dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Lake County rolls out website to help residents get registered for COVID-19 vaccine

Lake County residents can start registering for COVID-19 vaccines , officials said Wednesday , as deaths from the virus statewide grew by about 28 % in a week .
Meanwhile , officials confirmed that `` months and months '' from now when the general public can get COVID-19 shots , doses will be available at myriad locations , from your doctor 's office to corner drugstores .
New COVID-19 cases numbered 8,256 Wednesday with an additional 179 people dying from the respiratory disease , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported .
Deaths over the past week averaged about 148 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 116 deaths per day from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 .
The news comes with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration poised to potentially approve a Pfizer Inc. vaccine Thursday , triggering distribution among health care workers in the coming days .
On Wednesday , the Lake County Health Department debuted an AllVax website , at https : //allvax.lakecohealth.org , that lets people register for shots , receive notifications and schedule appointments .
`` This portal is a huge advance in being able to reduce infections and restore our communities , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- get registered on the portal and get vaccinated , '' Health Informatics Director Jefferson McMillan-Wilhoit said .
Once vaccines are approved , long-term care residents , first-responders , essential workers and people with underlying conditions will be prioritized .
`` Even with all the well-deserved excitement around a vaccine right now , it will be months and months before vaccines are available to the general public , '' Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said at a briefing .
At that time , locations for shots will include pharmacies , health clinics , medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state COVID-19 testing facilities .
`` Everywhere that you have been able to get a flu shot in the past , '' Pritzker said .
`` We hope that when the general public has the vaccine available to it , we will be providing it to all of those locations . ''
In Lake County , when residents register on the health department 's website , they are asked to list their risk factors for COVID-19 , spokeswoman Hannah Goering said .
`` If they have none , they would be prioritized with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` They will receive an email when a vaccine is available to them if they are registered for the system . ''
There were 5,284 COVID-19 patients in Illinois hospitals as of Tuesday night , the fourth day of an incremental rise in hospitalizations .
The seven-day patient average is 5,324 daily .
The 28-day hospitalization average is 5,713 , which includes eight days of the state 's highest COVID-19 patient numbers ever with tallies in the 6,000s .
The state 's infection rate stands at 9.6 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a two-day dip below 10 % for the first time in a month .
IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike urged Illinoisans not to travel over the December holidays and not to celebrate indoors with people outside their immediate household .
`` I 've heard people talk about how their family is not going to skip Auntie Grace 's mac and cheese , or someone 's famous pecan pie , '' she said .
`` I would say that you need to ... not skip it ... but to postpone it .
The safest way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be -- to be virtual . ''
Total caseloads since the pandemic began are at 812,430 and deaths are at 13,666 .
Labs processed 92,737 tests in the last 24 hours .

Lake County rolls out website to help residents get registered for COVID-19 vaccine
Lake County residents can start registering for COVID-19 vaccines, officials said Wednesday, as deaths from the virus statewide grew by about 28% in a week.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that "months and months" from now when the general public can get COVID-19 shots, doses will be available at myriad locations, from your doctor's office to corner drugstores.
New COVID-19 cases numbered 8,256 Wednesday with an additional 179 people dying from the respiratory disease, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported.
Deaths over the past week averaged about 148 people a day, compared to about 116 deaths per day from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2.
The news comes with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration poised to potentially approve a Pfizer Inc. vaccine Thursday, triggering distribution among health care workers in the coming days.
On Wednesday, the Lake County Health Department debuted an AllVax website, at https://allvax.lakecohealth.org, that lets people register for shots, receive notifications and schedule appointments.
"This portal is a huge advance in being able to reduce infections and restore our communities, and we encourage all residents to do their part -- get registered on the portal and get vaccinated," Health Informatics Director Jefferson McMillan-Wilhoit said.
Once vaccines are approved, long-term care residents, first-responders, essential workers and people with underlying conditions will be prioritized.
"Even with all the well-deserved excitement around a vaccine right now, it will be months and months before vaccines are available to the general public," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a briefing.
At that time, locations for shots will include pharmacies, health clinics, medical practices and large sites, similar to state COVID-19 testing facilities.
"Everywhere that you have been able to get a flu shot in the past," Pritzker said. "We hope that when the general public has the vaccine available to it, we will be providing it to all of those locations."
In Lake County, when residents register on the health department's website, they are asked to list their risk factors for COVID-19, spokeswoman Hannah Goering said.
"If they have none, they would be prioritized with the general public at a later date," she said. "They will receive an email when a vaccine is available to them if they are registered for the system."
There were 5,284 COVID-19 patients in Illinois hospitals as of Tuesday night, the fourth day of an incremental rise in hospitalizations. The seven-day patient average is 5,324 daily. The 28-day hospitalization average is 5,713, which includes eight days of the state's highest COVID-19 patient numbers ever with tallies in the 6,000s.
The state's infection rate stands at 9.6% based on a seven-day average, reflecting a two-day dip below 10% for the first time in a month.
IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike urged Illinoisans not to travel over the December holidays and not to celebrate indoors with people outside their immediate household.
"I've heard people talk about how their family is not going to skip Auntie Grace's mac and cheese, or someone's famous pecan pie," she said. "I would say that you need to ... not skip it ... but to postpone it. The safest way to enjoy the upcoming holidays would still be -- to be virtual."
Total caseloads since the pandemic began are at 812,430 and deaths are at 13,666.
Labs processed 92,737 tests in the last 24 hours.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-08--How DuPage County will distribute limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines

In the state 's second-largest county , public health authorities estimate some 58,000 people are first in line for COVID-19 vaccines in the early stages of a mass immunization campaign .
But the DuPage County Health Department expects its initial allotment of Pfizer 's vaccine will provide just a fraction of what 's needed to deliver doses to high-risk groups .
Health officials are preparing for Illinois to receive the first batch of vaccines the week of Dec. 13 , once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizes its emergency use .
Health departments are quickly finalizing distribution plans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies and Pfizer 's ultracold storage requirements .
`` Every single week we will have to be making adjustments , '' DuPage Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala said in a briefing to county board members Tuesday .
Of the roughly 109,000 initial doses bound for Illinois , 23,000 are allocated to Chicago and 86,000 to the rest of the state .
The first doses will ship out to 10 regional hospitals for distribution in 50 counties with the highest death rates per capita .
Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an EMS region that contains DuPage .
The county has recorded 800 COVID-19 deaths and more than 49,400 cases since the start of the pandemic .
CVS and Walgreens ' pharmacies will administer vaccines to long-term care facilities under a contract with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
County health officials will coordinate the transport of the vaccines to local health systems .
The Illinois Department of Public Health will determine exactly how much of the state 's allotment to dole out to DuPage .
`` We anticipate hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the specific allocation for DuPage County is , '' Ayala said .
`` However , we know it wo n't be any more than 16,575 . ''
Officials also know the first allocation wo n't be enough to cover the estimated 58,000 people who are a top priority for the start of the vaccination program .
The estimate includes health care personnel and residents of the county 's long-term care facilities .
`` We also estimate that it will take probably six to eight weeks based on the amount of the vaccine we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these two integral and highest level of priority groups , '' Ayala said .
Because of limited supplies , the county is planning to sub-prioritize health care providers who directly care for patients with COVID-19 .
`` What that looks like is likely emergency room staff , ICU providers , COVID care unit staff and staff working with patients in that environment and really focused on hospital and inpatient care first , and then expanding out as vaccine becomes more available , '' said Chris Hoff , the director of community health resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine requires two doses , 21 days apart .
The county anticipates fully allocating the roughly 16,000 initial doses to 16,000 people , with their second doses provided in the next distribution waves , Ayala said .
`` We expect that once vaccine distribution begins , we will be receiving weekly doses , '' Ayala said .
Another major logistical issue : Pfizer 's vaccine has to be stored at minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit .
The county expects to receive an order for two ultracold freezers before the end of the year in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost .
In the meantime , the county has lined up partnerships with organizations that could offer access to freezers .
Due to concerns around vaccine safety and security , officials declined to identify the partners .
The county also is now solidifying plans for dispensing locations that will use a drive-through model .
But Ayala said it could take months before vaccines are widely available .
`` Even for our higher-risk residents , it may be a couple of months , '' she said , `` but we are working to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we 're able to get it into our residents . ''

