dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-31--Kane County jurist D.J. Tegeler will be the 'Chief' judge Sunday

Sharp-eyed visitors to the courtroom of Kane County Judge D.J .
Tegeler might have noticed it .
Tucked beneath his black judicial robe , Tegeler was showing his love for the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday with a scarlet dress shirt and gold tie matching the AFC champs ' team colors .
While many in the suburbs will be cheering on native son Jimmy Garoppolo and his San Francisco 49ers in the big game Sunday , Tegeler will be rooting for the team 's he 's loved his entire life .
`` I have bled red and gold for as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tegeler told us .
A Kansas City , Missouri , native , Tegeler attended his first Chiefs game in 1963 .
He was 3 weeks old .
`` I 'm told I cried through the whole thing , '' Tegeler said in an interview in his office , which he has bedecked with Chiefs tchotchkes .
He recalls meeting the victorious Chiefs team at the airport after the 1970 Super Bowl , the team 's last appearance in the big game until Sunday .
During the roughly 800 games in between -- yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's met players and the owners , attended practices and even was interviewed by NFL Films .
His family 's move to Illinois in 1976 did nothing to curb his fandom .
These days , he drives to Kansas City , with friends or his brother , to attend five to eight home games a year .
He 's so devoted that while he was on vacation in Germany in December , he managed to find a TV station carrying the team 's first playoff game and listened to the play-by-play in German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But despite his ardent fandom for the Chiefs , Tegeler is n't making the trip to Miami for Sunday 's Super Bowl because he needs to be back in court Monday morning presiding over felony cases .
Instead , he will watch at home , nervously , with his family and a few friends .
`` I wo n't enjoy it until it is over , '' he joked .
While Bears fans have hammered the team 's management over the last two years for trading up to draft quarterback Mitch Trubisky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen future Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes , Tegeler has a more generous take on the situation .
`` I do n't think anybody realized '' how good Mahomes would become , he said .
Tegeler is also a true-blue Kansas City Royals baseball fan .
How much so ?
His youngest daughter 's initials are K.C.R.
, as in Kansas City Royals .
The `` R '' actually stands for Royal .
She was born in 2015 , shortly after the Royals won the World Series .
Todd and Priscilla Olshefski of Lombard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid allegations they created a fake veterans charity and pocketed the donations , are back in DuPage County .
The county jail , to be specific .
Wheaton police tell us the couple were captured in Volusia County , Florida , on Nov. 8 and , after an extradition fight , were sent back to Illinois .
Priscilla pleaded guilty in July and was given probation .
Husband Todd 's case was still going on .
But in late September he failed to show up for a court date , and then Priscilla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were issued .
Priscilla Olshefski pleaded guilty in July to use of charitable trust funds for personal benefit and was sentenced to 170 days in jail and two years probation .
She 's scheduled to be back in a DuPage courtroom today , when Judge George Bakalis could be asked to revoke her probation and give her a harsher sentence .
Todd Olshefski is due in court Feb. 18 on a misuse of charitable funds charge .
Illinois State Police leaders appeared before a state Senate committee this week to say they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlog of evidence awaiting DNA testing .
According to agency Director Brendan F. Kelly , scientists completed 13,793 DNA test assignments last year , helping to cut the testing backlog by 16 % .
`` The increase in assignment completion rates is finally outpacing the increase in assignments being created , '' he said .
The progress , Kelly said , is a result of numerous steps taken recently , including the addition of new technology and new controls to monitor the testing process and scientists ' work .
`` For years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ISP to act on numerous fronts , and I 'm heartened to be able to tell you that each of those demands are systemically and comprehensively being met , '' Kelly told senators .
The effort also includes the hiring of 22 new forensic scientists last year , with 24 more beginning training this year , Kelly said .
State police are planning a new lab in the Will County area , he added .
• Have a question , tip or comment ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Kane County jurist D.J. Tegeler will be the 'Chief' judge Sunday
Sharp-eyed visitors to the courtroom of Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler might have noticed it.
Tucked beneath his black judicial robe, Tegeler was showing his love for the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday with a scarlet dress shirt and gold tie matching the AFC champs' team colors.
While many in the suburbs will be cheering on native son Jimmy Garoppolo and his San Francisco 49ers in the big game Sunday, Tegeler will be rooting for the team's he's loved his entire life.
"I have bled red and gold for as long as I can remember," Tegeler told us.
A Kansas City, Missouri, native, Tegeler attended his first Chiefs game in 1963. He was 3 weeks old.
"I'm told I cried through the whole thing," Tegeler said in an interview in his office, which he has bedecked with Chiefs tchotchkes.
He recalls meeting the victorious Chiefs team at the airport after the 1970 Super Bowl, the team's last appearance in the big game until Sunday. During the roughly 800 games in between -- yes, he's kept track -- he's met players and the owners, attended practices and even was interviewed by NFL Films.
His family's move to Illinois in 1976 did nothing to curb his fandom. These days, he drives to Kansas City, with friends or his brother, to attend five to eight home games a year. He's so devoted that while he was on vacation in Germany in December, he managed to find a TV station carrying the team's first playoff game and listened to the play-by-play in German, a language he doesn't speak.
But despite his ardent fandom for the Chiefs, Tegeler isn't making the trip to Miami for Sunday's Super Bowl because he needs to be back in court Monday morning presiding over felony cases.
Instead, he will watch at home, nervously, with his family and a few friends.
"I won't enjoy it until it is over," he joked.
About that 2017 draft
While Bears fans have hammered the team's management over the last two years for trading up to draft quarterback Mitch Trubisky when they could have stayed put and chosen future Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes, Tegeler has a more generous take on the situation.
"I don't think anybody realized" how good Mahomes would become, he said.
Not just football
Tegeler is also a true-blue Kansas City Royals baseball fan. How much so? His youngest daughter's initials are K.C.R., as in Kansas City Royals.
The "R" actually stands for Royal. She was born in 2015, shortly after the Royals won the World Series.
Fugitive couple captured
Todd Olshefski
Todd and Priscilla Olshefski of Lombard, who fled the area last year amid allegations they created a fake veterans charity and pocketed the donations, are back in DuPage County. The county jail, to be specific.
Wheaton police tell us the couple were captured in Volusia County, Florida, on Nov. 8 and, after an extradition fight, were sent back to Illinois.
Priscilla pleaded guilty in July and was given probation. Husband Todd's case was still going on. But in late September he failed to show up for a court date, and then Priscilla missed several probation appointments. Arrest warrants were issued.
Priscilla Olshefski
Priscilla Olshefski pleaded guilty in July to use of charitable trust funds for personal benefit and was sentenced to 170 days in jail and two years probation.
She's scheduled to be back in a DuPage courtroom today, when Judge George Bakalis could be asked to revoke her probation and give her a harsher sentence.
Todd Olshefski is due in court Feb. 18 on a misuse of charitable funds charge.
Testing 1, 2, 3
Illinois State Police leaders appeared before a state Senate committee this week to say they're making progress chipping away at the huge backlog of evidence awaiting DNA testing.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer, 2019 Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly
According to agency Director Brendan F. Kelly, scientists completed 13,793 DNA test assignments last year, helping to cut the testing backlog by 16%.
"The increase in assignment completion rates is finally outpacing the increase in assignments being created," he said.
The progress, Kelly said, is a result of numerous steps taken recently, including the addition of new technology and new controls to monitor the testing process and scientists' work.
"For years, members of this body have called for the ISP to act on numerous fronts, and I'm heartened to be able to tell you that each of those demands are systemically and comprehensively being met," Kelly told senators.
The effort also includes the hiring of 22 new forensic scientists last year, with 24 more beginning training this year, Kelly said. State police are planning a new lab in the Will County area, he added.
• Have a question, tip or comment? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-31--GOP congressional candidates for the 14th address illegal immigration

Six of the seven candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the 14th Congressional District seat shared plans of varying details for how to stem illegal immigration and fix the flaws in the system for those working their way through the sluggish green card process .
The plans came out at a Batavia debate Thursday night sponsored by the League of Women Voters .
All six candidates said they support securing the southern border with a wall or the use of advanced technology more Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers .
James Marter , who lives in Oswego , put forward the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate answer and responses to a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire .
He supports the use of E-Verify to check the immigration status of employees , a biometric entry/exit system , the end of birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented residents , mandatory reporting of noncitizens to ICE and an expedited removal for such residents who have criminal convictions .
He also supports the end of `` catch-and-release '' and more restrictions on visas and asylum claims .
Woodstock resident Catalina Lauf said her grandparents set a model when they took the legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` They learned the language , and they immersed themselves here in the country , '' Lauf said .
`` We need to make sure we are prioritizing the safety and security of Americans and also not politicizing what is going on . ''
Lauf supports Trump 's plan for merit-based immigration .
That plan involves a point system where priority is given to younger , more educated immigrants with preexisting offers of employment or a plan to create jobs .
It also requires immigrants to be financially self-sufficient and pass a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warrenville resident , spotlighted the legal immigration of his wife 's family from Taiwan .
He supports the wall but said there must be a focus on supporting legal immigration and making sure there are proper pathways to citizenship for refugees and asylum-seekers .
`` I believe in creating a simplified , modern path to allow legal immigration into our nation while ensuring that we have a secure border , '' Evans said .
Naperville resident Ted Gradel said all immigration solutions begin with securing borders .
He said he supports the methods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the south to play active roles in preventing episodes like the large caravan of immigrants who made their way to U.S. border last year .
`` We 're partnering with nations , '' Gradel said .
`` I think that 's an important concept . ''
State Sen. Sue Rezin of Morris agreed border security is of prime importance .
`` You 're not a bad neighbor if you lock your door at night or you want to know who is coming in and out of your country , '' Rezin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she expounded on that idea by saying illegal southern border crossings are treacherous for those making the journey and unfair to everyone else who wants to enter the country through the legal immigration system .
St. Charles resident Anthony Catella said he is for immigration because America is a nation of immigrants .
But that has limits .
`` I 'm simply not for illegal immigration , '' Catella said .
`` I 'm for everyone who wants to be a citizen in this country to have a path to become a citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Catella said Mexico will provide all the funding for the southern border wall .
State Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove was not at the debate .
In his Daily Herald questionnaire , Oberweis was the only candidate to address the issue of what to do with the children of undocumented immigrants officially recognized as Dreamers .
Oberweis said he supports a path to citizenship for the Dreamers but not an automatic path to citizenship for their parents .
He said Oberweis Dairy has used E-Verify for 15 years .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of birthright citizenship and the hiring of more border patrol agents .
The primary election is March 17 .
The winner will face incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood of Naperville .
The 14th Congressional District includes parts of DuPage , Kane , Lake , McHenry and Will counties .

