dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-07--Toms Price Home offers to help customers, employees of Art Van

Suburban furniture seller Toms Price Home announced it will try to fulfill orders for customers of Art Van Furniture and @ @ @ @ @ employees .
Toms Price Home `` will make every attempt to complete the order if @ @ @ @ @ vendor or recommend options for replacement , '' the Bloomingdale-based company based said in a @ @ @ @ @ We have spoken to our mutual suppliers and are ready to help customers receive unfulfilled @ @ @ @ @ said Toms Price President Scott Price .
`` Similarly , we are hiring in all @ @ @ @ @ and would love to speak to former Art Van employees about possible job opportunities .
@ @ @ @ @ located in Wheaton , South Barrington , Bloomingdale , Lincolnshire and Skokie .
For more @ @ @ @ @ Van , based in Michigan , began liquidation sales Friday at all its furniture and @ @ @

Toms Price Home offers to help customers, employees of Art Van
Suburban furniture seller Toms Price Home announced it will try to fulfill orders for customers of Art Van Furniture and might have jobs for its employees. Photo courtesy of Toms Price Home
Suburban furniture seller Toms Price Home announced it will try to fulfill orders for customers of Art Van Furniture and might have jobs for its employees.
Toms Price Home "will make every attempt to complete the order if it is through a common vendor or recommend options for replacement," the Bloomingdale-based company based said in a news release Friday.
"We have spoken to our mutual suppliers and are ready to help customers receive unfulfilled Art Van orders," said Toms Price President Scott Price. "Similarly, we are hiring in all five of our Chicagoland stores and would love to speak to former Art Van employees about possible job opportunities."
Toms Price stores are located in Wheaton, South Barrington, Bloomingdale, Lincolnshire and Skokie. For more information visit tomsprice.com.
Art Van, based in Michigan, began liquidation sales Friday at all its furniture and PureSleep stores.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-07--Man found shot to death in Barrington Hills

A man was found dead in Barrington Hills early Saturday morning after reports of shots fired , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ block of Old Sutton Road about 3:22 a.m. and found the man , according to @ @ @ @ @ Barrington Hills Police Department .
Preliminary investigation shows there was a large party at the @ @ @ @ @ not from Barrington Hills , police said .
The people had rented the home on @ @ @ @ @ have n't yet identified the man and wo n't until the next of kin is @ @ @ @ @ release .
The incident was isolated and there 's no threat to the community , @ @ @

Man found shot to death in Barrington Hills
A man was found dead in Barrington Hills early Saturday morning after reports of shots fired, police said.
Authorities responded to the 300 block of Old Sutton Road about 3:22 a.m. and found the man, according to a news release from the Barrington Hills Police Department.
Preliminary investigation shows there was a large party at the home being hosted from people not from Barrington Hills, police said. The people had rented the home on a short-term basis.
Police haven't yet identified the man and won't until the next of kin is notified, according to the release. The incident was isolated and there's no threat to the community, police said.
Police didn't release any further information Saturday evening.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-07--Facts Matter: Pence photo genuine, but links to coronavirus efforts are not

President Donald Trump recently appointed Mike Pence to oversee the effort to deal with the outbreak of the coronavirus in the U.S .
Shortly after that , a photo showed up on social media claiming the vice president was n't up to the job .
The image shows Pence at NASA 's Kennedy Space Center in Florida with his hand touching a piece of space equipment just below a `` DO NOT TOUCH '' sign .
Social media users shared the photo with comments connecting it to the virus .
One Twitter post included the line , `` The man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could go wrong ? ''
The photo is real , Snopes.com says , but it has nothing to do with the recent outbreak .
It was taken by Reuters July 6 , 2017 .
The next day Pence took to Twitter to apologize for touching the equipment and jokingly blamed Marco Rubio , who was along on the trip , saying the Florida senator `` dared me to do it ! ''
NASA officials let Pence off the hook , saying on Twitter , `` It was OK to touch the surface .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ We were going to clean it anyway . ''
Medical professionals are disputing some recent theories and methods that are offered to combat the coronavirus , according to The Associated Press .
One technique making the rounds on the internet claims people should drink sips of water every 15 minutes to wash down the virus to a point in which stomach acids will kill it off .
Drinking water will stave off dehydration but it is n't a cure for the coronavirus , the AP said .
Dr. William Schaffner , an infectious-diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP people should drink fluids to keep mucus membranes moist but it wo n't protect against the virus .
`` There is no clear indication that it directly protects you against complications , '' he said .
Garlic has also been touted as a cure for the coronavirus .
The World Health Organization said that although garlic has antimicrobial properties , there is no evidence the herb will do anything to cure the virus , the AP said .
Mexico still not paying for a border wall President Donald Trump last week told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conference that Mexico will be paying for a wall at the U.S. southern border .
`` Yes they are .
They 're paying for it .
And they 're OK with it .
Mexico 's paying for it , '' Trump said .
But Mexico is not paying for the wall and Mexican officials have said they will never pay for it , < URL destination= '' https : //apnews.com/28e60e866f6d32cdadedd126e292eba7 '' > according to The Associated Press .
< /URL > '' Mexico will NEVER pay for a wall , '' then-Mexican President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 2018 .
`` Not now , not ever .
Sincerely , Mexico ( all of us ) . ''
The border wall construction is being funded by billions of dollars taken from military programs and equipment spending when the money was diverted from the Pentagon 's budget , the AP said .
In the past , Trump has said Mexico will be paying for the wall because his trade agreement with Mexico and Canada will generate enough money to cover the wall .
But if that happens , the funds would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something else , it would not be a payment from Mexico , the AP said .
An asteroid is expected to pass by the earth next month .
But some media outlets publishing `` clickbait headlines '' about the potential danger of it hitting the planet are off-base , according to Snopes.com .
`` Asteroid warning : NASA tracks a 4KM asteroid approach -- could end civilisation ( sic ) if it hits , '' lead a story last week on the website of the Daily Express , a newspaper based in London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) will fly by Earth in April , it 's not expected to come close and there is not a threat it will impact the planet , Snopes said .
NASA , which is currently tracking nearly 20,000 asteroids and meteors , discovered Asteroid 52768 ( 1998 OR2 ) in 1998 .
That large asteroid , between 1.1 and 2.5 miles in diameter will be traveling at 20,000 mph when it passes but it will be 3.9 million miles away from Earth .
NASA 's Center for Near Earth Object Studies took to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying on Twitter that the asteroid will `` safely pass Earth '' on April 29 and the Daily Express article `` implying there is a 'warning ' about this asteroid is false . ''
When the asteroid was discovered in 1998 , NASA said it was `` large enough to cause global effects if ( it ) impacted Earth . ''
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News .
Contact him at boboswald33 @ gmail.com .

Facts Matter: Pence photo genuine, but links to coronavirus efforts are not
President Donald Trump recently appointed Mike Pence to oversee the effort to deal with the outbreak of the coronavirus in the U.S. Shortly after that, a photo showed up on social media claiming the vice president wasn't up to the job.
The image shows Pence at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida with his hand touching a piece of space equipment just below a "DO NOT TOUCH" sign. Social media users shared the photo with comments connecting it to the virus. One Twitter post included the line, "The man in charge of coronavirus response. What could go wrong?"
The photo is real, Snopes.com says, but it has nothing to do with the recent outbreak.
It was taken by Reuters July 6, 2017. The next day Pence took to Twitter to apologize for touching the equipment and jokingly blamed Marco Rubio, who was along on the trip, saying the Florida senator "dared me to do it!"
NASA officials let Pence off the hook, saying on Twitter, "It was OK to touch the surface. Those are just day-to-day reminder signs. We were going to clean it anyway."
Drinking water, eating garlic won't cure virus
Medical professionals are disputing some recent theories and methods that are offered to combat the coronavirus, according to The Associated Press.
One technique making the rounds on the internet claims people should drink sips of water every 15 minutes to wash down the virus to a point in which stomach acids will kill it off.
Drinking water will stave off dehydration but it isn't a cure for the coronavirus, the AP said.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious-diseases expert at Vanderbilt University, told the AP people should drink fluids to keep mucus membranes moist but it won't protect against the virus.
"There is no clear indication that it directly protects you against complications," he said.
Garlic has also been touted as a cure for the coronavirus.
The World Health Organization said that although garlic has antimicrobial properties, there is no evidence the herb will do anything to cure the virus, the AP said.
Mexico still not paying for a border wall
President Donald Trump last week told the crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference that Mexico will be paying for a wall at the U.S. southern border.
"Yes they are. They're paying for it. And they're OK with it. Mexico's paying for it," Trump said.
But Mexico is not paying for the wall and Mexican officials have said they will never pay for it, according to The Associated Press.
"Mexico will NEVER pay for a wall," then-Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said on Twitter in May 2018. "Not now, not ever. Sincerely, Mexico (all of us)."
The border wall construction is being funded by billions of dollars taken from military programs and equipment spending when the money was diverted from the Pentagon's budget, the AP said.
In the past, Trump has said Mexico will be paying for the wall because his trade agreement with Mexico and Canada will generate enough money to cover the wall.
But if that happens, the funds would be money the U.S. could have used for something else, it would not be a payment from Mexico, the AP said.
Asteroid pass in April will miss Earth
An asteroid is expected to pass by the earth next month. But some media outlets publishing "clickbait headlines" about the potential danger of it hitting the planet are off-base, according to Snopes.com.
"Asteroid warning: NASA tracks a 4KM asteroid approach -- could end civilisation (sic) if it hits," lead a story last week on the website of the Daily Express, a newspaper based in London.
Although Asteroid 52768 (1998 OR2) will fly by Earth in April, it's not expected to come close and there is not a threat it will impact the planet, Snopes said.
NASA, which is currently tracking nearly 20,000 asteroids and meteors, discovered Asteroid 52768 (1998 OR2) in 1998. That large asteroid, between 1.1 and 2.5 miles in diameter will be traveling at 20,000 mph when it passes but it will be 3.9 million miles away from Earth.
NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies took to social media to clear up any confusion, saying on Twitter that the asteroid will "safely pass Earth" on April 29 and the Daily Express article "implying there is a 'warning' about this asteroid is false."
When the asteroid was discovered in 1998, NASA said it was "large enough to cause global effects if (it) impacted Earth."
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News. Contact him at boboswald33@gmail.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Police: Investigation into deadly Barrington Hills shooting continues

