point it seems free agency for Bryant is inevitable, which puts the Cubs in a spot where they have to get something for him in 2020. The alternative is to try to win with him again in 2021 and let him walk.
That would be unwise, but the Cubs wouldn't be the first team to do it.
As for the roster the Cubs take into this season, it's not likely to make the fan base happy.
"The moment this CBA came out, we knew '20 and '21 were going to be times people would be scratching their heads because we wouldn't be able to squeeze any other talent onto this roster," Epstein said. "You understand that and you come to terms with it."
The fan base, thus far, does not seem inclined to do so.
Winning, it turns out, will have that effect.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--License plate scanners are Vernon Hills' new weapon against crime

Knowing the village 's vast retail base is a target for organized professional criminals , Vernon Hills police recently prepared for a strike .
Officers were on alert and monitoring various locations when a 911 call came in with partial vehicle information .
An officer on patrol saw the car speed by and captured an image with an onboard camera .
It was too blurred to read .
`` We still do n't know what that plate is and we still do n't know who the offenders are , '' Deputy Chief Patrick Zimmerman explained to the village board recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all our tools -- together , and these people still got away , '' he said .
`` If we had an LPR system in place , we would have captured that license plate . ''
Zimmerman was referring to Automated License Plate Readers , and this and other instances were used this week in a successful pitch to the village to lease 10 such cameras to combat roving burglary crews and smash-and-grabbers , and help in the investigation of other crimes .
`` This sounds like a great idea .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koch Jr. said after the presentation by Zimmerman and Police Chief Patrick Kreis .
Officials say strategically placed fixed cameras will provide color photos of a vehicle 's license plate , color and type .
The system also will have features to recognize a vehicle manufacturer by logo , bodylines and light designs .
According to police , vehicles are used in most crimes committed in the village , and often even a partial vehicle description is the biggest lead .
But without more detail it 's hard to find the criminals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasize enough how important having license plate information is , because criminals tend to use what we call 'work cars , ' '' Kreis said .
Information gleaned from the cameras can provide strong leads immediately and help clear open cases , police say .
The system also would alert them to habitual retail theft offenders , burglary crews , registered sex offenders , missing persons , those sought in Amber or Silver alerts , and stolen vehicles .
Kreis said any jurisdiction in the country can submit information regarding wanted vehicles to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generates a `` hot list . ''
The cameras will compare the images it takes with those on the hot list and alert police and dispatchers if there is a match .
Information captured by cameras would not be used to generate fines or issue tickets , Kreis emphasized .
Images would be stored for 30 days .
`` There are people who may be critical of such technology , that we are trying to track or keep track of everybody driving through town , '' Kreis said .
`` This technology does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it against a known list of stolen vehicles or vehicles associated with a wanted or missing person . ''
The board informally agreed to proceed with a two-year contract at $ 20,000 per year , with Georgia-based Flock Safety , that includes a 60-day trial period with no obligation .
The company will install and maintain the equipment and provide support .

License plate scanners are Vernon Hills' new weapon against crime
Knowing the village's vast retail base is a target for organized professional criminals, Vernon Hills police recently prepared for a strike.
Officers were on alert and monitoring various locations when a 911 call came in with partial vehicle information. An officer on patrol saw the car speed by and captured an image with an onboard camera.
It was too blurred to read.
"We still don't know what that plate is and we still don't know who the offenders are," Deputy Chief Patrick Zimmerman explained to the village board recently.
"That's putting everything -- all our tools -- together, and these people still got away," he said. "If we had an LPR system in place, we would have captured that license plate."
Zimmerman was referring to Automated License Plate Readers, and this and other instances were used this week in a successful pitch to the village to lease 10 such cameras to combat roving burglary crews and smash-and-grabbers, and help in the investigation of other crimes.
"This sounds like a great idea. I'm all for it," Trustee Thom Koch Jr. said after the presentation by Zimmerman and Police Chief Patrick Kreis.
Officials say strategically placed fixed cameras will provide color photos of a vehicle's license plate, color and type.
The system also will have features to recognize a vehicle manufacturer by logo, bodylines and light designs.
According to police, vehicles are used in most crimes committed in the village, and often even a partial vehicle description is the biggest lead. But without more detail it's hard to find the criminals, police say.
"I can't emphasize enough how important having license plate information is, because criminals tend to use what we call 'work cars,'" Kreis said.
Information gleaned from the cameras can provide strong leads immediately and help clear open cases, police say.
The system also would alert them to habitual retail theft offenders, burglary crews, registered sex offenders, missing persons, those sought in Amber or Silver alerts, and stolen vehicles.
Kreis said any jurisdiction in the country can submit information regarding wanted vehicles to the National Criminal Information Center, which generates a "hot list." The cameras will compare the images it takes with those on the hot list and alert police and dispatchers if there is a match.
Information captured by cameras would not be used to generate fines or issue tickets, Kreis emphasized. Images would be stored for 30 days.
"There are people who may be critical of such technology, that we are trying to track or keep track of everybody driving through town," Kreis said.
"This technology does not do that. It merely runs it against a known list of stolen vehicles or vehicles associated with a wanted or missing person."
The board informally agreed to proceed with a two-year contract at $20,000 per year, with Georgia-based Flock Safety, that includes a 60-day trial period with no obligation. The company will install and maintain the equipment and provide support.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Fox Trot, Art & Soul could be saved by local Elgin groups

