dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Some Northwest suburbs ask to be split from Chicago in governor's Restore Illinois plan

An agency representing 42 suburbs , including Schaumburg and Arlington Heights , has asked Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to put them in a different region than Chicago in his Restore Illinois plan , and to cut in half one of the requirements to move to the next phase of recovery from coronavirus restrictions .
The Northwest Municipal Conference asked that the required number of days of a decrease in COVID-19-like hospital admissions be reduced to 14 from 28 to be able to move to the next reopening phase .
But some collar county health officials and some members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor 's plan .
Among the 43 members of the conference -- 42 suburbs as well as Northfield Township -- 34 participated in a meeting Wednesday at which 20 supported the position , 12 were opposed and two abstained , Executive Director Mark Fowler said .
A letter was sent to the governor Friday .
Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly said the letter closely mirrored a resolution his village was already considering .
`` I think it 's a reasonable ask , '' he said .
Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the usual 11 medical regions in the state , rather than the four recognized by the Restore Illinois plan .
Palatine will be among several member communities discussing individual resolutions based on the same language next week .
Others include Schaumburg , Hoffman Estates , Arlington Heights , Mount Prospect , Buffalo Grove and Wheeling .
Dailly said Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering was the most vocal of the members opposed to the position .
On Friday , she also sent a letter to Pritzker expressing her city 's support of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken a shortsighted and ill-informed approach to reopening our vital local economies , '' Rotering wrote .
`` The lack of consultation with public health officials in proposing this change ignores the seriousness of the public health crisis we are experiencing .
We know that certain health care metrics must be reached before social expansion ( including commerce ) can be safely supported . ''
Dailly said he believes Rotering misunderstood the request to put the suburbs in non-Chicago regions as a questioning of Pritzker 's medical criteria for reopening .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Pritzker 's ) position from a medical standpoint , '' Dailly said .
`` We still have to meet his numbers .
That does n't change . ''
In Phase 3 , masks in public places would still be required as would 6-feet social distancing .
But gatherings of 10 or fewer people also will be permitted .
And nonessential manufacturing can resume operations , barbershops and hairstylists can open , and retail shops can open with capacity limits .
To reach Phase 3 of the governor 's reopening plan , regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % or lower over two weeks , hospital admissions for COVID-19 illnesses must stay level or decrease for 28 days , and at least 14 % of ICU , medical and surgery beds must be available .
Schools and day cares would remain closed .
Restaurants and bars would be limited to delivery , pickup and drive-through .
The Northwest Municipal Conference is asking that the full reopening of restaurants be moved out of Phase 4 -- when gatherings of up to 50 people and the full reopening of bars and schools also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fowler said that in doing so , the conference was asking whether careful protocols might enable dining out to restart in the same way activities like golf , boating and fishing have .
But in asking for the number of days with a decrease in hospitalizations to be reduced from 28 to 14 , supporters are only looking to restore some consistency in the state 's position , Dailly said .
`` Where did he get 28 ? ''
Dailly asked .
`` Fourteen makes sense .
That was the position he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to 14 days is the standard that every other state is following based upon all of their medical guidance , '' Ottesen said .
`` He has been asked repeatedly at his daily briefings why 28 instead of 14 , and he has yet to provide an answer . ''
But Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister is among those joining Rotering in an unqualified endorsement of Pritzker 's Restore Illinois plan .
`` We empathize with our residents who are facing hardship and appreciate both the economic and public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pfister said in a statement Friday .
`` Ultimately , the Restore Illinois plan is science-based  -- its foundation being public health data -- and we are going to follow the science . ''
While DuPage County Health Department Karen Ayala also spoke in support of the approach Pritzker has taken , she suggested an openness to more than one path to restarting the economy safely .
`` Whether it is done as a region , or through individual county decisions , the DuPage County Health Department understands the desire to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that balances public health while addressing economic concerns and a safe reopening of businesses , '' Ayala said .
• Daily Herald staff writers Madhu Krishnamurthy and Bob Susnjara contributed to this report .

Some Northwest suburbs ask to be split from Chicago in governor's Restore Illinois plan
This story was corrected 3 p.m. May 16 to reflect that the Northwest Municipal Conference did not ask that the requirement for moving to the next phase of recovery be cut in half.
An agency representing 42 suburbs, including Schaumburg and Arlington Heights, has asked Gov. J.B. Pritzker to put them in a different region than Chicago in his Restore Illinois plan, and to move up the phase of the recovery at which restaurants are allowed to reopen.
The Northwest Municipal Conference also discussed asking that the required number of days of a decrease in COVID-19-like hospital admissions be reduced to 14 from 28 to be able to move to the next reopening phase, though in the end it decided not to include that in its letter to Pritzker.
But some collar county health officials and some members of the conference itself are defending the details of the governor's plan.
Among the 43 members of the conference -- 42 suburbs as well as Northfield Township -- 34 participated in a meeting Wednesday at which 20 supported the conference's position, 12 were opposed and two abstained, Executive Director Mark Fowler said. A letter was sent to the governor Friday.
Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly said the letter closely mirrored a resolution his village was already considering.
"I think it's a reasonable ask," he said.
Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen said the resolution is just asking for a return to the usual 11 medical regions in the state, rather than the four recognized by the Restore Illinois plan.
Palatine will be among several member communities discussing individual resolutions based on the same language next week. Others include Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Buffalo Grove and Wheeling.
Dailly said Highland Park was the most vocal of the members opposed to the position. On Friday, its mayor, Nancy Rotering, sent a letter to Pritzker expressing her city's support of his Restore Illinois plan.
"The NWMC has taken a shortsighted and ill-informed approach to reopening our vital local economies," Rotering wrote. "The lack of consultation with public health officials in proposing this change ignores the seriousness of the public health crisis we are experiencing. We know that certain health care metrics must be reached before social expansion (including commerce) can be safely supported."
Dailly said he believes Rotering misunderstood the request to put the suburbs in non-Chicago regions as a questioning of Pritzker's medical criteria for reopening.
"The point is we're not attacking (Pritzker's) position from a medical standpoint," Dailly said. "We still have to meet his numbers. That doesn't change."
In Phase 3, masks in public places would still be required as would 6-feet social distancing. But gatherings of 10 or fewer people also will be permitted. And nonessential manufacturing can resume operations, barbershops and hairstylists can open, and retail shops can open with capacity limits.
To reach Phase 3 of the governor's reopening plan, regions must have an infection rate of 20% or lower over two weeks, hospital admissions for COVID-19 illnesses must stay level or decrease for 28 days, and at least 14% of ICU, medical and surgery beds must be available.
Schools and day cares would remain closed. Restaurants and bars would be limited to delivery, pickup and drive-through.
The Northwest Municipal Conference is asking that the full reopening of restaurants be moved out of Phase 4 -- when gatherings of up to 50 people and the full reopening of bars and schools also would be allowed, to Phase 3. Fowler said that in doing so, the conference was asking whether careful protocols might enable dining out to restart in the same way activities like golf, boating and fishing have.
But some municipal officials argued the municipal league should take a stronger position, asking for the number of days with a decrease in hospitalizations to be reduced from 28 to 14, Dailly said.
"Where did he get 28?" Dailly asked. "Fourteen makes sense. That was the position he originally took."
Ottesen agreed.
"The 28 days to 14 days is the standard that every other state is following based upon all of their medical guidance," Ottesen said. "He has been asked repeatedly at his daily briefings why 28 instead of 14, and he has yet to provide an answer."
Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister is among those joining Rotering in an unqualified endorsement of Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan.
"We empathize with our residents who are facing hardship and appreciate both the economic and public health impacts of this pandemic," Pfister said in a statement Friday. "Ultimately, the Restore Illinois plan is science-based -- its foundation being public health data -- and we are going to follow the science."
While DuPage County Health Department Karen Ayala also spoke in support of the approach Pritzker has taken, she suggested an openness to more than one path to restarting the economy safely.
"Whether it is done as a region, or through individual county decisions, the DuPage County Health Department understands the desire to return to normalcy and will support a plan that balances public health while addressing economic concerns and a safe reopening of businesses," Ayala said.
• Daily Herald staff writers Madhu Krishnamurthy and Bob Susnjara contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Illinois COVID-19 deaths surpass 4,000, infections eclipse 90,000 mark

Illinois passed two grim milestones in its ongoing battle to slow the spread of the coronavirus Friday .
State health officials announced more than 4,000 residents have now died from the disease , while more than 90,000 have been infected .
Dr. Ngozi Ezike , director of the Illinois Department of Public Health , said 130 people had succumbed to COVID-19 in the past day , while an additional 2,432 have tested positive for the disease .
That brings the state 's death toll to 4,058 since the outbreak began , with 90,369 total infection cases .
But the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point since mid-March , and the number of Illinoisans hospitalized with COVID-19 infections is also at one the lowest levels the state has seen since the outbreak began .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said the state has emphasized increasing testing capacity in recent weeks .
At the beginning of May , the state was averaging less than 14,000 tests a week .
On Friday , the state had averaged almost 20,000 daily tests for the week .
The statewide infection rate has also seen a steady decline as more people are tested .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , putting the state 's daily infection rate at 9.2 % .
`` The great news is that the state 's ( infection ) rate is coming down , '' Pritzker said .
`` The ( infection ) rate is one of the metrics that we 're using to determine whether regions are eligible to move into Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan in the weeks ahead . ''
Right now , all four of the state 's regions are on pace to move into the less restrictive phase .
Currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had contact with someone who is infected , and all front-line and essential workers are eligible to receive testing , he said .
He urged all who fit the categories to get tested .
`` Testing is fundamental in our ability to reopen the economy while controlling the spread of the virus , '' Pritzker said .
Ezike noted the state has authorized mandatory testing for another group of residents : pregnant women .
`` We have already implemented universal screening for women in labor , '' Ezike said .
`` First of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with labor can mimic or cover symptoms of COVID-19 . ''
New mothers with coronavirus may also be at a greater risk of post-birth complications , she said .
The new mandated screenings has shown as much as 12 % of pregnant women may have the disease .
`` A new mom should know if she is at risk of passing the disease to her child , '' Ezike said .
Meanwhile , Cook County is now home to the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases of any county in the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Medical Center in Maryland .
Cook County is the second most populated county in the country .
According to IDPH , Chicago and suburban Cook County have 59,905 confirmed cases of coronavirus .
Los Angeles County , the most-populated county in the country , has 35,329 confirmed cases , according to health officials there .
That gives L.A. County the seventh most cases of any county in the country .