Authorities continue to investigate the fatal shooting of a man during a house party early Saturday morning at a rented Barrington Hills home , but they offered no new details about the slaying or the victim 's identity Sunday .
A Barrington Hills police vehicle and a truck from the Cook County Major Case Assistance Team stood guard behind yellow caution tape Sunday morning outside the residence on the 300 block of Old Sutton Road , a secluded area of large homes and sprawling fields .
Officers called to the home at 3:22 a.m. Saturday on a report of shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner 's office on Sunday said the man died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide , A preliminary investigation revealed that a large party was being held at the home by people who live outside Barrington Hills and had rented the property on a short-term basis , reportedly through Airbnb .
Airbnb issued a statement in response , saying `` The safety of our community is our priority .
We are outraged by the reported criminal violence and are in touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation . ''
The statement also noted that Airbnb bans open-invite parties at properties it rents .
Barrington Hills Mayor Martin McLaughlin said Airbnb rentals are prohibited by village regulations .
`` If this was a commercial enterprise that was renting property without a homeowner present , then that already does not comply with our current village code , and that would be a violation , '' he said .
McLaughlin said he is not aware of who was renting the property .
Records from the Cook County treasurer 's office show the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sent to the real estate investment firm TwinRock in Clarendon Hills .
A call and email to a company spokesman was not immediately returned Sunday .
McLaughlin called the shooting an `` obviously a tragic event . ''
`` The objective of our community , like all , is for residential enjoyment , peace and quiet and tranquility , '' he said .
`` It appears just based on the early stages of this investigation that this was far outside of what a residential setting would allow .
But again , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were there and for those that were killed or injured .
So we are just as upset about this as , I 'm certain , that the participants were . ''

Police: Investigation into deadly Barrington Hills shooting continues
Authorities continue to investigate the fatal shooting of a man during a house party early Saturday morning at a rented Barrington Hills home, but they offered no new details about the slaying or the victim's identity Sunday.
A Barrington Hills police vehicle and a truck from the Cook County Major Case Assistance Team stood guard behind yellow caution tape Sunday morning outside the residence on the 300 block of Old Sutton Road, a secluded area of large homes and sprawling fields.
Officers called to the home at 3:22 a.m. Saturday on a report of shots fired arrived to find the dead man, police said. The Cook County medical examiner's office on Sunday said the man died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide,
A preliminary investigation revealed that a large party was being held at the home by people who live outside Barrington Hills and had rented the property on a short-term basis, reportedly through Airbnb.
Airbnb issued a statement in response, saying "The safety of our community is our priority. We are outraged by the reported criminal violence and are in touch with local law enforcement to support their investigation."
The statement also noted that Airbnb bans open-invite parties at properties it rents.
Barrington Hills Mayor Martin McLaughlin said Airbnb rentals are prohibited by village regulations.
"If this was a commercial enterprise that was renting property without a homeowner present, then that already does not comply with our current village code, and that would be a violation," he said.
McLaughlin said he is not aware of who was renting the property.
Records from the Cook County treasurer's office show the latest property tax bill for the property was sent to the real estate investment firm TwinRock in Clarendon Hills. A call and email to a company spokesman was not immediately returned Sunday.
McLaughlin called the shooting an "obviously a tragic event."
"The objective of our community, like all, is for residential enjoyment, peace and quiet and tranquility," he said. "It appears just based on the early stages of this investigation that this was far outside of what a residential setting would allow. But again, it's obviously tragic for the people that were there and for those that were killed or injured. So we are just as upset about this as, I'm certain, that the participants were."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Illinois sees first community transmission case of coronavirus

Health officials said Sunday that a hospitalized Chicago man in his 60s is believed to be Illinois ' first community transmission case of COVID-19 .
The man , in serious condition , had not traveled recently .
His case marked the seventh overall in Illinois .
`` As we have enhanced our surveillance efforts and begun testing more people , we expected to find more cases , and I expect that we will continue to identify cases in the days and weeks to come , '' Dr. Allison Arwady , Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner , said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't indicate widespread transmission in Chicago , but anyone with fever , cough and respiratory symptoms should stay home .
The first six cases , including two married couples , involved people who 'd traveled , including a a special education assistant at a Chicago high school .
Health officials said students , staff , and visitors to Jacqueline B. Vaughn Occupational High School were being asked to stay home out of precaution .
No other cases linked to the school have been announced .
Worldwide , the virus has infected more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most cases have been mild , and more than half of those infected have recovered .

Illinois sees first community transmission case of coronavirus
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February shows the coronavirus. U.S. National Institutes of Health
Health officials said Sunday that a hospitalized Chicago man in his 60s is believed to be Illinois' first community transmission case of COVID-19.
The man, in serious condition, had not traveled recently. His case marked the seventh overall in Illinois.
"As we have enhanced our surveillance efforts and begun testing more people, we expected to find more cases, and I expect that we will continue to identify cases in the days and weeks to come," Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner, said in a statement.
She said the news doesn't indicate widespread transmission in Chicago, but anyone with fever, cough and respiratory symptoms should stay home.
The first six cases, including two married couples, involved people who'd traveled, including a a special education assistant at a Chicago high school. Health officials said students, staff, and visitors to Jacqueline B. Vaughn Occupational High School were being asked to stay home out of precaution. No other cases linked to the school have been announced.
Worldwide, the virus has infected more than 100,000 people and killed more than 3,400. Most cases have been mild, and more than half of those infected have recovered.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--No chill, no problem at Palatine's Chilly Chili Ride

While the conditions were n't quite as advertised , nobody was complaining about the unseasonably warm weather Sunday as the @ @ @ @ @ annual Chilly Chili Ride through the village .
Under sunny skies and with temperatures climbing @ @ @ @ @ beyond , the 7-plus-mile trek took bicyclists from Durty Nellie 's in Palatine 's downtown @ @ @ @ @ .
After the ride , participants were invited to stop in Durty Nellie 's and @ @ @ @ @ annual Palatine Firefighters Local 4588 Chili Cook-Off , when top chefs from local fire departments @ @ @ @ @ title of best chili .
Proceeds from the cook off support a variety of firefighter @ @ @ @ @ Dystrophy Association , Knox Box Program , After the Fire Program and more .

No chill, no problem at Palatine's Chilly Chili Ride
Riders pose for a photos Sunday before the start of the Bike Palatine Club's annual Chilly Chili Ride from Durty Nellie's in the village's downtown and back. After the ride, many stuck around to sample the goods at the 7th annual Palatine Firefighters Chili Cook-off held at Durty Nellie's. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
Lisa Arthur of Palatine pedals along Sunday in te Bike Palatine Club's annual Chilly Chili Ride. After finishing the ride at Durty Nellie's in downtown Palatine, many stuck around to take part in the 7th annual Palatine Firefighters Chili Cook-off. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
The weather wasn't quite as advertised for the Bike Palatine Club's Chilly Chili Ride, but nobody seemed to mind much as participants in the annual event enjoyed sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures, Mark Black for the Daily Herald
The Bike Palatine Club's Chilly Chili Ride progresses down Cedar Street under sunny skies on Sunday. After finishing the ride at Durty Nellie's in downtown Palatine, many stuck around to take part in the 7th annual Palatine Firefighters Chili Cook-off. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
While the conditions weren't quite as advertised, nobody was complaining about the unseasonably warm weather Sunday as the Bike Palatine Club held its annual Chilly Chili Ride through the village.
Under sunny skies and with temperatures climbing into the upper 50s and beyond, the 7-plus-mile trek took bicyclists from Durty Nellie's in Palatine's downtown through local neighborhoods and back.
After the ride, participants were invited to stop in Durty Nellie's and take part in the 7th annual Palatine Firefighters Local 4588 Chili Cook-Off, when top chefs from local fire departments and restaurants competed for the title of best chili.
Proceeds from the cook off support a variety of firefighter charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Knox Box Program, After the Fire Program and more.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Dozens travel to Naperville to give 'A Pint for Kim'

Just days after Kim Sandford 's tragic death , friends , family and dozens of others came to her hometown of Naperville from near and far on Sunday to honor her memory and offer help to others fighting the same courageous battles .
The A Pint for Kim blood drive drew hundreds of blood donors to Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville -- so many , in fact , that organizers had to start early and planned to stay late to handle the overwhelming response .
Sanford died Tuesday , almost eight years after she first was diagnosed was cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a husband of 23 years , Rob Sandford , and their two sons , Ricky , 13 , and JD , 11 .
During her years of treatment , she often received blood and platelet transfusions , helping her to fight the illness and extend her life .
Recognizing the importance of blood donations to her and other cancer patients , Sandford 's sisters , Kristyn Jo Benedyk and Kathleen Fuglsang , organized Sunday 's blood drive as the start of an effort to collect 100,000 pints of donated blood by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Rob Sanford who made the first donation Sunday .
He was far from alone , as dozens lined up behind him and more donors arrived throughout the day , some traveling from as far as Ohio and California to give blood in Kim 's honor .
For more information on the donation drive , visit www.facebook.com/apintforKim/ .