Separate groups in Elgin are willing to step in and work to organize the Elgin Valley Fox Trot race and the Art & Soul on the Fox festival , provided the city council approves a $ 5,000 sponsorship for each .
The race in May and the art festival in August have been funded by the city as part of its annual lineup of 20 events .
This year , the city plans to cut the race and the festival , along with International Festival , or iFest , and the Elgin Civil War Experience , which would save $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Kenyon Farm Runners , in partnership with Elgin Lions Club and F3 Events LLC , which organizes races in Chicago , is ready to begin registration for 5K and 10K Fox Trot races May 31 in downtown Elgin , if the city contributes the $ 5,000 , said Tim Williams of Kenyon Farm Runners .
`` It 's been our home race for many , many years .
A lot of people in our group , they gear their training for it , '' Williams said .
The group Art for All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soul on the Fox happen this year , also provided the city contributes $ 5,000 , said group board president Jane Erlandson .
Art for All has comanaged the downtown Elgin festival by handling artists , booths and the juried selection , Erlandson said .
The preliminary idea is for an indoor festival , which would save on security costs , possibly in the fall , but it 's unclear if the effort will succeed , she said .
`` We ( Art for All ) are so tiny but we very much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Elgin .
There 's a lot of people that do ... but people do n't know how much work goes into it , and how much it costs , '' she said .
City staff members , who publicly discussed the plan to `` reduce and refocus '' events last fall , have declined to give information about any plans for new events in 2020 .
They will give a presentation Wednesday to the city council , which also will decide whether to provide the $ 5,000 sponsorships , city special events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members told them Art & Soul on the Fox cost about $ 21,000 and the Fox Trot cost about $ 66,000 , Erlandson and Williams said .
Both figures included city staffing costs .
Erlandson said she is OK with the city 's decision to revisit its events lineup and gather input from the community .
As for the Fox Trot , Williams said the Kenyon Runners and its partners are considering taking over the race in future years as well , by finding outside sponsorships and relying on volunteers .
This year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a portion along the Fox River , which would save on costs , he said .
Also , the new date after Memorial Day is expected to increase attendance because it would n't compete with school graduations and a 10K race at Soldier Field in Chicago , he said .
The goal is for the Fox Trot to continue raising funds for nonprofits , but details are being worked out , Williams said .

Fox Trot, Art & Soul could be saved by local Elgin groups
Separate groups in Elgin are willing to step in and work to organize the Elgin Valley Fox Trot race and the Art & Soul on the Fox festival, provided the city council approves a $5,000 sponsorship for each.
The race in May and the art festival in August have been funded by the city as part of its annual lineup of 20 events. This year, the city plans to cut the race and the festival, along with International Festival, or iFest, and the Elgin Civil War Experience, which would save $100,000, according to city officials.
The Kenyon Farm Runners, in partnership with Elgin Lions Club and F3 Events LLC, which organizes races in Chicago, is ready to begin registration for 5K and 10K Fox Trot races May 31 in downtown Elgin, if the city contributes the $5,000, said Tim Williams of Kenyon Farm Runners.
"It's been our home race for many, many years. A lot of people in our group, they gear their training for it," Williams said.
The group Art for All will study how to make Art & Soul on the Fox happen this year, also provided the city contributes $5,000, said group board president Jane Erlandson.
Art for All has comanaged the downtown Elgin festival by handling artists, booths and the juried selection, Erlandson said. The preliminary idea is for an indoor festival, which would save on security costs, possibly in the fall, but it's unclear if the effort will succeed, she said.
"We (Art for All) are so tiny but we very much want to keep this kind of event in Elgin. There's a lot of people that do ... but people don't know how much work goes into it, and how much it costs," she said.
City staff members, who publicly discussed the plan to "reduce and refocus" events last fall, have declined to give information about any plans for new events in 2020. They will give a presentation Wednesday to the city council, which also will decide whether to provide the $5,000 sponsorships, city special events coordinator Kate O'Leary confirmed.
City staff members told them Art & Soul on the Fox cost about $21,000 and the Fox Trot cost about $66,000, Erlandson and Williams said. Both figures included city staffing costs.
Erlandson said she is OK with the city's decision to revisit its events lineup and gather input from the community.
As for the Fox Trot, Williams said the Kenyon Runners and its partners are considering taking over the race in future years as well, by finding outside sponsorships and relying on volunteers. This year's race would have a modified course with a portion along the Fox River, which would save on costs, he said. Also, the new date after Memorial Day is expected to increase attendance because it wouldn't compete with school graduations and a 10K race at Soldier Field in Chicago, he said.
The goal is for the Fox Trot to continue raising funds for nonprofits, but details are being worked out, Williams said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--HBO Max series 'Station Eleven' filming in downtown Glen Ellyn

The last time the Glen Art Theatre charmed location scouts , Charlie Sheen was still a baby-faced jock and Winona Ryder had not yet become a goth icon .
Glen Ellyn audiences have a special affection for the 1986 coming-of-age tale `` Lucas '' starring Corey Haim .
Scenes featured the 1920s-era movie house , Glenbard West High School and Duchon Field .
More than 30 years later , another large production will film interior shots inside the theater .
Cameras will roll Saturday for the new HBO Max series `` Station Eleven , '' an adaptation of Emily St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swine flu pandemic that wipes out most of the world 's population .
The series will star Mackenzie Davis , who delivered one of the best action performances in 2019 as the augmented human soldier Grace in the female-led `` Terminator : Dark Fate . ''
The filming will close the Glen Saturday , which means some procrastinators will be scrambling to catch showings of Oscar nominees before the awards show Sunday .
But owner Eric White said he `` could n't be happier '' to rent out the four-screen theater from 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrilled about it , '' White said .
What attracts location scouts to the Glen ?
`` Nostalgia , '' White said .
The theater transitioned to digital projection in 2013 , but a soulless corporate multiplex it is not .
The old-school marquee makes the Glen an icon in downtown Glen Ellyn .
It 's also known for showing indie and foreign movies .
Gael García Bernal ( `` Y Tu Mamá También , '' `` Coco , '' `` Mozart in the Jungle '' ) and Himesh Patel ( `` Yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Station Eleven '' cast , according to trade reports .
Hiro Murai , whose directing credits include the FX series `` Atlanta '' and Childish Gambino 's `` This is America '' music video , is helming the 10-episode adaptation .
Murai 's Instagram account also is documenting his , uh , appreciation for Chicago 's winter climate .
White said he does n't know which actors will be filming scenes Saturday .
At least 100 people will converge downtown , White said .
The village has approved a film permit application .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ theater at 540 Crescent Blvd .
There will be no street closures , village officials say .
It 's not yet clear when the series will premiere on HBO Max , a new streaming service launching in May .

