dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--Officials plead for calm amid anger over Breonna Taylor case

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) -- Authorities pleaded for calm while activists vowed to fight on Thursday in Kentucky 's largest city , where a gunman wounded two police officers during anguished protests following the decision not to charge officers for killing Breonna Taylor .
Outrage over a grand jury 's failure to bring homicide charges against the officers who burst into the Black woman 's apartment six months ago set off a new round of demonstrations Wednesday in several American cities .
The state attorney general said the investigation showed officers were acting in self-defense when they responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Though protests in Louisville began peacefully , officers declared an unlawful assembly after they said fires were set in garbage cans , several vehicles were damaged and stores were broken into .
A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with firing multiple gunshots at police and wounding two officers .
`` Violence will only be a source of pain , not a cure for pain , '' said Mayor Greg Fischer .
`` Many see Breonna Taylor 's case as both the tragic death of a young woman and the continuation of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black women and men face in our country , as they have historically . ''
`` The question obviously is : What do we do with this pain ? ''
the mayor asked .
`` There is no one answer , no easy answer to that question . ''
Activists , celebrities and everyday Americans have been calling for charges against police since Taylor , an emergency medical worker , was shot multiple times by white officers after one of them was fired upon and wounded while conducting a raid in a narcotics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a no-knock warrant , but the investigation showed they announced themselves before entering , said state Attorney General Daniel Cameron .
The warrant was connected to a suspect who did not live there , and no drugs were found inside .
Along with George Floyd , a Black man killed by police in Minneapolis , Taylor 's name became a rallying cry during nationwide protests this summer that called attention to entrenched racism and demanded police reform .
Activists said they would press on with their calls for justice after a single officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting into apartments neighboring Taylor 's .
`` In our distress , we reaffirm our dedication to the eradication of systemic racism in our city , '' the group Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice said in a statement .
`` We will keep showing up , speaking up , and joining the movement for systemic change led by Black people . ''
Hundreds of demonstrators chanted Taylor 's name and marched in cities Wednesday including New York , Washington , Philadelphia , Las Vegas and Portland , Oregon .
People gathered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands for justice as drivers on Michigan Avenue honked their horns .
Police in Atlanta used chemical agents and made arrests after some protesters tried to climb on a SWAT vehicle .
In Minnesota and Wisconsin , marchers peacefully blocked highway traffic .
In Louisville , Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said the two officers shot during protests were `` doing well and will survive their injuries . ''
Maj. Aubrey Gregory , a Louisville officer for more than 20 years , was shot in the hip and was treated and released from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who joined the force 18 months ago , was shot in the abdomen and underwent surgery .
Schroeder said he was in stable condition .
Larynzo D. Johnson , 26 , was charged in the shootings with two counts of assault on a police officer and multiple charges of wanton endangerment of police officers .
An arrest citation said police had video of Johnson shooting at officers as they tried to disperse a crowd .
It was not clear if he had a lawyer .
In Washington , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and called the officers ' shootings acts of `` despicable cowardice that must be met with the full force of the law . ''
Taylor 's case has exposed the wide gulf between public opinion on justice for those who kill Black Americans and the laws under which those officers are charged , which regularly favor police and do not often result in steep criminal accusations .
A grand jury returned three charges of wanton endangerment against fired officer Brett Hankison .
No charges were brought against the other officers involved .
Each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence of up to five years .
David Leightty , Hankison 's attorney , did not return calls requesting comment Wednesday and Thursday .
But when Hankison was fired in June , Leightty wrote an appeal to the Louisville Police Merit Board , calling the officer 's firing a `` cowardly political act . ''
Carmen Jones has protested in downtown Louisville every day for nearly three months .
She said she feels despair after the grand jury 's decision and does n't know what 's coming .
`` We 're tired of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying for history in our blood and our bodies and being told to respond to this violence and aggression with peace , '' she said .
`` We did it the Martin way for the entire summer , and it got us nowhere .
Maybe it 's time to do things the Malcolm way . ''
The FBI is still investigating potential violations of federal law in connection with the raid at Taylor 's home .
Ben Crump , a lawyer for Taylor 's family , denounced the grand jury decision as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump read a statement from Cameron , saying `` justice is not often easy . ''
He later tweeted that he was `` praying for the two police officers that were shot . ''
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate , Kamala Harris , called for policing reform .
Biden said the country should start by addressing excessive force , banning chokeholds and overhauling no-knock warrants .
Last week , the city settled a lawsuit against the three officers brought by Taylor 's mother , Tamika Palmer , agreeing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police reforms .
Lovan reported from Frankfort , Kentucky .
Associated Press writers Claire Galofaro , Bruce Schreiner and John Minchillo in Louisville , Kentucky , Kevin Freking in Washington , Aaron Morrison in New York , and Haleluya Hadero in Lancaster , Pennsylvania , contributed .
Hudsbeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

Officials plead for calm amid anger over Breonna Taylor case
A woman speaks Wednesday during a protest in Louisville, Kentucky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place. Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Authorities pleaded for calm while activists vowed to fight on Thursday in Kentucky's largest city, where a gunman wounded two police officers during anguished protests following the decision not to charge officers for killing Breonna Taylor.
Outrage over a grand jury's failure to bring homicide charges against the officers who burst into the Black woman's apartment six months ago set off a new round of demonstrations Wednesday in several American cities. The state attorney general said the investigation showed officers were acting in self-defense when they responded to gunfire from Taylor's boyfriend.
Though protests in Louisville began peacefully, officers declared an unlawful assembly after they said fires were set in garbage cans, several vehicles were damaged and stores were broken into. A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with firing multiple gunshots at police and wounding two officers.
"Violence will only be a source of pain, not a cure for pain," said Mayor Greg Fischer. "Many see Breonna Taylor's case as both the tragic death of a young woman and the continuation of a long pattern of devaluation and violence that Black women and men face in our country, as they have historically."
"The question obviously is: What do we do with this pain?" the mayor asked. "There is no one answer, no easy answer to that question."
Activists, celebrities and everyday Americans have been calling for charges against police since Taylor, an emergency medical worker, was shot multiple times by white officers after one of them was fired upon and wounded while conducting a raid in a narcotics investigation in March.
The officers had a no-knock warrant, but the investigation showed they announced themselves before entering, said state Attorney General Daniel Cameron. The warrant was connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside.
Along with George Floyd, a Black man killed by police in Minneapolis, Taylor's name became a rallying cry during nationwide protests this summer that called attention to entrenched racism and demanded police reform.
Activists said they would press on with their calls for justice after a single officer was charged Wednesday with wanton endangerment for shooting into apartments neighboring Taylor's.
"In our distress, we reaffirm our dedication to the eradication of systemic racism in our city," the group Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice said in a statement. "We will keep showing up, speaking up, and joining the movement for systemic change led by Black people."
Hundreds of demonstrators chanted Taylor's name and marched in cities Wednesday including New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Portland, Oregon. People gathered in downtown Chicago's Millennium Park, chanting demands for justice as drivers on Michigan Avenue honked their horns. Police in Atlanta used chemical agents and made arrests after some protesters tried to climb on a SWAT vehicle. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, marchers peacefully blocked highway traffic.
In Louisville, Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said the two officers shot during protests were "doing well and will survive their injuries."
Maj. Aubrey Gregory, a Louisville officer for more than 20 years, was shot in the hip and was treated and released from the hospital. Officer Robinson Desroches, who joined the force 18 months ago, was shot in the abdomen and underwent surgery. Schroeder said he was in stable condition.
Larynzo D. Johnson, 26, was charged in the shootings with two counts of assault on a police officer and multiple charges of wanton endangerment of police officers. An arrest citation said police had video of Johnson shooting at officers as they tried to disperse a crowd. It was not clear if he had a lawyer.
In Washington, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned the violence in his home state and called the officers' shootings acts of "despicable cowardice that must be met with the full force of the law."
Taylor's case has exposed the wide gulf between public opinion on justice for those who kill Black Americans and the laws under which those officers are charged, which regularly favor police and do not often result in steep criminal accusations.
A grand jury returned three charges of wanton endangerment against fired officer Brett Hankison. No charges were brought against the other officers involved.
Each of the charges Hankison faces carries a sentence of up to five years. David Leightty, Hankison's attorney, did not return calls requesting comment Wednesday and Thursday. But when Hankison was fired in June, Leightty wrote an appeal to the Louisville Police Merit Board, calling the officer's firing a "cowardly political act."
Carmen Jones has protested in downtown Louisville every day for nearly three months. She said she feels despair after the grand jury's decision and doesn't know what's coming.
"We're tired of being hashtags. We're tired of paying for history in our blood and our bodies and being told to respond to this violence and aggression with peace," she said. "We did it the Martin way for the entire summer, and it got us nowhere. Maybe it's time to do things the Malcolm way."
The FBI is still investigating potential violations of federal law in connection with the raid at Taylor's home.
Ben Crump, a lawyer for Taylor's family, denounced the grand jury decision as "outrageous and offensive."
President Donald Trump read a statement from Cameron, saying "justice is not often easy." He later tweeted that he was "praying for the two police officers that were shot."
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, called for policing reform. Biden said the country should start by addressing excessive force, banning chokeholds and overhauling no-knock warrants.
Last week, the city settled a lawsuit against the three officers brought by Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, agreeing to pay her $12 million and enact police reforms.
[--][--][--]
Lovan reported from Frankfort, Kentucky. Associated Press writers Claire Galofaro, Bruce Schreiner and John Minchillo in Louisville, Kentucky, Kevin Freking in Washington, Aaron Morrison in New York, and Haleluya Hadero in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, contributed.
[--][--][--]
Hudsbeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--House District 49, 50 candidates talk taxes, helping small businesses

