dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-28--Illinois EPA tackling next vaping problem: toxic waste

SPRINGFIELD -- As people worry about the negative effects that electronic cigarettes and vaping pens may have on users ' health , the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is worried about the damage caused by discarded vaping devices .
A three-member team at the state agency is working on ways to prevent toxic materials in used e-cigarettes and vaping pens from polluting the environment and damaging human health .
The idea came a few months ago from James Jennings , an IEPA employee who works on the project and manages waste reduction and compliance .
`` Even though this is advertised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are hazardous waste , universal waste and plastics components of this that have real effects downstream , '' Jennings said .
Interns Caleb Froidcoeur and Brock Titlow began researching the scope of the problem to see how the IEPA can work with vape shops , retail organizations and local governments to figure out the best ways to dispose of materials .
`` Electronic cigarettes themselves are able to be classified as electronic waste because there 's a battery in them , '' Froidcoeur said , `` and they also fall into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nicotine .
That kind of poses a unique problem because they do n't fall into just one category . ''
E-cigarettes and vaping pens contain many different kinds of materials , each with their own waste regulations .
E-cigarettes , which are small , disposable and closely resemble regular cigarettes , contain a battery , nicotine cartridge and a metal atomizer that turns the nicotine liquid into vapor .
Vape pens are larger and more sophisticated , containing a rechargeable battery , tank for liquid , electronic display screen , vaporizing coil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or plastic pieces .
Another product is disposable vape pods , which are shaped like flash drives and sold by brands like Juul .
`` When you dissect these items , there are different hazards and regulatory requirements applicable to each , '' Jennings said , `` sort of a unique creature that we 're going to encounter more and more as devices become more complicated . ''
Some products are also harder than others to separate into different components .
For example , Juul nicotine pods are easily removable , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a lack of information and the unintuitive disposal of these products , users often throw used vaping pens in the trash and in some cases litter used e-cigarettes and nicotine pods .
`` Everyone 's walked down a sidewalk and seen cigarette butts everywhere , '' Titlow said .
`` What we do n't want to happen is to have Juul pods be the next cigarette butt on the ground . ''
Other than the obvious issue of littering , residual nicotine and batteries pose a toxic hazard to humans and animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hazardous waste by Illinois law , but there are no state or federal laws regulating them when they 're part of a vaping pen .
So people tend to just throw packages in the trash , which can harm landfill workers and the environment .
`` If enough were accumulated , the material can leach through landfill into groundwater , '' Jennings warned .
Batteries are trickier .
Some can be recycled , while others are a fire hazard to landfills and certain recycling facilities .
`` It 's easy for us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be mistaken for something that 's recyclable plastic , thrown in a recycling bin with the battery intact and it causes a recovery facility to go up in flames , '' Jennings said .
The team 's first goal is to inform users of best disposal practices .
`` Addressing that education gap right now is the biggest concern of ours , '' Jennings said .
Though still in the early stages of drafting a plan , the team is looking at creating fact sheets to be posted online and at vape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing shops with brochures or information packets to give to customers .
`` We 're asking what kind of materials , what kind of information they would want from us , so that we know what to develop to give to them , '' Titlow said .
If a user wants to know right now how to dispose of their used pens , the team says to check with your local vape shop , which might at least have a battery collection program .
Vape manufacturers might also have product take-back programs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local medication collection event .
But that 's about the limit of the team 's advice for now .
`` We are still learning and technology is still evolving for the recovery of each component , '' Titlow said .
Upper Limits vape shop in Springfield already partners with a recycling company so customers can properly dispose of batteries at no cost .
`` They can bring in their spent batteries and we package them up and ship them back out to a recycler , '' operations manager Jon Sharpe said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ One thing that gives the team hope is the significant overlap between environmentally conscious people and vapers .
Jennings said research shows that people under 40 years old are more inclined to take additional steps to recycle things properly .
`` The people who are largely taking up vaping fall within that same age bracket , '' he said .
Sharpe says his battery collection program is popular , and some customers have even brought in used batteries from power tools .
`` There are surprisingly a lot of people who actually care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After publishing educational materials , the IEPA team hopes to work with vape shops to draw up concrete disposal methods .
Early ideas include shops dismantling used vape pens and separating the components to be disposed of properly , or organizing nicotine packet collection days .
`` If we can get others to realize the opportunities that are out there for partnering with us or battery recyclers , the more we can get to do that , the better , '' Titlow said .
Jennnigs says information is also more valuable if customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than the government .
`` If we can provide the retailers information , then they are relaying it , it puts the end user in a better position to make a sound decision than if it 's just coming from us , '' he said .
For Sharpe , the vape shop manager , woven through the concerns of littering and toxic pollution is a sincere motivation to preserve the environment and protect human and natural health from a complicated but inevitable new form of waste .
`` We only get one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible , '' he said .
`` You 're responsible to not be throwing toxic trash into a landfill that 's going to pollute God-knows-what down the line .
It 's all our food supply , it 's all our water supply .
I do n't want to drink water that 's contaminated with poison . ''

Illinois EPA tackling next vaping problem: toxic waste
Ben Orner/Capitol News IllinoisCustomers can recycle batteries from e-cigarettes and vaping pens at Upper Limits vape shop in Springfield.
Residual nicotine and the batteries used in vaping devices pose a toxic hazard to humans and animals. Associated Press file photo
SPRINGFIELD -- As people worry about the negative effects that electronic cigarettes and vaping pens may have on users' health, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is worried about the damage caused by discarded vaping devices.
A three-member team at the state agency is working on ways to prevent toxic materials in used e-cigarettes and vaping pens from polluting the environment and damaging human health.
The idea came a few months ago from James Jennings, an IEPA employee who works on the project and manages waste reduction and compliance.
"Even though this is advertised as a relatively innocuous alternative to smoking, there are hazardous waste, universal waste and plastics components of this that have real effects downstream," Jennings said.
Interns Caleb Froidcoeur and Brock Titlow began researching the scope of the problem to see how the IEPA can work with vape shops, retail organizations and local governments to figure out the best ways to dispose of materials.
"Electronic cigarettes themselves are able to be classified as electronic waste because there's a battery in them," Froidcoeur said, "and they also fall into the hazardous waste category because of residual nicotine. That kind of poses a unique problem because they don't fall into just one category."
A toxic problem
E-cigarettes and vaping pens contain many different kinds of materials, each with their own waste regulations. E-cigarettes, which are small, disposable and closely resemble regular cigarettes, contain a battery, nicotine cartridge and a metal atomizer that turns the nicotine liquid into vapor.
Vape pens are larger and more sophisticated, containing a rechargeable battery, tank for liquid, electronic display screen, vaporizing coil and various other metal, electronic, glass or plastic pieces. Another product is disposable vape pods, which are shaped like flash drives and sold by brands like Juul.
"When you dissect these items, there are different hazards and regulatory requirements applicable to each," Jennings said, "sort of a unique creature that we're going to encounter more and more as devices become more complicated."
Some products are also harder than others to separate into different components. For example, Juul nicotine pods are easily removable, but the batteries are sealed up tight.
"Imagine an Apple brand laptop," Froidcoeur said.
Because of a lack of information and the unintuitive disposal of these products, users often throw used vaping pens in the trash and in some cases litter used e-cigarettes and nicotine pods.
"Everyone's walked down a sidewalk and seen cigarette butts everywhere," Titlow said. "What we don't want to happen is to have Juul pods be the next cigarette butt on the ground."
Other than the obvious issue of littering, residual nicotine and batteries pose a toxic hazard to humans and animals.
Used nicotine packages are classified as hazardous waste by Illinois law, but there are no state or federal laws regulating them when they're part of a vaping pen. So people tend to just throw packages in the trash, which can harm landfill workers and the environment.
"If enough were accumulated, the material can leach through landfill into groundwater," Jennings warned.
Batteries are trickier. Some can be recycled, while others are a fire hazard to landfills and certain recycling facilities.
"It's easy for us to see a scenario where this plastic device would be mistaken for something that's recyclable plastic, thrown in a recycling bin with the battery intact and it causes a recovery facility to go up in flames," Jennings said.
Educating the public
The team's first goal is to inform users of best disposal practices.
"Addressing that education gap right now is the biggest concern of ours," Jennings said.
Though still in the early stages of drafting a plan, the team is looking at creating fact sheets to be posted online and at vape shops. They're also thinking of providing shops with brochures or information packets to give to customers.
"We're asking what kind of materials, what kind of information they would want from us, so that we know what to develop to give to them," Titlow said.
If a user wants to know right now how to dispose of their used pens, the team says to check with your local vape shop, which might at least have a battery collection program. Vape manufacturers might also have product take-back programs, while used nicotine pods could qualify for a local medication collection event.
But that's about the limit of the team's advice for now.
"We are still learning and technology is still evolving for the recovery of each component," Titlow said.
Upper Limits vape shop in Springfield already partners with a recycling company so customers can properly dispose of batteries at no cost.
"They can bring in their spent batteries and we package them up and ship them back out to a recycler," operations manager Jon Sharpe said. "It's being responsible."
Getting shops involved
One thing that gives the team hope is the significant overlap between environmentally conscious people and vapers. Jennings said research shows that people under 40 years old are more inclined to take additional steps to recycle things properly.
"The people who are largely taking up vaping fall within that same age bracket," he said.
Sharpe says his battery collection program is popular, and some customers have even brought in used batteries from power tools.
"There are surprisingly a lot of people who actually care about that," he said.
After publishing educational materials, the IEPA team hopes to work with vape shops to draw up concrete disposal methods. Early ideas include shops dismantling used vape pens and separating the components to be disposed of properly, or organizing nicotine packet collection days.
"If we can get others to realize the opportunities that are out there for partnering with us or battery recyclers, the more we can get to do that, the better," Titlow said.
Jennnigs says information is also more valuable if customers hear it from their trusted local shop rather than the government.
"If we can provide the retailers information, then they are relaying it, it puts the end user in a better position to make a sound decision than if it's just coming from us," he said.
For Sharpe, the vape shop manager, woven through the concerns of littering and toxic pollution is a sincere motivation to preserve the environment and protect human and natural health from a complicated but inevitable new form of waste.
"We only get one planet, so I think everybody's responsible," he said. "You're responsible to not be throwing toxic trash into a landfill that's going to pollute God-knows-what down the line. It's all our food supply, it's all our water supply. I don't want to drink water that's contaminated with poison."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-28--2 Carpentersville cops named Kane County Officers of the Year