HBO Max series 'Station Eleven' filming in downtown Glen Ellyn
Mackenzie Davis, who starred alongside Linda Hamilton in "Terminator: Dark Fate," is set to play Kirsten in the adaptation of "Station Eleven," filming Saturday in downtown Glen Ellyn. Kerry Brown/Paramount Pictures via AP
The last time the Glen Art Theatre charmed location scouts, Charlie Sheen was still a baby-faced jock and Winona Ryder had not yet become a goth icon.
Glen Ellyn audiences have a special affection for the 1986 coming-of-age tale "Lucas" starring Corey Haim. Scenes featured the 1920s-era movie house, Glenbard West High School and Duchon Field.
More than 30 years later, another large production will film interior shots inside the theater.
Cameras will roll Saturday for the new HBO Max series "Station Eleven," an adaptation of Emily St. John Mandel's 2014 novel about a swine flu pandemic that wipes out most of the world's population.
The series will star Mackenzie Davis, who delivered one of the best action performances in 2019 as the augmented human soldier Grace in the female-led "Terminator: Dark Fate."
The filming will close the Glen Saturday, which means some procrastinators will be scrambling to catch showings of Oscar nominees before the awards show Sunday.
But owner Eric White said he "couldn't be happier" to rent out the four-screen theater from 6 a.m. to midnight.
"We're thrilled about it," White said.
What attracts location scouts to the Glen? "Nostalgia," White said. The theater transitioned to digital projection in 2013, but a soulless corporate multiplex it is not. The old-school marquee makes the Glen an icon in downtown Glen Ellyn. It's also known for showing indie and foreign movies.
Gael García Bernal ("Y Tu Mamá También," "Coco," "Mozart in the Jungle") and Himesh Patel ("Yesterday") also have joined the "Station Eleven" cast, according to trade reports.
Hiro Murai, whose directing credits include the FX series "Atlanta" and Childish Gambino's "This is America" music video, is helming the 10-episode adaptation. Murai's Instagram account also is documenting his, uh, appreciation for Chicago's winter climate.
White said he doesn't know which actors will be filming scenes Saturday. At least 100 people will converge downtown, White said.
The village has approved a film permit application. All filming will be completed inside the theater at 540 Crescent Blvd. There will be no street closures, village officials say.
It's not yet clear when the series will premiere on HBO Max, a new streaming service launching in May.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Walsh ends GOP presidential campaign but says fight against Trump isn't over

With meager funding and backlash from his own party , it seemed inevitable outlier Republican Joe Walsh would end his primary challenge to President Donald Trump .
On Friday , the former Tea Party congressman from Mundelein made it official , saying bowing out now frees his followers in New Hampshire to back Democrats in Tuesday 's primary .
`` I 'm suspending my campaign , but our fight against the Cult of Trump is just getting started , '' Walsh said in a Twitter post .
`` I 'm committed to doing everything I can to defeat Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't do it alone . ''
Just last weekend , Walsh was hard on the campaign trail in Iowa , but he failed to get on the March 17 primary ballot in his home state .
`` It 's been a wild ride , '' Walsh told the Daily Herald .
`` I realized as Iowa came to a close it was impossible for anyone to beat Trump in the primary .
`` The Republican Party is Trump 's party .
It 's not my party , it 's a cult , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` greatest threat we face as a country . ''
Asked if he exited with a full campaign war chest , Walsh laughed .
`` There 's probably not much left .
We did n't raise a whole heck of a lot , '' he said .
The Republican Party of Iowa reported Trump had 97 % of caucus votes , former Massachusetts Gov .
William Weld had 1.3 % and Walsh had 1.1 % in the Monday caucuses , the first of the primaries in the U.S. '' If I cared about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easiest thing I could have done would have been to be a Trump cheerleader from the start .
If I 'd done that , I 'd be on FOX News all the time , '' Walsh said .
Challenging Trump `` was not a career move , '' said Walsh who was let go from WIND 560-AM , the Salem Media news/talk station he 'd worked at since 2013 .
And as for the future , `` I do n't like President Trump , so I have no home on conservative talk radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by defeating 8th District Democratic incumbent Melissa Bean of Barrington .
He backed Trump in 2016 , once saying on Twitter that if Trump lost the 2016 election , `` I 'm grabbing my musket . ''
He courted controversy on social media up until his run for president and frequently had to answer for those comments while on the campaign trail .
`` I apologize for the things I said that led to Trump , '' Walsh said in Iowa last weekend .
Many Iowa Republicans told Walsh they supported him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'you ca n't win so I 'm going to caucus with the Democrats . '
'' Stepping aside frees his followers in New Hampshire to vote for Democrats they favor in the Tuesday primary , Walsh said .
Much attention has been paid to the meltdown with incomplete and delayed Democratic vote tallies in Iowa but the Republican caucuses had flaws , too , Walsh said .
Some of his supporters `` were not allowed to speak , '' and some votes were counted in private , he said .
Walsh planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on sleep , but `` I can tell you , we 've got plans .
I 'm going to devote the next nine months to do what I can to make sure Trump is not elected . ''
Compared to Trump 's massive war chest , the Walsh campaign had taken in $ 234,991 as of Sept. 30 , including a $ 100,000 personal loan , and had spent $ 119,561 .
`` It 's one of the toughest things I 've ever done .
I 've got threats every day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was feisty but looked tired on the campaign trail last week .
But , `` I have absolutely no regrets . ''

