dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Trump commutes longtime friend Roger Stone's prison sentence

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime political confidant Roger Stone on Friday , just days before he was set to report to prison .
Democrats denounced the move as just another in a series of unprecedented interventions by the president in the nation 's justice system .
Stone had been sentenced in February to three years and four months in prison for lying to Congress , witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election .
He was set to report to prison by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump had called him earlier Friday to inform him of the commutation .
Stone was celebrating in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , with conservative friends and said he had to change rooms because there were `` too many people opening bottles of Champagne here . ''
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany called Stone a `` victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media . ''
A commutation does not erase Stone 's felony convictions in the same way a pardon would , but it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result .
Democrats were angered by Trump 's move , with House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff calling it `` offensive to the rule of law and principles of justice , '' and Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez asking , `` Is there any power Trump wo n't abuse ? ''
The action , which Trump had foreshadowed in recent days , reflects his lingering rage over the Russia investigation and is a testament to his conviction that he and his associates were mistreated by agents and prosecutors .
His administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of special counsel Robert Mueller 's Russia investigation , with Trump 's own Justice Department moving in May to dismiss the criminal case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
Stone told the AP that the president did not mention the statuses of Flynn or his former campaign chairman , Paul Manafort , also ensnared in the Russia probe .
`` What am I going to do now ?
I am going to work as hard as I can to make sure that Mike Flynn gets final justice , '' Stone said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war hero and he 's done absolutely nothing wrong . ''
Stone , for his part , had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation , appealing for the president 's help and seeking to postpone his surrender date by months after getting a brief extension from the judge .
Trump had repeatedly publicly inserted himself into Stone 's case , including just before Stone 's sentencing , when he suggested Stone was being subjected to a different standard than several prominent Democrats .
Trump earned a public rebuke from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who said the president 's comments were `` making it impossible '' for him to do his job .
Barr was so incensed that he told people he was considering resigning over the matter .
Schiff said the commutation demonstrated the corruption of the Trump administration .
`` With this commutation , Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America : one for his criminal friends , and one for everyone else , '' he said .
`` Donald Trump , Bill Barr , and all those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the rule of law . ''
Stone , a larger-than-life political character who embraced his reputation as a dirty trickster , was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to have been convicted of charges brought as part of Mueller 's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
A longtime Trump friend and informal adviser , Stone had boasted during the campaign that he was in contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange through a trusted intermediary and hinted at inside knowledge of WikiLeaks ' plans to release more than 19,000 emails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Committee .
But Stone denied any wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated .
He did not take the stand during his trial , did not speak at his sentencing , and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defense .
Prosecutors had originally recommended Stone serve seven to nine years in federal prison .
But , in a highly unusual move , Barr reversed that decision after a Trump tweet and recommended a more lenient punishment , prompting a mini-revolt inside the Justice Department , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case .
Department officials have vehemently denied Barr was responding to Trump 's criticism and have insisted there was no contact with the White House over the decision .
Barr has also pointed out that the judge , in imposing a 40-month sentence , had agreed with him that the original sentencing recommendation was excessive .
Barr , who was attorney general during Stone 's trial last fall , has said the prosecution was justified , and the Justice Department did not support Stone 's more recent effort to put off his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised concerns about the handling of Flynn 's case , including what it said were irregularities about his FBI interview , prosecutors did not point to any similar issues or problems with the Stone prosecution .
Even so , the commutation will almost certainly contribute to the portrait of a president determined -- particularly in an election year -- to undo the effects of a Russia investigation that has shadowed his administration from the outset , and to intervene on behalf of political allies .
The commutation was the latest example of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful men he believes have been mistreated by the justice system .
Trump went on a clemency spree in February commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich , a Democrat , and pardoning former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik , financier Michael Milken and several others .
Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies , including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who was awaiting sentencing at the time , conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza , who had been convicted on campaign finance violations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president .
Trump , however , has spent much more time trumpeting his decision to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson , who was serving life in prison for nonviolent drug offenses and who came to Trump 's attention after reality star Kim Kardashian West took up her cause .
Her story was featured in a Trump campaign Super Bowl ad .
Stone told the AP he expressed his gratitude to the president in the phone call .
`` You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairness , '' Stone said .
`` We 've been friends for many , many years , and he understands that I was targeted strictly for political reasons . ''

Trump commutes longtime friend Roger Stone's prison sentence
FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2019, file photo, Roger Stone accompanied by his wife Nydia Stone, right, arrives at federal court in Washington.
FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2020, file photo, Roger Stone arrives for his sentencing at federal court in Washington.
FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2019, file photo, Roger Stone, and his wife Nydia, arrive at federal court in Washington.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime political confidant Roger Stone on Friday, just days before he was set to report to prison. Democrats denounced the move as just another in a series of unprecedented interventions by the president in the nation's justice system.
Stone had been sentenced in February to three years and four months in prison for lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election. He was set to report to prison by Tuesday.
Stone told The Associated Press that Trump had called him earlier Friday to inform him of the commutation. Stone was celebrating in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with conservative friends and said he had to change rooms because there were "too many people opening bottles of Champagne here."
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany called Stone a "victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media."
A commutation does not erase Stone's felony convictions in the same way a pardon would, but it would protect him from serving prison time as a result.
Democrats were angered by Trump's move, with House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff calling it "offensive to the rule of law and principles of justice," and Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez asking, "Is there any power Trump won't abuse?"
The action, which Trump had foreshadowed in recent days, reflects his lingering rage over the Russia investigation and is a testament to his conviction that he and his associates were mistreated by agents and prosecutors. His administration has been eager to rewrite the narrative of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, with Trump's own Justice Department moving in May to dismiss the criminal case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Stone told the AP that the president did not mention the statuses of Flynn or his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, also ensnared in the Russia probe.
"What am I going to do now? I am going to work as hard as I can to make sure that Mike Flynn gets final justice," Stone said. "Mike Flynn is an American war hero and he's done absolutely nothing wrong."
Stone, for his part, had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation, appealing for the president's help and seeking to postpone his surrender date by months after getting a brief extension from the judge.
Trump had repeatedly publicly inserted himself into Stone's case, including just before Stone's sentencing, when he suggested Stone was being subjected to a different standard than several prominent Democrats.
Trump earned a public rebuke from his own attorney general, William Barr, who said the president's comments were "making it impossible" for him to do his job. Barr was so incensed that he told people he was considering resigning over the matter.
Schiff said the commutation demonstrated the corruption of the Trump administration.
"With this commutation, Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America: one for his criminal friends, and one for everyone else," he said. "Donald Trump, Bill Barr, and all those who enable them pose the gravest of threats to the rule of law."
Stone, a larger-than-life political character who embraced his reputation as a dirty trickster, was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to have been convicted of charges brought as part of Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
A longtime Trump friend and informal adviser, Stone had boasted during the campaign that he was in contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange through a trusted intermediary and hinted at inside knowledge of WikiLeaks' plans to release more than 19,000 emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee.
But Stone denied any wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated. He did not take the stand during his trial, did not speak at his sentencing, and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defense.
Prosecutors had originally recommended Stone serve seven to nine years in federal prison. But, in a highly unusual move, Barr reversed that decision after a Trump tweet and recommended a more lenient punishment, prompting a mini-revolt inside the Justice Department, with the entire prosecution team resigning from the case.
Department officials have vehemently denied Barr was responding to Trump's criticism and have insisted there was no contact with the White House over the decision. Barr has also pointed out that the judge, in imposing a 40-month sentence, had agreed with him that the original sentencing recommendation was excessive.
Barr, who was attorney general during Stone's trial last fall, has said the prosecution was justified, and the Justice Department did not support Stone's more recent effort to put off his surrender date. Though the Justice Department raised concerns about the handling of Flynn's case, including what it said were irregularities about his FBI interview, prosecutors did not point to any similar issues or problems with the Stone prosecution.
Even so, the commutation will almost certainly contribute to the portrait of a president determined -- particularly in an election year -- to undo the effects of a Russia investigation that has shadowed his administration from the outset, and to intervene on behalf of political allies.
The commutation was the latest example of Trump using his unlimited clemency power to pardon powerful men he believes have been mistreated by the justice system.
Trump went on a clemency spree in February commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, and pardoning former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik, financier Michael Milken and several others.
Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies, including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was awaiting sentencing at the time, conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza, who had been convicted on campaign finance violations, and Conrad Black, a newspaper publisher convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president.
Trump, however, has spent much more time trumpeting his decision to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, who was serving life in prison for nonviolent drug offenses and who came to Trump's attention after reality star Kim Kardashian West took up her cause. Her story was featured in a Trump campaign Super Bowl ad.
Stone told the AP he expressed his gratitude to the president in the phone call.
"You know, he has a great sense of fairness," Stone said. "We've been friends for many, many years, and he understands that I was targeted strictly for political reasons."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Marriott, Drury Lane theaters remain dark until 2021

Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace will remain dark for the foreseeable future .
In a joint announcement Friday , both theaters postponed until 2021-22 their current seasons , which were suspended in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The decision by two of the suburbs ' musical theater titans to suspend programming , while not unexpected , is disheartening to tens of thousands of subscribers .
Combined , the theaters have operated for more than 105 years .
`` The world needs the arts now more than ever , so this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marriott executive producer Terry James said in a prepared statement .
Marriott 's season will open in March 2021 with a revival of `` Kiss Me , Kate , '' which James says is `` rehearsed and ready to open as soon as possible . ''
Drury Lane will open its revival of `` Evita '' in April 2021 .
At present , social distancing requirements are incompatible with `` the exceptional production value and theatrical experience that our audiences have come to expect , '' Drury Lane executive producer Kyle DeSantis said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drury Lane has been working on alternative programming events that DeSantis says will be announced soon .
Subscribers need not take any action .
All seats will remain the same , and new tickets will be issued early next year .
Drury Lane subscribers can visit drurylane.com for information on new performance dates and ticket exchanges .
Marriott subscribers can do the same at marriotttheatre.com .

