dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--$100 to help family with medical bills

$100 to help family with medical bills

Today 's winner of a $ 100 bill through the Believe Project is Jeff Gallichio of Des Plaines .
He wants to give the money to a friend of his daughter .
Here is an excerpt of his story : '' Cherrie was hospitalized for seven months about a year and a half ago .
During that time , she experienced memory loss and lost her ability to speak .
She also lost complete function of her body .
Through physical , occupational , and speech therapy , she has regained some function in her body ... '' With a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expenses for a family , it has become a struggle to maintain their daily living .
I know that receiving $ 100 through the Believe Project will help make their Christmas a bit brighter , especially for their two young children . ''
• The Believe Project is awarding $ 100 each day in December to a different person with a good idea for how to use the money to do a good deed for someone else .
If you 'd like the chance to help someone , submit your idea for consideration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

$100 to help family with medical bills
Today's winner of a $100 bill through the Believe Project is Jeff Gallichio of Des Plaines.
He wants to give the money to a friend of his daughter. Here is an excerpt of his story:
"Cherrie was hospitalized for seven months about a year and a half ago. During that time, she experienced memory loss and lost her ability to speak. She also lost complete function of her body. Through physical, occupational, and speech therapy, she has regained some function in her body ...
"With a mountain of medical bills and regular life expenses for a family, it has become a struggle to maintain their daily living. I know that receiving $100 through the Believe Project will help make their Christmas a bit brighter, especially for their two young children."
• The Believe Project is awarding $100 each day in December to a different person with a good idea for how to use the money to do a good deed for someone else. If you'd like the chance to help someone, submit your idea for consideration in 150 words or fewer at events.dailyherald.com/believe/.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--Lombard officials get first look at Plum Memorial Library designs

Plans are moving ahead for a new Helen M. Plum Memorial Library in Lombard .
Architectural renderings and floor plans of the proposed $ 27.8 million building were shared Wednesday during a virtual library board of trustees meeting .
Shaun Kelly , an architect with Engberg Anderson , led the discussion and fielded questions on the many features of the two-story , 50,000-square-foot library .
The building is planned for the sites of the former Mr. Z 's Supermarket at 401 S. Main St. , a small professional building next door at 425 S. Main St. and an adjacent easement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded meeting and study rooms , including first-floor meeting spaces on the north side of the building that can open up to an outdoor plaza .
He also highlighted a drop-off and pickup lane on the east side of the building , near the main parking lot .
The new library also is putting a focus on youth .
A large children 's section is to anchor the bulk of main floor , while the second floor will feature a teen services area with its own computer section and young adult literature .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobby known as `` The Hub , '' with a vending cafe area and an exhibition gallery .
A second-floor computer lab will feature technology training programs for adults .
Library trustees peppered Kelly with questions about handicapped accessibility , interior decor and security .
Kelly also emphasized that the designers are still having discussions with staff about details ranging from color schemes to lighting fixtures .
The new library faced a number of delays after voters approved a property tax increase in 2016 .
The new building initially was to be constructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site of the existing library .
But agreements could not be worked out with the Lombard Park District over issues tied to neighboring Lilac Park .
Library officials are promoting the new centralized location in Lombard , despite the $ 2.655 million cost to acquire the land .
Officials say the library wo n't need to spend an estimated $ 1.5 million to modify , move into and lease an interim location .
Instead , the existing library building will remain in use until construction of the Main Street location is completed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon the library getting zoning approvals from the village .
If the village approves the plans , library officials hope to begin demolition of the vacant buildings in spring of 2021 .
Construction can then begin in the summer , with the planned opening set for fall of 2022 .
`` It 's a long time coming and it 's exciting , '' library spokeswoman Sue Wilsey said .
`` In these trying times , the community has something to look forward to as far as this infrastructure project . ''

Lombard officials get first look at Plum Memorial Library designs
The proposed Helen M. Plum Memorial Library in Lombard would have a drive-through lane for book drop-off and pickup on the east side of the building. Courtesy of Engberg Anderson Architects
An architectural rendering shows what a new Helen M. Plum Memorial Library in Lombard would look like. The building is planned for land that currently includes the former Mr. Z's Supermarket at 401 S. Main St. Courtesy of Engberg Anderson Architects
Plans are moving ahead for a new Helen M. Plum Memorial Library in Lombard.
Architectural renderings and floor plans of the proposed $27.8 million building were shared Wednesday during a virtual library board of trustees meeting.
Shaun Kelly, an architect with Engberg Anderson, led the discussion and fielded questions on the many features of the two-story, 50,000-square-foot library. The building is planned for the sites of the former Mr. Z's Supermarket at 401 S. Main St., a small professional building next door at 425 S. Main St. and an adjacent easement.
Kelly touted the new library's expanded meeting and study rooms, including first-floor meeting spaces on the north side of the building that can open up to an outdoor plaza. He also highlighted a drop-off and pickup lane on the east side of the building, near the main parking lot.
The new library also is putting a focus on youth. A large children's section is to anchor the bulk of main floor, while the second floor will feature a teen services area with its own computer section and young adult literature.
In addition, Kelly highlighted the glassy lobby known as "The Hub," with a vending cafe area and an exhibition gallery. A second-floor computer lab will feature technology training programs for adults.
Library trustees peppered Kelly with questions about handicapped accessibility, interior decor and security. Kelly also emphasized that the designers are still having discussions with staff about details ranging from color schemes to lighting fixtures.
The new library faced a number of delays after voters approved a property tax increase in 2016. The new building initially was to be constructed at 110 W. Maple St., the site of the existing library.
But agreements could not be worked out with the Lombard Park District over issues tied to neighboring Lilac Park.
Library officials are promoting the new centralized location in Lombard, despite the $2.655 million cost to acquire the land.
Officials say the library won't need to spend an estimated $1.5 million to modify, move into and lease an interim location. Instead, the existing library building will remain in use until construction of the Main Street location is completed.
The purchase of the land is contingent upon the library getting zoning approvals from the village.
If the village approves the plans, library officials hope to begin demolition of the vacant buildings in spring of 2021. Construction can then begin in the summer, with the planned opening set for fall of 2022.
"It's a long time coming and it's exciting," library spokeswoman Sue Wilsey said. "In these trying times, the community has something to look forward to as far as this infrastructure project."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--'It's just a heart-wrenching tragedy': 2 girls killed, 4 people injured in Ingleside fire

Despite firefighters ' rescue attempts , two young sisters were killed in a house fire late Thursday in Ingleside .
Firefighters repeatedly tried to reach 8-year-old Elizabeth Evans and 5-year-old Autumn Evans inside the burning house on the 35700 block of North Hunt Avenue , but crews could n't get to them , Fox Lake Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Edward Lescher said .
According to authorities and friends , also hurt in the fire were : the girls ' mother , Katie Evans , 35 ; a brother , Cory , 17 ; and two grandparents , Scott and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evans jumped from a second-story window as the house burned , neighbor Shannon Carroll said .
Neighbors came to her assistance .
`` Everybody tried to do everything we could to help , '' Carroll said .
Friends mourned the girls Friday .
Balloons , roses and stuffed bears were left at a wooden fence outside the two-story home .
`` It 's just a heart-wrenching tragedy , '' said Lake County Board member Judy Martini of Fox Lake , whose district includes the Ingleside area .
The blaze was reported about 10:45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and left it a total loss .
Lake County sheriff 's deputies got there first and tried to enter the house but could n't because of the flames , Sgt .
Chris Covelli said .
They found Katie Evans and the girls ' grandfather outside .
Both were badly injured .
Using an emergency litter and a tarp found in the backyard , the deputies pulled them to safer positions , Covelli said .
Cory Evans ' girlfriend , Emma Dinitz of Fox Lake , said she had been at the Evans house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chatting with Cory when he announced the house was ablaze .
She drove right over with her mom .
`` Everything was just in flames , '' Dinitz recalled .
Cory Evans got out of the burning house on his own .
He was hurt , but less seriously than the others , officials said .
One resident told firefighters there was another woman inside , as well as the two girls .
Lescher said firefighters entered through a back door and found the girls ' grandmother about 10 or 15 feet from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeper into the home but were driven back by smoke and flames .
`` We tried to go back in to get a second attempt and just could n't go inside , '' Lescher said .
Lescher said they sent a crew in again a few minutes later only to find that part of the second floor had collapsed onto the first floor .
`` We went in six additional times to try and get to the kids while still fighting the fire , '' Lescher said .
About 50 firefighters from 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were hurt .
Once firefighters had the blaze under control and were able to safely reach the second floor , they found Elizabeth 's body in a bedroom and Autumn 's body in a hallway , he said .
Autopsies conducted Friday revealed both girls died of smoke inhalation , Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said in a news release .
The older victims were taken to suburban hospitals .
The girls ' mother and both grandparents were transferred to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood with severe burns .
All three were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cory Evans was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and remained there in fair condition , Covelli said .
Firefighters and investigators did n't find smoke detectors in the home , Lescher said .
The fire remained under investigation Friday .
The state fire marshal is participating in the search for clues .
Neighbors described the Evanses as a big , happy family .
One , Raul Paz , said Elizabeth and Autumn enjoyed playing outside and running around from yard to yard , often barefoot .
Paz 's 9-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them and would sometimes join the Evanses when they hosted outdoor movie nights using a projector .
`` She has been crying all night , '' Paz said .
`` It has hit her the hardest . ''
Shannon Carroll , who lives across the street from the Evans house , cried while talking about how nice the Evans family has been to her .
She was a single mother when she moved in and said the Evanses helped when she could n't afford groceries .
Carroll said her young son played with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to their house for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I just do n't know what I 'm going to tell my son , '' Carroll said .
At least one of the sisters attended school in Gavin Elementary District 37 .
Superintendent Julie A. Brua informed families of the tragedy with a message Friday .
School officials made a crisis intervention team available for students , parents and staffers .
`` We are saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Brua said in her message .
An online fundraiser has been launched to help the family .
It can be found at gofundme.com/f/evans-family-fire-fundraiser and has been verified as legitimate by GoFundMe , a spokesperson said .
By 6:30 p.m. , the account had collected $ 94,247 toward a $ 150,000 goal from 1,700 donors .
• Daily Herald staff writers Jake Griffin and Joe Lewnard contributed to this report .