GOP congressional candidates for the 14th address illegal immigration
State Sen. Sue Rezin of Morris is running for the GOP nomination in the 14th Congressional District. She says border security is of prime importance. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media Illinois
Republican congressional candidate Ted Gradel, who lives in Naperville, says all immigration solutions begin with securing borders. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media Illinois
Oswego Republican James Marter, center, says he would end of birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented residents. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media Illinois
Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media IllinoisAnthony Catella, a candidate for the 14th Congressional District, answers a question during a candidate's forum at the Batavia City Hall on Jan. 30. The forum was hosted by the League of Women Voters and the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.
Catalina Lauf, a Woodstock resident running for Congress in the 14th District, says she supports President Donald Trump's plan for merit-based immigration. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media Illinois
Republican Jerry Evans, a Warrenville resident who is running for the nomination in the 14th Congressional District, supports a wall at the southern border but says there must be a focus on supporting legal immigration. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media Illinois
From left, Anthony Catella, Jerry Evans, Ted Gradel, Catalina Lauf, James Marter and Sue Rezin are running for the Republican nomination in the 14th Congressional District. The seventh GOP candidate, Jim Oberweis, did not attend Thursday's forum in Batavia. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media Illinois
A crowd filled the Batavia City Council chambers for Thursday's candidates forum hosted by the League of Women Voters and the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media Illinois
From left, Republican congressional candidates Anthony Catella, Jerry Evans, Ted Gradel, Catalina Lauf, James Marter and Sue Rezin participate in a 14th District forum Thursday at Batavia city hall. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Media Illinois
Six of the seven candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the 14th Congressional District seat shared plans of varying details for how to stem illegal immigration and fix the flaws in the system for those working their way through the sluggish green card process.
The plans came out at a Batavia debate Thursday night sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
All six candidates said they support securing the southern border with a wall or the use of advanced technology more Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
James Marter, who lives in Oswego, put forward the most detailed plan, both in his debate answer and responses to a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire.
He supports the use of E-Verify to check the immigration status of employees, a biometric entry/exit system, the end of birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented residents, mandatory reporting of noncitizens to ICE and an expedited removal for such residents who have criminal convictions. He also supports the end of "catch-and-release" and more restrictions on visas and asylum claims.
Woodstock resident Catalina Lauf said her grandparents set a model when they took the legal path to the United States from Guatemala.
"They learned the language, and they immersed themselves here in the country," Lauf said. "We need to make sure we are prioritizing the safety and security of Americans and also not politicizing what is going on."
Lauf supports Trump's plan for merit-based immigration. That plan involves a point system where priority is given to younger, more educated immigrants with preexisting offers of employment or a plan to create jobs. It also requires immigrants to be financially self-sufficient and pass a civics exam.
Jerry Evans, a Warrenville resident, spotlighted the legal immigration of his wife's family from Taiwan. He supports the wall but said there must be a focus on supporting legal immigration and making sure there are proper pathways to citizenship for refugees and asylum-seekers.
"I believe in creating a simplified, modern path to allow legal immigration into our nation while ensuring that we have a secure border," Evans said.
Naperville resident Ted Gradel said all immigration solutions begin with securing borders. He said he supports the methods Trump has used to get other nations to the south to play active roles in preventing episodes like the large caravan of immigrants who made their way to U.S. border last year.
"We're partnering with nations," Gradel said. "I think that's an important concept."
State Sen. Sue Rezin of Morris agreed border security is of prime importance.
"You're not a bad neighbor if you lock your door at night or you want to know who is coming in and out of your country," Rezin said.
In her Daily Herald questionnaire, she expounded on that idea by saying illegal southern border crossings are treacherous for those making the journey and unfair to everyone else who wants to enter the country through the legal immigration system.
St. Charles resident Anthony Catella said he is for immigration because America is a nation of immigrants. But that has limits.
"I'm simply not for illegal immigration," Catella said. "I'm for everyone who wants to be a citizen in this country to have a path to become a citizen."
In his Daily Herald questionnaire, Catella said Mexico will provide all the funding for the southern border wall.
State Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove was not at the debate.
In his Daily Herald questionnaire, Oberweis was the only candidate to address the issue of what to do with the children of undocumented immigrants officially recognized as Dreamers.
Oberweis said he supports a path to citizenship for the Dreamers but not an automatic path to citizenship for their parents.
He said Oberweis Dairy has used E-Verify for 15 years. And he supports a southern border wall, the end of birthright citizenship and the hiring of more border patrol agents.
The primary election is March 17. The winner will face incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood of Naperville.
The 14th Congressional District includes parts of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-30--'Thanks to God': Aurora man finally returns home after kidnapping and shooting in Mexico

Jose Luis Gutierrez 's blood ran cold when he heard one of his kidnappers tell another one to kill him inside a car on the side of a Mexican roadway , two days before Christmas .
`` I said , 'Why ?
No !
I have n't done anything to you , ' '' the 52-year-old Aurora man and father of three recalled .
When the driver said he did n't want the car to get stained with blood , Gutierrez took his chance to fight for his life , and what could have ended in horrifying tragedy became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gutierrez , a U.S. citizen , returned Thursday to Illinois after spending time in a Mexican hospital , followed by a hospital in Texas , after the Dec. 23 attack that left him wounded by two gunshots and grazed by another .
A full recovery will take another two or three months , but what matters is that he 's alive and his family is OK , Gutierrez said .
`` I want , first of all , to give thanks to God .
That 's the most important thing , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his son .
`` And then , to keep going . ''
Gutierrez took a 24-hour Greyhound bus ride from Texas with his daughters Danyela , 27 , and Sofia , 19 , and was picked up Thursday morning by his son Luis , 22 , at the bus station in downtown Chicago .
They drove straight to the Chicago office of attorney Manuel Cardenas and his assistant Marlene Acosta , who were instrumental in working with the U.S. and Mexican governments and local authorities to arrange transport for Gutierrez to Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteer for the nonprofit League of United Latin American Citizens and Cardenas took on the case pro bono .
`` I want to give thanks to everyone for the help that you guys have brought us .
If not , we could n't make it to bring him back , '' Danyela Gutierrez said .
`` It means a lot to us . ''
The kidnapping happened while Gutierrez was traveling in his truck through the Mexican state of Zacatecas with Sofia and his 81-year-old father , whom they had picked up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit family for Christmas in Jalisco , Mexico .
Gutierrez 's wife and two other children stayed home .
They pulled over at about 9 p.m. , knowing that Mexican authorities advise not traveling at night , Gutierrez said .
He woke up at about midnight when a car pulled up behind them and a man rapped on the window , asking for a ride .
When Gutierrez said he could n't do that , the man opened the door , dragged him out and pointed a gun at him , telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I asked him , 'What do you want ?
I 'm not a bad guy , I 'm just here visiting . '
'' Inside the kidnappers ' car were two other men in their 20s .
The car drove off and pulled over about 100 feet down the road , he said .
When one of the men started talking about killing him , Gutierrez said , he smacked the gun away from him and managed to get out of the car , using the man as a shield .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gutierrez on his side and striking his abdomen and upper leg .
Gutierrez said he thinks a shot might have wounded the man he struggled with .
After Gutierrez fell to the ground , the kidnappers took a look at him , assumed he was mortally wounded and left .
They circled back to Gutierrez 's car and robbed his daughter and his father , stealing their cellphones , belongings and car full of Christmas gifts .
His daughter Sofia said Thursday she did n't want to talk about the ordeal , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gutierrez ended up spending hours lying on the ground in the dark , bleeding , losing sensation , and unable to get up or dial his cellphone , he said .
When dawn finally broke , passing cars noticed him and eventually the authorities were contacted .
Guiterrez was airlifted by a helicopter to a hospital in Zacatecas , where he stayed until early January .
The Mexican authorities released a photo showing a law enforcement officer crouching by Gutierrez on the ground .
Seeing that image was especially awful , his daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could not join him in Mexico because authorities feared retaliation by the kidnappers , but Danyela said she could n't stand to stay home .
She got on a plane -- her first flight alone -- the day after Christmas and made her way to the hospital in Zacatecas to join her father .
His son Luis said the first 48 hours , before he knew for sure his father was going to be OK , were the worst .
Initially , the family was told he was shot three times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little family vacation in June or July , maybe in Florida , to make up for that time we lost , '' Luis said .
No one has been arrested by Mexican authorities but the investigation is ongoing , Acosta said .
The state of Zacatecas shouldered the Mexican portion of medical and transport expenses for Gutierrez because he is a U.S. citizen , she said .
The family has yet to receive a bill for medical expenses in Texas but hope people will contribute via a GoFundMe .
Gutierrez said his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drive at night and to pull over in safe areas , like well-lit , 24-hour gas stations with plenty of people .
`` Do n't take a risk and say , 'It 's getting dark ... but I 'm still going to keep going , ' which is what happened to me , '' he said .
`` If I stayed maybe by a business , where there are more people , nothing would have happened . ''
U.S. citizens , even if they have dual citizenship , should always use their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexican government is willing to cover expenses in case of emergency for U.S. citizens , Acosta said .

