dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-11--Blood stains and broken glass: Suburbanites react to Chicago's night of chaos

The crime spree was not a total shock for Aurelio Lee , but the trails of blood -- left by looters who smashed into high-end stores in Chicago 's Gold Coast neighborhood early Monday -- were .
Lee , a property management firm owner from Wadsworth , was alerted to the crisis by a call at 12:30 a.m. '' One of my labor guys said , 'Are you watching this ? '
'' said Lee , whose firm handles properties in several Chicago neighborhoods , including the Gold Coast and Bucktown .
It was the second time Lee has dealt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of looting in late May and early June caused many stores to replace standard window glass with a strong , reinforced version .
`` Folks still found a way to break through , '' making small holes until sections of the glass gave away , Lee said .
As people surged through the windows , some were cut .
`` There were blood trails all throughout the stores , '' Lee said .
`` Folks were just hurting themselves trying to get into the stores . ''
The earlier violence in Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage of disruptions caused by protests for racial justice .
Authorities said Monday 's rampage happened after Chicago police shot a man who opened fire on them Sunday .
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown and Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the damage and thefts were carried out by criminals .
After meeting with retailers Monday , `` I think people acclimatized rather quickly after what happened '' earlier this summer , Lee said .
Then , `` everyone was out of control and freaking out about , 'What are we going to do ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ again ? '
'' Now the attitude was , `` 'Well , it 's happened again and let 's just do what we have to do , ' '' Lee said .
He added store owners seemed confident that `` this is a one-off and wo n't happen again , '' and city leaders could maintain order .
Naperville resident Alexander Cordes , an intern at a construction management firm , learned about the looting at about 5:15 a.m. on his way into work in Chicago .
His company is working two jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Michigan Avenue .
But as he passed Sacramento Avenue eastbound on the Eisenhower Expressway , Cordes saw the first of multiple exits blocked off .
He had received a text earlier stating , `` we just got looted , '' from his boss , but figured , `` well , the other job is going on , '' and continued only to find access blocked off from all expressways .
`` Oh man -- did I miss something when I went to bed last night ? ''
Cordes wondered .
He tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas was running low .
`` I had just enough gas to get to the city and back .
It did n't seem safe to me , '' Cordes said .
`` The streets were blocked for a reason .
I drove all the way down here to turn back around . ''
Both projects were postponed Monday with uncertainty for Tuesday .
`` I 'm just going to stand by the phone , '' Cordes said .
Meanwhile , after a day spent checking on the damage , Lee said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the behavior of some individuals .
People who really needed to go to work today are n't working .
`` It was not a spontaneous reaction , like you 're so frustrated you need to throw a rock through a window , it was calculated . ''

Blood stains and broken glass: Suburbanites react to Chicago's night of chaos
Yogi Dalal hugs his daughter Jigisha Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, after she arrived at the family food and liquor store and as his other daughter Kajal, left, bows her head after the family business was vandalized in downtown Chicago. Chicago's police commissioner says more than 100 people were arrested following a night of looting and unrest that left several officers injured and caused damage in the city's upscale Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city. Associated Press
The crime spree was not a total shock for Aurelio Lee, but the trails of blood -- left by looters who smashed into high-end stores in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood early Monday -- were.
Lee, a property management firm owner from Wadsworth, was alerted to the crisis by a call at 12:30 a.m.
"One of my labor guys said, 'Are you watching this?'" said Lee, whose firm handles properties in several Chicago neighborhoods, including the Gold Coast and Bucktown.
It was the second time Lee has dealt with vandalism this summer, after a wave of looting in late May and early June caused many stores to replace standard window glass with a strong, reinforced version.
"Folks still found a way to break through," making small holes until sections of the glass gave away, Lee said. As people surged through the windows, some were cut.
"There were blood trails all throughout the stores," Lee said. "Folks were just hurting themselves trying to get into the stores."
The earlier violence in Chicago and the suburbs occurred after vandals took advantage of disruptions caused by protests for racial justice. Authorities said Monday's rampage happened after Chicago police shot a man who opened fire on them Sunday.
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown and Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the damage and thefts were carried out by criminals.
After meeting with retailers Monday, "I think people acclimatized rather quickly after what happened" earlier this summer, Lee said. Then, "everyone was out of control and freaking out about, 'What are we going to do?' and 'Is this going to happen again?'"
Now the attitude was, "'Well, it's happened again and let's just do what we have to do,'" Lee said. He added store owners seemed confident that "this is a one-off and won't happen again," and city leaders could maintain order.
Naperville resident Alexander Cordes, an intern at a construction management firm, learned about the looting at about 5:15 a.m. on his way into work in Chicago. His company is working two jobs at stores in the Magnificent Mile neighborhood on Michigan Avenue.
But as he passed Sacramento Avenue eastbound on the Eisenhower Expressway, Cordes saw the first of multiple exits blocked off.
He had received a text earlier stating, "we just got looted," from his boss, but figured, "well, the other job is going on," and continued only to find access blocked off from all expressways.
"Oh man -- did I miss something when I went to bed last night?" Cordes wondered.
He tried to find a side street but his gas was running low.
"I had just enough gas to get to the city and back. It didn't seem safe to me," Cordes said. "The streets were blocked for a reason. I drove all the way down here to turn back around."
Both projects were postponed Monday with uncertainty for Tuesday. "I'm just going to stand by the phone," Cordes said.
Meanwhile, after a day spent checking on the damage, Lee said he was "fed up and disappointed and disgusted by the behavior of some individuals. People who really needed to go to work today aren't working.
"It was not a spontaneous reaction, like you're so frustrated you need to throw a rock through a window, it was calculated."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-11--Kane County is ready for votes by mail

Kane County is ready for votes by mail

More than 60,000 Kane County voters have requested mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 election , up dramatically from the roughly 10,000 such requests for the 2016 presidential election .
In DuPage County , such requests already have doubled from 32,000 in 2016 to roughly 64,000 for November , and voters may request a vote-by-mail ballot up to five days before the election .
Suburban county clerk offices are responding to the mail-in voting surge by purchasing new mail sorting equipment and printers and hiring temporary staff .
Kane County Clerk John `` Jack '' Cunningham 's office has spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed to reduce the time it takes to count each ballot , while also taking steps to combat potential fraud and mailing ballots to those who request them .
`` It seems to be the trend nationally , '' Cunningham said of vote-by-mail , pointing to states such as Oregon and Colorado .
`` We 've been looking into this for two years .
We hopefully have covered a lot of areas where fraud can happen . ''
During a tour Monday , Cunningham showed how a $ 475,000 machine called the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per minute , compared to the 15 minutes it would take for a human to open , verify and tabulate each mail-in ballot .
As a sealed ballot whisks through the machine , it takes a photo of a voter 's signature on the outside envelop and compares it to the signature in the clerk 's office 's voter registration database .
After the signature is verified , the unopened ballot will go to a panel of three election judges , each featuring at least one Democrat and one Republican .
After the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature , the ballot is sent through the machine again where it is opened and then counted , preserving the anonymity of each ballot .
Cunningham 's office also spent $ 475,000 on a machine used to insert each ballot -- which also has its own unique bar code -- into an envelope to be sent out by mail .
He said his office spent $ 15,000 on a machine that folds the ballots into an envelope that only costs 50 cents to mail , compared to $ 1.50 per ballot if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will learn in October or November if they landed state and federal grants to pay for the equipment .
President Donald Trump has said the November election will be the most `` corrupt '' ever .
But Cunningham said he has faith in his office 's preparations and in the safeguards in place in Kane County .
`` We 're ahead of every other county in the state of Illinois , '' Cunningham said .
`` I 'm more worried about human error than voter fraud .
The system we have now is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state . ''
DuPage Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson said his clerk 's office also has purchased new mail-sorting equipment and printers , hired additional temporary staff and mailed vote-by-mail application to every registered voter in the county .
`` The county board has expressed its support for spending up to $ 3.5 million of CARES Act funds on additional election-related expenses , '' Johnson wrote in an email .
`` Additional purchases and expenditures will continue to be made between now and November to ensure the successful administration of the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a system where voters can track their ballot status online , via email or text messages .
Cunningham said he does not have a completion date , but said it will be done by the election .

