dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-06--Region's 22.8% infection rate well above threshold for loosening restrictions

One key requirement for moving to a less restrictive phase of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's economic restoration plan is 14 consecutive days of no more than 20 % of COVID-19 tests being positive .
That countdown did not start on Wednesday , when the infection rate was 22.8 % in the region that includes Chicago and the suburbs , according to a Daily Herald analysis of Illinois Department of Public Health infection and testing records .
The Northeast region , one of four in Illinois Pritzker announced this week that can move independently toward fewer restrictions , includes Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kankakee , Kendall , Lake , McHenry and Will counties .
IDPH reported an infection rate for Tuesday of 19.2 % .
The Northeast region has a cumulative 24.3 % infection rate since the outbreak began , according to the analysis .
Using testing and infection data listed by ZIP code on the IDPH coronavirus tracking website , the analysis showed 9,338 new test results for residents in the nine-county region Wednesday .
Of those tests , 2,126 were positive for the viral infection .
Residents in the Northeast region have taken 252,311 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for infection since the outbreak began .
The disease has killed 2,728 residents of the region , with Grundy County the only one in the region showing no deaths .
All of Illinois is now in Phase 2 of Pritzker 's five-phase plan , which calls for face coverings , social distancing and nonessential businesses open only for curbside pickup and deliveries .
To move to Phase 3 , with many businesses reopened and gatherings of up to 10 people allowed , a region also must have steady or decreasing COVID-19 hospital admissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 % of hospital beds , ICU beds and ventilators available in case of a surge in patients .
IDPH began providing those metrics late Wednesday night on the department 's `` Restore Illinois '' website , dph.illinois.gov/restore .
Medical experts and epidemiologists are not surprised by the Northeast region 's infection rate , since testing has been mostly limited to those with severe symptoms .
`` There is a limitation on the resources for these tests , so every site performing these tests has to be careful about who they test , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical director of the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at Elmhurst Hospital .
`` As you can guess , when you 're testing only those with severe symptoms , you 're going to experience higher positive results . ''
Candel said testing has been stymied by a lack of materials needed to perform the tests , like swabs and chemical reagents .
Statewide , the infection rate Wednesday was 15.2 % .
The rate has declined significantly in the past two weeks as more testing has become available .
The daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early April when Illinois was averaging about 6,000 tests a day .
Now that the state is averaging almost 15,000 tests daily , the infection rate has dipped .
Only 2.9 % of the population has been tested in the Northeast region , which has nearly 8.7 million residents , according to the analysis .
Some ZIP codes in the region have seen more widespread testing than others .
Some parts of Chicago have had more than 9 % of the population tested .
In the suburbs , the 60106 ZIP code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based in Bloomingdale have had more than 4 % of the population tested , according to IDPH figures .
Six weeks into the statewide stay-at-home order , Pritzker has called the measure successful at slowing the spread of the disease .
Many experts agree with him .
`` Your susceptibility is only as good as the bubble you 're putting around yourself , '' said Dr. Mark Steven Dworkin , professor and associate director of epidemiology at the University of Illinois-Chicago 's School of Public Health .
`` The wearing of face coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still the most effective way of preventing an individual 's risk . ''
The other phases of the governor 's plan include Phase 1 , which is marked by rapid disease spread and tight restrictions .
Phase 4 would allow gatherings of up to 50 people and school , child-care , restaurant and bar reopenings .
Phase 5 would allow conventions , festivals and widespread reopenings with safety precautions .

Region's 22.8% rate of people who test positive well above threshold for loosening restrictions
An interactive map on the Daily Herald's website allows searches of COVID-19 case numbers by ZIP code.
One key requirement for moving to a less restrictive phase of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's economic restoration plan is 14 consecutive days of no more than 20% of COVID-19 tests being positive.
That countdown did not start on Wednesday, when the infection rate was 22.8% in the region that includes Chicago and the suburbs, according to a Daily Herald analysis of Illinois Department of Public Health infection and testing records.
The Northeast region, one of four in Illinois Pritzker announced this week that can move independently toward fewer restrictions, includes Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.
IDPH reported an infection rate for Tuesday of 19.2%.
The Northeast region has a cumulative 24.3% infection rate since the outbreak began, according to the analysis.
Using testing and infection data listed by ZIP code on the IDPH coronavirus tracking website, the analysis showed 9,338 new test results for residents in the nine-county region Wednesday. Of those tests, 2,126 were positive for the viral infection.
Residents in the Northeast region have taken 252,311 tests, and 61,317 have tested positive for infection since the outbreak began. The disease has killed 2,728 residents of the region, with Grundy County the only one in the region showing no deaths.
All of Illinois is now in Phase 2 of Pritzker's five-phase plan, which calls for face coverings, social distancing and nonessential businesses open only for curbside pickup and deliveries.
To move to Phase 3, with many businesses reopened and gatherings of up to 10 people allowed, a region also must have steady or decreasing COVID-19 hospital admissions for 28 consecutive days and must have 14% of hospital beds, ICU beds and ventilators available in case of a surge in patients.
IDPH began providing those metrics late Wednesday night on the department's "Restore Illinois" website, dph.illinois.gov/restore.
Medical experts and epidemiologists are not surprised by the Northeast region's infection rate, since testing has been mostly limited to those with severe symptoms.
"There is a limitation on the resources for these tests, so every site performing these tests has to be careful about who they test," said Dr. Alvaro Candel, chairman and medical director of the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at Elmhurst Hospital. "As you can guess, when you're testing only those with severe symptoms, you're going to experience higher positive results."
Candel said testing has been stymied by a lack of materials needed to perform the tests, like swabs and chemical reagents.
Statewide, the infection rate Wednesday was 15.2%. The rate has declined significantly in the past two weeks as more testing has become available.
The daily state infection rate hovered around 23% in early April when Illinois was averaging about 6,000 tests a day. Now that the state is averaging almost 15,000 tests daily, the infection rate has dipped.
Only 2.9% of the population has been tested in the Northeast region, which has nearly 8.7 million residents, according to the analysis.
Some ZIP codes in the region have seen more widespread testing than others. Some parts of Chicago have had more than 9% of the population tested.
In the suburbs, the 60106 ZIP code based in Bensenville and 60108 ZIP code based in Bloomingdale have had more than 4% of the population tested, according to IDPH figures.
Six weeks into the statewide stay-at-home order, Pritzker has called the measure successful at slowing the spread of the disease. Many experts agree with him.
"Your susceptibility is only as good as the bubble you're putting around yourself," said Dr. Mark Steven Dworkin, professor and associate director of epidemiology at the University of Illinois-Chicago's School of Public Health. "The wearing of face coverings, good hand hygiene and social distancing is still the most effective way of preventing an individual's risk."
The other phases of the governor's plan include Phase 1, which is marked by rapid disease spread and tight restrictions. Phase 4 would allow gatherings of up to 50 people and school, child-care, restaurant and bar reopenings. Phase 5 would allow conventions, festivals and widespread reopenings with safety precautions.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-06--Naperville chamber survey: 58% of businesses can survive only 5 months or less during pandemic

One business of the 155 who responded to a Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce survey said it has not been affected at all by the COVID-19 pandemic .
The vast majority are struggling with mandated shutdowns causing them to lose revenue and cut back on staffing and advertising , chamber leaders say .
The survey found 13 % of respondents are open for business as usual , but 64 % have suffered a `` significant '' loss of business .
It found 32 % have enough reserves to last for less than two months before they would have to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserves to stay afloat for three to five months .
The chamber conducted the survey during a two-week span , hearing from respondents in a variety of industries , including nonprofit organizations .
Half the respondents are small businesses with 10 employees or fewer .
`` We wanted to have a survey on a micro-level that showed what businesses up and down Jefferson Avenue in Naperville are really feeling , '' said Ian Holzhauer , a Naperville attorney and president of the chamber 's board .
They 're feeling squeezed and uncertain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses sobering .
Among them : • 10 % of respondents are on the verge of losing their business `` immediately . ''
The chamber has been advocating on the behalf of businesses and sharing these data points with elected officials , including Naperville-area U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood from the 14th District , Bill Foster in the 11th and Sean Casten in the 6th , President and CEO Kaylin Risvold said .
On Wednesday , chamber board members paid for a full-page ad in the Daily Herald to gain visibility for survey results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of business activities to prevent `` permanent harm to the identity and soul of the Naperville area . ''
Naperville salon owner Jennifer Alvarez of Refined Beauty is among chamber members feeling the effects of the pandemic .
Since the first stay-at-home order began March 21 , Alvarez said she has `` not made a dime '' and has had to tell her three employees to apply for unemployment .
`` If I did n't have a husband who 's making some money , I would have to close the business , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sure . ''
Alvarez said her reserves can last about four months .
`` We all have a rainy-day fund as a business owner .
But our rainy-day fund has turned into trying to fund a monsoon -- and one you do n't know when it 's going to end , '' Risvold said .
`` We have reserves for a reason , but nobody planed for this . ''
Risvold and Holzhauer say they hope the chamber survey data will help advance a conversation about the need to allow for economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment .
`` If local businesses and nonprofits are not permitted to execute their responsible reopening plans , '' chamber leaders wrote in the ad , `` our entire community -- employees , small business owners and families -- will face catastrophic and irreparable harm . ''