'It's just a heart-wrenching tragedy': 2 girls killed, 4 people injured in Ingleside fire
A still frame from video shows the fatal house fire on the 35700 block of North Hunt Avenue in Ingleside. courtesy of Joan Norkus
8-year-old Elizabeth Evans and 5-year-old Autumn Evans celebrate their birthdays over the summer. They were killed by a fast-moving fire that spread throughout their Ingleside house late Thursday. Courtesy of Bridget Lavelle
Despite firefighters' rescue attempts, two young sisters were killed in a house fire late Thursday in Ingleside.
Firefighters repeatedly tried to reach 8-year-old Elizabeth Evans and 5-year-old Autumn Evans inside the burning house on the 35700 block of North Hunt Avenue, but crews couldn't get to them, Fox Lake Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Edward Lescher said.
According to authorities and friends, also hurt in the fire were: the girls' mother, Katie Evans, 35; a brother, Cory, 17; and two grandparents, Scott and Dori Evans, both 66.
Katie Evans jumped from a second-story window as the house burned, neighbor Shannon Carroll said. Neighbors came to her assistance.
"Everybody tried to do everything we could to help," Carroll said.
Friends mourned the girls Friday. Balloons, roses and stuffed bears were left at a wooden fence outside the two-story home.
An online fundraiser has been set up for the Evans family of Ingleside after the fire at their home. -
"It's just a heart-wrenching tragedy," said Lake County Board member Judy Martini of Fox Lake, whose district includes the Ingleside area.
The blaze was reported about 10:45 p.m. Thursday. It engulfed the house and left it a total loss.
Lake County sheriff's deputies got there first and tried to enter the house but couldn't because of the flames, Sgt. Chris Covelli said.
They found Katie Evans and the girls' grandfather outside. Both were badly injured. Using an emergency litter and a tarp found in the backyard, the deputies pulled them to safer positions, Covelli said.
Cory Evans' girlfriend, Emma Dinitz of Fox Lake, said she had been at the Evans house shortly before the fire and was video chatting with Cory when he announced the house was ablaze. She drove right over with her mom.
"Everything was just in flames," Dinitz recalled.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer Emma Dinitz of Fox Lake, right, is hugged by her mom, Tracie, outside the home where two girls died in a fire on North Hunt Avenue in Ingleside late Thursday. Dinitz is the girlfriend of Cory Evans, the girls' brother who was able to escape the fire.
Cory Evans got out of the burning house on his own. He was hurt, but less seriously than the others, officials said.
One resident told firefighters there was another woman inside, as well as the two girls.
Lescher said firefighters entered through a back door and found the girls' grandmother about 10 or 15 feet from the door.
Firefighters tried to move deeper into the home but were driven back by smoke and flames.
"We tried to go back in to get a second attempt and just couldn't go inside," Lescher said.
Lescher said they sent a crew in again a few minutes later only to find that part of the second floor had collapsed onto the first floor.
"We went in six additional times to try and get to the kids while still fighting the fire," Lescher said.
About 50 firefighters from 10 area departments battled the flames. None were hurt.
Once firefighters had the blaze under control and were able to safely reach the second floor, they found Elizabeth's body in a bedroom and Autumn's body in a hallway, he said.
Autopsies conducted Friday revealed both girls died of smoke inhalation, Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said in a news release.
The older victims were taken to suburban hospitals. The girls' mother and both grandparents were transferred to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood with severe burns.
All three were in critical condition Friday, Covelli said.
Cory Evans was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and remained there in fair condition, Covelli said.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer Two people died in a fire late Thursday at a home on the 35700 block of North Hunt Avenue in Ingleside.
Firefighters and investigators didn't find smoke detectors in the home, Lescher said.
The fire remained under investigation Friday. The state fire marshal is participating in the search for clues.
Neighbors described the Evanses as a big, happy family.
One, Raul Paz, said Elizabeth and Autumn enjoyed playing outside and running around from yard to yard, often barefoot.
Paz's 9-year-old daughter, Vivianna, regularly played with them and would sometimes join the Evanses when they hosted outdoor movie nights using a projector.
"She has been crying all night," Paz said. "It has hit her the hardest."
Shannon Carroll, who lives across the street from the Evans house, cried while talking about how nice the Evans family has been to her. She was a single mother when she moved in and said the Evanses helped when she couldn't afford groceries.
The Evans family celebrate Thanksgiving this year: Teig, Scott, Jess, Randy, Dori, Autumn, Cory and Elizabeth. 8-year-old Elizabeth Evans and 5-year-old Autumn Evans were killed by a fast-moving fire that spread thread throughout their Ingleside house late Thursday. - Courtesy of Bridget Lavelle
Carroll said her young son played with the Evans girls nearly every day and went to their house for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I just don't know what I'm going to tell my son," Carroll said.
At least one of the sisters attended school in Gavin Elementary District 37. Superintendent Julie A. Brua informed families of the tragedy with a message Friday. School officials made a crisis intervention team available for students, parents and staffers.
"We are saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child as you need," Brua said in her message.
An online fundraiser has been launched to help the family. It can be found at gofundme.com/f/evans-family-fire-fundraiser and has been verified as legitimate by GoFundMe, a spokesperson said. The account had collected about $110,000 toward a $150,000 goal from at least 1,900 donors by 10 p.m.
• Daily Herald staff writers Jake Griffin and Joe Lewnard contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--Illinois reports 190 more deaths, pushing death toll over 14,000

The number of Illinoisans who have died from COVID-19 surpassed 14,000 Friday , the Illinois Department of Public Health announced .
The state reported 190 more deaths Friday from the respiratory disease , an increase from the seven-day average of 155 people .
The news comes as Illinois prepares for initial distribution of a Pfizer Inc. vaccine once it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said at a briefing .
`` Illinois is prepared to quickly get it to our front-line workforce , '' he said .
The first recipients will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and caretakers in long-term care facilities , based on federal guidelines .
The state has a panel of experts that also will scrutinize the FDA findings .
`` Based on the information to date , our team is optimistic a vaccine can safely move forward , '' Pritzker said .
`` We 're definitely ready to start vaccinating our medical staff , '' said Edward-Elmhurst Health COVID-19 Task Force member Ankur Singal , a doctor .
Edward and Elmhurst hospitals are prepared to receive doses of the Pfizer vaccine , which require storage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's something we 've been working on for 10 weeks , '' Singal said .
`` The information has changed and evolved , and we 've needed to be flexible and pivot and be prepared for any scenario .
Side effects of the vaccine can include headaches , fatigue and muscle aches .
Singal intends to get a shot `` without hesitation . ''
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital infectious disease specialist Daniel Boyle has fielded questions about the vaccine from health care workers .
He tells them that based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe and `` with the level of COVID-19 we 're seeing in the community , I honestly feel the risk of a serious adverse event from the vaccine is less than the risk of getting COVID-19 and possibly very sick . ''
Boyle added , `` I will take the vaccine , for sure . ''
After medical workers and nursing homes , essential workers and people with serious health conditions will be prioritized for shots , and the general public will follow .
Asked if inoculations would be required at schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet been approved for young people and it makes sense in the early stages `` not to have a requirement .
But certainly , I know that we 'll be looking at ... as the months ensue ... the idea of where , if any place , there may be some requirement . ''
There were 9,420 new cases of COVID-19 Friday , higher than the seven-day average of 8,980 .
But current infections are significantly lower than in November when the average daily tally was 10,278 .
The positivity rate for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven-day average .
That number is calculated by dividing the number of new COVID-19 cases diagnosed over seven days by the total tests processed .
Current case positivity rates are less than November tallies , which averaged 11 % .
But December deaths are significantly higher than November averages of 84 people a day .
Pritzker noted fatalities are a lagging indicator .
The discrepancies are `` maddening to me because people are dying today and it seems like things are getting better on the front end , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections down and positivity rates down , we 'll continue to see these kind of high levels of death every day , and it is devastating . ''
Illinois hospitals were treating 5,141 COVID-19 patients as of Thursday night ; the seven-day hospitalization average is 5,206 .
Labs reported 104,448 tests in the last 24 hours .
The total infections statewide now stand at 832,951 with 14,050 deaths .