'Thanks to God': Aurora man finally returns home after kidnapping and shooting in Mexico
Jose Luis Gutierrez's blood ran cold when he heard one of his kidnappers tell another one to kill him inside a car on the side of a Mexican roadway, two days before Christmas.
"I said, 'Why? No! I haven't done anything to you,'" the 52-year-old Aurora man and father of three recalled.
When the driver said he didn't want the car to get stained with blood, Gutierrez took his chance to fight for his life, and what could have ended in horrifying tragedy became a story of near escape and resilience.
Gutierrez, a U.S. citizen, returned Thursday to Illinois after spending time in a Mexican hospital, followed by a hospital in Texas, after the Dec. 23 attack that left him wounded by two gunshots and grazed by another. A full recovery will take another two or three months, but what matters is that he's alive and his family is OK, Gutierrez said.
"I want, first of all, to give thanks to God. That's the most important thing," said Gutierrez, who has a landscaping business with his son. "And then, to keep going."
Gutierrez took a 24-hour Greyhound bus ride from Texas with his daughters Danyela, 27, and Sofia, 19, and was picked up Thursday morning by his son Luis, 22, at the bus station in downtown Chicago. They drove straight to the Chicago office of attorney Manuel Cardenas and his assistant Marlene Acosta, who were instrumental in working with the U.S. and Mexican governments and local authorities to arrange transport for Gutierrez to Texas earlier this month.
Acosta is a volunteer for the nonprofit League of United Latin American Citizens and Cardenas took on the case pro bono.
"I want to give thanks to everyone for the help that you guys have brought us. If not, we couldn't make it to bring him back," Danyela Gutierrez said. "It means a lot to us."
The kidnapping happened while Gutierrez was traveling in his truck through the Mexican state of Zacatecas with Sofia and his 81-year-old father, whom they had picked up in Texas. They were on their way to visit family for Christmas in Jalisco, Mexico. Gutierrez's wife and two other children stayed home.
They pulled over at about 9 p.m., knowing that Mexican authorities advise not traveling at night, Gutierrez said.
He woke up at about midnight when a car pulled up behind them and a man rapped on the window, asking for a ride. When Gutierrez said he couldn't do that, the man opened the door, dragged him out and pointed a gun at him, telling him to walk toward the car. "I asked him, 'What do you want? I'm not a bad guy, I'm just here visiting.'"
Inside the kidnappers' car were two other men in their 20s. The car drove off and pulled over about 100 feet down the road, he said. When one of the men started talking about killing him, Gutierrez said, he smacked the gun away from him and managed to get out of the car, using the man as a shield. One of the kidnappers started shooting, grazing Gutierrez on his side and striking his abdomen and upper leg. Gutierrez said he thinks a shot might have wounded the man he struggled with.
After Gutierrez fell to the ground, the kidnappers took a look at him, assumed he was mortally wounded and left. They circled back to Gutierrez's car and robbed his daughter and his father, stealing their cellphones, belongings and car full of Christmas gifts.
His daughter Sofia said Thursday she didn't want to talk about the ordeal, but she and her grandfather were both OK.
Gutierrez ended up spending hours lying on the ground in the dark, bleeding, losing sensation, and unable to get up or dial his cellphone, he said. When dawn finally broke, passing cars noticed him and eventually the authorities were contacted. Guiterrez was airlifted by a helicopter to a hospital in Zacatecas, where he stayed until early January.
The Mexican authorities released a photo showing a law enforcement officer crouching by Gutierrez on the ground. Seeing that image was especially awful, his daughter Danyela said. Family members were told they could not join him in Mexico because authorities feared retaliation by the kidnappers, but Danyela said she couldn't stand to stay home.
She got on a plane -- her first flight alone -- the day after Christmas and made her way to the hospital in Zacatecas to join her father.
His son Luis said the first 48 hours, before he knew for sure his father was going to be OK, were the worst. Initially, the family was told he was shot three times.
"I am hoping we can take a little family vacation in June or July, maybe in Florida, to make up for that time we lost," Luis said.
No one has been arrested by Mexican authorities but the investigation is ongoing, Acosta said. The state of Zacatecas shouldered the Mexican portion of medical and transport expenses for Gutierrez because he is a U.S. citizen, she said. The family has yet to receive a bill for medical expenses in Texas but hope people will contribute via a GoFundMe.
Gutierrez said his advice for travelers in Mexico is not to drive at night and to pull over in safe areas, like well-lit, 24-hour gas stations with plenty of people.
"Don't take a risk and say, 'It's getting dark ... but I'm still going to keep going,' which is what happened to me," he said. "If I stayed maybe by a business, where there are more people, nothing would have happened."
U.S. citizens, even if they have dual citizenship, should always use their U.S. passports to enter Mexico because the Mexican government is willing to cover expenses in case of emergency for U.S. citizens, Acosta said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-31--Why District 303 graduation ceremonies are moving to weekdays

Though weekend graduation ceremonies have been customary in the past , St. Charles high school seniors will receive their diplomas on a weekday this year to align with an earlier academic calendar .
That practice may become the new norm for District 303 , which is working to finalize graduation dates for the classes of 2021 to 2025 .
The school board is expected to vote Feb. 10 on a five-year contract with Northern Illinois University for the use of its Convocation Center , where graduation ceremonies for St. Charles North and East high schools have been held since 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NIU expires this summer , after the Class of 2020 is honored Thursday , May 21 .
Under the new proposal , graduation dates would be set for May 24 , 2021 , and May 23 , 2022 -- both Mondays .
The district could then work with NIU to choose dates for the next three years depending on the venue 's availability .
`` Is this ideal ?
Of course not , '' said Mark Moore , assistant superintendent for leadership and administrative services .
`` Ideal would be Sunday .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The decision to hold this year 's ceremony on a weekday stems from classes starting a week earlier than in the past , ultimately pushing up the rest of the academic year , spokeswoman Carol Smith said .
The change places District 303 on a similar calendar as that of several nearby districts , she said , but it also leads to graduation scheduling conflicts .
NIU 's Convocation Center was not available the weekend that best aligns with the last day of school this year , resulting in a Thursday ceremony .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when only weekdays are open , Smith said .
Administrators consulted with high school principals and faculty members , who preferred Mondays over the other dates available .
At $ 16,000 for this year 's graduation , NIU is a cheaper option than many area venues , Smith said .
The Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates , for example , costs a minimum $ 48,000 .
But school board President Carolyn Waibel believes it would be worth the additional expense to find a different venue that has availability on the district 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her opinion is not a reflection of the board as a whole .
`` This is a once-a-year event .
This is a celebration of 13 years of education , '' Waibel said .
`` I think it 's OK for the district and board to come up with alternate ideas or extra expenditures for this specific celebration .
`` ( Weekdays ) are too inconvenient for our families , and we need to put our families first . ''
A weekday graduation poses a greater risk of logistical challenges , particularly for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of town , or those who have siblings in other grade levels or extracurricular activities , board member Jillian Barker said .
With one school 's ceremony held at 4 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. , some parents also will have to take the day off work or leave early .
But paying significantly more money to hold the ceremony on a weekend would be `` hard to swallow , '' Barker said .
If weekdays are the only options , she said , she believes a larger group of community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisory committee -- needs to weigh in on which days are best .
`` Faculty senses that ( Monday ) is a better date for them , but graduation is not only about the faculty , '' she said .
`` They work very hard for these kids , but it really is about the kids and the families . ''
Though the situation is n't ideal , board member Ed McNally said the district is at a point where it needs to `` bite the bullet '' and lock in whatever dates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors into account in choosing dates and negotiating the new contract with NIU , Smith said .
`` There 's got to be that balance , '' she said .
`` What we 're hoping is that giving families 15 months ' notice will help ( families ) with their scheduling . ''

