dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-22--Senate Republicans: Stay in session until legislature reaches a bipartisan reopening plan

SPRINGFIELD -- On just the third day of legislative session since March 5 , Senate Republicans called a socially distanced outdoor news conference Friday morning to argue for a more collaborative approach to state government and pandemic response going forward .
`` This discussion needs to go beyond 2:30 in the afternoon press conferences , '' Minority Leader Bill Brady said outside the Capitol , referencing the daily COVID-19 news briefings held by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
Brady , of Bloomington , said the briefings are useful in informing the state , but the General Assembly needs to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-day legislative session when it comes to restarting the state 's economy .
`` And we have a duty and an obligation to represent the people , and we 're calling on the General Assembly , its leaders and the governor to provide that venue , so that we can make collective decisions about how we reengage Illinois ' economy in a safe way for its citizens and the people we represent , '' he added .
Brady was accompanied by members of his Senate Republican caucus on the Capitol grounds , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ length from each other .
`` We understand that there 's probably never been a time in the history of our state that it needs its government more than it does during this pandemic , '' he said .
Brady said members of his caucus were headed to negotiate a budget after the news conference .
A 2,258-page amendment providing for appropriations next year had been filed to a House bill the day before .
Brady said working groups of lawmakers were working on the budget for weeks ahead of the abbreviated session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Friday , the last day lawmakers were scheduled to meet as part of the special pandemic session .
The chamber was also expected to take up a vast vote-by-mail expansion bill that Republicans staunchly opposed , and Senators worked into the evening Thursday to approve the chamber 's final step in placing a graduated tax constitutional amendment on the November general election ballot .
That lawmakers can gather safely to pass such legislation shows they can also meet to consider a reopening plan , Brady said .
`` We called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful in getting that done .
Now we 're calling on us to take up the actions we want to take up in addition to the actions we 're taking up now , '' he said .
That includes a reopening plan , and Brady said lawmakers should n't leave Springfield until such a plan is passed .
`` We should not go home until we come up with a bipartisan plan that the Legislature and the governor work on to reengage this state .
The people of Illinois expect it , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Pritzker has frequently said he remains in consultation with Republican lawmakers and elected officials across the state , Brady said that 's not the proper avenue for legislative deliberation .
`` I talked to the governor yesterday .
I talked to him a couple times , '' he said .
`` He listens .
And then he goes with his experts and he does what he wants .
That 's not a debate .
That 's not a discussion like we 're used to and the people expect us to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats want more input on the governor 's plan as well .
`` There 's only one way we 're going to have fiscal sanity in this state , and that is to reengage our economy as fast as we can and as safely as we can , '' he said .
`` And there are a lot of people we represent are asking , 'Why does the governor prohibit us from doing this and that ? '
That 's why we need this discussion .
It should n't just be the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Bill 3993 this week , backed by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce , directing IDPH to establish the Safe Place of Business protocols on or before May 30 to give guidance to all businesses and allowing them to reopen once protocols are met .
Brady said that bill `` checks the governor 's authority '' and requires him to seek General Assembly approval to extend a disaster declaration beyond 30 days .
Lawmakers were scheduled to leave the Capitol upon adjournment Friday , but rumor swirled that the session could be extended @ @ @

Senate Republicans: Stay in session until legislature reaches a bipartisan reopening plan
Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News IllinoisRepublican state senators are directed to stand an arms' length apart behind Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady at an outdoor news conference Friday at the Capitol in Springfield. The group is calling for greater public and legislator input on the state's reopening plan.
SPRINGFIELD -- On just the third day of legislative session since March 5, Senate Republicans called a socially distanced outdoor news conference Friday morning to argue for a more collaborative approach to state government and pandemic response going forward.
"This discussion needs to go beyond 2:30 in the afternoon press conferences," Minority Leader Bill Brady said outside the Capitol, referencing the daily COVID-19 news briefings held by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Brady, of Bloomington, said the briefings are useful in informing the state, but the General Assembly needs to have a more prominent role than just a 3-day legislative session when it comes to restarting the state's economy.
"And we have a duty and an obligation to represent the people, and we're calling on the General Assembly, its leaders and the governor to provide that venue, so that we can make collective decisions about how we reengage Illinois' economy in a safe way for its citizens and the people we represent," he added.
Brady was accompanied by members of his Senate Republican caucus on the Capitol grounds, all of them masked and at arms' length from each other.
"We understand that there's probably never been a time in the history of our state that it needs its government more than it does during this pandemic," he said.
Brady said members of his caucus were headed to negotiate a budget after the news conference. A 2,258-page amendment providing for appropriations next year had been filed to a House bill the day before.
Brady said working groups of lawmakers were working on the budget for weeks ahead of the abbreviated session. The measure could pass as early as Friday, the last day lawmakers were scheduled to meet as part of the special pandemic session.
The chamber was also expected to take up a vast vote-by-mail expansion bill that Republicans staunchly opposed, and Senators worked into the evening Thursday to approve the chamber's final step in placing a graduated tax constitutional amendment on the November general election ballot.
That lawmakers can gather safely to pass such legislation shows they can also meet to consider a reopening plan, Brady said.
"We called on the General Assembly to convene, we were successful in getting that done. Now we're calling on us to take up the actions we want to take up in addition to the actions we're taking up now," he said.
That includes a reopening plan, and Brady said lawmakers shouldn't leave Springfield until such a plan is passed.
"We should not go home until we come up with a bipartisan plan that the Legislature and the governor work on to reengage this state. The people of Illinois expect it, and they deserve it," he said.
While Pritzker has frequently said he remains in consultation with Republican lawmakers and elected officials across the state, Brady said that's not the proper avenue for legislative deliberation.
"I talked to the governor yesterday. I talked to him a couple times," he said. "He listens. And then he goes with his experts and he does what he wants. That's not a debate. That's not a discussion like we're used to and the people expect us to have."
Brady said he believes rank-and-file Democrats want more input on the governor's plan as well.
"There's only one way we're going to have fiscal sanity in this state, and that is to reengage our economy as fast as we can and as safely as we can," he said. "And there are a lot of people we represent are asking, 'Why does the governor prohibit us from doing this and that?' That's why we need this discussion. It shouldn't just be the governor making these decisions."
Brady introduced Senate Bill 3993 this week, backed by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, directing IDPH to establish the Safe Place of Business protocols on or before May 30 to give guidance to all businesses and allowing them to reopen once protocols are met.
Brady said that bill "checks the governor's authority" and requires him to seek General Assembly approval to extend a disaster declaration beyond 30 days.
Lawmakers were scheduled to leave the Capitol upon adjournment Friday, but rumor swirled that the session could be extended into Saturday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-22--Workers' comp measure headed to Pritzker

SPRINGFIELD -- A compromise bill between business and labor that deals with COVID-19 and workers ' compensation passed the House on Friday with broad bipartisan support and will head to the governor .
House Bill 2455 was carried by Democrats Linda Holmes of Aurora in the Senate and Jay Hoffman of Swansea in the House .
Much of the floor debate on the measure centered on the bipartisan negotiations which included business and labor interests .
`` This is an agreement between business and labor that ensures better protections for employees and clear , consistent guidelines to ensure employers know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` I 'm grateful for the spirit of cooperation that allowed us to work quickly and decisively to pass this plan . ''
Sen. John Curran , a Downers Grove Republican , echoed that sentiment after brief questioning Thursday .
Among other things , the `` labor omnibus bill '' created , for the purpose of death benefits , a rebuttable presumption that a police officer or firefighter who dies as a result of COVID-19 contracted the virus on the job .
The officer or firefighter must have contracted the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
The bill also ensures Illinois continues to qualify for federal relief by extending unemployment benefits , waiving a one-week unemployment insurance waiting period and expanding eligibility for unemployment to noninstructional education employees , such as lunch workers and teachers ' aides , according to a news release from Holmes .
According to the bill , employers would not be charged for unemployment benefits issued between March 15 and Dec. 31 that were paid to those out of work due to COVID-19 .
The legislation also creates a `` rebuttable presumption '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracts COVID-19 did so in the course of their employment .
Employers , however , would have avenues to rebut the worker 's claim .
Those avenues include demonstrating their workplace was following up-to-date public health guidelines for two weeks prior to the employee 's contraction , or that the employee was working from home for a period of at least 14 days prior to the injury claim .
They also have the opportunity to prove the employee was exposed to the virus by an alternative source outside the workplace .
Holmes said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness , but the COVID-19 pandemic is not `` normal times . ''
`` Jobs that are not typically considered hazardous have suddenly become dangerous for workers due to COVID-19 , '' she said in a news release .
`` This workplace injury framework protects employees , but it also gives employers the ability to prove they did all they could to prevent COVID-19 infections in their workplace by giving those employers a strong incentive to take the best precautions that experts advise . ''
In the House , Rep. Karina Villa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional plea for members to vote for the bill , noting it was aimed at companies not taking adequate protection measures , such as providing flimsy masks that do not effectively protect against germs .
`` I hope that our vote today reflects a unanimous vote , letting those employers know that this is absolutely unacceptable in the state of Illinois , '' she said while wearing an apparent flimsy hair net as a mask as a demonstration of ineffective protective gear .
The measure passed the Senate 50-4 Thursday , then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the governor .
Its passage came nearly a month after Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's administration was sued for its emergency rules put in place to require employers to pay workers ' compensation benefits if an employee was diagnosed with COVID-19 without proof the illness was contracted at the workplace .
Those rules were later withdrawn .
`` Manufacturers are first and foremost concerned about the health and safety of their employees , customers , and communities .
Today 's agreement strikes a fair balance , allowing employers to defend themselves using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Denzler , president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers ' Association , said in a news release .
The Illinois Manufacturers ' Association was one of the organizations filling suit against Pritzker 's rule .