Dozens travel to Naperville to give 'A Pint for Kim'
Marti Szumnarski of Dayton, Ohio looks over the raffle items during the "A Pint for Kim" blood donation event Sunday at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
Paul Hennessy of Los Angeles flew in to participate in the "A Pint for Kim" blood donation event Sunday at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
Memory boards filled with photos of Kim Sandford enjoying her life were on display Sunday during the "A Pint for Kim" blood donation event at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
Angela Dillon of Chicago enters the raffle during the "A Pint for Kim" blood donation event held Sunday in honor of Kim Sandford at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville. Dillon is a friend of Sandford's mother. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
Erica Gibson of Versiti Blood Center collects a blood donation from Bill Blumthal of Naperville during the "A Pint for Kim" donation event Sunday at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
Robert Sandford was the first, but far from the last, person to give blood Sunday at the "A Pint for Kim" donation event held in honor of his late wife, Kim Sandford, at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
Kim Sanford gets to see the Stanley Cup trophy with her husband, Rob, and their sons JD and Ricky at Edward Hospital in Naperville. Kim received treatment for cancer at Edward, before moving to a hospice. Courtesy of Sanford Family
Donors filled Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville on Sunday for the "A Pint for Kim" blood donation event held in honor of Kim Sandford, who died Tuesday after a long fight with cancer. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
Robert Sandford was the first person to give blood Sunday at the "A Pint for Kim" donation event held in honor of his late wife, Kim Sandford, at Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville. Vania Muhammad of Aurora and Versiti Blood Center performed the blood collection for Sandford. Mark Black for the Daily Herald
Just days after Kim Sandford's tragic death, friends, family and dozens of others came to her hometown of Naperville from near and far on Sunday to honor her memory and offer help to others fighting the same courageous battles.
The A Pint for Kim blood drive drew hundreds of blood donors to Iron Gate Motor Condos in Naperville -- so many, in fact, that organizers had to start early and planned to stay late to handle the overwhelming response.
Sanford died Tuesday, almost eight years after she first was diagnosed was cancer. She was 49 and leaves behind a husband of 23 years, Rob Sandford, and their two sons, Ricky, 13, and JD, 11.
During her years of treatment, she often received blood and platelet transfusions, helping her to fight the illness and extend her life. Recognizing the importance of blood donations to her and other cancer patients, Sandford's sisters, Kristyn Jo Benedyk and Kathleen Fuglsang, organized Sunday's blood drive as the start of an effort to collect 100,000 pints of donated blood by the end of the year.
Fittingly, it was Rob Sanford who made the first donation Sunday. He was far from alone, as dozens lined up behind him and more donors arrived throughout the day, some traveling from as far as Ohio and California to give blood in Kim's honor.
For more information on the donation drive, visit www.facebook.com/apintforKim/.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Why we are exploring our diverse suburban mosaic

A confluence of cultures , languages and peoples of varying ethnicities , races and national origins creates a rich suburban mosaic .
To better understand and portray the variety in this picture , the Daily Herald is launching this column exploring news , issues and reflections involving minorities in the suburbs .
With each column , I 'll offer an entertaining and enlightening range of vignettes depicting the cultural , ethnic , racial , gender and demographic diversity of our communities .
Together , these items will present broader perspectives of people 's lives , experiences , challenges , struggles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mantle of being Wheaton College 's first tenured black female professor -- until her controversial departure in 2016 after a Facebook post in which she declared `` religious solidarity with Muslims '' created a firestorm .
Now , her story is featured in the documentary film `` Same God , '' directed by Wheaton alumna Linda Midgett .
`` Teaching makes me accountable to live the things I believe , '' Hawkins said at a recent screening at the Zakat Foundation of America in Bridgeview .
Organizations interested in hosting a screening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Remembering MLK : The Five Blind Boys of Alabama gospel troupe will regale attendees at the 52nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Dinner and Concert on 7 p.m. April 11 at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg .
Sponsored by the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations , this event will commemorate the 52nd anniversary of King 's death and is expected to draw more than 1,000 representatives of public- and private-sector organizations .
Challenges for students of color : It 's usually not overt racism , but rather the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students of color perform and succeed .
That was the message J. Luke Wood , who codirects the Community College Equity Assessment Lab , delivered last month at Elgin Community College about the challenges students of color face at suburban schools and colleges .
Wood says a culture of disrespect and microagressions against men of color permeates educational institutions , negatively affecting outcomes from elementary grades through college and professional careers .
He says some black and Latino male students have trouble asking for help from teachers , whether at K-12 school districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against their masculine pride .
For others , it evokes fears of being perceived as troublesome , stupid or lazy , he says .
Unlearning bias : In the aftermath of an offensive online post , a Naperville Unit District 203 administrator talked about the difference between racism and implicit bias , and she had a particular message .
Rakeda Leaks , executive director of diversity and inclusion , told a gathering that racism stems from the belief that one 's own race is superior to another 's .
It often manifests itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Implicit bias , she said , involves unconsciously activated stereotypes that may give advantages to some and disadvantages to others .
Her message : Even the most unconscious of biases can be unlearned , if identified .
Popular pictures : Indian language films in Hindi , Tamil and Telugu -- popular with South Asian immigrants and Indian Americans -- have proliferated and broken into mainstream cinema houses across the suburbs and nation .
Among those is AMC South Barrington 24 , the `` best-performing theater in the Chicago market for Indian cinema ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , '' says Nikkole Denson Randolph , vice president of content strategy and inclusive programming for AMC Theatres .
It 's a cultural phenomenon that has exploded over the past decade at movie theaters across Chicago and area suburbs , Randolph says .
Since 2017 , nearly half of all AMC theatres in the greater Chicago area have been playing Indian films .
Eight theaters , including several in the suburbs , play movies in multiple Indian languages regularly .
Fan favorites : Recent Bollywood blockbusters include `` Tanhaji : The Unsung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -esque historical Hindi film epic starring three of Indian cinema 's marquee actors : Saif Ali Khan and power couple Ajay and Kajol Devgn .
Some film topics have broader appeal , such as `` Gul Makai , '' a drama based on the life and struggle of Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai .
Movies in Mandarin , Cantonese , Tagalog and Korean -- such as Academy Award Best Picture-winner `` Parasite '' -- also have made inroads into Chicago-area theaters .
• Share stories , news and happenings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at mkrishnamurthy @ dailyherald.com .

Why we are exploring our diverse suburban mosaic
A confluence of cultures, languages and peoples of varying ethnicities, races and national origins creates a rich suburban mosaic.
To better understand and portray the variety in this picture, the Daily Herald is launching this column exploring news, issues and reflections involving minorities in the suburbs.
With each column, I'll offer an entertaining and enlightening range of vignettes depicting the cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and demographic diversity of our communities. Together, these items will present broader perspectives of people's lives, experiences, challenges, struggles and accomplishments.
Today, we begin in Wheaton ...
Remaining accountable:
For nine years, Larycia Hawkins bore the mantle of being Wheaton College's first tenured black female professor -- until her controversial departure in 2016 after a Facebook post in which she declared "religious solidarity with Muslims" created a firestorm. Now, her story is featured in the documentary film "Same God," directed by Wheaton alumna Linda Midgett.
"Teaching makes me accountable to live the things I believe," Hawkins said at a recent screening at the Zakat Foundation of America in Bridgeview.
Organizations interested in hosting a screening of the 95-minute film can visit samegodfilm.com/screenings.
Remembering MLK:
The Five Blind Boys of Alabama gospel troupe will regale attendees at the 52nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Dinner and Concert on 7 p.m. April 11 at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg.
Sponsored by the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations, this event will commemorate the 52nd anniversary of King's death and is expected to draw more than 1,000 representatives of public- and private-sector organizations.
Challenges for students of color:
It's usually not overt racism, but rather the unconscious and implicit biases that affect how students of color perform and succeed.
That was the message J. Luke Wood, who codirects the Community College Equity Assessment Lab, delivered last month at Elgin Community College about the challenges students of color face at suburban schools and colleges.
Wood says a culture of disrespect and microagressions against men of color permeates educational institutions, negatively affecting outcomes from elementary grades through college and professional careers.
He says some black and Latino male students have trouble asking for help from teachers, whether at K-12 school districts or community colleges, because it goes against their masculine pride. For others, it evokes fears of being perceived as troublesome, stupid or lazy, he says.
Unlearning bias:
In the aftermath of an offensive online post, a Naperville Unit District 203 administrator talked about the difference between racism and implicit bias, and she had a particular message.
Rakeda Leaks, executive director of diversity and inclusion, told a gathering that racism stems from the belief that one's own race is superior to another's. It often manifests itself in prejudice, discrimination or antagonism. Implicit bias, she said, involves unconsciously activated stereotypes that may give advantages to some and disadvantages to others.
Her message: Even the most unconscious of biases can be unlearned, if identified.
Popular pictures:
Indian language films in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu -- popular with South Asian immigrants and Indian Americans -- have proliferated and broken into mainstream cinema houses across the suburbs and nation.
Among those is AMC South Barrington 24, the "best-performing theater in the Chicago market for Indian cinema ... and among the best-performing theatres in the country," says Nikkole Denson Randolph, vice president of content strategy and inclusive programming for AMC Theatres.
It's a cultural phenomenon that has exploded over the past decade at movie theaters across Chicago and area suburbs, Randolph says.
Since 2017, nearly half of all AMC theatres in the greater Chicago area have been playing Indian films. Eight theaters, including several in the suburbs, play movies in multiple Indian languages regularly.
Fan favorites:
Recent Bollywood blockbusters include "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior," a "Braveheart"-esque historical Hindi film epic starring three of Indian cinema's marquee actors: Saif Ali Khan and power couple Ajay and Kajol Devgn.
Some film topics have broader appeal, such as "Gul Makai," a drama based on the life and struggle of Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.
Movies in Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog and Korean -- such as Academy Award Best Picture-winner "Parasite" -- also have made inroads into Chicago-area theaters.
• Share stories, news and happenings from the suburban mosaic with Madhu Krishnamurthy at mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Two killed after car hits embankment, goes airborne for 200 feet, in northern Lake County

Two men were killed early Sunday when a car traveling at an excessive speed struck an embankment in northern Lake County , sending the vehicle airborne for about 200 feet before it crashed to the ground , authorities said .
The men , who were not identified Sunday , were pronounced dead at the scene , Lake County sheriff 's police said .
Autopsies are scheduled for Monday .
According to the sheriff 's office , deputies responded about 6:45 a.m. Sunday to the crash scene at West Russell Road and Delany Road in Newport Township , just south of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows the men were in a 2006 Infiniti sedan traveling north on Delaney as it approached a dead-end at Russell , authorities said .
The driver failed to slow down and instead drove off the road , hit the embankment and went airborne , flying over Russell before returning to the ground , sheriff 's police said .
Excessive speed appears to be a contributing factor , the sheriff 's office reported .
The crash remains under investigation by the sheriff 's Technical Crash Investigations Unit .
The Lake County coroner 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identifying the men .