Why District 303 graduation ceremonies are moving to weekdays
St. Charles Unit District 303 school board members will vote Feb. 10 on a five-year contract with Northern Illinois University for use of its Convocation Center for graduation ceremonies. Daily Herald file photo
Though weekend graduation ceremonies have been customary in the past, St. Charles high school seniors will receive their diplomas on a weekday this year to align with an earlier academic calendar.
That practice may become the new norm for District 303, which is working to finalize graduation dates for the classes of 2021 to 2025.
The school board is expected to vote Feb. 10 on a five-year contract with Northern Illinois University for the use of its Convocation Center, where graduation ceremonies for St. Charles North and East high schools have been held since 2017.
The district's existing deal with NIU expires this summer, after the Class of 2020 is honored Thursday, May 21.
Under the new proposal, graduation dates would be set for May 24, 2021, and May 23, 2022 -- both Mondays. The district could then work with NIU to choose dates for the next three years depending on the venue's availability.
"Is this ideal? Of course not," said Mark Moore, assistant superintendent for leadership and administrative services. "Ideal would be Sunday. But that's not an option."
The decision to hold this year's ceremony on a weekday stems from classes starting a week earlier than in the past, ultimately pushing up the rest of the academic year, spokeswoman Carol Smith said. The change places District 303 on a similar calendar as that of several nearby districts, she said, but it also leads to graduation scheduling conflicts.
NIU's Convocation Center was not available the weekend that best aligns with the last day of school this year, resulting in a Thursday ceremony. That problem persisted in future years, when only weekdays are open, Smith said.
Administrators consulted with high school principals and faculty members, who preferred Mondays over the other dates available.
At $16,000 for this year's graduation, NIU is a cheaper option than many area venues, Smith said. The Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, for example, costs a minimum $48,000.
But school board President Carolyn Waibel believes it would be worth the additional expense to find a different venue that has availability on the district's desired weekend, she said, noting her opinion is not a reflection of the board as a whole.
"This is a once-a-year event. This is a celebration of 13 years of education," Waibel said. "I think it's OK for the district and board to come up with alternate ideas or extra expenditures for this specific celebration.
"(Weekdays) are too inconvenient for our families, and we need to put our families first."
A weekday graduation poses a greater risk of logistical challenges, particularly for students whose relatives are traveling from out of town, or those who have siblings in other grade levels or extracurricular activities, board member Jillian Barker said. With one school's ceremony held at 4 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m., some parents also will have to take the day off work or leave early.
But paying significantly more money to hold the ceremony on a weekend would be "hard to swallow," Barker said. If weekdays are the only options, she said, she believes a larger group of community members -- such as the new citizen advisory committee -- needs to weigh in on which days are best.
"Faculty senses that (Monday) is a better date for them, but graduation is not only about the faculty," she said. "They work very hard for these kids, but it really is about the kids and the families."
Though the situation isn't ideal, board member Ed McNally said the district is at a point where it needs to "bite the bullet" and lock in whatever dates it can.
Administrators have taken several factors into account in choosing dates and negotiating the new contract with NIU, Smith said.
"There's got to be that balance," she said. "What we're hoping is that giving families 15 months' notice will help (families) with their scheduling."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-30--One moderate Republican says he won't vote for witnesses, so Senate trial could end Friday

WASHINGTON -- Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee declared late Thursday he will oppose calling more witnesses in President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial , all but dashing Democratic efforts to hear more testimony and boosting chances the Senate will vote quickly to acquit the president .
The retiring senator announced his decision by releasing a statement after senators finished a long question-and-answer session with the House Democrats prosecuting the charges and Trump 's lawyers defending the president .
It 's a career-capping move by the 79-year-old lawmaker and former governor with a centrist streak in GOP politics .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , said she would vote for more witnesses , but it would take four GOP senators to break with the majority and join with Democrats to tip the outcome .
Alexander , Collins and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were playing an over-sized role in the final hours of debate with pointed questions ahead of crucial votes .
Another , Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , has made clear he will vote for witnesses .
`` There is no need for more evidence , '' Alexander said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` inappropriate '' ' for the president to ask Ukraine to investigate a political rival Joe Biden , he said the House charges , even if true , `` do not meet the Constitution 's 'treason , bribery , or other high crimes and misdemeanors ' standard for an impeachable offense . ''
Collins said she wanted both sides , the House Democrats prosecuting the case and the president 's defense attorneys , to agree on `` a limited and equal number of witnesses for each side .
If they ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of witnesses . ''
A vote on witnesses , expected Friday , could lead to an abrupt end of the trial with the expected acquittal .
Or , now less likely , it could bring days , if not weeks more argument as Democrats press to hear testimony from former national security adviser John Bolton and others .
In Thursday night 's debate , Murkowski drew a reaction when she asked simply : `` Why should this body not call Ambassador Bolton ? ''
Alexander had captured attention just before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proceedings thus far .
In response to Alexander and others , Democrat Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California , a congressional staffer during Watergate and now a House prosecutor , told the senators that the Nixon impeachment also started as a partisan inquiry .
A bipartisan consensus emerged only after Republicans -- including staunch Nixon supporters -- saw enough evidence to change their minds , she said .
`` They could n't turn away from the evidence that their president had committed abuse of power and they had to vote to impeach him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned before he was impeached .
While disappointed that House Republicans did not join Democrats in voting to impeach Trump , she said the Senate -- `` the greatest deliberative body on the planet '' -- has a new opportunity .
Alexander , after his question Thursday night , consulted with a key staff aide to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
As the senators broke for dinner Alexander and Murkowski met privately .
Trump was impeached by House last month on charges that he abused his power like no other president , jeopardizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump asked he vulnerable ally to investigate Joe Biden and debunked theories of 2016 election interference , temporarily halting American security aid to the country as it battled Russia at its border .
The second article of impeachment says Trump then obstructed the House probe in a way that threatened the nation 's three-branch system of checks and balances .
Thursday 's testimony included soaring pleas to the senators-as-jurors who will decide Trump 's fate , to either stop a president who Democrats say has tried to cheat in the upcoming election and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment proceedings that Republicans insist were never more than a partisan attack .
`` Let 's give the country a trial they can be proud of , '' said Rep. Adam Schiff , the lead prosecutor for House Democrats .
Americans , he said , know what it takes for a fair trial .
He offered to take just one week for depositions of new witnesses , sparking new discussions .
Trump attorney Eric Herschmann declared the Democrats are only prosecuting the president because they ca n't beat him in 2020 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who should be our president , '' Herschmann said .
`` Enough is Enough .
Stop all of this . ''
McConnell was toiling to keep Friday 's vote on schedule even as the trial was unearthing fresh evidence from Bolton 's new book and raising alarms among Democrats and some Republicans about a Trump attorney 's controversial defense .
In a day-after tweet , Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz , complained about the portrayal of his Wednesday night testimony when he said a president is essentially immune from impeachment if he believes his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest . ''
That idea frustrated some inside the White House , who felt Dershowitz 's claim was unnecessary and inflammatory -- irking senators with a controversial claim of vast executive powers .
But those officials left it to Dershowitz to back away , wary that any public White House retreat would be viewed poorly by the president .
`` I said nothing like that , '' the retired professor tweeted Thursday .
His words Wednesday night : `` Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something which he believes will help him get elected is in the public interest , that can not be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment . ''
Asked about it as one of the first questions Thursday , Democrat Schiff , said , `` Have we learned nothing in the last half century ? ''
Schiff drew on the lessons of the Nixon era to warn of a `` normalization of lawlessness '' in the Trump presidency .
`` That argument - if the president says it it ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nixon was forced to resign , '' Schiff told the senators .
`` But that argument may succeed here , now . ''
`` This is not a banana republic , '' said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , D-N.Y. , rejecting the White House counsel 's suggestion there was nothing wrong with seeking foreign election interference .
Democrats played a video showing the many times Trump has campaign .
The president has argued repeatedly that his dealings with Ukraine have been `` perfect . ''
Republicans Collins , Romney and Murkowski all have expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
In a Senate split 53-47 with a Republican majority , at least four GOP senators must join all Democrats to reach the 51 votes required to call witnesses , decide whom to call or do nearly anything else in the trial .
Chief Justice John Roberts , presiding over the chamber and fielding senators ' questions for the trial , could break a tie , but that seems unlikely .
The chief justice did exercise authority Thursday with a stunning rebuttal to a question posed by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still anonymous whistleblower whose complaint about Trump 's phone call with Ukraine 's new president led to the impeachment inquiry .
Roberts had communicated through his staff to McConnell 's office that he did not want to read the whistleblower 's name , according to a Republican unauthorized to discuss the private conversation and granted anonymity .
`` The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted , '' he said .
Senators have dispatched with more than 100 queries over two days .
The questions came from the parties ' leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination against Trump and even bipartisan coalitions from both sides of the aisle .
Trump 's team says the House 's 28,000-page case against the president and the 17 witnesses -- current and former national security officials , ambassadors and others who testified in the House proceedings -- are sufficient .
Instead , Trump 's lawyers focused some of their time Thursday refloating allegations against Biden and his son , Hunter Biden , who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine while his father was vice president .
Rep. Val @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question said the Bidens have little to tell the Senate about Trump 's efforts to `` shake down '' Ukraine for his own campaign .
Democrats argued Bolton 's forthcoming book can not be ignored .
It contends he personally heard Trump say he wanted military aid withheld from Ukraine until it agreed to investigate the Bidens -- the abuse of power charge that is the first article of impeachment .
Trump denies saying such a thing .
The White House has blocked its officials from testifying in the proceedings and objected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` significant amounts of classified information '' in the manuscript , including at the top secret level .
Bolton resigned last September -- Trump says he was fired -- and he and his attorney have insisted the book does not contain any classified information .
Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Andrew Taylor , Matthew Daly , Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