How DuPage County will distribute limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines
An October 2020 photo provided by Pfizer shows part of a "freezer farm," a football field-sized facility for storing finished COVID-19 vaccines, under construction in Kalamazoo, Mich. Pfizer's experimental vaccine requires ultracold storage. Jeremy Davidson/Pfizer via AP
The first patient enrolled in Pfizer's COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine clinical trial at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, receives an injection. University of Maryland School of Medicine via AP
In the state's second-largest county, public health authorities estimate some 58,000 people are first in line for COVID-19 vaccines in the early stages of a mass immunization campaign.
But the DuPage County Health Department expects its initial allotment of Pfizer's vaccine will provide just a fraction of what's needed to deliver doses to high-risk groups.
Health officials are preparing for Illinois to receive the first batch of vaccines the week of Dec. 13, once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizes its emergency use.
Health departments are quickly finalizing distribution plans, a monumental undertaking complicated by limited vaccine supplies and Pfizer's ultracold storage requirements.
"Every single week we will have to be making adjustments," DuPage Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala said in a briefing to county board members Tuesday.
Of the roughly 109,000 initial doses bound for Illinois, 23,000 are allocated to Chicago and 86,000 to the rest of the state. The first doses will ship out to 10 regional hospitals for distribution in 50 counties with the highest death rates per capita.
Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood is set to receive 16,575 doses for the rollout in an EMS region that contains DuPage. The county has recorded 800 COVID-19 deaths and more than 49,400 cases since the start of the pandemic.
CVS and Walgreens' pharmacies will administer vaccines to long-term care facilities under a contract with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
County health officials will coordinate the transport of the vaccines to local health systems. The Illinois Department of Public Health will determine exactly how much of the state's allotment to dole out to DuPage.
"We anticipate hearing in the next couple of days what the specific allocation for DuPage County is," Ayala said. "However, we know it won't be any more than 16,575."
Officials also know the first allocation won't be enough to cover the estimated 58,000 people who are a top priority for the start of the vaccination program. The estimate includes health care personnel and residents of the county's long-term care facilities.
"We also estimate that it will take probably six to eight weeks based on the amount of the vaccine we have available to work our way through these two integral and highest level of priority groups," Ayala said.
Because of limited supplies, the county is planning to sub-prioritize health care providers who directly care for patients with COVID-19.
"What that looks like is likely emergency room staff, ICU providers, COVID care unit staff and staff working with patients in that environment and really focused on hospital and inpatient care first, and then expanding out as vaccine becomes more available," said Chris Hoff, the director of community health resources at the health department.
Pfizer's vaccine requires two doses, 21 days apart. The county anticipates fully allocating the roughly 16,000 initial doses to 16,000 people, with their second doses provided in the next distribution waves, Ayala said.
"We expect that once vaccine distribution begins, we will be receiving weekly doses," Ayala said.
Another major logistical issue: Pfizer's vaccine has to be stored at minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit. The county expects to receive an order for two ultracold freezers before the end of the year in order to use CARES Act funding for the cost.
In the meantime, the county has lined up partnerships with organizations that could offer access to freezers. Due to concerns around vaccine safety and security, officials declined to identify the partners.
The county also is now solidifying plans for dispensing locations that will use a drive-through model.
But Ayala said it could take months before vaccines are widely available.
"Even for our higher-risk residents, it may be a couple of months," she said, "but we are working to make sure that as soon we get vaccines, we're able to get it into our residents."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Hub Arkush: 6 people the Bears should pursue if they fire Ryan Pace

Should the Bears retain general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy ?
If change is coming , the focus has to be on Pace .
As long as he is not involved in the decision on the top football guy , it does n't matter if CEO Ted Phillips stays or goes .
If he 's fired , he will need to be replaced by two people .
The Bears will need a top football guy , and someone to run the business side , something Phillips has done well .
The top football guy should make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of GM candidates , NFL sources were consulted .
Whether any of the six would be better than Pace is not guaranteed .
All offer excellent resumes .
1 .
Rick Smith : Former executive vice president of football operations and general manager of the Houston Texans .
Smith was wildly successful in the draft , building the Texans into a perennial contender before resigning in 2017 due to a family illness .
He has two rings as an assistant coach with Denver .
2 .
Omar Khan : Vice president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steelers .
He 's regarded as a secret weapon behind the success of VP/GM Kevin Colbert , and could replace Phillips and Pace , then hire a director of player personnel to oversee pro and college scouting directors .
The McCaskeys are close with the Rooneys , the Steelers ' owners .
3 .
Jeff Ireland : Assistant general manager and college scouting director of the New Orleans Saints .
Ireland was hired by Bill Parcells and was the GM of the Dolphins from 2008 to 2013 .
He started strong but things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of a pre-draft interview with Dez Bryant and the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito situation were controversial .
Ireland is the grandson of legendary Bears scout Jim Parmer , grew up around Papa Bear and the McCaskey family .
Ireland has proved to be an excellent evaluator of talent .
4 .
George Paton : Vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager of the Minnesota Vikings .
Paton has been GM Rick Spielman 's right-hand man ever since the two got their front office starts with the Bears in the late 1990s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a finalist for the 49ers job before John Lynch was hired , has been ready for a number of years , but has been particular about which jobs he might consider .
5 .
John Dorsey : Former general manager at Kansas City and Cleveland , and a long time Green Bay scout .
The Chiefs fired him after four seasons and building what would become their Super Bowl team , and just months after he traded up to 10th in the draft to take Patrick Mahomes .
He was hired six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years later after acquiring most of the talent on the current 9-3 team .
He is an outstanding talent evaluator , but obviously comes with some rough edges .
5A .
Reggie McKenzie : Former general manager of the Oakland Raiders .
Like Dorsey , McKenzie grew up in the business in Ron Wolfe 's Green Bay Packers front office , and while his tenure as GM of the Raiders from 2012 to 2018 was neither a failure nor completely successful , he was fired due to the arrival of Jon Gruden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McKenzie remains highly regarded around the league .
The following are top talent evaluators seeking their first GM or top executive jobs and would be similar hires to Pace 's six years ago :

Hub Arkush: 6 people the Bears should pursue if they fire Ryan Pace
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) throws against the Detroit Lions in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.
FILE - In this April 23, 2019, file photo, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace speaks with the media during a press conference in Lake Forest, Ill. The 2020 NFL Draft is April 23-25, 2020. (Tim Boyle/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
Should the Bears retain general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy?
If change is coming, the focus has to be on Pace.
As long as he is not involved in the decision on the top football guy, it doesn't matter if CEO Ted Phillips stays or goes. If he's fired, he will need to be replaced by two people.
The Bears will need a top football guy, and someone to run the business side, something Phillips has done well.
The top football guy should make the decision on Nagy.
In compiling a list of GM candidates, NFL sources were consulted. Whether any of the six would be better than Pace is not guaranteed. All offer excellent resumes.
1. Rick Smith: Former executive vice president of football operations and general manager of the Houston Texans. Smith was wildly successful in the draft, building the Texans into a perennial contender before resigning in 2017 due to a family illness. He has two rings as an assistant coach with Denver.
2. Omar Khan: Vice president of football and business administration of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's regarded as a secret weapon behind the success of VP/GM Kevin Colbert, and could replace Phillips and Pace, then hire a director of player personnel to oversee pro and college scouting directors. The McCaskeys are close with the Rooneys, the Steelers' owners.
3. Jeff Ireland: Assistant general manager and college scouting director of the New Orleans Saints. Ireland was hired by Bill Parcells and was the GM of the Dolphins from 2008 to 2013. He started strong but things soured after Parcells left, and his handling of a pre-draft interview with Dez Bryant and the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito situation were controversial. Ireland is the grandson of legendary Bears scout Jim Parmer, grew up around Papa Bear and the McCaskey family. Ireland has proved to be an excellent evaluator of talent.
4. George Paton: Vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager of the Minnesota Vikings. Paton has been GM Rick Spielman's right-hand man ever since the two got their front office starts with the Bears in the late 1990s. Several sources report Paton, who was a finalist for the 49ers job before John Lynch was hired, has been ready for a number of years, but has been particular about which jobs he might consider.
5. John Dorsey: Former general manager at Kansas City and Cleveland, and a long time Green Bay scout. The Chiefs fired him after four seasons and building what would become their Super Bowl team, and just months after he traded up to 10th in the draft to take Patrick Mahomes. He was hired six months later by the Browns and fired two years later after acquiring most of the talent on the current 9-3 team. He is an outstanding talent evaluator, but obviously comes with some rough edges.
5A. Reggie McKenzie: Former general manager of the Oakland Raiders. Like Dorsey, McKenzie grew up in the business in Ron Wolfe's Green Bay Packers front office, and while his tenure as GM of the Raiders from 2012 to 2018 was neither a failure nor completely successful, he was fired due to the arrival of Jon Gruden and not necessarily based on his performance. McKenzie remains highly regarded around the league.
• • •
The following are top talent evaluators seeking their first GM or top executive jobs and would be similar hires to Pace's six years ago:
Lake Dawson: Buffalo Bills, assistant director of college scouting.
Nick Caserio: New England Patriots, director of player personnel.
Joe Hortiz: Baltimore Ravens, director of player personnel.
Scott Fitterer: Seattle Seahawks, vice president of football operations.
Trent Kirchner: Seattle Seahawks, vice president of player personnel
• Twitter: @Hub_Arkush