Illinois reports 190 more deaths, pushing death toll over 14,000
The number of Illinoisans who have died from COVID-19 surpassed 14,000 Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced.
The state reported 190 more deaths Friday from the respiratory disease, an increase from the seven-day average of 155 people.
The news comes as Illinois prepares for initial distribution of a Pfizer Inc. vaccine once it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a briefing.
"Illinois is prepared to quickly get it to our front-line workforce," he said.
The first recipients will be health care workers, followed by residents and caretakers in long-term care facilities, based on federal guidelines.
The state has a panel of experts that also will scrutinize the FDA findings.
"Based on the information to date, our team is optimistic a vaccine can safely move forward," Pritzker said.
"We're definitely ready to start vaccinating our medical staff," said Edward-Elmhurst Health COVID-19 Task Force member Ankur Singal, a doctor. Edward and Elmhurst hospitals are prepared to receive doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which require storage at minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit when frozen.
"It's something we've been working on for 10 weeks," Singal said. "The information has changed and evolved, and we've needed to be flexible and pivot and be prepared for any scenario.
Side effects of the vaccine can include headaches, fatigue and muscle aches. Singal intends to get a shot "without hesitation."
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital infectious disease specialist Daniel Boyle has fielded questions about the vaccine from health care workers.
He tells them that based on CDC data, the shots are safe and "with the level of COVID-19 we're seeing in the community, I honestly feel the risk of a serious adverse event from the vaccine is less than the risk of getting COVID-19 and possibly very sick."
Boyle added, "I will take the vaccine, for sure."
After medical workers and nursing homes, essential workers and people with serious health conditions will be prioritized for shots, and the general public will follow.
Asked if inoculations would be required at schools, Pritzker noted a COVID-19 vaccine has not yet been approved for young people and it makes sense in the early stages "not to have a requirement. But certainly, I know that we'll be looking at ... as the months ensue ... the idea of where, if any place, there may be some requirement."
There were 9,420 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, higher than the seven-day average of 8,980. But current infections are significantly lower than in November when the average daily tally was 10,278.
The positivity rate for COVID-19 cases measured 9.4% based on a seven-day average. That number is calculated by dividing the number of new COVID-19 cases diagnosed over seven days by the total tests processed. Current case positivity rates are less than November tallies, which averaged 11%.
But December deaths are significantly higher than November averages of 84 people a day. Pritzker noted fatalities are a lagging indicator.
The discrepancies are "maddening to me because people are dying today and it seems like things are getting better on the front end," he said. "If we don't continue to bring infections down and positivity rates down, we'll continue to see these kind of high levels of death every day, and it is devastating."
Illinois hospitals were treating 5,141 COVID-19 patients as of Thursday night; the seven-day hospitalization average is 5,206.
Labs reported 104,448 tests in the last 24 hours.
The total infections statewide now stand at 832,951 with 14,050 deaths.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--Supreme Court rejects Texas-led Republican challenge on Biden victory

HOUSTON -- The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a Texas lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden 's election victory , ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation 's highest court .
The court 's order was its second this week rebuffing Republican requests that it get involved in the 2020 election outcome .
The justices turned away an appeal from Pennsylvania Republicans on Tuesday .
The Electoral College meets Monday to formally elect Biden as the next president .
Trump had called the lawsuit filed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wisconsin `` the big one '' that would end with the Supreme Court undoing Biden 's substantial Electoral College majority and allowing Trump to serve another four years in the White House .
In a brief order , the court said Texas does not have the legal right to sue those states because it `` has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections . ''
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas , who have said previously the court does not have the authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they would have heard Texas ' complaint .
But they would not have done as Texas wanted pending resolution of the lawsuit , and set aside those four states ' 62 electoral votes for Biden .
Three Trump appointees sit on the high court .
In his push to get the most recent of his nominees , Justice Amy Coney Barrett , confirmed quickly , Trump said she would be needed for any post-election lawsuits .
Barrett appears to have participated in both cases this week .
None of the Trump appointees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eighteen other states won by Trump in last month 's election , 126 GOP members of Congress and Trump himself joined Texas in calling on the justices to take up the case that sought to stop electors from casting their votes for Biden .
The four states sued by Texas had urged the court to reject the case as meritless .
They were backed by another 22 states and the District of Columbia .

Supreme Court rejects Texas-led Republican challenge on Biden victory
President Donald Trump prepares Monday to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to Olympic gold medalist and former University of Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden's election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation's highest court and subvert the will of voters.
The high court's order was a stark repudiation of a legal claim that was widely regarded as dubious, yet embraced by the president, 19 Republican state attorneys general and 126 House Republicans.
Trump had insisted the court would find the "wisdom" and "courage" to adopt his baseless position that the election was the product of widespread fraud and should be overturned. But the nation's highest court emphatically disagreed.
Friday's order marked the second time this week that the court had rebuffed Republican requests that it get involved in the 2020 election outcome and reject the voters' choice, as expressed in an election regarded by both Republican and Democratic officials as free and fair. The justices turned away an appeal from Pennsylvania Republicans on Tuesday.
On Monday, the Electoral College meets to formally elect Biden as the next president.
Trump had called the lawsuit filed by Texas against Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin "the big one" that would end with the Supreme Court undoing Biden's substantial Electoral College majority and allowing Trump to serve another four years in the White House.
In a brief order, the court said Texas does not have the legal right to sue those states because it "has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections."
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, who have said previously the court does not have the authority to turn away lawsuits between states, said they would have heard Texas' complaint. But they would not have done as Texas wanted -- setting aside those four states' 62 electoral votes for Biden -- pending resolution of the lawsuit.
Three Trump appointees sit on the high court. In his push to get the most recent of his nominees, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, confirmed quickly, Trump said she would be needed for any post-election lawsuits. Barrett appears to have participated in both cases this week. None of the Trump appointees noted a dissent in either case.
The four states sued by Texas had urged the court to reject the case as meritless. They were backed by another 22 states and the District of Columbia.
Republican support for the lawsuit and its call to throw out millions of votes in four battleground states was rooted in baseless claims of fraud, an extraordinary display of the party's willingness to countermand the will of voters. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana were among those joining to support the action.
"The Court has rightly dismissed out of hand the extreme, unlawful and undemocratic GOP lawsuit to overturn the will of millions of American voters," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday night.
A few Republicans expressed concerns about the case. Many others remained silent even as Trump endlessly repeated claims that he lost a chance at a second term due to widespread fraud.
Sen. Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican who has previously criticized the president, applauded the court's decision.
"Since Election Night, a lot of people have been confusing voters by spinning Kenyan Birther-type, 'Chavez rigged the election from the grave' conspiracy theories, but every American who cares about the rule of law should take comfort that the Supreme Court -- including all three of President Trump's picks -- closed the book on the nonsense," Sasse said in a statement.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said the court "saw through this seditious abuse of the judicial process."
"While these stunts are legally insignificant, their cost to our country -- in misleading the public about a free and fair election and in tearing at our Constitution -- is high and we will not tolerate them from our sister states or anyone else," said Shapiro, a Democrat.
The Texas complaint repeated false, disproven and unsubstantiated accusations about the voting in four states that went for Trump's Democratic challenger. The high court had never before been asked for such a dramatic remedy.
Two days after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed his suit, Trump jumped into the high court case. Hours later, the president held a meeting at the White House, scheduled before the suit was filed, with a dozen Republican attorneys general, including Paxton and several others who backed the effort.
"If the Supreme Court shows great Wisdom and Courage, the American People will win perhaps the most important case in history, and our Electoral Process will be respected again!" he tweeted Friday afternoon. Trump had spent the week relentlessly tweeting about the Texas case with the hashtag "overturn" and claiming, falsely, that he had won the election but was robbed.
In a statement Friday, Paxton called the Supreme Court's decision "unfortunate."
Still, some of the top state Republican prosecutors who urged the court to get involved acknowledged that the effort was a long shot and sought to distance themselves from Trump's baseless allegations of fraud.
The case inflamed already high tensions over the election. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said his office staff received two death threats Thursday after he signed onto the brief supporting the case.
The lawsuit also divided officials in some states.
Montana Attorney General Tim Fox supported Texas' case, even though he said the suit was "belated" and its chances "are slim at best." Fox said the case raised "important constitutional questions about the separation of powers and the integrity of mail-in ballots in those defendant states."
But Gov. Steve Bullock, D-Mont., urged the court to reject the case. He said the fact that Texas is not suing Montana, which Trump won, even though the state similarly used mail-in ballots underscores that "this action is less about election integrity than it is about attempting to overturn the will of the electorate."
Trump's repetition of election-related falsehoods and conspiracy theories has taken hold among far-right media and much of his base. Many Republican voters in several states won by Biden have demanded that their elected officials find a way to invalidate the president-elect's victories.
The Republican Party of Texas on Friday evening issued a statement raising the far-fetched possibility of secession. "Perhaps law-abiding states should bond together and form a Union of states that will abide by the constitution," said party chairman Allen West, the former Florida congressman.
Even though the court's action seemed to be the end of the road for Trump's legal fights about the 2020 election results, the president's efforts may have a destabilizing effect long after he leaves office. Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, vowed Friday to keep fighting.
"Some litigation may continue, but it will not change election results," said Rick Hasen, a law professor at the Universtiy of California, Irvine. "The delegitimization of the Biden presidency by Trump, and of elections generally, will reverberate for years to come. And that's a real tragedy."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--How full have suburban hospitals become?