One moderate Republican says he won't vote for witnesses, so Senate trial could end Friday
House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, answers a question Wednesday during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Associated Press
Alan Dershowitz, an attorney for President Donald Trump, answers a question Wednesday during the impeachment trial against Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee declared late Thursday he will oppose calling more witnesses in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, all but dashing Democratic efforts to hear more testimony and boosting chances the Senate will vote quickly to acquit the president.
The retiring senator announced his decision by releasing a statement after senators finished a long question-and-answer session with the House Democrats prosecuting the charges and Trump's lawyers defending the president. It's a career-capping move by the 79-year-old lawmaker and former governor with a centrist streak in GOP politics.
At the same time, another key Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, said she would vote for more witnesses, but it would take four GOP senators to break with the majority and join with Democrats to tip the outcome.
Alexander, Collins and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were playing an over-sized role in the final hours of debate with pointed questions ahead of crucial votes. Another, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, has made clear he will vote for witnesses.
"There is no need for more evidence," Alexander said in his statement.
While he said it was "inappropriate"' for the president to ask Ukraine to investigate a political rival Joe Biden, he said the House charges, even if true, "do not meet the Constitution's 'treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors' standard for an impeachable offense."
Collins said she wanted both sides, the House Democrats prosecuting the case and the president's defense attorneys, to agree on "a limited and equal number of witnesses for each side. If they can't agree, then the Senate could choose the number of witnesses."
A vote on witnesses, expected Friday, could lead to an abrupt end of the trial with the expected acquittal. Or, now less likely, it could bring days, if not weeks more argument as Democrats press to hear testimony from former national security adviser John Bolton and others.
In Thursday night's debate, Murkowski drew a reaction when she asked simply: "Why should this body not call Ambassador Bolton?"
Alexander had captured attention just before the dinner break when he questioned partisanship in the proceedings thus far.
In response to Alexander and others, Democrat Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, a congressional staffer during Watergate and now a House prosecutor, told the senators that the Nixon impeachment also started as a partisan inquiry. A bipartisan consensus emerged only after Republicans -- including staunch Nixon supporters -- saw enough evidence to change their minds, she said.
"They couldn't turn away from the evidence that their president had committed abuse of power and they had to vote to impeach him,'' Lofgren said. Richard Nixon resigned before he was impeached.
While disappointed that House Republicans did not join Democrats in voting to impeach Trump, she said the Senate -- "the greatest deliberative body on the planet'' -- has a new opportunity.
Alexander, after his question Thursday night, consulted with a key staff aide to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. As the senators broke for dinner Alexander and Murkowski met privately.
Trump was impeached by House last month on charges that he abused his power like no other president, jeopardizing Ukraine and U.S.-Ukraine relations. Democrats say Trump asked he vulnerable ally to investigate Joe Biden and debunked theories of 2016 election interference, temporarily halting American security aid to the country as it battled Russia at its border. The second article of impeachment says Trump then obstructed the House probe in a way that threatened the nation's three-branch system of checks and balances.
Thursday's testimony included soaring pleas to the senators-as-jurors who will decide Trump's fate, to either stop a president who Democrats say has tried to cheat in the upcoming election and will again, or to shut down impeachment proceedings that Republicans insist were never more than a partisan attack.
"Let's give the country a trial they can be proud of," said Rep. Adam Schiff, the lead prosecutor for House Democrats. Americans, he said, know what it takes for a fair trial. He offered to take just one week for depositions of new witnesses, sparking new discussions.
Trump attorney Eric Herschmann declared the Democrats are only prosecuting the president because they can't beat him in 2020.
"We trust the American people to decide who should be our president," Herschmann said. "Enough is Enough. Stop all of this."
McConnell was toiling to keep Friday's vote on schedule even as the trial was unearthing fresh evidence from Bolton's new book and raising alarms among Democrats and some Republicans about a Trump attorney's controversial defense.
In a day-after tweet, Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz, complained about the portrayal of his Wednesday night testimony when he said a president is essentially immune from impeachment if he believes his actions to be in the "national interest."
That idea frustrated some inside the White House, who felt Dershowitz's claim was unnecessary and inflammatory -- irking senators with a controversial claim of vast executive powers. But those officials left it to Dershowitz to back away, wary that any public White House retreat would be viewed poorly by the president.
"I said nothing like that," the retired professor tweeted Thursday.
His words Wednesday night: "Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest. And if a president does something which he believes will help him get elected is in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment."
Asked about it as one of the first questions Thursday, Democrat Schiff, said, "Have we learned nothing in the last half century?"
Schiff drew on the lessons of the Nixon era to warn of a "normalization of lawlessness" in the Trump presidency.
"That argument - if the president says it it can't be illegal - failed when Richard Nixon was forced to resign," Schiff told the senators. "But that argument may succeed here, now."
"This is not a banana republic," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., rejecting the White House counsel's suggestion there was nothing wrong with seeking foreign election interference.
Democrats played a video showing the many times Trump has campaign.
The president has argued repeatedly that his dealings with Ukraine have been "perfect."
Republicans Collins, Romney and Murkowski all have expressed interest in hearing from Bolton and the others.
In a Senate split 53-47 with a Republican majority, at least four GOP senators must join all Democrats to reach the 51 votes required to call witnesses, decide whom to call or do nearly anything else in the trial.
Chief Justice John Roberts, presiding over the chamber and fielding senators' questions for the trial, could break a tie, but that seems unlikely.
The chief justice did exercise authority Thursday with a stunning rebuttal to a question posed by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky designed to expose those familiar with the still anonymous whistleblower whose complaint about Trump's phone call with Ukraine's new president led to the impeachment inquiry.
Roberts had communicated through his staff to McConnell's office that he did not want to read the whistleblower's name, according to a Republican unauthorized to discuss the private conversation and granted anonymity.
"The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted," he said.
Senators have dispatched with more than 100 queries over two days. The questions came from the parties' leaders, the senators running for the Democratic nomination against Trump and even bipartisan coalitions from both sides of the aisle.
Trump's team says the House's 28,000-page case against the president and the 17 witnesses -- current and former national security officials, ambassadors and others who testified in the House proceedings -- are sufficient.
Instead, Trump's lawyers focused some of their time Thursday refloating allegations against Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine while his father was vice president.
Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., responding to one question said the Bidens have little to tell the Senate about Trump's efforts to "shake down" Ukraine for his own campaign.
Democrats argued Bolton's forthcoming book cannot be ignored. It contends he personally heard Trump say he wanted military aid withheld from Ukraine until it agreed to investigate the Bidens -- the abuse of power charge that is the first article of impeachment. Trump denies saying such a thing.
The White House has blocked its officials from testifying in the proceedings and objected in a letter to Bolton's attorney to "significant amounts of classified information" in the manuscript, including at the top secret level. Bolton resigned last September -- Trump says he was fired -- and he and his attorney have insisted the book does not contain any classified information.
Associated Press writers Alan Fram, Andrew Taylor, Matthew Daly, Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-31--Watch at 11 a.m.: Foxx and challengers for Cook state's attorney debate live

Video interviews of Democratic primary candidates for Cook County state 's attorney will be livestreamed today on dailyherald.com and on @ @ @ @ @ page .
A Daily Herald Editorial Board joint interview with State 's Attorney Kim Foxx @ @ @ @ @ Bob Fioretti and Donna More will take place at 11 a.m .
The interview is @ @ @ @ @ and will involve some give and take between the candidates .
The full debate will @ @ @ @ @ replay later in the day .

Watch: Foxx and challengers for Cook state's attorney debate
Video interviews of Democratic primary candidates for Cook County state's attorney will be livestreamed today on dailyherald.com and on the Daily Herald's Facebook page.
A Daily Herald Editorial Board joint interview with State's Attorney Kim Foxx and challengers Bill Conway, Bob Fioretti and Donna More will take place at 11 a.m.
The interview is expected to last an hour and will involve some give and take between the candidates.
The full debate will be posted on dailyherald.com for replay later in the day.
The primary election is March 17.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-02--What it was like for suburban Democratic campaign volunteers to stump in Iowa