Walsh ends GOP presidential campaign but says fight against Trump isn't over
Republican presidential candidate former Rep. Joe Walsh ended his Republican primary challenge to President Donald Trump on Friday, abandoning an effort that faced long odds and financial struggles from the start. Associated Press/Jan. 29, 2020
With meager funding and backlash from his own party, it seemed inevitable outlier Republican Joe Walsh would end his primary challenge to President Donald Trump.
On Friday, the former Tea Party congressman from Mundelein made it official, saying bowing out now frees his followers in New Hampshire to back Democrats in Tuesday's primary.
"I'm suspending my campaign, but our fight against the Cult of Trump is just getting started," Walsh said in a Twitter post. "I'm committed to doing everything I can to defeat Trump and his enablers this November. I can't do it alone."
Just last weekend, Walsh was hard on the campaign trail in Iowa, but he failed to get on the March 17 primary ballot in his home state.
"It's been a wild ride," Walsh told the Daily Herald. "I realized as Iowa came to a close it was impossible for anyone to beat Trump in the primary.
"The Republican Party is Trump's party. It's not my party, it's a cult," he said. "Trump is the "greatest threat we face as a country."
Asked if he exited with a full campaign war chest, Walsh laughed.
"There's probably not much left. We didn't raise a whole heck of a lot," he said.
The Republican Party of Iowa reported Trump had 97 % of caucus votes, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld had 1.3 % and Walsh had 1.1 % in the Monday caucuses, the first of the primaries in the U.S.
"If I cared about money, attention and ratings, the easiest thing I could have done would have been to be a Trump cheerleader from the start. If I'd done that, I'd be on FOX News all the time," Walsh said.
Challenging Trump "was not a career move," said Walsh who was let go from WIND 560-AM, the Salem Media news/talk station he'd worked at since 2013.
And as for the future, "I don't like President Trump, so I have no home on conservative talk radio."
Walsh gained attention in 2010 by defeating 8th District Democratic incumbent Melissa Bean of Barrington.
He backed Trump in 2016, once saying on Twitter that if Trump lost the 2016 election, "I'm grabbing my musket."
He courted controversy on social media up until his run for president and frequently had to answer for those comments while on the campaign trail.
"I apologize for the things I said that led to Trump," Walsh said in Iowa last weekend.
Many Iowa Republicans told Walsh they supported him, he said, but told him "'you can't win so I'm going to caucus with the Democrats.'"
Stepping aside frees his followers in New Hampshire to vote for Democrats they favor in the Tuesday primary, Walsh said.
Much attention has been paid to the meltdown with incomplete and delayed Democratic vote tallies in Iowa but the Republican caucuses had flaws, too, Walsh said.
Some of his supporters "were not allowed to speak," and some votes were counted in private, he said.
Walsh planned to return to Mundelein this evening and catch up on sleep, but "I can tell you, we've got plans. I'm going to devote the next nine months to do what I can to make sure Trump is not elected."
Compared to Trump's massive war chest, the Walsh campaign had taken in $234,991 as of Sept. 30, including a $100,000 personal loan, and had spent $119,561.
"It's one of the toughest things I've ever done. I've got threats every day, I've aged," said Walsh, who was feisty but looked tired on the campaign trail last week.
But, "I have absolutely no regrets."
.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--President's property tax appeal on Trump Tower under investigation

Mired in delays for seven years , President Donald Trump 's appeal for a refund of at least $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ is now the subject of two state investigations that center on whether a Republican state @ @ @ @ @ cut the president a break .
Trump 's appeal of the 2012 property taxes he @ @ @ @ @ & Tower has come under scrutiny by the state 's executive inspector general 's office @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker 's administration , the Chicago Sun-Times has learned .
Those are the result of @ @ @ @ @ general 's office received last fall that Mauro Glorioso , the executive director of the @ @ @ @ @ , pressured his staff to rule in the president 's favor , rejecting the staff @ @ @ @ @ any refund .

President's property tax appeal on Trump Tower under investigation
President Donald Trump speaks Friday at the North Carolina Opportunity Now Summit at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, N.C. Associated Press
The Trump Tower property tax appeal filed in 2012 challenged the $62.4 million value Cook County officials placed on the skyscraper's hotel and retail space, much of which has never been occupied. Associated Press/2014
Mired in delays for seven years, President Donald Trump's appeal for a refund of at least $1 million on his Chicago skyscraper is now the subject of two state investigations that center on whether a Republican state official pressured his staff to cut the president a break.
Trump's appeal of the 2012 property taxes he paid for Trump International Hotel & Tower has come under scrutiny by the state's executive inspector general's office and then Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
Those are the result of an anonymous complaint the inspector general's office received last fall that Mauro Glorioso, the executive director of the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, pressured his staff to rule in the president's favor, rejecting the staff's decision to deny Trump any refund.
• For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Probe: No engine failure in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

LOS ANGELES -- Wreckage from the helicopter that crashed last month and killed Kobe Bryant , his daughter and seven others did not show any evidence of engine failure , the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday .
Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter Gianna , and the others died in the Jan. 26 crash in Calabasas , California .
The group was flying to a girls basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy .
Gianna 's team was coached by Bryant and was playing in the tournament .
The NTSB is investigating the accident , including any role heavy fog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't expected for at least a year .
The helicopter 's instrument panel was destroyed in the crash and most of the devices were displaced , according to the NTSB 's investigative update that was released Friday .
The flight controls were broken and suffered fire damage .
Investigators believe that since a tree branch at the crash site was cut , it appears the engines were working and rotors turning at the time of impact .
Friday 's report was merely informational and did not offer any information about what caused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been ruled an accident by blunt trauma , according to the Los Angeles County coroner .

Probe: No engine failure in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
Firefighters work the scene of a helicopter crash where former NBA star Kobe Bryant died in Calabasas, California. Associated Press/Jan. 26, 2020
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- Wreckage from the helicopter that crashed last month and killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others did not show any evidence of engine failure, the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday.
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and the others died in the Jan. 26 crash in Calabasas, California. The group was flying to a girls basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy. Gianna's team was coached by Bryant and was playing in the tournament.
The NTSB is investigating the accident, including any role heavy fog played, and a final report isn't expected for at least a year.
The helicopter's instrument panel was destroyed in the crash and most of the devices were displaced, according to the NTSB's investigative update that was released Friday. The flight controls were broken and suffered fire damage.
Investigators believe that since a tree branch at the crash site was cut, it appears the engines were working and rotors turning at the time of impact.
Friday's report was merely informational and did not offer any information about what caused the crash. The victims' deaths have been ruled an accident by blunt trauma, according to the Los Angeles County coroner.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Zoning board rejects plan for subdivision on former nursery near West Chicago