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Elk Grove Village trustees agree Gullo properties can stay outside village, with caveats

Seven properties along Higgins Road controlled by developer Mario Gullo will remain unincorporated and not subject to Elk Grove Village 's ordinances , under terms of a settlement approved Tuesday night by village trustees .
But the settlement , still pending final approval by the parties and review by a Cook County judge , also requires the president of George Gullo Development Corp. to ink a pre-annexation agreement that would bind his properties to Elk Grove Village should he voluntarily seek annexation over the next two decades , village officials said .
`` They can continue what they 're doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about their properties going to another town , '' Mayor Craig Johnson said after the board meeting .
`` I 'm very happy with this settlement .
It 's a win-win for both parties . ''
The village board 's 5-0 vote , with one abstention , is a key decision toward resolving a legal dispute spanning nearly two years after the village tried to forcibly annex 58 acres along Higgins and Gullo filed suit in an attempt to block it .
Village Trustee Stephen Schmidt , whose wife works for a Gullo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are pleased that this two-year-long legal battle with the village has been resolved on mutually beneficial terms , '' Walberg wrote .
`` We look forward to an amicable relationship with the village from this point on . ''
Word of a possible resolution comes just days before Judge Raymond Mitchell was set to rule on the village 's motion for judgment -- the latest in a long line of court filings since February 2019 .
But lawyers from both sides continued to talk behind closed doors in recent weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ political clout who Elk Grove enlisted this summer : Michael Kasper , a prominent lobbyist , election attorney and longtime lawyer for House Speaker Michael Madigan , and the Berwyn-based Del Galdo Law Group .
The agreement also calls on the village to disconnect from a separate 41-acre parcel owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago .
Walberg has previously argued that the village 's attempt to forcibly annex Gullo 's property was improper because it was preceded by a `` sham '' annexation of the water district land .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to disparage each other through Dec. 1 , 2024 -- and the agreement also contains some non-boilerplate language related to the flurry of anonymous anti-Johnson robocalls , mailers and billboards that came about last year during a bitter term limits referendum campaign .
Johnson publicly accused Gullo of working behind the scenes to support the effort , but Gullo denied any involvement .
Under the agreement , if Gullo disparages Johnson during the next four years -- including via robocall , mailer , billboard or social media post -- and it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge , the village can restart its annexation efforts .
And if any third party during the next year levels additional anti-Johnson communications , Gullo will be required to issue a published public statement condemning those .

Elk Grove Village trustees agree Gullo properties can stay outside village, with caveats
Seven properties along Higgins Road controlled by developer Mario Gullo will remain unincorporated and not subject to Elk Grove Village's ordinances, under terms of a settlement approved Tuesday night by village trustees.
But the settlement, still pending final approval by the parties and review by a Cook County judge, also requires the president of George Gullo Development Corp. to ink a pre-annexation agreement that would bind his properties to Elk Grove Village should he voluntarily seek annexation over the next two decades, village officials said.
"They can continue what they're doing and we don't have to worry about their properties going to another town," Mayor Craig Johnson said after the board meeting. "I'm very happy with this settlement. It's a win-win for both parties."
The village board's 5-0 vote, with one abstention, is a key decision toward resolving a legal dispute spanning nearly two years after the village tried to forcibly annex 58 acres along Higgins and Gullo filed suit in an attempt to block it. Village Trustee Stephen Schmidt, whose wife works for a Gullo relative, abstained from the vote.
Kim Walberg, Gullo's attorney, released a statement Wednesday morning after the village board vote.
"We are pleased that this two-year-long legal battle with the village has been resolved on mutually beneficial terms," Walberg wrote. "We look forward to an amicable relationship with the village from this point on."
Word of a possible resolution comes just days before Judge Raymond Mitchell was set to rule on the village's motion for judgment -- the latest in a long line of court filings since February 2019. But lawyers from both sides continued to talk behind closed doors in recent weeks.
Those conversations included powerful legal brass with political clout who Elk Grove enlisted this summer: Michael Kasper, a prominent lobbyist, election attorney and longtime lawyer for House Speaker Michael Madigan, and the Berwyn-based Del Galdo Law Group.
The agreement also calls on the village to disconnect from a separate 41-acre parcel owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Walberg has previously argued that the village's attempt to forcibly annex Gullo's property was improper because it was preceded by a "sham" annexation of the water district land.
Gullo and the village have also agreed not to disparage each other through Dec. 1, 2024 -- and the agreement also contains some non-boilerplate language related to the flurry of anonymous anti-Johnson robocalls, mailers and billboards that came about last year during a bitter term limits referendum campaign. Johnson publicly accused Gullo of working behind the scenes to support the effort, but Gullo denied any involvement.
Under the agreement, if Gullo disparages Johnson during the next four years -- including via robocall, mailer, billboard or social media post -- and it's proven before a mutually agreed upon retired judge, the village can restart its annexation efforts.
And if any third party during the next year levels additional anti-Johnson communications, Gullo will be required to issue a published public statement condemning those.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Hunter Biden facing federal investigation over 'tax affairs'

WASHINGTON -- President-elect Joe Biden 's son Hunter said Wednesday that he is facing a federal investigation into his taxes , putting a renewed spotlight on the questions about his financial dealings that dogged his father 's campaign .
Federal investigators served a round of subpoenas on Tuesday , including to Hunter Biden , according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing probe .
The tax investigation centers on his business dealings , the person said .
The Justice Department 's investigation , centering on potential tax fraud crimes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year before President-elect Biden announced his candidacy , according to another person familiar with the matter .
Investigators did not reach out in the weeks prior because of a Justice Department policy surrounding elections that prohibits overt investigative acts .
In a statement released by the president-elect 's transition office , Hunter Biden said he learned about the investigation on Tuesday but did not disclose specifics about what was being scrutinized .
`` I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and appropriately , including with the benefit of professional tax advisors , '' he said in a statement .
He has long been a target of President Donald Trump and his allies , who have accused him of profiting off his political connections .
Trump and his supporters also raised unsubstantiated charges of corruption related to Hunter Biden 's work in Ukraine at the time his father was vice president and leading the Obama administration 's dealings with the Eastern European nation .
The disclosure of the federal investigation , led by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes at an awkward moment for the incoming president , who is assembling his Cabinet .
His pick for attorney general could have oversight of the investigation into the new president 's son if it is still ongoing when Biden is sworn in on Jan. 20 .
The transition team said in a statement : `` President-elect Biden is deeply proud of his son , who has fought through difficult challenges , including the vicious personal attacks of recent months , only to emerge stronger . ''
Biden 's younger son has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father was vice president , Hunter joined the Naval Reserve only to be discharged after testing positive for cocaine in his system , later revealing a yearslong struggle with addiction .
He also joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma in 2014 , sparking concerns about the perceptions of a conflict of interest given the elder Biden was deeply involved in U.S. policy toward Ukraine .
A Republican-led Senate investigation did not identify any policies that were directly affected by Hunter Biden 's work .
In the weeks before the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a laptop they said was connected to Hunter Biden -- and the emergence of someone who maintains he had business discussions with him -- to raise questions about Joe Biden 's knowledge of his son 's activities in Ukraine and China .
The president-elect has said he did not discuss his son 's international business dealings with him and has denied having ever taken money from a foreign country .
The laptop surfaced publicly in October when The New York Post reported on emails that it said had come from Hunter Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Rudy Giuliani , Trump 's personal lawyer .
Another person familiar with the matter told the AP that the tax investigation does not have anything to do with the laptop .
The people had knowledge of the investigation but were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity .
In a CNN interview last week , President-elect Biden addressed the business dealings of his son Hunter and his brothers , pledging that they would avoid any perceived conflicts of interest during his time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family will not be involved in any business , any enterprise that is in conflict with or appears to be in conflict , where there 's appropriate distance from the presidency and government , '' Biden said .
Lemire reported from Wilmington , Del .
Associated Press writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report .