Two Carpentersville police officers were named Kane County Officers of the Year Thursday night for actions they took when a gang member shot at them June 18 .
Sgt .
Kevin Stankowitz and officer Ian Abrahamsen , members of its gang and drugs unit , were in an unmarked squad when they recognized a man who belonged to a gang .
He flashed gang signs at them .
They made a U-turn to confront him -- and he started shooting at them , with a .38-caliber handgun .
Both officers were injured by flying shards of glass from the shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man twice .
The suspect ran into the home of a fellow gang member .
Eventually , the two officers convinced him to surrender .
`` All too often similar violent situations end with law enforcement officers losing their lives .
Sgt .
Kevin Stankowitz and officer Ian Abrahamsen acted the way they were trained in a profession they proudly serve , '' their nomination letter sated .
It said their actions were brave and prevented innocent bystanders from being injured .
The 43rd annual award was bestowed at a banquet in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a committee from the Batavia Lodge 682 , Loyal Order of Moose .
The lodge started honoring police officers at the suggestion of a member , the late Kane County Sheriff 's Deputy Louis Spuhler .
• Officer Ray Lopez and Investigator Jen Hillgoth of the Aurora Police Department .
The Aurora Police Department also received an award , for its work at the mass shooting in February 2019 at the Henry Pratt Co. Five officers were injured responding to the attack .

2 Carpentersville cops named Kane County Officers of the Year
Carpentersville police Sgt. Kevin Stankowitz, left, and officer Ian Abrahamsen, were named the Kane County Officers of the Year for 2019. They were praised after a violent confrontation with man officials said was a gang member ended with a suspect in custody and no bystanders injured. Courtesy of the Kane County Chiefs of Police Association
Two Carpentersville police officers were named Kane County Officers of the Year Thursday night for actions they took when a gang member shot at them June 18.
Sgt. Kevin Stankowitz and officer Ian Abrahamsen, members of its gang and drugs unit, were in an unmarked squad when they recognized a man who belonged to a gang.
He flashed gang signs at them. They made a U-turn to confront him -- and he started shooting at them with a .38-caliber handgun, officials said.
Both officers were injured by flying shards of glass from the shots. But they returned fire, striking the man twice.
The suspect ran into the home of a fellow gang member, officials said, and eventually the two officers convinced him to surrender.
"All too often similar violent situations end with law enforcement officers losing their lives. Sgt. Kevin Stankowitz and officer Ian Abrahamsen acted the way they were trained in a profession they proudly serve," their nomination letter sated. It said their actions were brave and prevented innocent bystanders from being injured.
The 43rd annual award was bestowed at a banquet in Geneva.
The winners are selected by a committee from the Batavia Lodge 682, Loyal Order of Moose. The lodge started honoring police officers at the suggestion of a member, the late Kane County Sheriff's Deputy Louis Spuhler.
Other nominees were:
• Officer Ray Lopez and Investigator Jen Hillgoth of the Aurora Police Department.
• Bartlett Detective Eric Kistler.
• Elgin Detective Andrew Houghton.
• Geneva Sgt. Eli Rivera.
• Illinois State Police District 2 Trooper Boguslaw Kramarz.
• Illinois State Police District 15 Trooper Kevin Kelliher.
• Kane County Deputy Luke Weston.
• St. Charles officer Jose Jacobo.
• West Dundee Sgt. Daniel Haines.
The Aurora Police Department also received an award, for its work at the mass shooting in February 2019 at the Henry Pratt Co. Five officers were injured responding to the attack.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-01--With Pheasant Run set to close today, uncertainty remains over the property's future

Once known as a premier entertainment destination that put St. Charles on the map , the iconic Pheasant Run Resort is set to cease operations Sunday .
As the last guests check out this weekend and the historic Bourbon Street goes dark , uncertainty remains over what will become of the sprawling resort campus at 4051 E. Main St. An online auction for the 18.3-acre site took place earlier this month , ending with a final bid of $ 6 million .
The resort 's undisclosed reserve , or the minimum price established by the seller , had not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a winning bidder could still be declared and a sale negotiated .
Weeks later , city officials say they have received no official word on the resort 's fate .
The property has been marketed for sale since November , shortly after its management announced plans to restructure operations and reduce its staff by 75 % .
Forty-two remaining employees were notified last month that their jobs also were in jeopardy .
Resort management previously indicated it would be honoring reservations through February , but that hotel stays and events would not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's online calendar shows no dates available beyond Sunday , which is listed as `` checkout only . ''
Meanwhile , St. Charles officials have been bracing for any possible outcome .
Pheasant Run has historically generated $ 500,000 to $ 600,000 in total tax revenue for the city each year , City Administrator Mark Koenen said earlier .
Should the property be acquired by new ownership , he said , city leaders are ready to act as a partner to help revive the eastern gateway to the town .
Aldermen and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort 's closure could affect the city 's budget .
During a meeting earlier this month , Finance Director Chris Minick said the loss of hotel/motel revenue alone would be a `` substantial amount , '' and additional discussions on the financial impact are likely forthcoming .
Built in 1963 on what was once a dairy farm , Pheasant Run continued expanding in size and scope the next couple of decades as founder Edward McArdle developed his vision for the property .
The resort now has 293 hotel rooms , seven restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting space .
It also operates a comedy club , a theater , an indoor/outdoor pool and an 18-hole golf course it leases from the DuPage Airport .
In its heyday , Pheasant Run served as a draw for local community members , business professionals and vacationers from throughout the suburbs and beyond .
Residents and former employees recall attending lavish events in its banquet halls and planning dates at a Bourbon Street restaurant .
The resort later faced financial turmoil , falling into foreclosure in 2011 and being purchased three years later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pheasant Run 's impending closure this weekend , the city was made aware of some interest in the resort 's Mega Center but has otherwise received no updates on the property , said Rita Tungare , community and economic development director .
Pheasant Run plans to continue providing its own security at the property in the immediate future , Deputy Police Chief Chuck Pierce added .

With Pheasant Run set to close today, uncertainty remains over the property's future
Once known as a premier entertainment destination that put St. Charles on the map, the iconic Pheasant Run Resort is set to cease operations Sunday.
As the last guests check out this weekend and the historic Bourbon Street goes dark, uncertainty remains over what will become of the sprawling resort campus at 4051 E. Main St.
An online auction for the 18.3-acre site took place earlier this month, ending with a final bid of $6 million. The resort's undisclosed reserve, or the minimum price established by the seller, had not been met, though the auction website indicated a winning bidder could still be declared and a sale negotiated.
Weeks later, city officials say they have received no official word on the resort's fate.
The property has been marketed for sale since November, shortly after its management announced plans to restructure operations and reduce its staff by 75%. Forty-two remaining employees were notified last month that their jobs also were in jeopardy.
Resort management previously indicated it would be honoring reservations through February, but that hotel stays and events would not be booked any further ahead. Pheasant Run's online calendar shows no dates available beyond Sunday, which is listed as "checkout only."
Meanwhile, St. Charles officials have been bracing for any possible outcome.
Pheasant Run has historically generated $500,000 to $600,000 in total tax revenue for the city each year, City Administrator Mark Koenen said earlier. Should the property be acquired by new ownership, he said, city leaders are ready to act as a partner to help revive the eastern gateway to the town.
Aldermen and staff members also have begun considering how the resort's closure could affect the city's budget. During a meeting earlier this month, Finance Director Chris Minick said the loss of hotel/motel revenue alone would be a "substantial amount," and additional discussions on the financial impact are likely forthcoming.
Built in 1963 on what was once a dairy farm, Pheasant Run continued expanding in size and scope the next couple of decades as founder Edward McArdle developed his vision for the property.
The resort now has 293 hotel rooms, seven restaurants, and 31,930 square feet of banquet and meeting space. It also operates a comedy club, a theater, an indoor/outdoor pool and an 18-hole golf course it leases from the DuPage Airport.
In its heyday, Pheasant Run served as a draw for local community members, business professionals and vacationers from throughout the suburbs and beyond. Residents and former employees recall attending lavish events in its banquet halls and planning dates at a Bourbon Street restaurant.
The resort later faced financial turmoil, falling into foreclosure in 2011 and being purchased three years later by an investment group.
Ahead of Pheasant Run's impending closure this weekend, the city was made aware of some interest in the resort's Mega Center but has otherwise received no updates on the property, said Rita Tungare, community and economic development director.
Pheasant Run plans to continue providing its own security at the property in the immediate future, Deputy Police Chief Chuck Pierce added.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-01--Third Illinois case of COVID-19 diagnosed Saturday in Cook County, officials say