Illinois COVID-19 deaths surpass 4,000, infections eclipse 90,000 mark
Illinois passed two grim milestones in its ongoing battle to slow the spread of the coronavirus Friday.
State health officials announced more than 4,000 residents have now died from the disease, while more than 90,000 have been infected.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said 130 people had succumbed to COVID-19 in the past day, while an additional 2,432 have tested positive for the disease.
That brings the state's death toll to 4,058 since the outbreak began, with 90,369 total infection cases.
But the state's infection rate is at its lowest point since mid-March, and the number of Illinoisans hospitalized with COVID-19 infections is also at one the lowest levels the state has seen since the outbreak began.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state has emphasized increasing testing capacity in recent weeks.
At the beginning of May, the state was averaging less than 14,000 tests a week. On Friday, the state had averaged almost 20,000 daily tests for the week. The statewide infection rate has also seen a steady decline as more people are tested.
The state received results from 26,565 tests Friday, putting the state's daily infection rate at 9.2%.
"The great news is that the state's (infection) rate is coming down," Pritzker said. "The (infection) rate is one of the metrics that we're using to determine whether regions are eligible to move into Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan in the weeks ahead."
Right now, all four of the state's regions are on pace to move into the less restrictive phase.
Currently, symptomatic individuals, people who have had contact with someone who is infected, and all front-line and essential workers are eligible to receive testing, he said. He urged all who fit the categories to get tested.
"Testing is fundamental in our ability to reopen the economy while controlling the spread of the virus," Pritzker said.
Ezike noted the state has authorized mandatory testing for another group of residents: pregnant women.
"We have already implemented universal screening for women in labor," Ezike said. "First of all, many of the symptoms associated with labor can mimic or cover symptoms of COVID-19."
New mothers with coronavirus may also be at a greater risk of post-birth complications, she said. The new mandated screenings has shown as much as 12% of pregnant women may have the disease.
"A new mom should know if she is at risk of passing the disease to her child," Ezike said.
Meanwhile, Cook County is now home to the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases of any county in the country, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Medical Center in Maryland.
Cook County is the second most populated county in the country.
According to IDPH, Chicago and suburban Cook County have 59,905 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Los Angeles County, the most-populated county in the country, has 35,329 confirmed cases, according to health officials there. That gives L.A. County the seventh most cases of any county in the country.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Plan for Bell Works 'metroburb' in Hoffman Estates tweaked due to pandemic

While the ultimate vision for the planned Bell Works `` metroburb '' in the former AT & T headquarters in Hoffman Estates remains intact , the pandemic is causing some proposed tweaks to its earliest steps to enable it to get a foothold in a recovering economy .
Rather than seeking approval upfront for an overall rehab of the existing office space , New Jersey-based Somerset Development is hoping to market some of that space as-is to early tenants at a reduced cost .
The possibility would exist for such pioneers within the anticipated self-contained community of businesses and residences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future , village officials say .
Hoffman Estates Director of Development Services Peter Gugliotta reported these suggested changes to village board members this week .
`` The good news is they 're still moving forward , '' Gugliotta said of Somerset .
`` They have the same vision .
I want to make sure I communicate that .
Nothing has changed about what they 're hoping the outcome of this project will be , and they 're really hoping it 's still going to be something in the same vein of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-building , 150-acre campus Somerset bought last year came with 1.6 million square feet of office space .
The village board has already approved renovation of the interior lobby and atrium space , as well as construction of 32,462 square feet of speculative office space and 2,000 square feet of retail or restaurant space on the main floor of the central building at 2000 Center Drive .
But COVID-19 has disrupted the economy as it 's threatened human health .
`` The immediate , present-day tenant interest is none , '' Gugliotta said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on pause . ''
Once the economy starts to reopen , Somerset hopes at least two to four tenants will accept the offer for existing office space to get the project moving .
This would require no greater approval than these tenants moving into any existing office building , officials said .
Village board members expressed satisfaction with the slight course adjustment but asked for regular updates .
`` I think it 's great , '' Trustee Karen Mills said .
`` We definitely want to keep them moving along on their projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project also remains important , but the developer is taking the opportunity to step back and assess it in a forward-thinking manner , Gugliotta said .
Somerset 's plan has been to sell some of the land adjacent to the main building to another developer for the construction of 380 multifamily residential units and 170 townhouses .
Though the number of both types of housing is allowed to vary by 8 % , the total number of units can not exceed 550 .

Plan for Bell Works 'metroburb' in Hoffman Estates tweaked due to pandemic
While the ultimate vision for the planned Bell Works "metroburb" in the former AT&T headquarters in Hoffman Estates remains intact, the pandemic is causing some proposed tweaks to its earliest steps to enable it to get a foothold in a recovering economy.
Rather than seeking approval upfront for an overall rehab of the existing office space, New Jersey-based Somerset Development is hoping to market some of that space as-is to early tenants at a reduced cost.
The possibility would exist for such pioneers within the anticipated self-contained community of businesses and residences to shift over to renovated space in the future, village officials say.
Hoffman Estates Director of Development Services Peter Gugliotta reported these suggested changes to village board members this week.
"The good news is they're still moving forward," Gugliotta said of Somerset. "They have the same vision. I want to make sure I communicate that. Nothing has changed about what they're hoping the outcome of this project will be, and they're really hoping it's still going to be something in the same vein of what you've seen before."
The three-building, 150-acre campus Somerset bought last year came with 1.6 million square feet of office space.
The village board has already approved renovation of the interior lobby and atrium space, as well as construction of 32,462 square feet of speculative office space and 2,000 square feet of retail or restaurant space on the main floor of the central building at 2000 Center Drive.
But COVID-19 has disrupted the economy as it's threatened human health.
"The immediate, present-day tenant interest is none," Gugliotta said. "All that has been put on pause."
Once the economy starts to reopen, Somerset hopes at least two to four tenants will accept the offer for existing office space to get the project moving. This would require no greater approval than these tenants moving into any existing office building, officials said.
Village board members expressed satisfaction with the slight course adjustment but asked for regular updates.
"I think it's great," Trustee Karen Mills said. "We definitely want to keep them moving along on their projects."
The residential component of the project also remains important, but the developer is taking the opportunity to step back and assess it in a forward-thinking manner, Gugliotta said.
Somerset's plan has been to sell some of the land adjacent to the main building to another developer for the construction of 380 multifamily residential units and 170 townhouses. Though the number of both types of housing is allowed to vary by 8%, the total number of units cannot exceed 550.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Naperville Park District to take legal action to reopen programs, facilities

Naperville Park District 's board of commissioners wants a judge to decide whether it can reopen district programs and facilities , regardless of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's `` Restore Illinois '' plan .
The board voted 4-3 Thursday night to seek authority `` through emergency court action '' to make reopening decisions `` that are in the best interest of our community . ''
Commissioners took the vote after public discussion and a lengthy executive session .
`` I fully support the use of legal action against the governor , '' Commissioner Bill Eagan said during the public discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arbitrary and capricious .
We need to be separated from Chicago .
We are an informed citizenry .
And we can make decisions for ourselves . ''
The lawsuit against the governor will be filed in DuPage County Circuit Court next week , according to park district attorney Derke Price .
When asked about the legal challenge , Pritzker on Friday said Naperville park officials `` should be following the data and the science here and not their gut . ''
`` I , too , would like to allow all children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer sports in group fashion , '' Pritzker said .
`` And I hope we 'll be able to do that soon enough as we move though the phases ... of the Restore Illinois plan , but I recommend against it ( an early reopening ) . ''
He said he realizes officials in Naperville will do whatever they want , `` but I wish they would show some leadership . ''
In a statement released Friday , board President Rich Janor said the district intends to fulfill its mission to provide recreation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that an important part of being healthy includes staying active , '' Janor said , `` and that includes being able to use some of the outdoor amenities and operate some of the programs that the district provides .
The governor 's executive order improperly interferes with the board 's ability to make those decisions . ''
Consistent with existing regulations , the park district is planning to reopen additional facilities and programs beginning June 1 .
Outdoor facilities that will reopen include disc golf at Knoch Knolls Park , skate parks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paddleboat Quarry .
Executive Director Ray McGury said the district also is proceeding with outdoor summer programs , including camps , `` but with substantial modifications to adhere to required social distancing practices , '' McGury said .
Youth athletic programs , including baseball and softball , will return June 15 , but with reduced roster sizes .
`` We are following this executive order , but we do n't believe he ( Pritzker ) has the power to do it , '' Price said .
`` That 's why we 're seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirm that he does n't have the power to do the things he 's trying to do . ''
Price said commissioners have received information from the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health and simply want the ability to do things that are reasonable .
Several commissioners said they received emails urging them to take action to safely open parks and make youth sports available .
`` There are many programs we can open safely right now , if we had any flexibility from the governor to make local decisions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it 's `` ridiculous '' that kids ca n't play Little League Baseball right now .
`` So it 's my position that we explore all options to break free from the order from Springfield to allow us to make our own safe and responsible decisions in order to allow our constituencies the freedom of choice , '' McBroom said .
Still , three commissioners -- Bobby Carlsen , Mike Reilly and Marie Todd -- voted against taking legal action .
`` I do n't think it 's in the best interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter , '' Todd said .
`` I think the bottom line issue really is more whether or not the data from the Western suburbs should be part of the Northeast region data that Pritzker has identified .
And I really think the municipality should be fighting that fight -- not the Naperville Park District . ''