Hunter Biden facing federal investigation over 'tax affairs'
President-elect Joe Biden, right, embraces his son Hunter Biden, left, in Wilmington, Del., on Nov. 7. Biden's son Hunter says he has learned from federal prosecutors that his tax affairs are under investigation. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool
WASHINGTON -- President-elect Joe Biden's son Hunter said Wednesday that he is facing a federal investigation into his taxes, putting a renewed spotlight on the questions about his financial dealings that dogged his father's campaign.
Federal investigators served a round of subpoenas on Tuesday, including to Hunter Biden, according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing probe. The tax investigation centers on his business dealings, the person said.
The Justice Department's investigation, centering on potential tax fraud crimes, had been going on at least a year before President-elect Biden announced his candidacy, according to another person familiar with the matter. Investigators did not reach out in the weeks prior because of a Justice Department policy surrounding elections that prohibits overt investigative acts.
In a statement released by the president-elect's transition office, Hunter Biden said he learned about the investigation on Tuesday but did not disclose specifics about what was being scrutinized.
"I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors," he said in a statement.
He has long been a target of President Donald Trump and his allies, who have accused him of profiting off his political connections. Trump and his supporters also raised unsubstantiated charges of corruption related to Hunter Biden's work in Ukraine at the time his father was vice president and leading the Obama administration's dealings with the Eastern European nation.
The disclosure of the federal investigation, led by the U.S. attorney's office in Delaware, comes at an awkward moment for the incoming president, who is assembling his Cabinet. His pick for attorney general could have oversight of the investigation into the new president's son if it is still ongoing when Biden is sworn in on Jan. 20.
The transition team said in a statement: "President-elect Biden is deeply proud of his son, who has fought through difficult challenges, including the vicious personal attacks of recent months, only to emerge stronger."
Hunter Biden's attorneys did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment.
Biden's younger son has been caught up in controversies before. While his father was vice president, Hunter joined the Naval Reserve only to be discharged after testing positive for cocaine in his system, later revealing a yearslong struggle with addiction.
He also joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma in 2014, sparking concerns about the perceptions of a conflict of interest given the elder Biden was deeply involved in U.S. policy toward Ukraine. A Republican-led Senate investigation did not identify any policies that were directly affected by Hunter Biden's work.
In the weeks before the election, Trump supporters used the existence of a laptop they said was connected to Hunter Biden -- and the emergence of someone who maintains he had business discussions with him -- to raise questions about Joe Biden's knowledge of his son's activities in Ukraine and China. The president-elect has said he did not discuss his son's international business dealings with him and has denied having ever taken money from a foreign country.
The laptop surfaced publicly in October when The New York Post reported on emails that it said had come from Hunter Biden's laptop and that it said it received from Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer.
Another person familiar with the matter told the AP that the tax investigation does not have anything to do with the laptop.
The people had knowledge of the investigation but were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
In a CNN interview last week, President-elect Biden addressed the business dealings of his son Hunter and his brothers, pledging that they would avoid any perceived conflicts of interest during his time in office.
"My son, my family will not be involved in any business, any enterprise that is in conflict with or appears to be in conflict, where there's appropriate distance from the presidency and government," Biden said.
Lemire reported from Wilmington, Del. Associated Press writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Six Flags Great America debuts drive-through dates for Holiday in the Park

Six Flags Great America officials announced Wednesday that the park will add days during its holiday season where guests can , for the first time , drive inside the Gurnee theme park .
The drive-through experience will start on Dec. 16 and continue on select days through Jan. 18 .
The park 's winter season , called Holiday in the Park , began on Nov. 27 .
Because of concerns about spreading COVID-19 , park officials wo n't run rides for the winter season , whose offerings include live entertainers and millions of holiday lights .
`` We have successfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holiday in the Park into a walk-through and now a new , drive-through experience , '' Great America President Hank Salemi said .
`` Plus , theme park enthusiasts wo n't want to miss this extremely rare opportunity to drive around inside the park . ''
Unlike the walk-through days , guests in their cars will not be allowed to freely move about the park .
Guests will begin their drive at what is usually known as Hometown Square .
They will then wind through a park route to see the decorations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa and Mrs. Claus .
Once their circuit is complete , guests will exit by the Southwest Territory , which is called Kalightoscope during Holiday in the Park .
Public relations manager Caitlin Kepple said officials wanted to create another safe way for guests to come to the park and took a cue from Six Flags parks in California , New Jersey and Texas that are hosting similar drive-through events .
Kepple said admission is $ 14.99 per person or free to Great America members or season pass holders .
Reservations are required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered Dec. 16 through 18 , Jan. 2 and 3 , Jan. 7 through 10 and Jan. 14 through 18 .
Guests will be required to wear masks if they have their car windows open .
No motorcycles or vehicles larger than a van will be permitted .
The regular Holiday in the Park days are scheduled for Dec. 12 and 13 , Dec. 19 through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 through Dec. 30 .

Six Flags Great America debuts drive-through dates for Holiday in the Park
For the first time, Six Flags Great America will allow guests to drive their cars through the park as part of its special winter season. Photo courtesy Six Flags Great America
Six Flags Great America officials announced Wednesday that the park will add days during its holiday season where guests can, for the first time, drive inside the Gurnee theme park.
The drive-through experience will start on Dec. 16 and continue on select days through Jan. 18.
The park's winter season, called Holiday in the Park, began on Nov. 27. Because of concerns about spreading COVID-19, park officials won't run rides for the winter season, whose offerings include live entertainers and millions of holiday lights.
"We have successfully transformed the traditional operation of our beloved Holiday in the Park into a walk-through and now a new, drive-through experience," Great America President Hank Salemi said. "Plus, theme park enthusiasts won't want to miss this extremely rare opportunity to drive around inside the park."
Unlike the walk-through days, guests in their cars will not be allowed to freely move about the park. Guests will begin their drive at what is usually known as Hometown Square. They will then wind through a park route to see the decorations and be entertained by performers as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Once their circuit is complete, guests will exit by the Southwest Territory, which is called Kalightoscope during Holiday in the Park.
Public relations manager Caitlin Kepple said officials wanted to create another safe way for guests to come to the park and took a cue from Six Flags parks in California, New Jersey and Texas that are hosting similar drive-through events.
Kepple said admission is $14.99 per person or free to Great America members or season pass holders. Reservations are required at sixflags.com/greatamerica/reserve.
The drive-through will be offered Dec. 16 through 18, Jan. 2 and 3, Jan. 7 through 10 and Jan. 14 through 18. Guests will be required to wear masks if they have their car windows open. No motorcycles or vehicles larger than a van will be permitted.
The regular Holiday in the Park days are scheduled for Dec. 12 and 13, Dec. 19 through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 through Dec. 30.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Kane County Treasurer David Rickert expected to resign

Kane County Treasurer David Rickert , having lost his bid to become board chairman , will now leave the county entirely after 22 years of service .
Rickert is poised to become the chief financial officer of Rockford-based Winnebago County following a Thursday vote by their county board .
Rickert did not immediately respond to an interview request , but his looming departure was confirmed by Kane County Republican Party Chairman Ken Shepro .
Two years remain on Rickert 's term .
That means new Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog will be tasked with appointing someone to fill the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third day in office , said she will take some time to review the rules regarding filling the vacancy .
She said she spoke with Rickert , and he plans to be heavily involved in preparing his staff for his departure , which may not occur until the end of January .
`` His wealth of experience is going to be missed , '' Pierog said .
`` At the same time , having the opportunity to have new eyes and new concepts in the office is an opportunity . ''
Shepro said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican or at least someone who pulled a GOP ballot for the spring 2020 primary election .
`` If they did pull a Republican ballot , they are a Republican , '' Shepro said .
`` Of course , that can mean a lot of things .
They could have voted Democrat in every election before that , but they would now , technically , be a Republican . ''
Anyone Pierog selects would have to be approved through a county board vote .
Pierog is the first Democrat to lead the Kane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also has the first majority-Democrat county board , though several Democrats and Republicans on the board have been known to cross party lines in recent years .
Pierog said she expects Rickert will have two to three names for suggested successors .
However , Shepro said Rickert has made it known to him would like his chief deputy , Maria Herrera , to fill the vacancy .
Shepro described Herrera as `` non-political . ''
`` We could just say , for the two years , let 's appoint a placeholder who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2022 , '' Shepro said .
`` That way no one gets a leg up on the election by running as an incumbent . ''
Pierog defeated Rickert in the race for chairman last month by slightly more than 2,000 votes , a difference of less than 1 percentage point .