A company has suffered a setback in its effort to build dozens of ranch homes on most of the shuttered Planter 's Palette garden nursery near West Chicago .
DuPage 's zoning board of appeals Thursday recommended that county officials reject a conditional-use permit request from Pulte Homes , which wants to construct an 84-home subdivision that would be called Trillium Farm .
`` I just ca n't approve the petition as it stands , '' zoning board Chairman Robert Kartholl said .
The 6-1 vote means the homebuilder must overcome the negative recommendation when it presents its proposal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Pulte declined to comment after Thursday 's vote .
The county board 's development committee is expected to review the plan on Feb. 18 .
The proposal then goes to the full county board for a final decision .
Planter 's Palette recently closed after nearly 40 years .
If Pulte gets permission to build Trillium Farm , the company would purchase 35 acres of the roughly 40-acre property south of Roosevelt and Garys Mills roads and east of Purnell Road .
Pulte representatives say the project would provide more housing options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't be an age-restricted community , so it 's possible the subdivision would have non-seniors and families .
The proposal is facing opposition from neighbors who say the subdivision would exacerbate traffic problems and harm the character of their neighborhood .
Pulte is seeking an exception to DuPage 's zoning regulations so the project could have lot sizes as small as 6,900 square feet .
That 's significantly smaller than the minimum lot the county normally allows in that area .
Opponents say that change is n't consistent with nearby lot sizes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the neighborhood .
On Thursday , zoning board members agreed the project is too dense .
They said traffic is another major concern .
Trillium Farm would have two proposed entrances on Purnell Road .
But neighbors say traffic on Purnell already backs up regularly at Winfield Road .
Building more homes would only compound the problem , they say .
`` We have a road that 's already at peak , if not beyond peak , '' zoning board member Barry Ketter said .
`` That 's an issue . ''

Zoning board rejects plan for subdivision on former nursery near West Chicago
DuPage's zoning board of appeals has advised county officials to deny a conditional-use permit request from Pulte Homes, which wants to build a subdivision on the site of the former Planter's Palette garden nursery near West Chicago. Daily Herald file photo
A company has suffered a setback in its effort to build dozens of ranch homes on most of the shuttered Planter's Palette garden nursery near West Chicago.
DuPage's zoning board of appeals Thursday recommended that county officials reject a conditional-use permit request from Pulte Homes, which wants to construct an 84-home subdivision that would be called Trillium Farm.
"I just can't approve the petition as it stands," zoning board Chairman Robert Kartholl said.
The 6-1 vote means the homebuilder must overcome the negative recommendation when it presents its proposal to DuPage County Board members.
An attorney for Pulte declined to comment after Thursday's vote.
The county board's development committee is expected to review the plan on Feb. 18. The proposal then goes to the full county board for a final decision.
Planter's Palette recently closed after nearly 40 years. If Pulte gets permission to build Trillium Farm, the company would purchase 35 acres of the roughly 40-acre property south of Roosevelt and Garys Mills roads and east of Purnell Road.
Pulte representatives say the project would provide more housing options for seniors. But Trillium Farm wouldn't be an age-restricted community, so it's possible the subdivision would have non-seniors and families.
The proposal is facing opposition from neighbors who say the subdivision would exacerbate traffic problems and harm the character of their neighborhood.
Pulte is seeking an exception to DuPage's zoning regulations so the project could have lot sizes as small as 6,900 square feet. That's significantly smaller than the minimum lot the county normally allows in that area.
Opponents say that change isn't consistent with nearby lot sizes and would negatively impact the character and ambience of the neighborhood.
On Thursday, zoning board members agreed the project is too dense. They said traffic is another major concern.
Trillium Farm would have two proposed entrances on Purnell Road. But neighbors say traffic on Purnell already backs up regularly at Winfield Road. Building more homes would only compound the problem, they say.
"We have a road that's already at peak, if not beyond peak," zoning board member Barry Ketter said. "That's an issue."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--O'Donnell: No place to go but up for revamping AM-1000

Now , the brain-numbing niche is generally considered a cesspool of redundant banalities manned by one-schtick Babbitts whom more rounded individuals would dive out of garden apartment windows to get away from .
For close to two decades , since WSCR-AM ( 670 ) was moved down the dial by CBS/Infinity from AM-1160 in an attempt to make it a truly big-boy operation , it 's been the same old dirge : Waiting and waiting for The Next Big Thing .
The latest Next Big Thing is supposed to be new management and an anticipated massive overhaul of the perennially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports talker has long been Chicago radio 's answer to Touch of Yogurt Shampoo -- a product best described as `` a secondary and uncommon taste . ''
Last autumn , hope finally entered the station 's doofus rooms when Craig Karmazin and his ambitious Good Karma Brands signed a local marketing agreement ( LMA ) to try and pump a pulse back into the languid signal .
The Milwaukee-based Karmazin oddly spent much of the intervening four months ducking and dodging Chicago media that was eager to lend him an open ear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Voss , a very successful sports radio programming executive in Boston and GKB 's Chicago market manager since Jan. 2 , opened up a bit about his restart plans .
Others resonated with all the zing of the shelled Mr. Peanut funeral commercial .
In deed , Thomas -- as he elects to be known professionally -- put ex-Bear Kyle Long on-air for a fleeting first out alongside David Kaplan .
Some observers raved , as if it was the second coming of Gayle King .
Thomas also announced Brian Hanley -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lording of Jimmy de Castro over The Score -- would get his foot in the door with a Saturday show focusing on the Blackhawks .
Thomas also revealed a very mixed bag of contractual statuses , acknowledging Kaplan and John Jurkovic have deals through next year and Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman are signed through 2022 .
He also said that the station would actively chase play-by-play rights deals with the city 's major teams .
That goal could prove to be extremely intriguing , especially if Karmazin 's GKB can close on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
On the serious self-immolating side , Thomas said AM-1000 would continue with ESPN 's `` Golic and Wingo Show '' in morning drive .
That 's like Rick Renteria sousing South Side hopes this season by saying his White Sox will play the first three innings of each game without bats or gloves .
`` Golic and Wingo , '' as a national franchise floating against the streets-and-san current in Chicago , is a station killer .
The suspicion is Karmazin 's LMA includes a clause that AM-1000 must continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ length of time .
The few remaining listeners can only hope Thomas 's true backstage theme is `` We 've Only Just Begun . ''
Because for fresh and innovative sports talk radio , Chicago is so underserved it 's enough to make a peanut shell cry .
STREET-BEATIN ' : Hank Aaron did n't go far enough : The Houston Astros should be suspended from all MLB play for one full season .
( Let them cheer lone-star trash can banging . )
...
Very little question viewership for Super Bowls has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Patrick Mahomes is in , slightly more enraged around the cable cars if Kyle Shanahan is coaching .
( KC-SF drew 102 million . )
...
Fairly remarkable week for Phil Mickelson , traveling 8,300 miles from the Saudi International to defend his title at Pebble Beach .
Grandfather Al Santos was one of the first caddies when Pebble Beach opened in 1919 , earning 35 cents a loop -- about what they used to tip a very bad and short-lived B-caddy at Rolling Green .
( Final round Sunday , Golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2-5 p.m. ) ...
Credible swirl Jay Cutler may be hired as a network NFL analyst .
Snarks may snap , but he 's about as personable a millionaire ex-QB son of an Indiana state trooper as there is .
...
The Score 's Julie DiCaro can certainly go toe-to-toe with just about anyone on current sports knowledge and opinions but she needs to be `` coached down '' in terms of her strident speaking cadence .
Too many complete thoughts get rushed and lost .
... Joey Meyer will miss some Northwestern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) because of hip surgery .
Pat Fitzgerald reportedly will fill in , but the big Q. is : Who 's still listening ?
... Faces in the corn : Symmetrical week for Northern Illinois basketball -- Eugene German swished his 2,000th point to pass T.J. Lux as the Huskies ' all-time leading men 's scorer while Courtney Woods netted her 2,000th to join Lisa Foss and Carol Owens as the only women in school history to reach that mark .
... Palatine 's Lyle Zikes -- one of the most insightful bowling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring Sunday as Fox presents the finals of the PBA 's Tournament of Champions back where it belongs , in suburban Akron ( 4 p.m. ) ... And Scott Thomson , noting that low-end , secondary market tickets for the NBA All-Star Game have dipped toward $ 900 , deadpanned : `` It must be because Zach LaVine is n't playing . ''
• Jim O'Donnell 's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday .
Reach him at jimodonnelldh @ yahoo.com .