Workers' comp measure headed to Pritzker
State Rep. Karina Villa, a West Chicago Democrat, wears a hair net over her face Friday as she discusses an unnamed employer that told workers such a makeshift mask would offer protection from COVID-19. Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register
SPRINGFIELD -- A compromise bill between business and labor that deals with COVID-19 and workers' compensation passed the House on Friday with broad bipartisan support and will head to the governor.
House Bill 2455 was carried by Democrats Linda Holmes of Aurora in the Senate and Jay Hoffman of Swansea in the House. Much of the floor debate on the measure centered on the bipartisan negotiations which included business and labor interests.
"This is an agreement between business and labor that ensures better protections for employees and clear, consistent guidelines to ensure employers know how to operate safely," Holmes said. "I'm grateful for the spirit of cooperation that allowed us to work quickly and decisively to pass this plan."
Sen. John Curran, a Downers Grove Republican, echoed that sentiment after brief questioning Thursday.
Among other things, the "labor omnibus bill" created, for the purpose of death benefits, a rebuttable presumption that a police officer or firefighter who dies as a result of COVID-19 contracted the virus on the job. The officer or firefighter must have contracted the virus between March 9 and Dec. 31, 2020.
The bill also ensures Illinois continues to qualify for federal relief by extending unemployment benefits, waiving a one-week unemployment insurance waiting period and expanding eligibility for unemployment to noninstructional education employees, such as lunch workers and teachers' aides, according to a news release from Holmes.
According to the bill, employers would not be charged for unemployment benefits issued between March 15 and Dec. 31 that were paid to those out of work due to COVID-19.
The legislation also creates a "rebuttable presumption" that a first-responder or essential worker who contracts COVID-19 did so in the course of their employment. Employers, however, would have avenues to rebut the worker's claim.
Those avenues include demonstrating their workplace was following up-to-date public health guidelines for two weeks prior to the employee's contraction, or that the employee was working from home for a period of at least 14 days prior to the injury claim. They also have the opportunity to prove the employee was exposed to the virus by an alternative source outside the workplace.
Holmes said workers' compensation does not normally cover illness, but the COVID-19 pandemic is not "normal times."
"Jobs that are not typically considered hazardous have suddenly become dangerous for workers due to COVID-19," she said in a news release. "This workplace injury framework protects employees, but it also gives employers the ability to prove they did all they could to prevent COVID-19 infections in their workplace by giving those employers a strong incentive to take the best precautions that experts advise."
In the House, Rep. Karina Villa, a West Chicago Democrat, gave an emotional plea for members to vote for the bill, noting it was aimed at companies not taking adequate protection measures, such as providing flimsy masks that do not effectively protect against germs.
"I hope that our vote today reflects a unanimous vote, letting those employers know that this is absolutely unacceptable in the state of Illinois," she said while wearing an apparent flimsy hair net as a mask as a demonstration of ineffective protective gear.
The measure passed the Senate 50-4 Thursday, then the House 113-2 Friday. It will head to the governor.
Its passage came nearly a month after Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration was sued for its emergency rules put in place to require employers to pay workers' compensation benefits if an employee was diagnosed with COVID-19 without proof the illness was contracted at the workplace. Those rules were later withdrawn.
"Manufacturers are first and foremost concerned about the health and safety of their employees, customers, and communities. Today's agreement strikes a fair balance, allowing employers to defend themselves using an ordinary standard of evidence," Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, said in a news release.
The Illinois Manufacturers' Association was one of the organizations filling suit against Pritzker's rule.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-22--Help! Popular festival bands, and their fans, on the outs with no dates to play

A hard day 's night ?
Tell them about it .
Under COVID-19 restrictions , the bands that entertain audiences at summer festivals , nightclubs , casinos , corporate outings and weddings face a dearth of bookings , if not a total wash. '' Our June dissolved pretty much , and our July dissolved right before my eyes , '' said Eric Michaels , who portrays Paul McCartney in the long-running Beatles tribute band , American English .
When the Countryside resident says `` pretty much , '' that translates to being whittled down to a June 5-7 run in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the first time the famed four will perform since playing Ballydoyle in Aurora on March 7 , before stay-at-home entered the lexicon .
For full-time musicians who depend on gate receipts , merchandise sales and payments from now canceled private gatherings , it can make a guitar gently weep .
`` It 's insane , for lack of a better word .
That 's where we make all our money , or most of it , '' said James Paul Lynch of Lake in the Hills , American English 's George Harrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Beatles retrospective , the Chicago-based band has played internationally numerous times .
Still , about 70 % of its bookings are local , Lynch said , with `` probably 80 % '' of its revenue coming from May through September .
`` Obviously we have no choice but to follow government directives , and we want everybody to be safe , '' he said .
`` Not to be corny , but that 's foremost on our mind .
But we need to make a living . ''
Keith Semple , leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with another metropolitan staple , 7th Heaven , sings a similar refrain .
`` It almost seems selfish '' to lament lost bookings when thousands of Americans have perished due to COVID-19 , he said .
The four-piece rock outfit 's last genre-busting performance of original and cover songs was a March 14 fundraiser for the Forever U youth development organization .
All dates since -- including at Mundelein Community Days -- have been canceled .
`` This is probably the longest I 've ever gone that I have n't been on stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Naperville-Plainfield border .
`` It 's very weird to go from something you 've done your whole life to not doing it at all . ''
Taking what they 're given 'cause they 're working for a living , Semple band now performs full concerts each Monday on Facebook Live .
Band members socially distance themselves in Semple 's home studio or play remotely .
Semple also plays solo shows each Wednesday .
Often more than 6,000 fans watch .
In both cases `` tip jars '' can be filled via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Without our fans tuning in and sending us money , we would be in much more dire straits than we are now , '' Semple said .
`` Every tip we get is paying our mortgage or feeding our family . ''
There are many mouths to feed in Boy Band Review , a seven-piece tribute to acts such as NSYNC , the Jonas Brothers and One Direction .
In demand throughout the Midwest with festival appearances like Lisle 's Eyes to the Skies , Boy Band Review 's next gig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That remains tentative , and their summer slate has been dashed or pushed back until late summer , fall or 2021 .
`` The challenging thing is all the different states have different protocols to get back to some sort of normalcy , '' said Brian Bender , your Joey Fatone from NSYNC .
`` Illinois changes every day in what they 're doing .
Indiana and Iowa seem less strict , so they 're experimenting with things , but the challenging thing is capacity issues . ''
`` When you restrict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not as big as it was , and you 're actually losing money , '' Bender said .
The band and its members have filed for grants , unemployment insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance , Bender said .
It 's also added masks to its line of merchandise .
Members have offered lessons and have produced or edited videos for other bands such as Chicago 's Sixteen Candles .
`` We 're like a little musical family , and we 'll stay positive and go through our little lows and our highs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We just do n't know when , '' Bender said .