Naperville Park District to take legal action to reopen programs, facilities
Naperville Park District commissioners have voted to ask a judge to allow them to reopen programs and facilities, regardless of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's "Restore Illinois" plan. Daily Herald file photo
Naperville Park District's board of commissioners wants a judge to decide whether it can reopen district programs and facilities, regardless of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's "Restore Illinois" plan.
The board voted 4-3 Thursday night to seek authority "through emergency court action" to make reopening decisions "that are in the best interest of our community." Commissioners took the vote after public discussion and a lengthy executive session.
"I fully support the use of legal action against the governor," Commissioner Bill Eagan said during the public discussion. "I believe his actions are arbitrary and capricious. We need to be separated from Chicago. We are an informed citizenry. And we can make decisions for ourselves."
The lawsuit against the governor will be filed in DuPage County Circuit Court next week, according to park district attorney Derke Price.
When asked about the legal challenge, Pritzker on Friday said Naperville park officials "should be following the data and the science here and not their gut."
"I, too, would like to allow all children, my own included, to participate in summer sports in group fashion," Pritzker said. "And I hope we'll be able to do that soon enough as we move though the phases ... of the Restore Illinois plan, but I recommend against it (an early reopening)."
He said he realizes officials in Naperville will do whatever they want, "but I wish they would show some leadership."
In a statement released Friday, board President Rich Janor said the district intends to fulfill its mission to provide recreation opportunities for residents.
"We understand that an important part of being healthy includes staying active," Janor said, "and that includes being able to use some of the outdoor amenities and operate some of the programs that the district provides. The governor's executive order improperly interferes with the board's ability to make those decisions."
Consistent with existing regulations, the park district is planning to reopen additional facilities and programs beginning June 1. Outdoor facilities that will reopen include disc golf at Knoch Knolls Park, skate parks, sport courts, parking lots and the Paddleboat Quarry.
Executive Director Ray McGury said the district also is proceeding with outdoor summer programs, including camps, "but with substantial modifications to adhere to required social distancing practices," McGury said. Youth athletic programs, including baseball and softball, will return June 15, but with reduced roster sizes.
"We are following this executive order, but we don't believe he (Pritzker) has the power to do it," Price said. "That's why we're seeking relief. We're complying until we confirm that he doesn't have the power to do the things he's trying to do."
Price said commissioners have received information from the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health and simply want the ability to do things that are reasonable.
Several commissioners said they received emails urging them to take action to safely open parks and make youth sports available.
"There are many programs we can open safely right now, if we had any flexibility from the governor to make local decisions," Commissioner Josh McBroom said.
McBroom said it's "ridiculous" that kids can't play Little League Baseball right now.
"So it's my position that we explore all options to break free from the order from Springfield to allow us to make our own safe and responsible decisions in order to allow our constituencies the freedom of choice," McBroom said.
Still, three commissioners -- Bobby Carlsen, Mike Reilly and Marie Todd -- voted against taking legal action.
"I don't think it's in the best interest for the park district to litigate this matter," Todd said. "I think the bottom line issue really is more whether or not the data from the Western suburbs should be part of the Northeast region data that Pritzker has identified. And I really think the municipality should be fighting that fight -- not the Naperville Park District."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--The Deal at 30: The lessons Sears teaches about tax incentives

This article was produced in partnership with the ProPublica Local Reporting Network .
ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power .
On a hot Sunday afternoon in June 1989 , two of the most powerful men in Illinois met to watch a ballgame at Wrigley Field -- and , if all went well , to make a deal .
James R. Thompson , the state 's four-term Republican governor , and Edward Brennan , chairman of Sears , Roebuck & Co. , the world 's largest retailer , had been deep in talks for months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was threatening to move Sears ' corporate headquarters , located in downtown Chicago in what was then the tallest skyscraper in the world , to another state .
The move would rob Illinois of thousands of good-paying jobs , tens of millions in tax revenues and its reputation as a business-friendly state .
As the two men watched the Montreal Expos blank the Cubs 5-0 , dropping the `` Lovable Losers '' out of first place , Thompson told Brennan he 'd do whatever it took to keep Sears from leaving .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incentives that the legendary political deal maker believed was too good to pass up .
After the game ended , Thompson called up one of his closest associates , Jay Hedges , director of the state 's Department of Commerce and Community Affairs .
In a recent interview , Hedges recalled Thompson delivering the news of his breakthrough .
`` Well , Jay , Sears is staying in Illinois , '' Thompson told him .
`` And they want to move to Hoffman Estates . ''
The deal cemented that day would permanently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of taxpayer funds to stop a growing exodus of jobs from the state .
Since 1989 , state and local officials have given $ 5.3 billion in government incentives to corporations , according to Good Jobs First , a nonprofit that compiles data on tax deals .
In Sears ' case , state and local officials awarded the company subsidies and tax deals worth more than $ 536 million over the past three decades -- the largest package of governmental incentives ever given to a single company in Illinois .
The tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then a suburb of 45,000 .
Sears worked with state and local politicians to build a sprawling corporate headquarters , new roads , tollway interchanges and other infrastructure in the growing village .
Today , Sears , which emerged from bankruptcy last year , is struggling to stay in business , battered by relentless competition and its own miscues and missteps .
Billionaire hedge fund manager and former Sears chief executive Eddie Lampert purchased the assets of the company to revive it and avoid liquidation .
Creditors continue to scrap over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City .
Sears closed retail stores across the country in response to the COVID-19 outbreak , further jeopardizing the company 's financial condition .
The corporate campus built in Hoffman Estates is largely vacant , a hollowed-out shell with a skeletal workforce surrounded by acres of unused parking .
Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod was a village trustee who voted for the original deal that brought Sears to Hoffman Estates in 1989 .
As the mayor in 2011 , he lobbied for the state to extend tax benefits as Sears once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today , he says the benefits of the Sears deal to the village and the state are obvious .
Simply look around , he says .
`` We built another city out here . ''
ProPublica and the Daily Herald wanted to know whether the investment paid off .
Where has the deal succeeded ?
Where has it failed ?
What did Illinois and Hoffman Estates taxpayers get for the half-billion dollars awarded to Sears ?
The review of the Sears deal shows that 30 years of spending public money on private interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by corporate , state and local officials .
When the deal was getting off the ground in 1989 , an economic impact study forecast that a special tax district created for Sears would generate the equivalent of $ 626 million in total property tax revenues by 2012 .
Total revenues wound up actually being closer to $ 338 million , when adjusted to 1989 dollars -- 54 % of what was projected .
The shortage prompted state and local officials to invest additional money into more development projects .
For instance , Hoffman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to issue $ 55 million in bonds to construct Sears Centre , an 11,000-seat entertainment arena .
One reason was to make up for the poor performance of the tax district by bringing in more revenue , according to a summary of a deposition from one of the arena 's developers in court files .
Instead , the arena was a financial drain , its costs increasingly borne by Hoffman Estates taxpayers .
In 2012 , Illinois and Hoffman Estates officials negotiated a new deal that extended the life of the taxing district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marked by loopholes that allowed Sears to continue collecting tax revenues even as job losses mounted , according to the Daily Herald and ProPublica review .
As part of the agreement , legislators required Sears to keep a certain number of jobs in Hoffman Estates to receive tax benefits .
But as the company laid off thousands of workers in the years after the deal was inked , it began to count not only Sears jobs but any employment associated with the company 's headquarters -- such as workers at the fast food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Legislators said they never intended to allow Sears to include other firms ' employees in its tallies , but state officials did little to monitor the company 's compliance .
The news organizations also commissioned an analysis to examine whether the incentives had any lasting economic effect -- the underlying justification for giving Sears the tax breaks in the first place .
The study , conducted for the news organizations by the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability , or CTBA , a bipartisan research and advocacy organization focused on social and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hoffman Estates wound up better off in terms of property values and employment than similar towns around Chicago that spent little or no money on tax deals for corporations .
Hoffman Estates would likely have experienced significant growth without Sears , the study suggested .
Suburbs similar to Hoffman Estates saw gains in jobs and property values without giving hundreds of millions in incentives to a single company .
The CTBA used a statistical method known as a `` difference-in-differences , '' which measured the economic impact of the Sears deal by comparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar , nearby communities over the same time period from 1980 to 2017 .
The CTBA relied on nine economic variables , ranging from annual employment figures and median income to the taxable property values in each municipality .
The Sears deal `` absolutely was n't worth the money , '' said Ralph Martire , the CTBA 's executive director .
`` None of the anticipated benefits came anywhere near materializing . ''
State and local officials maintain none of the development that happened in or around Hoffman Estates would have occurred if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sears money helped to pay for new roads , highway exits , police and fire protection -- all without the financial strain created by residential growth , they say .
The Sears Centre , McLeod said , was `` working out successfully , '' attracting nearby retail stores and restaurants .
McLeod acknowledged that the deal may not have lived up to expectations .
But he said that it generated , essentially , free money that put no extra burden on schools , libraries or parks .
It attracted new businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars to the village .
`` I ca n't figure out the downside , '' McLeod said .
Officials with the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity , which awarded $ 230 million in tax credits and other incentives to Sears over 30 years , declined to comment .
They noted that the tax arrangements had been made long before current Gov .
J.B. Pritzker took office .
A spokesman for Transformco , the current owner of Sears , declined to comment .
Transformco is the company that Lampert and his hedge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy Sears out of bankruptcy in February 2019 .
`` We 're a private company and do n't comment on these sorts of details , '' a spokesman said .
Thompson and fellow politicians ' willingness to provide substantial tax incentives and property improvements to keep Sears in Illinois set off a rush among big corporations to seek similar payouts from municipalities and states across the country .
It was n't the first such deal in the United States .
But it was one of the biggest at the time .
Companies quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spark frenzied bidding wars .
Every year across the United States , state and local governments now hand out an estimated $ 45 billion in tax breaks and other subsidies to attract business , according to Timothy Bartik , a leading scholar of tax incentives at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research in Kalamazoo , Michigan .
In a highly publicized battle two years ago , Amazon , one of the world 's richest companies , extracted promises of more than $ 2 billion in incentives from New York and Virginia to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among hundreds of communities .
The New York deal collapsed after fierce opposition from local critics .
The ProPublica review provides additional evidence to a growing consensus among economists : Tax breaks generally do n't provide the expected benefits to local economies .
Contrary to the assumption that tax incentives are needed to keep corporations from relocating , government aid frequently does little more than reward businesses for moving where they already planned to move or for creating jobs they already planned to create , said Nathan Jensen , a professor at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic development .
Incentives spending , he noted , is inherently a zero-sum game : Every dollar awarded to Sears is one less dollar for public schools , roads and parks , or police and fire protection .
`` That 's one of the underreported things , '' Jensen said .
`` We can think about these deals as costs on society . ''
Nancy Zettler lives in Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 , which overlaps a portion of the Sears tax district , though there are no District 300 students living within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 is the state 's sixth largest and serves 21,000 students at 26 schools covering 118 square miles , from wealthy Barrington Hills to working-class Carpentersville .
Four out of every 10 students are low-income or qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches .
When her kids started going to school in the district , she could n't understand why it was struggling financially .
Zettler 's oldest daughter 's first-grade classroom at Westfield Community School had 35 kids in it .
In some cases , children attended classes in portable trailers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of overcrowding .
Some buildings were also in serious disrepair .
`` It was horrible , '' she said .
When she learned that millions of dollars each year were flowing to Sears through the special tax district -- known as an economic development area , or EDA -- instead of going to the schools , she was angered .
`` I started researching it , and I was like , 'Whaaaat ? '
'' District 300 , like every other Illinois school district , depends on local property taxes for revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who long have challenged the extension of the Sears incentives , argue that with the majority of money from the special district going to Sears , the district received far less taxes over time .
Over the two-decade duration of the first Sears tax break , District 300 collected $ 26.5 million .
The terms of the deal , they say , meant that the district may have missed out on as much as $ 270 million in property taxes that instead financed the Sears development .
Today , District 300 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to claw back some of the funds .
District attorneys argue that Sears failed to maintain enough jobs under the terms of the 2012 agreement .
They say that Hoffman Estates failed to police the company .
The lawsuit seeks the return of $ 43 million in taxes .
Attorneys for Sears said they met all the conditions of the deal .
McLeod said it was the state 's job to hold Sears accountable .
He noted that District 300 had received tens of millions of dollars from the Sears deal , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its schools .
`` I have no mechanism to measure how many people are in those buildings , '' McLeod said .
`` We just follow the law that the legislature passed . ''
But Zettler , who now serves on the District 300 school board , said the tax money should have gone to education .
`` These deals that the state and local governments make with these businesses are flat-out bad , '' Zettler said .