Naperville chamber survey: 58% of businesses can survive only 5 months or less during pandemic
One business of the 155 who responded to a Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce survey said it has not been affected at all by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The vast majority are struggling with mandated shutdowns causing them to lose revenue and cut back on staffing and advertising, chamber leaders say.
The survey found 13% of respondents are open for business as usual, but 64% have suffered a "significant" loss of business. It found 32% have enough reserves to last for less than two months before they would have to close permanently, and 26% have enough reserves to stay afloat for three to five months.
The chamber conducted the survey during a two-week span, hearing from respondents in a variety of industries, including nonprofit organizations. Half the respondents are small businesses with 10 employees or fewer.
"We wanted to have a survey on a micro-level that showed what businesses up and down Jefferson Avenue in Naperville are really feeling," said Ian Holzhauer, a Naperville attorney and president of the chamber's board.
They're feeling squeezed and uncertain, the survey showed. Holzhauer called the responses sobering. Among them:
• 10% of respondents are on the verge of losing their business "immediately."
• 22% are dealing with supply chain disruptions.
• 33% expect to decrease investment in advertising.
• 44% plan to continue to reduce staff hours.
• 69% anticipate slower sales.
The chamber has been advocating on the behalf of businesses and sharing these data points with elected officials, including Naperville-area U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood from the 14th District, Bill Foster in the 11th and Sean Casten in the 6th, President and CEO Kaylin Risvold said.
On Wednesday, chamber board members paid for a full-page ad in the Daily Herald to gain visibility for survey results and to call for a careful reopening of business activities to prevent "permanent harm to the identity and soul of the Naperville area."
Naperville salon owner Jennifer Alvarez of Refined Beauty is among chamber members feeling the effects of the pandemic. Since the first stay-at-home order began March 21, Alvarez said she has "not made a dime" and has had to tell her three employees to apply for unemployment.
"If I didn't have a husband who's making some money, I would have to close the business," Alvarez said. "It's scary for sure."
Alvarez said her reserves can last about four months.
"We all have a rainy-day fund as a business owner. But our rainy-day fund has turned into trying to fund a monsoon -- and one you don't know when it's going to end," Risvold said. "We have reserves for a reason, but nobody planed for this."
Risvold and Holzhauer say they hope the chamber survey data will help advance a conversation about the need to allow for economic activity, with new sanitation practices and protective equipment.
"If local businesses and nonprofits are not permitted to execute their responsible reopening plans," chamber leaders wrote in the ad, "our entire community -- employees, small business owners and families -- will face catastrophic and irreparable harm."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-06--Demolition of former Carson's planned as Hawthorn Mall redevelopment speeds forward

While everyday life may seem to be in suspended animation , several ongoing projects in Vernon Hills show there is hope ahead , town officials say .
And that includes a proposed $ 250 million makeover for Hawthorn Mall at Townline Road ( Route 60 ) and Milwaukee Avenue ( Route 21 ) .
`` I do n't want to leave everyone with the impression the future is bleak , '' Village Manager Mark Fleischhauer told trustees Tuesday .
`` Although it certainly does n't look very good today , there is reason for optimism . ''
Unlike the recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developments , buildings and projects underway or in the planning stages with construction pending , he said .
He outlined about a dozen examples , including pending review of plans for 900,000 square feet of light industrial buildings ; final stages of work on three restaurants ; near completion of a furniture store ; and proposals for two new retail stores .
Perhaps the most asked question , Fleischhauer said , is what 's happening with Hawthorn Mall , the village 's 1.3 million-square-foot retail centerpiece .
`` No , the mall is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` On the contrary , for a project of this size and complexity , it is actually moving ahead at light speed . ''
Mall owner Centennial has secured a demolition permit and , starting next week , construction fencing will be installed and equipment staged near the vacant former Carson 's anchor store .
Although a final detailed schedule has not been finalized , the permit allows demolition to begin June 1 .
The work will take about three months and is expected to be followed by a teardown of the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan is to build a new , 70,000-square-foot retail store where Carson 's had been , Fleischhauer said .
In a statement Wednesday , Jon Meshel , senior vice president of development for Centennial , said the company is taking a different approach than many competitors who have delayed projects due to uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 .
`` We are moving ahead with plans that were already on our radar before the pandemic began , though we are , of course , also assessing if any adaptations are needed based on the changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-COVID-19 world , '' he said .
The company continues to work closely on plans to redevelop the former Sears and Carson 's spaces , he added .
Last summer , Centennial outlined for village leaders plans to transform the aging shopping center built in the 1970s inside and out .
With Centennial 's pitch to redevelop the mall came a request for the village to help it recapture some of its investment by creating a special financing district .
Negotiations are underway but a redevelopment agreement will require public review and input @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are scheduled to begin next month , all of the work is being done entirely at the risk of the developer , '' Fleischhauer said .
`` No deal is in place and no money has been promised .
`` I do n't want anybody to think this is a deal that 's done behind closed doors , '' he added .

$250 million Hawthorn Mall redevelopment 'moving at light speed'
While everyday life may seem to be in suspended animation, several ongoing projects in Vernon Hills show there is hope ahead, town officials say.
And that includes a proposed $250 million makeover for Hawthorn Mall at Townline Road (Route 60) and Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21).
"I don't want to leave everyone with the impression the future is bleak," Village Manager Mark Fleischhauer told trustees Tuesday. "Although it certainly doesn't look very good today, there is reason for optimism."
Unlike the recession 10 years ago, there are many developments, buildings and projects underway or in the planning stages with construction pending, he said.
He outlined about a dozen examples, including pending review of plans for 900,000 square feet of light industrial buildings; final stages of work on three restaurants; near completion of a furniture store; and proposals for two new retail stores.
Perhaps the most asked question, Fleischhauer said, is what's happening with Hawthorn Mall, the village's 1.3 million-square-foot retail centerpiece.
"No, the mall is not dead," Fleischhauer said. "On the contrary, for a project of this size and complexity, it is actually moving ahead at light speed."
Mall owner Centennial has secured a demolition permit and, starting next week, construction fencing will be installed and equipment staged near the vacant former Carson's anchor store.
Although a final detailed schedule has not been finalized, the permit allows demolition to begin June 1. The work will take about three months and is expected to be followed by a teardown of the former vacant Sears store.
Following demolition, the plan is to build a new, 70,000-square-foot retail store where Carson's had been, Fleischhauer said.
In a statement Wednesday, Jon Meshel, senior vice president of development for Centennial, said the company is taking a different approach than many competitors who have delayed projects due to uncertainties surrounding COVID-19.
"We are moving ahead with plans that were already on our radar before the pandemic began, though we are, of course, also assessing if any adaptations are needed based on the changing face of the retail environment in a post-COVID-19 world," he said.
The company continues to work closely on plans to redevelop the former Sears and Carson's spaces, he added.
Last summer, Centennial outlined for village leaders plans to transform the aging shopping center built in the 1970s inside and out. With Centennial's pitch to redevelop the mall came a request for the village to help it recapture some of its investment by creating a special financing district.
Negotiations are underway but a redevelopment agreement will require public review and input.
"Even though demolition and construction are scheduled to begin next month, all of the work is being done entirely at the risk of the developer," Fleischhauer said. "No deal is in place and no money has been promised.
"I don't want anybody to think this is a deal that's done behind closed doors," he added.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-06--May 6 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Of the 136 additional deaths announced Wednesday , 82 -- or 60 % -- are from suburban Cook County and the five collar counties , by the state 's count .
The one-day death tally was 38 in suburban Cook County , 12 in DuPage , nine in Kane , 11 in Lake , two in McHenry and 10 in Will , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
• Since the outbreak began , there have been 34,311 cases in the suburbs , or 50 % of the state 's total , according to IDPH .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or 53 % of the total .
Here are cases per county and some towns .
Not every town with cases is included .
• As of Wednesday , suburban Cook County had 19,249 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 892 deaths , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 27,440 cases and 1,112 fatalities .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health listed 901 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines , 306 cases in Glenview , 327 in Wheeling , 326 in Mount Prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palatine , 210 in Arlington Heights , 222 in Schaumburg , 218 in Hoffman Estates , 174 in Park Ridge , 145 in Rolling Meadows , 118 in Elk Grove Village , 105 in Prospect Heights , and 45 in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
• The Lake County Health Department lists 4,668 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 157 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Wednesday .
• Cases in some Lake County towns : 1,340 to 1,344in Waukegan and 50 to 54 in unincorporated areas near Waukegan ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 29 in unincorporated areas near Gurnee ; 90 to 94 in Round Lake and 65 to 69 in unincorporated areas near Round Lake ; 175 to 179 in Mundelein and 20 to 24 in unincorporated areas near Mundelein ; 45 to 49 in Libertyville and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas near Libertyville ; 85 to 89 in Vernon Hills and less than five in unincorporated areas near Vernon Hills ; 40 to 44 in Grayslake and 25 to 29 in unincorporated areas near Grayslake ; 55 to 59 in Wauconda and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wauconda ; 65 to 69 in Buffalo Grove and less than five in unincorporated areas near Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) ; 55 to 59 in Lake Zurich and five to nine in unincorporated area near Lake Zurich ; and 20 to 24 in Lake Villa and 30 to 34 in unincorporated areas near Lake Villa .
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 4,082 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 217 deaths on its coronavirus website Wednesday .
• Cases per suburb include 354 in Addison , 274 in Bensenville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 274 in Glendale Heights , 251 in Carol Stream , 285 in West Chicago , 154 each in Elmhurst and Lombard , 119 in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 118 in Downers Grove , 118 in Wheaton , 93 in Willowbrook , and 77 in Glen Ellyn .
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 2,436 cases of COVID-19 with 74 deaths on its website Wednesday at kanehealth.com .
• Cases per town include 1,040 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 523 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Charles , 88 in South Elgin , 78 in Geneva , 50 in North Aurora , 51 in Batavia , 24 in Gilberts , and 21 in Sugar Grove .
• There are 852 cases of COVID-19 and 45 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department 's website Wednesday .
• There have been 3,363 cases of COVID-19 and 189 deaths , according to the Will County Health Department 's website Wednesday .
• Cases per town include 190 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) , and 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