Marriott, Drury Lane theaters remain dark until 2021
Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire and Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace will remain dark for the foreseeable future.
In a joint announcement Friday, both theaters postponed until 2021-22 their current seasons, which were suspended in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision by two of the suburbs' musical theater titans to suspend programming, while not unexpected, is disheartening to tens of thousands of subscribers.
Combined, the theaters have operated for more than 105 years.
"The world needs the arts now more than ever, so this was a heartbreaking but necessary decision," Marriott executive producer Terry James said in a prepared statement.
Marriott's season will open in March 2021 with a revival of "Kiss Me, Kate," which James says is "rehearsed and ready to open as soon as possible."
Drury Lane will open its revival of "Evita" in April 2021.
At present, social distancing requirements are incompatible with "the exceptional production value and theatrical experience that our audiences have come to expect," Drury Lane executive producer Kyle DeSantis said in a prepared statement.
However, Drury Lane has been working on alternative programming events that DeSantis says will be announced soon.
Subscribers need not take any action. All seats will remain the same, and new tickets will be issued early next year. Drury Lane subscribers can visit drurylane.com for information on new performance dates and ticket exchanges. Marriott subscribers can do the same at marriotttheatre.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--District 214 staff, students demand changes for greater racial equity

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 teachers , students and alumni this week urged administrators and the school board to take greater steps toward improving racial equity and social justice , detailing a list of demands that range from additional training for employees to curriculum changes .
The newly formed District 214 Justice Group delivered its four-page `` Manifesto : Anti-Racist Educational Agenda '' to Superintendent David Schuler on Monday .
Schuler held a listening session with some of the 135 staff members who signed onto the four-page document , and four staffers read it line-by-line during public comment at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They say the document is in response to administrators ' inaction over the course of some two decades , despite the work of district committees formed to address race relations .
Then came Schuler 's July 2 email to staff that `` came up short , '' the manifesto says , in addressing issues of race and recent events head-on .
`` My day-to-day operations and the day-to-day operations of my black and brown peers do n't feel that positive change , '' said Brian Lee , an Elk Grove physical education teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in no way calling our district , the board or our superintendent racist .
However , I do want to see that I am being heard and that I 'm cared for . ''
Added Miles Osei , the Elk Grove varsity football coach and former all-state quarterback at Prospect : `` The assumption that racism does not exist in D214 is simply not true and must be addressed immediately . ''
The teachers ' requests include providing diversity training to staff and the school board ; hiring a director and assistant director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would include removal of materials that reinforce racist institutions or assumptions ; observation of Juneteenth as a nonattendance school holiday ; and re-examining the roles and responsibilities of school resource officers , security staff and additional police presence in schools .
The full list is available at d214justice.org .
A student group , By the Youth , For the Youth , led by Elk Grove senior Kaylyn Ahn , also presented requests to Schuler and the school board .
They asked the district to implement restorative justice practices to reduce suspensions that disproportionately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag checks ; and revise the dress code .
The student group 's online petition has nearly 800 signatures .
Schuler and board members did n't respond publicly during the meeting , but on Friday , the superintendent released a statement acknowledging concerns that were raised , and he promised a full written response by the end of the month .
`` I became a superintendent to make a real difference , and to ensure every student who walks through our schoolhouse doors has a brighter tomorrow , '' Schuler wrote .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some believe the progress we have been working toward has not been enough , and disheartening that some feel unwelcome or unappreciated in our buildings .
Our intention is exactly the opposite .
`` As a district , we welcome the challenging questions posed about how we will lead in matters of equity , justice and anti-racism . ''

District 214 staff, students demand changes for greater racial equity
Northwest Suburban High School District 214 teachers, students and alumni this week urged administrators and the school board to take greater steps toward improving racial equity and social justice, detailing a list of demands that range from additional training for employees to curriculum changes.
The newly formed District 214 Justice Group delivered its four-page "Manifesto: Anti-Racist Educational Agenda" to Superintendent David Schuler on Monday. Schuler held a listening session with some of the 135 staff members who signed onto the four-page document, and four staffers read it line-by-line during public comment at a school board meeting Thursday night.
They say the document is in response to administrators' inaction over the course of some two decades, despite the work of district committees formed to address race relations. Then came Schuler's July 2 email to staff that "came up short," the manifesto says, in addressing issues of race and recent events head-on.
"My day-to-day operations and the day-to-day operations of my black and brown peers don't feel that positive change," said Brian Lee, an Elk Grove physical education teacher and coach. "This manifesto is in no way calling our district, the board or our superintendent racist. However, I do want to see that I am being heard and that I'm cared for."
Added Miles Osei, the Elk Grove varsity football coach and former all-state quarterback at Prospect: "The assumption that racism does not exist in D214 is simply not true and must be addressed immediately."
The teachers' requests include providing diversity training to staff and the school board; hiring a director and assistant director of equity; implementing anti-racist curricula that would include removal of materials that reinforce racist institutions or assumptions; observation of Juneteenth as a nonattendance school holiday; and re-examining the roles and responsibilities of school resource officers, security staff and additional police presence in schools. The full list is available at d214justice.org.
A student group, By the Youth, For the Youth, led by Elk Grove senior Kaylyn Ahn, also presented requests to Schuler and the school board. They asked the district to implement restorative justice practices to reduce suspensions that disproportionately affect students of color; eliminate random bag checks; and revise the dress code. The student group's online petition has nearly 800 signatures.
Schuler and board members didn't respond publicly during the meeting, but on Friday, the superintendent released a statement acknowledging concerns that were raised, and he promised a full written response by the end of the month.
"I became a superintendent to make a real difference, and to ensure every student who walks through our schoolhouse doors has a brighter tomorrow," Schuler wrote. "It is incredibly difficult to hear that some believe the progress we have been working toward has not been enough, and disheartening that some feel unwelcome or unappreciated in our buildings. Our intention is exactly the opposite.
"As a district, we welcome the challenging questions posed about how we will lead in matters of equity, justice and anti-racism."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Rozner: White Sox a good bet? Anything's possible

Five months ago , before the world closed and Vegas was still a thing , you would have been looking at baseball odds in a decidedly different way .
Had you stumbled into a sportsbook late one night and wondered about the White Sox , you would have found them at 65-1 to win the World Series and 30-1 to win the pennant .
Fair numbers for a team that won 72 games last season .
Despite the optimism coming into this season , young players can be unpredictable and this appeared to be a year in which the Sox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contention for a wild card , and use that as a springboard for a genuine playoff run in 2021 .
That would have been a very reasonable way to see the 2020 season .
`` The entire purpose of this rebuild was to put ourselves in a position to win multiple championships , '' GM Rick Hahn said in January at SoxFest .
`` So the progress that we make in any given offseason has to be viewed , not just with what 's going to happen in that upcoming season , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplishing that long-term goal .
`` We want to make sure we are well-positioned once that window opens to win as many championships as possible .
When that window opens ?
We 're going to find out together . ''
It did not seem likely that it would be this season , not with the Yankees loaded , the Astros -- cheating or not -- with a formidable roster , the Twins coming off a 101-win season and the Athletics ( 97 wins ) and Rays ( 96 ) with big dreams .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second half would have been a big step up for the Sox .
But much has changed since then and a 60-game season has opened the door for more than half the teams in the game .
If you now thought of the Sox as one of them , you would n't be crazy .
A short schedule means less of a separation from top to bottom and that 's why the South Siders ' odds have dropped from 65-1 to 25-1 ( World Series ) and from 30-1 to 15-1 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revised numbers at Rivers Casino sportsbook online or on your phone and you do n't even have to drive there to set it up .
Yeah , so much for all of Illinois ' idiotic rules .
They went out the door with the pandemic .
The Sox are currently the eighth choice in the American League behind New York , Houston , Minnesota , Tampa , Cleveland , Boston and Oakland .
But when you combine the short season with the possibility that teams will lose players to injury or COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's possible .
You might also consider the mood on the South Side .
While this is far less important than talent , performance and health , it 's worth noting that the Sox are very happy to be back on the field and glad to be playing this season .
They 're young , excited , optimistic and a team on the rise with a chance to steal games while teams are trying to decide whether they even want to be here .
There are many camps where much of what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fear of what might be next , doubt that the season will ever start and players opting out .
These are all legitimate and no one should minimize those concerns or criticize players who worry , especially those with families or loved ones with underlying health conditions .
Nevertheless , it 's difficult to see players at their best when they have n't done enough to prepare or do n't really want to be involved , when their focus is elsewhere .
All things being equal and over 162 games -- given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel necessary and talent wins out .
And there are some rosters with a ridiculous amount of talent .
But all things are not equal in 2020 , not that you need reminding .
So who knows how this will play out , but assuming decent luck with injuries and testing , the White Sox certainly have the lineup to get it done .
If their starters find it quickly , and the bullpen arms hold up , it 's not absurd to think this program moves up a year and the Sox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It might be suggested here that stranger things have happened , but it 's 2020 .
Every day is stranger than the last .