Candidates seeking to represent state House districts 49 and 50 weighed in on rising property taxes and bailing out small businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic during a recent Daily Herald Editorial Board interview .
Democrat Maura Hirschauer of Batavia and Republican North Aurora Trustee Laura Curtis are vying for the 49th District seat on Nov. 3 .
Incumbent Republican state Rep. Keith Wheeler of Oswego faces a challenge from Democrat Kate Monteleone in the 50th District .
The candidates agree property tax relief is needed , but disagree whether the state 's proposed graduated income tax hike amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flat income tax rate -- currently 4.95 % for individuals regardless of income level -- since 1969 .
A constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot removes the flat-tax and modifies the corporate rate limit to not exceed the highest individual rate by more than 60 % .
`` I do n't agree with changing the constitution to allow for a Fair Tax ... but I think the amendment we need is for pension reform , '' said Curtis , who is pro-business .
`` We 've got the worst-funded pension system in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our overinflated property taxes . ''
Curtis said the state needs to step up and pay its fair share of funding for schools and not burden homeowners , especially seniors .
Hirschauer , a former elementary school teacher , said aside from the tax burden , families also are struggling with children who are learning remotely and lack of access to affordable , safe child care to be able to get back to work .
`` We must address testing and contact tracing so our schools can safely open , '' Hirschauer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They should not be the front lines of defense against this COVID-19 epidemic . ''
Wheeler , who is running for his fourth term , said taxes and corruption in Springfield are the biggest concerns for district voters .
Pension and education reform are key to lowering property taxes , he added .
`` We need to clean up our processes in Springfield , make it so that people have more faith in the government ... that represents them in the state House , the state Senate and the governor 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Monteleone , a nonprofit consultant from Campton Township , said adopting the Fair Tax amendment is the way to reduce property taxes .
The graduated income tax proposal aims to reduce taxes for 97 % of Illinoisans and help the state plug a more than $ 6 billion deficit this year .
`` The Fair Tax , if adopted as stated in the spring , should generate about $ 3 billion , '' Monteleone said .
`` That would be two budget cycles of revenue to address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support ) . ''
Monteleone believes the tax would benefit a majority of small businesses who have had problems getting federal COVID-19 relief funds .
`` Small mom and pop '' businesses have been excluded from the Small Business Administration 's Paycheck Protection Program because they operate on a cash basis , she added .
Wheeler said small business owners statewide protested the governor 's emergency rule that would potentially fine and jail those who do n't follow COVID-19 health and safety mandates .
`` I pushed back very hard on that and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of my Democrat members on ( the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules ) to present a more unified front that the government needs to rethink this process , '' Wheeler said .
`` There 's a more clever approach that delivered a better rule , which actually happened in August . ''
A real estate appraiser , Curtis called for a reduction in `` burdensome regulation '' saying there is no economic recovery without safely reopening businesses .
She supports creating a task force to evaluate rules impeding reopening .
Hirschauer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is mitigated .
`` We need to make sure that we have funding for PPE ( personal protective equipment ) and testing and contact tracing , and then our small businesses can get back to what they do best , serving our communities , she said .
The 49th District encompasses parts of Aurora , Bartlett , Batavia , Elgin , Geneva , Naperville , North Aurora , South Elgin , St. Charles , Warrenville , Wayne , and West Chicago .
District 50 takes in all or parts of Aurora , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Elburn , Geneva , Lily Lake , Montgomery , North Aurora , Oswego , Plano , Prestbury , St. Charles , Sugar Grove , and Yorkville .

House District 49, 50 candidates talk taxes, helping small businesses
Kate Monteleone, left, and incumbent Keith Wheeler are candidates for state representative in the 50th District.
Laura Curtis, left, and Maura Hirschauer are vying for the Illinois House District 49 seat on Nov. 3.
Candidates seeking to represent state House districts 49 and 50 weighed in on rising property taxes and bailing out small businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic during a recent Daily Herald Editorial Board interview.
Democrat Maura Hirschauer of Batavia and Republican North Aurora Trustee Laura Curtis are vying for the 49th District seat on Nov. 3. Incumbent Republican state Rep. Keith Wheeler of Oswego faces a challenge from Democrat Kate Monteleone in the 50th District.
The candidates agree property tax relief is needed, but disagree whether the state's proposed graduated income tax hike amendment will help.
Illinois has had a flat income tax rate -- currently 4.95% for individuals regardless of income level -- since 1969. A constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot removes the flat-tax and modifies the corporate rate limit to not exceed the highest individual rate by more than 60%.
"I don't agree with changing the constitution to allow for a Fair Tax ... but I think the amendment we need is for pension reform," said Curtis, who is pro-business. "We've got the worst-funded pension system in the country that also is contributing to our overinflated property taxes."
Curtis said the state needs to step up and pay its fair share of funding for schools and not burden homeowners, especially seniors.
Hirschauer, a former elementary school teacher, said aside from the tax burden, families also are struggling with children who are learning remotely and lack of access to affordable, safe child care to be able to get back to work.
"We must address testing and contact tracing so our schools can safely open," Hirschauer said. "Our teachers are not babysitters. They should not be the front lines of defense against this COVID-19 epidemic."
Wheeler, who is running for his fourth term, said taxes and corruption in Springfield are the biggest concerns for district voters. Pension and education reform are key to lowering property taxes, he added.
"We need to clean up our processes in Springfield, make it so that people have more faith in the government ... that represents them in the state House, the state Senate and the governor's office and all across our entire political spectrum," he said.
Monteleone, a nonprofit consultant from Campton Township, said adopting the Fair Tax amendment is the way to reduce property taxes.
The graduated income tax proposal aims to reduce taxes for 97% of Illinoisans and help the state plug a more than $6 billion deficit this year.
"The Fair Tax, if adopted as stated in the spring, should generate about $3 billion," Monteleone said. "That would be two budget cycles of revenue to address the added COVID expenses (without added federal support)."
Monteleone believes the tax would benefit a majority of small businesses who have had problems getting federal COVID-19 relief funds. "Small mom and pop" businesses have been excluded from the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program because they operate on a cash basis, she added.
Wheeler said small business owners statewide protested the governor's emergency rule that would potentially fine and jail those who don't follow COVID-19 health and safety mandates.
"I pushed back very hard on that and reached across the aisle and collaborated with some of my Democrat members on (the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules) to present a more unified front that the government needs to rethink this process," Wheeler said. "There's a more clever approach that delivered a better rule, which actually happened in August."
A real estate appraiser, Curtis called for a reduction in "burdensome regulation" saying there is no economic recovery without safely reopening businesses. She supports creating a task force to evaluate rules impeding reopening.
Hirschauer said the economy cannot rebound until the pandemic is mitigated.
"We need to make sure that we have funding for PPE (personal protective equipment) and testing and contact tracing, and then our small businesses can get back to what they do best, serving our communities, she said.
The 49th District encompasses parts of Aurora, Bartlett, Batavia, Elgin, Geneva, Naperville, North Aurora, South Elgin, St. Charles, Warrenville, Wayne, and West Chicago. District 50 takes in all or parts of Aurora, Batavia, Big Rock, Campton Hills, Elburn, Geneva, Lily Lake, Montgomery, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Prestbury, St. Charles, Sugar Grove, and Yorkville.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--Scare tactics: Lake County's Dungeon of Doom adds drive-in horror to haunted house thrills

