dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-25--Mount Prospect native Decker now an Emmy Award-winning producer, director

A leap of faith and confidence in yourself can go a long way in life sometimes .
Decker , a 2000 Prospect High School graduate and former all-area and all-conference softball and volleyball player , has turned her love of sports into an Emmy Award-winning career as a producer and director of sports documentaries and specials for a variety of networks , including ESPN , NBC and Showtime , among others .
Decker decided not to play sports in college in order to concentrate on earning a degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin .
`` I was at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV watching Linda Cohn on ( ESPN 's ) SportsCenter , '' Decker recalled in a Zoom interview .
`` A friend of mine , John Barnes , came up to me and asked what I was doing and I said , ' I just love ESPN , I love sports and I want to work in sports TV . '
He told me his sister , Caroline Davis , worked at ESPN .
She emailed me two days later and I started being a runner for ESPN for Big Ten football games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although Decker may not have envisioned at the time what it would become some 20 years down the road .
`` That 's how I got my foot in the door , '' she said of the days when her duties included getting coffee for ESPN 's staff .
`` I worked a couple of X Games .
I flew myself out there and made zero money .
But people liked me and I was eager .
`` As soon as I graduated I applied for a job ( with ESPN ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired .
I packed up my car and drove out there ( to ESPN 's headquarters in Connecticut ) .
I learned a lot . ''
ESPN assigned Decker the NASCAR beat as an associate producer .
`` I traveled every weekend .
I knew then I wanted to get my hand in not so much the live events and sitting in the truck , '' she said .
`` I wanted to be involved in the creative and editorial stuff .
It was tough but I started to grow and did more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years at ESPN , Decker decided it was time for that leap of faith .
`` In 2011 , after the NASCAR grind , I was burned out and I missed Chicago , '' said Decker , whose parents Gene and Judy now live outside Lake Geneva .
`` I would n't take back my time at ESPN for a second .
I learned so much .
My friends and co-workers told me I was nuts ( for leaving to become a freelancer ) .
It was terrifying .
It was risky at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was perfect timing for me and the industry . ''
Leaving ESPN on good terms and with a ton of contacts , Decker moved to Wrigleyville and embarked on a freelance career .
`` I did n't burn any bridges , '' Decker said of her amicable departure from ESPN .
`` A couple of months later I got my first phone call and I went to Wimbledon .
I 've been freelancing for ESPN tennis consistently ever since . ''
Being a producer for major tennis events for ESPN landed Decker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight years but also to the Australian Open ( she calls Melbourne the favorite city she 's visited ) , the U.S. Open and events in Miami .
But there was more to do than just tennis .
`` My big transition out of the ESPN world came in 2012 , '' Decker said .
`` I did the London Olympics and NBC became my first client outside of ESPN .
I worked in the studio where I was doing features with Mary Carillo and John McEnroe . ''
That work earned Decker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Live Event Turnaround category .
The experience earned Decker two more Olympic gigs -- producing figure skating in Sochi in 2014 and tennis in Rio in 2016 .
Off to the Big Apple In 2013 , Decker got a call asking if she 'd be interested in producing a documentary style program for Showtime 's `` All Access '' on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero boxing match .
The catch was she had to spend two months in New York City .
`` After that I made the choice to move to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has lived there ever since and resides on the Upper East Side .
The work on that documentary earned Decker her second Emmy and sparked two more Emmy-winning documentaries on boxing .
The move to New York opened more doors , and she 's worked on projects for ESPN , NBC ( `` Quest for the Stanley Cup '' ) , Showtime , HBO ( The `` 24/7 '' show on Tiger vs. Phil ) ... and the list goes on .
In 2017 she was supervising producer for `` A Season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy football .
`` That was my first big-bucks sort of thing , '' she said .
Most recently , Decker landed her first directing job , a project airing on ESPN+ called `` My Name is Ada Hegerberg , '' a documentary on the Norwegian-born soccer star , which she directed with her longtime partner Tim Mullen .
`` Tim and I did it all with a very small crew .
We filmed from August to November all over the world , '' said Decker , noting most of the filming was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina .
`` A lot of my career has been working for other people , and finally this was a moment for me where we did n't have people making changes and people telling us we should do this or that .
This was ours . ''
Decker said she ca n't be 100 percent sure what the future holds as sports struggle to return during a pandemic .
She 's living in the moment and looking forward with the same positivity that 's been her trademark since high school .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It took awhile to get here and I 'm so excited to be hitting the next level , where more and more of these opportunities come along where I have a bigger role and more control . ''
All it took was a leap of faith , and a whole lot of confidence .

Mount Prospect native Decker now an Emmy Award-winning producer, director
Mount Prospect native Jackie Decker, right, with Norwegian soccer standout Ada Hegerberg and Decker's business partner, Tim Mullen. Decker recently directed a documentary on Hegerberg that is being aired on ESPN+. COURTESY OF JACKIE DECKER
Jackie Decker, with her back to the camera, interviews Ada Hegerberg, a Norwegian-born soccer standout, for a documentary currently available on ESPN+. COURTESY OF JACKIE DECKER
Jackie Decker checks out scenes in Lyon, France, for "My Name is Ada Hegerberg," an ESPN+ documentary on Norwegian-born soccer star Ada Hegerberg. COURTESY OF JACKIE DECKER
Mount Prospect native and Prospect High School graduate Jackie Decker with one of the four Emmy Awards she's won for her work as a TV sports producer. COURTESY OF JACKIE DECKER
A leap of faith and confidence in yourself can go a long way in life sometimes.
Just ask Mount Prospect native Jackie Decker.
Decker, a 2000 Prospect High School graduate and former all-area and all-conference softball and volleyball player, has turned her love of sports into an Emmy Award-winning career as a producer and director of sports documentaries and specials for a variety of networks, including ESPN, NBC and Showtime, among others.
Where it began
Decker decided not to play sports in college in order to concentrate on earning a degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin.
"I was at a bar and was glued to the TV watching Linda Cohn on (ESPN's) SportsCenter," Decker recalled in a Zoom interview. "A friend of mine, John Barnes, came up to me and asked what I was doing and I said, 'I just love ESPN, I love sports and I want to work in sports TV.' He told me his sister, Caroline Davis, worked at ESPN. She emailed me two days later and I started being a runner for ESPN for Big Ten football games."
A career was born, although Decker may not have envisioned at the time what it would become some 20 years down the road.
"That's how I got my foot in the door," she said of the days when her duties included getting coffee for ESPN's staff. "I worked a couple of X Games. I flew myself out there and made zero money. But people liked me and I was eager.
"As soon as I graduated I applied for a job (with ESPN). I did a phone interview and got hired. I packed up my car and drove out there (to ESPN's headquarters in Connecticut). I learned a lot."
ESPN assigned Decker the NASCAR beat as an associate producer.
"I traveled every weekend. I knew then I wanted to get my hand in not so much the live events and sitting in the truck," she said. "I wanted to be involved in the creative and editorial stuff. It was tough but I started to grow and did more and more features."
Sweet home Chicago
After six years at ESPN, Decker decided it was time for that leap of faith.
"In 2011, after the NASCAR grind, I was burned out and I missed Chicago," said Decker, whose parents Gene and Judy now live outside Lake Geneva.
"I wouldn't take back my time at ESPN for a second. I learned so much. My friends and co-workers told me I was nuts (for leaving to become a freelancer). It was terrifying. It was risky at the time but I look back and it was perfect timing for me and the industry."
Leaving ESPN on good terms and with a ton of contacts, Decker moved to Wrigleyville and embarked on a freelance career.
"I didn't burn any bridges," Decker said of her amicable departure from ESPN. "A couple of months later I got my first phone call and I went to Wimbledon. I've been freelancing for ESPN tennis consistently ever since."
Being a producer for major tennis events for ESPN landed Decker trips to not only Wimbledon for eight straight years but also to the Australian Open (she calls Melbourne the favorite city she's visited), the U.S. Open and events in Miami.
But there was more to do than just tennis.
"My big transition out of the ESPN world came in 2012," Decker said. "I did the London Olympics and NBC became my first client outside of ESPN. I worked in the studio where I was doing features with Mary Carillo and John McEnroe."
That work earned Decker her first Emmy, in the Outstanding Live Event Turnaround category. The experience earned Decker two more Olympic gigs -- producing figure skating in Sochi in 2014 and tennis in Rio in 2016.
Off to the Big Apple
In 2013, Decker got a call asking if she'd be interested in producing a documentary style program for Showtime's "All Access" on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero boxing match. The catch was she had to spend two months in New York City.
"After that I made the choice to move to New York," said Decker, who has lived there ever since and resides on the Upper East Side.
The work on that documentary earned Decker her second Emmy and sparked two more Emmy-winning documentaries on boxing.
The move to New York opened more doors, and she's worked on projects for ESPN, NBC ("Quest for the Stanley Cup"), Showtime, HBO (The "24/7" show on Tiger vs. Phil) ... and the list goes on. In 2017 she was supervising producer for "A Season With," a Showtime special on Navy football.
"That was my first big-bucks sort of thing," she said.
Most recently, Decker landed her first directing job, a project airing on ESPN+ called "My Name is Ada Hegerberg," a documentary on the Norwegian-born soccer star, which she directed with her longtime partner Tim Mullen.
"Tim and I did it all with a very small crew. We filmed from August to November all over the world," said Decker, noting most of the filming was done in France, Norway and North Carolina.
"A lot of my career has been working for other people, and finally this was a moment for me where we didn't have people making changes and people telling us we should do this or that. This was ours."
Decker said she can't be 100 percent sure what the future holds as sports struggle to return during a pandemic. She's living in the moment and looking forward with the same positivity that's been her trademark since high school.
"I'm cherishing it," she said. "It took awhile to get here and I'm so excited to be hitting the next level, where more and more of these opportunities come along where I have a bigger role and more control."
All it took was a leap of faith, and a whole lot of confidence.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-25--How to enter our holiday lights contest starting Friday