IOWA -- While thousands of Illinoisans head south for a little warmth in February , an intrepid group of adventurers is driving west on I-80 to the Hawkeye State .
They differ on nuances of universal health care , student debt and other Democratic causes , but all carry a torch for the unlikely romance of the Iowa caucuses .
Going door to door for Democratic presidential candidates like Joe Biden , Pete Buttigieg , Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren is tiring , cold work .
But a contingent of suburbanites feeds off the hope their candidate could be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa becomes the first state in the nation to pick its nominee for president .
`` I think it 's going to be really close , '' Elliott Hartstein of Buffalo Grove said Saturday at a Buttigieg rally .
On the menu for the Republicans is President Donald Trump , former suburban congressman Joe Walsh and former Massachusetts Gov .
William F. Weld .
But it 's among Democrats that the stakes are the highest .
It 's about 38 degrees and sunny on Walnut Street , a prosperous neighborhood with spacious single-family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is definitely the nicest canvassing weather I 've had so far .
I 've been out in ice storms and snowstorms , '' said Arlington Heights native Elizabeth Lindquist , who carries a stack of flyers for Warren , the senator from Massachusetts .
In fact , conditions were so slippery once , Lindquist 's car got stuck in an ice-covered driveway and had to be towed .
She 's undeterred , even taking time off work because `` I really think that ( Warren ) has a uniquely deep understanding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system is rigged against working people , '' Lindquist said .
Numerous residents are either sleeping in , out on errands or just not answering .
`` I 'll just add it to the collection of door hangers , '' Lindquist said , slipping a Warren leaflet next to a Biden one on a doorknob .
Sarah Eichorn , however , was at home and told Lindquist she 's still on the fence .
`` I really like Warren , I like Pete ( Buttigieg ) ... Biden , too , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , admitted , `` I 'm more on the conservative side , '' and later posts an `` I 'm voting for ( Donald ) Trump '' sign on his door .
Lindquist , meanwhile , is just warming up .
`` If you have a packet of 50 doors and talk to 10 people , you 're doing really well , '' she said .
`` The people you do talk to -- you make a real impact on -- it matters .
Especially when it comes to Elizabeth Warren ; there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know enough about her . ''
A dizzying array of major Democratic candidates and proxies are barnstorming the state as the date of the caucuses closes in .
Among them is South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , who 's in Dubuque for a Get out the Caucus Rally at Loras College .
Standing in line outside the college field house and talking up Buttigieg to fellow Democrats is Hartstein , Buffalo Grove 's former mayor .
Buttigieg 's `` a pragmatic progressive , and that 's really important because we want to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't believe people are going to go for extreme positions , '' Hartstein said .
`` I 'm pretty serious about Elizabeth Warren , '' Iowan Kate Kelly said .
`` I have not yet seen Pete .
...
I like what he says and does . ''
But `` he 's a mayor and everyone else is either senators or vice presidents . ''
Mirdza Berzins of Dubuque is all in for Buttigieg .
`` He 's young and fresh , he 's very bright . ''
And his heart 's in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recalling a TV clip of Buttigieg comforting a woman with ALS .
After introductions by Loras students and chants of `` Mayor Pete , '' from the crowd of about 700 , Buttigieg bounds onto the stage to Panic !
At the Disco 's `` High Hopes . ''
`` I 'm thrilled to be here in Dubuque , the river city that reminds me of my own town , '' Buttigieg said .
`` This campaign is built partly on the idea that we 'd be well-served if we could start getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our best-run cities and towns before the reverse starts happening . ''
As for Monday 's results , Hartstein said , `` I hope it 's going to be Pete .
... We 're going to try to make it happen . ''
Four Kane County area Democrats took a breather from persuading strangers to support former Vice President Joe Biden at his Davenport headquarters .
Teams of canvassers handled about 104 houses each .
The three-story building also is home to offices for Warren and entrepreneur candidate Andrew Yang .
Other Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar and billionaire Tom Steyer .
It 's Kane County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Guethle 's fifth caucus and he predicts Biden will win in a close race .
`` The caucus doors lock at 7 p.m. and they 've got two hours to figure out who wins the delegate race , '' explained Guethle , a North Aurora village trustee .
Some candidates wo n't make a 15 % support threshold , meaning their supporters will shift to a second choice .
`` I think Klobuchar ( supporters ) in particular will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guethle , an officer with Painters District Council 30 .
Ted and Beth Penesis of South Elgin have brought their two rescue dogs because the shy retriever/Pyrenees mix Goldie and endearing hound mix Mandy open doors .
`` The best shot we have is Joe Biden , who is trusted and known throughout the world , '' said Beth Penesis .
`` We can not survive four more years of Donald Trump 's administration . ''
Aurora Alderman Emmanuel Llamas supports Biden because in the general election , `` there are a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go Democrat as long as it 's the right candidate , and Joe Biden is that one . ''
Volunteer Dan Bailey of Wheaton spent Saturday walking the neighborhoods of Iowa City trying to get voters to share his fervor for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Now the retired locomotive engineer and nurse is getting his reward at a meet and greet for Sanders at the senator 's Iowa City office Sunday .
`` I want someone fighting to make sure our interests are represented .
Bernie is that person , '' Bailey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too left-wing , Bailey thinks the fiery liberal is just the person to galvanize voters with malaise .
`` Those people need to see someone really strong to change their normal behavior .
They need a strong motivator . ''
The event is packed with 400 or so Bernie fans inside and an overflow crowd of about 150 parked outside .
They include Iowans and Chicago-area voters , many of them students .
University of Iowa faculty Brittany Borghi and Colin Kostelecky are self-described `` hard Bernies . ''
`` We feel a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Bernie because he is the true populist candidate .
He wants to help the people who are hurting the most , whereas Trump wants to exploit them , '' Kostelecky said .
`` I think it 's really unfortunate that we can take a term like socialism or liberalism and manipulate it so much to be a weapon against the people who very much need those ideals , '' Borghi said .
While waiting , organizer Jody Clemens reminds the audience there 's just one day before caucuses .
`` I need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
At 12:10 p.m. , Sanders walks in to a rock-star reception .
`` What ( Trump ) is trying to do is to divide America up , '' Sanders boomed .
`` Our campaign is exactly the opposite .
Let us stand together as Americans around an agenda that works for all of us , not just the 1 % . ''

What it was like for suburban Democratic campaign volunteers to stump in Iowa
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont speaks during the Iowa Farmers Union forum in Grinnell, Iowa. Associated Press
Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden greets audience members during a bus tour stop at Mason City, Iowa, in December. Associated Press
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts greets supporters at a November campaign stop in Des Moines. Associated Press
IOWA -- While thousands of Illinoisans head south for a little warmth in February, an intrepid group of adventurers is driving west on I-80 to the Hawkeye State.
They differ on nuances of universal health care, student debt and other Democratic causes, but all carry a torch for the unlikely romance of the Iowa caucuses.
Going door to door for Democratic presidential candidates like Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren is tiring, cold work. But a contingent of suburbanites feeds off the hope their candidate could be the one to break through Monday night when Iowa becomes the first state in the nation to pick its nominee for president.
"I think it's going to be really close," former Buffalo Grove Mayor Elliott Hartstein said Saturday at a Buttigieg rally.
On the menu for the Republicans is President Donald Trump, former suburban congressman Joe Walsh and former Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld. But it's among Democrats that the stakes are the highest.
Des Moines -- Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
It's about 38 degrees and sunny on Walnut Street, a prosperous neighborhood with spacious single-family homes in West Des Moines.
"This is definitely the nicest canvassing weather I've had so far. I've been out in ice storms and snowstorms," said Arlington Heights native Elizabeth Lindquist, who carries a stack of flyers for Warren, the senator from Massachusetts.
In fact, conditions were so slippery once, Lindquist's car got stuck in an ice-covered driveway and had to be towed.
- Marni Pyke | Staff Photographer Elizabeth Lindquist walks a Des Moines neighborhood Saturday, canvassing for Massachussetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
She's undeterred, even taking time off work because "I really think that (Warren) has a uniquely deep understanding of how the government works and how the system is rigged against working people," Lindquist said.
Numerous residents are either sleeping in, out on errands or just not answering.
"I'll just add it to the collection of door hangers," Lindquist said, slipping a Warren leaflet next to a Biden one on a doorknob.
Sarah Eichorn, however, was at home and told Lindquist she's still on the fence. "I really like Warren, I like Pete (Buttigieg) ... Biden, too," she explained.
One neighbor, Chuck Wellman, admitted, "I'm more on the conservative side," and later posts an "I'm voting for (Donald) Trump" sign on his door.
Lindquist, meanwhile, is just warming up.
"If you have a packet of 50 doors and talk to 10 people, you're doing really well," she said. "The people you do talk to -- you make a real impact on -- it matters. Especially when it comes to Elizabeth Warren; there are so many people that don't know enough about her."
Dubuque: 2 p.m.
A dizzying array of major Democratic candidates and proxies are barnstorming the state as the date of the caucuses closes in.
Among them is South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who's in Dubuque for a Get out the Caucus Rally at Loras College.
Standing in line outside the college field house and talking up Buttigieg to fellow Democrats is Hartstein.
- Marni Pyke | Staff Photographer Buffalo Grove's Elliott Hartstein watches South Bend Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg in Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday.
Buttigieg's "a pragmatic progressive, and that's really important because we want to win in the purple states. I don't believe people are going to go for extreme positions," Hartstein said.
Not everyone's on board.
"I'm pretty serious about Elizabeth Warren," Iowan Kate Kelly said. "I have not yet seen Pete. ... I like what he says and does." But "he's a mayor and everyone else is either senators or vice presidents."
Mirdza Berzins of Dubuque is all in for Buttigieg. "He's young and fresh, he's very bright." And his heart's in the right place, she added, recalling a TV clip of Buttigieg comforting a woman with ALS.
After introductions by Loras students and chants of "Mayor Pete," from the crowd of about 700, Buttigieg bounds onto the stage to Panic! At the Disco's "High Hopes."
"I'm thrilled to be here in Dubuque, the river city that reminds me of my own town," Buttigieg said.
"This campaign is built partly on the idea that we'd be well-served if we could start getting Washington to run a little more like our best-run cities and towns before the reverse starts happening."
As for Monday's results, Hartstein said, "I hope it's going to be Pete. ... We're going to try to make it happen."
Davenport -- 4:15 p.m.
Four Kane County area Democrats took a breather from persuading strangers to support former Vice President Joe Biden at his Davenport headquarters. Teams of canvassers handled about 104 houses each.
- Marni Pyke | Staff Photographer Ted Penesis of South Elgin holds the leashes of his retriever mix Goldie and hound mix Mandy outside Joe Biden's office in Davenport, Iowa, as wife, Beth, and volunteers Emmanuel Llamas, center left, and Mark Guethle of North Aurora look on.
The three-story building also is home to offices for Warren and entrepreneur candidate Andrew Yang. Other Democrats in the race are Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and billionaire Tom Steyer.
It's Kane County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Guethle's fifth caucus and he predicts Biden will win in a close race.
"The caucus doors lock at 7 p.m. and they've got two hours to figure out who wins the delegate race," explained Guethle, a North Aurora village trustee.
Some candidates won't make a 15% support threshold, meaning their supporters will shift to a second choice.
"I think Klobuchar (supporters) in particular will hopefully realign with Biden," said Guethle, an officer with Painters District Council 30.
Ted and Beth Penesis of South Elgin have brought their two rescue dogs because the shy retriever/Pyrenees mix Goldie and endearing hound mix Mandy open doors.
"The best shot we have is Joe Biden, who is trusted and known throughout the world," said Beth Penesis. "We cannot survive four more years of Donald Trump's administration."
Aurora Alderman Emmanuel Llamas supports Biden because in the general election, "there are a lot of Reagan Republicans who are willing to go Democrat as long as it's the right candidate, and Joe Biden is that one."
Iowa City -- Sunday, 11:45 a.m.
- Marni Pyke | Staff Photographer Volunteer Dan Bailey of Wheaton waits for Sen. Bernie Sanders to speak Sunday at an event in Iowa City.
Volunteer Dan Bailey of Wheaton spent Saturday walking the neighborhoods of Iowa City trying to get voters to share his fervor for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Now the retired locomotive engineer and nurse is getting his reward at a meet and greet for Sanders at the senator's Iowa City office Sunday.
"I want someone fighting to make sure our interests are represented. Bernie is that person," Bailey said. Asked about concerns Sanders is too left-wing, Bailey thinks the fiery liberal is just the person to galvanize voters with malaise. "Those people need to see someone really strong to change their normal behavior. They need a strong motivator."
The event is packed with 400 or so Bernie fans inside and an overflow crowd of about 150 parked outside. They include Iowans and Chicago-area voters, many of them students. University of Iowa faculty Brittany Borghi and Colin Kostelecky are self-described "hard Bernies."
"We feel a lot of disaffected Trump voters will turn to Bernie because he is the true populist candidate. He wants to help the people who are hurting the most, whereas Trump wants to exploit them," Kostelecky said.
"I think it's really unfortunate that we can take a term like socialism or liberalism and manipulate it so much to be a weapon against the people who very much need those ideals," Borghi said. While waiting, organizer Jody Clemens reminds the audience there's just one day before caucuses. "I need everybody here to commit to door-knocking," she said.
At 12:10 p.m., Sanders walks in to a rock-star reception.
"What (Trump) is trying to do is to divide America up," Sanders boomed. "Our campaign is exactly the opposite. Let us stand together as Americans around an agenda that works for all of us, not just the 1%."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-02--'He'll be back': Rolling Meadows bar's patrons see Garoppolo's Super Bowl hopes dashed