Kane County is ready for votes by mail
More than 60,000 Kane County voters have requested mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 election, up dramatically from the roughly 10,000 such requests for the 2016 presidential election.
In DuPage County, such requests already have doubled from 32,000 in 2016 to roughly 64,000 for November, and voters may request a vote-by-mail ballot up to five days before the election.
Suburban county clerk offices are responding to the mail-in voting surge by purchasing new mail sorting equipment and printers and hiring temporary staff.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer A new ballot sorter is among the equipment recently acquired by the Kane County Clerk's office to quickly and accurately process mail-in ballots for Nov. 3 election.
Kane County Clerk John "Jack" Cunningham's office has spent nearly $1 million on new equipment designed to reduce the time it takes to count each ballot, while also taking steps to combat potential fraud and mailing ballots to those who request them.
"It seems to be the trend nationally," Cunningham said of vote-by-mail, pointing to states such as Oregon and Colorado. "We've been looking into this for two years. We hopefully have covered a lot of areas where fraud can happen."
During a tour Monday, Cunningham showed how a $475,000 machine called the "Vantage Sorter" can process 600 ballots per minute, compared to the 15 minutes it would take for a human to open, verify and tabulate each mail-in ballot.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Hundreds of ballots stream through a new sorter recently acquired by the Kane County Clerk's office to quickly and accurately process mail-in ballots for Nov. 3 election. The sorter is able to verify signatures on the envelopes with current voter roles and then sort the envelopes by precinct before then are opened and counted.
As a sealed ballot whisks through the machine, it takes a photo of a voter's signature on the outside envelop and compares it to the signature in the clerk's office's voter registration database. After the signature is verified, the unopened ballot will go to a panel of three election judges, each featuring at least one Democrat and one Republican.
After the panel gives a second-step verification of the signature, the ballot is sent through the machine again where it is opened and then counted, preserving the anonymity of each ballot.
Cunningham's office also spent $475,000 on a machine used to insert each ballot -- which also has its own unique bar code -- into an envelope to be sent out by mail.
He said his office spent $15,000 on a machine that folds the ballots into an envelope that only costs 50 cents to mail, compared to $1.50 per ballot if it was in a larger envelope.
Officials will learn in October or November if they landed state and federal grants to pay for the equipment.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham talks about some of the changes implemented to process mail-in ballots for Nov. 3 election. See more at dailyherald.com/video.
President Donald Trump has said the November election will be the most "corrupt" ever. But Cunningham said he has faith in his office's preparations and in the safeguards in place in Kane County.
"We're ahead of every other county in the state of Illinois," Cunningham said. "I'm more worried about human error than voter fraud. The system we have now is more foolproof than any other system in the state."
DuPage Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson said his clerk's office also has purchased new mail-sorting equipment and printers, hired additional temporary staff and mailed vote-by-mail application to every registered voter in the county.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Raymond Esquivel of the Kane County Clerk's office explains how a new sorter works with mail-in ballots.
"The county board has expressed its support for spending up to $3.5 million of CARES Act funds on additional election-related expenses," Johnson wrote in an email. "Additional purchases and expenditures will continue to be made between now and November to ensure the successful administration of the election."
Cunningham's office also is working on a system where voters can track their ballot status online, via email or text messages.
Cunningham said he does not have a completion date, but said it will be done by the election.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Vegas take Game 1 from Chicago Blackhawks

Welcome back to the Stanley Cup playoffs , Chicago .
You remember what those look like , right ?
Big , crunching hits .
More scrums .
Fewer scoring chances .
Less time and space .
OK , yes , the Blackhawks were `` technically '' in the playoffs against Edmonton .
But that was really just a play-in series to get to the real thing , which began Tuesday night with the eighth-seeded Hawks taking on one of the Western Conference 's best teams in the Vegas Golden Knights .
The Hawks hung in there for two periods , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal to Reilly Smith early in the third and Vegas went on to claim a 4-1 Game 1 victory .
Smith added a second goal , Shea Theodore and William Carrier also scored for the Golden Knights , and former Hawks goalie Robin Lehner made 19 saves .
David Kampf scored short-handed for the Hawks at 10:51 of the second period , just 72 seconds after Carrier made it 2-0 .
`` Overall we played pretty well , '' said Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton .
`` There was a seven-minute stretch of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We started cheating .
It 's a 2-1 game and we started cheating to try and score .
We 're gon na have to be more patient in order to win this series .
... '' We did a lot of things that can help us win , but we 've got to do it for longer .
And that 's the message going forward here . ''
The Hawks stuck with Vegas through a scoreless first period and then responded after the Golden Knights took a 2-0 lead on second-period goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost a challenge on Carrier 's goal , claiming offsides , which gave Vegas a power play .
The Golden Knights could have seized control at that point , but a sensational individual effort by Brandon Saad set up a short-handed goal by Kampf .
That cut the lead to 2-1 at 10:51 of the second .
`` It was huge , '' Kirby Dach said .
`` For us to respond the way we did was good . ''
Smith 's goal just 3:32 into the third period ended up being the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who scored a career-best 27 times this season , zipped a hard wrist shot at Crawford from just outside the right faceoff dot .
Crawford saw it all the way , but the puck hit his blocker , bounced over his right shoulder and ended up in the back of the net at 3:32 of the third period .
Smith scored again at 8:14 to effectively put the game away .
Jonathan Toews ( 2 ) , Patrick Kane ( 1 ) , Brandon Saad ( 0 ) and Alex DeBrincat ( 0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackhawks ' 20 shots on goal .
Vegas was credited with 35 hits , with 5 coming from both the 6-foot-1 , 225-pound Ryan Reaves and Carrier , who is 6-2 , 218 .
`` Their 'D ' are big , they box out , they play strong , '' Saad said .
`` But we knew that going into the game .
It 's going to be a tight-checking game , there 's going to be moments where we 're pinned in , but that ca n't frustrate us .
We just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get more pucks and bodies to the net . ''
Said Colliton : `` We expect a tight series .
We expect it to be a grind .
We expect to face adversity .
We did that and we were right there .
... '' We 've just got to stick with it .
They did it a little bit longer than us . ''

Vegas take Game 1 from Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) waits as the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate a goal during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP) Associated Press
Welcome back to the Stanley Cup playoffs, Chicago.
You remember what those look like, right?
Big, crunching hits. More scrums. Fewer scoring chances. Less time and space.
Fortunes turning on a dime.
OK, yes, the Blackhawks were "technically" in the playoffs against Edmonton. But that was really just a play-in series to get to the real thing, which began Tuesday night with the eighth-seeded Hawks taking on one of the Western Conference's best teams in the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Hawks hung in there for two periods, but Corey Crawford gave up a soft goal to Reilly Smith early in the third and Vegas went on to claim a 4-1 Game 1 victory. Smith added a second goal, Shea Theodore and William Carrier also scored for the Golden Knights, and former Hawks goalie Robin Lehner made 19 saves.
David Kampf scored short-handed for the Hawks at 10:51 of the second period, just 72 seconds after Carrier made it 2-0.
Game 2 is Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
"Overall we played pretty well," said Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton. "There was a seven-minute stretch of the third where we weren't very good. We started cheating. It's a 2-1 game and we started cheating to try and score. We're gonna have to be more patient in order to win this series. ...
"We did a lot of things that can help us win, but we've got to do it for longer. And that's the message going forward here."
The Hawks stuck with Vegas through a scoreless first period and then responded after the Golden Knights took a 2-0 lead on second-period goals by Theodore and Carrier. The Hawks lost a challenge on Carrier's goal, claiming offsides, which gave Vegas a power play.
The Golden Knights could have seized control at that point, but a sensational individual effort by Brandon Saad set up a short-handed goal by Kampf. That cut the lead to 2-1 at 10:51 of the second.
"It was huge," Kirby Dach said. "For us to respond the way we did was good."
Smith's goal just 3:32 into the third period ended up being the backbreaker. Vegas' talented forward, who scored a career-best 27 times this season, zipped a hard wrist shot at Crawford from just outside the right faceoff dot. Crawford saw it all the way, but the puck hit his blocker, bounced over his right shoulder and ended up in the back of the net at 3:32 of the third period.
Smith scored again at 8:14 to effectively put the game away.
Jonathan Toews (2), Patrick Kane (1), Brandon Saad (0) and Alex DeBrincat (0) combined for just 3 of the Blackhawks' 20 shots on goal.
Crawford finished with 29 saves.
Vegas was credited with 35 hits, with 5 coming from both the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Ryan Reaves and Carrier, who is 6-2, 218.
"Their 'D' are big, they box out, they play strong," Saad said. "But we knew that going into the game. It's going to be a tight-checking game, there's going to be moments where we're pinned in, but that can't frustrate us. We just have to stick with it, maybe get more pucks and bodies to the net."
Said Colliton: "We expect a tight series. We expect it to be a grind. We expect to face adversity. We did that and we were right there. ...
"We've just got to stick with it. They did it a little bit longer than us."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-11--Aurora mayor backs civilian review board, body cameras for police

Aurora should have a civilian review board to investigate complaints about police officers , and body cameras for police officers , the mayor said Tuesday .
Mayor Richard Irvin recommended both ideas as the city council heard a 60-day status report about the Community Helping Aurora 's Necessary Grown and Empowerment Reform Initiative the city started in June .
CHANGE was started to address issues of racial bias , use of force and other concerns about the Aurora Police Department in the wake of the nationwide and local protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 's website , more than 200 people were involved in groups that met in June and July , including residents , aldermen and police .
City spokesman Clayton Muhammad presented the report , which contains 60 recommendations .
Irvin said having a civilian review board and body cameras were two he believes can be implemented fairly quickly .
He also thinks the city can soon post its annual police use-of-force analysis on the website , rather than requiring people to file a Freedom of Information Act request to get it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try recruiting police officers from students who attend historically Black colleges and universities .
The city began talking about body cameras in 2019 .
It sped up the process after the Floyd death , asking 30 companies to provide information .
Five did .
The city is now asking those five to submit formal proposals and plans to have cameras demonstrated in September , finalize a purchase proposal in October , and test a program in November and December , Muhammad said .
Over the next 45 days , an ad hoc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plan will be presented to the city council Sept. 22 .
Currently , complaints against officers are handled by the department 's Office of Professional Standards , and sometimes also by the city 's Human Relations Commission .
Irvin said he spent a 19-hour stint one day at the police department , speaking with officers .
They asked , he said , that he look beyond what people say about police on social media .
So he hired pollsters to ask residents in two wards with the highest Black populations -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they think of the police .
Of the 540 residents who answered the telephone poll Aug. 8-9 , 78 % said they had a positive opinion of police , Irvin said , and 70 % agreed or strongly agreed that they thought police treated people of different races and ethnicities fairly .
Also among the 60 ideas in the CHANGE report : Tracking why people are asked to get out of a vehicle , including race and gender ; stop referring to police officers as warriors ; and reduce the annual number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an officer from nine alerts to three .