Rozner: White Sox a good bet? Anything's possible
Eloy Jimenez waits for his turn at the plate in the Sox's scrimmage game Thursday. Associated Press
Catcher Yasmani Grandal could help direct the White Sox toward first place in the shortened season. Associated Press
Five months ago, before the world closed and Vegas was still a thing, you would have been looking at baseball odds in a decidedly different way.
Had you stumbled into a sportsbook late one night and wondered about the White Sox, you would have found them at 65-1 to win the World Series and 30-1 to win the pennant.
Fair numbers for a team that won 72 games last season.
Despite the optimism coming into this season, young players can be unpredictable and this appeared to be a year in which the Sox would try to play their way into contention for a wild card, and use that as a springboard for a genuine playoff run in 2021.
That would have been a very reasonable way to see the 2020 season.
"The entire purpose of this rebuild was to put ourselves in a position to win multiple championships," GM Rick Hahn said in January at SoxFest. "So the progress that we make in any given offseason has to be viewed, not just with what's going to happen in that upcoming season, but what position that puts us in toward accomplishing that long-term goal.
"We want to make sure we are well-positioned once that window opens to win as many championships as possible. When that window opens? We're going to find out together."
It did not seem likely that it would be this season, not with the Yankees loaded, the Astros -- cheating or not -- with a formidable roster, the Twins coming off a 101-win season and the Athletics (97 wins) and Rays (96) with big dreams.
A .500 season and meaningful games in the second half would have been a big step up for the Sox.
But much has changed since then and a 60-game season has opened the door for more than half the teams in the game. If you now thought of the Sox as one of them, you wouldn't be crazy.
A short schedule means less of a separation from top to bottom and that's why the South Siders' odds have dropped from 65-1 to 25-1 (World Series) and from 30-1 to 15-1 (pennant).
You can get those revised numbers at Rivers Casino sportsbook online or on your phone and you don't even have to drive there to set it up. Yeah, so much for all of Illinois' idiotic rules. They went out the door with the pandemic.
The Sox are currently the eighth choice in the American League behind New York, Houston, Minnesota, Tampa, Cleveland, Boston and Oakland.
But when you combine the short season with the possibility that teams will lose players to injury or COVID-19, you can see why just about anything's possible.
You might also consider the mood on the South Side. While this is far less important than talent, performance and health, it's worth noting that the Sox are very happy to be back on the field and glad to be playing this season.
They're young, excited, optimistic and a team on the rise with a chance to steal games while teams are trying to decide whether they even want to be here.
There are many camps where much of what you hear about is concern for inadequate testing, fear of what might be next, doubt that the season will ever start and players opting out.
These are all legitimate and no one should minimize those concerns or criticize players who worry, especially those with families or loved ones with underlying health conditions. Nevertheless, it's difficult to see players at their best when they haven't done enough to prepare or don't really want to be involved, when their focus is elsewhere.
All things being equal and over 162 games -- given health -- players find the fire and fuel necessary and talent wins out. And there are some rosters with a ridiculous amount of talent.
But all things are not equal in 2020, not that you need reminding.
So who knows how this will play out, but assuming decent luck with injuries and testing, the White Sox certainly have the lineup to get it done. If their starters find it quickly, and the bullpen arms hold up, it's not absurd to think this program moves up a year and the Sox get into the thick of this race.
It might be suggested here that stranger things have happened, but it's 2020. Every day is stranger than the last.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Wahlburgers delays opening of St. Charles restaurant

After hinting that its new St. Charles restaurant would begin operating next week , Wahlburgers has decided to postpone the opening of its first suburban location until the end of the month .
The new burger chain at 825 S. Randall Road was expected to open Tuesday , per a social media post earlier this week featuring the company 's winking co-founder , celebrity Donnie Wahlberg .
The short video clip was shared by the St. Charles location 's Facebook page , saying , `` We 're so excited to welcome you through our doors . ''
But restaurant leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the end of July , they announced in a statement Friday .
`` The team is taking a few extra weeks to make sure they can give guests the best dining experience possible , '' the statement said .
Bringing his business venture to St. Charles has been a longtime goal for Wahlberg , who lives in town with his wife , actress and TV personality Jenny McCarthy , and their sons .
The Massachusetts-based chain was founded in 2011 by him and his two brothers , actor Mark and executive chef @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second Illinois location -- was slated to begin operating this past April , more than a year after a ceremonial groundbreaking kicked off construction .
But the COVID-19 crisis pushed back the opening , as company leaders navigated the struggles of the pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home order , Wahlberg said in an Instagram post .
Wahlburgers is one of three new buildings constructed on a Meijer outlot at Route 38 and Randall Road , one of the city 's busiest intersections , officials said .
The establishment is expected to contain a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outdoor patio , as well as memorabilia from Wahlberg and McCarthy to set it apart from other locations .

Wahlburgers delays opening of St. Charles restaurant
Wahlburgers has decided to delay the opening of its St. Charles location until the end of July to ensure it's ready to offer guests "the best dining experience possible," officials said in a statement. Rick West | Staff Photographer
After hinting that its new St. Charles restaurant would begin operating next week, Wahlburgers has decided to postpone the opening of its first suburban location until the end of the month.
The new burger chain at 825 S. Randall Road was expected to open Tuesday, per a social media post earlier this week featuring the company's winking co-founder, celebrity Donnie Wahlberg. The short video clip was shared by the St. Charles location's Facebook page, saying, "We're so excited to welcome you through our doors."
But restaurant leaders have since decided to delay the opening until the end of July, they announced in a statement Friday.
"The team is taking a few extra weeks to make sure they can give guests the best dining experience possible," the statement said.
Bringing his business venture to St. Charles has been a longtime goal for Wahlberg, who lives in town with his wife, actress and TV personality Jenny McCarthy, and their sons. The Massachusetts-based chain was founded in 2011 by him and his two brothers, actor Mark and executive chef Paul.
The St. Charles restaurant -- the second Illinois location -- was slated to begin operating this past April, more than a year after a ceremonial groundbreaking kicked off construction. But the COVID-19 crisis pushed back the opening, as company leaders navigated the struggles of the pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home order, Wahlberg said in an Instagram post.
Wahlburgers is one of three new buildings constructed on a Meijer outlot at Route 38 and Randall Road, one of the city's busiest intersections, officials said. The establishment is expected to contain a dining area, a full-service bar and an outdoor patio, as well as memorabilia from Wahlberg and McCarthy to set it apart from other locations.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--July 10 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive mapSuburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 77,181 cases in the suburbs as of Friday , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 3,644 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Friday , suburban Cook County had 39,929 cases and 2,027 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 54,676 cases and 2,666 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Des Plaines , 845 cases and 59 deaths in Wheeling , 750 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine , 696 cases and 22 deaths in Streamwood , 681 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 628 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg , 594 cases and 33 deaths in Arlington Heights , 601 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview , 524 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 521 cases and 26 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 385 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Northbrook , 361 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 285 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 128 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 9,568 cases and 479 deaths as of Friday .
• Top counts : 846 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 805 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago , 695 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights , 566 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bensenville , 546 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 437 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard , 386 cases and 35 deaths in Elmhurst , 360 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 298 cases and 21 deaths in Wheaton , 269 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park , 259 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) , 186 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn .
Lake County • The county listed 10,260 cases and 408 deaths on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts : 2,750 to 2,754 in Waukegan , 620 to 624 in Round Lake Beach , 395 to 399 in Mundelein , 320 to 324 in Gurnee , 250 to 254 in Round Lake , 200 to 204 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 190 to 194 in Lake Zurich , 170 to 174 in Vernon Hills , 170 to 174 in Wauconda , 145 to 149 in Libertyville , 110 to 114 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 8,079 cases with 281 deaths on its website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,942 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 768 in Carpentersville , 342 in St. Charles , 340 in South Elgin , 218 in North Aurora , 214 in Geneva , 148 in Batavia , and 54 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 2,245 cases and 101 deaths , according to the health department Friday .
• 7,171 cases and 324 deaths , as of Friday .
• Cases per town include 442 in Naperville ( Will County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will County portion ) .