Last spring as theaters , theme parks , nightclubs and other entertainment venues closed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic , the future looked bleak for The Dungeon of Doom , a sprawling haunted house in Lake County .
Owners Peter Koklamanis and Anthony Relken obtained a $ 20,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan , but realized it would n't sustain their business beyond a couple of months .
`` To avoid bankruptcy , I had to make a decision ...
Zero cash flow would have put us out of business , '' said Koklamanis , who jotted down an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he dubbed Scare-Vision Theater .
Last week , his idea became a reality .
And if patrons embrace it , Scare-Vision Theater may become a permanent component of Zion 's Dungeon of Doom , which Relken , Koklamanis and Koklamanis ' father-in-law established 23 years ago .
`` Scare-Vision was going to be an option for people stuck at home '' who wanted to do something fun but in a safe way , he said .
What makes this drive-in different is that members of the Killer Crew ( actors who portray ghouls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frightening moviegoers .
Now that state officials have relaxed restrictions for group gatherings , what was conceived as a COVID-safe alternative to the indoor haunt has become a companion to it , Koklamanis said .
Moreover , it gives people visiting the haunted house something to watch while they await for their admission time .
`` I think people are enjoying it ( Scare-Vision ) , '' he said .
`` I hear a lot of screaming and laughing .
Can you imagine screaming and laughing in a venue this year ?
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Koklamanis continued .
`` We work for screams and laughs .
That 's what we do . ''
Precautions instituted for the haunted house include limiting groups to six people or fewer and introducing timed admission , which ensures groups are separate `` from start to finish '' by at least two minutes , he said .
Patrons wait in their cars until their admission time , enter together and remain so during the duration of the haunt .
Cash transactions will be limited and online reservations are recommended .
Capacity will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 attendees nightly -- down from the 1,500 the haunt typically attracts .
In addition , the owners have installed hand-sanitizing stations throughout the haunt as well as acrylic sheets to separate actors and patrons .
High-touch points will be sanitized throughout the evening .
Actors and staff members will receive temperature checks , and all patrons and actors must wear face coverings .
Among them is Killer Crew member Jonathan Unick , who became a Dungeon of Doom actor about nine years ago at age 16 .
`` I 've always had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` It 's my favorite time of the year . ''
For the last six years , the Antioch native has played his original character Little Devious Diddles , a mischievous prankster who supplies comic relief .
COVID-19 guidelines , especially physical-distancing requirements , have been a blessing and a curse , said Unick , a film school graduate who also does videography for Dungeon of Doom .
`` It gives us time between groups to catch our breath , '' he said of the Crew 's mostly improvised performances .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot easier on us . ''
While the physical demands have eased , the vocal demands have increased .
`` We have to talk louder , '' he said .
Still , Unick and his castmates -- including students , tradespeople , businessmen and women and a veterinarian -- are determined to give visitors their money 's worth .
`` We remind our actors that you ca n't scare every single person who walks past you , '' he said .
`` So if you ca n't scare them , make them laugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , Saturday and some Sundays , from Sept. 25 to Oct. 31 .
Haunted house reservations begin at 6:50 p.m .
The last reservation is at 1:20 a.m. Movies `` Sinister '' ( R ) alternating nightly with `` Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark '' ( PG-13 ) start at 7 , 9:30 and 11:55 p.m. Tickets : $ 59 ( four-person max per vehicle ) Scare-Vision Theater only ; Dungeon of Doom and Scare-Vision ( two-person max ) $ 90 ; ( three-person max ) $ 120 ; ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-person max ) $ 165 .
Advance reservations recommended .

Scare tactics: Lake County's Dungeon of Doom adds drive-in horror to haunted house thrills
Stitch taunts moviegoers at the outdoor Scare-Vision Theater adjacent to the Dungeon of Doom Haunted House in Zion. Courtesy of Jonathan Unick
Last spring as theaters, theme parks, nightclubs and other entertainment venues closed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the future looked bleak for The Dungeon of Doom, a sprawling haunted house in Lake County.
Owners Peter Koklamanis and Anthony Relken obtained a $20,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan, but realized it wouldn't sustain their business beyond a couple of months.
"To avoid bankruptcy, I had to make a decision ... Zero cash flow would have put us out of business," said Koklamanis, who jotted down an idea for an outdoor drive-in movie theater he dubbed Scare-Vision Theater.
Last week, his idea became a reality. And if patrons embrace it, Scare-Vision Theater may become a permanent component of Zion's Dungeon of Doom, which Relken, Koklamanis and Koklamanis' father-in-law established 23 years ago.
Courtesy of Jonathan UnickAntioch native Jonathan Unick plays the mischievous Little Devious Diddles in Zion's Dungeon of Doom Haunted House.
"Scare-Vision was going to be an option for people stuck at home" who wanted to do something fun but in a safe way, he said. What makes this drive-in different is that members of the Killer Crew (actors who portray ghouls and monsters) roam the drive-in lot frightening moviegoers.
Now that state officials have relaxed restrictions for group gatherings, what was conceived as a COVID-safe alternative to the indoor haunt has become a companion to it, Koklamanis said. Moreover, it gives people visiting the haunted house something to watch while they await for their admission time.
"I think people are enjoying it (Scare-Vision)," he said. "I hear a lot of screaming and laughing. Can you imagine screaming and laughing in a venue this year?
"I can't be more pleased," Koklamanis continued. "We work for screams and laughs. That's what we do."
Precautions instituted for the haunted house include limiting groups to six people or fewer and introducing timed admission, which ensures groups are separate "from start to finish" by at least two minutes, he said.
Courtesy of Jonathan UnickKiller Crew members Krow, left, Maggot and Little Devious Diddles won't let pandemic precautions interfere with the havoc they wreck at the Dungeon of Doom Haunted House. -
Patrons wait in their cars until their admission time, enter together and remain so during the duration of the haunt. Cash transactions will be limited and online reservations are recommended. Capacity will be limited, which translates to about 600 attendees nightly -- down from the 1,500 the haunt typically attracts.
In addition, the owners have installed hand-sanitizing stations throughout the haunt as well as acrylic sheets to separate actors and patrons. High-touch points will be sanitized throughout the evening. Actors and staff members will receive temperature checks, and all patrons and actors must wear face coverings.
Among them is Killer Crew member Jonathan Unick, who became a Dungeon of Doom actor about nine years ago at age 16.
"I've always had a passion for Halloween," he said. "It's my favorite time of the year."
For the last six years, the Antioch native has played his original character Little Devious Diddles, a mischievous prankster who supplies comic relief.
Courtesy of Jonathan UnickThe Killer Crew member known as Son of Sam prowls Quimby's Slaughter House inside Zion's Dungeon of Doom. -
COVID-19 guidelines, especially physical-distancing requirements, have been a blessing and a curse, said Unick, a film school graduate who also does videography for Dungeon of Doom.
"It gives us time between groups to catch our breath," he said of the Crew's mostly improvised performances. "The two-minute gap makes it a lot easier on us."
While the physical demands have eased, the vocal demands have increased.
"We have to talk louder," he said.
Still, Unick and his castmates -- including students, tradespeople, businessmen and women and a veterinarian -- are determined to give visitors their money's worth.
"We remind our actors that you can't scare every single person who walks past you," he said. "So if you can't scare them, make them laugh. Entertain them."
• • •
The Dungeon of Doom Haunted House/Scare-Vision Drive-in Theater
When: Friday, Saturday and some Sundays, from Sept. 25 to Oct. 31. Haunted house reservations begin at 6:50 p.m. The last reservation is at 1:20 a.m. Movies "Sinister" (R) alternating nightly with "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" (PG-13) start at 7, 9:30 and 11:55 p.m.
Where: 600 29th St., Zion, (847) 262-3666 or dungeonofdoom.com
Tickets: $59 (four-person max per vehicle) Scare-Vision Theater only; Dungeon of Doom and Scare-Vision (two-person max) $90; (three-person max) $120; (four-person max) $140; (five-person max) $165. Advance reservations recommended.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--Driver whose car split in two in Arlington Heights crash cited, remains in hospital

A Palatine man remained in serious condition Thursday with injuries suffered Tuesday when a car he was driving split into two after slamming into a streetlight and utility pole in Arlington Heights , police said .
The 19-year-old man , whose identity has not been released , is in the intensive-care unit at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge undergoing treatment for injuries suffered when he was thrown from the vehicle in the crash , according to Arlington Heights police .
Police said the man was driving a 2012 Honda Accord east on Northwest Highway approaching Wilke Road just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veered into the oncoming lanes and struck a traffic standard , streetlight and utility pole on the northwest corner of the intersection .
The collision downed the power lines , causing hundreds of ComEd customers in the area to temporarily lose power , and damaged Jimmy D 's District restaurant and bar located at the intersection .
The Palatine man , who was alone in the vehicle , was treated at the scene by Arlington Heights Fire Department paramedics then taken to Lutheran General , police said .
No other injuries were reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lane usage .
While the damage from the crash indicates a relatively high-speed collision , police said they do not expect any additional charges to be filed .