Two die after car hits embankment, goes airborne for 200 feet, in northern Lake County
Two men were killed early Sunday when a car traveling at an excessive speed struck an embankment in northern Lake County, sending the vehicle airborne for about 200 feet before it crashed to the ground, authorities said.
The men, who were not identified Sunday, were pronounced dead at the scene, Lake County sheriff's police said. Autopsies are scheduled for Monday.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies responded about 6:45 a.m. Sunday to the crash scene at West Russell Road and Delany Road in Newport Township, just south of the Wisconsin border.
A preliminary investigation shows the men were in a 2006 Infiniti sedan traveling north on Delaney as it approached a dead-end at Russell, authorities said. The driver failed to slow down and instead drove off the road, hit the embankment and went airborne, flying over Russell before returning to the ground, sheriff's police said.
Excessive speed appears to be a contributing factor, the sheriff's office reported. The crash remains under investigation by the sheriff's Technical Crash Investigations Unit.
The Lake County coroner's office responded and is in the process of identifying the men.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Feder: Pioneering rock 'n' roll disc jockey Clark Weber dies

As a pioneering rock ' n ' roll disc jockey in the 1960s and for decades later as a multifaceted @ @ @ @ @ Weber entertained generations of Chicago radio listeners with impeccable style , class and professionalism , @ @ @ @ @ by fans as `` Mother Weber 's Oldest Son , '' the legendary broadcaster , @ @ @ @ @ and industry elder statesman died of cancer Saturday in Evanston .
He was 89 .
@ @ @ @ @ warm and smooth -- a pro 's pro whether it was rock ' n ' @ @ @ @ @ '' said Bob Sirott , a longtime colleague and morning host at news/talk WGN 720-AM @ @ @ @ @ bar high on the air and more importantly off the air as a mentor , @ @ @ @ @ for those lucky enough to get to know him .
Mother Weber certainly raised a @ @ @ @ @ full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Pioneering rock 'n' roll disc jockey Clark Weber dies
Clark Weber, the legendary broadcaster, program director, advertising executive and industry elder statesman, died of cancer Saturday in Evanston. He was 89.
As a pioneering rock 'n' roll disc jockey in the 1960s and for decades later as a multifaceted talk show host, Clark Weber entertained generations of Chicago radio listeners with impeccable style, class and professionalism, Robert Feder writes.
Beloved by fans as "Mother Weber's Oldest Son," the legendary broadcaster, program director, advertising executive and industry elder statesman died of cancer Saturday in Evanston. He was 89.
"Clark was quick-witted, warm and smooth -- a pro's pro whether it was rock 'n' roll or news talk," said Bob Sirott, a longtime colleague and morning host at news/talk WGN 720-AM. "He set the bar high on the air and more importantly off the air as a mentor, counselor, friend and cheerleader for those lucky enough to get to know him. Mother Weber certainly raised a gentleman."
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--With athletic family all around, DeShields fits into Indians

GOODYEAR , Ariz. -- Dad , the elder Delino DeShields , is working less than 100 yards away , behind a fence dividing Cleveland 's training complex from the Cincinnati Reds facility .
Sister Diamond DeShields is just a phone call away .
Together , they help Delino DeShields strive to meet his latest challenge : making an impact in his first season with the Indians .
He talks baseball and life with Dad and mental outlook with his sister , a rising WNBA star .
`` Baseball is a big part of our lives , so it is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of his father , a 13-year MLB veteran who is in his second year as the first base coach of the Reds .
DeShields relishes discussions with his sister as well .
The former Tennessee standout earned all-WNBA honors last season for the Chicago Sky and was an All-Rookie selection in 2018 .
`` She has a killer mindset , '' Delino proudly said .
`` I thought she could have been a professional in high school , just the way she carried herself and the way she led her team .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her -- from birth . ''
`` We talk every now and then about mentality stuff , but for the most part she 's got it down pat , '' he said .
Along with hard-throwing reliever Emmanuel Clase , who is sidelined by an upper back injury , DeShields came from Texas to Cleveland in a Dec. 15 trade for two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber .
DeShields will provide depth at center field , particularly in light of the wrist injury currently sidelining Oscar Mercado .
DeShields relies on speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaps , and extraordinary leaping ability to track drives at the wall and dive to snag line drives .
At the plate , DeShields is a career .246 hitter with a .326 on-base percentage .
In spring training , he 's hitting .211 with one extra-base hit in eight games after going 0 for 3 Sunday against the Colorado Rockies .
`` I 'm focused on hitting the ball hard , getting my strikeout percentage down and just using the big part of the field , just keeping the ball between the lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-year MLB career , DeShields has struck 447 times and drawn 193 walks .
Hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo is among the Indians ' personnel DeShields knew before he was traded .
`` We have that relationship , to where we know each other , '' DeShields said .
`` We say what we have to say , we have that comfort level instead of having to form that relationship . ''
Detailed swing work is part of his DNA , along with dealing with injuries .
The 27-year-old DeShields dealt with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was hit in the face with a fastball in 2014 as a minor leaguer with the Astros .
Indians outfielder Greg Allen grew up aware of the older DeShields , but he knew more about his new teammate .
`` I definitely was familiar with him , the type of player that he is , and the type of outfielder that he is , what be brings to a ballclub , '' Allen said .
`` It has been great having the chance to be around him these past few weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outfield with him . ''
Manager Terry Francona likes what he 's seen from the newcomer , saying DeShields is `` playing center field like we thought he would . ''
`` He 's fit in from Day One , '' he said .
NOTES : RHP Mike Clevinger , who underwent surgery on Feb. 14 to repair a partial meniscus tear in his left knee , is throwing weighted balls .
`` He 's actually doing really well , '' Francona said .
`` They do n't want to put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure that he does n't overdo . ''
Francona said he will have an update on the 29-year-old 's recovery Monday , following Clevinger 's doctor appointment .

With athletic family all around, DeShields fits into Indians
Diamond DeShields arrives on the red carpet prior to an NBA Celebrity All-Star basketball game Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, in Chicago. Associated Press
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell, left, talks with first base coach Delino DeShields during baseball spring training Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, in Goodyear, Ariz. (Kareem Elgazzar/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP) Associated Press
Cleveland Indians right fielder Domingo Santana, right, chases down a double hit by Los Angeles Dodgers' Tyler White as Indians center fielder Delino DeShields, left, watches during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Goodyear, Ariz. Associated Press
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Dad, the elder Delino DeShields, is working less than 100 yards away, behind a fence dividing Cleveland's training complex from the Cincinnati Reds facility. Sister Diamond DeShields is just a phone call away.
Together, they help Delino DeShields strive to meet his latest challenge: making an impact in his first season with the Indians.
He talks baseball and life with Dad and mental outlook with his sister, a rising WNBA star.
"Baseball is a big part of our lives, so it is something we both bond over,'' DeShields said of his father, a 13-year MLB veteran who is in his second year as the first base coach of the Reds.
DeShields relishes discussions with his sister as well. The former Tennessee standout earned all-WNBA honors last season for the Chicago Sky and was an All-Rookie selection in 2018.
"She has a killer mindset,'' Delino proudly said. "I thought she could have been a professional in high school, just the way she carried herself and the way she led her team. She says no one is better than her -- from birth."
"We talk every now and then about mentality stuff, but for the most part she's got it down pat," he said.
Along with hard-throwing reliever Emmanuel Clase, who is sidelined by an upper back injury, DeShields came from Texas to Cleveland in a Dec. 15 trade for two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber.
DeShields will provide depth at center field, particularly in light of the wrist injury currently sidelining Oscar Mercado.
DeShields relies on speed and quickness to run down balls in gaps, and extraordinary leaping ability to track drives at the wall and dive to snag line drives.
At the plate, DeShields is a career .246 hitter with a .326 on-base percentage. In spring training, he's hitting .211 with one extra-base hit in eight games after going 0 for 3 Sunday against the Colorado Rockies.
"I'm focused on hitting the ball hard, getting my strikeout percentage down and just using the big part of the field, just keeping the ball between the lines,'' DeShields said.
For his five-year MLB career, DeShields has struck 447 times and drawn 193 walks.
Hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo is among the Indians' personnel DeShields knew before he was traded.
"We have that relationship, to where we know each other,'' DeShields said. "We say what we have to say, we have that comfort level instead of having to form that relationship.''
Detailed swing work is part of his DNA, along with dealing with injuries. The 27-year-old DeShields dealt with one of the most dreaded in baseball -- he was hit in the face with a fastball in 2014 as a minor leaguer with the Astros.
Indians outfielder Greg Allen grew up aware of the older DeShields, but he knew more about his new teammate.
"I definitely was familiar with him, the type of player that he is, and the type of outfielder that he is, what he brings to a ballclub,'' Allen said. "It has been great having the chance to be around him these past few weeks, getting to know him and be in the outfield with him.''
Manager Terry Francona likes what he's seen from the newcomer, saying DeShields is "playing center field like we thought he would."
"He's fit in from Day One," he said.
NOTES: RHP Mike Clevinger, who underwent surgery on Feb. 14 to repair a partial meniscus tear in his left knee, is throwing weighted balls. "He's actually doing really well,'' Francona said. "They don't want to put the brakes on him, but they want to make sure that he doesn't overdo.'' Francona said he will have an update on the 29-year-old's recovery Monday, following Clevinger's doctor appointment.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Trail Blazers' McCollum, Kings' Len fined for  altercation

NEW YORK -- Portland guard CJ McCollum was fined $ 20,000 and Sacramento forward/center Alex Len $ 15,000 by the @ @ @ @ @ altercation Saturday night in the Kings ' victory at Portland .
Both players were given @ @ @ @ @ in the third quarter .
McCollum was fined for shoving Len and attempting to escalate @ @ @ @ @ fined for shoving McCollum .