A Cook County patient has tested positive for novel coronavirus , bringing the number of confirmed cases in Illinois up to three , according to state health officials .
The public health departments of Illinois and Cook County announced that another person has become infected with COVID-19 on Saturday .
Health officials said the person 's test results will need to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , but the patient is currently in isolation .
`` Public health officials are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the patient in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional transmission , '' the departments said in a statement .
`` The state of Illinois will request CDC deploy a team to Illinois to support these efforts . ''
Gov .
JB Pritzker has asked hospitals across Illinois to implement additional testing for the virus .
On Saturday , Loyola University Chicago announced its sending students studying abroad in Rome back home over concerns about the novel coronavirus .
School officials said that students must leave its John Felice Rome Center by Wednesday , March 4 .
All students will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period , under guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The university is deferring midterms for returning students and is expected to help offset additional travel costs , officials said .
Meanwhile , a Palatine family is worried about their daughter who 's currently quarantined while studying abroad in Italy due to the novel coronavirus outbreak .
Jena Spahic has been studying abroad in Italy for a month .
But the Marquette University sophomore said she 's barely been able to leave her Airbnb as concerns over COVID-19 continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like an apocalypse when I went out .
It was really eerie , '' Spahic said .
`` I was kind of really scared .
I did n't know if people were going to be wearing masks , if there was going to be any people out , if there was going to be food at the grocery store . ''
Classes at the university canceled last week after Italian officials announced hundreds of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus .
`` So far , I 'm not studying anything .
I have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our classes were supposed to start last week , Spahic said .
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said efforts are continuing to contain the virus , but he said the spread of it was expected .
Health officials announced the first reported death in the U.S. from COVID-19 on Saturday .
A man in his 50s died in Washington state , and the governor declared a state of emergency over the weekend .

Third Illinois case of COVID-19 diagnosed Saturday in Cook County, officials say
A Cook County patient has tested positive for novel coronavirus, bringing the number of confirmed cases in Illinois up to three, according to state health officials. Associated Press
A Cook County patient has tested positive for novel coronavirus, bringing the number of confirmed cases in Illinois up to three, according to state health officials.
The public health departments of Illinois and Cook County announced that another person has become infected with COVID-19 on Saturday.
Health officials said the person's test results will need to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the patient is currently in isolation.
"Public health officials are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the patient in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission," the departments said in a statement. "The state of Illinois will request CDC deploy a team to Illinois to support these efforts."
Gov. JB Pritzker has asked hospitals across Illinois to implement additional testing for the virus.
On Saturday, Loyola University Chicago announced its sending students studying abroad in Rome back home over concerns about the novel coronavirus.
School officials said that students must leave its John Felice Rome Center by Wednesday, March 4.
All students will have to stay at home for a 14-day observation period, under guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The university is deferring midterms for returning students and is expected to help offset additional travel costs, officials said.
Meanwhile, a Palatine family is worried about their daughter who's currently quarantined while studying abroad in Italy due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Jena Spahic has been studying abroad in Italy for a month. But the Marquette University sophomore said she's barely been able to leave her Airbnb as concerns over COVID-19 continue to grow.
"It seemed kind of like an apocalypse when I went out. It was really eerie," Spahic said. "I was kind of really scared. I didn't know if people were going to be wearing masks, if there was going to be any people out, if there was going to be food at the grocery store."
Classes at the university canceled last week after Italian officials announced hundreds of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus.
"So far, I'm not studying anything. I haven't even been in the classes yet. Our classes were supposed to start last week, Spahic said.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said efforts are continuing to contain the virus, but he said the spread of it was expected.
Health officials announced the first reported death in the U.S. from COVID-19 on Saturday.
A man in his 50s died in Washington state, and the governor declared a state of emergency over the weekend.
Chicago Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-29--Constable: Does state ban on locked timeout rooms increase risk?

A special-education teacher for 24 years , Kerry Doctor knows there can be dangerous moments working in a classroom with adult-size people who have behavioral issues .
But Doctor says a change in the school 's enrollment and the state 's recent crackdown on use of locked timeout rooms designed to alleviate tense situations have increased the risk for injury this year .
`` I 'm not so naive to believe that I wo n't get some bumps and bruises working with my kids , '' Doctor says .
`` I 've gotten bit .
I 've gotten kicked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened to the 49-year-old teacher on Dec. 16 during an incident with a student at Kirk School in Palatine still has her recuperating at home in Arlington Heights , waiting for her concussion symptoms to stop and her confidence to return .
`` I am scared to go to work , '' says Doctor , saying one fellow teacher has missed work on three occasions this year because of head and shoulder injuries after encounters with students .
Those words land like a gut punch for Judith Hackett , superintendent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSSEO , which oversees Kirk as well as Timber Ridge and Miner schools in Arlington Heights .
`` We do n't want anyone to be hurt .
Safety is a priority for us , '' Hackett says .
She says data about staff injuries is misinterpreted and focusing on it takes away from the accomplishments in the district .
Doctor , Hackett , veteran school nurse Wendy Rabin and Assistant Superintendent Heather Miehl all speak lovingly of the 190 students , 205 staff members , parents and entire Kirk community .
They talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with special needs in a constantly evolving educational system and say that no one makes a career in special education without a passion for the job .
While Kirk staff members had no days missed due to injuries in January 2019 and 32 missed days in January 2020 , most of that is the result of Doctor 's concussion .
The number of staff members treated by a Kirk nurse increased from two in November 2018 to 10 in November 2019 , a number that could also reflect a change in student population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been difficult to prevent , but the state 's recent prohibition against locked timeout rooms has contributed to other injuries , says Rabin , a Kirk school nurse with 27 years of experience .
`` We need our timeout rooms back , '' she says , noting that students free to enter the halls after an incident can cause more injuries to staff or students .
Rabin and Doctor say another factor contributing to this year 's increase in injuries at Kirk is a well-intentioned change in the school 's population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , moved Kirk 's younger students to Miner and brought more high school students to Kirk .
This means a tiny third-grader no longer can end up in the same hallway as a 21-year-old student with behavioral issues .
That change made some situations better , and staff injuries have decreased at Miner .
Staff days missed at Miner dropped from 19 in January 2019 to five this January , and the number of nurse treatments for the Miner staff fell from six to four that month .
But the move also brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be difficult to control .
`` We 've got 300-pound students who get frustrated like 2-year-olds , '' says Rabin .
During a school board meeting in December , the nurse warned , `` You are one event away from a catastrophic event of permanent injury or death . ''
Doctor says , `` I 'm not exaggerating when I say it 's only a matter of time before someone dies . ''
While it would n't have prevented her concussion , Doctor says the state 's prohibition against timeout rooms took away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , the Illinois State Board of Education did away with the locked rooms in November after an investigation by ProPublica Illinois and the Chicago Tribune found that some school districts were locking students in them as punishment .
`` It all makes sense on paper , but it 's been tough , '' Rabin says .
Saying she is `` horrified '' at the thought of those rooms being used for punishment , Rabin says timeout rooms used properly make everyone safer .
Last month , the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some special-education educators , backed off slightly by issuing an emergency amendment allowing timeout rooms , but banned any locked doors and required that a staff member be in the room with a student .
Last week , the state board modified the mandates again with a second emergency amendment , allowing staffers to leave a student alone in an unlocked room as long as the staff member stays within two feet of the door .
Hackett has testified at hearings in Springfield .
`` Has it had a broad sweep in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Certainly , '' says Hackett .
The bipartisan legislative Joint Committee on Administrative Rules might settle on permanent rules at its March 18 meeting .
Kirk offers sleeves , to protect staff members against bites , and a variety of headgear -- from stylish padded stocking caps to recently added sturdier hard-shell caps -- to protect against head injuries .
But they are optional , and Doctor was n't wearing one when her injury occurred while she was with a student during lunch break in the Zen Den , a relaxation room with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white-noise machine .
The student leaned against her left shoulder while watching a handheld device .
`` My guess was that ( the student ) was watching a video and dozed off , '' Doctor says .
`` They wake up and the video was not on , and it made them very angry . ''
The student , more muscular and heavier than the teacher , reached back , grabbed Doctor 's hair and yanked her head so violently the student ended up on the floor , still shaking Doctor 's head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a great kid .
It 's not their fault , '' Doctor says .
`` The student 's got a smile that wo n't quit .
We have a wonderful relationship . ''
She pauses and says , `` Sorry , I am a little foggy , '' before she continues her account of the incident , which lasted a minute or two .
Using the skills she learned from her annual Crisis Prevention Institute certification , Doctor grabbed the student 's hands .
`` I was n't strong enough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student was `` thrashing '' and `` grabbing at my shirt '' as Doctor struggled .
`` I was on my knees toward the end .
I was really weak . ''
Finally able to reach the walkie-talkie on her belt , Doctor called for help .
Staff members eventually calmed the student , but Doctor says they might have had an easier time doing so using the timeout room under the old rules .
Doctor ended up at a local medical clinic .
`` I 've gone to that clinic before when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Doctor says .
She was diagnosed with a concussion and sent home .
`` The pain at first was excruciating , '' remembers Doctor , who eventually saw a neurologist who has kept her home on workers ' comp , and has used a variety of treatments , including putting a blue screen on her phone to ease the strain on her eyes .
`` I missed Christmas and New Year 's .
I ca n't play soccer .
I have a constant headache . ''
This winter , three of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee were on workers ' comp because of concussions or other injuries gotten at school .
Teacher Tom Jaslikowski , one of the three , says leaving a student inside the padded timeout room while a teacher watched through a window and held a button to keep the door locked was the best way to keep the student , the teacher and others safe .
`` It really did work well .
They would hit the walls for 5 minutes , and then calm down .
Once they are safe , they return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting the padded walls prevent injuries and there are no hard tables , chairs or other items that students could use to hurt themselves or others .
`` It 's better for the kids and the staff .
It resolves it quicker without a physical intervention . ''
Setting universal rules for a diverse student population with a variety of ages , sizes , mental health issues , ways of communicating and individual learning methods is difficult , staff members and administrators agree .
`` We want flexibility .
We want training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hackett , who was in Springfield last week educating legislators about the complexity of students .
`` We feel very good about the work we 're doing . ''
A Kirk Action Plan Team is expected to roll out a new plan next week designed to help students and staff members avoid situations that have resulted in injuries , Miehl says .
Doctor and some other staff members still have injuries and fears that more injuries are in the offing .
But Hackett says everyone has the same goals .
`` It takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It was a heavy load this year , but we have an incredibly talented , dedicated staff and Kirk community . ''