Aurora mayor backs civilian review board, body cameras for police
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said he spent 19 hours one day talking to police, then commissioned a poll of residents to get their views about police beyond what's on social media. Daily Herald file photo
Aurora should have a civilian review board to investigate complaints about police officers, and body cameras for police officers, the mayor said Tuesday.
Mayor Richard Irvin recommended both ideas as the city council heard a 60-day status report about the Community Helping Aurora's Necessary Grown and Empowerment Reform Initiative the city started in June. CHANGE was started to address issues of racial bias, use of force and other concerns about the Aurora Police Department in the wake of the nationwide and local protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
According to the report, available on the city's website, more than 200 people were involved in groups that met in June and July, including residents, aldermen and police. City spokesman Clayton Muhammad presented the report, which contains 60 recommendations.
Irvin said having a civilian review board and body cameras were two he believes can be implemented fairly quickly.
He also thinks the city can soon post its annual police use-of-force analysis on the website, rather than requiring people to file a Freedom of Information Act request to get it.
And next spring, the city intends to try recruiting police officers from students who attend historically Black colleges and universities.
The city began talking about body cameras in 2019. It sped up the process after the Floyd death, asking 30 companies to provide information. Five did.
The city is now asking those five to submit formal proposals and plans to have cameras demonstrated in September, finalize a purchase proposal in October, and test a program in November and December, Muhammad said.
Over the next 45 days, an ad hoc committee will design a civilian review board. The plan will be presented to the city council Sept. 22.
Currently, complaints against officers are handled by the department's Office of Professional Standards, and sometimes also by the city's Human Relations Commission.
Irvin said he spent a 19-hour stint one day at the police department, speaking with officers. They asked, he said, that he look beyond what people say about police on social media.
So he hired pollsters to ask residents in two wards with the highest Black populations -- the 6th and the 7th -- what they think of the police.
Of the 540 residents who answered the telephone poll Aug. 8-9, 78% said they had a positive opinion of police, Irvin said, and 70% agreed or strongly agreed that they thought police treated people of different races and ethnicities fairly.
Also among the 60 ideas in the CHANGE report: Tracking why people are asked to get out of a vehicle, including race and gender; stop referring to police officers as warriors; and reduce the annual number of use-of-force alerts that generate a review of an officer from nine alerts to three.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Big Ten pulls plug on football, fall sports

Big Ten players and coaches spoke , and the administrators did n't listen .
The conference officially canceled football and all fall sports on Tuesday afternoon , a move that was quickly matched by the Pac-12 .
The news was somewhat expected , but still hit like an illegal peel back block .
The Big Ten just released a revised football schedule six days ago .
Many schools , including Illinois , practiced Tuesday morning .
Michigan practiced after the news was released .
Many players , parents and coaches made last-minute pleas on Twitter in the last 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hoping to play fall sports in the spring , if there 's a better climate with COVID-19 .
Some people were complaining about Michgan-Ohio State being scheduled for October .
How is it going to play in April ?
`` We just believe collectively there 's too much uncertainty in this point in time in our country to encourage our student athletes to participate in fall sports , '' Commissioner Kevin Warren said on the Big Ten Network .
During his television appearance , Warren talked around most questions from studio host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Big Ten is very concerned about the coronavirus causing myocarditis , an inflammation of the heart muscle that can be fatal .
`` I said from Day One that it was important that we would follow and listen and understand and appreciate and embrace the advice from our medical experts and that 's what we 're doing here , '' Warren said .
`` There 's too much uncertainty . ''
The news to cancel fall sports was pretty straightforward , but there are still plenty of questions and not many answers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play fall sports , is it safe for students to return to campus , as most Big Ten schools are planning in a few weeks ?
It 's one thing for football players to commit to wearing masks , practicing good hygiene and staying socially distant .
They were also getting tested for COVID-19 at least twice per week .
Illinois tested players every day .
The general student population seems less likely to follow the same protocols .
• The SEC , ACC and Big 12 continue to move forward with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with the Sun Belt , American Athletic , and Conference USA .
If those leagues play a complete football season , will the Big Ten have made a mistake ?
It would be strange if Notre Dame , as a guest member of the ACC , plays this fall while the Big Ten schools sit out .
But this one could go either direction .
If the other leagues play , the Big Ten becomes an afterthought temporarily .
If the other leagues ca n't pull it off , then the Big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call .
• Will football be any safer in the spring ?
This one is anyone 's guess .
It 's been five months since the NBA suspended its season and progress in this country has been , let 's say , deliberate .
If a spring season does happen , teams will be practicing mostly indoors .
August practices were all outdoors with no students on campus .
Which version is safer in a pandemic ?
• Is it safe for athletes to play two football seasons in 2021 -- one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , presumably .
Nervous laughter is the only response to this question at the moment .
• Will some Big Ten teams go rogue and play a fall schedule anyway ?
This is one of the questions Warren dodged on BTN .
Nebraska 's Scott Frost and Ohio State 's Ryan Day both said Monday other options would be considered , but such a path seems unlikely .
Maybe we 'll get a chance to see how airtight those conference contracts were written .
• What was the vote tally when school presidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another dodge by Warren .
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith went on BTN after Warren and said , 'We would have preferred to play . '
Based on everything that 's come out of Nebraska it seems likely the Cornhuskers also voted against the plan .
Beyond that , it 's unclear .
• Why did n't the Big Ten hold off on a final decision and maybe delay playing games ?
This answer is also unclear , but the league clearly put its faith in the Big Ten Task Force for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sports Medicine Committee -- as it should .
With so many unknowns about COVID-19 , following the science is a pretty good option .

Big Ten pulls plug on football, fall sports
Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren on the decision to cancel fall sports: "The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward." Associated Press
Big Ten players and coaches spoke, and the administrators didn't listen.
The conference officially canceled football and all fall sports on Tuesday afternoon, a move that was quickly matched by the Pac-12.
The news was somewhat expected, but still hit like an illegal peel back block. The Big Ten just released a revised football schedule six days ago. Many schools, including Illinois, practiced Tuesday morning. Michigan practiced after the news was released. Many players, parents and coaches made last-minute pleas on Twitter in the last 24 hours to play the season.
The league is hoping to play fall sports in the spring, if there's a better climate with COVID-19. Some people were complaining about Michgan-Ohio State being scheduled for October. How is it going to play in April?
"We just believe collectively there's too much uncertainty in this point in time in our country to encourage our student athletes to participate in fall sports," Commissioner Kevin Warren said on the Big Ten Network.
During his television appearance, Warren talked around most questions from studio host Dave Revsine. But it seems clear the Big Ten is very concerned about the coronavirus causing myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that can be fatal.
"I said from Day One that it was important that we would follow and listen and understand and appreciate and embrace the advice from our medical experts and that's what we're doing here," Warren said. "There's too much uncertainty."
The news to cancel fall sports was pretty straightforward, but there are still plenty of questions and not many answers.
• If it's not safe to play fall sports, is it safe for students to return to campus, as most Big Ten schools are planning in a few weeks?
It's one thing for football players to commit to wearing masks, practicing good hygiene and staying socially distant. They were also getting tested for COVID-19 at least twice per week. Illinois tested players every day. The general student population seems less likely to follow the same protocols.
• The SEC, ACC and Big 12 continue to move forward with plans to play football this season, along with the Sun Belt, American Athletic, and Conference USA. If those leagues play a complete football season, will the Big Ten have made a mistake?
It would be strange if Notre Dame, as a guest member of the ACC, plays this fall while the Big Ten schools sit out. But this one could go either direction. If the other leagues play, the Big Ten becomes an afterthought temporarily. If the other leagues can't pull it off, then the Big Ten could say it made the right call.
• Will football be any safer in the spring?
This one is anyone's guess. It's been five months since the NBA suspended its season and progress in this country has been, let's say, deliberate. If a spring season does happen, teams will be practicing mostly indoors. August practices were all outdoors with no students on campus. Which version is safer in a pandemic?
• Is it safe for athletes to play two football seasons in 2021 -- one in the spring and another in the fall, presumably.
Nervous laughter is the only response to this question at the moment.
• Will some Big Ten teams go rogue and play a fall schedule anyway?
This is one of the questions Warren dodged on BTN. Nebraska's Scott Frost and Ohio State's Ryan Day both said Monday other options would be considered, but such a path seems unlikely. Maybe we'll get a chance to see how airtight those conference contracts were written.
• What was the vote tally when school presidents arrived at this decision?
That was another dodge by Warren. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith went on BTN after Warren and said, 'We would have preferred to play.' Based on everything that's come out of Nebraska it seems likely the Cornhuskers also voted against the plan. Beyond that, it's unclear.
• Why didn't the Big Ten hold off on a final decision and maybe delay playing games?
This answer is also unclear, but the league clearly put its faith in the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee -- as it should.
With so many unknowns about COVID-19, following the science is a pretty good option.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Feder: Me-TV scoops up promotional deal with Pebbles cereals