Help! Popular festival bands, and their fans, on the outs with no dates to play
The four-piece Semple band was scheduled to perform at Mundelein Community Days in June until that festival was canceled due to spread of COVID-19. Courtesy of Ethan Alex Photography/SEMPLE band
The members of the seven-member Boy Band Review haven't seen each other since playing at the Fire Bar in Crystal Lake on March 14. Courtesy of Morgan Gilreath
This story has been updated to correct the credit on the photo of Boy Band Review.
A hard day's night? Tell them about it.
Under COVID-19 restrictions, the bands that entertain audiences at summer festivals, nightclubs, casinos, corporate outings and weddings face a dearth of bookings, if not a total wash.
"Our June dissolved pretty much, and our July dissolved right before my eyes," said Eric Michaels, who portrays Paul McCartney in the long-running Beatles tribute band, American English.
When the Countryside resident says "pretty much," that translates to being whittled down to a June 5-7 run in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
That will be the first time the famed four will perform since playing Ballydoyle in Aurora on March 7, before stay-at-home entered the lexicon.
For full-time musicians who depend on gate receipts, merchandise sales and payments from now canceled private gatherings, it can make a guitar gently weep.
Popular bands like American English have fallen on challenging times as gigs have dried up because of COVID-19 restrictions. "Our June dissolved pretty much, and our July dissolved right before my eyes," says Eric Michaels, who portrays Paul McCartney. - Courtesy of American English
"It's insane, for lack of a better word. That's where we make all our money, or most of it," said James Paul Lynch of Lake in the Hills, American English's George Harrison.
In more than two decades performing its Beatles retrospective, the Chicago-based band has played internationally numerous times.
Still, about 70% of its bookings are local, Lynch said, with "probably 80%" of its revenue coming from May through September.
"Obviously we have no choice but to follow government directives, and we want everybody to be safe," he said. "Not to be corny, but that's foremost on our mind. But we need to make a living."
Keith Semple, leader of the popular Semple band and formerly with another metropolitan staple, 7th Heaven, sings a similar refrain.
"It almost seems selfish" to lament lost bookings when thousands of Americans have perished due to COVID-19, he said.
"This is probably the longest I've ever gone that I haven't been on stage," says Keith Semple, leader of the Semple band. - Courtesy of Ethan Alex Photography/SEMPLE band
The four-piece rock outfit's last genre-busting performance of original and cover songs was a March 14 fundraiser for the Forever U youth development organization.
All dates since -- including at Mundelein Community Days -- have been canceled.
"This is probably the longest I've ever gone that I haven't been on stage," said Semple, who lives on the Naperville-Plainfield border. "It's very weird to go from something you've done your whole life to not doing it at all."
Taking what they're given 'cause they're working for a living, Semple band now performs full concerts each Monday on Facebook Live.
Band members socially distance themselves in Semple's home studio or play remotely. Semple also plays solo shows each Wednesday. Often more than 6,000 fans watch.
In both cases "tip jars" can be filled via Venmo, Zelle or PayPal online services.
"Without our fans tuning in and sending us money, we would be in much more dire straits than we are now," Semple said. "Every tip we get is paying our mortgage or feeding our family."
There are many mouths to feed in Boy Band Review, a seven-piece tribute to acts such as NSYNC, the Jonas Brothers and One Direction.
In demand throughout the Midwest with festival appearances like Lisle's Eyes to the Skies, Boy Band Review's next gig is July 11 in Marion, Iowa.
That remains tentative, and their summer slate has been dashed or pushed back until late summer, fall or 2021.
"The challenging thing is all the different states have different protocols to get back to some sort of normalcy," said Brian Bender, your Joey Fatone from NSYNC.
"Illinois changes every day in what they're doing. Indiana and Iowa seem less strict, so they're experimenting with things, but the challenging thing is capacity issues."
"When you restrict the capacity, the profit margin is not as big as it was, and you're actually losing money," Bender said.
The band and its members have filed for grants, unemployment insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Bender said.
It's also added masks to its line of merchandise. Members have offered lessons and have produced or edited videos for other bands such as Chicago's Sixteen Candles.
"We're like a little musical family, and we'll stay positive and go through our little lows and our highs, and we'll get back at it. We just don't know when," Bender said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-22--State Senate approves vote-by-mail expansion along party lines

SPRINGFIELD -- A major expansion of voting access for the 2020 general election is headed to the desk of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker after the Illinois Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure Friday .
After more than an hour of floor debate , the upper chamber passed Senate Bill 1863 by a 37-19 party-line vote .
Three Democrats -- Jacqueline Collins , of Chicago , Robert Martwick , of Chicago , and Pat McGuire , of Crest Hill -- did not vote .
The bill , which Pritzker has said he supports , expands mail-in voting for the Nov. 3 general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic that will make in-person voting more challenging .
The bill requires Illinois ' local election offices , by Aug. 1 , to mail or email vote-by-mail ballot applications to any voter who cast a ballot in 2018 , 2019 or 2020 , as well as voters who registered or changed addresses after the March primary .
Bill proponents estimate 4.8 million people will receive applications .
The bill also states that by Sept. 15 , the secretary of state must send a notice to people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned it .
Completed ballots would be returned via mail or in new `` collection sites , '' that would consist of boxes placed in locations at the discretion of local election officials .
As for voting in person , the bill would allow local election authorities to implement curbside voting , in which voters can drive up , be handed a ballot and fill it out in their cars .
SB 1863 would also expand the existing Election Day a state holiday for state employees to include public schools and universities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The collection site and curbside provisions are optional for local clerks .
They would also have the option to facilitate early-voting hours for people with certain health conditions .
Among the issues that Republican senators raised to state Sen. Julie Morrison , a Lake Forest Democrat and the bill 's lead Senate sponsor , were costs , input from county clerks , the security of collection sites and ballot applications being sent automatically and in some cases by email .
State Sen. Paul Schimpf , a Waterloo Republican , took issue with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 to be election judges .
Morrison said that is to make up for an expected decrease in elderly judges , many of whom did not show up during the March primary because of safety concerns .
`` We lost a great number of experienced election judges who are retired and older people who quite simply have a great deal of hesitation now in performing those election duties that they 've enjoyed for so many years , '' Morrison said .
She added it is also an `` excellent way for us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Schimpf also argued the bill creates a system with `` significant '' costs that are unnecessary given that Illinois already allows any citizen to vote by mail .
He added it would also place a `` significant burden '' on local election authorities , whom he also argued have not been able to offer enough input .
The Illinois State Board of Elections filed a fiscal note saying that if the bill 's provisions are fully implemented by every local election authority , it would eat up every dollar of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will receive from the federal CARES Act for elections .
However , House sponsor Rep. Kelly Burke , an Evergreen Park Democrat , said during floor debate on Thursday that the state board 's estimate is `` extremely generous '' because she does not expect every election office to implement every provision .
Voting on legislation has been different for the Senate during this week 's special session as lawmakers practice social distancing .
Senators have had to come to the floor in groups of 10 to vote , a process that takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind SB 1863 on Thursday , saying during his daily briefing that it balances voting access with available resources .
`` I 'm very much in favor of making sure that everybody gets a ballot who is eligible to vote and then returns that ballot , '' he said .
The measure passed the House of Representatives 72-43 on Thursday evening after a nearly three-hour debate that featured Republicans grilling Burke .
Multiple GOP representatives expressed their concerns over the collection box system , for example , which Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud .
`` There 's not enough checks and balances , there 's not enough security , there 's not enough integrity to this ballot-harvesting drop-box system , '' she said .
To address security concerns related to the optional collection sites , Senators passed House Bill 2238 on Friday before debating SB 1863 .
That trailer bill would , among other things , require collection boxes to be locked and opened only by election authorities .
It also requires ISBE to establish additional guidelines .
The trailer bill will need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor 's desk .
SB 1863 applies to only this November 's general election .