Trail Blazers' McCollum, Kings' Len fined for altercation
NEW YORK -- Portland guard CJ McCollum was fined $20,000 and Sacramento forward/center Alex Len $15,000 by the NBA on Sunday for an altercation Saturday night in the Kings' victory at Portland.
Both players were given technical fouls with 8:50 remaining in the third quarter.
McCollum was fined for shoving Len and attempting to escalate the altercation. Len was fined for shoving McCollum.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Herbert Harrigan, No. 1 South Carolina roll to SEC title

GREENVILLE , S.C. -- Mikiah Herbert Harrigan had 15 points , Brea Beal added 12 points and 11 rebounds and No .
1 South Carolina rolled to its fifth SEC tournament title in six years , blowing out defending champion and ninth-ranked Mississippi State 76-62 on Sunday .
The Gamecocks ( 32-1 ) won their 26th straight and should be the No .
1 overall seed - along with the favorite - in the NCAA Tournament .
They proved their superiority once more by running away - the Gamecocks led by 27 in the second half - from the usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered their biggest defeat since falling to Tennessee 82-64 in February 2017 .
Herbert Harrigan , a senior who considered transferring last spring , was named tournament MVP .
She had 44 points in the three games .
Tyasha Harris had 10 points and 10 assists for South Carolina .
Freshman Aliyah Boston had 11 rebounds , her 16th game this season with double-figure boards .
Aliyah Matharu led Mississippi State with 17 points .
Freshman Rickea Jackson , the team 's leading scorer who had 52 points the past two tournament games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4-of-12 shooting .
AMES , Iowa -- Ashley Joens scored 15 points , including the decisive free throw with 0.9 seconds left , to help Iowa State stun Baylor , ending the Lady Bears ' 58-game regular-season Big 12 winning streak .
The Lady Bears ( 28-2 , 17-1 Big 12 ) last lost a conference regular-season game to Texas on Feb. 6 , 2017 .
The streak was the sixth longest in NCAA history .
Their only other loss this season came to South Carolina in November in a Thanksgiving tournament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ took a 56-53 lead on Joens ' layup with 37 seconds left .
Juicy Landrum tied the game 14 seconds later with a 3-pointer .
After timeouts by both teams , Joens was fouled with less than a second left by Didi Richards .
After the officials reviewed that there was still time on the clock , Joens hit the first of the two free throws .
Ines Nezerwa and Rae Johnson each had 11 points for the Cyclones , who had lost 11 straight games to Baylor .
Richards scored 15 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 rebounds for the Lady Bears .
UNCASVILLE , Conn. -- Megan Walker scored 21 points and No .
5 UConn beat South Florida in an American Athletic Conference tournament semifinal .
Christyn Williams added 15 points and Crystal Dangerfield had 13 for the Huskies ( 28-3 ) .
Connecticut improved to 20-0 all-time in AAC tournament play after finishing 118-0 during the conference 's seven regular seasons .
The Huskies are leaving the conference to return to the Big East next season .
Elena Tsineke had nine points to lead South Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second blowout loss to the Huskies in less than a week .
GREENSBORO , N.C. -- Aislinn Konig and Elissa Cunane each scored 18 points and North Carolina State won its first Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship in 29 years , beating Florida State .
Jakia Brown-Turner added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolfpack ( 28-4 ) in a tightly contested game in which neither team led by more than six points .
Kiah Gillespie had 15 points and nine rebounds for Florida State ( 24-8 ) .
Nausia Woolfork and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seminoles , who have never won the ACC tourney title .
Konig was chosen the tournament 's most outstanding player .

Herbert Harrigan, No. 1 South Carolina roll to SEC title
South Carolina's Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan grabs for confetti after defeating Mississippi State in a championship match at the Southeastern Conference women's NCAA college basketball tournament in Greenville, S.C., Sunday, March 8, 2020. Associated Press
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Mikiah Herbert Harrigan had 15 points, Brea Beal added 12 points and 11 rebounds and No. 1 South Carolina rolled to its fifth SEC tournament title in six years, blowing out defending champion and ninth-ranked Mississippi State 76-62 on Sunday.
The Gamecocks (32-1) won their 26th straight and should be the No. 1 overall seed - along with the favorite - in the NCAA Tournament.
They proved their superiority once more by running away - the Gamecocks led by 27 in the second half - from the usually powerful Bulldogs (27-6), who suffered their biggest defeat since falling to Tennessee 82-64 in February 2017.
Herbert Harrigan, a senior who considered transferring last spring, was named tournament MVP. She had 44 points in the three games.
Tyasha Harris had 10 points and 10 assists for South Carolina. Freshman Aliyah Boston had 11 rebounds, her 16th game this season with double-figure boards.
Aliyah Matharu led Mississippi State with 17 points. Freshman Rickea Jackson, the team's leading scorer who had 52 points the past two tournament games, was held to nine points on 4-of-12 shooting.
IOWA STATE 57, NO. 2 BAYLOR 56
AMES, Iowa -- Ashley Joens scored 15 points, including the decisive free throw with 0.9 seconds left, to help Iowa State stun Baylor, ending the Lady Bears' 58-game regular-season Big 12 winning streak.
The Lady Bears (28-2, 17-1 Big 12) last lost a conference regular-season game to Texas on Feb. 6, 2017. The streak was the sixth longest in NCAA history. Their only other loss this season came to South Carolina in November in a Thanksgiving tournament.
Iowa State (18-11, 10-8) took a 56-53 lead on Joens' layup with 37 seconds left. Juicy Landrum tied the game 14 seconds later with a 3-pointer.
After timeouts by both teams, Joens was fouled with less than a second left by Didi Richards. After the officials reviewed that there was still time on the clock, Joens hit the first of the two free throws.
Ines Nezerwa and Rae Johnson each had 11 points for the Cyclones, who had lost 11 straight games to Baylor.
Richards scored 15 points and Lauren Cox added 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Bears.
NO. 3 OREGON 98, NO. 7 STANFORD 56
LAS VEGAS -- Sabrina Ionescu had 20 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds to lead Oregon past Stanford in the Pac-12 tournament title game.
Ruthy Hebard added 24 points, while Minyon Moore had 21 for the Ducks, who finished the game hitting 31 of 55 (56.4%) from the floor.
The Ducks (31-2) will assuredly receive a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and figure to move up in the AP Top 25 poll after No. 2 Baylor lost to Iowa State earlier Sunday.
Ionescu was named the tournament's MVP.
Kiana Williams scored 21 points to lead Stanford (27-6) and Ashten Prechtel had 14. Oregon held Stanford to 34.5% (19 of 55) from the floor.
NO. 5 UCONN 79, SOUTH FLORIDA 39
UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Megan Walker scored 21 points and No. 5 UConn beat South Florida in an American Athletic Conference tournament semifinal.
Christyn Williams added 15 points and Crystal Dangerfield had 13 for the Huskies (28-3). Connecticut improved to 20-0 all-time in AAC tournament play after finishing 118-0 during the conference's seven regular seasons.
The Huskies are leaving the conference to return to the Big East next season.
Elena Tsineke had nine points to lead South Florida (19-13), which suffered its second blowout loss to the Huskies in less than a week.
NO. 6 MARYLAND 82, OHIO STATE 65
INDIANAPOLIS -- Stephanie Jones scored 18 points and Ashley Owusu had 17 points and 11 assists to lead Maryland past Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament championship game.
The Terrapins (28-4) won their 17th game in a row, earned the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament bid and captured their first tourney crown in three years. It's Maryland's fourth tournament title in the six years it has been a member of the league.
Dorka Juhasz scored 20 points and Kierstan Bell had 13 to lead sixth-seeded Ohio State (21-12), which ran out of steam after winning three times in the previous three days and had won four straight overall.
NO. 10 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 71, NO. 22 FLORIDA STATE 66
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Aislinn Konig and Elissa Cunane each scored 18 points and North Carolina State won its first Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship in 29 years, beating Florida State.
Jakia Brown-Turner added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolfpack (28-4) in a tightly contested game in which neither team led by more than six points.
Kiah Gillespie had 15 points and nine rebounds for Florida State (24-8). Nausia Woolfork and Nicki Ekhomu each had 17 for the Seminoles, who have never won the ACC tourney title.
Konig was chosen the tournament's most outstanding player.
NO. 18 DEPAUL 83, SETON HALL 80
CHICAGO -- Lexi Held scored 22 points, including a clutch corner 3, four players scored in double figures and DePaul survived a tense final few minutes to beat Seton Hall.
Depaul (27-5), the tournament's top seed, advances to Monday's championship game, facing either St. John's or Marquette.
Chante Stonewall added 18 points, making three from distance, and grabbed seven rebounds for DePaul.
Desiree Elmore led the Pirates (19-12) with 26 points on 12-for-16 shooting, adding 13 rebounds.
___
More AP women's basketball: https://apnews.com/Womenscollegebasketball and https://twitter.comAP_Top25


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Some nursing homes restricting visits due to coronavirus fears