It 's another masterstroke of marketing for Me-TV , the Chicago-based network for classic television .
As as tie-in to @ @ @ @ @ The Flintstones , '' Me-TV has landed a promotional deal with Post Cereals to appear @ @ @ @ @ boxes of Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles .
Starting in September , more than 21 @ @ @ @ @ carry the network 's logo along with a picture game and a call to watch @ @ @ @ @ In exchange , Me-TV has begun airing commercials for the cereals .
Get the full @ @ @ @ @ media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Me-TV scoops up promotional deal with Pebbles cereals
As as tie-in to its daily broadcasts of "The Flintstones," Me-TV has landed a promotional deal with Post Cereals to appear on the back panel of boxes of Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles.
It's another masterstroke of marketing for Me-TV, the Chicago-based network for classic television.
As as tie-in to its daily broadcasts of "The Flintstones," Me-TV has landed a promotional deal with Post Cereals to appear on the back panel of boxes of Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles.
Starting in September, more than 21 million boxes of Pebbles will carry the network's logo along with a picture game and a call to watch "The Flintstones."
In exchange, Me-TV has begun airing commercials for the cereals.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Find suburban coronavirus tallies online Tuesdays, Saturdays

We began reporting the suburbs with the highest COVID-19 case counts five months ago , after Gov .
J.B. Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ Illinois cases had risen to 11 .
With no end to the pandemic in sight @ @ @ @ @ daily coverage and analysis of COVID-19 cases and trends .
Our case tallies , however @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesdays and Saturdays -- a change we make in part because the counts in @ @ @ @ @ one day to the next .
Meanwhile , you 'll find case numbers by town @ @ @ @ @ , ZIP code on these websites :

Find suburban coronavirus tallies online Tuesdays, Saturdays
To our readers:
We began reporting the suburbs with the highest COVID-19 case counts five months ago, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker's March 9 announcement that Illinois cases had risen to 11.
With no end to the pandemic in sight, we will continue our daily coverage and analysis of COVID-19 cases and trends. Our case tallies, however, will appear on dailyherald.com on Tuesdays and Saturdays -- a change we make in part because the counts in each town vary little from one day to the next.
Meanwhile, you'll find case numbers by town and, in some cases, ZIP code on these websites:
Cook County -- https://ccdphcd.shinyapps.io/covid19/.
DuPage County -- www.dupagehealth.org/610/DuPage-County-COVID-19-Dashboard.
Kane County -- www.kanehealth.com/.
Lake County -- https://covid19response-lakecountyil.hub.arcgis.com/.
McHenry County -- https://mchenry-county-coronavirus-response-mchenrycountygis.hub.arcgis.com.
Will County -- https://c19-willcountygis.hub.arcgis.com/.
Statewide -- www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-11--South Holland man reported dead in Hanover Park case

After the Cook County medical examiner 's office reported a death after an incident on the 1300 block of Kingsbury @ @ @ @ @ confirmed they are investigating a report that multiple shots were fired there Tuesday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ provide no other details , including whether any arrests have been made , but he @ @ @ @ @ danger to the general public .
`` We responded to a report of multiple shots @ @ @ @ @ still ongoing , '' Sherrill said .
`` It appears to be an isolated incident @ @ @ @ @ to the public . ''
The medical examiner 's ledger Tuesday evening listed the death @ @ @ @ @ Ricky Foster .
He died at 10:22 a.m. Tuesday at St. Alexius Medical Center in @ @ @ @ @ said .

South Holland man reported dead in Hanover Park case
After the Cook County medical examiner's office reported a death after an incident on the 1300 block of Kingsbury Drive, Hanover Park police confirmed they are investigating a report that multiple shots were fired there Tuesday morning.
Deputy Chief Terrence Sherrill could provide no other details, including whether any arrests have been made, but he did say there was no danger to the general public.
"We responded to a report of multiple shots fired and the investigation is still ongoing," Sherrill said. "It appears to be an isolated incident and there's no danger to the public."
The medical examiner's ledger Tuesday evening listed the death of 26-year-old South Holland resident Ricky Foster. He died at 10:22 a.m. Tuesday at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, the report said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-11--Democratic legislator from Glenview says Madigan should step down

A Glenview legislator who has benefited from nearly $ 247,000 in contributions from House Speaker Michael Madigan is now calling @ @ @ @ @ to step down , saying the legislature ca n't function below a cloud of `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Democratic State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz is joining the slowly growing list of House @ @ @ @ @ immediately resign from his leadership roles in the Illinois House and the state 's Democratic @ @ @ @ @ into corruption `` at the highest levels have created a crisis of confidence and undermined @ @ @ @ @ that leadership demands . ''
Madigan has been implicated in the ComEd bribery scandal but @ @ @ @ @ He has denied any wrongdoing and said he has no plans to resign .
In @ @ @ @ @ , Gong-Gershowitz -- whose district covers parts of Evanston , Wilmette and Glenview -- said @ @ @ @ @ to step down now because `` it 's the right thing to do . ''

Democratic legislator from Glenview says Madigan should step down
A Glenview legislator who has benefited from nearly $247,000 in contributions from House Speaker Michael Madigan is now calling for the beleaguered political powerhouse to step down, saying the legislature can't function below a cloud of "distractions, doubt or distrust."
Democratic State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz is joining the slowly growing list of House Democrats calling on Madigan to immediately resign from his leadership roles in the Illinois House and the state's Democratic Party, saying federal investigations into corruption "at the highest levels have created a crisis of confidence and undermined the integrity and public trust that leadership demands."
Madigan has been implicated in the ComEd bribery scandal but has not been charged. He has denied any wrongdoing and said he has no plans to resign.
In an interview with the Sun-Times, Gong-Gershowitz -- whose district covers parts of Evanston, Wilmette and Glenview -- said she was calling for Madigan to step down now because "it's the right thing to do."
• For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Shaw, Blue Jays beat Marlins 5-4 in MLB's return to Buffalo

BUFFALO , N.Y. -- In the first major league game in Buffalo since 1915 , Travis Shaw hit an RBI single in the 10th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays settled into their new nest with a 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night .
Barred from playing in Toronto by the Canadian government over concerns about the coronavirus , the Blue Jays spent nearly three weeks on the road before moving into the ballpark of their Triple-A affiliate as their temporary home this year .
Francisco Cervelli 's three-run homer with two outs in the Miami ninth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly put the Marlins ahead with a long drive in the 10th that originally was ruled a two-run homer , then reversed to a foul ball on review - the replay cameras were among the upgrades made at the park to get it up to big league standards .
The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out in the 10th and Shaw singled to right field for his first RBI in 25 at-bats with Toronto .
Bo Bichette hit a three-run homer in the sixth and Cavan Biggio added an RBI single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cole ( 1-0 ) got the win .
Stephen Tarpley ( 2-1 ) gave up Shaw 's game-ending hit .
Toronto starter Hyun Jin Ryu allowed two hits in six innings and struck out seven .
Brian Anderson also homered for Miami .
Starter Elieser Hernandez struck out five over 5 1/3 innings .
DETROIT -- Eloy Jimenez hit a three-run homer in the first inning , and Chicago snapped Detroit 's four-game wining streak .
Edwin Encarnacion also went deep for the White Sox , who won for only the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit a two-run shot for Detroit .
Jose Abreu had three hits , including a pair of RBI doubles .
Gio Gonzalez was pulled one out shy of the win .
He allowed two runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings .
Matt Foster ( 2-0 ) was credited with the win after striking out four in two perfect innings .
Tyler Alexander ( 1-1 ) allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings in his first start of the season .
Harold Castro hit an RBI single as part of Detroit 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked comfortable on a mound where he helped make history and Jason Heyward hit a three-run homer , leading Chicago to a win over Cleveland , which welcomed back manager Terry Francona after a couple bumpy days .
Lester ( 2-0 ) allowed three hits in six innings as the Cubs moved to 11-3 for the first time since 2016 .
For the first time this year the Indians gave up more than four runs , ending the second-longest run ( 18 games ) to open a season .
Francona returned after missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gastrointestinal ailment that has bothered him for nearly a year .
NEW YORK -- Max Scherzer showed no effects of hamstring trouble , navigating heavy traffic early for his first win this season , and Trea Turner hit a record-breaking leadoff homer to help Washington beat New York .
Howie Kendrick had three hits and Victor Robles blooped an RBI single for the Nationals , who have taken the first two in a four-game series between NL East rivals .
New York ( 7-11 ) dropped to 3-7 at home this season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid innings but was outpitched by Scherzer ( 1-1 ) .
Scherzer needed 60 pitches to get through the initial two innings , but stranded five runners by striking out Wilson Ramos to end the first and Jeff McNeil to close the second .
He lasted six innings and threw only 45 pitches over his final four to finish with 105 .
He gave up six hits , struck out seven and walked two .
Turner hit his 10th career leadoff homer , a Nationals record .
Alfonso Soriano hit nine in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge dented an advertisement with a scorching home run before making an unusual early exit , Jordan Montgomery pitched efficiently against a lineup missing its brightest young star and New York beat Atlanta .
Atlanta scratched Ronald AcuÃ±a Jr. about 90 minutes before first pitch with a sore left wrist .
Judge smashed his homer off a sign above the home bullpen in right-center field , leaving his mark on a shot leading off the fifth .
Then his night came to a bizarre end .
Yankees manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Judge in the sixth inning with New York leading 8-3 .
Luke Voit hit a three-run drive in the first inning off Braves starter Touki Toussaint ( 0-1 ) , who allowed six runs - five earned - in four innings .
Montgomery ( 2-1 ) cruised through five innings before allowing a three-run homer to Marcell Ozuna in the sixth .
He threw 78 pitches over six innings , allowing three runs , four hits and a walk with four strikeouts .
Zack Britton pitched a perfect ninth inning for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubled home the winning run in the 10th and Cincinnati blew another late lead before rallying past Kansas City .
The Royals tied it 5-5 in the eighth on Ryan McBroom 's pinch-hit , two-run homer off Amir Garrett , but they could n't keep their four-game winning streak going .
With a designated runner on second base in the 10th , Josh Staumont ( 0-1 ) walked Nick Castellanos and Votto doubled off the wall in center .
Lucas Sims ( 1-0 ) gave up a walk in the 10th with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat .
Matt Davidson and Jesse Winker hit consecutive homers off left-hander Kris Bubic in his first road start as Cincinnati pulled ahead 5-3 , but Cincinnati 's leaky bullpen let another lead slip away .