Constable: Teachers say ban on 'timeout rooms' one reason injuries increased
A special-education teacher for 24 years, Kerry Doctor knows there can be dangerous moments working in a classroom with adult-size people who have behavioral issues.
But Doctor says a change in the school's enrollment and the state's recent crackdown on use of locked timeout rooms designed to alleviate tense situations have increased the risk for injury this year.
"I'm not so naive to believe that I won't get some bumps and bruises working with my kids," Doctor says. "I've gotten bit. I've gotten kicked. I've gotten scratched."
But what happened to the 49-year-old teacher on Dec. 16 during an incident with a student at Kirk School in Palatine still has her recuperating at home in Arlington Heights, waiting for her concussion symptoms to stop and her confidence to return.
"I am scared to go to work," says Doctor, saying one fellow teacher has missed work on three occasions this year because of head and shoulder injuries after encounters with students.
Those words land like a gut punch for Judith Hackett, superintendent of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization, or NSSEO, which oversees Kirk as well as Timber Ridge and Miner schools in Arlington Heights.
"We don't want anyone to be hurt. Safety is a priority for us," Hackett says. She says data about staff injuries is misinterpreted and focusing on it takes away from the accomplishments in the district.
Doctor, Hackett, veteran school nurse Wendy Rabin and Assistant Superintendent Heather Miehl all speak lovingly of the 190 students, 205 staff members, parents and entire Kirk community. They talk of a shared desire to help students with special needs in a constantly evolving educational system and say that no one makes a career in special education without a passion for the job.
While Kirk staff members had no days missed due to injuries in January 2019 and 32 missed days in January 2020, most of that is the result of Doctor's concussion. The number of staff members treated by a Kirk nurse increased from two in November 2018 to 10 in November 2019, a number that could also reflect a change in student population at Kirk.
Doctor's injury might have been difficult to prevent, but the state's recent prohibition against locked timeout rooms has contributed to other injuries, says Rabin, a Kirk school nurse with 27 years of experience. "We need our timeout rooms back," she says, noting that students free to enter the halls after an incident can cause more injuries to staff or students.
Rabin and Doctor say another factor contributing to this year's increase in injuries at Kirk is a well-intentioned change in the school's population.
A redesign, inspired by the staff, moved Kirk's younger students to Miner and brought more high school students to Kirk. This means a tiny third-grader no longer can end up in the same hallway as a 21-year-old student with behavioral issues. That change made some situations better, and staff injuries have decreased at Miner. Staff days missed at Miner dropped from 19 in January 2019 to five this January, and the number of nurse treatments for the Miner staff fell from six to four that month.
But the move also brought Kirk more older students, who can be difficult to control.
"We've got 300-pound students who get frustrated like 2-year-olds," says Rabin. During a school board meeting in December, the nurse warned, "You are one event away from a catastrophic event of permanent injury or death."
Doctor says, "I'm not exaggerating when I say it's only a matter of time before someone dies." While it wouldn't have prevented her concussion, Doctor says the state's prohibition against timeout rooms took away a valuable safety tool.
Under orders from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois State Board of Education did away with the locked rooms in November after an investigation by ProPublica Illinois and the Chicago Tribune found that some school districts were locking students in them as punishment.
"It all makes sense on paper, but it's been tough," Rabin says. Saying she is "horrified" at the thought of those rooms being used for punishment, Rabin says timeout rooms used properly make everyone safer.
Last month, the state education board, responding to feedback from some special-education educators, backed off slightly by issuing an emergency amendment allowing timeout rooms, but banned any locked doors and required that a staff member be in the room with a student. Last week, the state board modified the mandates again with a second emergency amendment, allowing staffers to leave a student alone in an unlocked room as long as the staff member stays within two feet of the door. Hackett has testified at hearings in Springfield.
"Has it had a broad sweep in terms of applications for all of us? Certainly," says Hackett. The bipartisan legislative Joint Committee on Administrative Rules might settle on permanent rules at its March 18 meeting.
Kirk offers sleeves, to protect staff members against bites, and a variety of headgear -- from stylish padded stocking caps to recently added sturdier hard-shell caps -- to protect against head injuries. But they are optional, and Doctor wasn't wearing one when her injury occurred while she was with a student during lunch break in the Zen Den, a relaxation room with beanbag chairs, yoga mats and a white-noise machine. The student leaned against her left shoulder while watching a handheld device.
"My guess was that (the student) was watching a video and dozed off," Doctor says. "They wake up and the video was not on, and it made them very angry."
The student, more muscular and heavier than the teacher, reached back, grabbed Doctor's hair and yanked her head so violently the student ended up on the floor, still shaking Doctor's head.
"The student's a love, and a great kid. It's not their fault," Doctor says. "The student's got a smile that won't quit. We have a wonderful relationship."
She pauses and says, "Sorry, I am a little foggy," before she continues her account of the incident, which lasted a minute or two. Using the skills she learned from her annual Crisis Prevention Institute certification, Doctor grabbed the student's hands.
"I wasn't strong enough," she says, recalling how the student was "thrashing" and "grabbing at my shirt" as Doctor struggled. "I was on my knees toward the end. I was really weak."
Finally able to reach the walkie-talkie on her belt, Doctor called for help. Staff members eventually calmed the student, but Doctor says they might have had an easier time doing so using the timeout room under the old rules. Doctor ended up at a local medical clinic.
"I've gone to that clinic before when I have been bitten by students," Doctor says. She was diagnosed with a concussion and sent home.
"The pain at first was excruciating," remembers Doctor, who eventually saw a neurologist who has kept her home on workers' comp, and has used a variety of treatments, including putting a blue screen on her phone to ease the strain on her eyes. "I missed Christmas and New Year's. I can't play soccer. I have a constant headache."
This winter, three of the four staff members on the Kirk safety committee were on workers' comp because of concussions or other injuries gotten at school. Teacher Tom Jaslikowski, one of the three, says leaving a student inside the padded timeout room while a teacher watched through a window and held a button to keep the door locked was the best way to keep the student, the teacher and others safe.
"It really did work well. They would hit the walls for 5 minutes, and then calm down. Once they are safe, they return to the classroom," Jaslikowski says, noting the padded walls prevent injuries and there are no hard tables, chairs or other items that students could use to hurt themselves or others. "It's better for the kids and the staff. It resolves it quicker without a physical intervention."
Setting universal rules for a diverse student population with a variety of ages, sizes, mental health issues, ways of communicating and individual learning methods is difficult, staff members and administrators agree.
"We want flexibility. We want training. We want support," says Hackett, who was in Springfield last week educating legislators about the complexity of students. "We feel very good about the work we're doing."
A Kirk Action Plan Team is expected to roll out a new plan next week designed to help students and staff members avoid situations that have resulted in injuries, Miehl says. Doctor and some other staff members still have injuries and fears that more injuries are in the offing. But Hackett says everyone has the same goals.
"It takes a village," Hackett says. "It was a heavy load this year, but we have an incredibly talented, dedicated staff and Kirk community."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-01--Boys swimming and diving: St. Charles North repeats state title

On leap day , St. Charles North sophomore swimmer Aleksej Filipovic and the North Stars boys swimming team made a big leap forward at the state finals at Evanston .
The North Stars were not to be denied as Filipovic became state champion in the 100 butterfly in the time of 48.25 .
Filipovic 's big day , and the stellar performances of his teammates , led St. Charles North to a second consecutive team title .
The North Stars just barely outpointed Loyola , 137-135 , to win .
`` This is just the beginning , '' said Aleksej @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to keep improving , and I 'm looking forward to my next two years .
I 'm so proud of my teammates today . ''
Contributing to the St. Charles North win was the 200 free relay team in fourth ( Aleksej Filipovic , Srboljub Filipovic , Daniel Kowaleski and Ricky Williams ) ; the 200 medley relay quartet also in fourth ( Srboljub Filipovic , Nathaniel Baxter , Aleksej Filipovic and Kowaleski ) ; Williams in the 200 freestyle ( consolation heat winner , 1:40.30 ) ; and Srboljub Filipovic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IM at 1:51.30 .
Other stalwarts for the North Stars Saturday included Aleksej Filipovic 's runner-up placement in the 50 free ( 20.48 ) ; Williams , fourth in the 50 free ( 4:31.93 ) ; and the 400-free relay team of Williams , Kowaleski , Baxter and Srboljub Filipovic , who brought the team win home in the last event of the day .
Nathaniel Baxter pitched in by placing sixth in the 100 breaststroke .
`` It felt good to be in the pool today , '' said Aleksej Filipovic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were able to put up . ''
St. Charles East enjoyed another outstanding performance on day two of the state meet , led by diver Joey Scimeca , who took third at 506.90 .
It was another step up for Scimeca , a senior , who finished fifth two years ago and fourth last season .
`` This feeling is unmatched , it 's like nothing else , '' said Scimeca .
`` Finishing in the top three was my goal from day one of this season and I 'm so happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team means everything -- I try to keep everyone positive and when we 're all feeling good , we really swim well . ''
The Saints were boosted by a second-place finish in the 200 free by junior Calvin Windle ( 1:36.95 ) and the stellar day by athletes with disabilities simmer Leo Czerwinski , a freshman .
Czerwinski , after posting outstanding seeding times prior to the meet , competed Saturday and excelled in the AWD 50 free ( 31.90 ) and the 100 and 200 free .
`` This was just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I came out today to race and do what I love .
This experience has been even more than I could have imagined , it 's been a lot fun and I have my teammates to thank for that .
I trust them and they make me feel like I can do anything . ''
`` To see where Leo is at now , '' said Saints coach Adam Musial , `` compared to day one of practice this season -- it 's just been awesome .
He 's a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point in time .
He works hard and trains hard every day and it 's great to see him getting the attention he deserves . ''
West Chicago co-op scored a consolation victory in the 200 medley relay behind swimmers Kyle Wolford , Will Herwig , Teegan Cook and Brian Culloton .