Driver whose car split in two in Arlington Heights crash cited, remains in hospital
A serious one-vehicle crash occurred Tuesday night in front of Jimmy D's District restaurant and bar in Arlington Heights. Courtesy of Bob Study
A Honda Accord split in two and landed upside down after striking a utility pole Tuesday night on Northwest Highway at Wilke Road in Arlington Heights. Courtesy of Bob Study
A Palatine man remained in serious condition Thursday with injuries suffered Tuesday when a car he was driving split into two after slamming into a streetlight and utility pole in Arlington Heights, police said.
The 19-year-old man, whose identity has not been released, is in the intensive-care unit at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge undergoing treatment for injuries suffered when he was thrown from the vehicle in the crash, according to Arlington Heights police.
Police said the man was driving a 2012 Honda Accord east on Northwest Highway approaching Wilke Road just before 9 p.m. Tuesday when the car veered into the oncoming lanes and struck a traffic standard, streetlight and utility pole on the northwest corner of the intersection.
The collision downed the power lines, causing hundreds of ComEd customers in the area to temporarily lose power, and damaged Jimmy D's District restaurant and bar located at the intersection.
The Palatine man, who was alone in the vehicle, was treated at the scene by Arlington Heights Fire Department paramedics then taken to Lutheran General, police said. No other injuries were reported.
Police cited the driver with improper lane usage. While the damage from the crash indicates a relatively high-speed collision, police said they do not expect any additional charges to be filed.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--$1.2 million Palatine cat rescue expansion on track, open house planned soon

An ambitious $ 1.2 million expansion and renovation of a cat rescue shelter in Palatine is nearing the end of its first phase , with hopes that the project will be done by spring .
Barb 's Precious Rescue and Adoption Center opened in 2014 at 313 N. Quentin Road thanks to founder Barb Weber , who , with her husband Jerry , purchased the 2,200-square-foot farmhouse building in 2013 .
The space will more than triple in size to 7,500 square feet as a result of the project .
The shelter , which has 501 ( c ) nonprofit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cats , same as before , but with more amenities and specialized areas , such as a 600-square-foot room for teenage cats -- which comprise the majority of rescues -- a room for cats with special needs , and isolation rooms for kittens and ill cats .
The shelter also will be able to accommodate dogs , hopefully next summer , starting with six dogs as approved by the village , Weber said .
`` We have a nice , fenced-in backyard , and we have the walking trail behind us , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The expansion project started in August 2018 .
The first phase , nearly finished , consists of building a second floor and a two-story addition .
The second phase will see the shelter temporarily moving operations into the addition and renovating the original space , Weber said .
The rescue shelter has fundraised about $ 550,000 , thanks to major donors Ehlert Family Foundation , Claudette Johnson and her family in Palatine , David Helt of Rolling Meadows , Mary Ann Hetreed of Arlington Heights , plus many other donors in the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got a loan of about $ 400,000 and needs to fundraise at least another $ 200,000 , Weber said .
It has adopted out 250 to 350 cats per year since it opened , or about 1,800 cats altogether , Weber said .
The shelter currently has about 120 cats , including kittens and adults .
During the COVID-19 pandemic there are no open viewings of cats and people are required to make appointments , Weber said .
The shelter relies on about 200 active volunteers , including Weber and her husband .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kristine Krausser , who provides services at a discount , she said .
A major supporter is Rescue Pack Chicago , which donates pallets of food .
The village of Palatine is among those who contact the shelter regularly for help with rescued cats -- three times since Sunday alone .
`` We used Barb 's Precious Rescue a lot , pretty much for all of our stray kittens , '' police Sgt .
Bruce Morris said .
`` There is no charge to the village and it 's always been a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full time as chief operating officer for UnityPoint Health , while her husband is retired .
The couple live in Barrington Hills .
Weber said she began taking in cats who needed a home and eventually resolved to open a rescue facility after her retirement .
That plan accelerated when the opportunity came to purchase the building in 2013 , she said .
The shelter started with 50 cats and within three months had 100 , she said .
`` The amount of times we had to say 'no ' is what prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of the expansion .
The shelter plans to hold an open house for the community once the first phase is over .
To contribute you can visit barbspreciousrescue.org .

$1.2 million Palatine cat rescue expansion on track, open house planned soon
Barb and Jerry Weber purchased in 2013 the building at 313 N. Quentin Road in Palatine, where Barb's Precious Rescue and Adoption Center is located. Courtesy of Barb Weber
A cat room inside Barb's Precious Rescue and Adoption Center, 313 N. Quentin Road in Palatine. The shelter, which opened in 2014, is undergoing an expansion. Courtesy of Barb Weber
These are some of the cats that have found a home at Barb's Precious Rescue and Adoption Center, 313 N. Quentin Road in Palatine. The shelter, which opened in 2014, is undergoing a $1.2 million expansion. Courtesy of Barb Weber
An ambitious $1.2 million expansion and renovation of a cat rescue shelter in Palatine is nearing the end of its first phase, with hopes that the project will be done by spring.
Barb's Precious Rescue and Adoption Center opened in 2014 at 313 N. Quentin Road thanks to founder Barb Weber, who, with her husband Jerry, purchased the 2,200-square-foot farmhouse building in 2013. The space will more than triple in size to 7,500 square feet as a result of the project.
The shelter, which has 501(c) nonprofit status, will accommodate up to 300 cats, same as before, but with more amenities and specialized areas, such as a 600-square-foot room for teenage cats -- which comprise the majority of rescues -- a room for cats with special needs, and isolation rooms for kittens and ill cats.
The shelter also will be able to accommodate dogs, hopefully next summer, starting with six dogs as approved by the village, Weber said.
"We have a nice, fenced-in backyard, and we have the walking trail behind us, which is nice," she added.
The expansion project started in August 2018. The first phase, nearly finished, consists of building a second floor and a two-story addition.
The second phase will see the shelter temporarily moving operations into the addition and renovating the original space, Weber said.
The rescue shelter has fundraised about $550,000, thanks to major donors Ehlert Family Foundation, Claudette Johnson and her family in Palatine, David Helt of Rolling Meadows, Mary Ann Hetreed of Arlington Heights, plus many other donors in the community, she said. The shelter also got a loan of about $400,000 and needs to fundraise at least another $200,000, Weber said.
Barb's Precious Rescue and Adoption Center, 313 N. Quentin Road in Palatine, will triple in size when an ongoing expansion project is finished. - Courtesy of Barb Weber
It has adopted out 250 to 350 cats per year since it opened, or about 1,800 cats altogether, Weber said. The shelter currently has about 120 cats, including kittens and adults. During the COVID-19 pandemic there are no open viewings of cats and people are required to make appointments, Weber said.
The shelter relies on about 200 active volunteers, including Weber and her husband. The only paid contractor is local veterinarian Kristine Krausser, who provides services at a discount, she said. A major supporter is Rescue Pack Chicago, which donates pallets of food.
The village of Palatine is among those who contact the shelter regularly for help with rescued cats -- three times since Sunday alone.
"We used Barb's Precious Rescue a lot, pretty much for all of our stray kittens," police Sgt. Bruce Morris said. "There is no charge to the village and it's always been a good experience with us."
Weber works full time as chief operating officer for UnityPoint Health, while her husband is retired. The couple live in Barrington Hills.
Weber said she began taking in cats who needed a home and eventually resolved to open a rescue facility after her retirement. That plan accelerated when the opportunity came to purchase the building in 2013, she said.
The shelter started with 50 cats and within three months had 100, she said.
"The amount of times we had to say 'no' is what prompted us to do this," Weber said of the expansion.
The shelter plans to hold an open house for the community once the first phase is over.
To contribute you can visit barbspreciousrescue.org.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--Report: Early support for stressed parents can cut crime down the line