Kane County Treasurer David Rickert expected to resign
Kane County Treasurer David Rickert, having lost his bid to become board chairman, will now leave the county entirely after 22 years of service.
Rickert is poised to become the chief financial officer of Rockford-based Winnebago County following a Thursday vote by their county board. Rickert did not immediately respond to an interview request, but his looming departure was confirmed by Kane County Republican Party Chairman Ken Shepro.
Two years remain on Rickert's term. That means new Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog will be tasked with appointing someone to fill the seat.
Pierog, on just her third day in office, said she will take some time to review the rules regarding filling the vacancy. She said she spoke with Rickert, and he plans to be heavily involved in preparing his staff for his departure, which may not occur until the end of January.
"His wealth of experience is going to be missed," Pierog said. "At the same time, having the opportunity to have new eyes and new concepts in the office is an opportunity."
Shepro said statute requires the appointee to be a Republican or at least someone who pulled a GOP ballot for the spring 2020 primary election.
"If they did pull a Republican ballot, they are a Republican," Shepro said. "Of course, that can mean a lot of things. They could have voted Democrat in every election before that, but they would now, technically, be a Republican."
Anyone Pierog selects would have to be approved through a county board vote. Pierog is the first Democrat to lead the Kane County Board in modern history. She also has the first majority-Democrat county board, though several Democrats and Republicans on the board have been known to cross party lines in recent years.
Pierog said she expects Rickert will have two to three names for suggested successors. However, Shepro said Rickert has made it known to him would like his chief deputy, Maria Herrera, to fill the vacancy. Shepro described Herrera as "non-political."
"We could just say, for the two years, let's appoint a placeholder who is not going to run for the seat in 2022," Shepro said. "That way no one gets a leg up on the election by running as an incumbent."
Pierog defeated Rickert in the race for chairman last month by slightly more than 2,000 votes, a difference of less than 1 percentage point.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Retired Elgin Deputy Fire Chief Bill Freiberg dies from complications of COVID-19

Retired Elgin Deputy Fire Chief Bill Freiberg died Tuesday at Sherman Hospital from complications of COVID-19 , according to Elgin Fire Chief Robb Cagann .
Freiberg retired in 2003 after 27 years with the Elgin Fire Department .
Longtime friend and fellow retired firefighter Larry Judkins said they 'd been pals for 55 years , since back when they both worked at Eagle Foods on Liberty Street in Elgin , with Judkins working in produce and Freiberg in housewares .
In the late 1960s the friends wanted to join the Elgin Fire Department .
They both took the test and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1969 .
But Freiburg had a problem .
`` Back then there was a height and weight requirement , and Bill was way too light , '' coming in about 25 pounds under the required 155 pounds , Judkins said .
Seven years later the dream had n't diminished , and with enough pounds added on , Freiberg joined the department on Jan. 5 , 1976 .
`` Both of us loved being firefighters , '' Judkins said .
`` Bill said every rock star , movie star , professional athlete , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw a fire engine go by , said to themselves , 'That 's what I want to be when I grow up . '
'' `` And we got to do it , '' Freiberg would say .
After leaving the department , the two friends later joined the Elgin Retired Firefighters Association , where Judkins has served as president and Freiberg as vice president since 2013 .
Judkins said Freiberg was in pretty good health before the virus .
He said Freiberg had told him early last week he had tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's son John determined on Friday that Freiberg needed to go to Sherman Hospital in Elgin .
`` And that was the last his son ever saw of him , '' Judkins said .
`` It was just so awful .
You 're surrounded by strangers and you die . ''
Judkins said Freiberg was never put on a ventilator .
`` I thought he was going to get better and come home . ''
`` It 's just so awful , '' he said again .
Cagann said he never worked directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fire department overlapped by 11 years .
`` He was always a number of ranks ahead of me , '' Cagann said .
`` He had a passion for the fire service , and since his retirement he 's stayed actively involved in the community he served for so long . ''
Freiberg 's wife Kathleen died in 2013 .
He is survived by his son John and daughter Amy .
No funeral arrangements had been announced as of Wednesday afternoon .

Retired Elgin Deputy Fire Chief Bill Freiberg dies from complications of COVID-19
COURTESY OF THE ELGIN FIRE DEPARTMENTRetired Elgin Deputy Fire Chief Bill Freiberg died Tuesday of COVID-19, according to Elgin Fire Chief Robert Cagann. Freiberg retired in 2003.
Retired Elgin Deputy Fire Chief Bill Freiberg died Tuesday at Sherman Hospital from complications of COVID-19, according to Elgin Fire Chief Robb Cagann.
He was 74.
Freiberg retired in 2003 after 27 years with the Elgin Fire Department. Longtime friend and fellow retired firefighter Larry Judkins said they'd been pals for 55 years, since back when they both worked at Eagle Foods on Liberty Street in Elgin, with Judkins working in produce and Freiberg in housewares.
In the late 1960s the friends wanted to join the Elgin Fire Department. They both took the test and Judkins joined the department on April 21, 1969. But Freiburg had a problem.
"Back then there was a height and weight requirement, and Bill was way too light," coming in about 25 pounds under the required 155 pounds, Judkins said.
Seven years later the dream hadn't diminished, and with enough pounds added on, Freiberg joined the department on Jan. 5, 1976.
"Both of us loved being firefighters," Judkins said. "Bill said every rock star, movie star, professional athlete, when they were a little boy and saw a fire engine go by, said to themselves, 'That's what I want to be when I grow up.'"
"And we got to do it," Freiberg would say.
After leaving the department, the two friends later joined the Elgin Retired Firefighters Association, where Judkins has served as president and Freiberg as vice president since 2013.
Judkins said Freiberg was in pretty good health before the virus. He said Freiberg had told him early last week he had tested positive and was quarantining. Judkins said Freiberg's son John determined on Friday that Freiberg needed to go to Sherman Hospital in Elgin.
"And that was the last his son ever saw of him," Judkins said. "It was just so awful. You're surrounded by strangers and you die." Judkins said Freiberg was never put on a ventilator. "I thought he was going to get better and come home."
"It's just so awful," he said again.
Cagann said he never worked directly for Freiberg, but their time at the fire department overlapped by 11 years. "He was always a number of ranks ahead of me," Cagann said. "He had a passion for the fire service, and since his retirement he's stayed actively involved in the community he served for so long."
Freiberg's wife Kathleen died in 2013. He is survived by his son John and daughter Amy. No funeral arrangements had been announced as of Wednesday afternoon.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Man, woman found fatally shot in Beach Park garage

Lake County sheriff 's deputies are investigating the shooting deaths of a man and a woman found inside the garage @ @ @ @ @ Park late Tuesday .
Lake County sheriff 's office spokesman Sgt .
Chris Covelli said @ @ @ @ @ home on the 10000 block of West Wadsworth Road at about 9:40 p.m. Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ and 52-year-old man inside the garage who appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds .
Attempts @ @ @ @ @ and the two were pronounced dead at the scene .
Autopsies are slated for both @ @ @ @ @ .
No one is under arrest in relation to the shootings and the case remains @ @ @ @ @ information regarding this incident is encouraged to call sheriff 's detectives at ( 847 ) @ @ @ @ @ tip at lakecountycrimestoppers.com .

Man, woman found fatally shot in Beach Park garage
Lake County sheriff's deputies are investigating the shooting deaths of a man and a woman found inside the garage of a home in Beach Park late Tuesday.
Lake County sheriff's office spokesman Sgt. Chris Covelli said deputies were dispatched to the home on the 10000 block of West Wadsworth Road at about 9:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Deputies discovered a 49-year-old woman and 52-year-old man inside the garage who appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful, and the two were pronounced dead at the scene.
Autopsies are slated for both on Thursday, Covelli said.
No one is under arrest in relation to the shootings and the case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call sheriff's detectives at (847) 377-4000 or make an anonymous tip at lakecountycrimestoppers.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Butcher shop may get $551K grant to open in Geneva

A custom butcher shop plans to open on the east side of Geneva with the aid of a $ 551,000 grant from the city .
Aldermen gave an unofficial thumbs-up to the idea on Monday .
A binding vote is scheduled for Dec. 21 .
Geneva residents Paul and Laurie Darrow plan to open a second site for Country Village Meats , a business they bought two years ago in Sublette , Illinois .
In addition to the store in front , the Geneva location would have some meat processing in the rear , including a smokehouse .
`` Laurie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the small business community , '' Paul Darrow told aldermen .
`` We think this ( project ) checks all the boxes . ''
He said the business in Sublette , home to the Woodhaven Lakes camping resort , draws customers from many miles away .
`` It is a significant request , but it is a significant project , '' said Catherine Tymoszenko , Geneva 's economic development director .
She said that since Soukup 's Appliances closed in 2011 , the first-floor space was divided into three tenant spaces and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Geneva Township assessor recently reduced the building 's equalized assessed value by 25 % , Tymoszenko said .
The money would come from the East State Street Tax Increment Financing District fund , which currently has a balance of more than $ 1.1 million .
The TIF district was created in 2000 and expires in 2023 .
Projects it supported include the construction of the Munchie P 's restaurant , the CVS Pharmacy and the Aldi grocery store .
But there have been few requests in the last decade .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.08 million to buy the 70-year-old main building and its 1997 addition , renovate it and install equipment and furnishings .
They will have to upgrade the electrical and water systems and fire safety equipment .
They also plan to build a new side door for customers , install new windows , remove some asbestos-containing materials and upgrade the facade , landscaping and parking lot .
In addition , they will improve the four apartments on the second floor .
The apartments are considered affordable housing .
The Darrows have pledged to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being written in to the development agreement .
The city would donate part of an adjacent parking area at the city 's east-side water tower site .
The city does n't use that portion of the property , and used to rent it to the appliance store for parking .
The building has been up for sale since 2006 .
`` I 've had some reservations on some of the TIFs in the past , '' Alderman Dean Kilburg said .
`` I think this one is a winner . ''
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would begin soon thereafter .
The Darrows want to open the store in the spring .