May 6 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website, shown here at the end of March, that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Interactive map
Of the 136 additional deaths announced Wednesday, 82 -- or 60% -- are from suburban Cook County and the five collar counties, by the state's count.
The one-day death tally was 38 in suburban Cook County, 12 in DuPage, nine in Kane, 11 in Lake, two in McHenry and 10 in Will, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Since the outbreak began, there have been 34,311 cases in the suburbs, or 50% of the state's total, according to IDPH. There have been 1,579 deaths in the suburbs, or 53% of the total.
Here are cases per county and some towns. Not every town with cases is included.
Cook County
• As of Wednesday, suburban Cook County had 19,249 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 892 deaths, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 27,440 cases and 1,112 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health listed 901 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines, 306 cases in Glenview, 327 in Wheeling, 326 in Mount Prospect, 239 in Streamwood, 259 in Palatine, 210 in Arlington Heights, 222 in Schaumburg, 218 in Hoffman Estates, 174 in Park Ridge, 145 in Rolling Meadows, 118 in Elk Grove Village, 105 in Prospect Heights, and 45 in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department lists 4,668 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 157 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Wednesday.
• Cases in some Lake County towns: 1,340 to 1,344in Waukegan and 50 to 54 in unincorporated areas near Waukegan; 135 to 139 in Gurnee and 25 to 29 in unincorporated areas near Gurnee; 90 to 94 in Round Lake and 65 to 69 in unincorporated areas near Round Lake; 175 to 179 in Mundelein and 20 to 24 in unincorporated areas near Mundelein; 45 to 49 in Libertyville and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas near Libertyville; 85 to 89 in Vernon Hills and less than five in unincorporated areas near Vernon Hills; 40 to 44 in Grayslake and 25 to 29 in unincorporated areas near Grayslake; 55 to 59 in Wauconda and 10 to 14 in unincorporated areas near Wauconda; 65 to 69 in Buffalo Grove and less than five in unincorporated areas near Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion); 55 to 59 in Lake Zurich and five to nine in unincorporated area near Lake Zurich; and 20 to 24 in Lake Villa and 30 to 34 in unincorporated areas near Lake Villa.
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 4,082 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 217 deaths on its coronavirus website Wednesday.
• Cases per suburb include 354 in Addison, 274 in Bensenville, 254 in Naperville (DuPage portion), 274 in Glendale Heights, 251 in Carol Stream, 285 in West Chicago, 154 each in Elmhurst and Lombard, 119 in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 118 in Downers Grove, 118 in Wheaton, 93 in Willowbrook, and 77 in Glen Ellyn.
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 2,436 cases of COVID-19 with 74 deaths on its website Wednesday at kanehealth.com.
• Cases per town include 1,040 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 523 in Elgin (Kane portion), 233 in Carpentersville, 102 in St. Charles, 88 in South Elgin, 78 in Geneva, 50 in North Aurora, 51 in Batavia, 24 in Gilberts, and 21 in Sugar Grove.
McHenry County
• There are 852 cases of COVID-19 and 45 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department's website Wednesday.
Will County
• There have been 3,363 cases of COVID-19 and 189 deaths, according to the Will County Health Department's website Wednesday.
• Cases per town include 190 in Naperville (Will County portion), and 29 in Aurora (Will County portion).
-- Daily Herald report


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-06--Some Kane County residents not impressed by governor's plan to reopen Illinois

The release of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's plan to reopen Illinois ' economy did little to soothe some Kane County residents frustrated by the ongoing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic .
During a video chat with government officials Tuesday night , about 30 residents decried job losses and the disruption of being in isolation when they do n't feel sick .
The event was the second of three similar programs county board Chairman Chris Lauzen is hosting for residents who want to explain their shutdown hardships to public officials .
The meeting came just hours after Pritzker released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five phases .
The plan divides the state into four regions , recognizing that the virus affects each area differently .
Kane County residents told county officials they do n't want to be lumped into the same region as Chicago or Cook County to reach milestones in declining infections .
Just like last week , many residents also said they do n't trust government data on COVID-19 cases and deaths .
One caller repeated a debunked , viral social media post that told people the CDC revised the number of COVID-19 deaths , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not revised its numbers of COVID cases or deaths down since the outbreak began .
The confusion stemmed from a social media poster taking week-old data from a site with an ongoing lag behind the CDC 's official count .
Other callers said having to wear masks outside is a violation of their freedoms .
Mary Patterson , from North Aurora , said the requirement to wear a mask as an employee of a home improvement store forced her into an unpaid leave of absence .
`` Medically , I ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I went to work every day during the height of this pandemic .
I did not wear a mask .
I 'm not sick .
This is America .
If you want to wear a mask , wear a mask .
Do n't tell me what I have to do .
Allow me the freedom to earn a paycheck . ''
Others were concerned the masks they can get are n't effective .
They called on Pritzker to obtain and distribute N95 masks .
Residents diagnosed with the virus also are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he and one of his sisters were diagnosed with the virus in March .
Even while his sister is still recovering , Essendrop said the lockdown continues to do more harm than good .
`` The federal government handing out money is causing my family members to not seek work , '' he said .
`` They are getting paid more to sit home and watch Netflix .
The government has given them an incentive to stay home and do nothing .
The virus has touched my family , but I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people 's health . ''
There will be a final public video discussion for citizens with county officials at 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday .
Lauzen said he will push a county board resolution next week to block Coroner Rob Russell from publishing his weekly COVID-19 death stats in the county 's official newsletter .
Russell includes all deaths from the virus in the county , not just the deaths of county residents .
That 's different from how the county 's health department reports the numbers .
Lauzen believes that 's sowing distrust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formed a task force to apply to the federal government for any relief funds .
The task force will also ensure that any spending of money the county gets is in line with directives by the treasury department .

Some Kane County residents not impressed by governor's plan to reopen Illinois
The release of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's plan to reopen Illinois' economy did little to soothe some Kane County residents frustrated by the ongoing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
During a video chat with government officials Tuesday night, about 30 residents decried job losses and the disruption of being in isolation when they don't feel sick. The event was the second of three similar programs county board Chairman Chris Lauzen is hosting for residents who want to explain their shutdown hardships to public officials.
The meeting came just hours after Pritzker released his plan to reopen the state in five phases. The plan divides the state into four regions, recognizing that the virus affects each area differently. Kane County residents told county officials they don't want to be lumped into the same region as Chicago or Cook County to reach milestones in declining infections.
Just like last week, many residents also said they don't trust government data on COVID-19 cases and deaths.
One caller repeated a debunked, viral social media post that told people the CDC revised the number of COVID-19 deaths, cutting them in half. The CDC has not revised its numbers of COVID cases or deaths down since the outbreak began. The confusion stemmed from a social media poster taking week-old data from a site with an ongoing lag behind the CDC's official count.
Other callers said having to wear masks outside is a violation of their freedoms. Mary Patterson, from North Aurora, said the requirement to wear a mask as an employee of a home improvement store forced her into an unpaid leave of absence.
"Medically, I can't wear a face-covering," she said. "I went to work every day during the height of this pandemic. I did not wear a mask. I'm not sick. This is America. If you want to wear a mask, wear a mask. Don't tell me what I have to do. Allow me the freedom to earn a paycheck."
Others were concerned the masks they can get aren't effective. They called on Pritzker to obtain and distribute N95 masks.
Residents diagnosed with the virus also are critical of the plan. Enoch Essendrop said he and one of his sisters were diagnosed with the virus in March. Even while his sister is still recovering, Essendrop said the lockdown continues to do more harm than good.
"The federal government handing out money is causing my family members to not seek work," he said. "They are getting paid more to sit home and watch Netflix. The government has given them an incentive to stay home and do nothing. The virus has touched my family, but I have rights as a citizen that supersede other people's health."
There will be a final public video discussion for citizens with county officials at 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday.
Lauzen said he will push a county board resolution next week to block Coroner Rob Russell from publishing his weekly COVID-19 death stats in the county's official newsletter. Russell includes all deaths from the virus in the county, not just the deaths of county residents. That's different from how the county's health department reports the numbers. Lauzen believes that's sowing distrust in local data.
The county also formed a task force to apply to the federal government for any relief funds. The task force will also ensure that any spending of money the county gets is in line with directives by the treasury department.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-06--Constable: Mother's Day brunches give way to COVID-19 loneliness, confusion