It turns out isolation leads to illumination .
Forced to stay home because of the worsening coronavirus pandemic , many suburbanites have put up their holiday lights a bit earlier than usual .
Their efforts bring a welcome bit of cheer -- and could lead to some great prizes .
Entries in this year 's Daily Herald holiday lights contest , presented by Treetime Christmas Creations of Lake Barrington , will be accepted starting Friday at events.dailyherald.com .
Simply upload a photo by Dec. 9 to join the competition .
The submission that receives the most online votes will win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $ 20 gift certificate from Schaumburg-based Ala Carte Entertainment , which owns a number of restaurants throughout the area including Moretti 's .
Four Editor 's Choice winners ( representing DuPage County , the Fox Valley , Lake County and the Northwest suburbs ) will receive a $ 25 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $ 10 Ala Carte Entertainment gift certificate .
And one random voter will receive a $ 100 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $ 20 Ala Carte Entertainment gift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The winners will be featured in the Dec. 18 print edition of the Daily Herald .

How to enter our holiday lights contest
Elk Grove Village resident Richy Sandberg won last year's Daily Herald holiday lights contest. You can enter this year's contest starting Friday. Daily Herald file photo
It turns out isolation leads to illumination.
Forced to stay home because of the worsening coronavirus pandemic, many suburbanites have put up their holiday lights a bit earlier than usual. Their efforts bring a welcome bit of cheer -- and could lead to some great prizes.
Entries in this year's Daily Herald holiday lights contest, presented by Treetime Christmas Creations of Lake Barrington, will be accepted starting Friday at events.dailyherald.com. Simply upload a photo by Dec. 9 to join the competition.
The submission that receives the most online votes will win the grand prize: a $750 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $20 gift certificate from Schaumburg-based Ala Carte Entertainment, which owns a number of restaurants throughout the area including Moretti's.
Four Editor's Choice winners (representing DuPage County, the Fox Valley, Lake County and the Northwest suburbs) will receive a $25 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $10 Ala Carte Entertainment gift certificate.
And one random voter will receive a $100 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $20 Ala Carte Entertainment gift certificate.
Voting will run Dec. 10-14. The winners will be featured in the Dec. 18 print edition of the Daily Herald.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-25--Longtime Rolling Meadows Alderman Mike Cannon abruptly resigns

Longtime Rolling Meadows alderman and one-time mayoral candidate Mike Cannon abruptly resigned this week , saying he felt powerless in the minority to get much done .
`` I 'm just not real happy with the leadership of the council itself in the last year and a half .
I 'm in disagreement with it , '' Cannon said Wednesday , after his surprise resignation at the end of a virtual council meeting the night before .
`` I do n't have the power to do much .
I felt like it 's a fight quite often on a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be better for someone else to take up the mantle . ''
Cannon 's resignation comes less than three weeks before candidates can begin handing in petitions to run in the April 6 , 2021 local election .
There will be two years left on Cannon 's four-year term .
Mayor Joe Gallo can also appoint a replacement to serve until the spring .
Cannon , a political foe of Gallo , said he 'd likely support a candidate in the election , depending on who runs .
He has represented Ward 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ west side , since 2011 .
He finished second in a three-way race for mayor in 2017 , and ran unopposed for alderman in 2019 .
He was a key vote on two controversial issues that have long-dominated local politics : the relocation and construction of two fire stations , and redevelopment of the old Dominick 's property on Kirchoff Road .
`` I 'm real proud we got two new fire stations built that are state-of-the-art for our people , '' he said , in reference to the new Station 15 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .
Cannon also said he was proud to have supported the 106-unit Meadow Square townhouse development on 9.5 acres of the 11-acre Kirchoff site .
Construction has been underway for more than a year , with about a quarter of the homes sold .
`` It 's been a long battle , '' he said .
A retired office products and industrial sales manager , Cannon says he plans to stay in town , where he 's lived since 1992 .

Longtime Rolling Meadows Alderman Mike Cannon abruptly resigns
Rolling Meadows Alderman Mike Cannon announced his resignation late Tuesday after more than nine years on the city council. He said Wednesday he stepped down because of his disagreement with city leadership. Daily Herald File Photo, 2017
Longtime Rolling Meadows alderman and one-time mayoral candidate Mike Cannon abruptly resigned this week, saying he felt powerless in the minority to get much done.
"I'm just not real happy with the leadership of the council itself in the last year and a half. I'm in disagreement with it," Cannon said Wednesday, after his surprise resignation at the end of a virtual council meeting the night before. "I don't have the power to do much. I felt like it's a fight quite often on a lot of issues. I thought it'd be better for someone else to take up the mantle."
Cannon's resignation comes less than three weeks before candidates can begin handing in petitions to run in the April 6, 2021 local election. There will be two years left on Cannon's four-year term. Mayor Joe Gallo can also appoint a replacement to serve until the spring.
Cannon, a political foe of Gallo, said he'd likely support a candidate in the election, depending on who runs.
He has represented Ward 1, located on the city's far west side, since 2011. He finished second in a three-way race for mayor in 2017, and ran unopposed for alderman in 2019.
He was a key vote on two controversial issues that have long-dominated local politics: the relocation and construction of two fire stations, and redevelopment of the old Dominick's property on Kirchoff Road.
"I'm real proud we got two new fire stations built that are state-of-the-art for our people," he said, in reference to the new Station 15 that opened last December and Station 16 last May.
Cannon also said he was proud to have supported the 106-unit Meadow Square townhouse development on 9.5 acres of the 11-acre Kirchoff site. Construction has been underway for more than a year, with about a quarter of the homes sold.
"It's been a long battle," he said.
A retired office products and industrial sales manager, Cannon says he plans to stay in town, where he's lived since 1992.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-25--McHenry County state's attorney's office won't enforce governor's indoor dining ban