The Deal at 30: The lessons Sears teaches about tax incentives
In this get-together almost three decades ago, Homart Development's Daniel J. Hanesworth, left, Sears President Edward Brennan and Hoffman Estates Mayor Michael J. O'Malley viewed a model of the Sears headquarters prior to its construction in Hoffman Estates. Daily Herald file photo
This article was produced in partnership with the ProPublica Local Reporting Network. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.
On a hot Sunday afternoon in June 1989, two of the most powerful men in Illinois met to watch a ballgame at Wrigley Field -- and, if all went well, to make a deal.
James R. Thompson, the state's four-term Republican governor, and Edward Brennan, chairman of Sears, Roebuck & Co., the world's largest retailer, had been deep in talks for months.
The stakes were high. Brennan was threatening to move Sears' corporate headquarters, located in downtown Chicago in what was then the tallest skyscraper in the world, to another state. The move would rob Illinois of thousands of good-paying jobs, tens of millions in tax revenues and its reputation as a business-friendly state.
As the two men watched the Montreal Expos blank the Cubs 5-0, dropping the "Lovable Losers" out of first place, Thompson told Brennan he'd do whatever it took to keep Sears from leaving. The state had crafted a package of financial incentives that the legendary political deal maker believed was too good to pass up.
After the game ended, Thompson called up one of his closest associates, Jay Hedges, director of the state's Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. In a recent interview, Hedges recalled Thompson delivering the news of his breakthrough.
"Well, Jay, Sears is staying in Illinois," Thompson told him. "And they want to move to Hoffman Estates."
The deal cemented that day would permanently change Illinois, as politicians embraced the use of taxpayer funds to stop a growing exodus of jobs from the state. Since 1989, state and local officials have given $5.3 billion in government incentives to corporations, according to Good Jobs First, a nonprofit that compiles data on tax deals.
In Sears' case, state and local officials awarded the company subsidies and tax deals worth more than $536 million over the past three decades -- the largest package of governmental incentives ever given to a single company in Illinois.
The tax breaks and credits would transform Hoffman Estates, then a suburb of 45,000. Sears worked with state and local politicians to build a sprawling corporate headquarters, new roads, tollway interchanges and other infrastructure in the growing village.
Today, Sears, which emerged from bankruptcy last year, is struggling to stay in business, battered by relentless competition and its own miscues and missteps. Billionaire hedge fund manager and former Sears chief executive Eddie Lampert purchased the assets of the company to revive it and avoid liquidation. Creditors continue to scrap over the corporate remains in a bankruptcy courtroom in New York City. Sears closed retail stores across the country in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, further jeopardizing the company's financial condition.
The corporate campus built in Hoffman Estates is largely vacant, a hollowed-out shell with a skeletal workforce surrounded by acres of unused parking.
Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod was a village trustee who voted for the original deal that brought Sears to Hoffman Estates in 1989. As the mayor in 2011, he lobbied for the state to extend tax benefits as Sears once again threatened to leave the state.
Today, he says the benefits of the Sears deal to the village and the state are obvious. Simply look around, he says. "We built another city out here."
ProPublica and the Daily Herald wanted to know whether the investment paid off. Where has the deal succeeded? Where has it failed? What did Illinois and Hoffman Estates taxpayers get for the half-billion dollars awarded to Sears?
The review of the Sears deal shows that 30 years of spending public money on private interests failed to deliver the economic bonanza envisioned by corporate, state and local officials.
When the deal was getting off the ground in 1989, an economic impact study forecast that a special tax district created for Sears would generate the equivalent of $626 million in total property tax revenues by 2012. Total revenues wound up actually being closer to $338 million, when adjusted to 1989 dollars -- 54% of what was projected.
The shortage prompted state and local officials to invest additional money into more development projects. For instance, Hoffman Estates worked with Sears and private developers to issue $55 million in bonds to construct Sears Centre, an 11,000-seat entertainment arena. One reason was to make up for the poor performance of the tax district by bringing in more revenue, according to a summary of a deposition from one of the arena's developers in court files. Instead, the arena was a financial drain, its costs increasingly borne by Hoffman Estates taxpayers.
In 2012, Illinois and Hoffman Estates officials negotiated a new deal that extended the life of the taxing district by 15 years. The deal was marked by loopholes that allowed Sears to continue collecting tax revenues even as job losses mounted, according to the Daily Herald and ProPublica review.
As part of the agreement, legislators required Sears to keep a certain number of jobs in Hoffman Estates to receive tax benefits. But as the company laid off thousands of workers in the years after the deal was inked, it began to count not only Sears jobs but any employment associated with the company's headquarters -- such as workers at the fast food restaurants in the building's front atrium. Legislators said they never intended to allow Sears to include other firms' employees in its tallies, but state officials did little to monitor the company's compliance.
The news organizations also commissioned an analysis to examine whether the incentives had any lasting economic effect -- the underlying justification for giving Sears the tax breaks in the first place. The study, conducted for the news organizations by the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, or CTBA, a bipartisan research and advocacy organization focused on social and economic justice, found no evidence that Hoffman Estates wound up better off in terms of property values and employment than similar towns around Chicago that spent little or no money on tax deals for corporations.
Hoffman Estates would likely have experienced significant growth without Sears, the study suggested. Suburbs similar to Hoffman Estates saw gains in jobs and property values without giving hundreds of millions in incentives to a single company.
The CTBA used a statistical method known as a "difference-in-differences," which measured the economic impact of the Sears deal by comparing before-and-after economic trends in Hoffman Estates to similar, nearby communities over the same time period from 1980 to 2017.
The CTBA relied on nine economic variables, ranging from annual employment figures and median income to the taxable property values in each municipality.
The Sears deal "absolutely wasn't worth the money," said Ralph Martire, the CTBA's executive director. "None of the anticipated benefits came anywhere near materializing."
State and local officials maintain none of the development that happened in or around Hoffman Estates would have occurred if not for the incentives granted to Sears.
Sears money helped to pay for new roads, highway exits, police and fire protection -- all without the financial strain created by residential growth, they say.
The Sears Centre, McLeod said, was "working out successfully," attracting nearby retail stores and restaurants.
McLeod acknowledged that the deal may not have lived up to expectations. But he said that it generated, essentially, free money that put no extra burden on schools, libraries or parks. It attracted new businesses and brought tens of millions of additional tax dollars to the village.
"I can't figure out the downside," McLeod said.
Officials with the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which awarded $230 million in tax credits and other incentives to Sears over 30 years, declined to comment. They noted that the tax arrangements had been made long before current Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office.
Thompson declined to comment. Brennan died in 2007.
A spokesman for Transformco, the current owner of Sears, declined to comment. Transformco is the company that Lampert and his hedge fund, ESL Investments, created to buy Sears out of bankruptcy in February 2019.
"We're a private company and don't comment on these sorts of details," a spokesman said.
Tax breaks don't deliver
Thompson and fellow politicians' willingness to provide substantial tax incentives and property improvements to keep Sears in Illinois set off a rush among big corporations to seek similar payouts from municipalities and states across the country. It wasn't the first such deal in the United States. But it was one of the biggest at the time.
Companies quickly learned to pit city against city to spark frenzied bidding wars. Every year across the United States, state and local governments now hand out an estimated $45 billion in tax breaks and other subsidies to attract business, according to Timothy Bartik, a leading scholar of tax incentives at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
In a highly publicized battle two years ago, Amazon, one of the world's richest companies, extracted promises of more than $2 billion in incentives from New York and Virginia to build a new corporate headquarters in a contest among hundreds of communities. The New York deal collapsed after fierce opposition from local critics.
The ProPublica review provides additional evidence to a growing consensus among economists: Tax breaks generally don't provide the expected benefits to local economies.
Contrary to the assumption that tax incentives are needed to keep corporations from relocating, government aid frequently does little more than reward businesses for moving where they already planned to move or for creating jobs they already planned to create, said Nathan Jensen, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who studies economic development. Incentives spending, he noted, is inherently a zero-sum game: Every dollar awarded to Sears is one less dollar for public schools, roads and parks, or police and fire protection.
"That's one of the underreported things," Jensen said. "We can think about these deals as costs on society."
Those costs have real-world effects.
Nancy Zettler lives in Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300, which overlaps a portion of the Sears tax district, though there are no District 300 students living within the tax district's boundaries. District 300 is the state's sixth largest and serves 21,000 students at 26 schools covering 118 square miles, from wealthy Barrington Hills to working-class Carpentersville. Four out of every 10 students are low-income or qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches.
When her kids started going to school in the district, she couldn't understand why it was struggling financially.
Zettler's oldest daughter's first-grade classroom at Westfield Community School had 35 kids in it. In some cases, children attended classes in portable trailers, and special education classes met in storage closets because of overcrowding. Some buildings were also in serious disrepair. "It was horrible," she said.
When she learned that millions of dollars each year were flowing to Sears through the special tax district -- known as an economic development area, or EDA -- instead of going to the schools, she was angered. "I started researching it, and I was like, 'Whaaaat?'"
District 300, like every other Illinois school district, depends on local property taxes for revenue. But the school system's advocates, who long have challenged the extension of the Sears incentives, argue that with the majority of money from the special district going to Sears, the district received far less taxes over time.
Over the two-decade duration of the first Sears tax break, District 300 collected $26.5 million. The terms of the deal, they say, meant that the district may have missed out on as much as $270 million in property taxes that instead financed the Sears development.
Today, District 300 is suing Sears and Hoffman Estates to try to claw back some of the funds. District attorneys argue that Sears failed to maintain enough jobs under the terms of the 2012 agreement. They say that Hoffman Estates failed to police the company. The lawsuit seeks the return of $43 million in taxes.
Attorneys for Sears said they met all the conditions of the deal.
McLeod said it was the state's job to hold Sears accountable. He noted that District 300 had received tens of millions of dollars from the Sears deal, even though Hoffman Estates children don't attend its schools.
"I have no mechanism to measure how many people are in those buildings," McLeod said. "We just follow the law that the legislature passed."
But Zettler, who now serves on the District 300 school board, said the tax money should have gone to education.
"These deals that the state and local governments make with these businesses are flat-out bad," Zettler said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--More Northwest suburban farmers markets scheduled to open in coming weeks

Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village will be among the next Northwest suburban towns to open their seasonal farmers markets -- albeit with new restrictions in place to follow public health guidelines .
The Friday , June 5 , opening of the Schaumburg market and Saturday , June 6 , launch of the Elk Grove market follows the lead of Palatine , which was among the first in the suburbs to open its farmers market on May 2 .
Plans for the two markets are similar to those of the Palatine market and follow guidelines of the Illinois Farmers Market Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required face masks for patrons and vendors , signage to ensure patrons maintain 6-foot social distancing measures , one-way foot traffic entering and exiting the market , proper spacing for booths , hand sanitizer at each booth , and no on-site food prep or sampling for now , under plans unveiled this week .
For many markets being planned throughout the suburbs , it 's a transition from a community gathering space to an `` in and out '' market .
`` They 're being very cautious , but they 're excited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , '' Elk Grove Village Trustee Chris Prochno said this week , when trustees inked a new license agreement with operator Connie Groat to run the 2020 market .
The Schaumburg market is scheduled to run weekly from June 5 through Oct. 9 in the Town Square Shopping Center .
The Elk Grove market is set to run weekly from June 6 through Oct. 17 near the clock tower by village hall .
On June 7 , the Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmers Market will launch at the Metra East Commuter Lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Rylko Community Park is scheduled to begin June 14 .
The Arlington Heights Farmers Market kicks off June 20 across the street from the Arlington Heights Historical Museum .

More Northwest suburban farmers markets scheduled to open in coming weeks
A number of suburban farmers markets are opening in the coming weeks with new restrictions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Daily Herald File Photo
Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village will be among the next Northwest suburban towns to open their seasonal farmers markets -- albeit with new restrictions in place to follow public health guidelines.
The Friday, June 5, opening of the Schaumburg market and Saturday, June 6, launch of the Elk Grove market follows the lead of Palatine, which was among the first in the suburbs to open its farmers market on May 2.
Plans for the two markets are similar to those of the Palatine market and follow guidelines of the Illinois Farmers Market Association.
In Elk Grove, that means required face masks for patrons and vendors, signage to ensure patrons maintain 6-foot social distancing measures, one-way foot traffic entering and exiting the market, proper spacing for booths, hand sanitizer at each booth, and no on-site food prep or sampling for now, under plans unveiled this week.
For many markets being planned throughout the suburbs, it's a transition from a community gathering space to an "in and out" market.
"They're being very cautious, but they're excited to be able to still present a farmers market," Elk Grove Village Trustee Chris Prochno said this week, when trustees inked a new license agreement with operator Connie Groat to run the 2020 market.
The Schaumburg market is scheduled to run weekly from June 5 through Oct. 9 in the Town Square Shopping Center. The Elk Grove market is set to run weekly from June 6 through Oct. 17 near the clock tower by village hall.
On June 7, the Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmers Market will launch at the Metra East Commuter Lot. The Buffalo Grove Farmers Market at Mike Rylko Community Park is scheduled to begin June 14. The Arlington Heights Farmers Market kicks off June 20 across the street from the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--May 15 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Since the outbreak began , there have been 46,072 cases of COVID-19 in the suburbs , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 2,056 deaths in the suburbs , about 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Here are cases per county and some towns .
Not every town with cases is included .
• As of Friday , suburban Cook County had 24,722 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,156 deaths , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Cook County Department of Public Health and medical examiner 's office listed 1,132 cases of COVID-19 and 60 deaths in Des Plaines , 428 cases and 6 deaths in Mount Prospect , 430 cases and 12 deaths in Wheeling , 380 cases and 8 deaths in Streamwood , 365 cases and 26 deaths in Glenview , 352 cases and 6 deaths in Palatine , 310 cases and 7 deaths in Schaumburg , 298 cases and 5 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 275 cases and 13 deaths in Arlington Heights , 239 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 201 cases and 7 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 182 cases and 6 deaths in Elk Grove Village , 139 cases and 3 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 59 cases and 9 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
• The DuPage County Health Department reported 5,622 confirmed cases and 285 deaths on its coronavirus website Friday .
• Cases and deaths per suburb include 512 cases and 5 deaths in Addison , 482 cases and 2 deaths in West Chicago , 387 cases and 3 deaths in Glendale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bensenville , 360 cases and 25 deaths in Carol Stream , 347 cases and 21 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage portion ) , 222 cases and 9 deaths in Lombard , 196 cases and 5 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 184 cases and 25 deaths in Elmhurst , 156 cases and 14 deaths in Downers Grove , 151 cases and 2 deaths in Villa Park , 146 cases and 14 deaths in Wheaton , 110 cases and 15 deaths in Willowbrook , and 106 cases and 2 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Health Department listed 6,189 confirmed cases and 196 deaths as of Friday .
• Cases in some towns : 1,765 to 1,769 in Waukegan ; 235 to 239 in Mundelein ; 170 to 174 in Gurnee ; 120 to 124 in Round Lake ; 110 to 114 in Vernon Hills ; 60 to 64 in Libertyville ; 75 to 79 each in Wauconda and Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) ; 65 to 69 in Lake Zurich ; 55 to 59 in Grayslake ; and 25 to 29 in Lake Villa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed 4,201 cases with 107 deaths on its website Friday at kanehealth.com .
• Cases per town include 1,954 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 930 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 365 in Carpentersville , 174 in South Elgin , 164 in St. Charles , 99 in Geneva , 85 in North Aurora , 67 in Batavia , and 30 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
• There have been 1,130 cases and 61 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department 's website Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 and 237 deaths , according to the county health department 's website Friday .
• Cases per town include 250 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) , and 45 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