Assisted living and nursing facilities are being urged by an industry group to restrict visits by anyone who 's ill to protect their vulnerable patients from the COVID-19 virus .
The American Health Care Association , the nation 's largest organization of long-term and post-acute care providers , also recommends its members monitor visitors and employees to ensure they 're washing their hands or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and covering coughs as best as possible .
`` Those things are very effective , '' said Dr. David Gifford , the group 's chief medical officer .
Administrators at suburban nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advice seriously .
Sunrise Senior Living , which has facilities in Barrington , Buffalo Grove , Naperville , Schaumburg and elsewhere , has instructed employees and would-be visitors to stay away if they 're experiencing symptoms of the illness or have traveled to nations experiencing severe outbreaks .
`` We have strong infection control and emergency preparedness programs in place and will continue to take necessary precautions to help protect the safety and well-being of our residents and team members , '' the company said in a statement to the Daily Herald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to the new coronavirus , which has caused thousands of deaths globally .
A vaccine has n't yet been created .
Older people generally are more prone to infections because their immune systems are weaker .
They also may have other health conditions -- including cancer , diabetes and thinning skin -- making them susceptible to infection .
Some medications can further suppress defenses , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
According to the health care association , more than 15,400 skilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving abut 1.3 million people .
More than 700 such facilities operate in Illinois , serving more than 65,000 patients .
Additionally , about 28,000 assisted living centers are in the U.S. , including 495 in Illinois .
Up-to-date population estimates for those centers were n't available .
Because the COVID-19 virus spreads through droplets in the air , much like influenza , the association recommends nursing facilities use strategies known to reduce the spread of the flu and other respiratory viruses .
They include : • Ensuring employees and visitors wash their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Considering putting ill patients in the same room or wing to prevent infecting healthy people .
• Reminding employees , contractors and volunteers to stay home if they 're ill. Facilities should post notices urging people who are sick not to visit , the association said .
Employees should work with families to communicate with patients in other ways , such as by phone , email or a mobile video app .
The Illinois Department of Public Health , which is leading the state 's response to the outbreak , also has advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We urge long-term care facilities to review their disease outbreak plans and begin taking preparedness steps to respond in the event we start seeing community spread , '' spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said .
For example , nursing facilities should limit visitors , post signs with instructions for hand hygiene and cough etiquette , and make sure tissues , wastebaskets and hand sanitizer are readily available , Arnold said .
Centers also should observe new patients for developing respiratory symptoms , Arnold said .
Officials with HCR ManorCare , which operates nursing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libertyville , Elk Grove Village and other suburbs , as well as in more than 20 other states , are implementing those precautions and more .
In communities with confirmed COVID-19 cases , they 're asking anyone who has had physical contact with a person infected with the virus or suspected to be infected not to visit patients at ManorCare within 14 days of that contact .
Likewise , the company is requesting anyone who 's traveled to or from China , South Korea , Iran , Italy , Japan or any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone who 's been around someone who 's made such a journey -- not to visit within 14 days of that trip or contact .
People with unexplained fevers or fevers higher than 101.5 degrees who also have traveled internationally within the past 14 days should stay away from ManorCare facilities , too .
So should people diagnosed with pneumonia or lower respiratory tract infections in the past 14 days .
In a statement on its website , the company said it may require further monitoring , such as temperature readings for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities .
`` I 'm sure some of our checks and balances might seem inconvenient , '' said Julie Beckert , assistant vice president of marketing and communications for HCR ManorCare , `` but it 's the right thing to do . ''

Some nursing homes restricting visits due to coronavirus fears
Assisted living and nursing facilities are being urged by an industry group to restrict visits by anyone who's ill to protect their vulnerable patients from the COVID-19 virus.
The American Health Care Association, the nation's largest organization of long-term and post-acute care providers, also recommends its members monitor visitors and employees to ensure they're washing their hands or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and covering coughs as best as possible.
"Those things are very effective," said Dr. David Gifford, the group's chief medical officer.
Administrators at suburban nursing homes and assisted living centers are taking the advice seriously.
Sunrise Senior Living, which has facilities in Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Naperville, Schaumburg and elsewhere, has instructed employees and would-be visitors to stay away if they're experiencing symptoms of the illness or have traveled to nations experiencing severe outbreaks.
"We have strong infection control and emergency preparedness programs in place and will continue to take necessary precautions to help protect the safety and well-being of our residents and team members," the company said in a statement to the Daily Herald.
Why the elderly?
The elderly, infants and people with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to the new coronavirus, which has caused thousands of deaths globally. A vaccine hasn't yet been created.
Older people generally are more prone to infections because their immune systems are weaker. They also may have other health conditions -- including cancer, diabetes and thinning skin -- making them susceptible to infection. Some medications can further suppress defenses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the health care association, more than 15,400 skilled nursing centers operate in the U.S., serving abut 1.3 million people. More than 700 such facilities operate in Illinois, serving more than 65,000 patients.
Additionally, about 28,000 assisted living centers are in the U.S., including 495 in Illinois. Up-to-date population estimates for those centers weren't available.
Because the COVID-19 virus spreads through droplets in the air, much like influenza, the association recommends nursing facilities use strategies known to reduce the spread of the flu and other respiratory viruses. They include:
• Ensuring employees and visitors wash their hands or use cleansing gels.
• Reviewing isolation procedures with staff.
• Considering putting ill patients in the same room or wing to prevent infecting healthy people.
• Reminding employees, contractors and volunteers to stay home if they're ill.
Facilities should post notices urging people who are sick not to visit, the association said. Employees should work with families to communicate with patients in other ways, such as by phone, email or a mobile video app.
Illinois' response
The Illinois Department of Public Health, which is leading the state's response to the outbreak, also has advice for care centers about the virus.
"We urge long-term care facilities to review their disease outbreak plans and begin taking preparedness steps to respond in the event we start seeing community spread," spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said.
For example, nursing facilities should limit visitors, post signs with instructions for hand hygiene and cough etiquette, and make sure tissues, wastebaskets and hand sanitizer are readily available, Arnold said.
Centers also should observe new patients for developing respiratory symptoms, Arnold said.
More precautions
Officials with HCR ManorCare, which operates nursing and assisted living facilities in Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Elk Grove Village and other suburbs, as well as in more than 20 other states, are implementing those precautions and more.
In communities with confirmed COVID-19 cases, they're asking anyone who has had physical contact with a person infected with the virus or suspected to be infected not to visit patients at ManorCare within 14 days of that contact.
Likewise, the company is requesting anyone who's traveled to or from China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan or any other region with sustained COVID-19 outbreaks -- or anyone who's been around someone who's made such a journey -- not to visit within 14 days of that trip or contact.
People with unexplained fevers or fevers higher than 101.5 degrees who also have traveled internationally within the past 14 days should stay away from ManorCare facilities, too. So should people diagnosed with pneumonia or lower respiratory tract infections in the past 14 days.
In a statement on its website, the company said it may require further monitoring, such as temperature readings for all visitors, employees and patients in higher-risk communities.
"I'm sure some of our checks and balances might seem inconvenient," said Julie Beckert, assistant vice president of marketing and communications for HCR ManorCare, "but it's the right thing to do."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--At two suburban hospitals, opioids aren't the go-to painkillers

Two suburban hospitals and an emergency department are joining a program to implement new treatment protocols in hopes of decreasing opioid use for patients with certain causes of pain .
Edward Hospital in Naperville , Elmhurst Hospital and the Edward-Elmhurst Emergency Department in Plainfield are taking part in the Alternatives to Opioids Protocol , a program run by Great Lakes Partners for Patients and the Illinois , Michigan and Wisconsin hospital associations as one strategy to fight opioid addiction and overdose deaths .
The program aims to decrease the number of patients exposed to the painkilling yet habit-forming class of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with dependence .
The program , abbreviated as ALTO , implements standard medications and treatments doctors can consider as a first option before giving opioids to patients who come in with six common causes of pain , known as `` clinical pathways '' : headaches , musculoskeletal pain , abdominal pain , kidney stones , broken extremity bones or joint dislocations .
Doctors at Edward and Elmhurst have completed training on medication combinations and nerve blocking injections to try for these pain presentations instead of automatically giving opioids .
`` We want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but with less side effects , '' said Dr. Daniel Sullivan , chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs for Edward-Elmhurst Health .
`` There is confidence that they work . ''
Alternatives such as painkilling patches , lidocaine injections , ketamine or ibuprofen can work for issues including migraines , sore bones or stomach pain -- but not for pain from car crashes , burns , shootings , stabbings or other traumas , doctors say .
The ALTO program does not address these causes of pain , and it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If you had a car crash and you 're missing an arm , that 's not one of the clinical pathways , '' said Dr. Michael Wahl , medical director of the Illinois Poison Center and one of the Illinois Hospital Association 's leaders in the ALTO effort .
`` You can use whatever is needed to relieve the patient 's agony . ''
Although ALTO is n't for every cause of pain , it still is a `` culture shift '' for both emergency department personnel and patients , Wahl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the alternative treatment protocols and when to use them .
Nurses need to know how to administer the medications in the proper doses .
Pharmacists need to stock the alternative medications and be prepared to make and measure them more often .
Patients need to know they might not receive the same treatment they did on previous visits to the emergency department -- even if they need help for the same reason .
Doctors at Edward and Elmhurst are using their participation in the six-month ALTO program , which began Jan. 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are emphasizing the chemical workings of opioids and the dangers of long-term use .
`` In the emergency department , we see all sorts of types of painful conditions .
A lot of patients have chronic pain and they may be used to getting opiates because they are effective , '' said Dr. Tom Scaletta , medical director of the emergency services department at Edward Hospital .
`` It 's just not something that actually is good for them . ''
Medical professionals largely have been receptive to the change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into their medical records system to provide easy access to `` order sets , '' or suggested treatments , Edward-Elmhurst leaders say .
Patients will come around , too , they say , especially once they realize ALTO is the new norm .
`` Difficult conversations will become less difficult once people understand this is how we are going to treat people with chronic pain going forward , '' said Dr. Thomas King , who is implementing ALTO in the Elmhurst Hospital emergency department .
Edward and Elmhurst hospitals and the Plainfield emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Midwest ALTO project , along with five other hospitals across the state .
They are the only hospitals in the suburbs involved this time around , after the first cohort last year included hospitals in Chicago , Danville , Ottawa , Palos Heights and Urbana .
The hospitals both hope to decrease the percentage of emergency department patients who are given opioids from a baseline set in December 2019 .
That month , 12 % of emergency department patients at Edward and 10.1 % at Elmhurst received IV opioids .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not immediately available .
Doctors say the goal is to decrease these rates , but not to get to zero .
Even in pain cases that follow the six clinical pathways , such as kidney stones or joint dislocations , Wahl said , it 's possible for opioids to play a role .
`` Opioids are going to be used as a rescue medication if all of the other mediations fail , '' he said , `` because certainly we still do want to manage people 's pain . ''
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Wahl said .
`` Once you take away opioids for pain , you need to provide something else because the patient is still in pain . ''
DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen called Edward and Elmhurst `` ahead of the curve '' on adjusting opioid protocols and forming a new mindset about prescribing .
He said efforts like this can help decrease the prescribing rate in DuPage County , which stood at 42.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 people in 2017 , the most recent year for which data from the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Efforts similar to ALTO in New Jersey and Colorado resulted in lower opioid prescribing rates at participating hospitals , doctors said , leading the Midwest group to take the same approach .
Wahl said he hopes more hospitals will follow the lead of the first 13 that have implemented ALTO .
Not only will more widespread use of alternatives to opioids lead to clearer patient understanding of treatment plans , but it also could help decrease addiction and overdose deaths .
A preliminary total of 730 people died across the region last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excluding Chicago , as well as DuPage , Kane , Lake , McHenry and Will counties , according to the medical examiner and coroner 's offices .
That total is second in the recent past only to the 740 deaths in 2017 , and it 's up from 239 in 2014 -- the year public health officials across the region started focusing on the opioid crisis .
`` Opioids have their own risk , and the more you use them , the more you elevate the risk around the community , '' Wahl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks , you 'll be much more reluctant to use them . ''