The McHenry County state 's attorney 's office will not enforce the governor 's ban on indoor dining , State 's Attorney Patrick Kenneally announced Wednesday .
The office will , however , enforce related orders requiring employees and customers to wear masks , maintain social distancing and adhere to capacity limitations .
Kenneally 's decision not to enforce the indoor dining ban rested on two main considerations .
First , no provision in the executive orders or the Illinois Emergency Management Act requires or authorizes the state 's attorney 's office to enforce Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is the legitimate question , currently being litigated , as to whether the executive orders , which require the Governor to exercise 'emergency powers , ' are authorized under Illinois law or otherwise constitutional , '' Kenneally said in the release .
As restaurants throughout the county continue to defy the governor 's indoor dining ban in an effort to stay afloat , enforcement of masks and social distancing remains paramount , McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks said .
`` We have to deal in the real world and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview Tuesday , ahead of Kenneally 's announcement .
`` So we understand that there 's not going to be enforcement of the indoor dining , OK ... but knowing that , we need to try to reduce the harm and how do you do that ?
By enforcing the other things -- the social distancing and the masking .
That 's how you handle this . ''
Why enforce some rules and not others ?
The difference , Kenneally said in an interview , lies in where the orders are being passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding masks and social distancing are laid out in the Department of Public Health Act , Kenneally said .
That act allows the Illinois Department of Public Health to declare and enforce quarantine and isolation rules , and amend them as they see fit .
The governor 's indoor dining ban , however , is rooted in the Illinois Emergency Management Act .
Unlike the Department of Health Act , the Illinois Emergency Management Act does n't require or authorize enforcement by the state 's attorney 's office , Kenneally said .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce the indoor dining ban , then Kenneally would have the authority to enforce the rule , he said .
The legitimacy of Pritzker 's consecutive emergency executive orders regarding business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the subject of several lawsuits statewide .
Two lawsuits filed in McHenry County by local bars and restaurants were consolidated with a lawsuit referencing similar complaints in Sangamon County .
That case is ongoing .
Lingering questions about the governor 's executive powers could have `` been easily answered by the Illinois legislature , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , Kenneally said .
`` To date , and despite having ample opportunity , the legislature has offered nothing , '' Kenneally said .
`` In other words , the People 's representatives , charged with advancing the will and interests of residents , have yet to consider or legislate on one of the most important issues the State has ever faced . ''
According to Kenneally , Pritzker 's orders lack `` any identifiable criteria or process . ''
`` As such , we can not in good conscience enforce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in hundreds of McHenry County businesses permanently being shuttered , without some definitive validation by the legislature or courts of the governor 's continued use of 'emergency ' powers , ' '' Kenneally said .
What could enforcement look like ?
Violators of the governor 's executive orders may still face consequences from other agencies including the Illinois State Police , Illinois Attorney General , Illinois Liquor Control Commission , and the Illinois Gaming Board .
The McHenry County state 's attorney 's office will enforce other administrative rules , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees and customers wear masks and maintain at least six-feet of social distancing at all times , according to the release .
Businesses in violation of one of those orders would be is warned through written notice .
If they refuse to comply with that notice , the business , not an individual person , could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor , according to state law .
If charged , the business would face a fine of as much as $ 2,500 .
Business owners facing fines for breaking the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on indoor dining -- could also go through an expedited adjudication process instead of the courts under a proposal approved by the McHenry County Board of Health Monday .
The McHenry County Board has yet to consider that proposal , which centers on the creation of an administrative adjudication program that would allow the county health department to process violations of COVID-19 restrictions for businesses more efficiently .
The McHenry County Department of Health has referred 11 complaints involving restaurants and bars violating restrictions on indoor dining to the state 's attorney 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nomm said in a board of health meeting Monday .
The majority of those complaints exclusively referenced businesses that have continued to allow indoor dining , Kenneally said .
Although the state 's attorney 's office wo n't pursue legal action concerning those complaints , Kenneally 's office will look into a smaller handful of complaints that cited mask , social distancing , or capacity violations , he said .

McHenry County state's attorney's office won't enforce governor's indoor dining ban
The McHenry County state's attorney's office will not enforce the governor's ban on indoor dining, State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally announced Wednesday.
The office will, however, enforce related orders requiring employees and customers to wear masks, maintain social distancing and adhere to capacity limitations.
Kenneally's decision not to enforce the indoor dining ban rested on two main considerations.
First, no provision in the executive orders or the Illinois Emergency Management Act requires or authorizes the state's attorney's office to enforce Gov. J.B. Pritzker's executive orders, Kenneally said.
"Second, there is the legitimate question, currently being litigated, as to whether the executive orders, which require the Governor to exercise 'emergency powers,' are authorized under Illinois law or otherwise constitutional," Kenneally said in the release.
As restaurants throughout the county continue to defy the governor's indoor dining ban in an effort to stay afloat, enforcement of masks and social distancing remains paramount, McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks said.
"We have to deal in the real world and be practical," Franks said in an interview Tuesday, ahead of Kenneally's announcement. "So we understand that there's not going to be enforcement of the indoor dining, OK ... but knowing that, we need to try to reduce the harm and how do you do that? By enforcing the other things -- the social distancing and the masking. That's how you handle this."
Why enforce some rules and not others?
The difference, Kenneally said in an interview, lies in where the orders are being passed down from.
Guidance about enforcing rules surrounding masks and social distancing are laid out in the Department of Public Health Act, Kenneally said. That act allows the Illinois Department of Public Health to declare and enforce quarantine and isolation rules, and amend them as they see fit.
The governor's indoor dining ban, however, is rooted in the Illinois Emergency Management Act. Unlike the Department of Health Act, the Illinois Emergency Management Act doesn't require or authorize enforcement by the state's attorney's office, Kenneally said. If the IDPH hypothetically were to adopt and enforce the indoor dining ban, then Kenneally would have the authority to enforce the rule, he said.
The legitimacy of Pritzker's consecutive emergency executive orders regarding business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the subject of several lawsuits statewide.
Two lawsuits filed in McHenry County by local bars and restaurants were consolidated with a lawsuit referencing similar complaints in Sangamon County. That case is ongoing.
Lingering questions about the governor's executive powers could have "been easily answered by the Illinois legislature," which has offered little guidance as of Wednesday, Kenneally said.
"To date, and despite having ample opportunity, the legislature has offered nothing," Kenneally said. "In other words, the People's representatives, charged with advancing the will and interests of residents, have yet to consider or legislate on one of the most important issues the State has ever faced."
According to Kenneally, Pritzker's orders lack "any identifiable criteria or process."
"As such, we cannot in good conscience enforce the ban on indoor dining, which may result in hundreds of McHenry County businesses permanently being shuttered, without some definitive validation by the legislature or courts of the governor's continued use of 'emergency' powers,'" Kenneally said.
What could enforcement look like?
Violators of the governor's executive orders may still face consequences from other agencies including the Illinois State Police, Illinois Attorney General, Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and the Illinois Gaming Board.
The McHenry County state's attorney's office will enforce other administrative rules, such as limits on business occupancy and requirements that employees and customers wear masks and maintain at least six-feet of social distancing at all times, according to the release.
Businesses in violation of one of those orders would be is warned through written notice. If they refuse to comply with that notice, the business, not an individual person, could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, according to state law. If charged, the business would face a fine of as much as $2,500.
Business owners facing fines for breaking the state's COVID-19 rules -- including the ban on indoor dining -- could also go through an expedited adjudication process instead of the courts under a proposal approved by the McHenry County Board of Health Monday.
The McHenry County Board has yet to consider that proposal, which centers on the creation of an administrative adjudication program that would allow the county health department to process violations of COVID-19 restrictions for businesses more efficiently.
The McHenry County Department of Health has referred 11 complaints involving restaurants and bars violating restrictions on indoor dining to the state's attorney's office, Director of Environmental Health Patricia Nomm said in a board of health meeting Monday.
The majority of those complaints exclusively referenced businesses that have continued to allow indoor dining, Kenneally said. Although the state's attorney's office won't pursue legal action concerning those complaints, Kenneally's office will look into a smaller handful of complaints that cited mask, social distancing, or capacity violations, he said.
• Northwest Herald reporter Kelli Duncan contributed to this report.


US-Pres-Sum,100

Needed to win : 270 of the 538 electoral votes ( ev ) from the 50 states and the District @ @ @

US-Pres-Sum,100
Trump 73,904,195 - 47 percent
Has won 25 states with 232 ev.
Leads in 0 states with 0 ev.
Others 2,683,489 - 2 percent
Has won 0 states with 0 ev.
Leads in 0 states with 0 ev.
Needed to win: 270 of the 538 electoral votes (ev) from
the 50 states and the District of Columbia.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-26--Suburban stores prepare for safer, more socially distanced Black Friday