More than a third of the state 's 171 short-term care and critical access hospitals have reported at least one week where 80 % or more of the hospital 's staffed inpatient adult beds were occupied .
That includes at least nine suburban hospitals , most of which reported several weeks where the average portion of those beds in use was above 80 % , according to a nationwide report released this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
The report tracks hospital occupancy and COVID-19 caseloads for 18 weeks between July 31 and Nov. 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds available , which in many cases is less than the total number of beds in the hospital .
Some hospitals did not have complete figures for all 18 weeks .
Illinois public health officials monitor hospital occupancy regionally to determine if COVID-19 mitigation restrictions should be implemented .
If hospital bed occupancy exceeds 80 % in a region , that could trigger those restrictions on business operations and social gathering sizes .
Aurora 's Rush Copley Medical Center reported 17 weeks where the hospital 's occupancy of adult inpatient beds exceeded 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edward Hospital in Naperville for 13 weeks and for 12 weeks at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan , according to the federal report .
While the numbers appear alarming , Edward Hospital President and CEO Joseph Dant said hospital administrators were ready to handle the current surge .
Edward has about 120 more beds that are n't consistently staffed even at the hospital 's peak occupancy , such as during the first week of November when administrators reported an average of nearly 95 % of the adult inpatient beds were occupied , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaged 77 COVID-19 patients a day that week , less than a quarter of the hospital 's daily average of total patients for the week .
`` The other trigger we could have pulled before going into overflow space was slowing down or stopping our elective services , '' Dant said .
`` We 've refined our plan since the initial spring surge because we learned a few things that would help us get ready for the late fall/early winter surge . ''
Other suburban hospitals that reported weeks where adult inpatient bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GlenOaks in Glendale Heights , Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville , Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village , Elmhurst Hospital , Lake Behavioral Hospital in Waukegan and St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates .
None of the hospitals -- except Lake Behavioral , which at times was treating all 60 patients for the virus -- reported a weekly average COVID-19 patient load of more than 45 % during the 18 weeks , according to the HHS report .
Among the 63 hospitals across Illinois where the average inpatient bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , 16 reported that was the case for more than half the 18-week period included in the HHS report .
Only five hospitals -- the University of Chicago Medical Center , Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood , MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn , Loyola Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park and St. John 's Hospital in Springfield -- reported all 18 weeks of averaging more than 80 % of adult inpatient beds in use .
State health officials also monitor capacity issues at each hospital 's intensive care units to determine if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep an eye on bed availability to make sure an entire region does n't run out of available ICU beds , which are much fewer than standard inpatient hospital beds .
`` There 's already an internal system , if you will , between hospitals where if there is a need to transfer to one provider , one doctor talks to a doctor at another hospital and arranges for a transfer , '' said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike .
`` So fortunately we have not gotten in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a region . ''
Six suburban hospitals reported weekly ICU capacity at or above 80 % at least twice during the 18-week span , according to the HHS report .
Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village reported the hospital 's ICU beds were occupied more than 80 % of the time in 12 of the 18 weeks .
However , Alexian Brothers also reported not all ICU beds were being staffed each day and administrators could add more ICU beds if the hospital experienced a surge of critical patients .
Adventist GlenOaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Alexius and Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora also reported average weekly ICU capacity at 80 % or more during that time frame .

How full have suburban hospitals become?
More than a third of the state's 171 short-term care and critical access hospitals have reported at least one week where 80% or more of the hospital's staffed inpatient adult beds were occupied.
That includes at least nine suburban hospitals, most of which reported several weeks where the average portion of those beds in use was above 80%, according to a nationwide report released this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The report tracks hospital occupancy and COVID-19 caseloads for 18 weeks between July 31 and Nov. 27. It tracks the number of staffed beds available, which in many cases is less than the total number of beds in the hospital. Some hospitals did not have complete figures for all 18 weeks.
Illinois public health officials monitor hospital occupancy regionally to determine if COVID-19 mitigation restrictions should be implemented. If hospital bed occupancy exceeds 80% in a region, that could trigger those restrictions on business operations and social gathering sizes.
Aurora's Rush Copley Medical Center reported 17 weeks where the hospital's occupancy of adult inpatient beds exceeded 80%. That was the case at Edward Hospital in Naperville for 13 weeks and for 12 weeks at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, according to the federal report.
While the numbers appear alarming, Edward Hospital President and CEO Joseph Dant said hospital administrators were ready to handle the current surge.
Edward has about 120 more beds that aren't consistently staffed even at the hospital's peak occupancy, such as during the first week of November when administrators reported an average of nearly 95% of the adult inpatient beds were occupied, according to the HHS report.
Edward averaged 77 COVID-19 patients a day that week, less than a quarter of the hospital's daily average of total patients for the week.
"The other trigger we could have pulled before going into overflow space was slowing down or stopping our elective services," Dant said. "We've refined our plan since the initial spring surge because we learned a few things that would help us get ready for the late fall/early winter surge."
Other suburban hospitals that reported weeks where adult inpatient bed occupancy rates exceeded 80% were Adventist GlenOaks in Glendale Heights, Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst Hospital, Lake Behavioral Hospital in Waukegan and St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.
None of the hospitals -- except Lake Behavioral, which at times was treating all 60 patients for the virus -- reported a weekly average COVID-19 patient load of more than 45% during the 18 weeks, according to the HHS report.
Among the 63 hospitals across Illinois where the average inpatient bed occupancy rate exceeded 80% for the week, 16 reported that was the case for more than half the 18-week period included in the HHS report.
Only five hospitals -- the University of Chicago Medical Center, Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Loyola Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park and St. John's Hospital in Springfield -- reported all 18 weeks of averaging more than 80% of adult inpatient beds in use.
State health officials also monitor capacity issues at each hospital's intensive care units to determine if mitigation restrictions are necessary. And they keep an eye on bed availability to make sure an entire region doesn't run out of available ICU beds, which are much fewer than standard inpatient hospital beds.
"There's already an internal system, if you will, between hospitals where if there is a need to transfer to one provider, one doctor talks to a doctor at another hospital and arranges for a transfer," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. "So fortunately we have not gotten in a situation where there are no beds available in a region."
Six suburban hospitals reported weekly ICU capacity at or above 80% at least twice during the 18-week span, according to the HHS report.
Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village reported the hospital's ICU beds were occupied more than 80% of the time in 12 of the 18 weeks. However, Alexian Brothers also reported not all ICU beds were being staffed each day and administrators could add more ICU beds if the hospital experienced a surge of critical patients.
Adventist GlenOaks, Advocate Condell, Rush Copley, St. Alexius and Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora also reported average weekly ICU capacity at 80% or more during that time frame.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe removed from Des Plaines shrine to discourage visitors

For the first time in 30 years , one of the most venerated Catholic icons in the country will be cloistered to discourage the throngs of visitors who typically make pilgrimage to the Des Plaines site this time of year .
Officials at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe ceremoniously removed the image Friday from its niche in an open courtyard and placed it inside a chapel .
`` We 've been discouraging people from coming , '' said the Rev .
Esequiel Sanchez , rector of the shrine .
`` We know it 's a sacred icon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it .
Since we are removing it , we have to do it in the context of prayer .
That image represents hope , which is what we need right now . ''
Usually the shrine at 1170 N. River Road draws nearly 200,000 visitors over 36 hours for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe , which would have been held Friday and Saturday but was canceled because of the pandemic .
The feast day celebrates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego in 1531 near present-day Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worshippers have walked great distances to the services at the shrine in Des Plaines .
`` We ca n't manage that number of people and secure their safety , '' Sanchez said .
`` It would be irresponsible for us to attend a celebration like we normally would have it .
We are trying to be responsible with the community that trusts us with ( their ) spiritual faith . ''
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City , which attracts more than 2 million visitors for the feast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Police will help keep the Des Plaines shrine secure and will direct traffic and people away .
Parking on shrine grounds and in off-site lots is prohibited .
Sanchez said services mostly are virtual since the pandemic forced limitations on Masses .
Officials hope to shift the focus of worship to people 's homes .
`` The goal is to have families be more active in their prayer life as a family , '' Sanchez said .
`` As a country , we have moved away from that .
In reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday Catholics .
You are supposed to be people of faith every day . ''

For the first time in 30 years, one of the most venerated Catholic icons in the country will be cloistered to discourage the throngs of visitors who typically make pilgrimage to the Des Plaines site this time of year.
Officials at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe ceremoniously removed the image Friday from its niche in an open courtyard and placed it inside a chapel.
"We've been discouraging people from coming," said the Rev. Esequiel Sanchez, rector of the shrine. "We know it's a sacred icon and so we have to take special care of it. Since we are removing it, we have to do it in the context of prayer. That image represents hope, which is what we need right now."
Usually the shrine at 1170 N. River Road draws nearly 200,000 visitors over 36 hours for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which would have been held Friday and Saturday but was canceled because of the pandemic.
The feast day celebrates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego in 1531 near present-day Mexico City. In past years, some worshippers have walked great distances to the services at the shrine in Des Plaines.
"We can't manage that number of people and secure their safety," Sanchez said. "It would be irresponsible for us to attend a celebration like we normally would have it. We are trying to be responsible with the community that trusts us with (their) spiritual faith."
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, which attracts more than 2 million visitors for the feast, also has canceled its events, he said.
Police will help keep the Des Plaines shrine secure and will direct traffic and people away. Parking on shrine grounds and in off-site lots is prohibited.
Sanchez said services mostly are virtual since the pandemic forced limitations on Masses. Officials hope to shift the focus of worship to people's homes.
"The goal is to have families be more active in their prayer life as a family," Sanchez said. "As a country, we have moved away from that. In reality, you are not supposed to be Sunday Catholics. You are supposed to be people of faith every day."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--Rozner: Medinah's 2026 Presidents Cup will meet history with redesign