I 've written dozens of Mother 's Day columns during my newspaper career .
This will be my first Mother 's Day without my mom .
Lois Constable died in November at age 92 .
I realize how lucky that makes me .
Most people do n't get to celebrate 61 Mother 's Days with their mom .
I wish I could remember them all .
The ones that stand out are those years when my sister-in-law in Elgin hosted a Mother 's Day brunch in her backyard with our moms and the grandkids .
Her mother-in-law , Gammy Dot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grandma Jean , and my mom , Grandma Lois , would always dress up , look great and have such a good time .
They 're all gone now .
My wife , my sisters , and my sisters-in-law are the matriarchs now .
Lots of suburban families have the same memories of fun Mother 's Day gatherings , before Oma , YaYa , Bubbe , Nonna , Abuela , Nana , Baka or Grams passed away , and new moms took their places of honor at the Sunday brunch .
As much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spend one more Mother 's Day with my mom , I would have dreaded this Mother 's Day during COVID-19 .
Mom was wonderful when we went out to dinner for her 90th birthday celebration , and still pretty sharp at age 91 .
But the last few months of her life , when we were forced to move her into assisted living facilities , were difficult .
She got confused easily .
She sometimes could n't remember where she was .
She could n't understand how to manage the buttons on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the floor a couple of times .
Her eyesight had gotten too bad to read books or allow her to do The New York Times crossword puzzles .
She even would tell me how she had visits from Dad , who died in 2003 , and other dead relatives from time to time , and acknowledged she had difficulty recognizing what was real and what were hallucinations .
During my frequent visits to Indiana to see her in the facility and take her out for lunch , she often thought we were on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to live , or heading back to the family farm that was her home for 69 years .
My sisters , Sally and Nancy , both came from their homes in New Jersey to care for mom and make her happy .
Trying to explain how COVID-19 means that none of her children would visit her , let alone take her out for a nice meal , would have been impossible , and heartbreaking .
Standing outside her apartment window holding a `` Happy Mother 's Day '' sign could n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 75,000 or so deaths in the United States attributed to COVID-19 so far means 75,000 or so grieving families are suffering a loss .
But death is n't the only way to experience a loss .
More than 2 million Americans live in long-term care settings , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Many of them are moms who wo n't be able to celebrate Mother 's Day with visits from daughters , sons , spouses and other loved ones .
The workers at those facilities might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Day a little happier for all the moms who ca n't have visitors .
That is such an important job .
There are plenty of moms , grandmas and fun aunts across the suburbs who wo n't grasp social distancing , face masks and lockdowns , and only wonder why no one is visiting them on Mother 's Day .
I 'm thankful for all those Mother 's Days I got to spend with my mom .
Let 's hope by next Mother 's Day , a vaccine is the most popular @ @

Constable: Mother's Day brunches give way to COVID-19 loneliness, confusion
There will be some sadness celebrating Mother's Day for the first time without my mom, Lois, who died in November at age 92. But I feel for all those people who must explain to moms and grandmas in longterm-care facilities why they won't be visiting. Courtesy of Kay Babcock
I've written dozens of Mother's Day columns during my newspaper career. This will be my first Mother's Day without my mom. Lois Constable died in November at age 92.
I realize how lucky that makes me. Most people don't get to celebrate 61 Mother's Days with their mom. I wish I could remember them all. The ones that stand out are those years when my sister-in-law in Elgin hosted a Mother's Day brunch in her backyard with our moms and the grandkids. Her mother-in-law, Gammy Dot, her mother and my mother-in-law, Grandma Jean, and my mom, Grandma Lois, would always dress up, look great and have such a good time. They're all gone now.
My wife, my sisters, and my sisters-in-law are the matriarchs now.
Lots of suburban families have the same memories of fun Mother's Day gatherings, before Oma, YaYa, Bubbe, Nonna, Abuela, Nana, Baka or Grams passed away, and new moms took their places of honor at the Sunday brunch.
As much as I'd like to be able to spend one more Mother's Day with my mom, I would have dreaded this Mother's Day during COVID-19. Mom was wonderful when we went out to dinner for her 90th birthday celebration, and still pretty sharp at age 91. But the last few months of her life, when we were forced to move her into assisted living facilities, were difficult. She got confused easily. She sometimes couldn't remember where she was. She couldn't understand how to manage the buttons on her power recliner, launching herself to the floor a couple of times. Her eyesight had gotten too bad to read books or allow her to do The New York Times crossword puzzles. She even would tell me how she had visits from Dad, who died in 2003, and other dead relatives from time to time, and acknowledged she had difficulty recognizing what was real and what were hallucinations.
During my frequent visits to Indiana to see her in the facility and take her out for lunch, she often thought we were on the way to some new place for her to live, or heading back to the family farm that was her home for 69 years. My sisters, Sally and Nancy, both came from their homes in New Jersey to care for mom and make her happy.
Trying to explain how COVID-19 means that none of her children would visit her, let alone take her out for a nice meal, would have been impossible, and heartbreaking. Standing outside her apartment window holding a "Happy Mother's Day" sign couldn't have competed with a simple hug.
Each of the 75,000 or so deaths in the United States attributed to COVID-19 so far means 75,000 or so grieving families are suffering a loss. But death isn't the only way to experience a loss.
More than 2 million Americans live in long-term care settings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of them are moms who won't be able to celebrate Mother's Day with visits from daughters, sons, spouses and other loved ones. The workers at those facilities might endanger their own health to make Mother's Day a little happier for all the moms who can't have visitors. That is such an important job.
There are plenty of moms, grandmas and fun aunts across the suburbs who won't grasp social distancing, face masks and lockdowns, and only wonder why no one is visiting them on Mother's Day. I'm thankful for all those Mother's Days I got to spend with my mom. Let's hope by next Mother's Day, a vaccine is the most popular present.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-06--A song to make you smile: 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell , released @ @ @

A song to make you smile: 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Marvin Gaye performs on opening night at New York's Radio City Music Hall in 1983. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, released in 1967.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-06--Glen Ellyn businesses offering more 'survival kits' after initial success

How 's this for a day in quarantine ?
Catch up on some spring yardwork , write a note to an old friend , keep your mind sharp with a puzzle game and then indulge in some Dutch chocolate .
Anyone who snaps up the latest edition of a Glen Ellyn `` survival kit '' can spend the time in isolation with those healthy distractions .
After the first round of kits sold out in just a day and a half of preorders last month , the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce is putting together more totes of self-care essentials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new survival kits start today .
`` We did it on a very quick turnaround time , '' chamber Executive Director Dawn Smith said ahead of the initial effort .
`` The businesses were very excited and happy to be included . ''
The survival kits support local restaurants and retailers adapting to dine-in closures , curbside pickups and deliveries under a stay-at-home order extended through May 30 .
By selling all 100 of the original $ 100 kits , the chamber was able to redistribute $ 10,000 back to 10 businesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ some new stores .
Liz Mager , the owner of a downtown chocolate boutique , has again contributed a sweet treat , this time a four-piece box of chocolates from Chocolaterie Stam , named after the family that opened its first chocolate store in the early 1900s in Amsterdam .
`` After all , chocolate makes everything better , so stay home , stay safe and eat chocolate , '' Mager said in a video for the kits .
Marché , a downtown gourmet cheese shop and sister store to Jill Foucré 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fruit preserves from local or regional producers such as American Spoon in Michigan and Rare Bird in Oak Park .
The village once more has bundled three yard waste stickers along with hand sanitizer for each kit , an added incentive for doing spring chores around the house .
Other items include a pack of notecards from the Glen Ellyn History Center ; an IQ twist game from Learning Express Toys ; a face mask from Re : new Project ; bourbon honey from Olive ' n Vinnie 's ; a paint-by-sticker book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a microwave bowl towel from Shawn Sargent Designs and a choice of one howler beer from Two Hound Red .
The chamber will take preorders for the $ 100 kits , inclusive of taxes , through its website , glenellynchamber.com , or by phone at ( 630 ) 469-0907 .
Customers will schedule a curbside pickup time at Two Hound Red between noon and 5 p.m. May 14 and 15 .

Glen Ellyn businesses offering more 'survival kits' after initial success
The Glen Ellyn chamber has created more "survival kits" to support small businesses. Online sales start today. Courtesy of the Glen Ellyn chamber of commerce
How's this for a day in quarantine? Catch up on some spring yardwork, write a note to an old friend, keep your mind sharp with a puzzle game and then indulge in some Dutch chocolate.
Anyone who snaps up the latest edition of a Glen Ellyn "survival kit" can spend the time in isolation with those healthy distractions.
After the first round of kits sold out in just a day and a half of preorders last month, the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce is putting together more totes of self-care essentials and accoutrements. Online sales for the new survival kits start today.
"We did it on a very quick turnaround time," chamber Executive Director Dawn Smith said ahead of the initial effort. "The businesses were very excited and happy to be included."
The survival kits support local restaurants and retailers adapting to dine-in closures, curbside pickups and deliveries under a stay-at-home order extended through May 30.
By selling all 100 of the original $100 kits, the chamber was able to redistribute $10,000 back to 10 businesses.
The latest installment promotes different merchandise and some new stores.
Liz Mager, the owner of a downtown chocolate boutique, has again contributed a sweet treat, this time a four-piece box of chocolates from Chocolaterie Stam, named after the family that opened its first chocolate store in the early 1900s in Amsterdam.
"After all, chocolate makes everything better, so stay home, stay safe and eat chocolate," Mager said in a video for the kits.
Marché, a downtown gourmet cheese shop and sister store to Jill Foucré's flagship Marcel's, has provided assorted fruit preserves from local or regional producers such as American Spoon in Michigan and Rare Bird in Oak Park.
The village once more has bundled three yard waste stickers along with hand sanitizer for each kit, an added incentive for doing spring chores around the house.
Other items include a pack of notecards from the Glen Ellyn History Center; an IQ twist game from Learning Express Toys; a face mask from Re:new Project; bourbon honey from Olive 'n Vinnie's; a paint-by-sticker book from The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn; a microwave bowl towel from Shawn Sargent Designs and a choice of one howler beer from Two Hound Red.
The chamber will take preorders for the $100 kits, inclusive of taxes, through its website, glenellynchamber.com, or by phone at (630) 469-0907. Customers will schedule a curbside pickup time at Two Hound Red between noon and 5 p.m. May 14 and 15.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-07--Illinois surpasses 3,000 COVID-19 deaths, 1 million unemployment claims processed