A Black Friday different from any before is anticipated due to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic , but retailers are still expecting significant observance of what many consider the traditional second step of the holiday season .
An International Council of Shopping Centers survey of consumers ' intentions for Thanksgiving weekend found that 85 % intended to shop during the period -- either in person or online -- from the holiday itself through Cyber Monday and to spend $ 470 on holiday shopping during that period .
And among those planning to shop , 44 % intend to spend more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping centers , the focus has been on meeting these expectations safely .
Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont is prepared for any level of turnout on Friday and is asking shoppers to exercise patience with the socially distanced lines that may become necessary outside the center or outside some stories within .
`` We 've taken every precaution , '' said Katie Walsh , senior manager of marketing .
That includes requiring every person older than 2 to wear a mask .
Compliance has n't been much of a problem for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` I think 99.9 % of people are coming in with the right attitude . ''
Hygiene protocols at the center include intensified cleaning and sanitizing , the use of electrostatic sprayers , required social distancing and a hospital-grade air filtration system that 's been in place since the early days of the pandemic , Walsh said .
There will be traffic counters at the entrances of the center and car counters at the entrance to the parking garage to keep a limit on the number of people inside .
Fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated on the current levels of shoppers , Walsh said .
Also , for the first time since the center opened in 2013 , Fashion Outlets will not be operating for 24 hours from late on Thanksgiving night .
Instead , Black Friday will begin at 6 a.m. Friday .
That change is also planned at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills , among the centers whose stores are trying to lessen the one-day intensity of Black Friday by spreading out deals over a longer period of time than usual .
`` There will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend but for two weeks following Black Friday , '' said Jenna Velelekos , marketing manager for Hawthorn Mall .
`` This will lessen the rush to buy , which will keep malls and stores a little less crowded , but it will also give consumers more time to plan their purchases , something that may ultimately be the new way Black Friday is done going forward , COVID or not . ''
But Velelekos predicts Black Friday will remain a high point of the shopping season in the future , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just because Thanksgiving will always be the traditional start of the holidays .
Best Buy stores began their Black Friday deals last Sunday and continue through this Sunday to help reduce the size of crowds at any one time , according to representatives of the company 's corporate headquarters .
Stores will be closed on Thanksgiving .
Hygiene and safety protocols at Best Buy stores include occupancy reductions , a mask requirement with the availability of face coverings for those who do n't have one , stickers on the floor and outside indicating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-touch displays , and contactless curbside pickup .
Schaumburg 's Woodfield Mall is expected to again be a draw for the many stores inside and nearby this holiday season , but Schaumburg Business Association President Lisa Gilbert said the spreading out of Black Friday offers and the resources those stores are putting into online sales will likely diminish the door-busting lines of the past .
Whether these changes become permanent remains to be seen as the concept of a one-day Black Friday worked for retailers for a long time , Gilbert said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of getting most of their holiday purchases done in one day amid the energy that accompanies the day after Thanksgiving .
`` I think time will tell on that , '' she said .
`` There is no returning back to normal , but there is always a next normal .
... Woodfield Mall is always going to be a draw for shoppers .
It 's an institution . ''
Gilbert added she expects a more active Cyber Monday as well as strong support for smaller , independent stores .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because there are so many people supporting local businesses so they 'll be here next year , '' Gilbert said .
Schaumburg Economic Development Director Matt Frank said the village has tried to help stores large and small prepare for a safe holiday season by providing guidance that helps them police themselves and protect shoppers and staffers alike .
This guidance includes a synopsis of the state 's Tier 3 mitigations for COVID-19 and an occupancy calculator that lets them know how many people can safely visit at one time , based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Suburban stores prepare for safer, more socially distanced Black Friday
Best Buy stores launched their Black Friday specials early this year to reduce size of crowds in the store. Bloomberg/Luke Sharrett, 2017
This Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont is asking shoppers to wear masks and abide by social distancing protocols if they visit on Black Friday or anytime else during the holiday shopping season. Daily Herald File Photo, 2013
A Black Friday different from any before is anticipated due to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, but retailers are still expecting significant observance of what many consider the traditional second step of the holiday season.
An International Council of Shopping Centers survey of consumers' intentions for Thanksgiving weekend found that 85% intended to shop during the period -- either in person or online -- from the holiday itself through Cyber Monday and to spend $470 on holiday shopping during that period. And among those planning to shop, 44% intend to spend more than last year.
For suburban stores and shopping centers, the focus has been on meeting these expectations safely.
Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont is prepared for any level of turnout on Friday and is asking shoppers to exercise patience with the socially distanced lines that may become necessary outside the center or outside some stories within.
"We've taken every precaution," said Katie Walsh, senior manager of marketing.
That includes requiring every person older than 2 to wear a mask. Compliance hasn't been much of a problem for the Fashion Outlets throughout the pandemic, Walsh said.
"I think 99.9% of people are coming in with the right attitude."
Hygiene protocols at the center include intensified cleaning and sanitizing, the use of electrostatic sprayers, required social distancing and a hospital-grade air filtration system that's been in place since the early days of the pandemic, Walsh said.
There will be traffic counters at the entrances of the center and car counters at the entrance to the parking garage to keep a limit on the number of people inside.
Fashion Outlets will keep its social media pages updated on the current levels of shoppers, Walsh said.
Also, for the first time since the center opened in 2013, Fashion Outlets will not be operating for 24 hours from late on Thanksgiving night. Instead, Black Friday will begin at 6 a.m. Friday.
That change is also planned at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, among the centers whose stores are trying to lessen the one-day intensity of Black Friday by spreading out deals over a longer period of time than usual.
"There will be specials extended not just through the weekend but for two weeks following Black Friday," said Jenna Velelekos, marketing manager for Hawthorn Mall. "This will lessen the rush to buy, which will keep malls and stores a little less crowded, but it will also give consumers more time to plan their purchases, something that may ultimately be the new way Black Friday is done going forward, COVID or not."
But Velelekos predicts Black Friday will remain a high point of the shopping season in the future, even if current tweaks to special offers remain permanent just because Thanksgiving will always be the traditional start of the holidays.
Best Buy stores began their Black Friday deals last Sunday and continue through this Sunday to help reduce the size of crowds at any one time, according to representatives of the company's corporate headquarters. Stores will be closed on Thanksgiving.
Hygiene and safety protocols at Best Buy stores include occupancy reductions, a mask requirement with the availability of face coverings for those who don't have one, stickers on the floor and outside indicating social distancing guidelines, sanitizing wipes near high-touch displays, and contactless curbside pickup.
Schaumburg's Woodfield Mall is expected to again be a draw for the many stores inside and nearby this holiday season, but Schaumburg Business Association President Lisa Gilbert said the spreading out of Black Friday offers and the resources those stores are putting into online sales will likely diminish the door-busting lines of the past.
Whether these changes become permanent remains to be seen as the concept of a one-day Black Friday worked for retailers for a long time, Gilbert said. And many shoppers have also enjoyed the idea of getting most of their holiday purchases done in one day amid the energy that accompanies the day after Thanksgiving.
"I think time will tell on that," she said. "There is no returning back to normal, but there is always a next normal. ... Woodfield Mall is always going to be a draw for shoppers. It's an institution."
Gilbert added she expects a more active Cyber Monday as well as strong support for smaller, independent stores.
"We'll see a bigger Small Business Saturday because there are so many people supporting local businesses so they'll be here next year," Gilbert said.
Schaumburg Economic Development Director Matt Frank said the village has tried to help stores large and small prepare for a safe holiday season by providing guidance that helps them police themselves and protect shoppers and staffers alike.
This guidance includes a synopsis of the state's Tier 3 mitigations for COVID-19 and an occupancy calculator that lets them know how many people can safely visit at one time, based on the size and type of business.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-26--Constable: Pandemic can't curb this cornucopia of thanks for family

This Thanksgiving -- with masks , physical distancing and plans to gather around an outside fire pit -- we are hosting the smallest gathering we 've ever had for what is my favorite holiday .
But while 2020 has canceled many of our plans and given us plenty of unexpected hardships , this Thanksgiving still serves up a cornucopia of thanks .
On Thanksgiving 25 years ago , my wife , Cheryl , gave birth to twin boys , setting in motion a parental pilgrimage that remains the greatest joy of our lives and now includes sons Ross , Ben @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on every Thanksgiving since , this column offers a full plate of reasons I need to give thanks .
This year , I am thankful for : • The safe practices , frequent testing and blind luck that have kept our immediate family safe from the coronavirus so far .
• The good fortune that has allowed filmmaker Ross to keep working gigs in Los Angeles , teacher Ben to deal with seventh-grade math classes online in Boston , and student Will to be nearing the end of his senior year at Earlham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fun we had eating as a family at our favorite Thai restaurant in March without the realization that it would be the last time we ate in a restaurant for the year .
• The way Ben transitioned from a new experience in a New Orleans school , where he moved without knowing anyone , to his new job in Boston , where he moved without knowing anyone .
• The way Will calmly reacted to the cancellation of his summer volunteer experience in India by finding an online mindfulness meditation teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got his brothers excited with news that he was editing music videos by Trippie Redd , which sent his parents on an online search to see who that was .
• The way Ross got our family excited with news that he was flying to Minneapolis to work on a music concert starring Omar Apollo at the Paisley Place venue that was once the home and studio of Prince , an artist already familiar to his parents .
• The way all three boys make time for socially distanced visits with Grandpa Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still bring up memories of fun times with Grandma Lois , Grandma Jean , Grandpa Willy and Uncle Bill .
• The unexpected enjoyment from family Zoom meetings that span four states and three time zones .
• The realization that with Will celebrating his 21st birthday unexpectedly at home , all our boys are fully recognized adults .
• The joy of having all three sons vote in three different states and cheering that moment over Zoom after the results rolled in .
• The way our disappointment at missing our annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic turned into a really fun family dance party at home celebrating the birthday of my beautiful wife , Cheryl , who can still bust a move .
• The way our lockdown has reminded me that Cheryl and I really like being together , whether we 're taking daily walks , going on bicycle trips or just binge-watching from the couch .
• The way the boys ' roughhousing that shattered the dining room light has morphed into a funny memory and a new light with more cloth and less glass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make it to the 25th birthday celebration for Ross and Ben .
• The way Ben uses running , biking and playing the oboe to raise his spirits during this pandemic .
• The way Will not only has us eating a delicious vegan meal for Thanksgiving but also is doing the bulk of the cooking .
• The ways my wife and I fantasize about family trips we want to take when life finally allows such things .
As our family celebrates today , we hope you and yours can compose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanks .

Constable: Pandemic can't curb this cornucopia of thanks for family
Beginning in March, the pandemic put restraints on the gathering of brothers Ross, left, Ben, center, and Will, but the "bros" found a way to be together in the online world of "Super Smash Bros Melee." Courtesy of Cheryl terHorst
In the summer, when bike rides along the lake were permitted, Ben, left, Ross, center, and Will got some brother bonding time. Courtesy of Cheryl terHorst
This Thanksgiving -- with masks, physical distancing and plans to gather around an outside fire pit -- we are hosting the smallest gathering we've ever had for what is my favorite holiday. But while 2020 has canceled many of our plans and given us plenty of unexpected hardships, this Thanksgiving still serves up a cornucopia of thanks.
On Thanksgiving 25 years ago, my wife, Cheryl, gave birth to twin boys, setting in motion a parental pilgrimage that remains the greatest joy of our lives and now includes sons Ross, Ben and Will. As it has done on every Thanksgiving since, this column offers a full plate of reasons I need to give thanks. This year, I am thankful for:
• The safe practices, frequent testing and blind luck that have kept our immediate family safe from the coronavirus so far.
• The good fortune that has allowed filmmaker Ross to keep working gigs in Los Angeles, teacher Ben to deal with seventh-grade math classes online in Boston, and student Will to be nearing the end of his senior year at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana.
• The fun we had eating as a family at our favorite Thai restaurant in March without the realization that it would be the last time we ate in a restaurant for the year.
• The way Ben transitioned from a new experience in a New Orleans school, where he moved without knowing anyone, to his new job in Boston, where he moved without knowing anyone.
• The way Will calmly reacted to the cancellation of his summer volunteer experience in India by finding an online mindfulness meditation teacher training course.
• The way Ross got his brothers excited with news that he was editing music videos by Trippie Redd, which sent his parents on an online search to see who that was.
• The way Ross got our family excited with news that he was flying to Minneapolis to work on a music concert starring Omar Apollo at the Paisley Place venue that was once the home and studio of Prince, an artist already familiar to his parents.
• The way all three boys make time for socially distanced visits with Grandpa Paul when they are in town, and still bring up memories of fun times with Grandma Lois, Grandma Jean, Grandpa Willy and Uncle Bill.
• The unexpected enjoyment from family Zoom meetings that span four states and three time zones.
• The realization that with Will celebrating his 21st birthday unexpectedly at home, all our boys are fully recognized adults.
• The joy of having all three sons vote in three different states and cheering that moment over Zoom after the results rolled in.
• The way our disappointment at missing our annual time at Fountain Park Chautauqua because of the pandemic turned into a really fun family dance party at home celebrating the birthday of my beautiful wife, Cheryl, who can still bust a move.
• The way our lockdown has reminded me that Cheryl and I really like being together, whether we're taking daily walks, going on bicycle trips or just binge-watching from the couch.
• The way the boys' roughhousing that shattered the dining room light has morphed into a funny memory and a new light with more cloth and less glass.
• The maneuvering required for Will to make it to the 25th birthday celebration for Ross and Ben.
• The way Ben uses running, biking and playing the oboe to raise his spirits during this pandemic.
• The way Will not only has us eating a delicious vegan meal for Thanksgiving but also is doing the bulk of the cooking.
• The ways my wife and I fantasize about family trips we want to take when life finally allows such things.
As our family celebrates today, we hope you and yours can compose a similar list for which to give thanks.


US-Pres-Sum,100


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-25--Golladay, Amendola out again for Lions; Swift questionable

DETROIT -- Lions receivers Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola have been ruled out for Thursday 's game against Houston .
@ @ @ @ @ weekend 's loss at Carolina with hip injuries .
Running back D'Andre Swift also missed @ @ @ @ @ concussion .
He 's questionable for Thursday .
Rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah ( shoulder ) @ @ @ @ @ Lions , along with defensive end Austin Bryant ( thigh ) , cornerback Mike Ford @ @ @ @ @ lineman Da'Shawn Hand ( groin ) .
The Lions also put tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai on @ @ @ @ @ receiver Mohamed Sanu from the practice squad and elevated defensive tackle Albert Huggins and defensive @ @ @ @ @ practice squad to the active/inactive list .
Vaitai has dealt with a foot injury recently @

Golladay, Amendola out again for Lions; Swift questionable
DETROIT -- Lions receivers Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola have been ruled out for Thursday's game against Houston.
Golladay and Amendola missed last weekend's loss at Carolina with hip injuries. Running back D'Andre Swift also missed that game because of a concussion. He's questionable for Thursday.
Rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah (shoulder) is also out for the Lions, along with defensive end Austin Bryant (thigh), cornerback Mike Ford (concussion) and defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (groin).
The Lions also put tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai on injured reserve, activated wide receiver Mohamed Sanu from the practice squad and elevated defensive tackle Albert Huggins and defensive back Dee Virgin from the practice squad to the active/inactive list. Vaitai has dealt with a foot injury recently.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-26--Another 131 COVID-19 deaths, 12,022 cases reported in Illinois Thursday

State health officials Thursday reported 12,022 new confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 and 131 more deaths from the respiratory @ @ @ @ @ , 29 were reported in Cook County , 11 in DuPage County , five in @ @ @ @ @ Lake County , two in McHenry County and eight in Will County , according to @ @ @ @ @ Health .
The number of people hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday night was @ @ @ @ @ 100 from the night before .
But of those hospitalized , slightly more were in @ @ @ @ @ from a day earlier .
The state reported 1,224 patients were in the intensive care @ @ @ @ @ 16 ) , and 724 on ventilators ( an increase of 45 ) , officials @ @ @ @ @ the state health department has reported 11,963 deaths and 697,489 infections since the onset of @ @ @ @ @ processed 107,556 tests in the last 24 hours , for a total of more than @ @ @ @ @ 's virus positivity rate was 10.3 % based on a seven-day average .

Another 131 COVID-19 deaths, 12,022 cases reported in Illinois Thursday
The parking lot at Arlington Park has served as one of the major COVID-19 testing sites in the region. State health officials Thursday reported more than 10.2 million tests have been processed since the onset of the pandemic. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
State health officials Thursday reported 12,022 new confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 and 131 more deaths from the respiratory disease.
Of the fatalities, 29 were reported in Cook County, 11 in DuPage County, five in Kane County, four in Lake County, two in McHenry County and eight in Will County, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The number of people hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday night was 6,032, down by about 100 from the night before.
But of those hospitalized, slightly more were in intensive care and on ventilators from a day earlier. The state reported 1,224 patients were in the intensive care unit (an increase of 16), and 724 on ventilators (an increase of 45), officials said.
In total, the state health department has reported 11,963 deaths and 697,489 infections since the onset of the pandemic.
Laboratories have processed 107,556 tests in the last 24 hours, for a total of more than 10.2 million.
The state's virus positivity rate was 10.3% based on a seven-day average.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-26--Suburban stores pivot to special promotions, personal services for Small Business Saturday