As I looked back down the 18th fairway from a glorious position just a meter off the final green at Medinah , I was struck by the way Tiger Woods was leaning calmly on a wedge .
It was as if he were playing a Tuesday game with his buddies and the last hole had a $ 20 carry-over , that image of nonchalance burned in my mind .
Yet , it was anything but cool and quiet .
This was Sunday at the 2012 Ryder Cup and if Martin Kaymer did not make his putt , Woods ' approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps the biggest shot in Ryder Cup history after the Americans had given back a huge lead on Sunday .
Alas , Kaymer secured Europe 's point and the GOAT would not get his chance to stop the greatest comeback on foreign soil in Ryder Cup lore .
In front of ferocious and immense Chicago crowds , the 2012 version was the best Ryder Cup ever , historic in every way from massive attendance to the matches themselves , and now Medinah will get another chance to host an extraordinary team event that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The PGA Tour announced Friday morning that the 2026 Presidents Cup is heading for Medinah 's famed No .
3 course , confirming a report in the Daily Herald a few days ago .
Medinah has already been the site of three U.S .
Opens ( 1949 , 1975 , 1990 ) , two PGA Championships ( 1999 , 2006 ) , three Western Opens ( 1939 , 1962 , 1966 ) and the 2019 BMW Championship , and the property and its members are perfectly suited for handling the biggest matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , was hardly so , as Medinah had to go through the bid process along with the rest of the candidates vying for the prestigious event .
`` It has been quite a journey for two years , '' said Medinah bid chairman Mike Scimo , a resident of Wayne in the Fox River Valley .
`` Typically , these events are awarded based on personal relationships or course history , but this process felt like a traditional business process , where we were invited to compete against other clubs with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and answers .
`` We gave it the full effort . ''
Ultimately , Medinah 's history , its member support and having Chicago -- and all that it offers -- probably turned the tide .
`` We have the track record of setting up a match-play tournament , '' Scimo said .
`` They know the course sets up very well for team events and for TV , with 12 through 18 all great TV holes with risk-reward .
`` We have the great staging areas , the room for hospitality and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obviously , the golf is the focal point , but we envision a festival environment across the campus with an international flare . ''
Scimo did n't say it quite like this , but one can envision a Taste of Chicago inside an international Olympic Village that stretches for a mile in every direction .
`` We have 10 million people here with an extremely diverse cosmopolitan city , '' Scimo said .
`` We have the melting pot , we have the business community to support hospitality , and we have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rail , along with security .
`` Most important , our members want to host these tournaments .
You ca n't do it without that .
A lot of clubs and their members just do n't want to do it . ''
Scimo says it is nothing more than fascinating fluke that the redesign of Medinah No .
3 over the next few years will be handled by Australian architect OCM Golf , and specifically Geoff Ogilvy .
It just so happens that the International Team in 2026 is likely to be captained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Quail Hollow , and Canadian Mike Weir should get 2024 in Montreal .
Hey , some of us enjoy conspiracies .
Gives us something to do .
`` It 's important to understand this is a master plan that was in place long before we knew anything about the Presidents Cup , '' Scimo laughed .
`` The bid was awarded by the Tour based on Course 3 's current condition .
It just so happens we have an Australian architect in place to redesign and Geoff Ogilvy is part of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coincidence . ''
Fine .
No conspiracy .
So now what for Medinah No .
3 ?
`` Is Course 3 too hard for members , but too easy for the pros ? ''
Scimo asked .
`` It 's just a question we thought we needed to ask . ''
The course setup for the 2019 BMW Championship , combined with soft conditions and the increasing length on Tour , made last year 's event a bomb-and-gouge festival , with Justin Thomas winning at 25-under par .
That 's unacceptable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The problem is the absurd length of so many great players is threatening to make even the greatest and most historic courses obsolete .
`` How can we make it more fun for members and yet adapt to the changes in the modern game ?
It sounds like opposing goals , but OCM articulated a way to do that , '' Scimo said .
`` We 're going to be introducing a lot more short grass around green complexes with much greater use of the terrain and leveraging the slopes , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's easier for the amateur .
`` For the pros , instead of being consistently bunkered , you could expect to see more variation .
With the natural slopes , if you miss a green you could roll 20 to 30 yards away , '' Scimo said , offering a hint of Augusta around the putting surfaces .
`` That 's just one example .
There will be more tee box locations and we 'll take a fresh look at bunkering . ''
But Medinah No .
3 will still look like Medinah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You 're not going to get on the property and wonder where you are , '' Scimo said .
`` No rerouting .
The footprint and hole locations expect to stay intact , but a couple green complexes will get a fresh look . ''
If in the process , Geoff Ogilvy happens to figure out a way to give the Internationals just a hint of an advantage , so be it .
And if that adds intrigue to what figures to be a magnificent 2026 Presidents Cup , well , that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you like conspiracies .

Rozner: Medinah's 2026 Presidents Cup will meet history with redesign
Daily Herald File PhotoSpectators line the 14th hole at Medinah during the opening round of the 2012 Ryder Cup.
The United States, left, and European teams rise during the singing of the national anthem as part of the 2012 Ryder Cup opening ceremonies at Medinah Country Club. Daily Herald File Photo
As I looked back down the 18th fairway from a glorious position just a meter off the final green at Medinah, I was struck by the way Tiger Woods was leaning calmly on a wedge.
It was as if he were playing a Tuesday game with his buddies and the last hole had a $20 carry-over, that image of nonchalance burned in my mind.
Yet, it was anything but cool and quiet.
This was Sunday at the 2012 Ryder Cup and if Martin Kaymer did not make his putt, Woods' approach would be for all the marbles, perhaps the biggest shot in Ryder Cup history after the Americans had given back a huge lead on Sunday.
Alas, Kaymer secured Europe's point and the GOAT would not get his chance to stop the greatest comeback on foreign soil in Ryder Cup lore.
In front of ferocious and immense Chicago crowds, the 2012 version was the best Ryder Cup ever, historic in every way from massive attendance to the matches themselves, and now Medinah will get another chance to host an extraordinary team event that is gaining in popularity with each version.
The PGA Tour announced Friday morning that the 2026 Presidents Cup is heading for Medinah's famed No. 3 course, confirming a report in the Daily Herald a few days ago.
Medinah has already been the site of three U.S. Opens (1949, 1975, 1990), two PGA Championships (1999, 2006), three Western Opens (1939, 1962, 1966) and the 2019 BMW Championship, and the property and its members are perfectly suited for handling the biggest matches.
What seems like an absolute slam-dunk, however, was hardly so, as Medinah had to go through the bid process along with the rest of the candidates vying for the prestigious event.
"It has been quite a journey for two years," said Medinah bid chairman Mike Scimo, a resident of Wayne in the Fox River Valley. "Typically, these events are awarded based on personal relationships or course history, but this process felt like a traditional business process, where we were invited to compete against other clubs with a proposal, and many back-and-forth questions and answers.
"We gave it the full effort."
Ultimately, Medinah's history, its member support and having Chicago -- and all that it offers -- probably turned the tide.
"We have the track record of setting up a match-play tournament," Scimo said. "They know the course sets up very well for team events and for TV, with 12 through 18 all great TV holes with risk-reward.
"We have the great staging areas, the room for hospitality and a vast campus of 640 acres. Obviously, the golf is the focal point, but we envision a festival environment across the campus with an international flare."
Scimo didn't say it quite like this, but one can envision a Taste of Chicago inside an international Olympic Village that stretches for a mile in every direction.
"We have 10 million people here with an extremely diverse cosmopolitan city," Scimo said. "We have the melting pot, we have the business community to support hospitality, and we have the access to international airports, roads and rail, along with security.
"Most important, our members want to host these tournaments. You can't do it without that. A lot of clubs and their members just don't want to do it."
Scimo says it is nothing more than fascinating fluke that the redesign of Medinah No. 3 over the next few years will be handled by Australian architect OCM Golf, and specifically Geoff Ogilvy.
It just so happens that the International Team in 2026 is likely to be captained by Ogilvy after Trevor Immelman gets 2022 at Quail Hollow, and Canadian Mike Weir should get 2024 in Montreal.
Hey, some of us enjoy conspiracies. Gives us something to do.
"It's important to understand this is a master plan that was in place long before we knew anything about the Presidents Cup," Scimo laughed. "The bid was awarded by the Tour based on Course 3's current condition. It just so happens we have an Australian architect in place to redesign and Geoff Ogilvy is part of that firm.
"It really is just a coincidence."
Fine. No conspiracy. So now what for Medinah No. 3?
"Is Course 3 too hard for members, but too easy for the pros?" Scimo asked. "It's just a question we thought we needed to ask."
The course setup for the 2019 BMW Championship, combined with soft conditions and the increasing length on Tour, made last year's event a bomb-and-gouge festival, with Justin Thomas winning at 25-under par.
That's unacceptable for any tournament and especially a playoff event. The problem is the absurd length of so many great players is threatening to make even the greatest and most historic courses obsolete.
"How can we make it more fun for members and yet adapt to the changes in the modern game? It sounds like opposing goals, but OCM articulated a way to do that," Scimo said. "We're going to be introducing a lot more short grass around green complexes with much greater use of the terrain and leveraging the slopes, giving it more of a bump-and-run look that's easier for the amateur.
"For the pros, instead of being consistently bunkered, you could expect to see more variation. With the natural slopes, if you miss a green you could roll 20 to 30 yards away," Scimo said, offering a hint of Augusta around the putting surfaces. "That's just one example. There will be more tee box locations and we'll take a fresh look at bunkering."
But Medinah No. 3 will still look like Medinah No. 3.
"Absolutely. You're not going to get on the property and wonder where you are," Scimo said. "No rerouting. The footprint and hole locations expect to stay intact, but a couple green complexes will get a fresh look."
If in the process, Geoff Ogilvy happens to figure out a way to give the Internationals just a hint of an advantage, so be it.
And if that adds intrigue to what figures to be a magnificent 2026 Presidents Cup, well, that's good for everybody involved.
Especially if you like conspiracies.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--Palatine woman dies after collision with truck on I-90