Shaw, Blue Jays beat Marlins 5-4 in MLB's return to Buffalo
Toronto Blue Jays Travis Shaw celebrates his game-winning hit with Anthony Alford against Miami Marlins during extra innings of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Buffalo, N.Y. Associated Press
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- In the first major league game in Buffalo since 1915, Travis Shaw hit an RBI single in the 10th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays settled into their new nest with a 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.
Barred from playing in Toronto by the Canadian government over concerns about the coronavirus, the Blue Jays spent nearly three weeks on the road before moving into the ballpark of their Triple-A affiliate as their temporary home this year.
Francisco Cervelli's three-run homer with two outs in the Miami ninth made it 4-all. Logan Forsythe then nearly put the Marlins ahead with a long drive in the 10th that originally was ruled a two-run homer, then reversed to a foul ball on review - the replay cameras were among the upgrades made at the park to get it up to big league standards.
The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out in the 10th and Shaw singled to right field for his first RBI in 25 at-bats with Toronto.
Bo Bichette hit a three-run homer in the sixth and Cavan Biggio added an RBI single in the seventh for Toronto.
A.J. Cole (1-0) got the win. Stephen Tarpley (2-1) gave up Shaw's game-ending hit.
Toronto starter Hyun Jin Ryu allowed two hits in six innings and struck out seven.
Brian Anderson also homered for Miami. Starter Elieser Hernandez struck out five over 5 1/3 innings.
ANGELS 6, ATHLETICS 0
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Dylan Bundy threw seven scoreless innings of four-hit ball, Jason Castro hit a three-run homer and Los Angeles defeated Oakland and won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Anthony Rendon, Castro and Brian Goodwin homered in the fourth off Mike Fiers (1-1), and David Fletcher homered in the sixth inning to give the Angels back-to-back home games with at least four homers for the first time in franchise history.
That was more than enough offense for Bundy (3-1), who struck out 10 with one walk.
Fiers yielded seven hits and five runs while failing to get out of the fourth inning.
Ramón Laureano went 1 for 3 with two strikeouts for the A's after appealing his six-game suspension handed down Tuesday for his role in Oakland's fight with the Astros last weekend.
PADRES 6, DDOGERS 2
LOS ANGELES -- Manny Machado slugged a grand slam after two consecutive errors by the Dodgers in the third inning, Garrett Richards won for the first time in two years, and San Diego defeated Los Angeles.
The Padres have taken the first two games of the series after dropping two of three to the Dodgers last week in San Diego, and have won a season-best three in a row overall.
Richards (1-1) won his first game since July 4, 2018. The right-hander allowed one run and six hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked two.
Machado's 10th career slam came off Ross Stripling (3-1).
Jurickson Profar hit a solo shot leading off the fifth. The Padres' 32 homers lead the majors.
Stripling gave up six runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings of his first loss of the season. He struck out four and walked two.
BC-BBO--Giants-Astros
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Crawford's RBI in 10th lifts Giants over Astros 7-6
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Brandon Crawford's RBI single in the 10th inning lifted the San Francisco Giants to a 7-6 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night. Austin Slater singled off Cy Sneed (0-3) to start the 10th and send Wilmer Flores to third after he started on second under the new extra-innings rules. Crawford then followed with his grounder to center field to score Flores. Trevor Gott (1-0) walked one in a scoreless ninth for the win and Tyler Rogers struck out two in a perfect 10th for his first save.
GIANTS 7, ASTROS 6, 10 innings
HOUSTON -- Brandon Crawford's RBI single in the 10th inning lifted the Giants to a win over the Astros.
Austin Slater singled off Cy Sneed (0-3) to start the 10th and send Wilmer Flores to third after he started on second under the new extra-innings rules. Crawford then followed with his grounder to center field to score Flores.
Trevor Gott (1-0) walked one in a scoreless ninth for the win and Tyler Rogers struck out two in a perfect 10th for his first save.
An RBI single by Darin Ruf off Ryan Pressly with one out in the ninth tied it at 6-all.
WHITE SOX 8, TIGERS 4
DETROIT -- Eloy Jimenez hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and Chicago snapped Detroit's four-game wining streak.
Edwin Encarnacion also went deep for the White Sox, who won for only the second time in seven games. Austin Romine hit a two-run shot for Detroit.
Jose Abreu had three hits, including a pair of RBI doubles.
Gio Gonzalez was pulled one out shy of the win. He allowed two runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. Matt Foster (2-0) was credited with the win after striking out four in two perfect innings.
Tyler Alexander (1-1) allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings in his first start of the season.
Harold Castro hit an RBI single as part of Detroit's two-run ninth.
CUBS 7, INDIANS 1
CLEVELAND -- Jon Lester looked comfortable on a mound where he helped make history and Jason Heyward hit a three-run homer, leading Chicago to a win over Cleveland, which welcomed back manager Terry Francona after a couple bumpy days.
Lester (2-0) allowed three hits in six innings as the Cubs moved to 11-3 for the first time since 2016.
For the first time this year the Indians gave up more than four runs, ending the second-longest run (18 games) to open a season.
Francona returned after missing eight games to rest and treat a gastrointestinal ailment that has bothered him for nearly a year.
NATIONALS 2, METS 1
NEW YORK -- Max Scherzer showed no effects of hamstring trouble, navigating heavy traffic early for his first win this season, and Trea Turner hit a record-breaking leadoff homer to help Washington beat New York.
Howie Kendrick had three hits and Victor Robles blooped an RBI single for the Nationals, who have taken the first two in a four-game series between NL East rivals. New York (7-11) dropped to 3-7 at home this season.
Rick Porcello (1-2) threw six solid innings but was outpitched by Scherzer (1-1).
Scherzer needed 60 pitches to get through the initial two innings, but stranded five runners by striking out Wilson Ramos to end the first and Jeff McNeil to close the second. He lasted six innings and threw only 45 pitches over his final four to finish with 105. He gave up six hits, struck out seven and walked two.
Turner hit his 10th career leadoff homer, a Nationals record. Alfonso Soriano hit nine in his lone season with Washington (2006).
YANKEES 9, BRAVES 6
NEW YORK -- Aaron Judge dented an advertisement with a scorching home run before making an unusual early exit, Jordan Montgomery pitched efficiently against a lineup missing its brightest young star and New York beat Atlanta.
Atlanta scratched Ronald Acuña Jr. about 90 minutes before first pitch with a sore left wrist.
Judge smashed his homer off a sign above the home bullpen in right-center field, leaving his mark on a shot leading off the fifth. Then his night came to a bizarre end. Yankees manager Aaron Boone sent Mike Tauchman to pinch-hit for Judge in the sixth inning with New York leading 8-3.
Luke Voit hit a three-run drive in the first inning off Braves starter Touki Toussaint (0-1), who allowed six runs - five earned - in four innings.
Montgomery (2-1) cruised through five innings before allowing a three-run homer to Marcell Ozuna in the sixth. He threw 78 pitches over six innings, allowing three runs, four hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Zack Britton pitched a perfect ninth inning for his sixth save.
REDS 6, ROYALS 5, 10 INN.
CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto doubled home the winning run in the 10th and Cincinnati blew another late lead before rallying past Kansas City.
The Royals tied it 5-5 in the eighth on Ryan McBroom's pinch-hit, two-run homer off Amir Garrett, but they couldn't keep their four-game winning streak going.
With a designated runner on second base in the 10th, Josh Staumont (0-1) walked Nick Castellanos and Votto doubled off the wall in center.
Lucas Sims (1-0) gave up a walk in the 10th with a designated runner on second base but escaped the threat.
Matt Davidson and Jesse Winker hit consecutive homers off left-hander Kris Bubic in his first road start as Cincinnati pulled ahead 5-3, but Cincinnati's leaky bullpen let another lead slip away.
ORIOLES 10, PHILLIES 9, 10 inn.
PHILADELPHIA -- Austin Hays hit a two-run, inside-the-park homer in the 10th inning to lift Baltimore over Philadelphia.
Bryce Harper hit a tying, two-run homer in the eighth and Jean Segura gave the Phillies a 6-5 lead with a solo shot two outs later. But closer Hector Neris couldn't hold it.
After Orioles closer Cole Sulser (1-1) allowed a two-run single to Didi Gregorius with two outs in the ninth to tie it at 8, Hays put Baltimore ahead to stay.
With a runner on second to start the extra inning, Hays ripped a sinking liner to center off Deolis Guerra (1-2). Roman Quinn dove headfirst and the ball skipped to the warning track. Quinn fell picking it up and Hays circled the bases.
Paul Fry allowed an RBI single in the 10th but got a bouncer for the second out. Travis Lakins Sr. got Rhys Hoskins on a grounder, earning his first career save.
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler cruised into the sixth before running into trouble. He allowed three runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Orioles starter Alex Cobb yielded three runs - two earned - and three hits in 5 1/3 innings.
RAYS 8, RED SOX 2
BOSTON -- Mike Brosseau led off the game with a home run, Yandy Díaz and Hunter Renfroe each had two RBIs and Tampa Bay beat Boston.
Brosseau, Díaz and Manuel Margot had multi-hit games as Tampa Bay won its fourth straight game.
Tampa Bay starter Andrew Kittredge exited with right elbow soreness after throwing only five pitches. John Curtiss (1-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball in relief of Kittredge.
Michael Chavis and Alex Verdugo each hit RBI singles for the Red Sox. Martín Pérez (2-2) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out five in 5 2/3 innings after tossing five scoreless innings in a 5-0 win at Tampa Bay last Wednesday.
Boston has lost seven of its last 10.
BREWERS 6, TWINS 4
MILWAUKEE -- Jedd Gyorko blasted a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning as Milwaukee came from behind to beat Minnesota.
The Brewers started their winning rally when Christian Yelich beat the Twins' shift with a one-out double.
Gyorko followed with a shot to center off Taylor Rogers (1-2).
Eddie Rosario of the Twins and Manny Pina of the Brewers each hit two home runs. Minnesota's Jorge Polanco and Milwaukee's Avisail Garcia also homered.
RANGERS 4, MARINERS 2
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nick Solak singled three times and drove in three runs, leading Texas to a victory over Seattle.
Solak had a two-run single in the first and an RBI hit in third, when Willie Calhoun added another run-scoring single. Calhoun's hit scored slugger Joey Gallo, who was hit by a pitch twice and walked his other two times up.
Left-hander Mike Minor allowed an infield single and three walks with four strikeouts in four scoreless innings but was pulled after 76 pitche.
Edinson Volquez (2-1) was awarded the win by the official scorer after replacing Nick Goody, who came on after Minor and allowed both Seattle runs, one of them unearned. Rafael Montero pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.
Seattle starter Marco Gonzales (2-2) gave up seven hits and four runs in five innings.
ROCKIES 8, DIAMONDBACKS 7
DENVER -- Charlie Blackmon raised his batting average to .500 with three hits, including a key double during a six-run burst in the eighth inning that led Colorado over Arizona.
After starting out the year 0 for 9, Blackmon has hit in 15 straight games. He's 34 for 68 through 17 games in the coronavirus-shortened 60-game season.
Blackmon doubled off Kevin Ginkel (0-1) during the Rockies' big inning that made it 8-2.
The Diamondbacks rallied for five runs in the ninth and had runners on first and third with two outs. Daniel Bard fanned pinch hitter Stephen Vogt to end it and earn his first save since 2011 while with the Boston Red Sox. It was his sixth career save overall.
Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer and Raimel Tapia added three hits, including a two-run double in the eighth for Colorado.
Carlos Estevez (1-0) worked a scoreless eighth for the victory.
Christian Walker and Carson Kelly each homered for the Diamondbacks.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Pritzker tells local leaders to step up or state will be forced to 'roll things back'