If we want to keep people out of jail , we need to pay more attention to them when they are in the cradle .
That includes making sure young parents get the support they need to raise their child without abuse or neglect , according to a report by Fight Crime : Invest in Kids , a national organization of law-enforcement leaders , prosecutors and violence survivors .
Kane County State 's Attorney Joe McMahon and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart spoke at a news conference this week announcing the report , `` Reducing Child Abuse and Neglect Through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois Improve Academic and Health Outcomes . ''
It says parent coaching programs can break multigenerational chains of abuse and neglect in families that have issues with drug addiction , poverty and single parenthood .
`` Every parent can tell you they need support .
And for new and very young parents , that support can be very hard to find , '' McMahon said .
During home visits , trained professionals such as nurses and social workers can show parents how to manage the stress of child-rearing , teach them ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than lashing out , help them understand their child 's development , encourage parent-child bonding and help parents find other support .
Home visits can start as soon as the mother is pregnant .
McMahon said the criminal justice system treats the symptoms of violent crime , `` not the root of the problem . ''
Victims of child abuse or neglect are twice as likely as their non-abused peers to commit a crime by age 19 , he said .
The report also cites a study that showed that adults who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times as likely to abuse prescription pain reliever , and five times as likely to use injectable drugs .
The study also noted that in a survey of Illinois adult prisoners , 49 percent had not completed high school or obtained a GED .
Home-visit programs , the study said , result in better academic outcomes for children .
`` The evidence is startling .
It is so clear that prevention is the key solution , '' Dart said .
`` There is no arresting your way out of problems . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to agencies that visit homes , so they can see twice as many people .
The agencies saw 17,000 clients in 2019 , according to the report .
An agency that could benefit is Teen Parent Connection in DuPage County .
Rosy Barrera , one of its family support specialists , said Teen Parent aids parents ages 12 to 22 .
One of her clients is Maria Medina , 19 , who has a 2-year-old son .
`` It is just really great to have someone in my corner at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She consults with Barrera about stressors such as her son being upset while teething , or when he did n't seem to eat enough , or would n't sleep at night .
Especially since Medina suffered from postpartum depression .
`` She helped me to push through , '' Medina said .
`` She helped me to get a job , she helped me to understand my kid . ''
`` We are here to take a stand for families across our state , '' McMahon said .
Assistant Lake County State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Outstanding Assistant State 's Attorney for 2020 by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists -- Illinois .
Lake prosecutor honored A big congratulations to Lake County 's Mary Lu Cole , who 's been named the Outstanding Assistant State 's Attorney for 2020 by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists -- Illinois .
The award is a recognition of Cole 's dedication to delivering justice for impaired-driving crash victims and their families .
`` I am truly honored and privileged to receive this prestigious award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists , '' Cole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work alongside this group in our continued effort to reduce the number of deaths due to people who drive while impaired or distracted . ''
Cole has been an assistant state 's attorney in Lake County for just under two years , prosecuting misdemeanor DUI cases .
`` She is the consummate professional and one of the hardest workers in our office .
This award is very well-deserved , '' Lake County State 's Attorney Michael Nerheim said in an announcement of the award .
Cathy Stanley , court watch director for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood out in 2020 .
`` Mary does a great job of helping victims and attorneys , '' she said .
`` She 's very fair , honest , and treats everyone extremely professionally . ''
• Have a question , tip or comment ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Report: Early support for stressed parents can cut crime down the line
If we want to keep people out of jail, we need to pay more attention to them when they are in the cradle.That includes making sure young parents get the support they need to raise their child without abuse or neglect, according to a report by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national organization of law-enforcement leaders, prosecutors and violence survivors. Getty Images
If we want to keep people out of jail, we need to pay more attention to them when they are in the cradle.
That includes making sure young parents get the support they need to raise their child without abuse or neglect, according to a report by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national organization of law-enforcement leaders, prosecutors and violence survivors.
Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart spoke at a news conference this week announcing the report, "Reducing Child Abuse and Neglect Through Evidence-Based Home Visiting: Parent-Coaching Programs in Illinois Improve Academic and Health Outcomes."
It says parent coaching programs can break multigenerational chains of abuse and neglect in families that have issues with drug addiction, poverty and single parenthood.
"Every parent can tell you they need support. And for new and very young parents, that support can be very hard to find," McMahon said.
During home visits, trained professionals such as nurses and social workers can show parents how to manage the stress of child-rearing, teach them ways to guide toddlers away from problem behaviors rather than lashing out, help them understand their child's development, encourage parent-child bonding and help parents find other support.
Home visits can start as soon as the mother is pregnant.
Effect on crime?
McMahon said the criminal justice system treats the symptoms of violent crime, "not the root of the problem." Victims of child abuse or neglect are twice as likely as their non-abused peers to commit a crime by age 19, he said. The report also cites a study that showed that adults who had four or more childhood traumas were three times as likely to abuse prescription pain reliever, and five times as likely to use injectable drugs.
The study also noted that in a survey of Illinois adult prisoners, 49 percent had not completed high school or obtained a GED. Home-visit programs, the study said, result in better academic outcomes for children.
"The evidence is startling. It is so clear that prevention is the key solution," Dart said. "There is no arresting your way out of problems."
The organization wants state leaders to give more money to agencies that visit homes, so they can see twice as many people. The agencies saw 17,000 clients in 2019, according to the report.
An agency that could benefit is Teen Parent Connection in DuPage County. Rosy Barrera, one of its family support specialists, said Teen Parent aids parents ages 12 to 22.
One of her clients is Maria Medina, 19, who has a 2-year-old son. "It is just really great to have someone in my corner at the end of the day," Medina said. She consults with Barrera about stressors such as her son being upset while teething, or when he didn't seem to eat enough, or wouldn't sleep at night. Especially since Medina suffered from postpartum depression. "She helped me to push through," Medina said. "She helped me to get a job, she helped me to understand my kid."
"We are here to take a stand for families across our state," McMahon said.
Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Mary Lu Cole was named the Outstanding Assistant State's Attorney for 2020 by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists -- Illinois. - Courtesy of the Lake County state's attorney's office
A big congratulations to Lake County's Mary Lu Cole, who's been named the Outstanding Assistant State's Attorney for 2020 by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists -- Illinois.
The award is a recognition of Cole's dedication to delivering justice for impaired-driving crash victims and their families.
"I am truly honored and privileged to receive this prestigious award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists," Cole said. "It's an honor to work alongside this group in our continued effort to reduce the number of deaths due to people who drive while impaired or distracted."
Cole has been an assistant state's attorney in Lake County for just under two years, prosecuting misdemeanor DUI cases.
"She is the consummate professional and one of the hardest workers in our office. This award is very well-deserved," Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said in an announcement of the award.
Cathy Stanley, court watch director for AAIM, said Cole's work routinely stood out in 2020.
"Mary does a great job of helping victims and attorneys," she said. "She's very fair, honest, and treats everyone extremely professionally."
• Have a question, tip or comment? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--Some Dist. 214, Dist. 25 students could be back in school week of Oct. 12

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and one of its largest feeder districts on Thursday revealed plans to bring back some students to schools as soon as the week of Oct. 12 .
In a letter to parents , District 214 Superintendent David Schuler announced the anticipated move to Stage 3 of the district 's four-step plan on Thursday , Oct. 15 .
The district 's six high schools would begin a rotational schedule , in which one-third of students would attend school in-person at a time , so long as local COVID-19 infection rates do n't force a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully remote .
Families would still have a choice about whether their students should maintain full remote learning , or if they 'd like to attend in-person on assigned days .
When students are n't in school , they will continue to attend courses remotely , Schuler added .
At a special school board meeting Thursday night , Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 Superintendent Lori Bein announced plans to go to a hybrid schedule Monday , Oct. 12 .
Under the plan , all students would learn remotely on Mondays .
Those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesdays and Thursdays , while the other half is remote .
Last names L-Z would be in person on Wednesdays and Fridays , while the other half is remote .
Kindergarten and grades 1 , 5 and 6 will be the first to return to schools the week of Oct. 12 , while all other grades will return the week of Oct. 19 , Bein said .
Families will receive a brochure on Friday , asking them to decide by next Wednesday if their student will participate in the hybrid model or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradual reopenings of school buildings comes as a number of parents continue to clamor for a full return to daily , in-person instruction .
The Re-Open D214 parent and student group is planning a rally for 12:30 p.m. Saturday at North School Park in Arlington Heights to call for an immediate reopening of schools .
The rally is also billed as an event for families in District 25 and Glenbrook High School District 225 .
On Thursday night at the District 25 meeting , many of the parents who addressed the superintendent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools , not just two days a week .
`` Hybrid is just a step .
This is not a destination .
This is not a goal , '' said Brittany Polihronis .
`` Students need to be back in the classroom , not looking at tiny squares on a screen . ''
District 25 's transition advisory committee next meets Tuesday to develop a set of metrics that would guide a return to full , in-person learning .
Bein said the hybrid model announced Thursday night would allow for a fluid transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are met .
The 460-member Arlington Teachers Association does have contractual rights to bargain over working conditions , but Bein said her administration has a good working relationship with the union .
`` Our goal remains to move to full in-person learning , '' Bein said .
`` We all agree nothing is as good as our typical in-person goal . ''

Some Dist. 214, Dist. 25 students could be back in school week of Oct. 12
Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and one of its largest feeder districts on Thursday revealed plans to bring back some students to schools as soon as the week of Oct. 12.
In a letter to parents, District 214 Superintendent David Schuler announced the anticipated move to Stage 3 of the district's four-step plan on Thursday, Oct. 15. The district's six high schools would begin a rotational schedule, in which one-third of students would attend school in-person at a time, so long as local COVID-19 infection rates don't force a return to the current stage where students are fully remote.
Families would still have a choice about whether their students should maintain full remote learning, or if they'd like to attend in-person on assigned days. When students aren't in school, they will continue to attend courses remotely, Schuler added.
At a special school board meeting Thursday night, Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 Superintendent Lori Bein announced plans to go to a hybrid schedule Monday, Oct. 12.
Under the plan, all students would learn remotely on Mondays. Those with last names A-K would be in school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while the other half is remote. Last names L-Z would be in person on Wednesdays and Fridays, while the other half is remote.
Kindergarten and grades 1, 5 and 6 will be the first to return to schools the week of Oct. 12, while all other grades will return the week of Oct. 19, Bein said.
Families will receive a brochure on Friday, asking them to decide by next Wednesday if their student will participate in the hybrid model or remain in full remote learning.
The gradual reopenings of school buildings comes as a number of parents continue to clamor for a full return to daily, in-person instruction.
The Re-Open D214 parent and student group is planning a rally for 12:30 p.m. Saturday at North School Park in Arlington Heights to call for an immediate reopening of schools. The rally is also billed as an event for families in District 25 and Glenbrook High School District 225.
On Thursday night at the District 25 meeting, many of the parents who addressed the superintendent and board members sought a full return to schools, not just two days a week.
"Hybrid is just a step. This is not a destination. This is not a goal," said Brittany Polihronis. "Students need to be back in the classroom, not looking at tiny squares on a screen."
District 25's transition advisory committee next meets Tuesday to develop a set of metrics that would guide a return to full, in-person learning.
Bein said the hybrid model announced Thursday night would allow for a fluid transition to a full reopening once those metrics are met. The 460-member Arlington Teachers Association does have contractual rights to bargain over working conditions, but Bein said her administration has a good working relationship with the union.
"Our goal remains to move to full in-person learning," Bein said. "We all agree nothing is as good as our typical in-person goal."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--Kane County chairman candidates contrast on budget cuts, taxes, leadership