O'Donnell: No place to go but up for revamping AM-1000
Former Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long did well on ESPN-AM alongside David Kaplan. Mark Busch/Shaw Media
TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS AGO, full-time sports talk radio in Chicago began with modest expectations.
They long ago were met.
Modestly.
Now, the brain-numbing niche is generally considered a cesspool of redundant banalities manned by one-schtick Babbitts whom more rounded individuals would dive out of garden apartment windows to get away from.
For close to two decades, since WSCR-AM (670) was moved down the dial by CBS/Infinity from AM-1160 in an attempt to make it a truly big-boy operation, it's been the same old dirge:
Waiting and waiting for The Next Big Thing.
The latest Next Big Thing is supposed to be new management and an anticipated massive overhaul of the perennially underachieving ESPN AM-1000.
AM-1000 as a sports talker has long been Chicago radio's answer to Touch of Yogurt Shampoo -- a product best described as "a secondary and uncommon taste."
Last autumn, hope finally entered the station's doofus rooms when Craig Karmazin and his ambitious Good Karma Brands signed a local marketing agreement (LMA) to try and pump a pulse back into the languid signal.
The Milwaukee-based Karmazin oddly spent much of the intervening four months ducking and dodging Chicago media that was eager to lend him an open ear.
Finally, this week, Mike Thomas Voss, a very successful sports radio programming executive in Boston and GKB's Chicago market manager since Jan. 2, opened up a bit about his restart plans.
Some of MTV's proclamations sounded promising.
Others resonated with all the zing of the shelled Mr. Peanut funeral commercial.
In deed, Thomas -- as he elects to be known professionally -- put ex-Bear Kyle Long on-air for a fleeting first out alongside David Kaplan.
Some observers raved, as if it was the second coming of Gayle King.
Thomas also announced Brian Hanley -- a bizarre man-overboard! during the claustrophobic lording of Jimmy de Castro over The Score -- would get his foot in the door with a Saturday show focusing on the Blackhawks.
Thomas also revealed a very mixed bag of contractual statuses, acknowledging Kaplan and John Jurkovic have deals through next year and Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman are signed through 2022.
He also said that the station would actively chase play-by-play rights deals with the city's major teams. That goal could prove to be extremely intriguing, especially if Karmazin's GKB can close on a deal for listing WGN-AM (720).
On the serious self-immolating side, Thomas said AM-1000 would continue with ESPN's "Golic and Wingo Show" in morning drive.
That's like Rick Renteria sousing South Side hopes this season by saying his White Sox will play the first three innings of each game without bats or gloves.
"Golic and Wingo," as a national franchise floating against the streets-and-san current in Chicago, is a station killer.
The suspicion is Karmazin's LMA includes a clause that AM-1000 must continue to carry the dead weight for a specific length of time.
The few remaining listeners can only hope Thomas's true backstage theme is "We've Only Just Begun."
Because for fresh and innovative sports talk radio, Chicago is so underserved it's enough to make a peanut shell cry.
STREET-BEATIN': Hank Aaron didn't go far enough: The Houston Astros should be suspended from all MLB play for one full season. (Let them cheer lone-star trash can banging.) ...
Very little question viewership for Super Bowls has plateaued around 100 million, slightly more if Patrick Mahomes is in, slightly more enraged around the cable cars if Kyle Shanahan is coaching. (KC-SF drew 102 million.) ...
Fairly remarkable week for Phil Mickelson, traveling 8,300 miles from the Saudi International to defend his title at Pebble Beach. Grandfather Al Santos was one of the first caddies when Pebble Beach opened in 1919, earning 35 cents a loop -- about what they used to tip a very bad and short-lived B-caddy at Rolling Green. (Final round Sunday, Golf Channel, 12-1:45 p.m.; CBS, 2-5 p.m.) ...
Credible swirl Jay Cutler may be hired as a network NFL analyst. Snarks may snap, but he's about as personable a millionaire ex-QB son of an Indiana state trooper as there is. ...
The Score's Julie DiCaro can certainly go toe-to-toe with just about anyone on current sports knowledge and opinions but she needs to be "coached down" in terms of her strident speaking cadence. Too many complete thoughts get rushed and lost. ...
Joey Meyer will miss some Northwestern men's broadcasts on WGN-AM (720) because of hip surgery. Pat Fitzgerald reportedly will fill in, but the big Q. is: Who's still listening? ...
Faces in the corn: Symmetrical week for Northern Illinois basketball -- Eugene German swished his 2,000th point to pass T.J. Lux as the Huskies' all-time leading men's scorer while Courtney Woods netted her 2,000th to join Lisa Foss and Carol Owens as the only women in school history to reach that mark. ...
Palatine's Lyle Zikes -- one of the most insightful bowling writers in the land -- will be monitoring Sunday as Fox presents the finals of the PBA's Tournament of Champions back where it belongs, in suburban Akron (4 p.m.) ...
And Scott Thomson, noting that low-end, secondary market tickets for the NBA All-Star Game have dipped toward $900, deadpanned: "It must be because Zach LaVine isn't playing."
• Jim O'Donnell's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Man who got probation in fatal 2009 DUI crash could have latest DUI case dismissed