With positive test results for COVID-19 trending up in counties including Lake , McHenry and Will , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday advised local leaders with virus surges to impose `` targeted '' restrictions on activities before the state intervenes .
Without county and municipal authorities acting , `` it 's only a matter of time before the state will be forced to step in and roll things back on a regional basis , which is something none of us want , '' he said .
The state health department reported 1,645 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday with 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caseload at 198,593 while fatalities statewide stand at 7,672 .
The total number of tests performed is 3.2 million , and the latest seven-day positivity rate is 4.1 % .
Tests conducted in the last 24 hours came to 42,098 , with 3.9 % testing positive .
Pritzker said recent data show Lake and McHenry counties , Will and Kankakee counties , and three other regions outside the metro area `` were all seeing increases in the seven-day rolling average positivity rates for COVID-19 . ''
Suburban Cook County and Chicago , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same test positivity rates as a week ago .
Only DuPage and Kane , and a region in east-central Illinois , are showing a slight decrease , he said .
One open question is whether daily counts of new cases will surge to 2,000 or higher , which occurred Friday and Saturday .
The seven-day average for new cases is 1,731 , compared to 1,621 between July 30 and Aug. 5 .
The number of COVID-19 patients in Illinois hospitals was 1,525 as of Tuesday night , 37 more than the August daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike warned that since the beginning of July , as the state dropped numerous restrictions and increased the size of allowable public gatherings , the numbers of cases , hospitalizations , emergency room visits and positive tests has increased .
`` My concern is growing each day about the direction our numbers are going , '' Ezike said .
She also implored Illinoisans to wear face coverings .
`` Even if you think that masks do n't help , then prove us wrong '' by wearing one , Ezike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved new Illinois Department of Public Health rules that allow local authorities to issue misdemeanor citations with fines of up to $ 2,500 on businesses and schools that defy mandates like social distancing and mask wearing .
The state can also take stricter measures such as suspending liquor licenses , for example , or cracking down on an entire region and suspending indoor dining or reducing gathering sizes .
The state is split into 11 regions to monitor COVID-19 conditions .
A combination of sustained increases in the test positivity rate and hospitalizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the number of ICU or hospital beds available can trigger restrictions for a region , such as banning indoor dining at restaurants .
Another trigger is three consecutive days with an 8 % or greater positivity rate .
The IDPH website indicated that as of Sunday , Will and Kane had a 6.7 % positivity rate , Lake and McHenry had a 5.6 % rate , suburban Cook had a 5.9 % rate , and DuPage and Kane had a 4.8 % rate .
Also Tuesday , Illinois Secretary of State officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Elk Grove Village until Aug. 22 after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 .
All workers at that location are quarantining for 14 days and the building is being cleaned and disinfected .
Three customers who came into contact with the employee have been notified by the IDPH and the situation `` seems to be confined , '' said Dave Druker , spokesman for Secretary of State Jesse White .
Anyone inside driver 's facilities must wear masks and social distance ; plexiglass barriers also separate employees and customers .
Employees administering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear masks inside vehicles .
Druker noted that the public can renew licenses and vehicle stickers online .
This is the 15th time a driver 's facility in Illinois has had to shut down for virus-related reasons since late April .