Both candidates seeking to become the first new Kane County Board chairman in eight years pledged to oppose any property tax increases as a means of balancing an unprecedented budget hole looming in 2021 .
But there is a stark contrast on where they 'd cut government and look for new money .
The county faces a deficit of more than $ 14 million for 2021 , including about $ 10 million that stems from the COVID-19 pandemic .
The county has received federal funds to help address some of that , but it faced a more than $ 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican David Rickert said during a recent Daily Herald Editorial Board interview that the county can save money by taking advantage of its relatively low debt and solid pension funding to dedicate a bit less money to those costs during the pandemic .
He also said county employees and elected officials need better training to avoid the multimillion-dollar lawsuit payments it has experienced in recent years , which has also raised liability insurance costs .
`` Taxpayers demand and want efficient and responsible government when it comes to property taxes , '' Rickert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic opponent , Corinne Pierog , would n't raise property taxes .
He pointed to Pierog 's criticism of the county 's austere budget practices .
But Pierog said her record of helping lower St. Charles Unit District 303 's tax rate during her eight years on that board , and during a major recession , shows her commitment to frugality .
District 303 had one of the lowest taxing rates among area districts .
Pierog said she 'd lead by example , starting with cutting the salary of the chairman by 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county manager to take the politics out of where additional budget cuts should occur .
Many of the county 's largest expenses are in the sheriff 's office and offices controlled by other independent elected officials .
`` This would be a structural modification of Kane County 's government to improve efficiency and promote independence by consolidating administrative functions into a single office responsible to the county board , '' Pierog said .
Rickert said if voters elect him , they would n't need to spend up to $ 175,000 to hire a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the longtime county treasurer gives him the administrative experience and budget know-how to function as the leader of the county board and an overseer of the board 's budget decisions .
Pierog said the county should lift its ban on recreational marijuana businesses and grow operations in unincorporated areas .
She believes the county should max out the allowable county sales tax on all cannabis sales in the county .
She would also welcome sports betting .
Rickert said the county does n't need those activities to balance its budget .
He pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being able to adequately police such establishments with the limited patrolling the county does .
Pierog said the limited patrols are an example of how the county has cut back too much , at the expense of public safety .
She also said the county health department needs better funding , an idea for which Rickert has also expressed his support .
• For more election coverage and help filling out your ballot , visit dailyherald.com/election .

Kane County chairman candidates contrast on budget cuts, taxes, leadership
Both candidates seeking to become the first new Kane County Board chairman in eight years pledged to oppose any property tax increases as a means of balancing an unprecedented budget hole looming in 2021.
But there is a stark contrast on where they'd cut government and look for new money.
The county faces a deficit of more than $14 million for 2021, including about $10 million that stems from the COVID-19 pandemic. The county has received federal funds to help address some of that, but it faced a more than $4 million hole before the virus outbreak.
Republican David Rickert said during a recent Daily Herald Editorial Board interview that the county can save money by taking advantage of its relatively low debt and solid pension funding to dedicate a bit less money to those costs during the pandemic. He also said county employees and elected officials need better training to avoid the multimillion-dollar lawsuit payments it has experienced in recent years, which has also raised liability insurance costs.
"Taxpayers demand and want efficient and responsible government when it comes to property taxes," Rickert said.
He expressed skepticism that his Democratic opponent, Corinne Pierog, wouldn't raise property taxes. He pointed to Pierog's criticism of the county's austere budget practices.
But Pierog said her record of helping lower St. Charles Unit District 303's tax rate during her eight years on that board, and during a major recession, shows her commitment to frugality. District 303 had one of the lowest taxing rates among area districts.
Pierog said she'd lead by example, starting with cutting the salary of the chairman by 20%, and push for hiring a county manager to take the politics out of where additional budget cuts should occur.
Many of the county's largest expenses are in the sheriff's office and offices controlled by other independent elected officials.
"This would be a structural modification of Kane County's government to improve efficiency and promote independence by consolidating administrative functions into a single office responsible to the county board," Pierog said.
Rickert said if voters elect him, they wouldn't need to spend up to $175,000 to hire a manager. He believes his experience as the longtime county treasurer gives him the administrative experience and budget know-how to function as the leader of the county board and an overseer of the board's budget decisions.
Pierog said the county should lift its ban on recreational marijuana businesses and grow operations in unincorporated areas. She believes the county should max out the allowable county sales tax on all cannabis sales in the county. She would also welcome sports betting.
Rickert said the county doesn't need those activities to balance its budget. He pointed to concerns by Sheriff Ron Hain about being able to adequately police such establishments with the limited patrolling the county does.
Pierog said the limited patrols are an example of how the county has cut back too much, at the expense of public safety.
She also said the county health department needs better funding, an idea for which Rickert has also expressed his support.
• For more election coverage and help filling out your ballot, visit dailyherald.com/election.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Feder: Nate Rodgers comes home to join Fox 32

Nate Rodgers , who began as an intern and desk assistant at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 and spent 10 years there as an assignment editor , is returning to his hometown to join Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 as a general assignment reporter , Robert Feder writes .
Rodgers , who 's starting early next month at Fox 32 , teased the move on social media this week , writing : `` Hmmmmm something tells me I 'll be adding another mic flag to the collection soon .
Y'all ready ?
Lol .
Official announcement coming this week .
# TheDreamxxx . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ College , Rodgers was an assignment editor and producer at CBS 2 starting in 2004 .
He moved to the other side of the camera in 2014 when he joined WICD , the ABC affiliate in Champaign , Illinois , as a reporter .
Reporting jobs followed at WNCN , the CBS affiliate in Raleigh , North Carolina , and at WWOR and WNYW , the MyNetworkTV and Fox stations in New York , where he appeared on the news and talk program `` Chasing News . ''
Get the full report , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robertfeder.com .

Feder: Nate Rodgers comes home to join Fox 32
Nate Rodgers, who began as an intern and desk assistant at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 and spent 10 years there as an assignment editor, is returning to his hometown to join Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 as a general assignment reporter.
Nate Rodgers, who began as an intern and desk assistant at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 and spent 10 years there as an assignment editor, is returning to his hometown to join Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 as a general assignment reporter, Robert Feder writes.
Rodgers, who's starting early next month at Fox 32, teased the move on social media this week, writing: "Hmmmmm something tells me I'll be adding another mic flag to the collection soon. Y'all ready? Lol. Official announcement coming this week. #TheDreamxxx."
A Chicago native and graduate of Columbia College, Rodgers was an assignment editor and producer at CBS 2 starting in 2004.
He moved to the other side of the camera in 2014 when he joined WICD, the ABC affiliate in Champaign, Illinois, as a reporter.
Reporting jobs followed at WNCN, the CBS affiliate in Raleigh, North Carolina, and at WWOR and WNYW, the MyNetworkTV and Fox stations in New York, where he appeared on the news and talk program "Chasing News."
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--Weekend service to continue, Metra, RTA officials say

No cuts in weekend service for Metra riders are currently planned , but without an infusion of $ 32 billion nationwide for public transit , agencies will face tough choices in the coming months , officials said .
Leaders of Metra , Pace , the Regional Transportation Authority and CTA began campaigning in August for federal aid that will help fill a massive shortfall caused by plummeting ridership as a result of the pandemic .
The gap is about $ 400 million , CTA President Dorval Carter and RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard told Crains Chicago Business .
Without a rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the difference in cuts to service like the CTA 's late-night train service , Carter said .
Dillard noted , `` probably weekend service is the place you 'd go on Metra . ''
Officials later told the Daily Herald that yanking weekend service `` is not something we have specifically identified as a potential cut , '' Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said .
`` But Chairman Dillard is absolutely correct that without more financial assistance , we will face some awful and extremely difficult choices , including severe cuts in service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not cancel weekend trains .
They sometimes on weekends scale back service , but it is too soon to know . ''
He added that it 's Metra 's call , not the RTA 's , which oversees the three agencies and distributes taxes plus federal and state funds .
`` No stopping weekend service '' for now , Dillard said .
The federal CARES Act passed in the spring provided COVID-19-related relief to numerous stakeholders including $ 1.4 billion for local transit agencies .
That money is sustaining Metra , Pace and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2021 , officials have said .