On the eve of a scaled-back Small Business Saturday , owners of suburban shops are hoping their own ingenuity and customers ' loyalty will help keep them afloat in the Year of the Pandemic .
A traditional highlight of the crucial holiday season , Small Business Saturday will by necessity be muted by COVID-19 precautions and state-ordered limits on the number of people in stores .
Festivities meant to draw foot traffic to local shopping areas have mostly been canceled .
Shop owners hope their specialized goods and personal services will draw people anyway , and keep them coming for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , really need local support , '' said Kristine Knutson , the owner of How Impressive !
gift and stationery store in Libertyville .
`` Small Business Saturday is our biggest day , and it wo n't be that way '' this year .
`` It 's devastating , to be honest with you , '' Lisa Collins , owner of Lauren Rae Jewelry Boutique in downtown Naperville , said of her business this year .
But Helen Budzisz , owner of Upstairs Boutique & Gift in Arlington Heights , remains hopeful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers ) want to shop small .
They want to support Arlington Heights , '' she said .
Collins said foot traffic at her store is down about 80 % .
`` We are a walk-by business , mostly , '' she said .
Many of her buyers are tourists staying at local hotels who come to downtown Naperville to dine and shop .
Stay-at-home moms who used to get together with friends for lunch and shopping are busy schooling their children at home , Collins said .
She has also lost a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fundraising galas , for which people would buy something special to wear , `` are basically gone , '' she said .
Collins ' landlord has helped by letting her delay some rent payments , and forgave a month 's rent , she said .
She adapted by partnering with nonprofit organizations .
They promote her business , and she is giving part of her proceeds from a week 's sales to them .
Collins has pursued other ways to keep her business afloat .
She 's bought 30 % less inventory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quit .
She added virtual gift cards and hand-delivers online purchases to customers who live in Naperville .
During the spring stay-at-home order , sales of items she displayed in her window grew , because people going out for walks to pass the time saw them .
Still , `` I do n't know if we will still be here after Christmas , '' Collins said .
Small businesses owners say they have one advantage in being able to turn on a dime , without layers of corporate bureaucracy to go through to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , owner of The Little Traveler store in Geneva .
The 36-room store located in what was a Victorian house has had a Web page for years , but it did not do online sales .
Simon 's son , who is studying computer science in college , came home in the spring because of the COVID-19 shutdown .
`` Guess what ?
You have a job , '' Simon told him , and had him set up online shopping .
Simon 's store has started using FaceTime , Zoom and other social-media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own local deliveries .
But on Wednesday , Simon made a shocking announcement : He closed the store 's doors temporarily and will offer just online shopping until he sees a sufficient decline in the number of COVID-19 cases being diagnosed locally .
`` I do not want to do anything that will contribute to it , '' he said .
For Marisa Bellizzi , owner of the Charisma boutique in downtown Arlington Heights , personal service and using many avenues to market her items have been key .
`` We just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bellizzi said .
That includes doing curbside pickup and texting regular customers about new things she thinks they would like .
She does live fashion videos that she posts to Instagram .
And people have already made an effort to buy from local stores , she said .
`` Everybody seems to be making a dedicated effort to shop local this year , '' she said .
`` I 'm super proud of our community . ''
Budzisz said her shop , which she has owned more than 30 years , has always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Black Friday .
But this year , she thinks she might see more shoppers on Black Friday , as people want to avoid crowds in large stores .
She changed her annual open house from a one-day event to four , unsure whether customers would support it .
`` They did .
They showed up over the four days , '' she said .
Downtown Libertyville businesses typically would have a holiday-time `` passport '' program , where shoppers would get stamps as they visited stores , for a prize giveaway .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to do this year , said Jennifer Johnson , executive director of MainStreet Libertyville .
The nonprofit organization also canceled its `` Dickens of a Holiday '' promotional weekends .
Instead , it has pivoted to promoting businesses ' individual promotions and sales .
`` Our retailers are bending over backward to meet customers ' needs , '' Johnson said .
One example is the 847 Running Co. store , which opened just before the pandemic .
Johnson said it has a `` shop the suitcase '' program , which includes bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try on .
The store also offers private appointments for fittings .
`` We 've seen really good , creative options , '' Johnson said .
How Impressive !
has added products , such as a mask with a map of Libertyville on it , Knutson said .
She also ramped up her website .
People can order custom Christmas cards similar to those at big online sites .
Her shop is open for walk-in traffic , but she also meets people by appointment .
Curbside pickup is available , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're just trying to do everything we can to stay afloat , '' Knutson said .

Suburban shops hope new merchandise, personal service help them hold their own in a scaled-back holiday season launch
On the eve of a scaled-back Small Business Saturday, owners of suburban shops are hoping their own ingenuity and customers' loyalty will help keep them afloat in the Year of the Pandemic.
A traditional highlight of the crucial holiday season, Small Business Saturday will by necessity be muted by COVID-19 precautions and state-ordered limits on the number of people in stores. Festivities meant to draw foot traffic to local shopping areas have mostly been canceled.
Shop owners hope their specialized goods and personal services will draw people anyway, and keep them coming for all of December.
"We really, really need local support," said Kristine Knutson, the owner of How Impressive! gift and stationery store in Libertyville. "Small Business Saturday is our biggest day, and it won't be that way" this year.
"It's devastating, to be honest with you," Lisa Collins, owner of Lauren Rae Jewelry Boutique in downtown Naperville, said of her business this year.
But Helen Budzisz, owner of Upstairs Boutique & Gift in Arlington Heights, remains hopeful. "I'm hearing that they (customers) want to shop small. They want to support Arlington Heights," she said.
Tough times
Collins said foot traffic at her store is down about 80%. "We are a walk-by business, mostly," she said. Many of her buyers are tourists staying at local hotels who come to downtown Naperville to dine and shop. Stay-at-home moms who used to get together with friends for lunch and shopping are busy schooling their children at home, Collins said. She has also lost a lot of business because weddings, proms and fundraising galas, for which people would buy something special to wear, "are basically gone," she said.
Collins' landlord has helped by letting her delay some rent payments, and forgave a month's rent, she said.
She adapted by partnering with nonprofit organizations. They promote her business, and she is giving part of her proceeds from a week's sales to them.
Collins has pursued other ways to keep her business afloat. She's bought 30% less inventory and has not replaced workers as they quit. She added virtual gift cards and hand-delivers online purchases to customers who live in Naperville. During the spring stay-at-home order, sales of items she displayed in her window grew, because people going out for walks to pass the time saw them.
Still, "I don't know if we will still be here after Christmas," Collins said.
Quick and flexible
Small businesses owners say they have one advantage in being able to turn on a dime, without layers of corporate bureaucracy to go through to make a decision.
Take Mike Simon, owner of The Little Traveler store in Geneva. The 36-room store located in what was a Victorian house has had a Web page for years, but it did not do online sales.
Simon's son, who is studying computer science in college, came home in the spring because of the COVID-19 shutdown. "Guess what? You have a job," Simon told him, and had him set up online shopping.
Simon's store has started using FaceTime, Zoom and other social-media apps for personal shopping, and does its own local deliveries.
But on Wednesday, Simon made a shocking announcement: He closed the store's doors temporarily and will offer just online shopping until he sees a sufficient decline in the number of COVID-19 cases being diagnosed locally.
"I do not want to do anything that will contribute to it," he said.
For Marisa Bellizzi, owner of the Charisma boutique in downtown Arlington Heights, personal service and using many avenues to market her items have been key.
"We just want to be super accommodating," Bellizzi said. That includes doing curbside pickup and texting regular customers about new things she thinks they would like. She does live fashion videos that she posts to Instagram.
And people have already made an effort to buy from local stores, she said.
"Everybody seems to be making a dedicated effort to shop local this year," she said. "I'm super proud of our community."
Budzisz said her shop, which she has owned more than 30 years, has always done better on Small Business Saturday than on Black Friday. But this year, she thinks she might see more shoppers on Black Friday, as people want to avoid crowds in large stores.
She changed her annual open house from a one-day event to four, unsure whether customers would support it. "They did. They showed up over the four days," she said.
Downtown Libertyville businesses typically would have a holiday-time "passport" program, where shoppers would get stamps as they visited stores, for a prize giveaway.
It did not seem like a responsible thing to do this year, said Jennifer Johnson, executive director of MainStreet Libertyville. The nonprofit organization also canceled its "Dickens of a Holiday" promotional weekends.
Instead, it has pivoted to promoting businesses' individual promotions and sales.
"Our retailers are bending over backward to meet customers' needs," Johnson said.
One example is the 847 Running Co. store, which opened just before the pandemic. Johnson said it has a "shop the suitcase" program, which includes bringing shoes to customers' homes for them to try on. The store also offers private appointments for fittings.
"We've seen really good, creative options," Johnson said.
How Impressive! has added products, such as a mask with a map of Libertyville on it, Knutson said. She also ramped up her website. People can order custom Christmas cards similar to those at big online sites. Her shop is open for walk-in traffic, but she also meets people by appointment. Curbside pickup is available, and she runs a sanitizing air purifier every night.
"We're just trying to do everything we can to stay afloat," Knutson said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-26--Parkview Church in Glen Ellyn makes it a Happy Thanksgiving for all