May 15 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website, shown here at the end of March, that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Interactive map
Since the outbreak began, there have been 46,072 cases of COVID-19 in the suburbs, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 2,056 deaths in the suburbs, about 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Here are cases per county and some towns. Not every town with cases is included.
Cook County
• As of Friday, suburban Cook County had 24,722 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,156 deaths, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 35,183 cases and 1,606 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health and medical examiner's office listed 1,132 cases of COVID-19 and 60 deaths in Des Plaines, 428 cases and 6 deaths in Mount Prospect, 430 cases and 12 deaths in Wheeling, 380 cases and 8 deaths in Streamwood, 365 cases and 26 deaths in Glenview, 352 cases and 6 deaths in Palatine, 310 cases and 7 deaths in Schaumburg, 298 cases and 5 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 275 cases and 13 deaths in Arlington Heights, 239 cases and 26 deaths in Park Ridge, 201 cases and 7 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 182 cases and 6 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 139 cases and 3 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 59 cases and 9 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reported 5,622 confirmed cases and 285 deaths on its coronavirus website Friday.
• Cases and deaths per suburb include 512 cases and 5 deaths in Addison, 482 cases and 2 deaths in West Chicago, 387 cases and 3 deaths in Glendale Heights, 373 cases and 8 deaths in Bensenville, 360 cases and 25 deaths in Carol Stream, 347 cases and 21 deaths in Naperville (DuPage portion), 222 cases and 9 deaths in Lombard, 196 cases and 5 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 184 cases and 25 deaths in Elmhurst, 156 cases and 14 deaths in Downers Grove, 151 cases and 2 deaths in Villa Park, 146 cases and 14 deaths in Wheaton, 110 cases and 15 deaths in Willowbrook, and 106 cases and 2 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department listed 6,189 confirmed cases and 196 deaths as of Friday.
• Cases in some towns: 1,765 to 1,769 in Waukegan; 235 to 239 in Mundelein; 170 to 174 in Gurnee; 120 to 124 in Round Lake; 110 to 114 in Vernon Hills; 60 to 64 in Libertyville; 75 to 79 each in Wauconda and Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion); 65 to 69 in Lake Zurich; 55 to 59 in Grayslake; and 25 to 29 in Lake Villa.
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirmed 4,201 cases with 107 deaths on its website Friday at kanehealth.com.
• Cases per town include 1,954 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 930 in Elgin (Kane portion), 365 in Carpentersville, 174 in South Elgin, 164 in St. Charles, 99 in Geneva, 85 in North Aurora, 67 in Batavia, and 30 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County
• There have been 1,130 cases and 61 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department's website Friday.
Will County
• There have been 4,277 cases of COVID-19 and 237 deaths, according to the county health department's website Friday.
• Cases per town include 250 in Naperville (Will County portion), and 45 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Grocer offers Libertyville-area restaurants room to manuever

Angela Xu opened a handmade dumpling restaurant in the Libertyville Crossings strip mall on Milwaukee Avenue last November , and like scores of other restaurants in town , it has been hard hit by the coronavirus lockdown .
Now , twice a week , you can find her offering frozen versions of the authentic northern Chinese favorites from Dangela 's Dumplings at Sunset Foods grocery store on the other side of town .
With the exception of a few taverns , the 80-plus restaurants in Libertyville are open for delivery or curbside service .
Many have daily specials .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up Sunset on its offer to provide restaurants with space inside the store .
The program began about two weeks ago .
`` We want to help as many restaurants in the local area as possible -- kind of like a pop-up shop for restaurants , '' explained Imani Harris , communications manager for Sunset Foods .
Restaurants will be given a space near a store entrance and a time slot to handle their own transactions .
Sunset does not charge a fee or take a cut of the sales .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Harris said .
`` We have open availability for more . ''
Sunset has five locations but the program is offered only in Libertyville .
Adjustments can be made if interest grows , she added .
For the past two weeks , Xu has been at the Libertyville location from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays .
`` I can feel the increase in sales , even though we 've only been there four times , '' she said .
`` It 's working . ''
Xu said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rowe , the village 's economic development coordinator .
Rowe said Sunset is community-minded and has stepped up before .
As a newer restaurant , it 's important for Dangela 's to maintain exposure to customers , according to Rowe .
`` They are very comfortable trying new marketing and other approaches , so it 's not a surprise they were one of the first take advantage of the opportunity Sunset presented , '' she added .
Xu worked in restaurant marketing before deciding to open her own place .
She uses her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expertise to standardize some processes , which she said is a key to grow the business into a franchise .
She says she is doing only about a third of the pre-lockdown sales but plans to stick it out .
Most restaurants are doing 20 % to 25 % of their former business and have laid off 80 % of their employees , according to Scott Adams , president/CEO of the GLMV Chamber of Commerce .
During the GLMV 's annual `` Ask the Mayors '' virtual luncheon Thursday , Adams said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants to stay afloat .
Briana Cardone , owner of Mambo Italiano restaurant in Mundelein and the luncheon host , said Mambo has had to `` drastically modify '' procedures until the business landscape changes .
`` Until then were just doing our best to stay alive and stay in business , '' she said .

Grocer offers Libertyville-area restaurants room to manuever
Angela Xu, owner of Dangela's Dumplings, has taken advantage of an offer by Sunset Foods in Libertyville to help restaurants gain some visibility while walk-in business is closed because of the coronavirus pandemic Courtesy of Sunset Foods
Angela Xu, owner of Dangela's Dumplings, has taken advantage of an offer by Sunset Foods in Libertyville to help restaurants keep their visibility while walk-in business is closed because of the coronavirus pandemic Courtesy of Sunset Foods
Angela Xu opened a handmade dumpling restaurant in the Libertyville Crossings strip mall on Milwaukee Avenue last November, and like scores of other restaurants in town, it has been hard hit by the coronavirus lockdown.
Now, twice a week, you can find her offering frozen versions of the authentic northern Chinese favorites from Dangela's Dumplings at Sunset Foods grocery store on the other side of town.
With the exception of a few taverns, the more than 80 restaurants in Libertyville are open for delivery or curbside service. Many have daily specials.
But so far, only Xu has taken up Sunset on its offer to provide restaurants with space inside the store. The program began about two weeks ago.
"We want to help as many restaurants in the local area as possible -- kind of like a pop-up shop for restaurants," explained Imani Harris, communications manager for Sunset Foods.
Restaurants will be given a space near a store entrance and a time slot to handle their own transactions. Sunset does not charge a fee or take a cut of the sales.
"We're looking to give them more exposure," Harris said. "We have open availability for more."
Sunset has five locations, but the program is offered only in Libertyville. Adjustments can be made if interest grows, she said.
For the past two weeks, Xu has been at the Libertyville location from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
"I can feel the increase in sales, even though we've only been there four times," she said. "It's working."
Xu said she learned of the opportunity from Heather Rowe, the village's economic development coordinator. Rowe said Sunset is community-minded and has stepped up before.
As a newer restaurant, it's important for Dangela's to maintain exposure to customers, according to Rowe.
"They are very comfortable trying new marketing and other approaches, so it's not a surprise they were one of the first take advantage of the opportunity Sunset presented," she said.
Xu worked in restaurant marketing before deciding to open her own place. She uses her mom's recipes and dad's engineering expertise to standardize some processes, which she said is a key to grow the business into a franchise.
She says she is doing only about a third of the pre-lockdown sales but plans to stick it out.
Most restaurants are doing 20% to 25% of their former business and have laid off 80% of their employees, according to Scott Adams, president/CEO of the GLMV Chamber of Commerce.
During the GLMV's annual "Ask the Mayors" virtual luncheon Thursday, Adams said it has been "tremendously difficult" for restaurants to stay afloat.
Briana Cardone, owner of Mambo Italiano restaurant in Mundelein and the luncheon host, said Mambo has had to "drastically modify" procedures until the business landscape changes.
"Until then were just doing our best to stay alive and stay in business," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Daily Herald wins 11 awards in Chicago Headline Club contest