A 42-year-old Palatine woman died Thursday evening from injuries she suffered when her vehicle collided with a truck and flatbed @ @ @ @ @ traffic from the shoulder of westbound I-90 at Roselle Road in Schaumburg .
Angelica M. @ @ @ @ @ dead at 9:07 p.m. at Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge , according to the @ @ @ @ @ office .
Illinois State Police responded to the collision between Vargas ' white 2001 Chevrolet @ @ @ @ @ truck pulling a silver 2020 Benson flatbed trailer about 7:40 p.m. Their preliminary investigation determined @ @ @ @ @ the rear of the flatbed trailer as the truck and trailer were merging into her @ @ @ @ @ shoulder .
At 8:10 p.m. , state troopers closed the right four lanes of westbound @ @ @ @ @ , while the left two lanes remained open .
All lanes were reopened at 12:56 @ @ @ @ @ of the truck did not report any injuries .
No citations had been issued or @ @ @ @ @ Friday morning .

Palatine woman dies after collision with truck on I-90
A 42-year-old Palatine woman died Thursday evening from injuries she suffered when her vehicle collided with a truck and flatbed trailer that were merging into traffic from the shoulder of westbound I-90 at Roselle Road in Schaumburg.
Angelica M. Vargas of Palatine was pronounced dead at 9:07 p.m. at Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Illinois State Police responded to the collision between Vargas' white 2001 Chevrolet and the white 2017 Kenworth truck pulling a silver 2020 Benson flatbed trailer about 7:40 p.m.
Their preliminary investigation determined that Vargas' vehicle struck the rear of the flatbed trailer as the truck and trailer were merging into her lane of traffic from the shoulder.
At 8:10 p.m., state troopers closed the right four lanes of westbound I-90 for the crash investigation, while the left two lanes remained open. All lanes were reopened at 12:56 a.m. Friday.
The driver of the truck did not report any injuries.
No citations had been issued or charges filed as of late Friday morning.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--'A visionary': DuPage District 88 mourning beloved Superintendent Scott Helton

At Addison Trail High School , he was the kind of principal you 'd see at sporting events or theater productions .
To promote a school performance of `` Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory , '' he was willing to dress up as an Oompa Loompa .
Helton remained a larger-than-life figure in the school community when he moved out of the principal 's office and took the helm of DuPage High School District 88 .
`` When I went to high school , I could n't tell you the name of my principal , '' school board President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think those kids did , and even when he became superintendent , he was still in the schools as much as he could be . ''
Helton died Thursday night , leaving the district of more than 3,900 students without its top administrator .
Helton had a stroke in late October , two weeks after contracting COVID-19 , Cain said .
A father to three sons , Helton spent much of his education career in the district , first as a principal for 11 years at Addison Trail and then as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was willing to do whatever was necessary to help students to be engaged in learning and help them to become the best people they could be , '' Cain said .
Helton put an emphasis on working with colleges and universities to expand dual-credit classes so the district 's students could earn college credit and get a head start on their future while still in high school .
He also expanded opportunities for students who may have previously been overlooked to take college-level Advanced Placement courses .
`` One of the goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graduating with college credit or some vocational training , '' Cain said .
`` He was passionate about keeping the career and technical classes going as well as our arts and our music . ''
Equity issues remained at the forefront in a district where students from low-income families constitute nearly 54 % of the student body at Addison Trail and 36.5 % at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park .
Before the pandemic forced a switch to remote learning , the district had already obtained a grant from Sprint to ensure students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very much about making sure that everybody had what they needed , '' Cain said .
Helton strove to support school systems that feed into District 88 , with the mutual goal of providing a seamless transition from middle to high school .
Addison Elementary District 4 Superintendent John Langton called Helton a `` visionary '' adept at bringing people together and forging relationships .
`` He was a cheerleader for the entire community , '' Langton said .
Helton held a wide range of positions -- science teacher , dean of students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in different schools before coming to Addison Trail .
At the time , he explained what inspired his career and his own approach to education .
`` Besides my parents , some of the most meaningful people in my life were educators , teachers , coaches , activity sponsors , '' Helton said in 2001 .
`` They bothered .
They cared enough to find out who I was . ''
Outside the district , he coached youth sports and served as the president of the Rotary Club in Villa Park and Lombard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honor a fellow club member and veteran .
The man had never received his high school diploma , having gone to fight in the Korean War .
He would have graduated from York High School in Elmhurst .
Helton took it upon himself to reach out to the current York principal about getting the man his long-awaited diploma , Cain said .
`` That 's the type of thing that he would do , '' she said .
Cain said she 's not concerned about a leadership void in the district because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a collaborative , `` tremendously supportive '' educator who was open to new ideas and suggestions , she said .
`` He 's going to live on within the district . ''

'A visionary': DuPage District 88 mourning beloved Superintendent Scott Helton
Scott Helton was a school principal at heart.
At Addison Trail High School, he was the kind of principal you'd see at sporting events or theater productions. To promote a school performance of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," he was willing to dress up as an Oompa Loompa.
Helton remained a larger-than-life figure in the school community when he moved out of the principal's office and took the helm of DuPage High School District 88.
"When I went to high school, I couldn't tell you the name of my principal," school board President Donna Craft Cain said. "But I think those kids did, and even when he became superintendent, he was still in the schools as much as he could be."
Helton died Thursday night, leaving the district of more than 3,900 students without its top administrator. Helton had a stroke in late October, two weeks after contracting COVID-19, Cain said.
A father to three sons, Helton spent much of his education career in the district, first as a principal for 11 years at Addison Trail and then as the superintendent for the past eight.
"He was willing to do whatever was necessary to help students to be engaged in learning and help them to become the best people they could be," Cain said.
Helton put an emphasis on working with colleges and universities to expand dual-credit classes so the district's students could earn college credit and get a head start on their future while still in high school.
He also expanded opportunities for students who may have previously been overlooked to take college-level Advanced Placement courses.
"One of the goals was to make sure every student was graduating with college credit or some vocational training," Cain said. "He was passionate about keeping the career and technical classes going as well as our arts and our music."
Equity issues remained at the forefront in a district where students from low-income families constitute nearly 54% of the student body at Addison Trail and 36.5% at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park.
Before the pandemic forced a switch to remote learning, the district had already obtained a grant from Sprint to ensure students had internet connections.
"He was very much about making sure that everybody had what they needed," Cain said.
Helton strove to support school systems that feed into District 88, with the mutual goal of providing a seamless transition from middle to high school.
Addison Elementary District 4 Superintendent John Langton called Helton a "visionary" adept at bringing people together and forging relationships.
"He was a cheerleader for the entire community," Langton said.
Helton held a wide range of positions -- science teacher, dean of students, assistant principal and associate principal -- in different schools before coming to Addison Trail.
At the time, he explained what inspired his career and his own approach to education.
"Besides my parents, some of the most meaningful people in my life were educators, teachers, coaches, activity sponsors," Helton said in 2001. "They bothered. They cared enough to find out who I was."
Outside the district, he coached youth sports and served as the president of the Rotary Club in Villa Park and Lombard, setting in motion a plan to honor a fellow club member and veteran.
The man had never received his high school diploma, having gone to fight in the Korean War. He would have graduated from York High School in Elmhurst.
Helton took it upon himself to reach out to the current York principal about getting the man his long-awaited diploma, Cain said.
"That's the type of thing that he would do," she said.
Cain said she's not concerned about a leadership void in the district because of the culture Helton instilled. He was a collaborative, "tremendously supportive" educator who was open to new ideas and suggestions, she said.
"He's going to live on within the district."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--Mother and daughter from Northbrook charged in Palatine burglary

A mother and daughter from Northbrook have been charged with burglarizing a home in Palatine where one of them had a cleaning job in 2018 , police said Friday in a news release .
Bond was set at $ 5,000 for Olga Torres-Rojas , 44 , and at $ 30,000 for Fanny Herrera-Torres , 27 , both of the 4000 block of Evergreen Lane , police said .
A woman who lives on the 200 block of West Prestwick Street reported to Palatine police on Nov. 21 that she had noticed that some of her gold jewelry and other personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police she had hired Herrera-Torres to clean her home in 2018 , then learned in September of 2020 that another local police department had arrested her on a residential burglary charge .
She told police that acquaintances who also employed Herrera-Torres said they were missing personal property and confronted her .
Herrera-Torres said it was possible one of her employees might have taken the property , police said .
An investigation found that Olga Torres-Rojas , who also cleans homes , had pawned some of the victim 's jewelry in Chicago , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victim 's jewelry and pawning the items , and the daughter also admitted to taking gift cards , police said .
Their next court appearance is Jan. 12 in Rolling Meadows .