Illinois has passed another grim milestone as state officials have now recorded more than 3,000 deaths from COVID-19 .
Another 138 people died in the past 24 hours , bringing the state 's death toll from the coronavirus to 3,111 .
After a two-week low of 46 deaths on Monday , the one-week average has stubbornly remained at 110 deaths per day .
The average for the previous seven days was 96 deaths per day .
State health officials have been working to ramp up testing and are reporting the number of tests that come back positive , a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J.B. Pritzker announced this week to move toward fewer restrictions .
Of 17,783 new tests performed on Thursday , 2,641 were positive for COVID-19 , dropping the state 's daily infection rate below 15 % for the first time since late March , when only a few thousand people were being tested each day .
Over the past week , the state has averaged more than 15,500 coronavirus tests daily , with 16.4 % of the tests coming back positive for the disease .
But in the Northeast region , which includes Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 21.9 % as of Wednesday .
`` I think we 've successfully flattened the curve , '' Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said .
`` It 's stayed flat .
We 've been flat for some time now .
Where we go from here is critical . ''
She urged residents to continue practicing social distancing methods in order to bend the curve downward .
`` We now need to see what will happen with the new attitudes that are prevailing and the new behaviors that are prevailing , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move toward fewer restrictions , the state is divided into four regions , each of which can move independently through five phases .
To move to the next phase , the infection rate for the region must be at or below 20 % for 14 consecutive days , the number of hospital admissions must be stable or decrease for 28 days , and hospitals in the region must maintain availability of 14 % of the ICU beds , medical recovery beds and ventilators .
The infection rate for the Northeast region has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day this month , according to the IDPH statistics website .
The most recent figures released by IDPH Thursday showed an increase of hospital admissions on Monday with 29 additional patients in the region .
The number of infections statewide is 70,873 since the outbreak began .
Pritzker also announced a bleak statistic on unemployment for the state .
More than 1 million initial claims for unemployment benefits have been processed since March 1 , he said .
To process the claims , the governor approved upgrades to the Department of Employment Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center to handle the increased demand for assistance .
`` There will be 100 new agents by Monday , '' he said .
`` And we will continue to scale it up with 100 additional agents taking calls . ''
He praised IDES workers , saying they had worked thousands of hours in overtime to help families and upgrade the system .
He said roughly 75 % of claimants received their first payments within two weeks of filing , with Illinois being one of the first states to `` implement the additional $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers through the federal CARES Act .
The governor , who has done 60 consecutive daily briefings since the outbreak began in mid-March , announced he will no longer be doing weekend briefings .
He added that IDPH will continue to update statistics throughout the weekend , though .

Illinois surpasses 3,000 COVID-19 deaths, 1 million unemployment claims processed
Illinois has passed another grim milestone as state officials have now recorded more than 3,000 deaths from COVID-19.
Another 138 people died in the past 24 hours, bringing the state's death toll from the coronavirus to 3,111.
After a two-week low of 46 deaths on Monday, the one-week average has stubbornly remained at 110 deaths per day. The average for the previous seven days was 96 deaths per day.
State health officials have been working to ramp up testing and are reporting the number of tests that come back positive, a key measurement for the five-step plan Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced this week to move toward fewer restrictions.
Of 17,783 new tests performed on Thursday, 2,641 were positive for COVID-19, dropping the state's daily infection rate below 15% for the first time since late March, when only a few thousand people were being tested each day.
Over the past week, the state has averaged more than 15,500 coronavirus tests daily, with 16.4% of the tests coming back positive for the disease.
But in the Northeast region, which includes Chicago and the suburbs, the infection rate was 21.9% as of Wednesday.
"I think we've successfully flattened the curve," Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. "It's stayed flat. We've been flat for some time now. Where we go from here is critical."
She urged residents to continue practicing social distancing methods in order to bend the curve downward.
"We now need to see what will happen with the new attitudes that are prevailing and the new behaviors that are prevailing," she said.
Under Pritzker's plan to move toward fewer restrictions, the state is divided into four regions, each of which can move independently through five phases.
To move to the next phase, the infection rate for the region must be at or below 20% for 14 consecutive days, the number of hospital admissions must be stable or decrease for 28 days, and hospitals in the region must maintain availability of 14% of the ICU beds, medical recovery beds and ventilators.
The infection rate for the Northeast region hasn't been below 20% on any day this month, according to the IDPH statistics website. The most recent figures released by IDPH Thursday showed an increase of hospital admissions on Monday with 29 additional patients in the region.
The number of infections statewide is 70,873 since the outbreak began.
Pritzker also announced a bleak statistic on unemployment for the state.
More than 1 million initial claims for unemployment benefits have been processed since March 1, he said.
To process the claims, the governor approved upgrades to the Department of Employment Security's operations, including a new call center to handle the increased demand for assistance.
"There will be 100 new agents by Monday," he said. "And we will continue to scale it up with 100 additional agents taking calls."
He praised IDES workers, saying they had worked thousands of hours in overtime to help families and upgrade the system. He said roughly 75% of claimants received their first payments within two weeks of filing, with Illinois being one of the first states to "implement the additional $600" weekly stipend approved to displaced workers through the federal CARES Act.
The governor, who has done 60 consecutive daily briefings since the outbreak began in mid-March, announced he will no longer be doing weekend briefings. He added that IDPH will continue to update statistics throughout the weekend, though.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-07--Why parking near Busse Woods in Elk Grove this weekend could get you towed

Elk Grove Village is putting in a series of new parking regulations starting Friday -- even threatening to tow cars -- to curb congestion near the popular Busse Woods forest preserve .
Mayor Craig Johnson signed an executive order Thursday establishing a temporary residential parking permit program that will be in place on Fridays , Saturdays and Sundays on nearly 10 miles of streets near the preserve .
Residents can fill out the permit form , available on the village 's website , and place it on vehicle dashboards in order to park on the streets on weekends .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County closes down Busse Woods parking lots in an effort to limit crowds and enforce social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19 .
Anyone who parks on the streets without a permit , which shows the vehicle is registered to a Elk Grove Village address , will be towed , Johnson said .
He said police would be out and about checking for permits and verifying that addresses match up with vehicle registrations .
The new rules put more teeth into the village 's recently-implemented parking restrictions , which initially barred all weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Busse Woods .
The penalty was a $ 30 ticket .
`` People said to me and police officers , 'Hey , for $ 30 , I will park here to go to the woods , ' '' Johnson said of those who were defying the rules .
`` ( Now ) anyone that parks illegally will get towed . ''
Other restrictions that will be implemented this weekend include : • Temporary fencing is being installed near Elk Grove Bowl to prevent those who park in the shopping center from jaywalking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forest preserve .
If people do park there , they will be encouraged to cross at the nearby intersection with Higgins Road , Johnson said .
A Cook County officer also will be on site .
• The rear parking lot of Elk Grove High School will be closed , though the smaller front lot will be open since it is closer to the pedestrian-activated crosswalk that leads into Busse Woods , Johnson said .
• Parking restrictions also will be in place near Lake Cosman , the private lake that is south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said dozens of out-of-town vehicles were there last weekend as people went picnicking and fishing .
But he said the lake is owned and maintained by a private homeowners ' association .
The village 's latest regulations come following conversations this week among Johnson , Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Forest Preserves General Superintendent Arnold Randall .
While Johnson has raised safety concerns about the impact of the Busse Woods parking lot closures on the village , he says the county leaders have been receptive to his ideas .
If it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full closure of Busse Woods .
`` It 's evolving , '' Johnson said .
`` If it 's not successful and we have to take it to the extreme , they 're willing to work with us . ''

Why parking near Busse Woods in Elk Grove this weekend could get you towed
Elk Grove Village is putting in a series of new parking regulations starting Friday -- even threatening to tow cars -- to curb congestion near the popular Busse Woods forest preserve.
Mayor Craig Johnson signed an executive order Thursday establishing a temporary residential parking permit program that will be in place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on nearly 10 miles of streets near the preserve.
Residents can fill out the permit form, available on the village's website, and place it on vehicle dashboards in order to park on the streets on weekends. That's when the Forest Preserve District of Cook County closes down Busse Woods parking lots in an effort to limit crowds and enforce social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19.
Anyone who parks on the streets without a permit, which shows the vehicle is registered to a Elk Grove Village address, will be towed, Johnson said.
He said police would be out and about checking for permits and verifying that addresses match up with vehicle registrations.
The new rules put more teeth into the village's recently-implemented parking restrictions, which initially barred all weekend parking on some eight miles of streets near Busse Woods. The penalty was a $30 ticket.
"People said to me and police officers, 'Hey, for $30, I will park here to go to the woods,'" Johnson said of those who were defying the rules. "(Now) anyone that parks illegally will get towed."
Other restrictions that will be implemented this weekend include:
• Temporary fencing is being installed near Elk Grove Bowl to prevent those who park in the shopping center from jaywalking across busy Arlington Heights Road into the forest preserve. If people do park there, they will be encouraged to cross at the nearby intersection with Higgins Road, Johnson said. A Cook County officer also will be on site.
• The rear parking lot of Elk Grove High School will be closed, though the smaller front lot will be open since it is closer to the pedestrian-activated crosswalk that leads into Busse Woods, Johnson said.
• Parking restrictions also will be in place near Lake Cosman, the private lake that is south and east of Busse Woods. Johnson said dozens of out-of-town vehicles were there last weekend as people went picnicking and fishing. But he said the lake is owned and maintained by a private homeowners' association.
The village's latest regulations come following conversations this week among Johnson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Forest Preserves General Superintendent Arnold Randall. While Johnson has raised safety concerns about the impact of the Busse Woods parking lot closures on the village, he says the county leaders have been receptive to his ideas.
If it gets too crowded, he's suggested a full closure of Busse Woods.
"It's evolving," Johnson said. "If it's not successful and we have to take it to the extreme, they're willing to work with us."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-07--Wheaton French market set to open May 16 with safety protocols

Wheaton 's open-air French market will reopen for the season with new COVID-19 safety protocols .
City officials have been working with the operator , Bensidoun USA Inc. , to prepare for the reopening .
The city expects the downtown market will start back up Saturday , May 16 , pending approval from public health authorities .
Farmers markets have been deemed an essential business and may operate under an executive order from Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
Bensidoun plans to first reopen a scaled-back version of the popular Wheaton market and then other suburban venues during the first weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help manage crowds at Wheaton 's market , held in a municipal parking lot at Main Street and Liberty Drive .
Those rules include social distancing measures in addition to limits on the types of items that can be sold and the number of people who can be in the market at a given time .
During May , the market will have plants , flowers , specialty food and concessions , according to a notice on the Bensidoun website .
A small number of retailers will offer products such as soap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all vendors beginning June 6 , pending any additional statewide mandates on business operations .
The Glen Ellyn French Market is set to start Sunday , June 7 .
It will run every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September .
The season may extend into October , a village official said , but that has n't been finalized yet .