State Senate approves vote-by-mail expansion along party lines
State Sen. Julie Morrison, a Lake Forest Democrat, listens to questions from the Republican side of the aisle Friday during debate on a voting-by-mail expansion in Springfield. Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register
SPRINGFIELD -- A major expansion of voting access for the 2020 general election is headed to the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker after the Illinois Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure Friday.
After more than an hour of floor debate, the upper chamber passed Senate Bill 1863 by a 37-19 party-line vote. Three Democrats -- Jacqueline Collins, of Chicago, Robert Martwick, of Chicago, and Pat McGuire, of Crest Hill -- did not vote. The bill, which Pritzker has said he supports, expands mail-in voting for the Nov. 3 general election in anticipation of social distancing and other restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic that will make in-person voting more challenging.
The bill requires Illinois' local election offices, by Aug. 1, to mail or email vote-by-mail ballot applications to any voter who cast a ballot in 2018, 2019 or 2020, as well as voters who registered or changed addresses after the March primary.
Bill proponents estimate 4.8 million people will receive applications. The bill also states that by Sept. 15, the secretary of state must send a notice to people who received an application but have not yet returned it.
Completed ballots would be returned via mail or in new "collection sites," that would consist of boxes placed in locations at the discretion of local election officials.
As for voting in person, the bill would allow local election authorities to implement curbside voting, in which voters can drive up, be handed a ballot and fill it out in their cars.
SB 1863 would also expand the existing Election Day a state holiday for state employees to include public schools and universities, but only for the 2020 election.
The collection site and curbside provisions are optional for local clerks. They would also have the option to facilitate early-voting hours for people with certain health conditions.
Among the issues that Republican senators raised to state Sen. Julie Morrison, a Lake Forest Democrat and the bill's lead Senate sponsor, were costs, input from county clerks, the security of collection sites and ballot applications being sent automatically and in some cases by email.
State Sen. Paul Schimpf, a Waterloo Republican, took issue with a provision that allows citizens as young as 16 to be election judges. Morrison said that is to make up for an expected decrease in elderly judges, many of whom did not show up during the March primary because of safety concerns.
"We lost a great number of experienced election judges who are retired and older people who quite simply have a great deal of hesitation now in performing those election duties that they've enjoyed for so many years," Morrison said. She added it is also an "excellent way for us to engage the younger generation in our government."
Schimpf also argued the bill creates a system with "significant" costs that are unnecessary given that Illinois already allows any citizen to vote by mail. He added it would also place a "significant burden" on local election authorities, whom he also argued have not been able to offer enough input.
The Illinois State Board of Elections filed a fiscal note saying that if the bill's provisions are fully implemented by every local election authority, it would eat up every dollar of the more than $16.7 million the state will receive from the federal CARES Act for elections.
However, House sponsor Rep. Kelly Burke, an Evergreen Park Democrat, said during floor debate on Thursday that the state board's estimate is "extremely generous" because she does not expect every election office to implement every provision.
Voting on legislation has been different for the Senate during this week's special session as lawmakers practice social distancing. Senators have had to come to the floor in groups of 10 to vote, a process that takes slightly longer.
Pritzker threw his support behind SB 1863 on Thursday, saying during his daily briefing that it balances voting access with available resources.
"I'm very much in favor of making sure that everybody gets a ballot who is eligible to vote and then returns that ballot," he said.
The measure passed the House of Representatives 72-43 on Thursday evening after a nearly three-hour debate that featured Republicans grilling Burke. Multiple GOP representatives expressed their concerns over the collection box system, for example, which Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst, of Kankakee, argued could lead to voter fraud.
"There's not enough checks and balances, there's not enough security, there's not enough integrity to this ballot-harvesting drop-box system," she said.
To address security concerns related to the optional collection sites, Senators passed House Bill 2238 on Friday before debating SB 1863. That trailer bill would, among other things, require collection boxes to be locked and opened only by election authorities. It also requires ISBE to establish additional guidelines.
The trailer bill will need to be passed by the House to go to the governor's desk.
SB 1863 applies to only this November's general election.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-22--Time is nearing for WNBA, other pro leagues to make decisions about 2020

Ideas are swirling .
But there are still more questions than answers about how professional team sports will operate in the coming weeks and months .
The NBA and Major League Baseball want to resume their seasons and crown a champion .
The WNBA , which was supposed to tip off its 2020 season last weekend , wants to get started to piggyback off an interesting off-season that saw positive momentum from a successful collective bargaining agreement , intriguing trades and a virtual draft that included the introduction into the league of a potential superstar , No .
1 pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leagues are strongly considering singular sites for competition , as a way to better control the safety of athletes by lessening their travel and exposure to others and quarantining them in the same hotels while they play games in one arena that would be serviced by the same vetted game-day staff , without fans .
The witching hour for making these kinds of logistical decisions that will have significant and long-term ripple effects is nearing .
For instance , WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has already stated that there will be a point in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league to get in its full season , and that point will probably be early July .
To start games in early July would mean that the WNBA would probably need to start training camp in early June , mid-June at the latest , to give the players and coaches a suitable amount of time to prepare for the season .
We 're nine days away from June 1 .
So , I think we should know something a little more concrete soon .
It 's exciting to think that we may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this summer .
They 'll look way different than usual , of course , but they would still be live sports .
Potential single-site venues for WNBA games this summer include Las Vegas and possibly Connecticut , both of which have attached or adjacent hotels to the arenas that would serve as convenient quarantine facilities for players and team personnel .
Chicago could be in the mix as well , as there is a hotel attached to Wintrust Arena .
Testing and its availability would also be key to a season .
Players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would need to be regularly tested throughout the season , as a case or two here or there could threaten the viability of the entire league .
It 's possible that if a plan of action is finally settled on , the players would have to start the process with a strict self-quarantine .
Convene in the designated city , self quarantine for the 14-day incubation period , get tested and then gather with their teams to start a training camp under strict guidelines of staying within the confines of the approved venue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , could be played in the single site and then broadcast by crews in remote studios , so that the fans could at least get some kind of taste of the season .
It 's all a lot of juggling and jumping through hoops for everyone involved .
At some point , each league will also weigh if all the juggling and jumping through hoops is worth it considering a huge source of revenue ( ticket sales from fans ) will be missing from the equation .
But according to an ESPN report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in a loss of $ 2 billion in basketball-related income for the NBA .
Most of that is probably TV money .
The WNBA also has a nice contract with ESPN for the broadcast of its games .
Obviously , Major League Baseball has plenty of TV money at stake , too .
But even so , at what point do the leagues face diminishing returns in this process ?
At what point is there just too much jumping through hoops to make a season worthwhile ?
That is also being considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be found here , and found soon .
America needs a win .
America needs its sports .
America needs a little slice of normal right now .
Classic TV : While WNBA fans patiently await news on the fate of the 2020 season , Chicago Sky fans can re-live some great memories next weekend with the re-airing of a couple of classic Sky games .
On May 30 , WCIU will air back-to-back Sky games from the 2018 season : the Sky vs. Wings from July 20 , 2018 at 1 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Aug. 16 , 2018 at 2:30 p.m .

Time is nearing for WNBA, other pro leagues to make decisions about 2020
The witching hour is nearing for when pro sports leagues like the WNBA, NBA and MLB are going to need to make decisions about how and if they will have seasons this summer. AP File Photo
Ideas are swirling. But there are still more questions than answers about how professional team sports will operate in the coming weeks and months.
The NBA and Major League Baseball want to resume their seasons and crown a champion.
The WNBA, which was supposed to tip off its 2020 season last weekend, wants to get started to piggyback off an interesting off-season that saw positive momentum from a successful collective bargaining agreement, intriguing trades and a virtual draft that included the introduction into the league of a potential superstar, No. 1 pick Sabrina Ionescu of Oregon.
All three leagues are strongly considering singular sites for competition, as a way to better control the safety of athletes by lessening their travel and exposure to others and quarantining them in the same hotels while they play games in one arena that would be serviced by the same vetted game-day staff, without fans.
The witching hour for making these kinds of logistical decisions that will have significant and long-term ripple effects is nearing.
For instance, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has already stated that there will be a point in which it will be too late for the league to get in its full season, and that point will probably be early July.
To start games in early July would mean that the WNBA would probably need to start training camp in early June, mid-June at the latest, to give the players and coaches a suitable amount of time to prepare for the season.
We're nine days away from June 1.
So, I think we should know something a little more concrete soon.
It's exciting to think that we may have some sports to look forward to this summer. They'll look way different than usual, of course, but they would still be live sports.
Potential single-site venues for WNBA games this summer include Las Vegas and possibly Connecticut, both of which have attached or adjacent hotels to the arenas that would serve as convenient quarantine facilities for players and team personnel. Chicago could be in the mix as well, as there is a hotel attached to Wintrust Arena.
Testing and its availability would also be key to a season. Players and coaches and officials and game staff would need to be regularly tested throughout the season, as a case or two here or there could threaten the viability of the entire league.
It's possible that if a plan of action is finally settled on, the players would have to start the process with a strict self-quarantine.
Convene in the designated city, self quarantine for the 14-day incubation period, get tested and then gather with their teams to start a training camp under strict guidelines of staying within the confines of the approved venue.
Meanwhile, games, without fans, could be played in the single site and then broadcast by crews in remote studios, so that the fans could at least get some kind of taste of the season.
It's all a lot of juggling and jumping through hoops for everyone involved.
At some point, each league will also weigh if all the juggling and jumping through hoops is worth it considering a huge source of revenue (ticket sales from fans) will be missing from the equation.
But according to an ESPN report, the cancellation of the season could result in a loss of $2 billion in basketball-related income for the NBA.
Most of that is probably TV money. The WNBA also has a nice contract with ESPN for the broadcast of its games.
Obviously, Major League Baseball has plenty of TV money at stake, too.
But even so, at what point do the leagues face diminishing returns in this process? At what point is there just too much jumping through hoops to make a season worthwhile? That is also being considered.
Let's hope a balance can be found here, and found soon.
America needs a win. America needs its sports. America needs a little slice of normal right now.
Classic TV: While WNBA fans patiently await news on the fate of the 2020 season, Chicago Sky fans can re-live some great memories next weekend with the re-airing of a couple of classic Sky games.
On May 30, WCIU will air back-to-back Sky games from the 2018 season: the Sky vs. Wings from July 20, 2018 at 1 p.m. and then the Sky vs. the Sparks from Aug. 16, 2018 at 2:30 p.m.
• Twitter: @babcockmcgraw