For Mike Reppe , it was a bittersweet end to an exhilarating ride .
Reppe 's bar , Rep 's Place on Kirchoff Road in Rolling Meadows , has been the center of the Jimmy Garoppolo universe while the Rolling Meadows High School star carried the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl .
But the Super Bowl dream came to a crashing halt when the Kansas City Chiefs ' Patrick Mahomes worked his customary comeback magic for a 31-20 win .
After the game clock ran out , Reppe took the microphone and addressed the crowd .
`` Next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Next year Jimmy will be back better than ever . ''
Even before the game TV trucks were in the parking lot and the news cameras were stationed by the bar , ready to capture the patrons wearing 49ers jerseys with Garoppolo 's name and number erupting in cheers for their local hero .
They were rewarded almost immediately by the sea of raised arms and the roar of the crowd when the 49ers scored their first points .
But those cheers turned to groans of frustration in the second half as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the opportunity to blow this game open , and they failed , '' Mike Madio of Buffalo Grove said after the game .
Madio said Garoppolo `` played good , but he 's played better during the course of the year for sure . ''
Reppe reflected on the impact of the playoff run on his establishment .
`` There has been tons of buzz , '' he said .
`` The community has come together , and everybody rallied around Jimmy , and they had a great year .
They 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walls were Garoppolo jerseys , including his high school football jersey .
On another wall hung a Rolling Meadows banner .
`` Anybody that comes in wearing anything Garoppolo will get a certain percentage off of their check today , '' Jenny Martinez , the bar 's general manager , said during the first half .
From the day the bar opened , Martinez said , `` he has kind of been the inspiration for us . ''
`` It 's pretty special to have somebody that 's a hometown boy representing us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The crowd included fans who had a personal connection to Garoppolo .
Rolling Meadows resident Carla Montgomery remembered how Garoppolo used to greet her youngest daughter , a student at the high school .
`` Jimmy used to refer to her as his little Hawkeye , because she always wore her ( Iowa University ) Hawkeye fleece to school . ''
Montgomery said it has been thrilling to see his success .
`` Even when he was drafted , we all got excited about it , '' she said .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 49ers .
Sipping on a Bloody Mary at the bar was Brandon Fricke , who lives in Rolling Meadows but grew up in Topeka , Kansas .
Fricke , who was sporting Chiefs gear , said he felt `` a little outnumbered .
I was warned that this might be a 49ers bar , but I did not think it was going to be 1-to-100 . ''
But his team won in the end .
`` We 've come from behind every single game this postseason .
Nobody can count him out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Rolling Meadows Police Department , said she remembers Garoppolo as a shy boy when he was in high school .
She said that even today , when Garoppolo comes home , he still plays football in the backyard with his neighborhood friends in Arlington Heights .
Despite the outcome , Montgomery was optimistic .
`` This is n't the last you 're going to see of Jimmy Garoppolo , '' she said .
`` You 're going to see him win the Super Bowl .
You 're going to see him @ @ @ @ @ @ @

'He'll be back': Rolling Meadows bar's patrons see Garoppolo's Super Bowl hopes dashed
Rep's Place general manager Jenni Martinez talks with bar patrons and sells raffle tickets for a Jimmy Garoppolo jersey during a Super Bowl 54 watch party to cheer on the hometown football star who is a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Jerseys for hometown football star Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, hang during a Super Bowl 54 watch party Sunday evening at Rep's Place sports bar in Rolling Meadows. Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Carla Montgomery of Rolling Meadows cheers for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during a Super Bowl 54 watch party to cheer on the hometown football star Sunday at Rep's Place sports bar in Rolling Meadows. Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
For Mike Reppe, it was a bittersweet end to an exhilarating ride.
Reppe's bar, Rep's Place on Kirchoff Road in Rolling Meadows, has been the center of the Jimmy Garoppolo universe while the Rolling Meadows High School star carried the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl.
But the Super Bowl dream came to a crashing halt when the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes worked his customary comeback magic for a 31-20 win.
After the game clock ran out, Reppe took the microphone and addressed the crowd.
"Next year," he said. "Next year Jimmy will be back better than ever."
Even before the game TV trucks were in the parking lot and the news cameras were stationed by the bar, ready to capture the patrons wearing 49ers jerseys with Garoppolo's name and number erupting in cheers for their local hero.
They were rewarded almost immediately by the sea of raised arms and the roar of the crowd when the 49ers scored their first points.
But those cheers turned to groans of frustration in the second half as the 49ers' lead dissolved.
"They had the opportunity to blow this game open, and they failed," Mike Madio of Buffalo Grove said after the game.
Madio said Garoppolo "played good, but he's played better during the course of the year for sure."
Reppe reflected on the impact of the playoff run on his establishment.
"There has been tons of buzz," he said. "The community has come together, and everybody rallied around Jimmy, and they had a great year. They'll be back."
Hanging on the walls were Garoppolo jerseys, including his high school football jersey. On another wall hung a Rolling Meadows banner.
"Anybody that comes in wearing anything Garoppolo will get a certain percentage off of their check today," Jenny Martinez, the bar's general manager, said during the first half.
From the day the bar opened, Martinez said, "he has kind of been the inspiration for us."
"It's pretty special to have somebody that's a hometown boy representing us here in Rolling Meadows," she said.
The crowd included fans who had a personal connection to Garoppolo.
Rolling Meadows resident Carla Montgomery remembered how Garoppolo used to greet her youngest daughter, a student at the high school.
"Jimmy used to refer to her as his little Hawkeye, because she always wore her (Iowa University) Hawkeye fleece to school."
Montgomery said it has been thrilling to see his success.
"Even when he was drafted, we all got excited about it," she said.
Not all of the bar patrons were backing the 49ers. Sipping on a Bloody Mary at the bar was Brandon Fricke, who lives in Rolling Meadows but grew up in Topeka, Kansas.
Fricke, who was sporting Chiefs gear, said he felt "a little outnumbered. I was warned that this might be a 49ers bar, but I did not think it was going to be 1-to-100."
But his team won in the end. "We've come from behind every single game this postseason. Nobody can count him out."
Linda Schendel, who works for the Rolling Meadows Police Department, said she remembers Garoppolo as a shy boy when he was in high school. She said that even today, when Garoppolo comes home, he still plays football in the backyard with his neighborhood friends in Arlington Heights.
Despite the outcome, Montgomery was optimistic.
"This isn't the last you're going to see of Jimmy Garoppolo," she said. "You're going to see him win the Super Bowl. You're going to see him in the Hall of Fame."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-02--Who from suburbs will be at State of the Union: a teacher, police chief, scientist, local activists