Wheaton French market set to open May 16 with safety protocols
Wheaton's open-air French market will reopen for the season with new COVID-19 safety protocols.
City officials have been working with the operator, Bensidoun USA Inc., to prepare for the reopening. The city expects the downtown market will start back up Saturday, May 16, pending approval from public health authorities.
Farmers markets have been deemed an essential business and may operate under an executive order from Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Bensidoun plans to first reopen a scaled-back version of the popular Wheaton market and then other suburban venues in June.
Some of the restrictions will help manage crowds at Wheaton's market, held in a municipal parking lot at Main Street and Liberty Drive. Those rules include social distancing measures in addition to limits on the types of items that can be sold and the number of people who can be in the market at a given time.
During May, the market will have plants, flowers, specialty food and concessions, according to a notice on the Bensidoun website. A small number of retailers will offer products such as soap.
The market plans to open to all vendors beginning June 6, pending any additional statewide mandates on business operations.
The Glen Ellyn French market has been postponed until the third week in June. An official said the village received word late Thursday about the rescheduling.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-07--Signer of the times: Hinsdale South grad helps interpret governor's briefings for deaf community

June Prusak has known exactly when Saturday and Sunday have fallen during the daze of a pandemic week .
Those are the days when Prusak , using American Sign Language , has served as a Certified Deaf Interpreter for Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's televised press briefings on COVID-19 .
As the virus has thrust additional stress into people 's lives , the Willowbrook resident keenly feels the significance of her task .
`` Every time I go into the press room , I feel so nervous , so anxious , '' said Prusak , a 1989 graduate of Hinsdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has an acclaimed deaf and hard of hearing program .
The daughter of deaf parents -- her mother , Carol , was a teacher 's aide in the Hinsdale South program -- Prusak was born deaf like her sister , Cathy .
Her brother , Bernie , has hearing .
`` There are a lot of statistics involved and I want to make sure I have those exactly correct , '' June Prusak said on the phone using a video relay service , which connects her to a listener through an interpreter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go home and I feel good about my work .
Other times , I 'll admit , I go home and I think , ' I should have done better , I could have done this differently , how could I have signed this using different sign choices ? '
'' Prusak said .
Rare is the person without similar feelings .
Prusak 's extensive background has earned this position of trust .
Hired for the briefings by the Chicago Hearing Society , where Prusak worked for a dozen years as a youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coordinator/Certified Deaf Interpreter , or CDI , for the Circuit Court of Cook County .
In addition to signing in high-profile cases she ca n't detail due to the Interpreter 's Code of Professional Conduct , Prusak recently worked one of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot 's conferences .
She was to have signed for the National Association of the Deaf 's 55th Biennial Conference in Chicago in July , but that was canceled due to the pandemic .
The weekend briefings for the governor were among her many freelance jobs .
They may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced he will discontinue some of those weekend briefings .
`` It just happened .
It 's just inside of me , '' said Prusak , whose ingrained knowledge of American Sign Language led to her career .
She holds a bachelor 's degree in therapeutic recreation from Gallaudet University in Washington , D.C. , the `` one and only '' liberal arts college in the world for the deaf , she said .
For the COVID-19 briefings , Prusak has partnered with a hearing sign language interpreter in what 's called a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at her other assignments , but to enhance consistency , she has worked with the same certified sign language interpreter , Amanda Grazian of Villa Park .
Friends outside work , they 've collaborated in Circuit Court and elsewhere .
`` We work together so well that we can kind of predict what the other person means , and we 're able to pick up on subtle cues such as facial expressions and body language that help us know whether we 're on the same page or if I need to provide an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interpreted to her , '' Grazian said .
Directly in front of Prusak but off camera , Grazian sees and hears the speaker and through sign language relays the message to Prusak , who applies her specific skills to the audience .
Lag time is minimal .
`` This is where I come in , '' Prusak said , `` as I share the same common language , ASL .
I have a greater understanding of the deaf community , cultures and values . ''
She says it 's `` crucial '' this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also crucial that in public places where masks eliminate lip reading , deaf people are able to communicate by written word or otherwise .
`` I am currently waiting to receive in the mail a new face mask that says , ' I 'm Deaf .
Use gestures to communicate with me , ' '' Prusak said .

Signer of the times: Hinsdale South grad helps interpret governor's briefings for deaf community
June Prusak is a Certified Deaf Interpreter who interprets the governor's coronavirus briefing a few times a week. COURTESY OF June Prusak
June Prusak is a Certified Deaf Interpreter who interprets some of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's press briefings. "Every time I go into the press room, I feel so nervous, so anxious," she says. SCREENSHOT FROM FOX 32 CHICAGO
June Prusak has known exactly when Saturday and Sunday have fallen during the daze of a pandemic week.
Those are the days when Prusak, using American Sign Language, has served as a Certified Deaf Interpreter for Gov. J.B. Pritzker's televised press briefings on COVID-19.
As the virus has thrust additional stress into people's lives, the Willowbrook resident keenly feels the significance of her task.
"Every time I go into the press room, I feel so nervous, so anxious," said Prusak, a 1989 graduate of Hinsdale South High School in Darien, which has an acclaimed deaf and hard of hearing program.
The daughter of deaf parents -- her mother, Carol, was a teacher's aide in the Hinsdale South program -- Prusak was born deaf like her sister, Cathy. Her brother, Bernie, has hearing.
"There are a lot of statistics involved and I want to make sure I have those exactly correct," June Prusak said on the phone using a video relay service, which connects her to a listener through an interpreter.
A chuckle, laughter, even a sigh gets translated.
"There's some days where I go home and I feel good about my work. Other times, I'll admit, I go home and I think, 'I should have done better, I could have done this differently, how could I have signed this using different sign choices?'" Prusak said.
Rare is the person without similar feelings. Prusak's extensive background has earned this position of trust.
Hired for the briefings by the Chicago Hearing Society, where Prusak worked for a dozen years as a youth program coordinator, she is a Court Coordinator/Certified Deaf Interpreter, or CDI, for the Circuit Court of Cook County.
In addition to signing in high-profile cases she can't detail due to the Interpreter's Code of Professional Conduct, Prusak recently worked one of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's conferences.
She was to have signed for the National Association of the Deaf's 55th Biennial Conference in Chicago in July, but that was canceled due to the pandemic.
The weekend briefings for the governor were among her many freelance jobs. They may become less frequent now that Pritzker has announced he will discontinue some of those weekend briefings.
"It just happened. It's just inside of me," said Prusak, whose ingrained knowledge of American Sign Language led to her career. She holds a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the "one and only" liberal arts college in the world for the deaf, she said.
For the COVID-19 briefings, Prusak has partnered with a hearing sign language interpreter in what's called a Deaf-Hearing Interpreter Team. Partners may change at her other assignments, but to enhance consistency, she has worked with the same certified sign language interpreter, Amanda Grazian of Villa Park.
Friends outside work, they've collaborated in Circuit Court and elsewhere.
"We work together so well that we can kind of predict what the other person means, and we're able to pick up on subtle cues such as facial expressions and body language that help us know whether we're on the same page or if I need to provide an alternate expression or supplement what I just interpreted to her," Grazian said.
Directly in front of Prusak but off camera, Grazian sees and hears the speaker and through sign language relays the message to Prusak, who applies her specific skills to the audience. Lag time is minimal.
"This is where I come in," Prusak said, "as I share the same common language, ASL. I have a greater understanding of the deaf community, cultures and values."
She says it's "crucial" this community hears these messages. It's also crucial that in public places where masks eliminate lip reading, deaf people are able to communicate by written word or otherwise.
"I am currently waiting to receive in the mail a new face mask that says, 'I'm Deaf. Use gestures to communicate with me,'" Prusak said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-07--Bears schedule released, open with Lions, play 4 night games

The NFL released its full 2020 schedule Thursday night and here 's how things shake out for the Bears .
@ @ @ @ @ sale at 8 p.m. Thursday .
Fans will get full refunds -- payable within 30 @ @ @ @ @ canceled or played without fans .