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-23--Owners of COVID-19 sites that haven't opened asking the state for millions in rent

While former hospitals in Elgin and other towns so far go unneeded in the fight against COVID-19 , the question of how much Illinois will pay to rent the facilities is playing out in eminent domain lawsuits .
The property owners have sought millions of dollars in monthly rent from the state , according to state documents and lawsuits filed after the state took over the properties .
The facilities are the former Sherman Hospital campus in Elgin , the former Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park , the former MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island , and the former Vibra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management Agency used emergency powers -- which came with Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's March 9 statewide disaster proclamation -- between March 30 and April 3 to take over the facilities to house COVID-19 patients , or to quarantine people exposed to the disease , documents show .
The state subsequently spent millions in federal emergency funding -- $ 18 million at the Elgin site alone -- for construction at the four locations , which have not had to open so far .
State officials said Friday that it 's `` still under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep the facilities .
The eminent domain lawsuits are `` a procedural requirement '' so the courts can determine `` just compensation '' for the property owner , state officials said .
The emergency taking orders cite state law , saying compensation shall include 6 % annual interest on the fair market value of the property .
The owners of the Springfield site did not specify what compensation they wanted , while the other three did , documents show .
The Daily Herald obtained copies of the emergency taking orders and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites , but not the Melrose Park site because of coronavirus-related court restrictions .
The state is represented by special assistant attorneys general , who did n't respond to requests for comment .
The 254,000-square-foot site on 13.7 acres at 901 Center St. in Elgin is owned by 901 Center Street Holdings , which asked the state for $ 3 million for the first year with rent paid in advance for six months , a $ 1 million security deposit and `` substantial '' rent increases in following years , documents show .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.01 million last year .
Daniel Olswang , agent and manager for the company , did n't return a request for comment .
A case management conference is scheduled for July 16 in Kane County Circuit Court .
The former Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park is about 400,000 square feet with about 225 beds and is owned by the bankruptcy estate of Westlake Property Holding .
The bankruptcy trustee asked the state for $ 1.458 million in monthly rent , documents show .
The bankruptcy trustee , Ira Bodenstein of the law firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
In an unusual twist , the property owner of the Elgin site is involved in a bid to acquire the Melrose Park site .
Olswang is the agent of JET Hospitals LLC , whose manager is John Everest Thomas , Olswang 's partner at the Chicago real estate development company Freedom Development Group .
JET Hospitals is trying to purchase the former Westlake Hospital property at an upcoming auction and made a `` stalking horse '' bid of $ 12 million -- meaning further bids ca n't go below that -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment came after seeing what was happening with the Elgin property and realizing the potential for revenue at the Melrose Park site due to the state 's involvement , Thomas said .
The owner of MetroSouth Hospital in Blue Island asked the state to pay $ 13.5 million every 10 weeks , based on the pricing of $ 17.78 per gross square foot .
The property is 735,112 square feet with an additional 10 acres and includes 200 beds and 260 TVs , documents show .
The owner is Veterans Services LLC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rosenman in Chicago did n't respond to a request for comment .
Documents list the city of Chicago as the property 's tenant .
`` We expect that the city will receive compensation from the state , but we can not provide details at this time , '' said Kathy Fieweger , spokeswoman for Chicago 's department of law .
Government agencies typically use eminent domain to take properties for things like road widening and tax-increment financing redevelopment , funded by property taxes .
Attorney Michael W. Ryan , of Ryan & Ryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domain , said this is the first time he 's seen the state use emergency takings since he started practicing law in 2002 .
It 's common for eminent domain cases to end up in court , and for property owners and government agencies to have `` very drastic differences '' in the monetary value assigned to properties , Ryan said .
But the emergency takings of the hospital sites are unusual , he said .
Usually a government agency would have to appraise the property and make a formal offer , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while making a `` good faith '' attempt to agree on compensation , Ryan said .
`` In this case , due to the pandemic , they had to act quickly , '' he said .
Also , eminent domain cases usually are specific , either seeking to purchase a property or use it for a certain number of years , like for easements during road construction , Ryan said .
`` Here it 's unspecified and open , which makes these cases unique . ''
A high percentage of eminent domain lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ryan said .

Owners of COVID-19 sites that haven't opened asking the state for millions in rent
While former hospitals in Elgin and other towns so far go unneeded in the fight against COVID-19, the question of how much Illinois will pay to rent the facilities is playing out in eminent domain lawsuits.
The property owners have sought millions of dollars in monthly rent from the state, according to state documents and lawsuits filed after the state took over the properties.
The facilities are the former Sherman Hospital campus in Elgin, the former Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park, the former MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island, and the former Vibra Hospital in Springfield.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency used emergency powers -- which came with Gov. J.B. Pritzker's March 9 statewide disaster proclamation -- between March 30 and April 3 to take over the facilities to house COVID-19 patients, or to quarantine people exposed to the disease, documents show.
The state subsequently spent millions in federal emergency funding -- $18 million at the Elgin site alone -- for construction at the four locations, which have not had to open so far.
State officials said Friday that it's "still under review" how long the IEMA expects to keep the facilities. The eminent domain lawsuits are "a procedural requirement" so the courts can determine "just compensation" for the property owner, state officials said.
The emergency taking orders cite state law, saying compensation shall include 6% annual interest on the fair market value of the property.
The owners of the Springfield site did not specify what compensation they wanted, while the other three did, documents show. The Daily Herald obtained copies of the emergency taking orders and the lawsuits regarding the Elgin and Blue Island sites, but not the Melrose Park site because of coronavirus-related court restrictions.
The state is represented by special assistant attorneys general, who didn't respond to requests for comment.
Elgin site
The 254,000-square-foot site on 13.7 acres at 901 Center St. in Elgin is owned by 901 Center Street Holdings, which asked the state for $3 million for the first year with rent paid in advance for six months, a $1 million security deposit and "substantial" rent increases in following years, documents show.
The company bought the property for $1.01 million last year. Daniel Olswang, agent and manager for the company, didn't return a request for comment.
A case management conference is scheduled for July 16 in Kane County Circuit Court.
Melrose Park site
The former Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park is about 400,000 square feet with about 225 beds and is owned by the bankruptcy estate of Westlake Property Holding. The bankruptcy trustee asked the state for $1.458 million in monthly rent, documents show.
The bankruptcy trustee, Ira Bodenstein of the law firm Fox Rothschild in Chicago, declined to comment.
A status hearing is scheduled Tuesday in Cook County circuit court.
In an unusual twist, the property owner of the Elgin site is involved in a bid to acquire the Melrose Park site.
Olswang is the agent of JET Hospitals LLC, whose manager is John Everest Thomas, Olswang's partner at the Chicago real estate development company Freedom Development Group.
JET Hospitals is trying to purchase the former Westlake Hospital property at an upcoming auction and made a "stalking horse" bid of $12 million -- meaning further bids can't go below that -- Thomas said.
The idea for the investment came after seeing what was happening with the Elgin property and realizing the potential for revenue at the Melrose Park site due to the state's involvement, Thomas said.
Blue Island site
The owner of MetroSouth Hospital in Blue Island asked the state to pay $13.5 million every 10 weeks, based on the pricing of $17.78 per gross square foot. The property is 735,112 square feet with an additional 10 acres and includes 200 beds and 260 TVs, documents show.
The owner is Veterans Services LLC, whose attorney at Katten, Muchin and Rosenman in Chicago didn't respond to a request for comment.
Documents list the city of Chicago as the property's tenant. "We expect that the city will receive compensation from the state, but we cannot provide details at this time," said Kathy Fieweger, spokeswoman for Chicago's department of law.
A status hearing is scheduled Tuesday in Cook County circuit court.
What's different
Government agencies typically use eminent domain to take properties for things like road widening and tax-increment financing redevelopment, funded by property taxes. Attorney Michael W. Ryan, of Ryan & Ryan in Rosemont, who specializes in eminent domain, said this is the first time he's seen the state use emergency takings since he started practicing law in 2002.
It's common for eminent domain cases to end up in court, and for property owners and government agencies to have "very drastic differences" in the monetary value assigned to properties, Ryan said.
But the emergency takings of the hospital sites are unusual, he said.
Usually a government agency would have to appraise the property and make a formal offer, then wait 60 days to file a lawsuit while making a "good faith" attempt to agree on compensation, Ryan said.
"In this case, due to the pandemic, they had to act quickly," he said.
Also, eminent domain cases usually are specific, either seeking to purchase a property or use it for a certain number of years, like for easements during road construction, Ryan said. "Here it's unspecified and open, which makes these cases unique."
A high percentage of eminent domain lawsuits are settled before going to a jury, Ryan said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-22--Couple's passion for cemetery's history seen in Memorial Day tribute