Pritzker tells local leaders to step up or state will be forced to 'roll things back'
With positive test results for COVID-19 trending up in counties including Lake, McHenry and Will, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday advised local leaders with virus surges to impose "targeted" restrictions on activities before the state intervenes.
Without county and municipal authorities acting, "it's only a matter of time before the state will be forced to step in and roll things back on a regional basis, which is something none of us want," he said.
The state health department reported 1,645 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday with 16 more deaths. That leaves the state caseload at 198,593 while fatalities statewide stand at 7,672.
The total number of tests performed is 3.2 million, and the latest seven-day positivity rate is 4.1%.
Tests conducted in the last 24 hours came to 42,098, with 3.9% testing positive.
Pritzker said recent data show Lake and McHenry counties, Will and Kankakee counties, and three other regions outside the metro area "were all seeing increases in the seven-day rolling average positivity rates for COVID-19."
Suburban Cook County and Chicago, and two other regions, are showing the same test positivity rates as a week ago. Only DuPage and Kane, and a region in east-central Illinois, are showing a slight decrease, he said.
One open question is whether daily counts of new cases will surge to 2,000 or higher, which occurred Friday and Saturday. The seven-day average for new cases is 1,731, compared to 1,621 between July 30 and Aug. 5.
The number of COVID-19 patients in Illinois hospitals was 1,525 as of Tuesday night, 37 more than the August daily average of 1,488.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike warned that since the beginning of July, as the state dropped numerous restrictions and increased the size of allowable public gatherings, the numbers of cases, hospitalizations, emergency room visits and positive tests has increased.
"My concern is growing each day about the direction our numbers are going," Ezike said.
She also implored Illinoisans to wear face coverings. "Even if you think that masks don't help, then prove us wrong" by wearing one, Ezike said.
A legislative committee this week approved new Illinois Department of Public Health rules that allow local authorities to issue misdemeanor citations with fines of up to $2,500 on businesses and schools that defy mandates like social distancing and mask wearing.
The state can also take stricter measures such as suspending liquor licenses, for example, or cracking down on an entire region and suspending indoor dining or reducing gathering sizes.
The state is split into 11 regions to monitor COVID-19 conditions.
A combination of sustained increases in the test positivity rate and hospitalizations, or a reduction below 20% in the number of ICU or hospital beds available can trigger restrictions for a region, such as banning indoor dining at restaurants.
Another trigger is three consecutive days with an 8% or greater positivity rate.
The IDPH website indicated that as of Sunday, Will and Kane had a 6.7% positivity rate, Lake and McHenry had a 5.6% rate, suburban Cook had a 5.9% rate, and DuPage and Kane had a 4.8% rate.
Also Tuesday, Illinois Secretary of State officials closed a commercial driver's license facility in Elk Grove Village until Aug. 22 after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. All workers at that location are quarantining for 14 days and the building is being cleaned and disinfected.
Three customers who came into contact with the employee have been notified by the IDPH and the situation "seems to be confined," said Dave Druker, spokesman for Secretary of State Jesse White.
Anyone inside driver's facilities must wear masks and social distance; plexiglass barriers also separate employees and customers. Employees administering driver's tests and applicants also must wear masks inside vehicles.
Druker noted that the public can renew licenses and vehicle stickers online. This is the 15th time a driver's facility in Illinois has had to shut down for virus-related reasons since late April.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Rosemont mall expansion called off, meaning theater stays put

Rosemont officials on Wednesday put an end to the long-rumored expansion of the Fashion Outlets of Chicago -- which would have spelled an end to the Rosemont Theatre -- and a tax increment financing district to help fuel the redevelopment .
There were a lot of factors to the decision , Mayor Brad Stephens said , not the least of which were the economic impacts brought on by the coronavirus .
`` Let 's be real .
Now is n't the time , '' he said .
Stephens and top brass at Macerich , the Santa Monica , California-based operator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of a mall expansion off and on since at least 2015 , when then-CEO Art Coppola publicly mentioned it during a quarterly earnings call .
Those early discussions led both parties to ink a real estate purchase contract and development agreement in 2018 , which triggered a five-year timeline for the mall owner to market the property and gauge potential retailers ' interest .
Officials characterized the deal as a letter of intent , whereby the property east of the mall -- which includes the village-owned theater -- would stay with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding onto the mall .
Initial plans called for a 225,000-square-foot expansion of the existing two-story , 538,000-square-foot indoor shopping center at Balmoral Avenue and the Tri-State Tollway .
The village would have built a parking garage and gave Macerich land that includes the theater and surface parking lots .
A more recent idea , Stephens said Wednesday , was to develop an open air shopping space , not unlike Old Orchard in Skokie .
But discussions in recent months -- initially about the mall 's reopening plans after the temporary pandemic-related closure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop the expansion idea , Stephens said .
Three years into the five-year agreement , Macerich had certain bench marks to meet , such as submitting building plans and signing leases with retailers .
`` We were at the tipping point with what the agreement called for , '' Stephens said .
Rosemont officials were willing to entertain the idea in the first place because of the sales and property tax revenues the mall has provided village coffers since opening in 2013 , accounting for more than half of total village sales tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , the 25-year-old , 4,200-seat theater had struggled to compete with downtown Chicago venues , with some suggestion by village leaders that it was too large of a space .
But most entertainment venues are in the same place today , amid restrictions on large gatherings , so Rosemont officials are content on keeping the theater operation as is .
They 're still booking shows , and recently completed renovations to the building 's loading dock .
The village had already taken steps to set up its ninth tax increment financing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and parking lots -- even going as far as holding a public hearing in October 2017 .
The TIF would have frozen property taxes at current levels for 23 years , and taxes collected above that would have gone to a village fund to pay for public and private improvements .
A set of ordinances that would have enacted the 6-acre TIF district were routinely continued during monthly village board meetings since 2017 , until Wednesday .
The ordinances were on an early version of the board 's agenda Monday morning , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the final version released Tuesday morning .
Stephens said it 's possible the village could revisit the concept in the future should a redevelopment opportunity come forward .

Rosemont mall expansion called off, meaning theater stays put
The Rosemont Theatre is staying put for now, village officials said Wednesday, despite earlier suggestions that the venue could be demolished to make way for an expansion of the nearby Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Daily Herald File Photo
Fashion Outlets of Chicago, which opened in 2013 in Rosemont, won't be expanding anytime soon, village officials said Wednesday. Discussions about a possible mall addition surfaced in 2015, but have been put to rest in part because of the coronavirus pandemic. Daily Herald File Photo
Rosemont officials on Wednesday put an end to the long-rumored expansion of the Fashion Outlets of Chicago -- which would have spelled an end to the Rosemont Theatre -- and a tax increment financing district to help fuel the redevelopment.
There were a lot of factors to the decision, Mayor Brad Stephens said, not the least of which were the economic impacts brought on by the coronavirus.
"Let's be real. Now isn't the time," he said.
Stephens and top brass at Macerich, the Santa Monica, California-based operator of the Fashion Outlets, have discussed the possibility of a mall expansion off and on since at least 2015, when then-CEO Art Coppola publicly mentioned it during a quarterly earnings call.
Those early discussions led both parties to ink a real estate purchase contract and development agreement in 2018, which triggered a five-year timeline for the mall owner to market the property and gauge potential retailers' interest.
Officials characterized the deal as a letter of intent, whereby the property east of the mall -- which includes the village-owned theater -- would stay with the village if Macerich eventually decided against adding onto the mall.
Initial plans called for a 225,000-square-foot expansion of the existing two-story, 538,000-square-foot indoor shopping center at Balmoral Avenue and the Tri-State Tollway. The village would have built a parking garage and gave Macerich land that includes the theater and surface parking lots.
A more recent idea, Stephens said Wednesday, was to develop an open air shopping space, not unlike Old Orchard in Skokie.
But discussions in recent months -- initially about the mall's reopening plans after the temporary pandemic-related closure -- led to the mutual decision to drop the expansion idea, Stephens said.
Three years into the five-year agreement, Macerich had certain bench marks to meet, such as submitting building plans and signing leases with retailers.
"We were at the tipping point with what the agreement called for," Stephens said.
Rosemont officials were willing to entertain the idea in the first place because of the sales and property tax revenues the mall has provided village coffers since opening in 2013, accounting for more than half of total village sales tax revenues in most years.
At the same time, the 25-year-old, 4,200-seat theater had struggled to compete with downtown Chicago venues, with some suggestion by village leaders that it was too large of a space.
But most entertainment venues are in the same place today, amid restrictions on large gatherings, so Rosemont officials are content on keeping the theater operation as is. They're still booking shows, and recently completed renovations to the building's loading dock.
The village had already taken steps to set up its ninth tax increment financing district that would have encompassed the theater and parking lots -- even going as far as holding a public hearing in October 2017. The TIF would have frozen property taxes at current levels for 23 years, and taxes collected above that would have gone to a village fund to pay for public and private improvements.
A set of ordinances that would have enacted the 6-acre TIF district were routinely continued during monthly village board meetings since 2017, until Wednesday. The ordinances were on an early version of the board's agenda Monday morning, but were then removed and did not appear on the final version released Tuesday morning.
Stephens said it's possible the village could revisit the concept in the future should a redevelopment opportunity come forward.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Delayed Barrington Art Walk back on schedule for September

Barrington 's annual outdoor art festival , on hold since May due to COVID-19 concerns , will be held with safety precautions in place next month .
Village board members Monday night entered into a letter of agreement with Amdur Productions Inc. to produce the fest on Sept. 12 and 13 .
The 2020 Barrington Art Walk previously had been set for Memorial Day weekend on May 24 and 25 .
About 50 juried artists , music and food vendors will be part of the event , held in the BMO Harris Bank parking lot in downtown Barrington .
Safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vendors and visitors -- except for children 2 and younger -- and social distancing .
There will be a controlled entry into the festival area .
`` It will be 50 % fewer artists and only 50 attendees at a time , '' said Patty Dowd Schmitz , the village 's director of communications and community engagement .
Instead of just showing up on downtown streets as in past years , patrons must make free online reservations for a one-hour time slot from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or make an advance purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket at amdurproductions.com .
Company President Amy Amdur said there will be temperature screenings before entry from Cook Street and a one-way flow for the patrons in the BMO Harris lot .
Plans call for a special session from 9 to 10 a.m. on both days for those with compromised health or mobility problems .
As part of its $ 8,250 contract with Barrington , Amdur will be responsible for the layout , artist selection , marketing and other management duties .
Schmitz said the success of the Barrington Wine Walk on July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescheduled 11th annual art festival .
Many suburbs hire Amdur Productions for annual art fests .
Amdur said the first of the fests with the new measures related to COVID-19 occurred Aug. 1 and 2 with the Art Walk at the Glen in Glenview .
There were about 2,000 patrons over two days at the Glenview festival and a high level of cooperation , she said .
`` People first thanked us for the safety protocols we had in place , '' Amdur added .
`` When we were taking their temperatures with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Some artists have `` done a pivot '' by selling face coverings , she said .
Amdur will stage the 23rd annual Lincolnshire Art Walk from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday .
Free reservations for a time slot or the $ 10 VIP tickets allowing flexibility are available on Amdur 's website .