Boys swimming and diving: St. Charles North repeats state title
On leap day, St. Charles North sophomore swimmer Aleksej Filipovic and the North Stars boys swimming team made a big leap forward at the state finals at Evanston.
The North Stars were not to be denied as Filipovic became state champion in the 100 butterfly in the time of 48.25.
Filipovic's big day, and the stellar performances of his teammates, led St. Charles North to a second consecutive team title.
The North Stars just barely outpointed Loyola, 137-135, to win.
"This is just the beginning," said Aleksej Filipovic of the victory. "We're going to keep improving, and I'm looking forward to my next two years. I'm so proud of my teammates today."
Contributing to the St. Charles North win was the 200 free relay team in fourth (Aleksej Filipovic, Srboljub Filipovic, Daniel Kowaleski and Ricky Williams); the 200 medley relay quartet also in fourth (Srboljub Filipovic, Nathaniel Baxter, Aleksej Filipovic and Kowaleski); Williams in the 200 freestyle (consolation heat winner, 1:40.30); and Srboljub Filipovic, who was fourth in the 200 IM at 1:51.30.
Other stalwarts for the North Stars Saturday included Aleksej Filipovic's runner-up placement in the 50 free (20.48); Williams, fourth in the 50 free (4:31.93); and the 400-free relay team of Williams, Kowaleski, Baxter and Srboljub Filipovic, who brought the team win home in the last event of the day.
Nathaniel Baxter pitched in by placing sixth in the 100 breaststroke.
"It felt good to be in the pool today," said Aleksej Filipovic, "and just see what great times we were able to put up."
St. Charles East enjoyed another outstanding performance on day two of the state meet, led by diver Joey Scimeca, who took third at 506.90.
It was another step up for Scimeca, a senior, who finished fifth two years ago and fourth last season.
"This feeling is unmatched, it's like nothing else," said Scimeca. "Finishing in the top three was my goal from day one of this season and I'm so happy right now. Being here with my team means everything -- I try to keep everyone positive and when we're all feeling good, we really swim well."
The Saints were boosted by a second-place finish in the 200 free by junior Calvin Windle (1:36.95) and the stellar day by athletes with disabilities simmer Leo Czerwinski, a freshman.
Czerwinski, after posting outstanding seeding times prior to the meet, competed Saturday and excelled in the AWD 50 free (31.90) and the 100 and 200 free.
"This was just the greatest experience," said Czerwinski. "I came out today to race and do what I love. This experience has been even more than I could have imagined, it's been a lot fun and I have my teammates to thank for that. I trust them and they make me feel like I can do anything."
"To see where Leo is at now," said Saints coach Adam Musial, "compared to day one of practice this season -- it's just been awesome. He's a different swimmer and a different person at this point in time. He works hard and trains hard every day and it's great to see him getting the attention he deserves."
West Chicago co-op scored a consolation victory in the 200 medley relay behind swimmers Kyle Wolford, Will Herwig, Teegan Cook and Brian Culloton.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-29--Biden wins South Carolina, hopes for Super Tuesday momentum

COLUMBIA , S.C. -- Joe Biden scored a convincing victory in South Carolina 's Democratic primary on Saturday , riding a wave of African American support and ending progressive rival Bernie Sanders ' winning streak .
The victory came at a a crucial moment in Biden 's 2020 bid as he bounced back from underwhelming performances in the first three contests and headed into `` Super Tuesday , '' when voters in 14 states go to the polls and about a third of the delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination are at stake .
Biden hopes the South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the clear alternative to Sanders as the race quickly shifts nationwide .
Standing in Biden 's way , in addition to Sanders , is former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg , one of the world 's richest men , who has spent more than half a billion dollars courting voters in dozens of states yet to vote .
The South Carolina primary was the first major test of the candidates ' appeal among black voters .
And while it gave the 77-year-old Biden a win when he most needed it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial and organizational resources to dramatically expand his campaign in the next 72 hours .
He will also be under pressure to rely on his decades-long relationships with party leaders to create a new sense of inevitability around his candidacy .
Even before news of Biden 's win was declared , Bloomberg announced his own plan to deliver a three-minute prime-time address Sunday night on two television networks .
He did n't say how much he paid for the air time , which is unprecedented in recent decades .
And Sanders was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ betting he can amass an insurmountable delegate lead at that point .
After two consecutive victories and a tie for the lead in Iowa , the 78-year-old Vermont senator 's confidence is surging .
Sanders was spending the lead-up to Super Tuesday campaigning in the home states of two major Democratic rivals , betting he can score a double knockout blow -- or at least limit the size of their victories .
In a power play , Sanders hosted a midday rally Saturday in downtown Boston , campaigning in the heart of liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Addressing a crowd of thousands on the Boston Common , Sanders said his success in the Democratic primary means `` the establishment is getting very nervous '' -- but he never predicted victory in South Carolina .
On the eve of Super Tuesday , Sanders will host a concert in Minnesota , where home-state Sen. Amy Klobuchar is looking for her first win .
Senior adviser Jeff Weaver was among the staffers dispatched to California on Saturday .
He said Sanders is aggressively hunting for delegates , noting that their campaign 's experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taught them that any candidate who finishes Super Tuesday with a significant delegate advantage will be difficult to catch .
`` I 'm confident we 're going to do very , very well across the country , '' Weaver said of the coming four days .
He also sought to downplay the importance of South Carolina , where `` Biden is expected to win . ''
`` For the vice president , he needs an extraordinarily large win in South Carolina in order to convince folks he 's going to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet the Democrats ' 2020 primary election is far from a two-person race .
In South Carolina , billionaire activist Tom Steyer has spent more than $ 19 million on television advertising -- more than all the other candidates combined -- in his quest for his first top finish in four contests .
At his state campaign headquarters on Saturday , Steyer said he felt optimistic going into the vote and was looking ahead to trips to Alabama and Texas , two Super Tuesday states .
Not ceding anything , Pete Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a multiracial coalition .
And with the help of super PACs , Warren and Klobuchar have vowed to keep pushing forward no matter how they finish on Saturday .
Still , Saturday was all about Biden and whether he might convince anxious establishment Democrats rally behind him at last .
Elected officials inclined to embrace his moderate politics had been reluctant to support him after bad finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire and a distant second place in Nevada last week .
Yet fearing Sanders ' polarizing progressive priorities , they 're still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a safer bet to defeat Trump in November .
Senior Biden adviser Symone Sanders shifted away from calling South Carolina Biden 's `` firewall '' and instead called it a `` springboard , '' on par with how the state boosted the presidential aspirations of Barack Obama in 2008 and Clinton in 2016 .
That sentiment was echoed by former senior Obama adviser David Axelrod , who said a big Biden win in South Carolina could give him a Super Tuesday boost that might force several candidates to quickly consider whether to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden wins by a big margin , it will translate into a bigger day for him on Tuesday , '' Axelrod said .
`` And if he beats Bloomberg by a significant margin on Tuesday , Bloomberg is going to have to consider what he 's doing here . ''
Indeed , South Carolina represents much more than the fourth state on the Democrats ' months-long primary calendar .
It serves as the first major test of the candidates ' strength with African American voters , who will be critical both in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary season .
Roughly three in 10 people of voting age in South Carolina are black , according to census data .
There was evidence that Biden 's status as former President Obama 's two-term vice president helped him win over African Americans .
About 4 in 10 voters in South Carolina wanted to return to the politics of the past , compared to about a third in Iowa and New Hampshire .
That includes the roughly 50 % of African American voters who said they want a Democratic presidential nominee who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to AP VoteCast , a wide-ranging survey of the electorate .
By comparison , roughly two-thirds of white voters wanted a presidential candidate who would bring fundamental change to Washington .
While voting technology was a concern in two of the last three primary contests , South Carolina uses a wide array of voting technology that presents unique challenges .
Saturday 's election in South Carolina marks the first statewide test of its new fleet of electronic voting machines , a $ 50 million upgrade from an old and vulnerable system that lacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new machines produce a paper record that can be verified by the voter and checked after the election to detect any malfunction or manipulation .