After reviving the once-neglected Fort Hill Cemetery near Round Lake , McHenry resident Vern Paddock thought it only right to honor those who may not have anyone around to remember them .
And so on Friday , Paddock and his wife , Ruth , reverently placed American flags at the graves of the 45 veterans buried at Fort Hill , established in 1844 and one of the oldest cemeteries in Lake County .
The honorees included three Civil War veterans and a War of 1812 veteran whose stories Paddock has chronicled in his extensive research .
`` The families are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think that 's what Memorial Day is all about with the veterans -- they should n't be forgotten . ''
Paddock 's great-great-great-grandmother and other relatives are buried here .
Since he retired five years ago , he has spent countless hours removing dense shrubbery and debris , uncovering and restoring hidden gravestones and researching the occupants of Fort Hill .
`` I 'm sure a lot of the relatives ( of veterans buried at Fort Hill ) are probably third or fourth generation and are n't around here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up near Fort McHenry in Baltimore , best known for a successful defense of the harbor from a British attack during the War of 1812 .
It 's also the site where an enormous American flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that later was set to music and became known as `` The Star-Spangled Banner . ''
She describes herself as very patriotic and teared up Friday when asked by a visitor what she thought of the couple 's flag handiwork .
`` It 's very inspirational , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans have not been forgotten . ''
Since early spring , the Paddocks have spent several days a week cleaning gravestones .
`` We decided about three months ago it would be nice to put some flags out to remember the vets , '' Vern Paddock said .
Most of the flags are small , but there are larger ones for two veterans killed in action , and 1863 versions for three Civil War veterans , as well as a Star-Spangled Banner flag for the War of 1812 veteran .
Lt. Arthur Whitney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he died in action March 13 , 1863 , in Springfield , Greene County , Missouri , and Pfc .
Clarence Hagen Jr. had just turned 19 when he was killed June 17 , 1944 , at Saipan in the northern Mariana Islands .
Their flags are 3-foot by 5-foot and mounted on 10-foot poles .
`` For the two veterans killed in action , I thought it would be nice to have something big , '' Paddock said .
As his pastime turned to passion , Paddock has compiled 400 genealogies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cemetery website https : //www.forthillcemetery.org/ .
And , the work and discoveries continue .
Just last week , Paddock happened upon a mention for Levi Marble .
`` He did n't fight .
He was a teamster during the War of 1812 , '' he said .
`` He was probably hauling supplies . ''
Paddock said he spent about $ 800 for the flags and poles .
`` I just wanted to do that , '' he said without further explanation .
`` Today , looking at these flags -- wow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Couple's passion for cemetery's history seen in Memorial Day tribute
After reviving the once-neglected Fort Hill Cemetery near Round Lake, McHenry resident Vern Paddock thought it only right to honor those who may not have anyone around to remember them.
And so on Friday, Paddock and his wife, Ruth, reverently placed American flags at the graves of the 45 veterans buried at Fort Hill, established in 1844 and one of the oldest cemeteries in Lake County.
The honorees included three Civil War veterans and a War of 1812 veteran whose stories Paddock has chronicled in his extensive research.
"The families aren't around anymore," he said. "I think that's what Memorial Day is all about with the veterans -- they shouldn't be forgotten."
Paddock's great-great-great-grandmother and other relatives are buried here. Since he retired five years ago, he has spent countless hours removing dense shrubbery and debris, uncovering and restoring hidden gravestones and researching the occupants of Fort Hill.
"I'm sure a lot of the relatives (of veterans buried at Fort Hill) are probably third or fourth generation and aren't around here," he added.
Ruth Paddock grew up near Fort McHenry in Baltimore, best known for a successful defense of the harbor from a British attack during the War of 1812. It's also the site where an enormous American flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that later was set to music and became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner."
She describes herself as very patriotic and teared up Friday when asked by a visitor what she thought of the couple's flag handiwork.
"It's very inspirational," she said. "It's nice these veterans have not been forgotten."
Since early spring, the Paddocks have spent several days a week cleaning gravestones.
"We decided about three months ago it would be nice to put some flags out to remember the vets," Vern Paddock said.
Most of the flags are small, but there are larger ones for two veterans killed in action, and 1863 versions for three Civil War veterans, as well as a Star-Spangled Banner flag for the War of 1812 veteran.
Lt. Arthur Whitney, a farmer, was 22 when he died in action March 13, 1863, in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, and Pfc. Clarence Hagen Jr. had just turned 19 when he was killed June 17, 1944, at Saipan in the northern Mariana Islands. Their flags are 3-foot by 5-foot and mounted on 10-foot poles.
"For the two veterans killed in action, I thought it would be nice to have something big," Paddock said.
As his pastime turned to passion, Paddock has compiled 400 genealogies, which are listed on his Fort Hill Cemetery website https://www.forthillcemetery.org/.
And, the work and discoveries continue. Just last week, Paddock happened upon a mention for Levi Marble.
"He didn't fight. He was a teamster during the War of 1812," he said. "He was probably hauling supplies."
Paddock said he spent about $800 for the flags and poles.
"I just wanted to do that," he said without further explanation. "Today, looking at these flags -- wow, I'm glad I did it."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-22--May 22 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Since the outbreak began , there have been 54,098 cases in the suburbs , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 2,393 deaths in the suburbs , almost 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Here are cases per county and some towns .
Not every town with cases is included .
• As of Friday , suburban Cook had 28,484 cases and 1,337 deaths , according to the state ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 40,465 cases and 1,850 fatalities .
Top suburb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health and medical examiner 's office : 1,288 cases and 69 deaths in Des Plaines , 562 cases and 20 deaths in Wheeling , 492 cases and 6 deaths in Mount Prospect , 461 cases and 12 deaths in Streamwood , 430 cases and 7 deaths in Palatine , 423 cases and 30 deaths in Glenview , 382 cases and 7 deaths in Schaumburg , 345 cases and 6 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 334 cases and 14 deaths in Arlington Heights , 255 cases and 34 deaths in Park Ridge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove Village , 238 cases and 8 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 18 cases and 3 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 761 cases and 10 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) • The county reported 6,727 cases and 336 deaths Friday .
Top counts : 636 cases and 6 deaths in Addison , 626 cases and 7 deaths in West Chicago , 493 cases and 4 deaths in Glendale Heights , 416 cases and 8 deaths in Bensenville , 406 cases and 24 deaths in Carol Stream , 409 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DuPage portion ) , 278 cases and 11 deaths in Lombard , 248 cases and 7 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 211 cases and 27 deaths in Elmhurst , 187 cases and 15 deaths in Downers Grove , 179 cases and 2 deaths in Villa Park , 169 cases and 17 deaths in Wheaton , 123 cases and 17 deaths in Willowbrook , and 123 cases and 2 deaths in Glen Ellyn , • The county listed 7,331 cases and 234 deaths as of Friday .
Find town-by-town data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 2,140 to 2,144 in Waukegan ; 295 to 299 in Mundelein ; 200 to 204 in Gurnee ; 160 to 164 in Round Lake ; 135 to 139 in Vernon Hills ; 105 to 109 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) ; 100 to 104 in Wauconda ; 75 to 79 in Lake Zurich ; 65 to 69 in Libertyville ; 65 to 69 in Grayslake ; and 30 to 34 in Lake Villa .
• The county confirmed 5,406 cases with 151 deaths on its website Friday at kanehealth.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,248 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 513 in Carpentersville , 215 in South Elgin , 202 in St. Charles , 119 in North Aurora , 115 in Geneva , 87 in Batavia , and 34 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
• There have been 1,346 cases and 69 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department 's website Friday .
• There have been 4,966 cases and 255 deaths in Will County , according to the health department 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include 288 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) and 53 in Aurora ( Will portion ) .