July 10 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 77,181 cases in the suburbs as of Friday, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 3,644 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Friday, suburban Cook County had 39,929 cases and 2,027 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 54,676 cases and 2,666 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,815 cases and 100 deaths in Des Plaines, 845 cases and 59 deaths in Wheeling, 750 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine, 696 cases and 22 deaths in Streamwood, 681 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 628 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg, 594 cases and 33 deaths in Arlington Heights, 601 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview, 524 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 521 cases and 26 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 385 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 365 cases and 40 deaths in Northbrook, 361 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 285 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 128 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 9,568 cases and 479 deaths as of Friday.
• Top counts: 846 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 805 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago, 695 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights, 566 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 553 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 546 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 437 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard, 386 cases and 35 deaths in Elmhurst, 360 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 298 cases and 21 deaths in Wheaton, 269 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park, 259 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion), 186 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County • The county listed 10,260 cases and 408 deaths on its website as of Friday. • Top counts: 2,750 to 2,754 in Waukegan, 620 to 624 in Round Lake Beach, 395 to 399 in Mundelein, 320 to 324 in Gurnee, 250 to 254 in Round Lake, 200 to 204 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 190 to 194 in Lake Zurich, 170 to 174 in Vernon Hills, 170 to 174 in Wauconda, 145 to 149 in Libertyville, 110 to 114 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 8,079 cases with 281 deaths on its website Friday.
• Top counts: 3,446 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,942 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 768 in Carpentersville, 342 in St. Charles, 340 in South Elgin, 218 in North Aurora, 214 in Geneva, 148 in Batavia, and 54 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 2,245 cases and 101 deaths, according to the health department Friday.
Will County
• 7,171 cases and 324 deaths, as of Friday.
• Cases per town include 442 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 79 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--St. Charles District 303 families can opt for online learning in new guidance for 2020-21

St. Charles Unit District 303 is developing three possible instructional models for the 2020-21 school year , offering options for families and flexibility for school leaders during the coronavirus pandemic .
When classes resume in August , plans will be in place for a modified in-person structure , a full remote learning format and a blended model , according to a letter published Friday by Superintendent Jason Pearson and school board President Nick Manheim .
Families who are uncomfortable sending their students to school in person will be able to choose an online-only option on a semester basis .
Working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , district leaders have spent the summer revising a remote learning plan created when the stay-at-home order took effect last spring , officials said .
Starting this fall , certain staff members will be dedicated to teaching remote learners using a device provided by the district , the letter says .
Lessons will be centered around core academic areas , and attendance , assignments , grading and feedback will be incorporated into the instructional model .
With the in-person format , students will experience a modified classroom schedule where social distancing protocols will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks must be worn by students and staff members inside buildings at all times , and high-touch areas will be cleaned regularly .
Students and employees also will be required to use an online tool each day before school to certify they are free from COVID-19 symptoms .
Fifty people will be allowed inside cafeterias , gymnasiums and libraries at a time , per state guidelines , officials said .
Physical education classes , lunch and recess will be held outside as often as weather permits .
The district also is preparing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students to alternate between attending school in smaller groups and participating in remote learning .
This may be required at times due to social distancing guidelines or reduced capacity in classrooms , officials said .
Buses will continue transporting students with a 50-person cap , among other restrictions such as requiring face masks and sanitizing between routes .
Administrators said bus routes will be kept as small as possible .
A more detailed explanation of the possible school day structure , broken down by grade levels , will be presented during a virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carol Smith said .
Information will be released Tuesday on how families can choose an instructional model for students .
Administrators say their ultimate goal is to move into a less restrictive , traditional in-person learning schedule , but that wo n't be possible until the state reaches Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan .
`` As the rate of infection and response to the COVID-19 health crisis changes , we may be required to move between remote instruction , a hybrid/blended model , or full in-person learning with limited notice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To that end , our plan is being designed to allow for flexible movement between these structures as needed . ''
About 5,325 people representing 76 % of all District 303 families completed a survey gauging their comfort levels in various back-to-school scenarios , according to data posted on the district 's website .
Of the responses from all grade levels , including the preschool and transition programs , about 58 % indicated they would return to full-time , in-person learning if a normal schedule was offered .
About 9 % said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remainder fell somewhere in between .
About 48 % of families said their students would attend school in person if the district offered blended learning , where groups of students rotate each day between remote and classroom settings .
Those who would not attend made up about 13 % of the responses , results show .
The survey also asked parents to rate the importance of various safety protocols , including the use of masks ; to indicate their level of concern for students ' needs and well-being ; and to consider how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pertaining to transportation and food service .
Monday 's school board meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on the district 's YouTube channel .
Members of the public also can watch the meeting at the administration center , 201 S. Seventh St. School board members will be participating via Zoom .

St. Charles District 303 families can opt for online learning in new guidance for 2020-21
St. Charles Unit District 303 is preparing three instructional models for the 2020-21 school year to provide flexibility amid the coronavirus pandemic. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
St. Charles Unit District 303 is developing three possible instructional models for the 2020-21 school year, offering options for families and flexibility for school leaders during the coronavirus pandemic.
When classes resume in August, plans will be in place for a modified in-person structure, a full remote learning format and a blended model, according to a letter published Friday by Superintendent Jason Pearson and school board President Nick Manheim.
Families who are uncomfortable sending their students to school in person will be able to choose an online-only option on a semester basis.
Working with members of a special task force, district leaders have spent the summer revising a remote learning plan created when the stay-at-home order took effect last spring, officials said.
Starting this fall, certain staff members will be dedicated to teaching remote learners using a device provided by the district, the letter says. Lessons will be centered around core academic areas, and attendance, assignments, grading and feedback will be incorporated into the instructional model.
With the in-person format, students will experience a modified classroom schedule where social distancing protocols will be enforced, administrators said. Face masks must be worn by students and staff members inside buildings at all times, and high-touch areas will be cleaned regularly.
Students and employees also will be required to use an online tool each day before school to certify they are free from COVID-19 symptoms.
Fifty people will be allowed inside cafeterias, gymnasiums and libraries at a time, per state guidelines, officials said. Physical education classes, lunch and recess will be held outside as often as weather permits.
The district also is preparing for a blended model, which would allow students to alternate between attending school in smaller groups and participating in remote learning. This may be required at times due to social distancing guidelines or reduced capacity in classrooms, officials said.
Buses will continue transporting students with a 50-person cap, among other restrictions such as requiring face masks and sanitizing between routes. Administrators said bus routes will be kept as small as possible.
A more detailed explanation of the possible school day structure, broken down by grade levels, will be presented during a virtual school board meeting Monday, district spokeswoman Carol Smith said.
Information will be released Tuesday on how families can choose an instructional model for students.
Administrators say their ultimate goal is to move into a less restrictive, traditional in-person learning schedule, but that won't be possible until the state reaches Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan.
"As the rate of infection and response to the COVID-19 health crisis changes, we may be required to move between remote instruction, a hybrid/blended model, or full in-person learning with limited notice," officials said in the letter. "To that end, our plan is being designed to allow for flexible movement between these structures as needed."
About 5,325 people representing 76% of all District 303 families completed a survey gauging their comfort levels in various back-to-school scenarios, according to data posted on the district's website.
Of the responses from all grade levels, including the preschool and transition programs, about 58% indicated they would return to full-time, in-person learning if a normal schedule was offered. About 9% said they would not attend, while the remainder fell somewhere in between.
About 48% of families said their students would attend school in person if the district offered blended learning, where groups of students rotate each day between remote and classroom settings. Those who would not attend made up about 13% of the responses, results show.
The survey also asked parents to rate the importance of various safety protocols, including the use of masks; to indicate their level of concern for students' needs and well-being; and to consider how the COVID-19 crisis might change their actions pertaining to transportation and food service.
Monday's school board meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on the district's YouTube channel. Members of the public also can watch the meeting at the administration center, 201 S. Seventh St. School board members will be participating via Zoom.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Elgin bar has been in family for three generations, through good times and bad