A man who got probation for a 2009 DUI crash that killed a St. Charles East High School graduate could have his most recent DUI arrest -- this one from last August in Romeoville -- dismissed because of a judge 's recent ruling .
Citing lack of probable cause , Will County Judge Chrystel Gavlin suppressed evidence and field sobriety test results in the case of Onofrio `` Josh '' Lorusso , 28 , formerly of Wayne and now of the 25000 block of Hart Road , Batavia .
The ruling means the DUI charge against Lorusso could be dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late March .
Gavlin ruled last week that authorities did not have probable cause to arrest Lorusso at 1:19 p.m. Aug. 4 , 2019 , after he struck another car while headed north on Weber Road , according to court records .
Defense attorney Ted Hammel , who did not return calls seeking comment , argued his client had one drink and completed a one-leg stand before refusing other tests until a lawyer arrived , according to court records .
At the time of his August arrest , Lorusso refused a breath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summary suspension of his driver 's license under state law .
Gavlin 's ruling suppresses Lorusso 's statements to police and also means Lorusso 's summary suspension should be lifted immediately , records show .
Carol Cheney , spokeswoman for the Will County State 's Attorney 's Office , said prosecutors are `` evaluating the case now and will determine the appropriate course of action by March 23 , '' which is the next day Lorusso is due in court .
Lorusso was arrested and charged with aggravated DUI in June 2009 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the death of Cameron Godee , 18 , of St. Charles , a St. Charles East High School graduate who was a passenger in Lorusso 's 2005 Ford Explorer .
Lorusso had a blood-alcohol concentration of .227 percent and was going 77 mph in a 25-mph zone on the 3100 block of Royal Fox Drive when he lost control , hit a mailbox , two trees and a parked car .
Two other passengers also were injured .
Lorusso faced up to 14 years in prison for Cameron 's death but got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sentence from now-retired Judge Timothy Sheldon .
Years later , Lorusso was arrested at an underage drinking party while still on probation .
At the time , prosecutors argued for prison , but Sheldon in February 2012 gave Lorusso more jail time and an alcohol monitoring device .
During the hearing , Cameron 's father , Greg Godee , shouted to Sheldon `` How much did they pay you this time ? ''
Godee was briefly detained and apologized to the court .
Godee said this week he was n't surprised another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The legal system is corrupt just like last time .
I have come to terms with that .
I just pray no one else gets killed ( by Lorusso ) , '' Godee said .
`` The more money you have , the more it tips the scales . ''
Lorusso is free on bond .
If convicted of misdemeanor DUI , he faced up to 364 days in jail .

Man who got probation in fatal 2009 DUI crash could have latest DUI case dismissed
A man who got probation for a 2009 DUI crash that killed a St. Charles East High School graduate could have his most recent DUI arrest -- this one from last August in Romeoville -- dismissed because of a judge's recent ruling.
Citing lack of probable cause, Will County Judge Chrystel Gavlin suppressed evidence and field sobriety test results in the case of Onofrio "Josh" Lorusso, 28, formerly of Wayne and now of the 25000 block of Hart Road, Batavia.
The ruling means the DUI charge against Lorusso could be dismissed at his next court date in Joliet in late March.
Gavlin ruled last week that authorities did not have probable cause to arrest Lorusso at 1:19 p.m. Aug. 4, 2019, after he struck another car while headed north on Weber Road, according to court records.
Defense attorney Ted Hammel, who did not return calls seeking comment, argued his client had one drink and completed a one-leg stand before refusing other tests until a lawyer arrived, according to court records.
At the time of his August arrest, Lorusso refused a breath sample, triggering an automatic, one-year summary suspension of his driver's license under state law.
Gavlin's ruling suppresses Lorusso's statements to police and also means Lorusso's summary suspension should be lifted immediately, records show.
Carol Cheney, spokeswoman for the Will County State's Attorney's Office, said prosecutors are "evaluating the case now and will determine the appropriate course of action by March 23," which is the next day Lorusso is due in court.
Lorusso was arrested and charged with aggravated DUI in June 2009.
He eventually pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI in the death of Cameron Godee, 18, of St. Charles, a St. Charles East High School graduate who was a passenger in Lorusso's 2005 Ford Explorer.
Lorusso had a blood-alcohol concentration of .227 percent and was going 77 mph in a 25-mph zone on the 3100 block of Royal Fox Drive when he lost control, hit a mailbox, two trees and a parked car. Two other passengers also were injured.
Lorusso faced up to 14 years in prison for Cameron's death but got six months in jail and probation in a sentence from now-retired Judge Timothy Sheldon.
Years later, Lorusso was arrested at an underage drinking party while still on probation. At the time, prosecutors argued for prison, but Sheldon in February 2012 gave Lorusso more jail time and an alcohol monitoring device.
During the hearing, Cameron's father, Greg Godee, shouted to Sheldon "How much did they pay you this time?" Godee was briefly detained and apologized to the court.
Godee said this week he wasn't surprised another judge ruled in favor or Lorusso.
"The legal system is corrupt just like last time. I have come to terms with that. I just pray no one else gets killed (by Lorusso)," Godee said. "The more money you have, the more it tips the scales."
Lorusso is free on bond. If convicted of misdemeanor DUI, he faced up to 364 days in jail.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Schaumburg may stop requiring permits for garage sales