`` I need a little help , '' said Vince Lodestro of Carol Stream as he waited in line for a Thanksgiving meal for himself and his wife at the Parkview Community Church in Glen Ellyn early Thursday .
`` Times have been tough .
We 've been struggling with our health , and food is one thing we really need .
... You hit all the pantries you can and it 's not enough sometimes . ''
In the same breath he added , `` I am so thankful , '' referring to the unselfish outpouring of support from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanksgiving meals for the 35th straight year .
`` We are going to serve about 1,800 today .
That is what we are expecting compared to 750 people last year , '' said church spokeswoman Shari Alia .
`` That just goes to show you that the community really needs this year between COVID-19 and the financial stress of families . ''
The meals of ham or turkey with all the sides , topped off with pumpkin pie filled multiple tables in front of the church on St. Charles Road .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to see this many people in need ... , '' said David Robinson , a Parkview member volunteering Thursday .
`` I think the reality is everyone is suffering on some level during this COVID crisis and , for us , we want to be a light for the community , '' Rev .
Dave Davis said .
`` To know we have a place to go to help you out with food is a blessing alone , '' said Glen Ellyn resident Migdalia Lopez , waiting in her van with son @ @ @ @ @

Parkview Church in Glen Ellyn makes it a Happy Thanksgiving for all
"I need a little help," said Vince Lodestro of Carol Stream as he waited in line for a Thanksgiving meal for himself and his wife at the Parkview Community Church in Glen Ellyn early Thursday.
"Times have been tough. We've been struggling with our health, and food is one thing we really need. ... You hit all the pantries you can and it's not enough sometimes."
In the same breath he added, "I am so thankful," referring to the unselfish outpouring of support from volunteers at the church, which provided Thanksgiving meals for the 35th straight year.
"We are going to serve about 1,800 today. That is what we are expecting compared to 750 people last year," said church spokeswoman Shari Alia. "That just goes to show you that the community really needs this year between COVID-19 and the financial stress of families."
The meals of ham or turkey with all the sides, topped off with pumpkin pie filled multiple tables in front of the church on St. Charles Road.
"I've worked here 10 to 15 years and to see this many people in need ...," said David Robinson, a Parkview member volunteering Thursday.
"I think the reality is everyone is suffering on some level during this COVID crisis and, for us, we want to be a light for the community," Rev. Dave Davis said.
"To know we have a place to go to help you out with food is a blessing alone," said Glen Ellyn resident Migdalia Lopez, waiting in her van with son Hector and daughter Lydia.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-26--DuPage County doubles gas tax

DuPage County doubles gas tax

The DuPage County Board has approved a doubling of the 4-cents-per-gallon gas tax in response to revenue losses amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The new rate goes into effect July 1 .
The existing rate has been in place since 1989 .
According to county transportation officials , gas tax proceeds have fallen nearly 25 % since April as more people have been staying home and working remotely .
The gas tax increase is expected to raise $ 16 million more a year for an aging system of roads and bridges .
County board members expressed their concerns in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
`` It sounds great to have $ 350 million of additional revenue over a 20-year period , '' said outgoing financial committee chairman Robert Larsen of Wheaton , the lone `` no '' vote .
`` That 's not revenue coming out of nowhere , '' Larsen said .
`` That 's coming out of the pockets of the taxpayers . ''
`` This board should be considering that incremental increases are far easier than a 100 % increase , '' said board member Mary Fitzgerald Ozog of Glen Ellyn .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be getting an infrastructure bill after Jan. 20 when the new administration takes over .
We 've been promised one for the past four years . ''
Board member Brian Krajewski of Downers Grove emphasized , `` This is more of a user-based tax , '' so `` the people who use the roads are paying for it . ''
Director of Transportation Christopher Snyder noted that under state law , any transportation taxes must be used exclusively for transportation .
In a previous transportation meeting , Snyder said most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 30 years old and that many roadways are almost exceeding their useful life .
`` It 's going to mean jobs for DuPage County , and these are necessary things , '' said board member Donald Puchalski of Addison .
`` We ca n't have our roads and structures fall into disrepair . ''
Board member Dawn DeSart of Aurora echoed Puchalski by emphasizing properly maintained roads and bridges are vital for public safety .
But she was also conflicted .
`` A lot of people who could least afford paying more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work right now -- the nurses , the nursing assistants , the grocery store workers , '' DeSart said .
`` Many of the other higher-paid positions are working remotely . ''
According to Snyder , state legislation in 1989 previously only allowed DuPage , Kane and McHenry counties to impose a local motor fuel tax .
Later legislation allowed Will and Lake counties to join those ranks with a 4-cent-per-gallon tax .
DuPage was able to double its gas tax because of state legislation passed last year .

DuPage County doubles gas tax
DuPage County has doubled its gas tax, and starting July 1 motorists will pay 8 cents per gallon. Bloomberg Photo
The DuPage County Board has approved a doubling of the 4-cents-per-gallon gas tax in response to revenue losses amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The new rate goes into effect July 1. The existing rate has been in place since 1989.
According to county transportation officials, gas tax proceeds have fallen nearly 25% since April as more people have been staying home and working remotely. The gas tax increase is expected to raise $16 million more a year for an aging system of roads and bridges.
County board members expressed their concerns in a financial committee meeting ahead of the Tuesday vote.
"It sounds great to have $350 million of additional revenue over a 20-year period," said outgoing financial committee chairman Robert Larsen of Wheaton, the lone "no" vote.
"That's not revenue coming out of nowhere," Larsen said. "That's coming out of the pockets of the taxpayers."
"This board should be considering that incremental increases are far easier than a 100% increase," said board member Mary Fitzgerald Ozog of Glen Ellyn. "Frankly, I hope we're going to be getting an infrastructure bill after Jan. 20 when the new administration takes over. We've been promised one for the past four years."
Board member Brian Krajewski of Downers Grove emphasized, "This is more of a user-based tax," so "the people who use the roads are paying for it."
Director of Transportation Christopher Snyder noted that under state law, any transportation taxes must be used exclusively for transportation.
In a previous transportation meeting, Snyder said most of the county's 50 bridges are 21 to 30 years old and that many roadways are almost exceeding their useful life.
"It's going to mean jobs for DuPage County, and these are necessary things," said board member Donald Puchalski of Addison. "We can't have our roads and structures fall into disrepair."
Board member Dawn DeSart of Aurora echoed Puchalski by emphasizing properly maintained roads and bridges are vital for public safety. But she was also conflicted.
"A lot of people who could least afford paying more for gas are the ones going to work right now -- the nurses, the nursing assistants, the grocery store workers," DeSart said. "Many of the other higher-paid positions are working remotely."
According to Snyder, state legislation in 1989 previously only allowed DuPage, Kane and McHenry counties to impose a local motor fuel tax. Later legislation allowed Will and Lake counties to join those ranks with a 4-cent-per-gallon tax.
DuPage was able to double its gas tax because of state legislation passed last year.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-26--Algonquin's virtual inspection program catching on

Brian Martin spent his week inspecting house wrapping , windows and solar panels for the Village of Algonquin , all while sitting comfortably in his chair watching a computer monitor at the municipal center .
In the new world created by the COVID-19 pandemic , Algonquin officials have taken the opportunity to start a program that not only keeps residents and staff members safe from contracting the virus but also serves the community more efficiently .
The village recently began offering inspections conducted remotely by video through the Zoom meeting app .
Staff members such as Martin already are accustomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transition to virtual inspections went relatively smoothly .
Residents and contractors still have the option of in-person inspections , but the virtual option is gaining traction because of its convenience and safety .
All that 's required is a clear view from a homeowner or contractor 's phone , tablet or laptop camera so the inspector can see the area and direct the person to the appropriate vantage points .
`` It 's different , but it seems like everything we do is in a Zoom meeting , so I 'm used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` And a lot of the homeowners and contractors are also used to working with Zoom . ''
Assistant Village Manager Mike Kumbera said the idea for remote inspections was a collaborative effort from the village 's Community Development Department and innovation and technology team in conjunction with guidance from the International Code Council , which provides building safety standards .
While Kumbera said he 's unaware of any communities in the area conducting virtual inspections , he would n't be surprised if the idea catches on .
He expects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep a video archive of the inspections , to continue after the pandemic eases .
`` There are a lot of advantages we see in keeping this around perpetually , '' Kumbera said .
`` It addresses an immediate need for us but we see the potential for it in the future . ''
The program is only a couple of weeks old , but Martin already has conducted several virtual inspections .
Demand is especially high for windows and doors because in-person inspections for those jobs have been on hold since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving around from site to site , the Zoom option allows Martin to save time and schedule more inspections .
Right now he is able to virtually inspect everything from air conditioners and fences to patios and plumbing .
`` I do n't think it 's a replacement for in-person inspections , but there is definitely an advantage to this , '' Martin said .
`` I feel safer not having to go into homes , and I imagine the homeowners feel safer not having us come in . ''