May 22 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Interactive map
Suburbs' portion
Since the outbreak began, there have been 54,098 cases in the suburbs, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 2,393 deaths in the suburbs, almost 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Here are cases per county and some towns. Not every town with cases is included.
Cook County
• As of Friday, suburban Cook had 28,484 cases and 1,337 deaths, according to the state (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 40,465 cases and 1,850 fatalities.
Top suburb counts from the Cook County Department of Public Health and medical examiner's office: 1,288 cases and 69 deaths in Des Plaines, 562 cases and 20 deaths in Wheeling, 492 cases and 6 deaths in Mount Prospect, 461 cases and 12 deaths in Streamwood, 430 cases and 7 deaths in Palatine, 423 cases and 30 deaths in Glenview, 382 cases and 7 deaths in Schaumburg, 345 cases and 6 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 334 cases and 14 deaths in Arlington Heights, 255 cases and 34 deaths in Park Ridge, 242 cases and 9 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 238 cases and 8 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 18 cases and 3 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 761 cases and 10 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion)
DuPage County
• The county reported 6,727 cases and 336 deaths Friday. Top counts: 636 cases and 6 deaths in Addison, 626 cases and 7 deaths in West Chicago, 493 cases and 4 deaths in Glendale Heights, 416 cases and 8 deaths in Bensenville, 406 cases and 24 deaths in Carol Stream, 409 cases and 28 deaths in Naperville (DuPage portion), 278 cases and 11 deaths in Lombard, 248 cases and 7 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 211 cases and 27 deaths in Elmhurst, 187 cases and 15 deaths in Downers Grove, 179 cases and 2 deaths in Villa Park, 169 cases and 17 deaths in Wheaton, 123 cases and 17 deaths in Willowbrook, and 123 cases and 2 deaths in Glen Ellyn,
Lake County
• The county listed 7,331 cases and 234 deaths as of Friday. Find town-by-town data at https://bit.ly/dhlakecovid19data. Top counts: 2,140 to 2,144 in Waukegan; 295 to 299 in Mundelein; 200 to 204 in Gurnee; 160 to 164 in Round Lake; 135 to 139 in Vernon Hills; 105 to 109 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion); 100 to 104 in Wauconda; 75 to 79 in Lake Zurich; 65 to 69 in Libertyville; 65 to 69 in Grayslake; and 30 to 34 in Lake Villa.
Kane County
• The county confirmed 5,406 cases with 151 deaths on its website Friday at kanehealth.com. Top counts: 2,436 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,248 in Elgin (Kane portion), 513 in Carpentersville, 215 in South Elgin, 202 in St. Charles, 119 in North Aurora, 115 in Geneva, 87 in Batavia, and 34 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County
• There have been 1,346 cases and 69 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department's website Friday.
Will County
• There have been 4,966 cases and 255 deaths in Will County, according to the health department's website Friday.
• Cases per town include 288 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 53 in Aurora (Will portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-22--Latest nursing home stats: State now identifies only those with current outbreaks

Illinoisans will no longer be able to sift through historical data on coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes .
State public health officials on Friday published figures only for long-term care facilities that are dealing with current outbreaks , or at least one case within the previous 28 days .
That means nursing homes ravaged by COVID-19 earlier in the pandemic were n't included in the latest weekly list released by the Illinois Department of Public Health .
`` In an effort to share with Illinois residents the current burden of COVID-19 in the state , IDPH is publishing on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the state , '' spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said via email .
`` IDPH is also providing the total number of cases and deaths among residents of long-term care facilities since the beginning of the pandemic . ''
The state 's totals show at least 7,914 laboratory-confirmed cases and 2,099 deaths among residents .
At least 2,152 residents and employees have died , according to the updated data for facilities with current outbreaks .
Meadowbrook Manor of Bolingbrook again had the highest number of deaths -- 38 -- followed by Villa at Windsor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 33 .
Last week , before the reporting change , the statewide death toll stood at 1,975 .
The Chateau Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Willowbrook , a 150-bed facility associated with 58 COVID-19 cases and 11 cases as of last Friday , was one of the nursing homes that dropped off the list .
Below is a look at the outbreaks in many suburban facilities , with the number of cases followed by the number of deaths : The Grove By the Lake 52 8

Latest nursing home stats: State now identifies only those with current outbreaks
Illinoisans will no longer be able to sift through historical data on coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes.
State public health officials on Friday published figures only for long-term care facilities that are dealing with current outbreaks, or at least one case within the previous 28 days.
That means nursing homes ravaged by COVID-19 earlier in the pandemic weren't included in the latest weekly list released by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
"In an effort to share with Illinois residents the current burden of COVID-19 in the state, IDPH is publishing on its website current outbreaks at long-term care facilities across the state," spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said via email. "IDPH is also providing the total number of cases and deaths among residents of long-term care facilities since the beginning of the pandemic."
The state's totals show at least 7,914 laboratory-confirmed cases and 2,099 deaths among residents.
At least 2,152 residents and employees have died, according to the updated data for facilities with current outbreaks.
Meadowbrook Manor of Bolingbrook again had the highest number of deaths -- 38 -- followed by Villa at Windsor Park in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood with 33.
AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo called the reporting change "troubling because it keeps viewers from seeing historical data on people who have contracted the virus."
"This information is crucial, especially for those who are in the already difficult position of seeking a facility they can trust," Gallo said in a statement. "Without an accurate history of COVID-19 reports at nursing homes, people seeking a long-term care facility won't have ample information to ensure that their loved one will be both cared for and protected from contracting COVID-19."
Last week, before the reporting change, the statewide death toll stood at 1,975. The Chateau Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Willowbrook, a 150-bed facility associated with 58 COVID-19 cases and 11 cases as of last Friday, was one of the nursing homes that dropped off the list.
Below is a look at the outbreaks in many suburban facilities, with the number of cases followed by the number of deaths:
SUBURBAN COOK
Addolorata Villa 57 3
Albany Care 6 0
Alden Estates Des Plaines 8 1
Alden Estates of Barrington 3 0
Alden Poplar Creek 10 0
Amita Health Holy Family 2 0
Aperion Plum Grove 2 0
Asbury Court 3 0
Avantara Park Ridge 3 1
Avanti Wellness & Rehab 35 8
Avenues to Independence 11 0
Bella Terra Morton Grove 17 3
Bella Terra Streamwood 2 0
BRIA River Oaks 61 0
Brookdale Des Plaines 13 5
Brookdale Northbrook 3 2
Brookdale Prospect Hts. 2 0
Citadel of Northbrook 4 2
City View Multi-Care Center 242 12
David Webb Jr. Complex 3 2
Edward Hines VA Comm. 2 0
Elevate Care Northbrook 46 7
Elevate Saint Andrew 10 4
Evergreen Senior Living 14 7
Generations at Applewood 51 13
Generations At Oakton 14 9
Generations at Regency 64 19
Glenview Terrace 91 25
Glenwood Health Care/Rehab 14 1
Golfview Developmental 94 11
Grace Point Place 21 7
Grosse Pointe Manor 5 1
Harbor House 5 2
Heather Manor 3 0
Holy Family Villa 8 3
Inverness Health and Rehab 10 0
Lake Cook Rehab 11 6
Landmark of Des Plaines 73 17
Lee Manor Rehab/Nursing 9 1
Lieberman Geriatric Center 16 1
Lincolnwood Place 28 11
Lydia Health Care Center 18 3
Madden Mental Health 13 0
ManorCare Arlington Hts. 18 1
ManorCare Elk Grove Village 8 3
Mather Place 6 2
Meadowbrook Manor 17 3
Midway Neuro and Rehab 39 9
Northbrook Inn Memory Care 11 3
Park Lawn Residential Center 2 0
Paul's House 42 4
Pearl of Rolling Meadows 3 0
Pershing Garden 13 2
Prairie Manor 18 8
Presence Nazarethville 5 0
Presence St. Benedict 3 0
Presence Villa Scalabrini 3 0
Resurrection Nursing 32 3
Revere Court of S. Barrington 8 2
RML Specialty Hospital 16 0
Sheridan Village 42 15
St. Joseph Home 2 0
Sunrise of Park Ridge 41 10
Sunrise of Schaumburg 3 0
Symphony at Aria 21 3
Symphony of Hanover Park 5 1
Reserve Arlington Hts. 2 1
The Sheridan of Park Ridge 9 3
Vine at Countryside 15 2
Vi at the Glen 9 0
Victory Centre of Sierra Ridge 9 1
Waverly Inn 2 0
Weinberg Community 6 0
Windsor Estates 31 14
DUPAGE COUNTY
Abbington Rehab & Nursing 67 5
Alden Estates of Naperville 87 21
Alden of Old Town East 3 0
Alden Trails 5 0
Alden Valley Ridge 36 11
Alden Village Bloomingdale 20 1
Aperion Care West Chicago 36 4
Arista Healthcare Naperville 10 0
Artis Senior Living Elmhurst 42 19
Artis Senior Living of Bartlett 25 12
Aspired Living of Westmont 13 3
Beacon Hill Lombard 36 2
Belmont Village Carol Stream 26 1
BRIA of Westmont 124 14
Bridgeway Senior Living 33 5
Brookdale Burr Ridge 8 2
Brookdale Glen Ellyn 4 1
Brookdale Lisle 32 6
Burgess Square 32 3
Cedarhurst of Naperville 5 1
Clarendale of Addison 3 0
DuPage Care Center 5 0
Forestview 94 7
Harbor Chase of Naperville 5 0
Harvester Place 37 13
Lacey Creek Supportive Living 2 0
Lexington of Bloomingdale 61 14
Lexington of Elmhurst 28 11
Lexington of Lombard 29 8
Lexington Square Lombard 3 0
ManorCare Hinsdale 164 27
Meadowbrk Manor Naperville 33 2
Naperville Manor 9 1
Oakbrook Care 86 16
Oak Trace 9 2
Oak Trace Skilled Nursing 2 0
Park Place Health/Wellness 2 0
Park Place of Elmhurst Assisted 2 0
Providence Healthcare/Rehab 69 13
Ray Graham Iona Glos 25 1
St. Patricks Residence 5 0
Sunrise of Bloomingdale 6 1
Sunrise of Willowbrook 7 2
Tabor Hills Healthcare 36 2
Tabor Hills Supportive Living 2 0
Terra Vista Oakbrook Terrace 7 0
The Grove of Elmhurst 16 0
The Radcliff Wood Dale 2 0
Westbridge Wheaton 9 4
West Chicago Terrace 8 0
Westmont Manor 44 11
West Suburban Nursing/Rehab 12 0
Wheaton Village 47 7
Windsor Park 93 23
Winfield Woods 2 0
Wynscape Health/Rehab. 2 0
KANE COUNTY
Alden Courts of Waterford 7 0
Alden of Waterford 33 7
Arden Courts of Geneva 7 0
Asbury Gardens 54 10
Avondale Estates of Elgin 30 1
Batavia Rehabilitation 3 0
Bickford of Aurora 29 7
BRIA of Geneva 112 24
Brighton Garden of St. Charles 3 0
Citadel of Elgin 5 0
Elmwood Terrace 24 4
Presence Fox Knoll 9 2
Fox River Rehab/Healthcare 47 10
GreenFields of Geneva 3 0
Grove of St. Charles 10 0
Heritage Health Therapy 38 1
Jennings Terrace 2 0
Northern Illinois Academy 13 0
River Glen 6 0
Sunnymere 8 0
Symphony of Orchard Valley 114 14
The Grove of Fox Valley 6 0
The Sheridan at Tyler Creek 3 0
Tower Hill Healthcare 117 14
LAKE COUNTY
Avantara Long Grove 91 7
Balmoral Care Center 9 2
Bayside Terrace 12 0
Claridge Health Center 60 14
Elevate Care Riverwoods 55 10
Libertyville Manor 5 1
Radford Green at Sedgebrook 31 5
Riverside Foundation 61 5
Rolling Hills Manor 4 0
Symphony Buffalo Grove 5 1
The Grove By the Lake 52 8
The Solana Deer Park 2 0
The Wellshire Lincolnshire 5 1
Victory Centre 4 0
MCHENRY COUNTY
Alden Terrace of McHenry 70 10
Cross Roads Care Center 68 9
Fair Oaks Health Care Center 10 1
Florence Nursing Home 31 4
Hearthstone Village 2 0
Revere Court of Crystal Lake 12 2
Sheltered Village 41 9
The Fountains at Crystal Lake 38 12
The Springs at Crystal Lake 39 8
WILL COUNTY
Arbor Terrace 35 4
Clarendale of Mokena 25 3
Heritage Woods 5 0
Lakeshore Rehab 4 0
Meadowbrook Manor of Bolingbrook 188 38
Presence Villa Franciscan 64 12
Spring Creek Nursing Home 7 1
St. Coletta's of Illinois 2 0
St. James Manor 45 16
Sunny Hill Nursing Home 45 15
Symphony of Joliet 130 25
The PARC of Joliet 51 10
Timbers of Shorewood 2 0
Victorian Village 9 1
Willow Falls 8 2
Willow House 18 0