There 's one particular item you may no longer be able to find at any garage sale in Schaumburg -- a permit .
Village officials are considering doing away with the requirement on the basis that issuing and enforcing permits are more trouble than they 're worth .
The Planning , Building and Development Committee voted to recommend such action Thursday , and the full village board is expected to make a final decision Tuesday , Feb. 25 .
The coordinated Timbercrest-Woods garage sale that 's been held across the two adjacent subdivisions on the first weekend of June for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some village services , Schaumburg Community Development Director Julie Fitzgerald said .
But the approximately 100 participants there as well as the nearly 1,000 other garage sales that take place across the village each year wo n't require permits if trustees approve the change later this month .
From 2013 to 2018 , the village issued 6,464 garage sale permits .
While many were applied for online , about 20 % required the direct assistance of village staff members .
Roughly 107 hours of staff time were believed to be occupied by that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Furthermore , garage sales in the village have typically generated only about one neighbor complaint per year , they said .
In surveying the 42 members of the Northwest Municipal Conference in the region , Schaumburg officials found that only 16 of those local governments required permits for garage sales while the other 26 did not .
One downside of eliminating the permits that garage sale organizers and patrons may see is the village could no longer host a monthly garage sale map on its website , based on the permits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years , the map has received more than 10,000 unique visitors .
Officials said they would plan to recommend apps like VarageSale and Nextdoor to residents looking to promote or find garage sales if the village 's own map goes away .

Schaumburg may stop requiring permits for garage sales
The more than 1,000 garage sales that take place in Schaumburg each year -- including approximately 100 in the Timbercrest-Woods neighborhoods alone in early June -- may soon be free of the requirement to apply for a permit. Daily Herald file photo, 2011
The more than 1,000 garage sales that take place in Schaumburg each year -- including approximately 100 in the Timbercrest-Woods neighborhoods alone in early June -- may soon be free of the requirement to apply for a permit. Daily Herald file photo, 2017
There's one particular item you may no longer be able to find at any garage sale in Schaumburg -- a permit.
Village officials are considering doing away with the requirement on the basis that issuing and enforcing permits are more trouble than they're worth.
The Planning, Building and Development Committee voted to recommend such action Thursday, and the full village board is expected to make a final decision Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The coordinated Timbercrest-Woods garage sale that's been held across the two adjacent subdivisions on the first weekend of June for the past 50 years will still need some village services, Schaumburg Community Development Director Julie Fitzgerald said.
But the approximately 100 participants there as well as the nearly 1,000 other garage sales that take place across the village each year won't require permits if trustees approve the change later this month.
From 2013 to 2018, the village issued 6,464 garage sale permits. While many were applied for online, about 20% required the direct assistance of village staff members.
Roughly 107 hours of staff time were believed to be occupied by that task over those six years, officials said.
Furthermore, garage sales in the village have typically generated only about one neighbor complaint per year, they said.
In surveying the 42 members of the Northwest Municipal Conference in the region, Schaumburg officials found that only 16 of those local governments required permits for garage sales while the other 26 did not.
One downside of eliminating the permits that garage sale organizers and patrons may see is the village could no longer host a monthly garage sale map on its website, based on the permits it's issued. Over the past three years, the map has received more than 10,000 unique visitors.
Officials said they would plan to recommend apps like VarageSale and Nextdoor to residents looking to promote or find garage sales if the village's own map goes away.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-07--Convenience store clerk, robbery suspects shot in Chicago

CHICAGO -- A Chicago convenience store clerk was seriously wounded and two robbery suspects hurt Friday afternoon in an exchange @ @ @ @ @ 's South Side , police said .
The suspects were among four people who walked @ @ @ @ @ cash from a register by force .
The clerk drew his gun and shot two @ @ @ @ @ returned fire and shot the clerk in the chest , according to investigators .
The @ @ @ @ @ condition at a hospital .
The suspects were considered to be in stable condition , @ @ @ @ @ suspects were arrested , authorities said , and a weapon was recovered .

Gunfire exchange in Chicago store claims life of clerk
CHICAGO -- A Chicago convenience store clerk died after exchanging gunfire Friday afternoon with robbery suspects on the city's South Side, police said.
The suspects walked in the store and took cash from a register by force. The clerk drew his gun and shot two of the suspects, who returned fire and shot the clerk in the chest, according to investigators.
The clerk died several hours later at a hospital. The suspects were considered to be in stable condition, police said.
All four suspects were arrested, authorities said, and a weapon was recovered.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-09--Snow causing flight cancellations, delays

Snow is falling , winds are gusting and Chicago 's airports are already responding by shutting down or delaying flights .
According to the Chicago Department of Aviation 's website , which tracks delays and cancellations in real time , the average delay at O'Hare is 49 minutes , while 368 cancellations had been reported , as of 11:24 a.m. That includes 85-minute average delays for arrivals and 16-minute average delays for departures .
At Midway , there have been 78 cancellations .
According to the National Weather Service , the Chicago area is expected to see moderate to heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drizzle , possibly mixed with snow , between 3 and 4 p.m .
The weather service said the snow could be heavy at times .
A high temperature of near 35 is expected , with a south to southeast wind between 10 and 20 mph and gusts as high as 35 mph .
Total accumulation of 1 to 3 inches of snow is possible .
The weather service predicts a chance of drizzle , mainly before 7 p.m. , and areas of fog before 9 p.m .
The forecast calls for a low @ @ @ @ @

Snow causing flight cancellations, delays
Snow is falling, winds are gusting and Chicago's airports are already responding by shutting down or delaying flights.
According to the Chicago Department of Aviation's website, which tracks delays and cancellations in real time, the average delay at O'Hare is 49 minutes, while 368 cancellations had been reported, as of 11:24 a.m.
That includes 85-minute average delays for arrivals and 16-minute average delays for departures.
At Midway, there have been 78 cancellations.
According to the National Weather Service, the Chicago area is expected to see moderate to heavy snow before 3 p.m., followed by drizzle, possibly mixed with snow, between 3 and 4 p.m.
Drizzle is expected after 4 p.m.
The weather service said the snow could be heavy at times.
A high temperature of near 35 is expected, with a south to southeast wind between 10 and 20 mph and gusts as high as 35 mph.
Total accumulation of 1 to 3 inches of snow is possible.
The weather service predicts a chance of drizzle, mainly before 7 p.m., and areas of fog before 9 p.m.
The forecast calls for a low of 24 degrees tonight.