Early on a weekday , Eaton 's Redwood Inn in downtown Elgin had a handful of customers at the bar , each nursing a beer or cup of coffee , chatting or looking at the TV .
The longtime bar at 118 W. Chicago St. , owned by the Eaton family for three generations , reopened two weeks ago with a cleaner , shinier look thanks to fresh paint , partial new flooring and new wall decor .
Owner Scott Eaton said he 'd started working on plans to redo the exterior of the building dating back to the 19th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I did n't want it to be dingy .
That 's why I spruced it up , '' said the 65-year-old , who does n't object to it being called a dive bar .
`` People think that it 's a rough place , but that 's not really true .
It 's kind of a reputation it had years ago . ''
His customers , some of whom remember the bar from its heyday , agreed .
`` I never had no problem here , '' said customer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1970s and 1980s before moving to Texas and coming back to Elgin in 2005 .
He does n't drink anymore but enjoys his coffee there , he said .
`` It 's so nice .
It 's very comfortable , '' said customer Lois Wardecki of Wheeling , who comes with her husband to visit their nephew , who lives above the bar .
`` Scott is a wonderful , wonderful man . ''
The bar opens at 6 a.m. Monday to Friday , and its customers tend to be older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live within walking distance , including up the hill at the Housing Authority of Elgin on State Street ; some are commuters who use the Pace bus and Metra stations next door .
Scott Eaton , who lives just outside Elgin , said he enjoys providing a service to customers , some of whom remember his father , Robert Eaton , and even his grandfather , Dick `` D.R . ''
Eaton , who bought the building in 1954 .
There are two pool tables , two flat screen TVs and six video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heated frozen pizza from Eastside Cafe in Warrenville and a specialty bloody mary cocktail with Robert Eaton 's old recipe of V8 juice , Worcestershire sauce , lemon juice and hot sauce .
Despite the Old Style beer sign outside , the big seller is Pabst , Scott Eaton said .
The five bartenders know each other and their customers well .
`` It 's a local hangout .
Not fancy , very low key , but fun , '' said bartender Tim Patrick of Elgin .
`` It 's good people down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They make you laugh , '' said bartender Lavonda West , also of Elgin .
The building probably was built about 1880 and included a grocery store , tailor shop , boot and shoe store and restaurant , among other early occupants , said David Siegenthaler of the Elgin History Museum .
Scott Eaton restored the original exterior architectural features in 1999 with a project that included city grant money .
When his grandfather bought the building in 1954 , there was a bar on one side , apparently called Ernie 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other , Scott Eaton said .
His grandfather demolished the middle wall in the mid-1960s and turned the whole place into a bar , which he 'd already renamed Eaton 's Redwood Inn .
Back then , much of the clientele came early in the morning after working third shift at manufacturers like the former Woodruff & Edwards Foundry , with a second wave of customers in the afternoon , Scott Eaton said .
`` It was very popular back then , '' he said .
`` It was a working man 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father Robert Eaton bought the bar in 1970 .
Scott Eaton , who had a full-time job as a mail carrier , bought it in 1998 .
A beloved fixture was Barb Pfortmiller , who managed the bar for more than 30 years until about 2012 , he said .
`` She was taking care of almost everything . ''
Eaton 's Redwood Inn was among four establishments in Elgin targeted in 2003 by police undercover drug stings that yielded multiple arrests .
Those charged where patrons , not employees , and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The city took away the bar 's license to sell packaged liquor , which had been a significant source of revenue , he said .
The major decline in customers came about 10 years ago , Scott Eaton said .
`` People kind of changed their patterns on how they are going out , and they ( police ) were cracking down on the DUIs and smoking . ''
The bar has n't had major dealings with the city 's liquor commission in the last decade other than two instances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid fines .
`` I try to keep the idiots out of here , '' Scott Eaton said .
`` It 's not easy to do sometimes . ''
Scott Eaton said he plans to rehab the building next door at 1 N. State St. , which he also owns and has been vacant since the mid-1980s .
`` It 's a big investment , '' he said , adding he hopes to get city grant money for sprinkler and facade improvements .
A fading `` for sale '' sign outside has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest , Scott Eaton said .
A fellow Elgin bar owner made a lowball offer once , Scott Eaton said , but if sells , he 'd want to sell both the building and the bar inside .
`` I want to see it survive . ''

Elgin bar has been in family for three generations, through good times and bad
The building that holds Eaton's Redwood Inn, 118 W. Chicago Street in Elgin, is pictured on the right, sometime in the early 20th century. The photo was shot along Chicago Street looking west. Photo courtesy of Scott Eaton
Robert Eaton, second-generation owner of Eaton's Redwood Inn in Elgin, is pictured here with Barb Pfortmiller, who managed the bar for about 40 years. The photo was taken sometime in the late 1980s. courtesy of Scott Eaton
Early on a weekday, Eaton's Redwood Inn in downtown Elgin had a handful of customers at the bar, each nursing a beer or cup of coffee, chatting or looking at the TV.
The longtime bar at 118 W. Chicago St., owned by the Eaton family for three generations, reopened two weeks ago with a cleaner, shinier look thanks to fresh paint, partial new flooring and new wall decor. Owner Scott Eaton said he'd started working on plans to redo the exterior of the building dating back to the 19th century, but was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I didn't want it to be dingy. That's why I spruced it up," said the 65-year-old, who doesn't object to it being called a dive bar. "People think that it's a rough place, but that's not really true. It's kind of a reputation it had years ago."
His customers, some of whom remember the bar from its heyday, agreed.
"I never had no problem here," said customer Nicho Marroquin, who frequented the bar in the 1970s and 1980s before moving to Texas and coming back to Elgin in 2005. He doesn't drink anymore but enjoys his coffee there, he said.
"It's so nice. It's very comfortable," said customer Lois Wardecki of Wheeling, who comes with her husband to visit their nephew, who lives above the bar. "Scott is a wonderful, wonderful man."
A local hangout
The bar opens at 6 a.m. Monday to Friday, and its customers tend to be older, particularly during the day. Many live within walking distance, including up the hill at the Housing Authority of Elgin on State Street; some are commuters who use the Pace bus and Metra stations next door.
Scott Eaton, who lives just outside Elgin, said he enjoys providing a service to customers, some of whom remember his father, Robert Eaton, and even his grandfather, Dick "D.R." Eaton, who bought the building in 1954.
There are two pool tables, two flat screen TVs and six video gambling machines. The full bar serves heated frozen pizza from Eastside Cafe in Warrenville and a specialty bloody mary cocktail with Robert Eaton's old recipe of V8 juice, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and hot sauce. Despite the Old Style beer sign outside, the big seller is Pabst, Scott Eaton said.
The five bartenders know each other and their customers well.
"It's a local hangout. Not fancy, very low key, but fun," said bartender Tim Patrick of Elgin.
"It's good people down here. I enjoy talking with them. They make you laugh," said bartender Lavonda West, also of Elgin.
Three generations
The building probably was built about 1880 and included a grocery store, tailor shop, boot and shoe store and restaurant, among other early occupants, said David Siegenthaler of the Elgin History Museum. Scott Eaton restored the original exterior architectural features in 1999 with a project that included city grant money.
When his grandfather bought the building in 1954, there was a bar on one side, apparently called Ernie's Place, and a restaurant on the other, Scott Eaton said. His grandfather demolished the middle wall in the mid-1960s and turned the whole place into a bar, which he'd already renamed Eaton's Redwood Inn.
Back then, much of the clientele came early in the morning after working third shift at manufacturers like the former Woodruff & Edwards Foundry, with a second wave of customers in the afternoon, Scott Eaton said.
"It was very popular back then," he said. "It was a working man's bar, for sure."
His father Robert Eaton bought the bar in 1970. Scott Eaton, who had a full-time job as a mail carrier, bought it in 1998. A beloved fixture was Barb Pfortmiller, who managed the bar for more than 30 years until about 2012, he said. "She was taking care of almost everything."
Police sting
Eaton's Redwood Inn was among four establishments in Elgin targeted in 2003 by police undercover drug stings that yielded multiple arrests. Those charged were patrons, not employees, and had small amounts of drugs, Scott Eaton said. The city took away the bar's license to sell packaged liquor, which had been a significant source of revenue, he said.
The major decline in customers came about 10 years ago, Scott Eaton said. "People kind of changed their patterns on how they are going out, and they (police) were cracking down on the DUIs and smoking."
The bar hasn't had major dealings with the city's liquor commission in the last decade other than two instances of sale to minors, for which it paid fines. "I try to keep the idiots out of here," Scott Eaton said. "It's not easy to do sometimes."
Scott Eaton said he plans to rehab the building next door at 1 N. State St., which he also owns and has been vacant since the mid-1980s. "It's a big investment," he said, adding he hopes to get city grant money for sprinkler and facade improvements.
A fading "for sale" sign outside has been there for years, mostly to gauge interest, Scott Eaton said. A fellow Elgin bar owner made a lowball offer once, Scott Eaton said, but if sells, he'd want to sell both the building and the bar inside. "I want to see it survive."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Archdiocese announces plan to reopen buildings to 70,000 students