Butcher shop may get $551K grant to open in Geneva
A custom butcher shop plans to open on the east side of Geneva with the aid of a $551,000 grant from the city.
Aldermen gave an unofficial thumbs-up to the idea on Monday. A binding vote is scheduled for Dec. 21.
Geneva residents Paul and Laurie Darrow plan to open a second site for Country Village Meats, a business they bought two years ago in Sublette, Illinois. In addition to the store in front, the Geneva location would have some meat processing in the rear, including a smokehouse.
"Laurie and I have a real passion for the small business community," Paul Darrow told aldermen. "We think this (project) checks all the boxes."
He said the business in Sublette, home to the Woodhaven Lakes camping resort, draws customers from many miles away.
"It is a significant request, but it is a significant project," said Catherine Tymoszenko, Geneva's economic development director.
She said that since Soukup's Appliances closed in 2011, the first-floor space was divided into three tenant spaces and a variety of businesses have come and gone. The Geneva Township assessor recently reduced the building's equalized assessed value by 25%, Tymoszenko said.
The money would come from the East State Street Tax Increment Financing District fund, which currently has a balance of more than $1.1 million. The TIF district, where property taxes above a certain point have gone into development rather than local governments, was created in 2000 and expires in 2023. Projects it supported include the construction of the Munchie P's restaurant, the CVS Pharmacy and the Aldi grocery store.
But there have been few requests in the last decade.
The Darrows estimate it will cost almost $2.08 million to buy the 70-year-old main building and its 1997 addition, renovate it and install equipment and furnishings.
They will have to upgrade the electrical and water systems and fire safety equipment. They also plan to build a new side door for customers, install new windows, remove some asbestos-containing materials and upgrade the facade, landscaping and parking lot.
In addition, they will improve the four apartments on the second floor. The apartments are considered affordable housing. The Darrows have pledged to keep it affordable, and that requirement is being written in to the development agreement.
The city would donate part of an adjacent parking area at the city's east-side water tower site. The city doesn't use that portion of the property, and used to rent it to the appliance store for parking.
The building has been up for sale since 2006.
"I've had some reservations on some of the TIFs in the past," Alderman Dean Kilburg said. "I think this one is a winner."
If the agreement is approved Dec. 21, work would begin soon thereafter. The Darrows want to open the store in the spring.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-08--Plan would add 8-unit townhouse building to Lake Zurich lakefront

Lake Zurich trustees were upbeat about a developer 's plan to build an eight-unit townhouse development on the shore of the village 's namesake lake .
The plan , which was presented to the board Monday night during a courtesy review , is for vacant land southeast of the highly trafficked intersection of Route 12 and Old Rand Road .
It calls for adding a 4,000-square-foot commercial building , which the developer said he hopes to rent to a national tenant , preferably a high-end coffee shop or restaurant .
Under the plan , the commercial building would be west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lakefront views .
The developer , Romeo Kapudija , co-founder of Miller Street Partners , said he has passed the vacant property many times when driving to and from his North Barrington home .
`` I 've seen it on a daily basis and always thought it was such a beautiful corner , '' said Kapudija , who referred to the spot as a gateway to the lakefront properties .
He said the townhouse units would have luxury amenities and he hopes to sell them for about $ 550,000 each .
The plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner would get a boat launch .
Trustee Janice Gannon said as a lakefront owner she has long hoped the lot would eventually be turned into either single-family homes or a restaurant with lakefront views .
`` We waited and waited for something like that , '' Gannon said .
`` But the way you 've laid it out is nice , I 'm impressed with that . ''
The only issue Gannon and several other trustees brought up was whether the proposed entry into the development from Route 12 was suitable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be close to the intersection .
Trustee Jonathan Sprawka asked whether IDOT had approved adding a curb cut there .
Kapudija said he 'd reached out to state officials , but because of COVID-19 they were n't able to get him a quick answer .
The developer 's next step would be the village 's planning and zoning commission before the proposal returns to village trustees for a vote .
Trustee Marc Spacone advised Kapudija that residents were concerned about how the nearby Life Time Fitness would affect local traffic .
`` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared to have people bring that up , '' Spacone said .
`` I could see those same people having those same concerns . ''

Plan would add 8-unit townhouse building to Lake Zurich lakefront
Lake Zurich trustees were upbeat about a developer's plan to build an eight-unit townhouse development on the shore of the village's namesake lake.
The plan, which was presented to the board Monday night during a courtesy review, is for vacant land southeast of the highly trafficked intersection of Route 12 and Old Rand Road. It calls for adding a 4,000-square-foot commercial building, which the developer said he hopes to rent to a national tenant, preferably a high-end coffee shop or restaurant. Under the plan, the commercial building would be west of the townhouses and would not have lakefront views.
The developer, Romeo Kapudija, co-founder of Miller Street Partners, said he has passed the vacant property many times when driving to and from his North Barrington home.
"I've seen it on a daily basis and always thought it was such a beautiful corner," said Kapudija, who referred to the spot as a gateway to the lakefront properties.
He said the townhouse units would have luxury amenities and he hopes to sell them for about $550,000 each. The plan includes a pier, and each townhouse owner would get a boat launch.
Trustee Janice Gannon said as a lakefront owner she has long hoped the lot would eventually be turned into either single-family homes or a restaurant with lakefront views.
"We waited and waited for something like that," Gannon said. "But the way you've laid it out is nice, I'm impressed with that."
The only issue Gannon and several other trustees brought up was whether the proposed entry into the development from Route 12 was suitable. The plans call for that entrance to be close to the intersection.
Trustee Jonathan Sprawka asked whether IDOT had approved adding a curb cut there. Kapudija said he'd reached out to state officials, but because of COVID-19 they weren't able to get him a quick answer.
The developer's next step would be the village's planning and zoning commission before the proposal returns to village trustees for a vote.
Trustee Marc Spacone advised Kapudija that residents were concerned about how the nearby Life Time Fitness would affect local traffic.
"As you go through the process, be prepared to have people bring that up," Spacone said.
"I could see those same people having those same concerns."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Naperville council to consider regulations for allowing pot processing, infusing, transporting in to

Months after repealing its ban on recreational marijuana sales , the Naperville City Council is poised to consider allowing other types of cannabis-related businesses in town .
The controversial ordinance approved in August permits up to three dispensaries by right within certain zoning districts .
Mayor Steve Chirico has since proposed updating the measure to incorporate regulations for cannabis processing , transporting and infusing organizations , which he says could benefit Naperville economically but are currently prohibited under the city code .
At least four council members directed staff members last month to prepare a report on the potential zoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Jan. 5 meeting .
Based on the direction of elected officials and any additional research requested , a full draft of the ordinance would need to go through the planning and zoning review process before returning to the council for a final vote .
In addition to legalizing adult-use marijuana as of Jan. 1 , Chirico said , the state 's Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act has opened the door to a whole new industry of ancillary services and employment opportunities `` that ( wo n't ) be in any way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think we need to clean up this ordinance because I do n't think it was anybody 's intention to prohibit those types of businesses and jobs from being here in Naperville , '' he said .
Some council members , including John Krummen and Patrick Kelly , said they would not yet commit to supporting the zoning amendment but are interested in further exploring the concept .
Facilities that transport or produce cannabis-infused products , cannabis concentrate or any other marijuana items must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected to discuss whether such organizations should be allowed as a permitted or conditional use , and if any additional conditions should apply , such as specific security measures or distance requirements from schools , residential areas and other cannabis businesses .
If the measure moves forward , the city would continue to ban craft growers , adult-use cultivation centers and on-site marijuana consumption , documents show .
An existing medical marijuana dispensary was the first in the city to begin selling recreational pot in a remodeled and rebranded facility , now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Occupancy permits also were reserved for two other dispensaries -- Zen Leaf and Sunnyside Dispensary -- filling the city 's cap just weeks after the council 's approval of adult-use marijuana sales .
Naperville has since received inquiries from ancillary businesses interested in operating within the city , officials said .
Chirico and City Manager Doug Krieger also pointed to an existing company in the community that produces equipment for the distillation and processing of CBD , which is `` completely legal '' under the city 's code , but that also could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` There are these kind of gray areas that we did not think about and did n't really bring up and make rules around when we initially talked about recreational cannabis , '' Krieger said .