Biden wins South Carolina, hopes for Super Tuesday momentum
President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in North Charleston, S.C., on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. The Augusta Chronicle via AP
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden meets with attendees during a campaign event, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Spartanburg, S.C. Associated Press
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden takes photos with supporters at a campaign event at Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Joe Biden scored a convincing victory in South Carolina's Democratic primary on Saturday, riding a wave of African American support and ending progressive rival Bernie Sanders' winning streak.
The victory came at a a crucial moment in Biden's 2020 bid as he bounced back from underwhelming performances in the first three contests and headed into "Super Tuesday," when voters in 14 states go to the polls and about a third of the delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination are at stake.
Biden hopes the South Carolina victory will be enough to establish him as the clear alternative to Sanders as the race quickly shifts nationwide. Standing in Biden's way, in addition to Sanders, is former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, one of the world's richest men, who has spent more than half a billion dollars courting voters in dozens of states yet to vote.
The South Carolina primary was the first major test of the candidates' appeal among black voters. And while it gave the 77-year-old Biden a win when he most needed it, he must still prove that he has the financial and organizational resources to dramatically expand his campaign in the next 72 hours. He will also be under pressure to rely on his decades-long relationships with party leaders to create a new sense of inevitability around his candidacy.
Even before news of Biden's win was declared, Bloomberg announced his own plan to deliver a three-minute prime-time address Sunday night on two television networks. He didn't say how much he paid for the air time, which is unprecedented in recent decades.
And Sanders was already peeking ahead to Super Tuesday, betting he can amass an insurmountable delegate lead at that point. After two consecutive victories and a tie for the lead in Iowa, the 78-year-old Vermont senator's confidence is surging.
Sanders was spending the lead-up to Super Tuesday campaigning in the home states of two major Democratic rivals, betting he can score a double knockout blow -- or at least limit the size of their victories.
In a power play, Sanders hosted a midday rally Saturday in downtown Boston, campaigning in the heart of liberal ally Elizabeth Warren's political turf. Addressing a crowd of thousands on the Boston Common, Sanders said his success in the Democratic primary means "the establishment is getting very nervous" -- but he never predicted victory in South Carolina.
On the eve of Super Tuesday, Sanders will host a concert in Minnesota, where home-state Sen. Amy Klobuchar is looking for her first win.
Senior adviser Jeff Weaver was among the staffers dispatched to California on Saturday. He said Sanders is aggressively hunting for delegates, noting that their campaign's experience during the 2016 primary against Hillary Clinton taught them that any candidate who finishes Super Tuesday with a significant delegate advantage will be difficult to catch.
"I'm confident we're going to do very, very well across the country," Weaver said of the coming four days. He also sought to downplay the importance of South Carolina, where "Biden is expected to win."
"For the vice president, he needs an extraordinarily large win in South Carolina in order to convince folks he's going to be able to go the distance," he said.
Yet the Democrats' 2020 primary election is far from a two-person race.
In South Carolina, billionaire activist Tom Steyer has spent more than $19 million on television advertising -- more than all the other candidates combined -- in his quest for his first top finish in four contests. At his state campaign headquarters on Saturday, Steyer said he felt optimistic going into the vote and was looking ahead to trips to Alabama and Texas, two Super Tuesday states.
Not ceding anything, Pete Buttigieg is fighting to prove he can build a multiracial coalition. And with the help of super PACs, Warren and Klobuchar have vowed to keep pushing forward no matter how they finish on Saturday.
Still, Saturday was all about Biden and whether he might convince anxious establishment Democrats rally behind him at last.
Elected officials inclined to embrace his moderate politics had been reluctant to support him after bad finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire and a distant second place in Nevada last week. Yet fearing Sanders' polarizing progressive priorities, they're still searching for an alternative who's viewed as a safer bet to defeat Trump in November.
Senior Biden adviser Symone Sanders shifted away from calling South Carolina Biden's "firewall" and instead called it a "springboard," on par with how the state boosted the presidential aspirations of Barack Obama in 2008 and Clinton in 2016.
That sentiment was echoed by former senior Obama adviser David Axelrod, who said a big Biden win in South Carolina could give him a Super Tuesday boost that might force several candidates to quickly consider whether to proceed, including Bloomberg.
"If Biden wins by a big margin, it will translate into a bigger day for him on Tuesday," Axelrod said. "And if he beats Bloomberg by a significant margin on Tuesday, Bloomberg is going to have to consider what he's doing here."
Indeed, South Carolina represents much more than the fourth state on the Democrats' months-long primary calendar.
It serves as the first major test of the candidates' strength with African American voters, who will be critical both in the general election and the rest of the primary season.
Roughly three in 10 people of voting age in South Carolina are black, according to census data.
There was evidence that Biden's status as former President Obama's two-term vice president helped him win over African Americans.
About 4 in 10 voters in South Carolina wanted to return to the politics of the past, compared to about a third in Iowa and New Hampshire. That includes the roughly 50% of African American voters who said they want a Democratic presidential nominee who would emulate the Obama's presidency, according to AP VoteCast, a wide-ranging survey of the electorate.
By comparison, roughly two-thirds of white voters wanted a presidential candidate who would bring fundamental change to Washington.
While voting technology was a concern in two of the last three primary contests, South Carolina uses a wide array of voting technology that presents unique challenges.
Saturday's election in South Carolina marks the first statewide test of its new fleet of electronic voting machines, a $50 million upgrade from an old and vulnerable system that lacked any paper record of individual votes. The new machines produce a paper record that can be verified by the voter and checked after the election to detect any malfunction or manipulation.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-29--New parents welcome leaplings into the world

Just after midnight , Noah Jaes Eason came into the world and immediately joined the ranks of the `` leaplings '' -- people born on Feb. 29 .
`` We tried not to , so he could have an actual birthday each year , '' Noah 's mother Lacy Eason said Saturday afternoon from Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights .
Lacy delivered Noah , she and her husband 's first child , at 12:48 a.m. Lacy Eason said Noah 's due date was March 4 , but Lacy , her husband Lael Eason and their doctors decided it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lael Eason said it has been a struggle for the couple to have a child .
`` I was thinking this morning that it 's just a blessing for him to have been born and to be born on this day is special in itself , '' Lael Eason said .
Amber Olivia Hildebrand also was born in the early hours of Saturday at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield .
Amber 's mother Rebecca Zielinski knows something about being a newsworthy tyke .
Rebecca was a New Year 's baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first hours ran in newspapers as well .
`` So she was born on a special day too , '' Zielinski said .
`` I think it 's cool , something to always share . ''
Amber was due to be born on March 8 and a C-section was scheduled for March 3 , but clearly Amber had different plans .
Amber 's father Bryan Hildebrand said initially he wanted `` any day but Leap Day , '' but by Saturday afternoon he saw the humor in having a leapling in the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she 's getting a pony every birthday and she 'll forget by the time it happens , '' Bryan Hildenbrand joked .
Lael Eason said his brother had a similar thought .
`` He said at least it 's not as expensive for us to buy her birthday gifts , '' Lael Eason said .
But really , most leaplings choose whether to celebrate their off-year birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1 , so its unlikely Noah or Amber will end up with a quarter of the birthday presents of their peers @

New parents welcome leaplings into the world
New parents Lacy Eason and Lael Eason pose with their baby son Noah Jaes Eason at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights on Saturday. Noah was born just after midnight, making him a leapling. Photo courtesy of Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights
Rebecca Zielinski and her daughter Amber Olivia Hildebrand pose for a photograph on Leap Day, hours after Amber's birth at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. Photo courtesy of Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield
Just after midnight, Noah Jaes Eason came into the world and immediately joined the ranks of the "leaplings" -- people born on Feb. 29.
"We tried not to, so he could have an actual birthday each year," Noah's mother Lacy Eason said Saturday afternoon from Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. Lacy delivered Noah, she and her husband's first child, at 12:48 a.m.
Lacy Eason said Noah's due date was March 4, but Lacy, her husband Lael Eason and their doctors decided it would be best to induce labor on Thursday.
Lael Eason said it has been a struggle for the couple to have a child.
"I was thinking this morning that it's just a blessing for him to have been born and to be born on this day is special in itself," Lael Eason said.
Amber Olivia Hildebrand also was born in the early hours of Saturday at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. Amber's mother Rebecca Zielinski knows something about being a newsworthy tyke. Rebecca was a New Year's baby herself, so a picture of her first hours ran in newspapers as well.
"So she was born on a special day too," Zielinski said. "I think it's cool, something to always share."
Amber was due to be born on March 8 and a C-section was scheduled for March 3, but clearly Amber had different plans.
Amber's father Bryan Hildebrand said initially he wanted "any day but Leap Day," but by Saturday afternoon he saw the humor in having a leapling in the family.
"We can just tell her she's getting a pony every birthday and she'll forget by the time it happens," Bryan Hildenbrand joked.
Lael Eason said his brother had a similar thought.
"He said at least it's not as expensive for us to buy her birthday gifts," Lael Eason said.
But really, most leaplings choose whether to celebrate their off-year birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1, so its unlikely Noah or Amber will end up with a quarter of the birthday presents of their peers.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-29--Tom Skilling to undergo gastric bypass surgery

By Robert Feder Tom Skilling , Chicago television 's superstar meteorologist , says he will undergo gastric bypass surgery Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ weight .
`` I 've been working over the past half-year to get ready for @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook Saturday .
Skilling , 68 , will be on medical leave from his @ @ @ @ @ Nexstar Media Group WGN-Channel 9 starting Tuesday .
He said he expects to be out @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As anyone who 's struggled to get weight off and KEEP it off @ @ @ @ @ point there are some people who need help beyond merely dieting , '' Skilling wrote @ @ @ @ @ of them and reached the point some time ago that I realized an intervention was @ @ @ @ @ full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Tom Skilling to undergo gastric bypass surgery
Meteorologist Tom Skilling of WGN-TV talks at the Tornado & Severe Storm Seminar at Fermilab in Batavia in 2011. Skilling, Chicago television's superstar meteorologist, says he will undergo gastric bypass surgery Wednesday in an effort to lose weight. "I've been working over the past half-year to get ready for this," Skilling announced on Facebook Saturday. Daily Herald file photo April 2011
By Robert Feder
Tom Skilling, Chicago television's superstar meteorologist, says he will undergo gastric bypass surgery Wednesday in an effort to lose weight.
"I've been working over the past half-year to get ready for this," Skilling announced on Facebook Saturday.
Skilling, 68, will be on medical leave from his duties as chief meteorologist at Nexstar Media Group WGN-Channel 9 starting Tuesday. He said he expects to be out from four to six weeks.
"As anyone who's struggled to get weight off and KEEP it off, you realize at some point there are some people who need help beyond merely dieting," Skilling wrote. "I'm one of them and reached the point some time ago that I realized an intervention was needed."
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-01--Truck driver killed in Long Grove crash Thursday identified