The Archdiocese of Chicago Friday announced more details on its plans for reopening its school buildings to 70,000 students in Cook and Lake counties in the fall , which it committed to last month .
Among the plan elements and rules are these : • All students over the age of 2 and school employees will be required to wear masks while indoors .
Masks may only be removed during designated activities , such as lunch and recess , and only if students remain physically distant .
• Students will be assigned to a `` cohort , '' which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain with those same classmates all day .
Students will remain physically as far apart as possible to prevent the spread of illness .
• Schools will provide new pick-up and drop-off procedures , walking routes within the buildings and other measures to limit the physical interaction .
• Parents will be asked to take their children 's temperatures daily .
Temperature checks will also occur as students enter the school building every day .
• Schools will adhere to infection protocols , requiring any student who presents symptoms of COVID-19 and/or tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek medical attention before returning to class .
• Families who are not ready for their children to return to classrooms will still have the option for online learning .
`` We believe that in-person instruction is the best way to benefit our students and are committed to providing that instruction in a safe manner , '' Catholic schools Superintendent Jim Rigg said in a news release .
He said the plan was developed by school employees in consultation with medical professionals , state and local officials , educators , parents and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and school employees is paramount , he said , adding that because the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic remains unpredictable , there is the potential that buildings would be closed again if a significant rise in cases occurs .
He said the system will do what it can so everyone feels safe in the buildings and that families also need to take personal responsibility for the common good as well as their own safety .
`` We have worked hard to provide a reopening plan that recognizes the great benefits of in-school instruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preservation of human life , '' Cardinal Blase Cupich said in the release .
`` Even in the best of times , our schools help ensure children have good nutrition and a safe place to learn .
It is even more important that families have access to these benefits during the pandemic . ''

Archdiocese announces plan to reopen buildings to 70,000 students
A fifth-grade teacher hands out assignments to students at Our Lady of the Wayside School in Arlington Heights in October 2015. The Archdiocese of Chicago Friday announced details on reopening school buildings to 70,000 students in Cook and Lake counties. Daily Herald file photo/October 2015
The Archdiocese of Chicago Friday announced more details on its plans for reopening its school buildings to 70,000 students in Cook and Lake counties in the fall, which it committed to last month.
Among the plan elements and rules:
• All students over the age of 2 and school employees will be required to wear masks while indoors. Masks may be removed only during designated activities, such as lunch and recess, and only if students remain physically distant.
• Students will be assigned to a "cohort," which will correspond to their homeroom class and will remain with the same classmates all day. Students will remain physically as far apart as possible to prevent the spread of illness.
• Schools will provide new pickup and drop-off procedures, walking routes within the buildings and other measures to limit the physical interaction.
• Parents will be asked to take their children's temperatures daily. Temperature checks will also occur as students enter the school building every day.
• Schools will adhere to infection protocols, requiring any student who presents symptoms of COVID-19 and/or tests positive for the virus to quarantine and seek medical attention before returning to class.
• Families who are not ready for their children to return to classrooms will still have the option for online learning.
"We believe that in-person instruction is the best way to benefit our students and are committed to providing that instruction in a safe manner," Catholic schools Superintendent Jim Rigg said in a news release.
He said the plan was developed by school employees in consultation with medical professionals, state and local officials, educators, parents and others.
The safety and well-being of students and school employees is paramount, he said, adding that because the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic remains unpredictable, there is the potential that buildings would be closed again if a significant rise in cases occurs.
He said the system will do what it can so everyone feels safe in the buildings and that families also need to take personal responsibility for the common good as well as their own safety.
"We have worked hard to provide a reopening plan that recognizes the great benefits of in-school instruction and still expresses our commitment to the preservation of human life," Cardinal Blase Cupich said in the release. "Even in the best of times, our schools help ensure children have good nutrition and a safe place to learn. It is even more important that families have access to these benefits during the pandemic."
For more information, visit schools.archchicago.org.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Opening soon, Mall of India will be Naperville's first indoor mall

Naperville 's first indoor shopping mall is coming soon .
Mall of India at 776 S. Route 59 aims to be a convenient destination offering groceries , kids activities , a food court and a wide range of shops .
Some of the first businesses are set to open by the end of the month , with more to follow in August and September , co-owner Vinoz Chanamolu said .
The first phase of stores includes an INDIACO grocery store , Best Brains learning center , Sweet Night mattress store , StemShala robotics center and Confidentlee kids personal development center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ martial arts studio and a business lounge .
Next up , four of an eventual eight restaurants in the food court are set to open in August , including The Port of Peri Peri , Wraps N More , Hyderabad House and a yet-to-be-named Gujarati restaurant .
Chanamolu said he and co-owner Anil Sunkara are looking forward to offering lifestyle , fashion , food and entertainment amenities all in one place .
The idea is that shoppers can bring their kids to one of the activity centers , such as dance or robotics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done or buy gifts or necessities .
Then , the family can reconvene for a meal or quick snack at the food court .
`` This is a unique experience to have , '' Chanamolu said .
`` Everything is under one roof . ''
Construction on the Mall of India has been under way since January 2019 .
Crews have turned a former Walmart that sat vacant for five years into spaces for roughly 25 separate shops as well as the food court .
Led by Purohit Architects in Schaumburg , workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into what Chanamolu said is the first indoor mall in Naperville .
Fox Valley Mall is right across the Route 59 border in Aurora , and the Super H Mart on the city 's north side has a bit of a food court or plaza inside the facility .
But Christine Jeffries , president and CEO of the Naperville Development Partnership , said the Mall of India will be Naperville 's first true shopping mall with a wide variety of small shops under one roof .
`` It 's row upon row of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , praising the design as `` really well done '' with a `` great layout . ''
`` It 's going to be a great gathering place for families .
I think it 'll be very popular , '' she said .
Mall of India owners are in the process of seeking a liquor license for a bar they plan to open in the food court .
Other eventual food court tenants are expected to include a south Indian vegetarian restaurant , an Indochinese restaurant , a Greek restaurant , a coffee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drinks and a fresh juice and ice cream stall .
Also set to join the mall beginning around September are a meat shop , jewelry store , spa and beauty parlor , cricket simulator , clothing stores , electronics store , gift shop , flower shop , wedding decor shop , candy store , attorney 's offices , a travel agency , an insurance agency and an adult day care facility .
A third phase of the mall planned for next year is expected to build a 20,000-square-foot children 's day care center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said day cares with pools are a rarity across the region , with the only other one he knows of located in Schaumburg and always in high demand .

Opening soon, Mall of India will be Naperville's first indoor mall
Naperville's first indoor shopping mall is coming soon.
Mall of India at 776 S. Route 59 aims to be a convenient destination offering groceries, kids activities, a food court and a wide range of shops. Some of the first businesses are set to open by the end of the month, with more to follow in August and September, co-owner Vinoz Chanamolu said.
The first phase of stores includes an INDIACO grocery store, Best Brains learning center, Sweet Night mattress store, StemShala robotics center and Confidentlee kids personal development center, as well as a dance and martial arts studio and a business lounge.
Next up, four of an eventual eight restaurants in the food court are set to open in August, including The Port of Peri Peri, Wraps N More, Hyderabad House and a yet-to-be-named Gujarati restaurant.
Chanamolu said he and co-owner Anil Sunkara are looking forward to offering lifestyle, fashion, food and entertainment amenities all in one place. The idea is that shoppers can bring their kids to one of the activity centers, such as dance or robotics, while they get their grocery shopping done or buy gifts or necessities. Then, the family can reconvene for a meal or quick snack at the food court.
"This is a unique experience to have," Chanamolu said. "Everything is under one roof."
- John Starks | Staff Photographer The INDIACO grocery store has six check out lanes and is attached to the Mall of India, but has its own separate entrance. It will be among the first phase of stores to open.
Construction on the Mall of India has been under way since January 2019. Crews have turned a former Walmart that sat vacant for five years into spaces for roughly 25 separate shops as well as the food court.
Led by Purohit Architects in Schaumburg, workers gutted the 116,000-square-foot Walmart and revived it into what Chanamolu said is the first indoor mall in Naperville.
Fox Valley Mall is right across the Route 59 border in Aurora, and the Super H Mart on the city's north side has a bit of a food court or plaza inside the facility. But Christine Jeffries, president and CEO of the Naperville Development Partnership, said the Mall of India will be Naperville's first true shopping mall with a wide variety of small shops under one roof.
"It's row upon row of different businesses and stores," Jeffries said, praising the design as "really well done" with a "great layout."
"It's going to be a great gathering place for families. I think it'll be very popular," she said.
Mall of India owners are in the process of seeking a liquor license for a bar they plan to open in the food court. Other eventual food court tenants are expected to include a south Indian vegetarian restaurant, an Indochinese restaurant, a Greek restaurant, a coffee and tea shop with 100 varieties of drinks and a fresh juice and ice cream stall.
Also set to join the mall beginning around September are a meat shop, jewelry store, spa and beauty parlor, cricket simulator, clothing stores, electronics store, gift shop, flower shop, wedding decor shop, candy store, attorney's offices, a travel agency, an insurance agency and an adult day care facility.
A third phase of the mall planned for next year is expected to build a 20,000-square-foot children's day care center complete with a swimming pool. Chanamolu said day cares with pools are a rarity across the region, with the only other one he knows of located in Schaumburg and always in high demand.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Anti-abortion group quietly holds rush hour protest in Arlington Heights

Pro-Life Action League protesters on Friday quietly confronted rush-hour drivers at the intersection of Rand and Arlington Heights roads in @ @ @ @ @ drivers about the graphic photographs they would see as they approached the intersection from each @ @ @ @ @ their horns in support of the effort while others voiced their opposition as they hurried @ @ @ @ @ Area Face The Truth Tour is an eight-day event put on by the league , @ @ @ @ @ mission is to end abortion .
Each day through July 18 , the group will @ @ @ @ @ in the area .
On Saturday , they will be in Naperville and at two @ @ @ @