Bears schedule released, open with Lions, play 4 night games
The NFL released its full 2020 schedule Thursday night and here's how things shake out for the Bears and QB Mitch Trubisky. Associated Press
The NFL released its full 2020 schedule Thursday night and here's how things shake out for the Bears.
Week 1, 9/13 (12 p.m.), at Lions, FOX
Week 2, 9/20 (12 p.m.), vs. Giants, CBS
Week 3, 9/27 (12 p.m.), at Falcons, FOX
Week 4, 10/4 (12 p.m.), vs. Colts, CBS
Week 5, 10/8 (Thu.; 7:20 p.m.), vs. Buccaneers, NFLN/FOX/Amazon
Week 6, 10/18 (12 p.m.), at Panthers, FOX
Week 7, 10/26 (Mon.; 7:15 p.m.), at Rams, ESPN
Week 8, 11/1 (3:25 p.m.), vs. Saints, FOX
Week 9, 11/8 (12 p.m.), at Titans, FOX
Week 10, 11/16 (Mon.; 7:15 p.m.), vs. Vikings, ESPN
Week 11 11/19-23 BYE
Week 12, 11/29 (7:20 p.m.), at Packers, NBC
Week 13, 12/6 (12 p.m.), vs. Lions, FOX
Week 14, 12/13 (12 p.m.), vs. Texans, CBS
Week 15, 12/20 (12. p.m.), at Vikings, FOX
Week 16, 12/27 (12 p.m.), at Jaguars, FOX
Week 17, 1/3 (12 p.m.), vs. Packers, FOX
Bears tickets will go on sale at 8 p.m. Thursday. Fans will get full refunds -- payable within 30 days -- if games are canceled or played without fans.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-07--May 7 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Of the 138 additional deaths announced Thursday , 55 -- or 40 % -- are from suburban Cook County and the five collar counties , by the state 's count .
The one-day death tally was 34 in suburban Cook County , eight in DuPage , three in Kane , three in Lake , two in McHenry and five in Will , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
• Since the outbreak began , there have been 35,664 cases in the suburbs , or 50 % of the state 's total , according to IDPH .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or 53 % of the total .
Here are cases per county and some towns .
Not every town with cases is included .
• As of Thursday , suburban Cook County had 19,900 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 926 deaths , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 28,441 cases and 1,184 fatalities .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health listed 936 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines , 340 in Mount Prospect , 336 in Wheeling , 315 cases in Glenview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Streamwood , 235 in Schaumburg , 230 in Hoffman Estates , 215 in Arlington Heights , 177 in Park Ridge , 155 in Rolling Meadows , 124 in Elk Grove Village , 109 in Prospect Heights , and 47 in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
• The Lake County Health Department lists 4,837 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 161 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Thursday .
• Cases in some Lake County towns : 1,495 to 1,499 in Waukegan and 60 to 64 in unincorporated areas near Waukegan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 to 34 in unincorporated areas near Gurnee ; 95 to 99 in Round Lake and 70 to 74 in unincorporated areas near Round Lake ; 200 to 204 in Mundelein and 25 to 29 in unincorporated areas near Mundelein ; 50 to 54 in Libertyville and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas near Libertyville ; 95 to 99 in Vernon Hills and less than five in unincorporated areas near Vernon Hills ; 40 to 44 in Grayslake and 35 to 39 in unincorporated areas near Grayslake ; 60 to 64 in Wauconda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Wauconda ; 70 to 74 in Buffalo Grove and less than five in unincorporated areas near Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) ; 60 to 64 in Lake Zurich and five to nine in unincorporated area near Lake Zurich ; and 20 to 24 in Lake Villa and 30 to 34 in unincorporated areas near Lake Villa .
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 4,235 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 227 deaths on its coronavirus website Thursday .
• Cases per suburb include 368 in Addison , 300 in West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Glendale Heights , 269 in Naperville ( DuPage portion ) , 257 in Carol Stream , 156 in Lombard , 155 in Elmhurst , 127 in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 124 in Downers Grove , 120 in Wheaton , 95 in Willowbrook , and 79 in Glen Ellyn .
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 2,573 cases of COVID-19 with 78 deaths on its website Thursday at kanehealth.com .
• Cases per town include 1,085 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 553 in Elgin ( Kane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 103 in St. Charles , 101 in South Elgin , 80 in Geneva , 51 in Batavia , 49 in North Aurora , 26 in Gilberts , and 22 in Sugar Grove .
• There are 886 cases of COVID-19 and 50 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department 's website Thursday .
• There have been 3,466 cases of COVID-19 and 195 deaths , according to the Will County Health Department 's website Thursday .
• Cases per town include 195 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion ) .

May 7 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website, shown here at the end of March, that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Interactive map
Of the 138 additional deaths announced Thursday, 55 -- or 40% -- are from suburban Cook County and the five collar counties, by the state's count.
The one-day death tally was 34 in suburban Cook County, eight in DuPage, three in Kane, three in Lake, two in McHenry and five in Will, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Since the outbreak began, there have been 35,664 cases in the suburbs, or 50% of the state's total, according to IDPH. There have been 1,634 deaths in the suburbs, or 53% of the total.
Here are cases per county and some towns. Not every town with cases is included.
Cook County
• As of Thursday, suburban Cook County had 19,900 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 926 deaths, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 28,441 cases and 1,184 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health listed 936 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines, 340 in Mount Prospect, 336 in Wheeling, 315 cases in Glenview, 272 in Palatine, 260 in Streamwood, 235 in Schaumburg, 230 in Hoffman Estates, 215 in Arlington Heights, 177 in Park Ridge, 155 in Rolling Meadows, 124 in Elk Grove Village, 109 in Prospect Heights, and 47 in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department lists 4,837 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 161 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Thursday.
• Cases in some Lake County towns: 1,495 to 1,499 in Waukegan and 60 to 64 in unincorporated areas near Waukegan; 150 to 154 in Gurnee and 30 to 34 in unincorporated areas near Gurnee; 95 to 99 in Round Lake and 70 to 74 in unincorporated areas near Round Lake; 200 to 204 in Mundelein and 25 to 29 in unincorporated areas near Mundelein; 50 to 54 in Libertyville and 15 to 19 in unincorporated areas near Libertyville; 95 to 99 in Vernon Hills and less than five in unincorporated areas near Vernon Hills; 40 to 44 in Grayslake and 35 to 39 in unincorporated areas near Grayslake; 60 to 64 in Wauconda and 10 to 14 in unincorporated areas near Wauconda; 70 to 74 in Buffalo Grove and less than five in unincorporated areas near Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion); 60 to 64 in Lake Zurich and five to nine in unincorporated area near Lake Zurich; and 20 to 24 in Lake Villa and 30 to 34 in unincorporated areas near Lake Villa.
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 4,235 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 227 deaths on its coronavirus website Thursday.
• Cases per suburb include 368 in Addison, 300 in West Chicago, 284 in Bensenville, 282 in Glendale Heights, 269 in Naperville (DuPage portion), 257 in Carol Stream, 156 in Lombard, 155 in Elmhurst, 127 in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 124 in Downers Grove, 120 in Wheaton, 95 in Willowbrook, and 79 in Glen Ellyn.
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 2,573 cases of COVID-19 with 78 deaths on its website Thursday at kanehealth.com.
• Cases per town include 1,085 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 553 in Elgin (Kane portion), 249 in Carpentersville, 103 in St. Charles, 101 in South Elgin, 80 in Geneva, 51 in Batavia, 49 in North Aurora, 26 in Gilberts, and 22 in Sugar Grove.
McHenry County
• There are 886 cases of COVID-19 and 50 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department's website Thursday.
Will County
• There have been 3,466 cases of COVID-19 and 195 deaths, according to the Will County Health Department's website Thursday.
• Cases per town include 195 in Naperville (Will County portion), and 29 in Aurora (Will County portion).
-- Daily Herald


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-07--Elk Grove postpones summer concert series until 2021

Elk Grove Village officials announced Thursday they are postponing their popular summer concert series , originally scheduled for this July , until the summer of 2021 in light of the coronavirus pandemic .
All of the performers -- The Beach Boys , Bret Michaels , KC and the Sunshine Band and Daughtry -- have agreed to come back next year at no additional cost to the village , officials said in an announcement Thursday afternoon .
Village trustees last November inked a $ 480,000 contract with Elk Grove-based Entertainment Management Group to book and manage the 12th annual concert series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel tax , video gambling revenues , tobacco license fees and sponsorships , as well as a $ 50,000 contribution from the Elk Grove Park District .
`` I know the postponement of our Mid-Summer Concert Series is tough news for the music fans who look forward to joining us in Elk Grove every summer , '' Mayor Craig Johnson said in a news release .
`` It 's tough on us too because we take a great deal of pride in staging events featuring top-tier musicians for our residents and music lovers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson and village officials concluded that concerns over the risk of large gatherings this summer possibly aiding in the spread of the coronavirus was enough to force the postponement of the shows .
Last year 's five concerts registered a record attendance of 78,000 .
The village on Thursday also announced the cancellation of its annual Fourth of July fireworks show .
The new schedule for 2021 now has Daughtry performing on July 4 , KC and the Sunshine Band on July 13 , Bret Michaels on July 20 and The Beach Boys @ @ @ @

Elk Grove postpones summer concert series until 2021
Rocker Bret Michaels, who performed in Elk Grove Village in 2018, was set to return this summer, but his performance and three other concerts have been rescheduled to the summer of 2021, village officials announced Thursday. Daily Herald File Photo, 2018
Elk Grove Village officials announced Thursday they are postponing their popular summer concert series, originally scheduled for this July, until the summer of 2021 in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
All of the performers -- The Beach Boys, Bret Michaels, KC and the Sunshine Band and Daughtry -- have agreed to come back next year at no additional cost to the village, officials said in an announcement Thursday afternoon.
Village trustees last November inked a $480,000 contract with Elk Grove-based Entertainment Management Group to book and manage the 12th annual concert series. Funds come from the village's hotel tax, video gambling revenues, tobacco license fees and sponsorships, as well as a $50,000 contribution from the Elk Grove Park District.
"I know the postponement of our Mid-Summer Concert Series is tough news for the music fans who look forward to joining us in Elk Grove every summer," Mayor Craig Johnson said in a news release. "It's tough on us too because we take a great deal of pride in staging events featuring top-tier musicians for our residents and music lovers from across the region."
But Johnson and village officials concluded that concerns over the risk of large gatherings this summer possibly aiding in the spread of the coronavirus was enough to force the postponement of the shows. Last year's five concerts registered a record attendance of 78,000.
The village on Thursday also announced the cancellation of its annual Fourth of July fireworks show.
The new schedule for 2021 now has Daughtry performing on July 4, KC and the Sunshine Band on July 13, Bret Michaels on July 20 and The Beach Boys on July 27.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-07--Where meat is running short or costing more in the suburbs