Naperville council to consider regulations for allowing pot processing, infusing, transporting in town
Months after repealing its ban on recreational marijuana sales, the Naperville City Council is poised to consider allowing other types of cannabis-related businesses in town.
The controversial ordinance approved in August permits up to three dispensaries by right within certain zoning districts. Mayor Steve Chirico has since proposed updating the measure to incorporate regulations for cannabis processing, transporting and infusing organizations, which he says could benefit Naperville economically but are currently prohibited under the city code.
At least four council members directed staff members last month to prepare a report on the potential zoning amendments, now expected to be discussed during the Jan. 5 meeting. Based on the direction of elected officials and any additional research requested, a full draft of the ordinance would need to go through the planning and zoning review process before returning to the council for a final vote.
In addition to legalizing adult-use marijuana as of Jan. 1, Chirico said, the state's Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act has opened the door to a whole new industry of ancillary services and employment opportunities "that (won't) be in any way a negative for our community."
"I think we need to clean up this ordinance because I don't think it was anybody's intention to prohibit those types of businesses and jobs from being here in Naperville," he said.
Some council members, including John Krummen and Patrick Kelly, said they would not yet commit to supporting the zoning amendment but are interested in further exploring the concept.
Facilities that transport or produce cannabis-infused products, cannabis concentrate or any other marijuana items must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture, according to city documents.
Council members are expected to discuss whether such organizations should be allowed as a permitted or conditional use, and if any additional conditions should apply, such as specific security measures or distance requirements from schools, residential areas and other cannabis businesses.
If the measure moves forward, the city would continue to ban craft growers, adult-use cultivation centers and on-site marijuana consumption, documents show.
An existing medical marijuana dispensary was the first in the city to begin selling recreational pot in a remodeled and rebranded facility, now called Rise Naperville, in October. Occupancy permits also were reserved for two other dispensaries -- Zen Leaf and Sunnyside Dispensary -- filling the city's cap just weeks after the council's approval of adult-use marijuana sales.
Naperville has since received inquiries from ancillary businesses interested in operating within the city, officials said. Chirico and City Manager Doug Krieger also pointed to an existing company in the community that produces equipment for the distillation and processing of CBD, which is "completely legal" under the city's code, but that also could be used to process THC, they said.
"There are these kind of gray areas that we did not think about and didn't really bring up and make rules around when we initially talked about recreational cannabis," Krieger said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-08--Need for meal deliveries growing in Lake County as pandemic rolls on

Lake County Community Action to Combat Hunger , a coalition of local organizations that delivers food to families who ca n't or should n't leave their homes due to COVID-19 , is seeing an increasing need for its services .
Launched in May , the group through November has delivered 18,480 meals , said Barb Karacic , coordinator of the program known as CATCH .
The deliveries represents 2,240 individuals in 650 families .
`` We 've been able to reach out to all parts of Lake County , '' Karacic said .
The effort involves more than three dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers , nonprofit food vendors , faith centers and others that refer clients to the program .
It 's funded through federal CARES Act money distributed by Lake County .
CATCH complements food programs offered by the Northern Illinois Food Bank , Karacic said .
Funding is provided to four vendors who supply the meals to families , who must be referred by social service agencies , townships or the 211 Lake County help system .
`` We continue to accept families for food support , and over 200 of those families we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two weeks , '' according to Karacic .
Along with meal deliveries , CATCH vendors provide `` pop-up '' services throughout the county , an area that is seeing huge growth .
This week , for example , BellaRu Catering is providing food for 2,500 families through pop-ups in Mundelein , Round Lake , Vernon Hills , Zion , Waukegan , Lake Villa , Lakemoor , Gurnee , Highland Park and Lake Forest , Karacic said .
Those pop-ups are separate from advertised events offered by Northern Illinois Food Bank and generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsoring them .
That shows the need continues to grow , Karacic said .
CATCH was formed to fill a gap and then dissolve when the need disappears .
But that does n't seem to be likely soon .
`` I expect it will go until March of next year , '' Karacic said .
`` It 's rough out there . ''

Need for meal deliveries growing in Lake County as pandemic rolls on
Employees of BellaRu Catering/Mis Dos Magos work at a pop-up food distribution in Mundelein. Courtesy of Maya Rotman-Zaid
The CATCH meal delivery program received this thank you note. The program has delivered 18,460 means since March. Courtesy of Lake County Community Action to Combat Hunger
Boxes of meals are ready to be delivered to participants in the CATCH program. The program is the work of a coalition of Lake County groups that provide food to people who should stay home because of the pandemic. Courtesy of Lake County Community Action to Combat Hunger
Maya Rotman-Zaid, owner of BellaRu Catering/Mis Dos Magos, brings bags of foods going out for distribution through Lake County Community Action to Combat Hunger. Courtesy of Jasko Omerovic Photography
Lake County Community Action to Combat Hunger, a coalition of local organizations that delivers food to families who can't or shouldn't leave their homes due to COVID-19, is seeing an increasing need for its services.
Launched in May, the group through November has delivered 18,480 meals, said Barb Karacic, coordinator of the program known as CATCH. The deliveries represents 2,240 individuals in 650 families.
"We've been able to reach out to all parts of Lake County," Karacic said.
The effort involves more than three dozen organizations, health care and social service providers, nonprofit food vendors, faith centers and others that refer clients to the program. It's funded through federal CARES Act money distributed by Lake County.
CATCH complements food programs offered by the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Karacic said. Funding is provided to four vendors who supply the meals to families, who must be referred by social service agencies, townships or the 211 Lake County help system.
"We continue to accept families for food support, and over 200 of those families we helped with needed food support for more than two weeks," according to Karacic.
Along with meal deliveries, CATCH vendors provide "pop-up" services throughout the county, an area that is seeing huge growth.
This week, for example, BellaRu Catering is providing food for 2,500 families through pop-ups in Mundelein, Round Lake, Vernon Hills, Zion, Waukegan, Lake Villa, Lakemoor, Gurnee, Highland Park and Lake Forest, Karacic said.
Those pop-ups are separate from advertised events offered by Northern Illinois Food Bank and generally are advertised by word-of-mouth by the institutions sponsoring them.
That shows the need continues to grow, Karacic said.
CATCH was formed to fill a gap and then dissolve when the need disappears. But that doesn't seem to be likely soon.
"I expect it will go until March of next year," Karacic said. "It's rough out there."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-09--Why it will take months before kids get the COVID-19 vaccine

Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are already in short supply , but that 's not the main reason it will be months before children are able to be inoculated .
`` The vaccines have not been tested on children , '' explained Dr. Sara Goza , president of the American Academy of Pediatrics , headquartered in Itasca .
`` But now is the time to start enrolling children in the vaccine trials because we should not really expect them to suffer the consequences of COVID-19 without getting the vaccine as well . ''
Goza and other health experts say it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the adult population first .
But even if a vaccine is proven safe and effective for adults , that does n't mean it will have the same results for anyone under age 18 .
`` There are special rules in terms of medical studies and enrolling kids .
That 's a special protected class , if you will , '' said Dr. Ngozi Ezike , director of the Illinois Department of Public Health .
`` I do n't know if it was Pfizer for sure -- I remember someone being able to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been enrolled .
I do n't know if there was enough information from those participants .
That of course would have had to have an adult guardian 's consent . ''
In fact it was Pfizer , which has a vaccine set to roll out for prioritized inoculations of health care professionals and residents of long-term care facilities as early as next week , that has begun running trials of the vaccine on children as young as 12 .
So far , a few thousand children have participated in those trials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on more than 40,000 adults before seeking approval to release it .
Drugmakers Moderna and AstraZeneca also have vaccine candidates awaiting approval from the FDA .
They are currently seeking children volunteers as well .
Depending on the outcome of those trials , children in the age groups tested could be deemed eligible , but not children any younger .
`` The physiology of a 5-year-old is not the same as a 16-year-old , '' Ezike said .
`` Eventually , we will get to know more about who it can be given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to if there 's an upper age limit . ''
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration 's vaccine development website notes that trials of `` vaccines intended for children are generally tested first in adults , with a step-down clinical development program to children and infants . ''
Which is the way it should be done , health experts agree .
`` Children are n't little adults , '' Goza said .
`` Children just respond to things differently .
They 're smaller , so their bodies react differently to doses .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think about , how their kidneys and livers break things down differently . ''
Once the trials are underway , researchers have to watch for an array of results .
It can take months to determine the effects .
In adults , the Pfizer vaccine requires two injections separated by 21 to 28 days .
Researchers examining data on children need to determine the size of dosages , the best time interval between injections and how many to administer .
`` By the way it 's being phased in anyway , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligible to be vaccinated , '' said Dr. Jonathan Pinsky , medical director of infection control and prevention at Edward Hospital in Naperville .
`` The good news is that by the time children do get it , there will be a wealth of safety data available . ''
In Illinois , COVID-19 has killed just nine people under age 20 , according to IDPH figures , a fraction of the 13,666 Illinoisans who have died from the respiratory disease .
However , nearly 15 % of all the cases in Illinois are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 has killed 528 Americans under age 25 , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Once the vaccine is approved for children , there 's no guarantee every child in an American classroom will have been inoculated .
`` The problem is we do n't know what the spread in schools is like , '' Goza said .
`` It 's up to each state to determine if a vaccine will be required for school re-entry or not . ''
It does n't appear Illinois lawmakers or public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision just yet .
Ezike said school districts already struggle to get compliance with current IDPH vaccination requirements .
She complained that parents use `` loopholes '' to get around those requirements , which she said caused a `` mini-outbreak of measles '' more than a year ago .
`` Before we talk about any additional mandates , we just want to get past the situation we 're in now , '' Ezike said Tuesday .
`` When this is in the rearview mirror , we can talk about what we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mirror , and if school mandates will have to be part of that . ''