Weekend service to continue, Metra, RTA officials say
No cuts in weekend service for Metra riders are currently planned but without an infusion of $32 billion nationwide for public transit, agencies will face tough choices in the coming months, officials said. Daily Herald File Photo
No cuts in weekend service for Metra riders are currently planned, but without an infusion of $32 billion nationwide for public transit, agencies will face tough choices in the coming months, officials said.
Leaders of Metra, Pace, the Regional Transportation Authority and CTA began campaigning in August for federal aid that will help fill a massive shortfall caused by plummeting ridership as a result of the pandemic.
The gap is about $400 million, CTA President Dorval Carter and RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard told Crains Chicago Business.
Without a rescue, transit agencies will need to make up the difference in cuts to service like the CTA's late-night train service, Carter said. Dillard noted, "probably weekend service is the place you'd go on Metra."
Officials later told the Daily Herald that yanking weekend service "is not something we have specifically identified as a potential cut," Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said. "But Chairman Dillard is absolutely correct that without more financial assistance, we will face some awful and extremely difficult choices, including severe cuts in service."
Dillard said Metra "will not cancel weekend trains. They sometimes on weekends scale back service, but it is too soon to know."
He added that it's Metra's call, not the RTA's, which oversees the three agencies and distributes taxes plus federal and state funds. "No stopping weekend service" for now, Dillard said.
The federal CARES Act passed in the spring provided COVID-19-related relief to numerous stakeholders including $1.4 billion for local transit agencies. That money is sustaining Metra, Pace and the CTA but will be used up in 2021, officials have said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-24--Blue Jays top Yanks, back in playoffs for 1st time since '16

BUFFALO , N.Y. -- Hyun Jin Ryu ( 5-2 ) pitched seven shutout innings and the Toronto Blue Jays clinched their first postseason spot since 2016 , beating the Yankees 4-1 Thursday night and further damaging New York 's chances of hosting a first-round playoff series .
New York lost for the fourth time in five games and remained two games behind the slumping White Sox for the fourth seed .
Chicago lost 5-4 at Cleveland , its fifth straight defeat .
Toronto secured at least an AL wild-card spot and ensured its eighth trip overall to the postseason .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at their temporary home of Sahlen Field in Buffalo after Rafael Dolis struck out Aaron Hicks to end it .
The Blue Jays trail the Yankees by two games for second place in the AL East .
Both teams have three games remaining .
Toronto hosts Baltimore in Buffalo while the Yankees host the Marlins .
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opened the scoring with a solo homer off left-hander Jordan Montgomery ( 2-3 ) in the second , his eighth .
SAN FRANCISCO -- Raimel Tapia hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 11th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contending San Francisco from gaining ground in the NL wild-card race .
Jairo DÃaz earned his fourth save by getting Austin Slater to ground into a game-ending double play .
Several cheering Rockies jumped over the dugout rail celebrating .
The Giants ( 28-28 ) , winners of three of their last five , dropped behind idle Cincinnati for the first NL wild card .
The Reds ( 29-28 ) visit Minnesota over the final weekend as the playoff-bound Padres come to San Francisco .
Trevor Cahill ( 1-2 ) took the loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 10th .
Brandon Belt - who homered in the eighth inning to tie the game on his 1,000th career hit - and Brandon Crawford were intentionally walked by Daniel Bard ( 4-2 ) .
Shortstop Trevor Story fielded Evan Longoria 's grounder and threw Alex Dickerson out at home as San Francisco could n't capitalize .
CLEVELAND -- JosÃ© RamÃrez delivered a go-ahead , two-run double in the seventh inning and Cleveland beat Chicago for a four-game sweep in a matchup of playoff-bound teams .
The victory pulled the Indians within one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and home-field advantage in the first round of the postseason .
Idle Minnesota leads the White Sox by one game in the AL Central with three to play .
The Indians have won five straight and the White Sox have lost five in a row .
Chicago scored three times in the top of the seventh to take a 4-1 lead , but Cleveland answered with four in the bottom half .
RamÃrez 's two-out double to center off Carlos RodÃ³n ( 0-2 ) drove in CÃ©sar HernÃ¡ndez and Delino DeShields .
Cam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scoreless innings for the win and Brad Hand pitched the ninth for his AL-high 15th save in 15 chances .
PITTSBURGH - Chad Kuhl pitched seven sharp innings and Colin Moran and Bryan Reynolds had home runs among their three hits each in Pittsburgh 's victory over slumping Chicago .
Kuhl ( 2-3 ) retired his first nine batters and had a no-hitter until Anthony Rizzo doubled to the wall in right-center with one out in the sixth inning .
The Cubs , who clinched a postseason berth Tuesday , are stumbling toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games .
They have scored two or fewer runs in each of the five defeats .
Chicago 's number for clinching the NL Central remained two .
The Cubs ' only other hit was Jason Kipnis ' double in the seventh .
Moran connected in the first inning to open the scoring and Reynolds homered in the second off Alec Mills ( 5-5 ) .
The Pirates got a third solo homer in the third inning from Adam Frazier to move in front 3-0 and Josh Bell hit a two-run blast in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to 6-0 .
WASHINGTON -- Robinson Chirinos homered and drove in three runs , and New York beat Washington to keep its flickering postseason hopes alive .
The Mets ( 26-31 ) moved within 2 1/2 games of Miami ( 28-28 ) for second place in the NL East and within 2 1/2 games of San Francisco ( 28-28 ) for the NL 's second wild card .
David Peterson ( 6-2 ) closed his rookie season with his longest outing , going seven innings and allowing four hits and one run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked the eighth , and Edwin Diaz gave up a two-out , RBI single to Yadiel Hernandez in the ninth but escaped further trouble for his sixth save .
Chirinos , acquired from Texas on Aug. 31 , began the day hitting .149 with no homers and four RBIs in 67 at-bats between his two stops this season .
But he belted a two-run homer off Washington starter Patrick Corbin ( 2-7 ) in the fifth , then legged out a two-out , RBI infield single an inning later to give the Mets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iglesias , Pat Valaika and Austin Hays homered to lead Baltimore past Boston in a struggle for last place in the AL East .
Hays , Valaika , Rio Ruiz and RamÃ³n UrÃas - the Nos .
5-8 hitters - each had three of Baltimore 's 18 hits as the Orioles won for just the second time in eight games .
The Red Sox had won three in a row , with a chance to tie Baltimore for fourth place in the division had they swept the series .
Instead , Boston trails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play in the pandemic-shortened season and has clinched its worst winning percentage since the 1965 team lost 100 games .
Alex Cobb ( 2-5 ) gave up one run and six hits in seven innings for his first win since July 25 - the second game of the season .
He had lost five straight decisions over eight starts .
Martin Perez ( 3-5 ) allowed six runs on nine hits and a walk in four innings .