Anti-abortion group quietly holds rush hour protest in Arlington Heights
Pro-Life Action League protesters on Friday quietly confronted rush-hour drivers at the intersection of Rand and Arlington Heights roads in Arlington Heights.
Signs warned drivers about the graphic photographs they would see as they approached the intersection from each direction. Some drivers honked their horns in support of the effort while others voiced their opposition as they hurried past.
The 2020 Chicago Area Face The Truth Tour is an eight-day event put on by the league, a Chicago nonprofit organization whose mission is to end abortion. Each day through July 18, the group will display signs at busy intersections in the area. On Saturday, they will be in Naperville and at two locations in Aurora.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Federal court denies relaxed ballot requirements for constitutional amendments

SPRINGFIELD -- An Illinois group trying to get a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot is not entitled to looser regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic , a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday .
The Committee for the Illinois Democracy Amendment is advocating for a state constitutional change mandating the General Assembly to take roll call votes on legislation proposing `` stronger ethical standards for Illinois public officials . ''
It would also allow residents to introduce related bills by submitting a petition including at least 100,000 signatures .
In a lawsuit filed against the secretary of state 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization 's attorneys argued Gov .
J.B. Pritkzer 's social distancing and stay-at-home orders unconstitutionally prevented canvassers from securing the required 363,813 hand-written signatures -- or , 8 percent of votes cast for governor in the last election -- by May 3 .
The three U.S. Court of Appeals judges wrote that the committee brought the problem on itself .
The group was founded April 1 , according to documents filed with the State Board of Elections , almost 17 months after Illinois rules permitted signature collection to begin and one month after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's spread .
Committee members `` had plenty of time to gather signatures before the pandemic began , '' the judges wrote in their ruling .
`` That 's a good reason to conclude that they are not entitled to emergency '' considerations .
The court acknowledged social distancing and stay-at-home restrictions `` surely make it hard to round up signatures , '' but wrote changes to social behaviors caused by the pandemic would contribute to the difficulty as well .
And the judges added this matter is `` wholly '' one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not guarantee a right for voters to include initiatives on the ballot -- Illinois law does .
`` If we understand the governor 's orders , coupled with the signature requirements , as equivalent to a decision to skip all referenda for the 2020 election cycle , there is no federal problem , '' the judges wrote in their opinion .
`` Illinois may decide for itself whether a pandemic is a good time to be soliciting signatures on the streets in order to add referenda to a ballot . ''
A spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in an email that officials `` are pleased with the ruling . ''
A spokesperson for the State Board of Elections declined to comment .
Former Gov .
Pat Quinn , an attorney representing the committee , said in an interview Friday he and his clients are `` disappointed . ''
They brought this lawsuit , he said , because `` it 's impossible '' to comply with state law mandating petitions be circulated in person and with the governor 's social distancing order .
`` The state should not be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voters to circulate petitions to put issues on the ballot , '' Quinn said .
`` It makes the whole process very dangerous .
We 're going to keep fighting . ''
Their options , he said , include appealing the decision -- the committee is `` free '' to pursue the issues in this case in a district court , the judges wrote in their ruling -- or attempting to change the law `` so voters have the option to sign petitions electronically during the pandemic , which is not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling comes 40 years after the Cutback Amendment -- which decreased the number of lawmakers in the General Assembly -- was successfully added to the ballot .
It remains the only one to do so in Illinois history .
`` These are fundamental rights that have to be protected from politicians and the State Board of Elections , who are doing everything they can to keep these off the ballot , '' he said .

Federal court denies relaxed ballot requirements for constitutional amendments
Former Gov. Pat Quinn is the attorney representing the Committee for the Illinois Democracy Amendment. Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times Media, 2015
SPRINGFIELD -- An Illinois group trying to get a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot is not entitled to looser regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.
The Committee for the Illinois Democracy Amendment is advocating for a state constitutional change mandating the General Assembly to take roll call votes on legislation proposing "stronger ethical standards for Illinois public officials."
It would also allow residents to introduce related bills by submitting a petition including at least 100,000 signatures.
In a lawsuit filed against the secretary of state's office and State Board of Elections, the organization's attorneys argued Gov. J.B. Pritkzer's social distancing and stay-at-home orders unconstitutionally prevented canvassers from securing the required 363,813 hand-written signatures -- or, 8 percent of votes cast for governor in the last election -- by May 3.
The three U.S. Court of Appeals judges wrote that the committee brought the problem on itself. The group was founded April 1, according to documents filed with the State Board of Elections, almost 17 months after Illinois rules permitted signature collection to begin and one month after Pritzker issued executive orders to manage COVID-19's spread.
Committee members "had plenty of time to gather signatures before the pandemic began," the judges wrote in their ruling. "That's a good reason to conclude that they are not entitled to emergency" considerations.
The court acknowledged social distancing and stay-at-home restrictions "surely make it hard to round up signatures," but wrote changes to social behaviors caused by the pandemic would contribute to the difficulty as well.
And the judges added this matter is "wholly" one of state law because the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee a right for voters to include initiatives on the ballot -- Illinois law does.
"If we understand the governor's orders, coupled with the signature requirements, as equivalent to a decision to skip all referenda for the 2020 election cycle, there is no federal problem," the judges wrote in their opinion. "Illinois may decide for itself whether a pandemic is a good time to be soliciting signatures on the streets in order to add referenda to a ballot."
A spokesperson for the secretary of state's office wrote in an email that officials "are pleased with the ruling." A spokesperson for the State Board of Elections declined to comment.
Former Gov. Pat Quinn, an attorney representing the committee, said in an interview Friday he and his clients are "disappointed."
They brought this lawsuit, he said, because "it's impossible" to comply with state law mandating petitions be circulated in person and with the governor's social distancing order.
"The state should not be allowed to try to cancel out the rights of voters to circulate petitions to put issues on the ballot," Quinn said. "It makes the whole process very dangerous. We're going to keep fighting."
Their options, he said, include appealing the decision -- the committee is "free" to pursue the issues in this case in a district court, the judges wrote in their ruling -- or attempting to change the law "so voters have the option to sign petitions electronically during the pandemic, which is not going away."
Quinn pointed out his ruling comes 40 years after the Cutback Amendment -- which decreased the number of lawmakers in the General Assembly -- was successfully added to the ballot. It remains the only one to do so in Illinois history.
"These are fundamental rights that have to be protected from politicians and the State Board of Elections, who are doing everything they can to keep these off the ballot," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--District 15 reopening plan features two choices

Palatine Township Elementary School District 15 on Friday released a reopening plan that offers a choice between virtual and in-person learning .
Parents and guardians are asked to make their decision by 11:59 p.m. Friday , July 17 .
Under the plan , the 2020-21 school year will begin Monday , Aug. 17 , for students in grades 1-8 and Tuesday , Aug. 18 , for early childhood and kindergarten students .
The district will offer two options for enrolling if the state remains in Phase 4 when school begins .
In-person instruction will resume with health and safety modifications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , staff and visitors .
No more than 50 people will be allowed in a room or on a bus .
There will be symptom screening for students and staff .
Increased building sanitation will be implemented .
The other option is full-time distance learning via Chromebooks .
The district will hold a Zoom webinar from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday to answer parents ' questions .
For information on accessing the webinar , as well as other information on the reopening , visit www.smore.com/h70fk .
`` We know this year will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have ever experienced both in District 15 and across the country .
I thank you in advance for your continued support , patience and understanding as we navigate the upcoming year together , '' Superintendent Laurie Heinz , wrote in a letter to parents She said the plan is the result of research , conversations , task force committee work , staff and parent focus groups and surveys .
It also takes into account the guidance of the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education .
`` I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to the success of the whole child , '' she wrote .
`` We will continue to use responsive teaching practices and ensure that our students learn in a safe and dynamic environment , stay academically and socially-emotionally engaged , and feel supported and challenged as learners regardless of the changes we need to put in place this year based on the COVID-19 pandemic . ''

District 15 reopening plan features two choices
Palatine Township Elementary School District 15 will offer two options for instruction if the state remains in Phase 4 when the school year begins. Courtesy of District 15, 2017
Palatine Township Elementary School District 15 on Friday released a reopening plan that offers a choice between virtual and in-person learning.
Parents and guardians are asked to make their decision by 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 17.
Under the plan, the 2020-21 school year will begin Monday, Aug. 17, for students in grades 1-8 and Tuesday, Aug. 18, for early childhood and kindergarten students.
The district will offer two options for enrolling if the state remains in Phase 4 when school begins.
In-person instruction will resume with health and safety modifications. Face coverings will be required for students, staff and visitors. No more than 50 people will be allowed in a room or on a bus. There will be symptom screening for students and staff. Increased building sanitation will be implemented.
The other option is full-time distance learning via Chromebooks.
The district will hold a Zoom webinar from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday to answer parents' questions. For information on accessing the webinar, as well as other information on the reopening, visit www.smore.com/h70fk.
"We know this year will be a year like no other we have ever experienced both in District 15 and across the country. I thank you in advance for your continued support, patience and understanding as we navigate the upcoming year together," Superintendent Laurie Heinz, wrote in a letter to parents
She said the plan is the result of research, conversations, task force committee work, staff and parent focus groups and surveys. It also takes into account the guidance of the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education.
"I want to reassure you that District 15 remains committed to the success of the whole child," she wrote. "We will continue to use responsive teaching practices and ensure that our students learn in a safe and dynamic environment, stay academically and socially-emotionally engaged, and feel supported and challenged as learners regardless of the changes we need to put in place this year based on the COVID-19 pandemic."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Fire destroys three mobile homes, kills dog in Wheeling