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-21--A song to make you smile: 'All I Wanna Do' by Sheryl Crow

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ All I Wan na Do '' by Sheryl Crow , released in 1993 .

A song to make you smile: 'All I Wanna Do' by Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow performs at the "To Nashville, With Love" benefit on March 9. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow, released in 1993.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-05-22--Turt Reynolds? Blanding's turtle hatchlings get a good head start in Lake County

The supporting cast was absent , but the work of boosting the population of an endangered species in Lake County continued Friday with the release of 53 baby Blanding 's turtles .
As he has every year since 2010 , Gary Glowacki , a wildlife ecologist with the Lake County Forest Preserve District , carried his charges in plastic bins to the edge of a large marshy area and released them to continue what hopefully will be long lives .
Known for their bright yellow chin and throats that make it appear as if they are smiling , the presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an indicator of the health of wildlife in general , Glowacki has noted .
Due to precautions regarding the coronavirus , work in groups has not been authorized , so the scientists and students who typically assist were absent this year .
Glowacki presided solo over the annual `` graduation '' of turtle hatchlings on the eve of World Turtle Day , which is Saturday .
`` I 'm just relieved to get the turtles out there , '' he said .
The work is done at an undisclosed location to avoid alerting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased pressure from predators , the Blanding 's in 2009 were designated as endangered in Illinois .
The district in 2010 initiated conservation strategy known as `` head starting '' in which hatchling turtles are raised to a larger body size before being rereleased to the wild , to increase their chances of survival .
Turt Reynolds , Tito Blandito and Turt Kobain were among the 2020 class , which was a bumper crop .
Others will be released in coming months .
The little reptiles are named by donors in the forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has grown every year .
In the most recent season , 134 turtles were adopted and $ 16,977 in donations received , which surpassed the goal of $ 12,000 .
The popularity of Adopt-a-Turtle in a sense mirrors the success of the reintroduction program .
`` We 're continuing to see positive trends .
The population is growing and it 's stable and secure , '' Glowacki said .
Turtles are tracked by radio transmitters and can be identified by a four-letter code notched on their shell .
A recent analysis of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Blanding 's population has a wide-range of juvenile animals and that head-started turtles show growth and survival similar to wild-born turtles .
According to the district , expanding the head-starting program to establish new populations at other locations is a natural next step .

Turt Reynolds? Blanding's turtle hatchlings get a good head start in Lake County
Every years since 2010, the Lake County Forest Preserve District has released Blanding's turtle hatchling into marshy areas in a program to increase their number. The location is kept secret so as not to alert poachers. Courtesy of Gary Glowacki
The shells of a baby Blanding's turtles are notched with a four letter code so they can be identified. Fifty-three hatchlings were released Friday as part of an ongoing program to increase the population of the endangered species. Courtesy of Gary Glowacki
Blanding's turtles are known for a bright yellow chin and throat that makes them appear to be smiling. Fifty-three hatchlings were released Friday as part of an ongoing program by the Lake County Forest Preserve District to increase the population of the endangered species. Courtesy of Gary Glowacki
The supporting cast was absent, but the work of boosting the population of an endangered species in Lake County continued Friday with the release of 53 baby Blanding's turtles.
As he has every year since 2010, Gary Glowacki, a wildlife ecologist with the Lake County Forest Preserve District, carried his charges in plastic bins to the edge of a large marshy area and released them to continue what hopefully will be long lives.
Known for their bright yellow chin and throats that make it appear as if they are smiling, the presence of Blanding's turtles is important as an indicator of the health of wildlife in general, Glowacki has noted.
Due to precautions regarding the coronavirus, work in groups has not been authorized, so the scientists and students who typically assist were absent this year. Glowacki presided solo over the annual "graduation" of turtle hatchlings on the eve of World Turtle Day, which is Saturday.
"I'm just relieved to get the turtles out there," he said.
The work is done at an undisclosed location to avoid alerting poachers. Combined with habitat loss and increased pressure from predators, the Blanding's in 2009 were designated as endangered in Illinois.
The district in 2010 initiated conservation strategy known as "head starting" in which hatchling turtles are raised to a larger body size before being rereleased to the wild, to increase their chances of survival.
Turt Reynolds, Tito Blandito and Turt Kobain were among the 2020 class, which was a bumper crop. Others will be released in coming months.
The little reptiles are named by donors in the forest district's Adopt-a-Turtle recovery program, which has grown every year. In the most recent season, 134 turtles were adopted and $16,977 in donations received, which surpassed the goal of $12,000.
The popularity of Adopt-a-Turtle in a sense mirrors the success of the reintroduction program.
"We're continuing to see positive trends. The population is growing and it's stable and secure," Glowacki said. Turtles are tracked by radio transmitters and can be identified by a four-letter code notched on their shell.
Including Friday's batch, 934 hatchlings have been released.
A recent analysis of the program showed it has been effective in that the Blanding's population has a wide-range of juvenile animals and that head-started turtles show growth and survival similar to wild-born turtles.
According to the district, expanding the head-starting program to establish new populations at other locations is a natural next step.