Members of Congress from the suburbs are highlighting environmental issues , health care , science , education and law enforcement with their choices of guests to attend President Donald Trump 's State of the Union address Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , D.C .
Here 's who will appear with the suburban representatives , all of whom are Democrats : Duckworth , of Hoffman Estates , will bring Waukegan-based environmental justice advocate Celeste Flores as her guest .
Flores is the Lake County outreach director for Faith in Place , an educational and advocacy organization that helps religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and co-chair of Clean Power Lake County , a coalition committed to local action to secure environmental , economic and racial justice .
Last April , Duckworth co-founded the Senate 's first Environmental Justice Caucus to raise awareness of environmental and pollution issues that have created public health challenges , which disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color .
Duckworth spoke at the Faith in Place Green Team Summit in September , where Flores introduced her , and hosted a roundtable in Waukegan to discuss environmental justice .
Quigley , of Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the city 's North Side 47th Ward .
Quigley called the first-term alderman `` an inspiring new voice '' on the city council who shares his progressive values .
Quigley lauded Martin for his work on equal housing , infrastructure and health care .
Before his election in April , Martin worked as a civil rights lawyer in the Illinois attorney general 's office , where he helped draft the consent decree for Chicago police to change practices after the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald .
Casten has invited a scientist from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's address to draw attention to climate change and other environmental issues .
Dieter Gruen , 97 , left Nazi Germany as a teen , worked on the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II , earned degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago , and became a senior scientist at Argonne National Laboratory .
Casten also has nominated the chemist for the Presidential Medal of Freedom , citing Gruen 's `` critical contributions to nuclear fission and fusion , solar energy , energy storage and conservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science is under attack by this administration , I hope to send a message to the president : Science and facts must be at the forefront of our country , '' Casten said in a statement .
Krishnamoorthi , of Schaumburg , has invited Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes Illinois advocate Ruby Johnson .
Johnson is the mother of a college-aged student who was hospitalized last summer for severe respiratory problems linked to vaping products .
Krishnamoorthi invited her to highlight her story and the story of families across the nation who have felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic .
Johnson previously testified before Krishnamoorthi 's Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy on the harm of e-cigarette usage .
`` In the wake of her daughter 's illness , Ruby became a champion for families across the country that are suffering from the youth vaping epidemic , '' Krishnamoorthi said .
Schakowsky , of Evanston , has invited small-business advocate and entrepreneur Geraldine `` Geri '' Sanchez Aglipay .
Aglipay is the Midwest manager of outreach , education and policy efforts at Small Business Majority , which advocates for and provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Part of Aglipay 's work is to expand access to affordable health care for small-business owners and to promote women entrepreneurs and women 's business organizations .
Schakowsky said in a statement that she wants to `` highlight the impact that the president 's attacks on health care have on women , communities of color , and on the backbone of our economy -- small businesses . ''
'' Schneider 's guest will be David Brothman , a teacher from Wheeling and social studies department chair at North Chicago High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognition of the amazing work done by our public school teachers , '' Schneider said .
`` Local educators like Dr. Brothman play a vital role instilling in our young people an understanding of our constitutional system and their rights and responsibilities as Americans , '' said Schneider , of Deerfield .
Brothman , a former congressional intern , said attending a State of the Union has always been a dream for him .
He said he 'll use the experience in his classes by asking students who watch the speech to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman will attend the address at Foster 's invitation .
Foster , of Naperville , has recognized Ziman as a `` steadfast leader '' who led the police response to the mass shooting that killed five employees of the Henry Pratt plant and injured six Aurora police officers nearly a year ago .
`` Chief Ziman represents the selflessness of the police officers and first responders we rely on to keep our community safe , and I am proud to have her as my guest , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has vowed `` to take their memory and the stories of the men and women of the Aurora Police Department to the nation 's capital . ''
She is the first female police chief in the state 's second-largest city .
Karen Battaglia , a nurse who serves as the trauma coordinator for emergency services at Northwestern Medicine McHenry , will be Underwood 's guest .
Both Underwood and Battaglia have preexisting conditions they believe make them at risk for losing health insurance if the Affordable Care Act is repealed .
Underwood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Battaglia has asthma .
`` Karen 's story is exactly why I 'm working every day to lower health care costs of Illinoisans and safeguard protections for people with preexisting conditions , '' Underwood said in a written statement .
Battaglia , who lives in Antioch , coordinates hospital community programs like SAFE Kids , poison prevention workshops and bicycle helmet fittings for children .
She is also a member of Underwood 's nursing advisory council .
• Daily Herald staff writers James Fuller , Russell Lissau , Eric Peterson , Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .

Who from suburbs will be at State of the Union: a teacher, police chief, scientist, local activists
Karen Battaglia, a nurse from Antioch, will be U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood's guest for the State of the Union. Courtesy of Rep. Lauren Underwood
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten visits with Dieter Martin Gruen in May 2019. Gruen will be attending the State of the Union with Casten. Courtesy of Anne Wick
Members of Congress from the suburbs are highlighting environmental issues, health care, science, education and law enforcement with their choices of guests to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Here's who will appear with the suburban representatives, all of whom are Democrats:
Sen. Tammy Duckworth
Duckworth, of Hoffman Estates, will bring Waukegan-based environmental justice advocate Celeste Flores as her guest.
Flores is the Lake County outreach director for Faith in Place, an educational and advocacy organization that helps religious and faith communities implement environmental programs, and co-chair of Clean Power Lake County, a coalition committed to local action to secure environmental, economic and racial justice.
Last April, Duckworth co-founded the Senate's first Environmental Justice Caucus to raise awareness of environmental and pollution issues that have created public health challenges, which disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color.
Duckworth spoke at the Faith in Place Green Team Summit in September, where Flores introduced her, and hosted a roundtable in Waukegan to discuss environmental justice.
5th District Rep. Mike Quigley
Quigley, of Chicago, has invited Chicago Alderman Matt Martin of the city's North Side 47th Ward.
Chicago Alderman Matt Martin will be U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley's guest at the State of the Union.
Quigley called the first-term alderman "an inspiring new voice" on the city council who shares his progressive values. Quigley lauded Martin for his work on equal housing, infrastructure and health care.
Before his election in April, Martin worked as a civil rights lawyer in the Illinois attorney general's office, where he helped draft the consent decree for Chicago police to change practices after the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald.
6th District Rep. Sean Casten
Dieter Martin Gruen holds a birthday note from U.S. Rep. Casten and a Congressional Record Statement on behalf of the scientist's nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Gruen is Casten's guest to the State of the Union. - Courtesy of Anne Wick
Casten has invited a scientist from Downers Grove as his guest for Trump's address to draw attention to climate change and other environmental issues. Dieter Gruen, 97, left Nazi Germany as a teen, worked on the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II, earned degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, and became a senior scientist at Argonne National Laboratory.
Casten also has nominated the chemist for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, citing Gruen's "critical contributions to nuclear fission and fusion, solar energy, energy storage and conservation."
"In a time when science is under attack by this administration, I hope to send a message to the president: Science and facts must be at the forefront of our country," Casten said in a statement.
8th District Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
Krishnamoorthi, of Schaumburg, has invited Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes Illinois advocate Ruby Johnson.
Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes (PAVE) Illinois advocate Ruby Johnson will be U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi's guest at the State of the Union address. - Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
Johnson is the mother of a college-aged student who was hospitalized last summer for severe respiratory problems linked to vaping products. Krishnamoorthi invited her to highlight her story and the story of families across the nation who have felt the devastating impact of the youth vaping epidemic.
Johnson previously testified before Krishnamoorthi's Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy on the harm of e-cigarette usage.
"In the wake of her daughter's illness, Ruby became a champion for families across the country that are suffering from the youth vaping epidemic," Krishnamoorthi said.
9th District Rep. Jan Schakowsky
Schakowsky, of Evanston, has invited small-business advocate and entrepreneur Geraldine "Geri" Sanchez Aglipay.
Aglipay is the Midwest manager of outreach, education and policy efforts at Small Business Majority, which advocates for and provides resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country.
Part of Aglipay's work is to expand access to affordable health care for small-business owners and to promote women entrepreneurs and women's business organizations.
Schakowsky said in a statement that she wants to "highlight the impact that the president's attacks on health care have on women, communities of color, and on the backbone of our economy -- small businesses.""
10th District Rep. Brad Schneider
Schneider's guest will be David Brothman, a teacher from Wheeling and social studies department chair at North Chicago High School. He was invited "in recognition of the amazing work done by our public school teachers," Schneider said.
David Brothman, a teacher from Wheeling and social studies department chair at North Chicago High School, will be U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider's guest for the State of the Union.
"Local educators like Dr. Brothman play a vital role instilling in our young people an understanding of our constitutional system and their rights and responsibilities as Americans," said Schneider, of Deerfield.
Brothman, a former congressional intern, said attending a State of the Union has always been a dream for him. He said he'll use the experience in his classes by asking students who watch the speech to discuss what they liked and what resonated with them.
11th District Rep. Bill Foster
Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman will attend the address at Foster's invitation. Foster, of Naperville, has recognized Ziman as a "steadfast leader" who led the police response to the mass shooting that killed five employees of the Henry Pratt plant and injured six Aurora police officers nearly a year ago.
Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman will be U.S. Rep. Bill Foster's guest at the State of the Union.
"Chief Ziman represents the selflessness of the police officers and first responders we rely on to keep our community safe, and I am proud to have her as my guest," Foster said in a statement.
Ziman has vowed "to take their memory and the stories of the men and women of the Aurora Police Department to the nation's capital." She is the first female police chief in the state's second-largest city.
14th District Rep. Lauren Underwood
Karen Battaglia, a nurse who serves as the trauma coordinator for emergency services at Northwestern Medicine McHenry, will be Underwood's guest.
Both Underwood and Battaglia have preexisting conditions they believe make them at risk for losing health insurance if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. Underwood, of Naperville, has a heart condition. Battaglia has asthma.
"Karen's story is exactly why I'm working every day to lower health care costs of Illinoisans and safeguard protections for people with preexisting conditions," Underwood said in a written statement.
Battaglia, who lives in Antioch, coordinates hospital community programs like SAFE Kids, poison prevention workshops and bicycle helmet fittings for children. She is also a member of Underwood's nursing advisory council.
• Daily Herald staff writers James Fuller, Russell Lissau, Eric Peterson, Christopher Placek and Katlyn Smith contributed to this report.