At two suburban hospitals, opioids aren't the go-to painkillers
Two suburban hospitals and an emergency department are joining a program to implement new treatment protocols in hopes of decreasing opioid use for patients with certain causes of pain.
Edward Hospital in Naperville, Elmhurst Hospital and the Edward-Elmhurst Emergency Department in Plainfield are taking part in the Alternatives to Opioids Protocol, a program run by Great Lakes Partners for Patients and the Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin hospital associations as one strategy to fight opioid addiction and overdose deaths.
The program aims to decrease the number of patients exposed to the painkilling yet habit-forming class of drugs, decreasing risk for future issues with dependence.
The program, abbreviated as ALTO, implements standard medications and treatments doctors can consider as a first option before giving opioids to patients who come in with six common causes of pain, known as "clinical pathways": headaches, musculoskeletal pain, abdominal pain, kidney stones, broken extremity bones or joint dislocations.
Doctors at Edward and Elmhurst have completed training on medication combinations and nerve blocking injections to try for these pain presentations instead of automatically giving opioids.
"We want to have alternative treatments that are as effective but with less side effects," said Dr. Daniel Sullivan, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs for Edward-Elmhurst Health. "There is confidence that they work."
'Culture shift'
Alternatives such as painkilling patches, lidocaine injections, ketamine or ibuprofen can work for issues including migraines, sore bones or stomach pain -- but not for pain from car crashes, burns, shootings, stabbings or other traumas, doctors say. The ALTO program does not address these causes of pain, and it is not trying to eliminate all opioid use.
"If you had a car crash and you're missing an arm, that's not one of the clinical pathways," said Dr. Michael Wahl, medical director of the Illinois Poison Center and one of the Illinois Hospital Association's leaders in the ALTO effort. "You can use whatever is needed to relieve the patient's agony."
Although ALTO isn't for every cause of pain, it still is a "culture shift" for both emergency department personnel and patients, Wahl said.
Doctors need to be familiar with the alternative treatment protocols and when to use them. Nurses need to know how to administer the medications in the proper doses. Pharmacists need to stock the alternative medications and be prepared to make and measure them more often. Patients need to know they might not receive the same treatment they did on previous visits to the emergency department -- even if they need help for the same reason.
Doctors at Edward and Elmhurst are using their participation in the six-month ALTO program, which began Jan. 15, as an opportunity for patient education. They are emphasizing the chemical workings of opioids and the dangers of long-term use.
"In the emergency department, we see all sorts of types of painful conditions. A lot of patients have chronic pain and they may be used to getting opiates because they are effective," said Dr. Tom Scaletta, medical director of the emergency services department at Edward Hospital. "It's just not something that actually is good for them."
Medical professionals largely have been receptive to the change, especially once the alternative protocols were entered into their medical records system to provide easy access to "order sets," or suggested treatments, Edward-Elmhurst leaders say. Patients will come around, too, they say, especially once they realize ALTO is the new norm.
"Difficult conversations will become less difficult once people understand this is how we are going to treat people with chronic pain going forward," said Dr. Thomas King, who is implementing ALTO in the Elmhurst Hospital emergency department.
'Treat pain safely'
Edward and Elmhurst hospitals and the Plainfield emergency department are participating in the second cohort of the Midwest ALTO project, along with five other hospitals across the state. They are the only hospitals in the suburbs involved this time around, after the first cohort last year included hospitals in Chicago, Danville, Ottawa, Palos Heights and Urbana.
The hospitals both hope to decrease the percentage of emergency department patients who are given opioids from a baseline set in December 2019. That month, 12% of emergency department patients at Edward and 10.1% at Elmhurst received IV opioids. The baseline rate for the Plainfield emergency department was not immediately available.
Doctors say the goal is to decrease these rates, but not to get to zero.
Even in pain cases that follow the six clinical pathways, such as kidney stones or joint dislocations, Wahl said, it's possible for opioids to play a role.
"Opioids are going to be used as a rescue medication if all of the other mediations fail," he said, "because certainly we still do want to manage people's pain."
Pain management is a quality measure for hospitals.
"But we want to treat pain safely," Wahl said. "Once you take away opioids for pain, you need to provide something else because the patient is still in pain."
DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen called Edward and Elmhurst "ahead of the curve" on adjusting opioid protocols and forming a new mindset about prescribing. He said efforts like this can help decrease the prescribing rate in DuPage County, which stood at 42.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 people in 2017, the most recent year for which data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available.
Efforts similar to ALTO in New Jersey and Colorado resulted in lower opioid prescribing rates at participating hospitals, doctors said, leading the Midwest group to take the same approach.
Wahl said he hopes more hospitals will follow the lead of the first 13 that have implemented ALTO. Not only will more widespread use of alternatives to opioids lead to clearer patient understanding of treatment plans, but it also could help decrease addiction and overdose deaths.
A preliminary total of 730 people died across the region last year from opioid overdoses in Cook County, excluding Chicago, as well as DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, according to the medical examiner and coroner's offices. That total is second in the recent past only to the 740 deaths in 2017, and it's up from 239 in 2014 -- the year public health officials across the region started focusing on the opioid crisis.
"Opioids have their own risk, and the more you use them, the more you elevate the risk around the community," Wahl said. "If you understand the risks, you'll be much more reluctant to use them."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--Illinois ranks among nation's lowest in opioid prescribing

Opioid prescribing in Illinois has decreased since 2012 to give the state the ninth-lowest rate in the nation .
Doctors across the state wrote 51.1 opioid prescriptions per 100 Illinois residents in 2017 , the most recent year for which data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available .
The rate is down from a recent high of 66.1 prescriptions per 100 people in 2012 .
But even in that year , the state 's prescribing rate ranked 10th-lowest in the nation .
Cook County had the lowest opioid prescribing rate in the region in 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by Kane County at 37.5 .
DuPage , Lake and Will counties also fell below the state average , at 42.2 , 47.5 and 50 prescriptions per 100 people , respectively .
Prescribing rates were highest in McHenry County at 56.8 per 100 people , according to the CDC .
By contrast , doctors in the state with the highest prescribing rate in 2017 -- Alabama -- wrote 107.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 people , down from 134.6 in 2010 .
The state with the lowest -- Hawaii -- had a rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Our state was never a big abuser of the prescribing practices , '' DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said , `` and we continue to diminish the amount . ''
Experts in substance use disorders say Illinois ' decrease in prescribing is a result of changing mindsets about the risks and benefits of opioids .
A gradual decrease in prescribing can be a good thing , experts say , but too quickly cutting off patients from pain medications can be just as risky as overprescribing because it can lead people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach to opioid prescribing is really key for all medical professionals , '' said Chelsea Laliberte Barnes , co-founder and executive director of the Arlington Heights-based nonprofit Live4Lali , which works to prevent substance use disorder .
Doctors , she said , need to be `` making sure people are n't in pain , but doing it appropriately . ''
County coalitions formed to fight overdose deaths have been educating doctors about the risks of overprescribing opioids for long-term pain control , as have organizations such as the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tolerance , leading them to need higher doses to achieve pain control .
The medications cause withdrawal symptoms that can feel like the flu , so decreasing doses must be done carefully over time .
Dr. William Campbell of Campbell Health Solutions in Tinley Park is a member of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians and its representative on the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Committee .
He said the organization 's physician education emphasizes the importance of considering patient prescription history and risk factors for substance abuse .
While some doctors are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opioid scripts freely , and others are `` swearing off opioids '' in fear of getting any more patients hooked , Campbell said the best approach splits the difference , prescribing opioids only in small doses and always with consistent follow-up care .
Doctors are advised to keep dosages below 50 morphine equivalents and to use strong caution if dosages rise above 90 morphine equivalents , Campbell said .
The prescription monitoring program helps doctors keep track of what they are giving to patients and where else patients might be getting medications .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous norms , when pain was classified in the 1990s as the `` fifth vital sign '' after temperature , pulse , blood pressure and respiratory rate , and opioids were believed to be a low addiction risk when used to treat chronic pain .
`` It 's just the fact that we did n't know any better until recently , '' Campbell said .
`` Once we knew better , we implemented new guidelines to keep people safe . ''