The Daily Herald has won 11 Peter Lisagor awards for journalism in reporting , commentary , editorial writing and photography .
The awards are given out at the Chicago Headline Club 's annual meeting , which was held virtually this year .
`` We see our job as one of trying to serve our community , our subscribers , our readers , '' said Editor John Lampinen .
`` Our entire staff shares in a commitment to that mission .
It is gratifying to see that commitment reflected in the recognition we received this year from the judges in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late Washington bureau chief of the fabled Chicago Daily News . ''
• Best Deadline Reporting : The Daily Herald staff for `` Workplace Killings in Aurora . ''
• Best Political and Government Reporting : Jake Griffin for `` The Graduated Income Tax Plan . ''
• Best Education Reporting : Madhu Krishnamurthy , Douglas T. Graham , Katlyn Smith , Lauren Rohr , Pete Nenni and Bob Susnjara for `` 2019 School Report Card Coverage . ''
Best Science , Health , Technology or Environment Reporting : Katlyn Smith for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight is against Parkinson 's . ''
• Best Feature Story or Series : Lauren Rohr and Jake Griffin for `` Remembering AJ . ''
• Best Sports Story : Lauren Rohr for `` How swimming lets teen with alopecia be herself . ''
• Best News Photo : Jeff Knox for `` Grief in Aurora . ''
• Best Feature Photo : Rick West for `` Eyes on the Prize . ''

Daily Herald wins 11 awards in Chicago Headline Club contest
The Daily Herald has won 11 Peter Lisagor awards for journalism in reporting, commentary, editorial writing and photography.
The awards are given out at the Chicago Headline Club's annual meeting, which was held virtually this year.
"We see our job as one of trying to serve our community, our subscribers, our readers," said Editor John Lampinen. "Our entire staff shares in a commitment to that mission. It is gratifying to see that commitment reflected in the recognition we received this year from the judges in the journalism competition that honors the memory of the late Washington bureau chief of the fabled Chicago Daily News."
The winners are:
• Best Deadline Reporting: The Daily Herald staff for "Workplace Killings in Aurora."
• Best Political and Government Reporting: Jake Griffin for "The Graduated Income Tax Plan."
• Best Education Reporting: Madhu Krishnamurthy, Douglas T. Graham, Katlyn Smith, Lauren Rohr, Pete Nenni and Bob Susnjara for "2019 School Report Card Coverage."
Best Science, Health, Technology or Environment Reporting: Katlyn Smith for "In this boxing class, the fight is against Parkinson's."
• Best Editorial Writing: Pete Nenni.
• Best Feature Story or Series: Lauren Rohr and Jake Griffin for "Remembering AJ."
• Best Sports Story: Lauren Rohr for "How swimming lets teen with alopecia be herself."
• Best Sports Commentary: Barry Rozner.
• Best News Photo: Jeff Knox for "Grief in Aurora."
• Best Feature Photo: Rick West for "Eyes on the Prize."
• Best Sports Photo: John Starks for "Wrestling Reflection."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Local hairstylists say enjoy your long hair while you can

If you think your long hair looks bad now , it may look worse by trying to cut it at home .
The best advice from local barbers and hair stylists is to let your hair grow while staying at home during the pandemic .
`` Everybody should be looking shaggy , in my opinion , '' said Connie Cook , who has been styling hair for 40 years .
She is co-owner of Amour de Hair salon in Libertyville .
She says her clients are `` constantly calling '' and asking for haircuts , but she refuses because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 .
`` I want to get back to the salon .
But I 'm not touching my hair , either .
I have one-inch gray roots , '' she laughs .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports hair grows at an average rate of one half inch every four weeks .
That means all of our hair is an inch longer since barbershops and salons closed .
`` It 's gon na be brutal if you cut it at home , '' said Anthony Imbrogno , owner of Sorrentino 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Just hold out a couple more weeks .
Then come to us and we 'll fix it . ''
Longtime Batavia barber Craig Foltos is using the forced closure to clean and paint his eclectic shop , Foltos Tonsorial Parlor on Main Street .
`` You 're only going to get a chance to live like this once in your life .
Enjoy it , '' he said about having longer-than-normal hair .
`` Even though it 's inconvenient , it 's OK. '' The only advice he gives on cutting your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Accept the fact that it 's going to look like crap .
But remember , you 're wearing a mask , so nobody knows who you are anyway , '' he joked .
If you ca n't wait another day , Cook said , there are a couple of steps to making your hair more comfortable and presentable for an online video chat or meeting .
Her advice applies mostly to men .
First , you should have clean hair and the best pair of scissors in the house .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cut only a quarter of an inch at a time .
`` Take as little as possible because you can always go back and do it again , '' she warned .
Start by trimming around the ears , front to back .
Make sure both sides look the same .
Move on to the sideburns by pulling the hair toward the cheek and cutting back toward the ear .
Moving to the bangs , gather the bangs together , to the center of the forehead , and use the tip of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to cut just one quarter of an inch .
Spread the bangs out and repeat if necessary .
Do not cut straight across the forehead from one side to the other .
`` You 'll get a bowl cut and it will be a nightmare , '' Cook said .
To trim the neckline , you only need to trim what you can see from the front .
It 's best if you have a family member to help .
Fernando Rodriguez , a barber at Meraki Hair Design on Second Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .
He advised trimming only around the ears and sideburns , using electric clippers that can be purchased at most department stores .
He likes to use two mirrors , one handheld , to clearly see the whole side of his own face while using the clipper to shape his sideburns .
He starts by brushing the hair straight down so it lays flat and even , then applying slight pressure with a level clipper and pulling straight down .
But the first piece of advice from every stylist we talked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
`` We 're all in this together , '' Cook said .
`` We 're all going to be a little shaggy . ''
And that 's OK .

Local hairstylists say enjoy your long hair while you can
If you think your long hair looks bad now, it may look worse by trying to cut it at home.
The best advice from local barbers and hair stylists is to let your hair grow while staying at home during the pandemic.
"Everybody should be looking shaggy, in my opinion," said Connie Cook, who has been styling hair for 40 years. She is co-owner of Amour de Hair salon in Libertyville.
She says her clients are "constantly calling" and asking for haircuts, but she refuses because of the stay-at-home orders in place since March 21.
"I want to get back to the salon. But I'm not touching my hair, either. I have one-inch gray roots," she laughs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports hair grows at an average rate of one half inch every four weeks. That means all of our hair is an inch longer since barbershops and salons closed.
"It's gonna be brutal if you cut it at home," said Anthony Imbrogno, owner of Sorrentino's Barber Shop in downtown Arlington Heights. "Just hold out a couple more weeks. Then come to us and we'll fix it."
- John Starks | Staff Photographer A large face icon in the front window of Foltos Tonsorial Parlor, on Main Street in Batavia, wears a mask. Owner Craig Foltos closed his barbershop until he is allowed to reopen.
Longtime Batavia barber Craig Foltos is using the forced closure to clean and paint his eclectic shop, Foltos Tonsorial Parlor on Main Street. "You're only going to get a chance to live like this once in your life. Enjoy it," he said about having longer-than-normal hair. "Even though it's inconvenient, it's OK."
The only advice he gives on cutting your own hair is: Be careful.
"Accept the fact that it's going to look like crap. But remember, you're wearing a mask, so nobody knows who you are anyway," he joked.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Craig Foltos works on the front door of his barbershop, Foltos Tonsorial Parlor, on Main Street in Batavia. His shop is closed until he is allowed to reopen. His advice to people during the stay-at-home order is to not try to cut their own hair. "This may be the only time you get to have long hair. Enjoy it," he says.
If you can't wait another day, Cook said, there are a couple of steps to making your hair more comfortable and presentable for an online video chat or meeting. Her advice applies mostly to men.
First, you should have clean hair and the best pair of scissors in the house. And the most important rule is to start slow and cut only a quarter of an inch at a time.
"Take as little as possible because you can always go back and do it again," she warned.
Start by trimming around the ears, front to back. Make sure both sides look the same.
Move on to the sideburns by pulling the hair toward the cheek and cutting back toward the ear.
Moving to the bangs, gather the bangs together, to the center of the forehead, and use the tip of the scissors, pointed toward the forehead, to cut just one quarter of an inch. Spread the bangs out and repeat if necessary. Do not cut straight across the forehead from one side to the other.
"You'll get a bowl cut and it will be a nightmare," Cook said.
To trim the neckline, you only need to trim what you can see from the front. It's best if you have a family member to help.
Fernando Rodriguez, a barber at Meraki Hair Design on Second Street in St. Charles, agreed less is more. He advised trimming only around the ears and sideburns, using electric clippers that can be purchased at most department stores.
He likes to use two mirrors, one handheld, to clearly see the whole side of his own face while using the clipper to shape his sideburns. He starts by brushing the hair straight down so it lays flat and even, then applying slight pressure with a level clipper and pulling straight down.
But the first piece of advice from every stylist we talked to was the same: Don't do it.
"We're all in this together," Cook said. "We're all going to be a little shaggy."
And that's OK.
• Daily Herald photographer Brian Hill contributed to this story


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Man dies after vehicle rolls into Medinah Country Club pond; heart attack suspected