Fire swept through a Wheeling mobile home park Friday afternoon , destroying three homes , killing one pet and displacing @ @ @ @ @ called to the Whipple Tree Village , 15 Brougham Drive , at 3:58 p.m. A @ @ @ @ @ also noticed smoke coming from a garage , firefighters said .
When they arrived , @ @ @ @ @ engulfed in flames .
The blazing wound up extending to two mobile homes flanking it @ @ @ @ @ perished in the fire , but all the families from the mobile homes were successfully @ @ @ @ @ put out in 20 minutes , while another two hours were spent in overhaul operations @ @ @ @ @ was completely out .
No damage estimate was available .
The fire is under investigation @

Fire destroys three mobile homes, kills dog in Wheeling
Fire swept through a Wheeling mobile home park Friday afternoon, destroying three homes, killing one pet and displacing three families.
Firefighters were called to the Whipple Tree Village, 15 Brougham Drive, at 3:58 p.m.
A Wheeling police officer on patrol also noticed smoke coming from a garage, firefighters said.
When they arrived, firefighters found a mobile home engulfed in flames. The blazing wound up extending to two mobile homes flanking it.
Firefighters said one dog perished in the fire, but all the families from the mobile homes were successfully evacuated.
The fire was put out in 20 minutes, while another two hours were spent in overhaul operations and making sure the fire was completely out.
No damage estimate was available. The fire is under investigation.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on birth control doesn't affect Illinois' insurance mandates

SPRINGFIELD -- A U.S. Supreme Court decision this week that could make it more difficult for women to access birth control will not affect Illinois law , state officials and advocacy groups say .
The nation 's highest court upheld a federal rule established in 2018 that allows employers with moral or religious objections to opt out of the Affordable Care Act 's mandate that health insurance cover the cost of birth control .
The act includes an automatic exemption only for houses of worship .
Under the Trump administration rule upheld Wednesday , essentially all non-governmental employers now have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations were required to actively withdraw from coverage they disagreed with so their insurance companies could offer free alternatives to employees .
In a statement , the Illinois Department of Insurance said the state 's reproductive health care coverage requirements for women and men `` will continue to be enforced for plans subject '' to the department 's oversight .
Those mandates were included in a sweeping overhaul of Illinois statute last year .
The Reproductive Health Act , sponsored in the General Assembly by Rep. Kelly Cassidy , a Chicago Democrat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , declared access to contraception and other benefits as a fundamental right .
That means no level of government in Illinois can infringe upon a person 's access to those services .
The RHA also specified that private insurance companies regulated by the state must cover abortions if they also cover pregnancy-related benefits .
That `` monumental measure affirms women , not politicians or employers , can and should make their own decisions , '' Bush said in a statement .
`` This administration supports an individual 's access to birth control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling which further erodes the health care and insurance protections of the Affordable Care Act , '' the Insurance Department spokesperson wrote .
`` ... Our administration will continue to uphold and enforce the right to reproductive care in Illinois . ''
A representative for the Thomas More Society , a Chicago-based law firm that focuses on defending religious rights , said the firm agrees the Supreme Court 's ruling does not affect Illinois regulations .
Michael McHale , an attorney with the firm , said the decision `` is to be applauded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance mandates , filed in Sangamon County court , is still pending .
Attorney General Kwame Raoul 's office is `` carefully reviewing '' the ruling , a spokeswoman said in an email .
She added Raoul `` is committed to ensuring that women have the right to make their own reproductive health care decisions and to defending Illinois laws such as the Reproductive Health Act to ensure all Illinois residents can access safe health care . ''
Ameri Klafeta , director of the ACLU of Illinois ' Women 's and Reproductive Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong laws in place to protect access to reproductive health care , `` there are still groups of people who stand to lose birth control coverage in this state as a result of yesterdays ' decision . ''
While legally the Supreme Court 's ruling does not impact the validity of Illinois ' insurance mandates , practically , women who have employer insurance through the Affordable Care Act may be charged higher costs for contraception .
`` The decision will leave many employees and students being forced to pay out of pocket for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other ways to obtain it , '' she said .
`` Unfortunately , it will disproportionately impact people who are already struggling to make ends meet , an extra burden in the difficult economic times our country faces .
Birth control is important not just for women 's health , but for their economic security and equality . ''

U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on birth control doesn't affect Illinois' insurance mandates
More employers who cite religious or moral grounds can decline to offer cost-free birth control coverage to their workers, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. Associated Press, 2016
SPRINGFIELD -- A U.S. Supreme Court decision this week that could make it more difficult for women to access birth control will not affect Illinois law, state officials and advocacy groups say.
The nation's highest court upheld a federal rule established in 2018 that allows employers with moral or religious objections to opt out of the Affordable Care Act's mandate that health insurance cover the cost of birth control. The act includes an automatic exemption only for houses of worship. Under the Trump administration rule upheld Wednesday, essentially all non-governmental employers now have the ability to opt out.
Those organizations were required to actively withdraw from coverage they disagreed with so their insurance companies could offer free alternatives to employees.
In a statement, the Illinois Department of Insurance said the state's reproductive health care coverage requirements for women and men "will continue to be enforced for plans subject" to the department's oversight.
Those mandates were included in a sweeping overhaul of Illinois statute last year. The Reproductive Health Act, sponsored in the General Assembly by Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Chicago Democrat, and Sen. Melinda Bush, a Grayslake Democrat, declared access to contraception and other benefits as a fundamental right. That means no level of government in Illinois can infringe upon a person's access to those services.
The RHA also specified that private insurance companies regulated by the state must cover abortions if they also cover pregnancy-related benefits.
That "monumental measure affirms women, not politicians or employers, can and should make their own decisions," Bush said in a statement.
"This administration supports an individual's access to birth control and is disappointed by the Supreme Court ruling which further erodes the health care and insurance protections of the Affordable Care Act," the Insurance Department spokesperson wrote. "...Our administration will continue to uphold and enforce the right to reproductive care in Illinois."
A representative for the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based law firm that focuses on defending religious rights, said the firm agrees the Supreme Court's ruling does not affect Illinois regulations. Michael McHale, an attorney with the firm, said the decision "is to be applauded."
Its lawsuit challenging the state insurance mandates, filed in Sangamon County court, is still pending.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office is "carefully reviewing" the ruling, a spokeswoman said in an email.
She added Raoul "is committed to ensuring that women have the right to make their own reproductive health care decisions and to defending Illinois laws such as the Reproductive Health Act to ensure all Illinois residents can access safe health care."
Ameri Klafeta, director of the ACLU of Illinois' Women's and Reproductive Rights Project, said that while Illinois has strong laws in place to protect access to reproductive health care, "there are still groups of people who stand to lose birth control coverage in this state as a result of yesterdays' decision."
While legally the Supreme Court's ruling does not impact the validity of Illinois' insurance mandates, practically, women who have employer insurance through the Affordable Care Act may be charged higher costs for contraception.
"The decision will leave many employees and students being forced to pay out of pocket for their birth control or scramble to find other ways to obtain it," she said. "Unfortunately, it will disproportionately impact people who are already struggling to make ends meet, an extra burden in the difficult economic times our country faces. Birth control is important not just for women's health, but for their economic security and equality."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-10--Authorities looking for missing Glenview-area man

Cook County sheriff 's deputies are asking for the public 's help in locating a missing man from Northfield Township @ @ @ @ @ , was last seen about 3:15 p.m. Friday .
He was heading east from his @ @ @ @ @ of Glendale Road near Glenview .
Deputies said Newberry has Alzheimer 's disease and a @ @ @ @ @ he may be carrying a paper with the emergency contact number for his wife in @ @ @ @ @ 5 feet , 6 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds .
He is balding , @ @ @ @ @ sides , and has blue eyes .
He was wearing an olive green plaid shirt @ @ @ @ @ with information about Newberry 's whereabouts should call sheriff 's police at ( 708 ) @ @ @ @ @

Missing Glenview-area man found safe
Updated July 11.
Cook County sheriff's deputies said about 11 a.m. Saturday that a missing man from Northfield Township has been found and is safe.
The 78-year-old man was last seen about 3:15 p.m. Friday heading east from his home on the 800 block of Glendale Road near Glenview. He has Alzheimer's disease and a heart condition.