Delayed Barrington Art Walk back on schedule for September
Barrington's annual outdoor art festival, which has been on hold due to COVID-19 concerns, will be held with safety precautions in the downtown BMO Harris Bank parking lot next month. Here, visitors gathered at the 2019 festival held on downtown Barrington streets. Courtesy of Amdur Productions
Barrington's annual outdoor art festival, which has been on hold due to COVID-19 concerns, will be held with safety precautions in the downtown BMO Harris Bank parking lot next month. Here, visitors gathered at the 2019 festival held on downtown Barrington streets. Courtesy of Amdur Productions
Barrington's annual outdoor art festival, on hold since May due to COVID-19 concerns, will be held with safety precautions in place next month.
Village board members Monday night entered into a letter of agreement with Amdur Productions Inc. to produce the fest on Sept. 12 and 13. The 2020 Barrington Art Walk previously had been set for Memorial Day weekend on May 24 and 25.
About 50 juried artists, music and food vendors will be part of the event, held in the BMO Harris Bank parking lot in downtown Barrington. Safety requirements include facial coverings for artists, vendors and visitors -- except for children 2 and younger -- and social distancing. There will be a controlled entry into the festival area.
"It will be 50% fewer artists and only 50 attendees at a time," said Patty Dowd Schmitz, the village's director of communications and community engagement.
Instead of just showing up on downtown streets as in past years, patrons must make free online reservations for a one-hour time slot from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or make an advance purchase of a flexible $10 VIP daily ticket at amdurproductions.com. Company President Amy Amdur said there will be temperature screenings before entry from Cook Street and a one-way flow for the patrons in the BMO Harris lot.
Plans call for a special session from 9 to 10 a.m. on both days for those with compromised health or mobility problems.
As part of its $8,250 contract with Barrington, Amdur will be responsible for the layout, artist selection, marketing and other management duties.
Schmitz said the success of the Barrington Wine Walk on July 25 helped officials decide to allow the rescheduled 11th annual art festival.
Many suburbs hire Amdur Productions for annual art fests. Amdur said the first of the fests with the new measures related to COVID-19 occurred Aug. 1 and 2 with the Art Walk at the Glen in Glenview.
There were about 2,000 patrons over two days at the Glenview festival and a high level of cooperation, she said.
"People first thanked us for the safety protocols we had in place," Amdur added. "When we were taking their temperatures with infrared thermometers, they were thanking us."
Some artists have "done a pivot" by selling face coverings, she said.
Amdur will stage the 23rd annual Lincolnshire Art Walk from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free reservations for a time slot or the $10 VIP tickets allowing flexibility are available on Amdur's website.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Solar-panel canopies, glass sculpture in early plans for St. Charles plaza expansion

Celebrating the beauty and heritage of St. Charles serves as the central theme of a concept plan for future improvements to the downtown First Street Plaza .
A sweeping terrace , solar-panel canopies , pedestrian walkways and an elevated glass sculpture are among the features proposed for a public gathering space at First and Main streets , just west of the Fox River .
Plans call for extending the existing plaza and riverwalk north , connecting to the Main Street Bridge and filling the hole on a long-vacant site where the Manor Restaurant once stood .
That vision was developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent advisory committee acting under the framework of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley .
The group of community leaders and residents , established last year , is tasked with seeking private partnerships and donations to support public projects .
The development and expansion of the First Street Plaza quickly rose to the top of the list , said Alderman Lora Vitek , the committee 's chairwoman .
As part of its ongoing First Street redevelopment , the city recently completed a two-level riverwalk and brick-paved `` east plaza , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the west side of the roadway .
Then in January , the city council voted to purchase the visually prominent property at 1 W. Main St. in hopes of pursuing a second project phase and extending the east plaza immediately to the north .
The St. Charles Initiative has raised about $ 135,000 for that effort so far , Vitek said , not including an earlier $ 600,000 donation from Chicago-based Exelon Corp .
But before seeking larger contributions to help fund the project , the group decided to hire Serena Sturm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would help facilitate conversations with potential donors or sponsors .
That design , presented to aldermen this week , aims to emphasize cultural continuity , urban regeneration , environmental responsibility and community engagement , architect Martin Serena said .
A large , open terrace surrounded by canopies and trees sets the scene for community events , he said .
A ramping riverwalk and expanded bridge walkway would improve access to the east side of the river .
Rain gardens and mini swales provide stormwater collection , and a vertical glass sculpture would serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflects its surroundings , including the iconic city hall and Hotel Baker .
`` We wanted to make use of and build on St. Charles ' special gifts , which we defined as the river , a unique and attractive downtown , as well as an active and vibrant commercial corridor along which it resides , '' Serena said .
The plan also calls for closing off First Street from Main Street to the entrance of a parking garage just south of the plaza .
Doing so would create a more walkable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities , he said .
The St. Charles Initiative sought feedback this week from aldermen , some of whom expressed a desire for more green space or additional amenities for children .
Others wanted a better understanding of the plan 's overall costs .
The next steps will be refining the plaza design and going through the engineering process , after which cost estimates and timelines will be established , according to project leaders .
Fundraising and financing details will be worked out once final plans are reviewed and approved by the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public-private partnership , it 's unlikely that all elements of the project will be completed in one season , city Administrator Mark Koenen said .
Certain features could be added over time as donations or sponsorships roll in .
`` I 'm sure the city will be an active participant in financing the project .
We are already , '' Koenen said .
`` This ( concept plan ) does give us a vision . ''

Solar-panel canopies, glass sculpture in early plans for St. Charles plaza expansion
A large gathering space, solar-panel canopies, pedestrian walkways and a large, vertical focal point are among the features proposed in a concept plan for the First Street Plaza in downtown St. Charles. Courtesy of Serena Sturm Architects
A sweeping terrace with trees and solar-panel canopies create a space for holding community events and gatherings in downtown St. Charles, architect Martin Serena said. The concept plan for the expanded First Street Plaza was presented to city aldermen this week. Courtesy of Serena Sturm Architects
Celebrating the beauty and heritage of St. Charles serves as the central theme of a concept plan for future improvements to the downtown First Street Plaza.
A sweeping terrace, solar-panel canopies, pedestrian walkways and an elevated glass sculpture are among the features proposed for a public gathering space at First and Main streets, just west of the Fox River. Plans call for extending the existing plaza and riverwalk north, connecting to the Main Street Bridge and filling the hole on a long-vacant site where the Manor Restaurant once stood.
That vision was developed through the St. Charles Initiative, an independent advisory committee acting under the framework of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.
The group of community leaders and residents, established last year, is tasked with seeking private partnerships and donations to support public projects. The development and expansion of the First Street Plaza quickly rose to the top of the list, said Alderman Lora Vitek, the committee's chairwoman.
As part of its ongoing First Street redevelopment, the city recently completed a two-level riverwalk and brick-paved "east plaza," which parallels a previously constructed community space on the west side of the roadway. Then in January, the city council voted to purchase the visually prominent property at 1 W. Main St. in hopes of pursuing a second project phase and extending the east plaza immediately to the north.
The St. Charles Initiative has raised about $135,000 for that effort so far, Vitek said, not including an earlier $600,000 donation from Chicago-based Exelon Corp. But before seeking larger contributions to help fund the project, the group decided to hire Serena Sturm Architects and develop a concept plan that would help facilitate conversations with potential donors or sponsors.
That design, presented to aldermen this week, aims to emphasize cultural continuity, urban regeneration, environmental responsibility and community engagement, architect Martin Serena said.
A large, open terrace surrounded by canopies and trees sets the scene for community events, he said. A ramping riverwalk and expanded bridge walkway would improve access to the east side of the river. Rain gardens and mini swales provide stormwater collection, and a vertical glass sculpture would serve as a focal point that complements and reflects its surroundings, including the iconic city hall and Hotel Baker.
"We wanted to make use of and build on St. Charles' special gifts, which we defined as the river, a unique and attractive downtown, as well as an active and vibrant commercial corridor along which it resides," Serena said.
The plan also calls for closing off First Street from Main Street to the entrance of a parking garage just south of the plaza. Doing so would create a more walkable, vehicle-free environment for street markets and community activities, he said.
The St. Charles Initiative sought feedback this week from aldermen, some of whom expressed a desire for more green space or additional amenities for children. Others wanted a better understanding of the plan's overall costs.
The next steps will be refining the plaza design and going through the engineering process, after which cost estimates and timelines will be established, according to project leaders. Fundraising and financing details will be worked out once final plans are reviewed and approved by the city council.
Given the nature of a public-private partnership, it's unlikely that all elements of the project will be completed in one season, city Administrator Mark Koenen said. Certain features could be added over time as donations or sponsorships roll in.
"I'm sure the city will be an active participant in financing the project. We are already," Koenen said. "This (concept plan) does give us a vision."