A man died Friday morning after being pulled out of a vehicle that rolled in to a pond at the @ @ @ @ @ to a spokesman for the DuPage County Sheriff 's Department , 65-year-old Lance Hansen had @ @ @ @ @ when he complained to co-workers of chest pains .
He told them he thought he @ @ @ @ @ and left work .
The co-workers saw his vehicle roll in to the pond around @ @ @ @ @ and firefighters pulled the unconscious man out of the vehicle , which was floating about @ @ @ @ @ Hansen was taken to Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights , where he was pronounced @ @ @ @ @

Man dies after vehicle rolls into Medinah Country Club pond; heart attack suspected
A man died Friday morning after being pulled out of a vehicle that rolled in to a pond at the Medinah Country Club.
According to a spokesman for the DuPage County Sheriff's Department, 65-year-old Lance Hansen had been working at the club when he complained to co-workers of chest pains.
He told them he thought he had strained a chest muscle and left work.
The co-workers saw his vehicle roll in to the pond around 10:40 a.m.
Sheriff's deputies and firefighters pulled the unconscious man out of the vehicle, which was floating about 20 feet from shore.
They began lifesaving measures.
Hansen was taken to Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights, where he was pronounced dead at 11:25 a.m.
No foul play is suspected.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Volunteers restart Barrington Career Center to address corporate job loss

Sudden job losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the restart of a Barrington-based nonprofit that helped those seeking employment for several years .
Led by 16 highly experienced volunteers , the Barrington Career Center 's services -- free to start -- will begin Monday .
The center 's mission mainly will be to help those seeking corporate positions .
The center will provide advice to improve search skills and one-on-one coaching to help the jobseekers re-enter the workforce faster .
Bill Schrack will serve as executive director of the rebooted center that serves clients from more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment levels , we felt that the curriculum we developed over the years and outstanding coaches were desperately needed by the northwest communities , '' said Schrack , who was a longtime volunteer coach and workshop leader in the nonprofit 's first run from 1994 to about 2010 before its system was acquired by a nonprofit Schrack , a retired entrepreneur , said while the center 's main focus will be corporate positions , no one looking for help will be turned away .
He said Friday that he has heard from recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are willing to donate time to the Barrington Career Center .
Gratified by the response from the willing volunteers , Schrack said : `` I 'm choked up at times . ''
Starting Monday , the job workshops and coaching will be over Zoom video conferences , with the expectation of providing in-person services with the appropriate social distancing protocol after restrictions are lifted .
The Barrington Career Center 's office will be in the village at 1000 Hart Road , Suite 300 , within the Hanson Law Group .
Beth McAndrews is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called CareerPlace .
In 2011 , she wanted to seek a job after having been out of work for 13 years while raising four girls at home and while the nation 's unemployment rate was about 9 % .
McAndrews received assistance and landed a job at the village of Deer Park .
She now is Deer Park 's village administrator .
`` So glad to hear the career center is opening up again , '' she said .
`` It was such a wonderful resource for our community and I would highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be so overwhelming and intimidating .
I was so fortunate to have connected with a counselor that provided me with guidance , tools and the emotional support I needed at that time in my life . ''
For information , call ( 847 ) 387-3751 , email info @ thebarringoncareercenter.org or visit thebarringtoncareercenter.org .
All fees will be waived for clients until Sept. 1 .
The annual charge fee will be $ 200 for unlimited access to workshops , coaching access and the use of facilities .

Volunteers restart Barrington Career Center to address corporate job loss
Keith Hanson, left, and Bill Schrack are volunteers with the restarted Barrington Career Center. Sudden job losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic led to the organization's return. Courtesy of Barrington Career Center
Sudden job losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the restart of a Barrington-based nonprofit that helped those seeking employment for several years.
Led by 16 highly experienced volunteers, the Barrington Career Center's services -- free to start -- will begin Monday. The center's mission mainly will be to help those seeking corporate positions. The center will provide advice to improve search skills and one-on-one coaching to help the jobseekers re-enter the workforce faster.
Bill Schrack will serve as executive director of the rebooted center that serves clients from more than 50 communities.
"With the soaring unemployment levels, we felt that the curriculum we developed over the years and outstanding coaches were desperately needed by the northwest communities," said Schrack, who was a longtime volunteer coach and workshop leader in the nonprofit's first run from 1994 to about 2010 before its system was acquired by a nonprofit
Schrack, a retired entrepreneur, said while the center's main focus will be corporate positions, no one looking for help will be turned away. He said Friday that he has heard from recently retired chief executive officers and others who are willing to donate time to the Barrington Career Center.
Gratified by the response from the willing volunteers, Schrack said: "I'm choked up at times."
Starting Monday, the job workshops and coaching will be over Zoom video conferences, with the expectation of providing in-person services with the appropriate social distancing protocol after restrictions are lifted. The Barrington Career Center's office will be in the village at 1000 Hart Road, Suite 300, within the Hanson Law Group.
Beth McAndrews is among the beneficiaries when the center was called CareerPlace. In 2011, she wanted to seek a job after having been out of work for 13 years while raising four girls at home and while the nation's unemployment rate was about 9%.
McAndrews received assistance and landed a job at the village of Deer Park. She now is Deer Park's village administrator.
"So glad to hear the career center is opening up again," she said. "It was such a wonderful resource for our community and I would highly recommend it. Looking for a job can be so overwhelming and intimidating. I was so fortunate to have connected with a counselor that provided me with guidance, tools and the emotional support I needed at that time in my life."
For information, call (847) 387-3751, email info@thebarringoncareercenter.org or visit thebarringtoncareercenter.org. All fees will be waived for clients until Sept. 1. The annual charge fee will be $200 for unlimited access to workshops, coaching access and the use of facilities.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Police: Woman who said she had COVID-19 spit in nurse's face

A woman claiming to be infected with COVID-19 is facing aggravated battery charges after spitting in a nurse 's face @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Cynthia Meyers , 33 , of Oswego is charged with felony aggravated @ @ @ @ @ from the incident earlier in the week at Aurora 's Mercy Hospital .
Aurora police @ @ @ @ @ into the hospital with trouble breathing and claimed she had been diagnosed with coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ of the hospital was treating her , Meyers decided she wanted to leave .
The @ @ @ @ @ to sign discharge papers before leaving , but Meyers refused , lunged toward the nurse @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Meyers walked out of the hospital .
She was in court @ @ @ @ @ County court records .
However , she reportedly refused to sign her bond order as @ @ @ @ @ after posting an undisclosed bail amount and released on her own recognizance .
Her next @ @ @ @ @ June 17 .

Police: Woman who said she had COVID-19 spit in nurse's face
A woman claiming to be infected with COVID-19 is facing aggravated battery charges after spitting in a nurse's face at an Aurora hospital, police said.
Cynthia Meyers, 33, of Oswego is charged with felony aggravated battery to a nurse stemming from the incident earlier in the week at Aurora's Mercy Hospital.
Aurora police said Meyers had checked herself into the hospital with trouble breathing and claimed she had been diagnosed with coronavirus. However, as the staff of the hospital was treating her, Meyers decided she wanted to leave.
The nurse told Meyers she needed to sign discharge papers before leaving, but Meyers refused, lunged toward the nurse and spat in her face, police said.
Meyers walked out of the hospital.
She was in court Thursday, according to Kane County court records. However, she reportedly refused to sign her bond order as well.
She was released after posting an undisclosed bail amount and released on her own recognizance.
Her next court date is slated for June 17.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-15--Prosecutors: Men stole more than $5 million from suburban auto loan company

Two executives of an Evanston subprime auto lending company and an accountant are charged with misappropriating $ 5.3 million from the company , according to a federal indictment .
James Collins , 50 , chief executive officer of Honor Finance LLC , and Robert DiMeo , 49 , the company 's chief operating officer , are charged with 10 counts each of mail fraud .
Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison .
Collins and DiMeo schemed with accountant Michael Walsh , 62 , `` to divert money owed to Honor Finance to an outside entity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal prosecutors said .
The indictment alleges Collins , of Evanston , DiMeo , of Park Ridge and Walsh , of Evanston , used the Skokie-based LHS Solutions Ltd. to purchase GPS devices , which they resold to Honor Finance `` at a significant markup . ''
Honor Finance required GPS devices be installed in certain vehicles purchased with loans it finances so those vehicles could be located and repossessed if the borrowers defaulted , according to the indictment .
Authorities say the men kept the money for themselves and their family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the misappropriated funds for a down payment on a lake house in Dowagiac , Michigan .

Prosecutors: Men stole more than $5 million from suburban auto loan company
Two executives of an Evanston subprime auto lending company and an accountant are charged with misappropriating $5.3 million from the company, according to a federal indictment.
James Collins, 50, chief executive officer of Honor Finance LLC, and Robert DiMeo, 49, the company's chief operating officer, are charged with 10 counts each of mail fraud. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Collins and DiMeo schemed with accountant Michael Walsh, 62, "to divert money owed to Honor Finance to an outside entity the trio created and controlled," federal prosecutors said.
The indictment alleges Collins, of Evanston, DiMeo, of Park Ridge and Walsh, of Evanston, used the Skokie-based LHS Solutions Ltd. to purchase GPS devices, which they resold to Honor Finance "at a significant markup."
Honor Finance required GPS devices be installed in certain vehicles purchased with loans it finances so those vehicles could be located and repossessed if the borrowers defaulted, according to the indictment.
Authorities say the men kept the money for themselves and their family members.
They say the defendants also used some of the misappropriated funds for a down payment on a lake house in Dowagiac, Michigan.