Mother and daughter from Northbrook charged in Palatine burglary
A mother and daughter from Northbrook have been charged with burglarizing a home in Palatine where one of them had a cleaning job in 2018, police said Friday in a news release.
Bond was set at $5,000 for Olga Torres-Rojas, 44, and at $30,000 for Fanny Herrera-Torres, 27, both of the 4000 block of Evergreen Lane, police said.
A woman who lives on the 200 block of West Prestwick Street reported to Palatine police on Nov. 21 that she had noticed that some of her gold jewelry and other personal items were missing. The woman told police she had hired Herrera-Torres to clean her home in 2018, then learned in September of 2020 that another local police department had arrested her on a residential burglary charge.
She told police that acquaintances who also employed Herrera-Torres said they were missing personal property and confronted her. Herrera-Torres said it was possible one of her employees might have taken the property, police said.
An investigation found that Olga Torres-Rojas, who also cleans homes, had pawned some of the victim's jewelry in Chicago, police said. Both women admitted to taking the victim's jewelry and pawning the items, and the daughter also admitted to taking gift cards, police said.
Their next court appearance is Jan. 12 in Rolling Meadows.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--Uniting for the Holidays bringing meals to people in need in Elgin Tuesday

Five hundred Elgin-area families will receive dinner for the holidays thanks to the United Way .
`` Uniting for the Holidays '' is billed as a `` festive drive-through event '' where dinners and other necessities are being distributed to people in need on a first-come , first-served basis .
The event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday , Dec. 15 , at the Elgin Sports Complex , 709 Sports Way .
Six suburban sites are hosting the pop-up events .
In addition to Elgin , there will be one in West Chicago at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hazel St. Events were already held in Palatine , Des Plaines , Chicago Heights and Blue Island .
Mark Seigle , president of Seigle 's Cabinet Center and the Seigle Family Foundation , is the sponsor of the Elgin event and said he 's `` thrilled it 's in Elgin because it 's my hometown and the need is critical here . ''
`` The demand for it will exceed the amount of food we will have , which is unfortunate , '' Seigle said .
`` Right now food insecurity in Elgin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population . ''
Seigle said he 's been on the board and involved with the United Way for about 40 years .
Typically for the holidays the United Way hosts community dinners ; that option was n't possible this year because of the pandemic .
But the United Way of Elgin did not hold an annual dinner before it merged with United Way of Metro Chicago last year .
Seigle said he and about 50 volunteers will pass out the holiday dinners , consisting of turkey and traditional trimmings .
They 'll also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment , totes , backpacks , diapers , books and flu vaccine vouchers , among other things .
And Seigle said a special volunteer could be on hand .
`` You never know where Santa 's sleigh may take him , but we 're hoping he 's able to carve out some time . ''

Uniting for the Holidays bringing meals to people in need in Elgin Tuesday
Uniting for the Holidays is a festive "drive-through" event where dinners and gifts are being distributed to families in need ahead of the holidays. COURTESY OF THE UNITED WAY
Five hundred Elgin-area families will receive dinner for the holidays thanks to the United Way.
"Uniting for the Holidays" is billed as a "festive drive-through event" where dinners and other necessities are being distributed to people in need on a first-come, first-served basis.
The event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Elgin Sports Complex, 709 Sports Way.
Six suburban sites are hosting the pop-up events. In addition to Elgin, there will be one in West Chicago at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at Leman Middle School, 238 E. Hazel St. Events were already held in Palatine, Des Plaines, Chicago Heights and Blue Island.
Mark Seigle, president of Seigle's Cabinet Center and the Seigle Family Foundation, is the sponsor of the Elgin event and said he's "thrilled it's in Elgin because it's my hometown and the need is critical here."
"The demand for it will exceed the amount of food we will have, which is unfortunate," Seigle said. "Right now food insecurity in Elgin is upward of 20% of our population."
Seigle said he's been on the board and involved with the United Way for about 40 years. Typically for the holidays the United Way hosts community dinners; that option wasn't possible this year because of the pandemic. But the United Way of Elgin did not hold an annual dinner before it merged with United Way of Metro Chicago last year.
Seigle said he and about 50 volunteers will pass out the holiday dinners, consisting of turkey and traditional trimmings. They'll also be passing out first-aid kits with personal protective equipment, totes, backpacks, diapers, books and flu vaccine vouchers, among other things.
And Seigle said a special volunteer could be on hand.
"You never know where Santa's sleigh may take him, but we're hoping he's able to carve out some time."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--Residents moving into six-story Uptown 500 complex in Wheeling

As construction of the high-profile Uptown 500 residential and commercial development in Wheeling nears completion , tenants are moving into the enormous complex .
The six-story , $ 90 million structure stands at the northwest corner of Dundee Road and Northgate Parkway .
It includes 321 apartments and 10,500 square feet of commercial space targeted for restaurants .
Construction of the complex began in 2018 .
All the residential units have been completed and are undergoing occupancy inspections , Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said .
About 50 units now are occupied , said Brittany Wendy , the assistant property manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartments are available .
They feature stainless steel appliances , in-unit washing machines and clothes dryers , high-speed internet access , and private patios or balconies .
Shared amenities for residents include an outdoor swimming pool , a fitness center , a game room and gathering spaces .
Rent options for studio apartments start at $ 1,399 per month , Wendt said .
One-bedroom units start at $ 1,575 per month , and two-bedroom units start at $ 2,099 per month .
As for the commercial space , the developers and village officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but no deals have been finalized , Sfondilis said .
The project is a key element of the transit-oriented , downtown district village officials have been trying to create .
The Wheeling Town Center residential and retail complex is across Dundee Road from Uptown 500 , and the Northgate Crossing apartment and townhouse development is to the north .
Wheeling 's Metra station is nearby , too , as is the Wheeling Park District 's Community Recreation Center .
Wheeling officials have pledged to give the developer , DAC Developments , $ 6.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund -- property tax money above a certain level set aside for redevelopment rather than local governments .
Construction must be completed before the money is delivered , Sfondilis said .
The village also waived a customary water detention fee for new developments .
That saves the developer more than $ 427,000 .
Coinciding with the project 's completion , additional right-hand turn lanes are being built on southbound Northgate Parkway at Dundee Road .
The village , Uptown 500 's developer and the developer of the Wheeling Town Center are sharing the @ @

Residents moving into six-story Uptown 500 complex in Wheeling
As construction of the high-profile Uptown 500 residential and commercial development in Wheeling nears completion, tenants are moving into the enormous complex.
The six-story, $90 million structure stands at the northwest corner of Dundee Road and Northgate Parkway. It includes 321 apartments and 10,500 square feet of commercial space targeted for restaurants.
Construction of the complex began in 2018.
All the residential units have been completed and are undergoing occupancy inspections, Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said.
About 50 units now are occupied, said Brittany Wendy, the assistant property manager there.
Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments are available. They feature stainless steel appliances, in-unit washing machines and clothes dryers, high-speed internet access, and private patios or balconies.
Shared amenities for residents include an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a game room and gathering spaces.
Rent options for studio apartments start at $1,399 per month, Wendt said. One-bedroom units start at $1,575 per month, and two-bedroom units start at $2,099 per month.
As for the commercial space, the developers and village officials have been talking with several restaurateurs, but no deals have been finalized, Sfondilis said.
The project is a key element of the transit-oriented, downtown district village officials have been trying to create.
The Wheeling Town Center residential and retail complex is across Dundee Road from Uptown 500, and the Northgate Crossing apartment and townhouse development is to the north.
Wheeling's Metra station is nearby, too, as is the Wheeling Park District's Community Recreation Center.
Wheeling officials have pledged to give the developer, DAC Developments, $6.5 million from the town's tax-increment financing fund -- property tax money above a certain level set aside for redevelopment rather than local governments. Construction must be completed before the money is delivered, Sfondilis said.
The village also waived a customary water detention fee for new developments. That saves the developer more than $427,000.
Coinciding with the project's completion, additional right-hand turn lanes are being built on southbound Northgate Parkway at Dundee Road. The village, Uptown 500's developer and the developer of the Wheeling Town Center are sharing the cost.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--'Cheer' star from Naperville indicted on new charges

`` Cheer '' star Jerry Harris faces several new criminal charges in an indictment made public Friday afternoon .
Harris @ @ @ @ @ , is charged with child pornography and sex crimes involving four victims in the new @ @ @ @ @ in Illinois , Florida and Texas .
The indictment was released publicly by attorneys for @ @ @ @ @ .
Though Harris was originally charged with one count of production of child pornography , @ @ @ @ @ charges could come .
They said Harris sexually assaulted a 15-year-old boy in a public @ @ @ @ @ another minor to engage in oral sex at cheerleading events , solicited a third for @ @ @ @ @ to 10 victims in all .
The new indictment does not appear to charge Harris @ @ @ @ @ the 15-year-old boy .
U.S. Magistrate Judge Heather McShain ordered Harris , 21 , held @ @ @ @ @ finding the evidence against him `` overwhelmingly supports detention '' and suggests he would be @ @ @ @ @ if released .