Illinois ranks among nation's lowest in opioid prescribing
Doctors across the state wrote 51.1 opioid prescriptions per 100 Illinois residents in 2017, the most recent year for which data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available. istock photo
Opioid prescribing in Illinois has decreased since 2012 to give the state the ninth-lowest rate in the nation.
Doctors across the state wrote 51.1 opioid prescriptions per 100 Illinois residents in 2017, the most recent year for which data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is available.
The rate is down from a recent high of 66.1 prescriptions per 100 people in 2012. But even in that year, the state's prescribing rate ranked 10th-lowest in the nation.
Cook County had the lowest opioid prescribing rate in the region in 2017, at 37.2 prescriptions per 100 people, followed by Kane County at 37.5. DuPage, Lake and Will counties also fell below the state average, at 42.2, 47.5 and 50 prescriptions per 100 people, respectively. Prescribing rates were highest in McHenry County at 56.8 per 100 people, according to the CDC.
By contrast, doctors in the state with the highest prescribing rate in 2017 -- Alabama -- wrote 107.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 people, down from 134.6 in 2010. The state with the lowest -- Hawaii -- had a rate of 37 prescriptions written per 100 people.
"Our state was never a big abuser of the prescribing practices," DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said, "and we continue to diminish the amount."
Experts in substance use disorders say Illinois' decrease in prescribing is a result of changing mindsets about the risks and benefits of opioids. A gradual decrease in prescribing can be a good thing, experts say, but too quickly cutting off patients from pain medications can be just as risky as overprescribing because it can lead people to illicit drugs.
"Having a responsible approach to opioid prescribing is really key for all medical professionals," said Chelsea Laliberte Barnes, co-founder and executive director of the Arlington Heights-based nonprofit Live4Lali, which works to prevent substance use disorder. Doctors, she said, need to be "making sure people aren't in pain, but doing it appropriately."
County coalitions formed to fight overdose deaths have been educating doctors about the risks of overprescribing opioids for long-term pain control, as have organizations such as the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians.
Patients taking opioids can develop a tolerance, leading them to need higher doses to achieve pain control. The medications cause withdrawal symptoms that can feel like the flu, so decreasing doses must be done carefully over time.
Dr. William Campbell of Campbell Health Solutions in Tinley Park is a member of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians and its representative on the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Committee. He said the organization's physician education emphasizes the importance of considering patient prescription history and risk factors for substance abuse.
While some doctors are reluctant to change former practices of writing opioid scripts freely, and others are "swearing off opioids" in fear of getting any more patients hooked, Campbell said the best approach splits the difference, prescribing opioids only in small doses and always with consistent follow-up care.
Doctors are advised to keep dosages below 50 morphine equivalents and to use strong caution if dosages rise above 90 morphine equivalents, Campbell said. The prescription monitoring program helps doctors keep track of what they are giving to patients and where else patients might be getting medications.
These new practices are a departure from previous norms, when pain was classified in the 1990s as the "fifth vital sign" after temperature, pulse, blood pressure and respiratory rate, and opioids were believed to be a low addiction risk when used to treat chronic pain.
"It's just the fact that we didn't know any better until recently," Campbell said. "Once we knew better, we implemented new guidelines to keep people safe."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-08--'Dirt log,' highway commissioner's desk calendar among the items sought in FBI raid

When federal agents raided the Bloomingdale Township Road Department in January , their targets included Highway Commissioner Robert Czernek 's desk calendar , a `` dirt log , '' and financial records involving three construction contractors , a search warrant shows .
Of those construction companies , two have donated thousands to Czernek 's political campaigns , according to state records .
Czernek did not respond to interview requests , and his attorney Michael D. Monico said the commissioner could not comment .
The raid on Jan. 21 was related to `` conduct within the highway department and a handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supervisor Michael Hovde Jr. said at the time .
Pat Brady , an attorney representing Bloomingdale Township , said on Thursday that `` because this is an ongoing investigation , we do not want to make any comments . ''
Hovde `` did call for Czernek 's resignation and still calls for his resignation , '' Brady added .
Items investigators sought included `` all items related to Tri-State Express , Bulldog Earth Movers , Neri Brothers Construction '' and two individuals , according to a search warrant obtained through a Daily Herald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 , Roselle-based Neri Brothers Construction has contributed more than $ 16,000 to the Friends of Robert Czernek campaign fund , including $ 6,000 in October 2017 and $ 3,750 in October 2016 , Illinois State Board of Elections data indicates .
Czernek , who was reelected in April 2017 , has not been charged with any wrongdoing .
A person who answered the phone at Neri Brothers Construction declined to comment .
Bulldog Earth Movers , located in Bloomingdale , gave $ 5,250 to Czernek 's campaign between 2010 and 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of service .
Other evidence on the FBI 's wish list included : highway department invoices from 2014 through 2019 , employee and contractor work records , surveillance systems including video images , and handwritten notes concerning excavation , construction and other road work .
A receipt for items seized from the road department shows agents secured a folder labeled `` dirt log , '' invoices , notepads and calendars .
Bloomingdale Township is separate from the roads department and was not the subject of the search warrant , township officials stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal corruption investigation unfolding in Chicago and the suburbs with ties to transportation spending .
But it 's not clear if there 's any connection to the Bloomingdale Township Road Department probe .
This fall , FBI agents raided former state Sen. Martin Sandoval 's office in Springfield , along with the villages of Lyons , McCook and Summit .
A search warrant indicates investigators were interested in items related to highway and construction companies , red-light cameras , lobbyists and communications with IDOT officials .
Sandoval , the former Senate Transportation Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty Jan. 28 to accepting bribes related to red-light cameras .
Got an opinion or question ?
Drop an email to mpyke @ dailyherald.com .
Regarding a task force to study a use for defunct Route 53 project land , Fox Lake 's Timothy Dick suggests building `` a nice road there to service the Northwest Suburbs that have no expressway .
( I 'm ) tired of waiting in traffic on Route 12 .
I 'm sorry that people do n't like the idea of an expressway running through their suburbs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long time and these people were aware ... but purchased property anyway . ''
You should know Spring forward with Daylight Saving Time but watch the road , experts say .
Deadly car crashes increase by 6 % the week clocks move ahead , University of Colorado researchers report .
That translates into about 28 fatalities a year , the report in `` Current Biology '' finds .
Take a CTA ride into history on WTTW tonight when Chicago expert Geoffrey Baer explores all eight Chicago Transit Authority `` L '' lines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories and engage riders .
If you look closely , you 'll see some suburban stops like Rosemont .
The show runs at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 11 , WTTW .

'Dirt log,' highway commissioner's desk calendar among the items sought in FBI raid
When federal agents raided the Bloomingdale Township Road Department in January, their targets included Highway Commissioner Robert Czernek's desk calendar, a "dirt log," and financial records involving three construction contractors, a search warrant shows.
Of those construction companies, two have donated thousands to Czernek's political campaigns, according to state records.
Czernek did not respond to interview requests, and his attorney Michael D. Monico said the commissioner could not comment.
The raid on Jan. 21 was related to "conduct within the highway department and a handful of its vendors," Bloomingdale Township Supervisor Michael Hovde Jr. said at the time.
Pat Brady, an attorney representing Bloomingdale Township, said on Thursday that "because this is an ongoing investigation, we do not want to make any comments."
Hovde "did call for Czernek's resignation and still calls for his resignation," Brady added.
Items investigators sought included "all items related to Tri-State Express, Bulldog Earth Movers, Neri Brothers Construction" and two individuals, according to a search warrant obtained through a Daily Herald Freedom of Information Act request.
Since 2012, Roselle-based Neri Brothers Construction has contributed more than $16,000 to the Friends of Robert Czernek campaign fund, including $6,000 in October 2017 and $3,750 in October 2016, Illinois State Board of Elections data indicates.
Czernek, who was reelected in April 2017, has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
A person who answered the phone at Neri Brothers Construction declined to comment.
Bulldog Earth Movers, located in Bloomingdale, gave $5,250 to Czernek's campaign between 2010 and 2017. The business's listed phone number is out of service.
Other evidence on the FBI's wish list included: highway department invoices from 2014 through 2019, employee and contractor work records, surveillance systems including video images, and handwritten notes concerning excavation, construction and other road work.
A receipt for items seized from the road department shows agents secured a folder labeled "dirt log," invoices, notepads and calendars.
Bloomingdale Township is separate from the roads department and was not the subject of the search warrant, township officials stressed.
The probe comes amid a spiraling federal corruption investigation unfolding in Chicago and the suburbs with ties to transportation spending. But it's not clear if there's any connection to the Bloomingdale Township Road Department probe.
This fall, FBI agents raided former state Sen. Martin Sandoval's office in Springfield, along with the villages of Lyons, McCook and Summit. A search warrant indicates investigators were interested in items related to highway and construction companies, red-light cameras, lobbyists and communications with IDOT officials.
Sandoval, the former Senate Transportation Committee chairman, resigned Nov. 27 and pleaded guilty Jan. 28 to accepting bribes related to red-light cameras.
Got an opinion or question? Drop an email to mpyke@dailyherald.com.
Your voice
Regarding a task force to study a use for defunct Route 53 project land, Fox Lake's Timothy Dick suggests building "a nice road there to service the Northwest Suburbs that have no expressway. (I'm) tired of waiting in traffic on Route 12. I'm sorry that people don't like the idea of an expressway running through their suburbs, but this has been slated for a long time and these people were aware ... but purchased property anyway."
You should know
Spring forward with Daylight Saving Time but watch the road, experts say. Deadly car crashes increase by 6% the week clocks move ahead, University of Colorado researchers report. That translates into about 28 fatalities a year, the report in "Current Biology" finds.
Attention CTA riders
Take a CTA ride into history on WTTW tonight when Chicago expert Geoffrey Baer explores all eight Chicago Transit Authority "L" lines, hopping off at neighborhood stations to tell stories and engage riders. If you look closely, you'll see some suburban stops like Rosemont. The show runs at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 11, WTTW.