The semi-truck driver killed Thursday in a crash in Long Grove was identified by authorities Saturday .
The man , @ @ @ @ @ Plaines , died from blunt force injuries he sustained in the crash , Lake County @ @ @ @ @ in a release Saturday .
The truck , reportedly loaded with approximately 20 tons of @ @ @ @ @ north on Route 83 at around 11:10 a.m. Thursday when it collided with a 2015 @ @ @ @ @ from southbound Route 83 onto eastbound Westmoreland , Lake County sheriff 's police said .
@ @ @ @ @ traffic lightpole and drove into a ditch .
Adams was pronounced dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ a 45-year-old Vernon Hills woman , was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville @ @ @ @ @ be life-threatening , according to the sheriff 's office Thursday .
Cooper said toxicology results @ @ @ @ @ Friday are pending .

Truck driver killed in Long Grove crash Thursday identified
The semi-truck driver killed Thursday in a crash in Long Grove was identified by authorities Saturday.
The man, 69-year-old Stanley Adams of Des Plaines, died from blunt force injuries he sustained in the crash, Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper said in a release Saturday.
The truck, reportedly loaded with approximately 20 tons of unspecified cargo, was traveling north on Route 83 at around 11:10 a.m. Thursday when it collided with a 2015 Toyota minivan that was turning from southbound Route 83 onto eastbound Westmoreland, Lake County sheriff's police said. The truck then hit a traffic lightpole and drove into a ditch. Adams was pronounced dead at the scene.
The minivan driver, a 45-year-old Vernon Hills woman, was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, according to the sheriff's office Thursday.
Cooper said toxicology results performed during the autopsy on Friday are pending.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-01--Cubs' Rizzo draws comparisons to Konerko for leadership, production

They seem to be drastic opposites .
Let 's start with age .
Paul Konerko is 43 and has been retired since 2015 .
Anthony Rizzo is 30 and smack in the middle of his prime .
Konerko made his mark on the South Side , with the White Sox .
Rizzo plies his trade on the North Side , with the Cubs .
Konerko lives in Arizona and Rizzo spends his off-seasons in his native Florida .
They appear to have nothing -- or little -- in common , but I 've always seen a link between Konerko and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they were/are longtime first basemen in Chicago .
Konerko was with the Sox for 16 years and Rizzo is entering his ninth season with the Cubs .
What stuck out to me was the leadership .
Konerko was never outwardly vocal , and neither is Rizzo .
But when the White Sox were on their 2005 postseason run that culminated with a four-game sweep over the Astros in the World Series , Konerko showed why he was named captain by manager Ozzie Guillen .
He was the guy the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cubs during the 2016 playoffs , I saw the same thing happening with Rizzo .
So did Albert Almora , a rookie center fielder during that memorable championship year for the Cubs .
`` I remember watching Konerko growing up , and Anthony is a lot like that , '' Almora said .
`` I never played with Paul , but Anthony , off the field , on the field , he 's a definite leader .
You look up to him and try to learn from him .
It 's great being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 10 , the best leaders are also big-time producers .
Like Konerko , Rizzo checks that box .
The senior-ranking member of the Cubs is eighth in franchise history with 217 home runs and he 's No .
14 with 720 RBI .
Rizzo is also the Cubs ' first left-handed hitter to have four seasons with 100 or more RBI , he 's had 25 or more homers in a year six times and he won his third Gold Glove in 2019 .
Under contract this season after the Cubs picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rizzo has another club option for 2021 at the same price .
There have been extension talks , but the No .
4 finisher in National League MVP voting in 2015 and '16 is perplexed that no new deal has been struck .
`` It 's a business , '' Rizzo said .
`` I 've stated how much I love this place .
This is like home to me and my wife and my family .
But this is a business .
This is as cutthroat as ever now .
We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league a couple years ago ( Kris Bryant ) , who has done a lot for this franchise .
It 's just a whole different ballgame we 're looking at now . ''
While he is still wearing a Cubs uniform , Rizzo is going to continue doing what he does best .
Hit , apparently in the No .
2 hole this season behind Bryant , field , and hopefully lead the Cubs back to October after a one-year absence .
`` Not making the playoffs last year was not fun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not easy to win , but we have the right people to do it .
It 's on us to get the culture back , get the winning mentality back . ''

Cubs' Rizzo draws comparisons to Konerko for leadership, production
Entering his ninth season with the Chicago Cubs, Anthony Rizzo has been a productive hitter and a Gold Glove first baseman. He's also been an unquestioned leader. Associated Press File Photo
They seem to be drastic opposites.
Let's start with age. Paul Konerko is 43 and has been retired since 2015.
Anthony Rizzo is 30 and smack in the middle of his prime.
Konerko was a 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-handed hitter. Rizzo is a 6-3, 240-pound lefty.
Konerko made his mark on the South Side, with the White Sox. Rizzo plies his trade on the North Side, with the Cubs.
Konerko lives in Arizona and Rizzo spends his off-seasons in his native Florida.
They appear to have nothing -- or little -- in common, but I've always seen a link between Konerko and Rizzo.
There is the obvious bond, they were/are longtime first basemen in Chicago. Konerko was with the Sox for 16 years and Rizzo is entering his ninth season with the Cubs.
What stuck out to me was the leadership.
Konerko was never outwardly vocal, and neither is Rizzo.
But when the White Sox were on their 2005 postseason run that culminated with a four-game sweep over the Astros in the World Series, Konerko showed why he was named captain by manager Ozzie Guillen. He was the guy the rest of the roster followed.
Jumping in with the Cubs during the 2016 playoffs, I saw the same thing happening with Rizzo. So did Albert Almora, a rookie center fielder during that memorable championship year for the Cubs.
"I remember watching Konerko growing up, and Anthony is a lot like that," Almora said. "I never played with Paul, but Anthony, off the field, on the field, he's a definite leader. You look up to him and try to learn from him. It's great being his teammate."
Nine times out of 10, the best leaders are also big-time producers. Like Konerko, Rizzo checks that box.
The senior-ranking member of the Cubs is eighth in franchise history with 217 home runs and he's No. 14 with 720 RBI.
Rizzo is also the Cubs' first left-handed hitter to have four seasons with 100 or more RBI, he's had 25 or more homers in a year six times and he won his third Gold Glove in 2019.
Enjoy Rizzo while he lasts.
Under contract this season after the Cubs picked up his $16.5 million salary, Rizzo has another club option for 2021 at the same price.
After that, he's a free agent.
There have been extension talks, but the No. 4 finisher in National League MVP voting in 2015 and '16 is perplexed that no new deal has been struck.
"It's a business," Rizzo said. "I've stated how much I love this place. This is like home to me and my wife and my family. But this is a business. This is as cutthroat as ever now. We're talking about trading the MVP of the league a couple years ago (Kris Bryant), who has done a lot for this franchise. It's just a whole different ballgame we're looking at now."
While he is still wearing a Cubs uniform, Rizzo is going to continue doing what he does best. Hit, apparently in the No. 2 hole this season behind Bryant, field, and hopefully lead the Cubs back to October after a one-year absence.
"Not making the playoffs last year was not fun," Rizzo said. "It's not easy to win, but we have the right people to do it. It's on us to get the culture back, get the winning mentality back."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-29--Man found shot dies near Des Plaines Friday night

A 20-year-old man who 'd been shot multiple times was pronounced dead Friday night after being found about 9:15 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ Greenwood Drive in unincorporated Maine Township near Des Plaines .
Cook County sheriff 's police @ @ @ @ @ murder , said they believe the shooting may have occurred a short distance away in @ @ @ @ @ Milwaukee Avenue .
Investigators are seeking information about a white SUV with tinted windows that @ @ @ @ @ between 8 and 9 p.m. Friday .
The Cook County medical examiner 's office Saturday @ @ @ @ @ caused by multiple shotgun injuries , but did not identify the victim in the autopsy @ @ @ @ @ is encouraged to contact the sheriff 's police at ( 847 ) 865-4896 .
Check @ @ @ @ @ information as it becomes available .