Suburban grocery chains have begun feeling the effects after several U.S. meat processing plants temporarily shut down because hundreds of workers came down with coronavirus .
The resulting meat shortages led Wendy 's restaurants to pull some burgers off its menus and diminished selections at grocery stores such as Sam 's Club , which has locations in Addison , Des Plaines , Gurnee , Elgin and Vernon Hills , among other places .
In response to a drop-off in U.S. beef and pork processing , a Sam 's Club spokeswoman said stores began limiting meat purchases .
`` To ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are limiting the purchase of all poultry , beef , lamb and pork items to one of each item , '' said Sam 's Club spokeswoman Amy Wyatt-Moore via email .
`` As we would normally do during periods of high demand , we are working through our supply chain to continually replenish items as quickly as possible to help meet the needs of our members . ''
According to Jayson Lusk , head of the department of agricultural economics at Purdue University , U.S. beef and pork processing dropped 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants are coming back online after President Donald Trump issued an executive order last week requiring them to stay open .
But until they 're back at full capacity , consumers will likely see some shortages and higher prices for beef and pork , Lusk said .
Poultry production has been impacted , but to a lesser degree .
Representatives from Sam 's Club , Valli Produce and other local grocers say consumers have no reason to worry .
While Valli has not imposed limits on meat purchases , co-owner Frank Greco acknowledges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely limited ... and the cost has gone berserk '' at the six family-owned stores in Arlington Heights , Hoffman Estates , Glendale Heights , Evanston , Rockford and Loves Park .
Meat that cost $ 4.99 three months ago now sells for $ 9.99 , he said .
`` We definitely are experiencing a shortage .
There 's a limited supply .
What we can get , we 're having to raise the price , '' Greco said , adding Valli employees monitor the supply daily and ads acknowledge the shortage by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` limited quantities available . ''
There 's been no evidence customers are hoarding items , said Greco .
`` We 're trying to get through this together , '' he said .
Jewel-Osco spokeswoman Mary Frances Trucco said in an email that stores are `` not placing buying limits on meat .
However we continue to evaluate the supply on a daily basis . ''
Just over 1,000 Wendy 's restaurants -- or nearly 20 % -- had no beef items available on their online menus Monday night , according to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank .
Wendy 's responded that some menu items may be temporarily limited , but it continues to supply its restaurants with beef two to three times a week .
In addition to Sam 's Club , Costco , Hy-Vee and Kroger are limiting purchases of meat to avoid panic buying .
Some companies -- including Target and McDonald 's -- have no restrictions in place .
Meat producer Tyson Foods Inc. said it 's working hard to get its plants back up safely .
`` It 's very difficult to speculate on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolve in the coming weeks , but we are doing our best to maximize our production to meet demand , '' the company said in a statement .
• The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Where meat is running short or costing more in the suburbs
Valli Produce stores like this one in Arlington Heights have had a limited supply of meat lately and sometimes has raised prices accordingly. Courtesy of Valli Produce
Suburban grocery chains have begun feeling the effects after several U.S. meat processing plants temporarily shut down because hundreds of workers came down with coronavirus.
The resulting meat shortages led Wendy's restaurants to pull some burgers off its menus and diminished selections at grocery stores such as Sam's Club, which has locations in Addison, Des Plaines, Gurnee, Elgin and Vernon Hills, among other places.
In response to a drop-off in U.S. beef and pork processing, a Sam's Club spokeswoman said stores began limiting meat purchases.
"To ensure access to as many members as possible, we are limiting the purchase of all poultry, beef, lamb and pork items to one of each item," said Sam's Club spokeswoman Amy Wyatt-Moore via email. "As we would normally do during periods of high demand, we are working through our supply chain to continually replenish items as quickly as possible to help meet the needs of our members."
According to Jayson Lusk, head of the department of agricultural economics at Purdue University, U.S. beef and pork processing dropped 40% from last year.
Some meatpacking plants are coming back online after President Donald Trump issued an executive order last week requiring them to stay open. But until they're back at full capacity, consumers will likely see some shortages and higher prices for beef and pork, Lusk said. Poultry production has been impacted, but to a lesser degree.
Representatives from Sam's Club, Valli Produce and other local grocers say consumers have no reason to worry.
While Valli has not imposed limits on meat purchases, co-owner Frank Greco acknowledges "beef products are starting to get extremely limited ... and the cost has gone berserk" at the six family-owned stores in Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Glendale Heights, Evanston, Rockford and Loves Park.
Meat that cost $4.99 three months ago now sells for $9.99, he said.
"We definitely are experiencing a shortage. There's a limited supply. What we can get, we're having to raise the price," Greco said, adding Valli employees monitor the supply daily and ads acknowledge the shortage by referencing "while quantities last" and "limited quantities available."
There's been no evidence customers are hoarding items, said Greco. "We're trying to get through this together," he said.
Jewel-Osco spokeswoman Mary Frances Trucco said in an email that stores are "not placing buying limits on meat. However we continue to evaluate the supply on a daily basis."
Just over 1,000 Wendy's restaurants -- or nearly 20% -- had no beef items available on their online menus Monday night, according to an analysis by Stephens Inc., an investment bank. Wendy's responded that some menu items may be temporarily limited, but it continues to supply its restaurants with beef two to three times a week.
In addition to Sam's Club, Costco, Hy-Vee and Kroger are limiting purchases of meat to avoid panic buying.
Some companies -- including Target and McDonald's -- have no restrictions in place.
Meat producer Tyson Foods Inc. said it's working hard to get its plants back up safely.
"It's very difficult to speculate on how challenges to the food supply will evolve in the coming weeks, but we are doing our best to maximize our production to meet demand," the company said in a statement.
• The Associated Press contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-07--Agreement reached to avert strike at area nursing homes

A union representing nursing home workers and an association of roughly 100 nursing homes in and around Chicago reached a deal to avoid a strike that could have started Friday , both sides announced Thursday .
SEIU Healthcare Local 4 employees were prepared to strike at 64 locations represented by the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities as they sought pay increases and safeguards while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic , the union said in a statement on its website .
Among suburban nursing homes where the new contract is effective are Abbington Rehab & Nursing Center in Roselle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Estates of Barrington , Alden Des Plaines , Elevate Care Northbrook , The Grove of Skokie , Gross Pointe Manor in Niles , Aperion Care Midlothian and Symphony at Aria in Hillside .
Union workers , including certified nursing assistants and dietary , activity , laundry and housekeeping employees , are in line to receive higher baseline wages through the new two-year deal .
The Association of Health Care Facilities said it will provide base pay raises of up to 24 % , and the union said the raises bring all workers ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour by the contract 's second year .
`` The Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities is proud that is has negotiated the largest wage hike in our history for our employees , '' said Bob Molitor , a board member of the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities and CEO of The Alden Network .
The deal also provides $ 2-per-hour COVID-19 bonus pay for all 10,000 affected employees and expands sick leave , with fully paid sick days for COVID-19 testing , illness or quarantine .
The COVID-19 bonus pay is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratified and will last 45 days , the Association of Health Care Facilities said , with a possible 45-day extension for staff members at nursing homes with active COVID-19 cases .
The union is expected to ratify the contract on or around May 15 .
The previous deal expired at midnight April 30 .
`` All of the major contract gains will help safeguard the health and safety of workers and the residents for which they care -- at a time when both are vulnerable to the risks associated with COVID-19 , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new contract were scheduled to begin in January , but sessions were delayed because of the pandemic .
Originally , the pact was to be a four-year deal .
The sides also considered a one-year option before settling on the two-year deal that averted the planned strike .

Agreement reached to avert strike at area nursing homes
A union representing nursing home workers and an association of roughly 100 nursing homes in and around Chicago reached a deal to avoid a strike that could have started Friday, both sides announced Thursday.
SEIU Healthcare Local 4 employees were prepared to strike at 64 locations represented by the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities as they sought pay increases and safeguards while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the union said in a statement on its website.
Among suburban nursing homes where the new contract is effective are Abbington Rehab & Nursing Center in Roselle, Alden of Waterford in Aurora, Alden Estates of Barrington, Alden Des Plaines, Elevate Care Northbrook, The Grove of Skokie, Gross Pointe Manor in Niles, Aperion Care Midlothian and Symphony at Aria in Hillside.
Union workers, including certified nursing assistants and dietary, activity, laundry and housekeeping employees, are in line to receive higher baseline wages through the new two-year deal. The Association of Health Care Facilities said it will provide base pay raises of up to 24%, and the union said the raises bring all workers' pay to more than $15 an hour by the contract's second year.
"The Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities is proud that is has negotiated the largest wage hike in our history for our employees," said Bob Molitor, a board member of the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities and CEO of The Alden Network.
The deal also provides $2-per-hour COVID-19 bonus pay for all 10,000 affected employees and expands sick leave, with fully paid sick days for COVID-19 testing, illness or quarantine.
The COVID-19 bonus pay is set to begin once the contract is ratified and will last 45 days, the Association of Health Care Facilities said, with a possible 45-day extension for staff members at nursing homes with active COVID-19 cases.
The union is expected to ratify the contract on or around May 15. The previous deal expired at midnight April 30.
"All of the major contract gains will help safeguard the health and safety of workers and the residents for which they care -- at a time when both are vulnerable to the risks associated with COVID-19," the union statement said.
Negotiations toward a new contract were scheduled to begin in January, but sessions were delayed because of the pandemic. Originally, the pact was to be a four-year deal. The sides also considered a one-year option before settling on the two-year deal that averted the planned strike.