Algonquin's virtual inspection program catching on
The wrapping of a home in Algonquin is inspected virtually over Zoom by village inspector Brian Martin. Courtesy of Village of Algonquin
Algonquin inspector Brian Martin began conducting virtual inspections of homes and businesses last week in an effort by the village to limit the spread of COVID-19. Courtesy of Village of Algonquin
The Village of Algonquin started a program to conduct inspections through Zoom to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Courtesy of Village of Algonquin
Brian Martin spent his week inspecting house wrapping, windows and solar panels for the Village of Algonquin, all while sitting comfortably in his chair watching a computer monitor at the municipal center.
In the new world created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Algonquin officials have taken the opportunity to start a program that not only keeps residents and staff members safe from contracting the virus but also serves the community more efficiently.
The village recently began offering inspections conducted remotely by video through the Zoom meeting app. Staff members such as Martin already are accustomed to a Zoom-filled work environment, so the transition to virtual inspections went relatively smoothly.
Residents and contractors still have the option of in-person inspections, but the virtual option is gaining traction because of its convenience and safety. All that's required is a clear view from a homeowner or contractor's phone, tablet or laptop camera so the inspector can see the area and direct the person to the appropriate vantage points.
"It's different, but it seems like everything we do is in a Zoom meeting, so I'm used to working with it," Martin said. "And a lot of the homeowners and contractors are also used to working with Zoom."
Assistant Village Manager Mike Kumbera said the idea for remote inspections was a collaborative effort from the village's Community Development Department and innovation and technology team in conjunction with guidance from the International Code Council, which provides building safety standards.
While Kumbera said he's unaware of any communities in the area conducting virtual inspections, he wouldn't be surprised if the idea catches on. He expects the program, which allows the village to keep a video archive of the inspections, to continue after the pandemic eases.
"There are a lot of advantages we see in keeping this around perpetually," Kumbera said. "It addresses an immediate need for us but we see the potential for it in the future."
The program is only a couple of weeks old, but Martin already has conducted several virtual inspections. Demand is especially high for windows and doors because in-person inspections for those jobs have been on hold since the start of the pandemic.
Instead of driving around from site to site, the Zoom option allows Martin to save time and schedule more inspections. Right now he is able to virtually inspect everything from air conditioners and fences to patios and plumbing.
"I don't think it's a replacement for in-person inspections, but there is definitely an advantage to this," Martin said. "I feel safer not having to go into homes, and I imagine the homeowners feel safer not having us come in."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-26--Washington pounds rival Dallas; Texans surge past Lions

ARLINGTON , Texas -- Antonio Gibson ran for three touchdowns , Alex Smith had a scoring pass and Washington at least temporarily moved into first place in the woeful NFC East with a 41-16 Thanksgiving victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday .
Gibson 's second score was a 23-yard run on the first play after an ill-advised fake punt attempt by Dallas as Washington beat its division rival on Thanksgiving for just the second time in 10 tries , the most frequent visitor for the Cowboys in their annual holiday home game .
Washington ( 4-7 ) slides ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFC East and will stay in first place if the Eagles lose to Seattle on Monday night .
It was the third win in five games since a five-game losing streak dropped Washington to 1-5 .
Dallas ( 3-8 ) could n't build on a big win at Minnesota , losing for the fifth time in six games since star quarterback Dak Prescott 's season-ending ankle injury .
The Cowboys were playing a day after strength coach Markus Paul died at a hospital following a medical emergency at the team 's facility .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fourth-and-10 from their 24-yard line early in the fourth quarter .
Darian Thompson took the snap in front of punter Hunter Niswander and pitched to Cedrick Wilson on a reverse that was stuffed for a 1-yard loss .
On the next play , Gibson easily beat the Dallas defense to the left pylon .
After another Dallas punt , Gibson capped a clock-killing drive with a 37-yard score for a 34-16 lead .
Washington made it a blowout when Montez Sweat tipped and intercepted a pass right in the face of Andy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards for a TD .
DETROIT -- Deshaun Watson had a pair of go-ahead touchdown passes in the first half and threw for two more scores in the fourth quarter to help Houston pull away and beat Detroit .
Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt had an early pick-6 and Will Fuller had six receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns for the Texans ( 4-7 ) , who have won two straight for the first time this season and three of their past four games with interim coach Romeo Crennel .
Detroit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game coming off a 20-0 loss at Carolina , scored first before collapsing with turnovers on two straight snaps and three consecutive possessions in the first half against a defense that entered the game with an NFL-low five forced turnovers .
Watt put his hands up on a rush just in time to pick off Matthew Stafford 's pass and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter .
On Detroit 's next snap , Jonathan Williams fumbled and Houston took advantage with Watson 's 2-yard touchdown pass to C.J @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watson 's 33-yard touchdown pass to Duke Johnson gave the Texans a 20-14 lead early in the second quarter .
Watson hit Fuller in stride for a 40-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth , putting Houston ahead 34-17 .
Watson connected with Fuller , who was wide open , with a 34-yard touchdown on a trick play after handing the ball off and getting it back on a lateral .
The dynamic quarterback finished 17 of 25 for 318 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions .
He has thrown 15 touchdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past six games .

Washington pounds rival Dallas; Texans surge past Lions
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) runs into the end zone for a touchdown after incepting a pass intended for Detroit Lions fullback Jason Cabinda during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. Associated Press
Houston Texans nose tackle Brandon Dunn (92) celebrates his fumble recovery during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. Associated Press
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia adjusts his face mask during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. Associated Press
Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller catches a 34-yard pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. Associated Press
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. Associated Press
Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp, left, reacts after an incomplete pass by the Lions in the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Houston Texans at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. (Mike Mulholland/The Grand Rapids Press via AP) Associated Press
Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) runs the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Associated Press
Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) gets past a tackle attempt by Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (37) on a touchdown run in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Associated Press
Washington Football Team's Tim Settle (97) celebrates in front of Chase Young (99) after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Associated Press
Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) gestures with his hand as he gets past Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (37) on his way to the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Associated Press
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Antonio Gibson ran for three touchdowns, Alex Smith had a scoring pass and Washington at least temporarily moved into first place in the woeful NFC East with a 41-16 Thanksgiving victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.
Gibson's second score was a 23-yard run on the first play after an ill-advised fake punt attempt by Dallas as Washington beat its division rival on Thanksgiving for just the second time in 10 tries, the most frequent visitor for the Cowboys in their annual holiday home game.
Washington (4-7) slides ahead of Philadelphia (3-6-1) in the NFC East and will stay in first place if the Eagles lose to Seattle on Monday night. It was the third win in five games since a five-game losing streak dropped Washington to 1-5.
Dallas (3-8) couldn't build on a big win at Minnesota, losing for the fifth time in six games since star quarterback Dak Prescott's season-ending ankle injury. The Cowboys were playing a day after strength coach Markus Paul died at a hospital following a medical emergency at the team's facility.
The Cowboys trailed 20-16 when they faced a fourth-and-10 from their 24-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Darian Thompson took the snap in front of punter Hunter Niswander and pitched to Cedrick Wilson on a reverse that was stuffed for a 1-yard loss.
On the next play, Gibson easily beat the Dallas defense to the left pylon. After another Dallas punt, Gibson capped a clock-killing drive with a 37-yard score for a 34-16 lead.
Washington made it a blowout when Montez Sweat tipped and intercepted a pass right in the face of Andy Dalton and was free to run 15 yards for a TD.
TEXANS 41, LIONS 25
DETROIT -- Deshaun Watson had a pair of go-ahead touchdown passes in the first half and threw for two more scores in the fourth quarter to help Houston pull away and beat Detroit.
Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt had an early pick-6 and Will Fuller had six receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns for the Texans (4-7), who have won two straight for the first time this season and three of their past four games with interim coach Romeo Crennel.
Detroit (4-7), which entered the game coming off a 20-0 loss at Carolina, scored first before collapsing with turnovers on two straight snaps and three consecutive possessions in the first half against a defense that entered the game with an NFL-low five forced turnovers.
Watt put his hands up on a rush just in time to pick off Matthew Stafford's pass and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. On Detroit's next snap, Jonathan Williams fumbled and Houston took advantage with Watson's 2-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Prosise to go ahead 13-6.
Watson's 33-yard touchdown pass to Duke Johnson gave the Texans a 20-14 lead early in the second quarter.
Watson hit Fuller in stride for a 40-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth, putting Houston ahead 34-17. Watson connected with Fuller, who was wide open, with a 34-yard touchdown on a trick play after handing the ball off and getting it back on a lateral.
The dynamic quarterback finished 17 of 25 for 318 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He has thrown 15 touchdown passes without getting picked off once in the past six games.
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