Man found shot dies near Des Plaines Friday night
A 20-year-old man who'd been shot multiple times was pronounced dead Friday night after being found about 9:15 p.m. in the 9500 block of Greenwood Drive in unincorporated Maine Township near Des Plaines.
Cook County sheriff's police, who are investigating the murder, said they believe the shooting may have occurred a short distance away in the 9200 block of North Milwaukee Avenue.
Investigators are seeking information about a white SUV with tinted windows that was seen in the area between 8 and 9 p.m. Friday.
The Cook County medical examiner's office Saturday ruled the death a homicide caused by multiple shotgun injuries, but did not identify the victim in the autopsy report.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the sheriff's police at (847) 865-4896.
Check back to dailyherald.com for more information as it becomes available.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-29--Washington state sees 1st virus death in U.S., declares emergency

The governor of Washington declared a state of emergency Saturday after a man died there of COVID-19 , the first such reported death in the United States .
More than 50 people in a nursing facility are sick and being tested for the virus .
Gov .
Jay Inslee directed state agencies to use `` all resources necessary '' to prepare for and respond to the coronavirus outbreak .
The declaration also allows the use of the Washington National Guard , if necessary .
`` We will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials in California , Oregon and Washington state are worried about the novel coronavirus spreading through West Coast communities because a growing number of people are being infected despite not having visited an area where there was an outbreak , nor apparently been in contact with anyone who had .
The man who died was in his 50s , had underlying health conditions and no history of travel or contact with a known COVID-19 case , health officials in Washington state said at a news conference .
A spokesperson for EvergreenHealth Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in the facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland .
Dr. Frank Riedo , medical director of Infection Control at Evergreen , said local hospitals are seeing people with severe coronavirus symptoms but it 's probable that there are more cases in the community .
`` This is the tip of the iceberg , '' he said .
The health officials reported two cases of COVID-19 virus connected to a long-term care facility in the same suburb , Life Care Center of Kirkland .
One is a Life Care worker , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satisfactory condition at a hospital , and the other is a woman in her 70s and a resident at Life Care who is hospitalized in serious condition .
Neither had traveled abroad .
`` In addition , over 50 individuals associated with Life Care are reportedly ill with respiratory symptoms or hospitalized with pneumonia or other respiratory conditions of unknown cause and are being tested for COVID-19 , '' Seattle and King County officials said .
`` Additional positive cases are expected . ''
Amy Reynolds of the Washington state health department said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are dealing with an emergency evolving situation . ''
No one answered the phone at Life Care , but Ellie Basham , its executive director , said in a statement that residents and employees are being monitored and those with symptoms or who were potentially exposed are quarantined .
The facility has banned families , volunteers and vendors as a precaution , Basham said .
A growing number of cases in California , Washington state and Oregon are confounding authorities because the infected people had n't recently traveled overseas or had any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an infected person .
The U.S. has about 60 confirmed cases .
Worldwide , the number of people sickened by the virus hovered Friday around 83,000 , and there were more than 2,800 deaths , most of them in China .
A 60-year-old U.S. citizen died in Wuhan in early February .
Most infections result in mild symptoms , including coughing and fever , though some can become more serious and lead to pneumonia .
Older people , especially those with chronic illnesses such as heart or lung disease , are especially vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes , similar to how the flu spreads .
The number of coronavirus cases in the United States is considered small .
But convinced that they will grow , health agencies are ramping up efforts to identify those who might be sick .
To achieve more rapid testing capacity , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an accelerated policy Saturday enabling laboratories to use tests they develop .
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said his agency is `` rapidly responding and adapting to this dynamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health said Friday that the state will receive enough kits from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention to test up to 1,200 people a day for the COVID-19 virus -- a day after Gov .
Gavin Newsom complained to federal health officials that the state had already exhausted its initial 200 test kits .
Oregon was able to more quickly identify a case -- an employee of an elementary school in Lake Oswego near Portland because it was able to test a sample locally .
School district officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hospital by several people before he was diagnosed .
Those individuals have been asked to observe a two-week quarantine and are being closely monitored .
The district is deep-cleaning all its schools and all school buses with the goal of having students back in class Monday , said Superintendent Lora de la Cruz .
But Forest Hills Elementary , where the man worked , is closed until Wednesday , marking two weeks since he was last at the school .
Earlier U.S. cases include three people who were evacuated from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the outbreak ; 14 people who returned from China , or their spouses ; and 42 American passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship , who were flown to U.S. military bases in California and Texas for quarantining .
The U.S. government looked at sending dozens of Californians , several of whom tested positive for the virus , who had been aboard the cruise ship to a state-owned facility in Costa Mesa , California .
Local officials objected , saying they were n't included in the planning and wanting to know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
The U.S. government said it did n't need to use the facility after all .
At UC Davis Medical Center in California , at least 124 registered nurses and other health care workers were sent home for `` self-quarantine '' after a Solano County woman with the virus was admitted , National Nurses United , a nationwide union representing registered nurses , said Friday .
The case `` highlights the vulnerability of the nation 's hospitals to this virus , '' the union said .
Washington state health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday night , including a high school student who attends Jackson High School in Everett , said Dr. Chris Spitters of the Snohomish County Health District .
The other case in Washington was a woman in in King County in her 50s who had recently traveled to South Korea , authorities said .
Neither patient was seriously ill .

Washington state sees 1st virus death in U.S., declares emergency
EvergreenHealth Medical Center is seen Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, where a person died of COVID-19, in Kirkland, Wash. State health officials announced the death Saturday, marking the first such reported death in the United States. State officials issued a terse news release announcing the death, and gave no details before a scheduled news conference later in the day. Associated Press
Santa Clara County Public Health Department Director Dr. Sara Cody speaks during a news conference in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Santa Clara County health officials confirmed a second case of unknown origin of the novel coronavirus. Bay Area News Group via AP
The governor of Washington declared a state of emergency Saturday after a man died there of COVID-19, the first such reported death in the United States. More than 50 people in a nursing facility are sick and being tested for the virus.
Gov. Jay Inslee directed state agencies to use "all resources necessary" to prepare for and respond to the coronavirus outbreak. The declaration also allows the use of the Washington National Guard, if necessary.
"We will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus," the governor vowed.
Health officials in California, Oregon and Washington state are worried about the novel coronavirus spreading through West Coast communities because a growing number of people are being infected despite not having visited an area where there was an outbreak, nor apparently been in contact with anyone who had.
The man who died was in his 50s, had underlying health conditions and no history of travel or contact with a known COVID-19 case, health officials in Washington state said at a news conference. A spokesperson for EvergreenHealth Medical Center, Kayse Dahl, said the person died in the facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland.
Dr. Frank Riedo, medical director of Infection Control at Evergreen, said local hospitals are seeing people with severe coronavirus symptoms but it's probable that there are more cases in the community.
"This is the tip of the iceberg," he said.
The health officials reported two cases of COVID-19 virus connected to a long-term care facility in the same suburb, Life Care Center of Kirkland. One is a Life Care worker, a woman in her 40s who is in satisfactory condition at a hospital, and the other is a woman in her 70s and a resident at Life Care who is hospitalized in serious condition. Neither had traveled abroad.
"In addition, over 50 individuals associated with Life Care are reportedly ill with respiratory symptoms or hospitalized with pneumonia or other respiratory conditions of unknown cause and are being tested for COVID-19," Seattle and King County officials said. "Additional positive cases are expected."
Amy Reynolds of the Washington state health department said in a brief telephone interview: "We are dealing with an emergency evolving situation."
No one answered the phone at Life Care, but Ellie Basham, its executive director, said in a statement that residents and employees are being monitored and those with symptoms or who were potentially exposed are quarantined. The facility has banned families, volunteers and vendors as a precaution, Basham said.
A growing number of cases in California, Washington state and Oregon are confounding authorities because the infected people hadn't recently traveled overseas or had any known close contact with a traveler or an infected person.
The U.S. has about 60 confirmed cases. Worldwide, the number of people sickened by the virus hovered Friday around 83,000, and there were more than 2,800 deaths, most of them in China. A 60-year-old U.S. citizen died in Wuhan in early February.
Most infections result in mild symptoms, including coughing and fever, though some can become more serious and lead to pneumonia. Older people, especially those with chronic illnesses such as heart or lung disease, are especially vulnerable. Health officials think it spreads mainly from droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how the flu spreads.
The number of coronavirus cases in the United States is considered small. But convinced that they will grow, health agencies are ramping up efforts to identify those who might be sick.
To achieve more rapid testing capacity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an accelerated policy Saturday enabling laboratories to use tests they develop. FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said his agency is "rapidly responding and adapting to this dynamic and evolving situation."
The California Department of Public Health said Friday that the state will receive enough kits from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention to test up to 1,200 people a day for the COVID-19 virus -- a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom complained to federal health officials that the state had already exhausted its initial 200 test kits.
Oregon was able to more quickly identify a case -- an employee of an elementary school in Lake Oswego near Portland because it was able to test a sample locally. School district officials said Saturday the employee had been visited in the hospital by several people before he was diagnosed. Those individuals have been asked to observe a two-week quarantine and are being closely monitored.
The district is deep-cleaning all its schools and all school buses with the goal of having students back in class Monday, said Superintendent Lora de la Cruz. But Forest Hills Elementary, where the man worked, is closed until Wednesday, marking two weeks since he was last at the school.
Earlier U.S. cases include three people who were evacuated from the central China city of Wuhan, epicenter of the outbreak; 14 people who returned from China, or their spouses; and 42 American passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, who were flown to U.S. military bases in California and Texas for quarantining.
The U.S. government looked at sending dozens of Californians, several of whom tested positive for the virus, who had been aboard the cruise ship to a state-owned facility in Costa Mesa, California. Local officials objected, saying they weren't included in the planning and wanting to know what safeguards would be in place to prevent spread of the virus. The U.S. government said it didn't need to use the facility after all.
At UC Davis Medical Center in California, at least 124 registered nurses and other health care workers were sent home for "self-quarantine" after a Solano County woman with the virus was admitted, National Nurses United, a nationwide union representing registered nurses, said Friday.
The case "highlights the vulnerability of the nation's hospitals to this virus," the union said.
Washington state health officials announced two other new coronavirus cases Friday night, including a high school student who attends Jackson High School in Everett, said Dr. Chris Spitters of the Snohomish County Health District.
The other case in Washington was a woman in in King County in her 50s who had recently traveled to South Korea, authorities said. Neither patient was seriously ill.