Why it will take months before kids get the COVID-19 vaccine
It could be months for children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine because none of the vaccines have been approved for use on anyone under the age of 18. Daily Herald File Photo
Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are already in short supply, but that's not the main reason it will be months before children are able to be inoculated.
"The vaccines have not been tested on children," explained Dr. Sara Goza, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, headquartered in Itasca. "But now is the time to start enrolling children in the vaccine trials because we should not really expect them to suffer the consequences of COVID-19 without getting the vaccine as well."
Goza and other health experts say it is routine to test potential vaccines on the adult population first. But even if a vaccine is proven safe and effective for adults, that doesn't mean it will have the same results for anyone under age 18.
"There are special rules in terms of medical studies and enrolling kids. That's a special protected class, if you will," said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. "I don't know if it was Pfizer for sure -- I remember someone being able to go and get some older teenagers that may have been enrolled. I don't know if there was enough information from those participants. That of course would have had to have an adult guardian's consent."
In fact it was Pfizer, which has a vaccine set to roll out for prioritized inoculations of health care professionals and residents of long-term care facilities as early as next week, that has begun running trials of the vaccine on children as young as 12. So far, a few thousand children have participated in those trials. By contrast, Pfizer tested its vaccine on more than 40,000 adults before seeking approval to release it.
Drugmakers Moderna and AstraZeneca also have vaccine candidates awaiting approval from the FDA. They are currently seeking children volunteers as well.
Depending on the outcome of those trials, children in the age groups tested could be deemed eligible, but not children any younger.
"The physiology of a 5-year-old is not the same as a 16-year-old," Ezike said. "Eventually, we will get to know more about who it can be given to, from the lower age limit to if there's an upper age limit."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's vaccine development website notes that trials of "vaccines intended for children are generally tested first in adults, with a step-down clinical development program to children and infants."
Which is the way it should be done, health experts agree.
"Children aren't little adults," Goza said. "Children just respond to things differently. They're smaller, so their bodies react differently to doses. It's those types of things you have to think about, how their kidneys and livers break things down differently."
Once the trials are underway, researchers have to watch for an array of results. It can take months to determine the effects.
In adults, the Pfizer vaccine requires two injections separated by 21 to 28 days. Researchers examining data on children need to determine the size of dosages, the best time interval between injections and how many to administer.
"By the way it's being phased in anyway, it will be months before children are even eligible to be vaccinated," said Dr. Jonathan Pinsky, medical director of infection control and prevention at Edward Hospital in Naperville. "The good news is that by the time children do get it, there will be a wealth of safety data available."
In Illinois, COVID-19 has killed just nine people under age 20, according to IDPH figures, a fraction of the 13,666 Illinoisans who have died from the respiratory disease. However, nearly 15% of all the cases in Illinois are in that age group.
Nationally, COVID-19 has killed 528 Americans under age 25, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Once the vaccine is approved for children, there's no guarantee every child in an American classroom will have been inoculated.
"The problem is we don't know what the spread in schools is like," Goza said. "It's up to each state to determine if a vaccine will be required for school re-entry or not."
It doesn't appear Illinois lawmakers or public health officials are ready to make that decision just yet. Ezike said school districts already struggle to get compliance with current IDPH vaccination requirements. She complained that parents use "loopholes" to get around those requirements, which she said caused a "mini-outbreak of measles" more than a year ago.
"Before we talk about any additional mandates, we just want to get past the situation we're in now," Ezike said Tuesday. "When this is in the rearview mirror, we can talk about what we need to do to keep it in the rearview mirror, and if school mandates will have to be part of that."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-10--The Arboretum of South Barrington facing $67.2 million foreclosure lawsuit

The Arboretum of South Barrington is facing a foreclosure lawsuit amid widespread economic pressure on the retail and hospitality industries during the COVID-19 pandemic .
In the lawsuit filed in Cook County circuit court in September , UnionBank states that the owners of The Arboretum did n't pay interest on the property 's $ 67.2 million mortgage and did n't pay off the debt when it matured in April , according to Crain 's Chicago Business .
The 480,000-square-foot outdoor shopping center at Higgins Road and Route 59 is listed as part of the portfolio of Starwood Retail Partners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Unfortunately we have no comment , '' said a woman who answered The Arboretum 's customer service number .
South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie said she had no firsthand knowledge of the lawsuit but was informed Wednesday morning that The Arboretum has a court-appointed receiver .
That person is Mike Zucker , managing partner of Peak Properties , based in Chicago .
McCombie said she 's optimistic about the shopping center 's future .
`` I have no fears that this is going to be the end .
I think this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get through this COVID . ''
Business at the mall -- which the village can gauge from sales tax revenues -- was more robust pre-pandemic , but has held up better than anticipated , McCombie said .
Restaurants in particular seemed to do well and the village worked to facilitate things like outdoor dining , she said .
This is n't the first bout with foreclosure proceedings for The Arboretum .
The shopping center opened in 2008 , at the start of the Great Recession , and faced a $ 91 million foreclosure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mike Jaffe , president of The Jaffe Companies in Northbrook and developer of the shopping center , partnered with a Boston-based company to avoid foreclosure .
Starwood bought The Arboretum in 2015 .
Zucker was appointed receiver in early October , meaning he 's a neutral party whose job is to maintain and preserve the property .
Zucker said he hired Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle to manage the shopping center .
`` It 's a big project , '' he said .
Zucker declined to give specifics about the status of tenants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People are opening , people are closing , '' he said .
`` It 's a revolving door . ''

The Arboretum of South Barrington facing $67.2 million foreclosure lawsuit
The Arboretum of South Barrington is facing a foreclosure lawsuit amid widespread economic pressure on the retail and hospitality industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the lawsuit filed in Cook County circuit court in September, UnionBank states that the owners of The Arboretum didn't pay interest on the property's $67.2 million mortgage and didn't pay off the debt when it matured in April, according to Crain's Chicago Business.
The 480,000-square-foot outdoor shopping center at Higgins Road and Route 59 is listed as part of the portfolio of Starwood Retail Partners, a division of Starwood Capital Group.
Starwood Retail Partners and UnionBank didn't return requests for comment Wednesday.
"Unfortunately we have no comment," said a woman who answered The Arboretum's customer service number.
South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie said she had no firsthand knowledge of the lawsuit but was informed Wednesday morning that The Arboretum has a court-appointed receiver. That person is Mike Zucker, managing partner of Peak Properties, based in Chicago.
McCombie said she's optimistic about the shopping center's future. "I have no fears that this is going to be the end. I think this is going to prosper as soon as we get through this COVID."
Business at the mall -- which the village can gauge from sales tax revenues -- was more robust pre-pandemic, but has held up better than anticipated, McCombie said. Restaurants in particular seemed to do well and the village worked to facilitate things like outdoor dining, she said.
Eateries there include Mago Grill & Cantina, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Wok n Fire, Pinstripes and Georgio's Chicago Pizzeria & Pub.
This isn't the first bout with foreclosure proceedings for The Arboretum. The shopping center opened in 2008, at the start of the Great Recession, and faced a $91 million foreclosure lawsuit in 2011. At that time, Mike Jaffe, president of The Jaffe Companies in Northbrook and developer of the shopping center, partnered with a Boston-based company to avoid foreclosure. Starwood bought The Arboretum in 2015.
Zucker was appointed receiver in early October, meaning he's a neutral party whose job is to maintain and preserve the property. Zucker said he hired Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle to manage the shopping center.
"It's a big project," he said.
Zucker declined to give specifics about the status of tenants. "We're getting rent. People are opening, people are closing," he said. "It's a revolving door."