'Cheer' star from Naperville indicted on new charges
"Cheer" star Jerry Harris faces several new criminal charges in an indictment made public Friday afternoon.
Harris, who is from Naperville, is charged with child pornography and sex crimes involving four victims in the new seven-count indictment that alleges misconduct in Illinois, Florida and Texas. The indictment was released publicly by attorneys for two of Harris' accusers.
Though Harris was originally charged with one count of production of child pornography, the feds have hinted more charges could come. They said Harris sexually assaulted a 15-year-old boy in a public bathroom, tried to persuade another minor to engage in oral sex at cheerleading events, solicited a third for sex and admitted having five to 10 victims in all.
The new indictment does not appear to charge Harris with the sexual assault of the 15-year-old boy.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Heather McShain ordered Harris, 21, held behind bars in October, finding the evidence against him "overwhelmingly supports detention" and suggests he would be a danger to the community if released.
• For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-11--White House threatens FDA chief's job over vaccine approval

WASHINGTON -- White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Friday pressed Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn to grant an emergency use authorization for Pfizer 's coronavirus vaccine by the end of the day or face possible firing , two administration officials said .
The vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech won a critical endorsement Thursday from an FDA panel of outside advisers , and signoff from the agency -- which was expected this weekend -- is the next step needed to get the shots to the public .
The FDA is not required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committees , but the devastation caused by the virus makes the vaccine 's authorization almost certain .
Meadows spoke to Hahn by telephone Friday , according to a senior administration official who was familiar with the call but was not authorized to discuss private conversations .
The chief of staff also told Hahn his job was in jeopardy if the emergency use authorization was not issued before Saturday , said a second administration official familiar with the conversation .
Hahn signaled that he would tell regulators to allow the vaccine to be issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
President Donald Trump has been pressing for quick approval for the vaccine and tweeted directly at Hahn earlier Friday , complaining that FDA `` is still a big , old , slow turtle . ''
Trump has publicly bashed the pace of the FDA 's vaccine review process .
`` Get the dam vaccines out NOW , Dr. Hahn , '' Trump tweeted Friday .
`` Stop playing games and start saving lives . ''
Hahn disputed characterizations of his conversation with Meadows .
`` This is an untrue representation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Staff , '' Hahn said in a statement .
`` The FDA was encouraged to continue working expeditiously on Pfizer-BioNTech 's EUA request .
FDA is committed to issuing this authorization quickly , as we noted in our statement this morning . ''
The FDA said earlier Friday that it `` will rapidly work '' to grant emergency use of the vaccine .
Trump 's frustration with the FDA has been mounting , particularly as other countries have beaten the U.S. in issuing emergency approvals for the vaccine .
Meadows issued the ultimatum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior administration official said .
The FDA decision -- when it comes -- will kickstart an unprecedented vaccination campaign needed to eventually defeat the virus , now blamed for nearly 300,000 deaths in the U.S. And the agency 's greenlight of the vaccine was virtually assured after the positive vote by agency advisers Thursday .
Typically , the FDA does not publicly comment on the progress or timing of its reviews , which are considered confidential government information .
The FDA 's review is critical to assuring the safety and effectiveness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to millions of Americans , including highly vulnerable groups like nursing home residents .
The agency 's careful approach is unique around the world in that the FDA actually reanalyzes all company data to verify its accuracy .
That 's different from the abbreviated process used by the U.K. and other countries , which rely on summary data produced by manufacturers .
Hahn has stated for months that `` science , not politics '' would determine when the agency gives the vaccine the go-ahead .
And he surprised many critics in October by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA safety guidelines for upcoming COVID-19 vaccines .
The standards effectively closed the door on Trump 's long-stated goal of delivering a vaccine by Election Day and undercut White House staffers who had been blocking their release for weeks .
More than 150 FDA staffers have been working in shifts over nights , weekends and the Thanksgiving holiday to review tens of thousands of pages of Pfizer 's application .
Hahn told The Associated Press earlier this week that his agency had already teed up authorization by prefilling all the necessary legal paperwork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can to cut down on the red tape , which I think is really important , '' Hahn told the AP .
Trump has been livid with the FDA for not moving faster to approve the shots , blaming the fact that a vaccine was not available before the Nov. 3 election for his loss .
Trump also has leveled unfounded claims that drug companies deliberately delayed vaccine development to hinder his reelection chances , though there is no evidence to suggest that took place .
As he has refused to accept his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump also has told close confidants that he believes the vaccine is still being slow-walked in a bid to undermine his efforts to challenge the results .
If the vaccine were shipped out sooner , he has argued , it would rally public opinion to his side .
Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report .

FDA authorizes Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has pressed Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn, shown here at a hearing in September, to grant an emergency use authorization for Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine by the end of the day on Dec. 11. Associated Press/Sept. 23, 2020
A nurse prepares a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy's Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, as the U.K. health authorities rolled out a national mass vaccination program. Associated press
The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation's first COVID-19 vaccine, marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans, according to a person familiar with the decision but not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech.
Initial doses are scarce and rationed as the U.S. joins Britain and several other countries in scrambling to vaccinate as many people as possible ahead of a long, grim winter. It will take months of work to tamp down the coronavirus that has surged to catastrophic levels in recent weeks and already claimed 1.5 million lives globally.
While the FDA decision came only after public review of data from a huge ongoing study, it has also been dogged by intense political pressure from the Trump administration, which has accused the agency of being too slow and even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling did not come Friday.
The move sets off what will be the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history -- but it also has global ramifications because it's a role model to many other countries facing the same decision.
The world desperately needs multiple vaccines for enough to go around, and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is the first based on rigorous scientific testing to emerge from that worldwide race -- a record-setting scientific achievement that shaved years off the usual process.
"I don't think you would have found a scientist on this planet that would have predicted this 11 months ago," said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who advises the FDA.
The U.S. is considering a second vaccine, made by Moderna Inc., that could roll out in another week. In early January, Johnson & Johnson expects to learn if its vaccine is working in final testing.
Europe is set to make its own decision on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots later this month, an important step as some other candidates that multiple countries were anxiously awaiting have hit roadblocks. Friday, Sanofi and GSK announced a months-long delay after early tests showed their vaccine didn't work well enough in older adults.
And China and Russia didn't wait for final-stage tests before beginning vaccinations with some homegrown shots.
About 3 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are expected in the first shipments around the country, according to officials with Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration's vaccine development program. A similar amount is to be held in reserve for those recipients' second dose.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee is poised to recommend who's first in line. Expected to follow health workers and nursing homes are other essential workers, older adults and people at high risk because of other health problems. U.S. authorities don't expect enough for the general population before spring, and that's assuming there are no manufacturing glitches.
In a still unfinished study of nearly 44,000 people, the FDA found the vaccine was safe and more than 90% effective across recipients of different ages, including older adults, races and those with health problems that put them at high risk from the coronavirus.
Emergency use means the vaccine still is experimental. Most important for would-be recipients to know:
--Some protection begins after the first dose, but it takes a second dose three weeks later for full protection. It's unclear how long protection lasts.
--The vaccine protects against COVID-19 illness, but no one yet knows if it can stop the silent, symptomless spread that accounts for roughly half of all cases. The ongoing study will attempt to answer that but for now, the vaccinated still will need to wear a mask and keep their distance.
--Expect a sore arm and some flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache and chills after the second dose. While uncomfortable, those reactions only last about a day. "That's just your immune system working. It's a good thing," Offit said.
--Authorities are investigating several allergic reactions reported in Britain by people with a history of severe allergies. Offit said it is routine in the U.S. for the vaccinated to stick around for a half-hour so they could get prompt treatment if such reactions appear.
If emergency use of Moderna's vaccine also is authorized, the U.S. expects to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of December. They hope to have enough for another 30 million people in January and 50 million in February.
Getting shots into arms is the big challenge, especially as a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found only half of Americans want the vaccine when it's their turn. About a quarter say they won't get it and the rest aren't sure.
Political interference has complicated health authorities' message that the testing was rigorous and cut no corners.
President Donald Trump bashed the FDA, again, Friday for taking too long, complaining that the agency "is still a big, old slow turtle." One of his deputies even pressed Hahn to clear the shots by the end of the day or face possible firing, two administration officials said.
The FDA is unique in analyzing drugmakers' raw data, a process that takes longer than many other countries' regulatory reviews. In addition, the FDA insisted that large COVID-19 vaccine studies track at least half the participants for two months to look for side effects, a time period when historically any vaccine problems appear.