Blue Jays top Yanks, back in playoffs for 1st time since '16
San Francisco Giants' Brandon Crawford attempts to field a single by Colorado Rockies' Kevin Pillar during the seventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. Associated Press
Toronto Blue Jays players, coaches and staff celebrate a 4-1 win over the New York Yankees in a baseball game in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. Toronto clinched a postseason berth with the win. Associated Press
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Hyun Jin Ryu (5-2) pitched seven shutout innings and the Toronto Blue Jays clinched their first postseason spot since 2016, beating the Yankees 4-1 Thursday night and further damaging New York's chances of hosting a first-round playoff series.
New York lost for the fourth time in five games and remained two games behind the slumping White Sox for the fourth seed. Chicago lost 5-4 at Cleveland, its fifth straight defeat.
Toronto secured at least an AL wild-card spot and ensured its eighth trip overall to the postseason.
Blue Jays players embraced on the diamond at their temporary home of Sahlen Field in Buffalo after Rafael Dolis struck out Aaron Hicks to end it.
The Blue Jays trail the Yankees by two games for second place in the AL East. Both teams have three games remaining. Toronto hosts Baltimore in Buffalo while the Yankees host the Marlins.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opened the scoring with a solo homer off left-hander Jordan Montgomery (2-3) in the second, his eighth.
ROCKIES 5, GIANTS 4
SAN FRANCISCO -- Raimel Tapia hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 11th inning, and Colorado rallied to keep contending San Francisco from gaining ground in the NL wild-card race.
Jairo Díaz earned his fourth save by getting Austin Slater to ground into a game-ending double play. Several cheering Rockies jumped over the dugout rail celebrating.
The Giants (28-28), winners of three of their last five, dropped behind idle Cincinnati for the first NL wild card. The Reds (29-28) visit Minnesota over the final weekend as the playoff-bound Padres come to San Francisco.
Trevor Cahill (1-2) took the loss after San Francisco had a chance in the 10th.
Brandon Belt - who homered in the eighth inning to tie the game on his 1,000th career hit - and Brandon Crawford were intentionally walked by Daniel Bard (4-2). Shortstop Trevor Story fielded Evan Longoria's grounder and threw Alex Dickerson out at home as San Francisco couldn't capitalize.
INDIANS 5, WHITE SOX 4
CLEVELAND -- José Ramírez delivered a go-ahead, two-run double in the seventh inning and Cleveland beat Chicago for a four-game sweep in a matchup of playoff-bound teams.
The victory pulled the Indians within one game of Chicago for the fourth seed and home-field advantage in the first round of the postseason. Idle Minnesota leads the White Sox by one game in the AL Central with three to play.
The Indians have won five straight and the White Sox have lost five in a row.
Chicago scored three times in the top of the seventh to take a 4-1 lead, but Cleveland answered with four in the bottom half. Ramírez's two-out double to center off Carlos Rodón (0-2) drove in César Hernández and Delino DeShields.
Cam Hill (2-0) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win and Brad Hand pitched the ninth for his AL-high 15th save in 15 chances.
CARDINALS 4, BREWERS 2
ST. LOUIS -- Yadier Molina singled twice to reach 2,000 career hits and St. Louis began a five-game series between playoff contenders by beating Milwaukee.
Rookie Dylan Carlson homered, doubled and drove in three runs as the Cardinals (28-26) kept their slim lead over Cincinnati (29-28) for second place in the NL Central.
Milwaukee (27-29) missed a chance to move up in the wild-card standings. The Brewers and Cardinals play four more times this weekend, including a doubleheader Friday.
St. Louis starter Kwang Hyun Kim (3-0) went five innings to pick up the win. He allowed five hits and just one run in his seventh career start. Andrew Miller got the final two outs - both on strikeouts - to record his fourth save.
Corbin Burnes (4-1), who began the day with a 1.77 ERA, left the game with lower back discomfort in the fourth inning. He pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits.
MARLINS 4, BRAVES 2
ATLANTA -- Jon Berti had three hits, including a two-run double, Pablo López (6-4) allowed only two hits in five scoreless innings and Miami beat Atlanta to boost their playoff hopes.
Miami snapped a four-game losing streak. The Marlins (29-28) are competing for a wild-card spot as they try to reach the playoffs for the first time since winning the World Series in 2003.
The Braves ended their four-game winning streak and were denied a chance to clinch the NL's No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
Dansby Swanson's bases-loaded single off Brandon Kintzler in the eighth drove in two runs. Kintzler worked around a one-out walk to Freddie Freeman in the ninth to earn his sixth save.
Braves rookie right-hander Ian Anderson (3-2) threw five scoreless innings before giving up three unearned runs in the sixth.
PIRATES 7, CUBS 0
PITTSBURGH -- Chad Kuhl pitched seven sharp innings and Colin Moran and Bryan Reynolds had home runs among their three hits each in Pittsburgh's victory over slumping Chicago.
Kuhl (2-3) retired his first nine batters and had a no-hitter until Anthony Rizzo doubled to the wall in right-center with one out in the sixth inning.
The Cubs, who clinched a postseason berth Tuesday, are stumbling toward the playoffs with five losses in six games. They have scored two or fewer runs in each of the five defeats. Chicago's number for clinching the NL Central remained two. The Cubs' only other hit was Jason Kipnis' double in the seventh.
Moran connected in the first inning to open the scoring and Reynolds homered in the second off Alec Mills (5-5). The Pirates got a third solo homer in the third inning from Adam Frazier to move in front 3-0 and Josh Bell hit a two-run blast in the fifth off Kyle Ryan that pushed the lead to 6-0.
METS 3, NATIONALS 2
WASHINGTON -- Robinson Chirinos homered and drove in three runs, and New York beat Washington to keep its flickering postseason hopes alive.
The Mets (26-31) moved within 2 1/2 games of Miami (28-28) for second place in the NL East and within 2 1/2 games of San Francisco (28-28) for the NL's second wild card.
David Peterson (6-2) closed his rookie season with his longest outing, going seven innings and allowing four hits and one run while striking out four. Justin Wilson worked the eighth, and Edwin Diaz gave up a two-out, RBI single to Yadiel Hernandez in the ninth but escaped further trouble for his sixth save.
Chirinos, acquired from Texas on Aug. 31, began the day hitting .149 with no homers and four RBIs in 67 at-bats between his two stops this season. But he belted a two-run homer off Washington starter Patrick Corbin (2-7) in the fifth, then legged out a two-out, RBI infield single an inning later to give the Mets a 3-1 lead.
DODGERS 5, ATHLETICS 1
LOS ANGELES -- Walker Buehler proved he and his fickle right index finger are playoff ready, Corey Seager homered and Los Angeles beat Oakland to earn its major league-leading 40th victory of the shortened 60-game season.
Buehler allowed one hit in four innings, struck out six and walked one in his first career appearance against the A's. The right-hander returned earlier in the day after missing 12 games with a blister on his finger that landed him on the injured list twice in the last 4 1/2 weeks.
Dylan Floro (3-0) got the victory, pitching one inning of relief and striking out one.
Seager went deep - the Dodgers' 108th homer of the season - on the first pitch from Mike Fiers (6-3) leading off the third for a 2-0 lead. Will Smith snapped an 0-for-10 skid with a RBI single in the first.
ASTROS 12, RANGERS 4
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Alex Bregman's three extra-base hits included one of Houston's four home runs, and the Astros trimmed their magic number to one for clinching the American League's last playoff spot.
George Springer and Jose Altuve also went deep with runners on base, and like Bregman finished with three hits and three RBIs. Houston had a 10-0 lead against Lance Lynn (6-3) before its rookie starter Cristian Javier (5-2) gave up his only runs in the sixth.
Josh Reddick also had three hits, capped by a two-run homer in the ninth.
The Astros (29-28) have to win only one of their three remaining games against Texas to secure second place in the AL West, and a spot in baseball's expanded playoff during the pandemic-shortened season. They also get in if the Angels (26-31) lose any in their final three-game series against the NL-best Dodgers.
ORIOLES 13, RED SOX 1
BOSTON -- José Iglesias, Pat Valaika and Austin Hays homered to lead Baltimore past Boston in a struggle for last place in the AL East.
Hays, Valaika, Rio Ruiz and Ramón Urías - the Nos. 5-8 hitters - each had three of Baltimore's 18 hits as the Orioles won for just the second time in eight games.
The Red Sox had won three in a row, with a chance to tie Baltimore for fourth place in the division had they swept the series. Instead, Boston trails by two games with three games to play in the pandemic-shortened season and has clinched its worst winning percentage since the 1965 team lost 100 games.
Alex Cobb (2-5) gave up one run and six hits in seven innings for his first win since July 25 - the second game of the season. He had lost five straight decisions over eight starts.
Martin Perez (3-5) allowed six runs on nine hits and a walk in four innings.
ROYALS 8, TIGERS 7
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Salvador Perez hit a three-run home run, Maikel Franco hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning and Kansas City beat Detroit.
Miguel Cabrera continued his hot streak with a two-run homer in the fifth to tie the game at 4. He has four home runs and 12 RBIs in the past four games.
Tigers starter Michael Fulmer was pulled after 2 1/3 innings having given up four runs and seven hits on just 42 pitches. Tyler Alexander (2-3) got the loss, allowing a run and two hits over 2 2/3.
Royals starter Kris Bubic allowed four runs, eight hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings, striking out five. Jesse Hahn (1-0) got four outs and his first major league win since 2017, and Jake Newberry completed his first career save.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-25--Trump expected to tap Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court

WASHINGTON -- Republicans are expecting President Donald Trump to announce Saturday that he is nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court as he aims to put a historic stamp on the high court just weeks before the election .
The Washington Post , New York Times and other media cited sources in saying Trump indeed will choose Barrett .
The people familiar with the matter , who spoke to the Post on the condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced , cautioned that Trump could always change his mind ahead of the announcement , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his pick and she is the only candidate he is known to have met with about the vacancy .
Administration officials and campaign advisers were preparing for a Barrett announcement , and some remarks for the president disclosing her as his choice have already been written , according to these people .
Conservative groups and congressional allies are laying the groundwork for a swift confirmation process for Barrett , even before Trump makes the selection official .
They , like the president , are wasting little time moving to replace the late Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns and marshalling supporters both to confirm the pick and to boost Trump to a second term .
The likely shift in the court 's makeup -- from Ginsburg , a liberal icon , to an outspoken conservative -- would be the sharpest ideological swing since Clarence Thomas replaced Justice Thurgood Marshall nearly three decades ago .
For Trump , it will provide a much-needed political assist as he tries to fire up his base .
For conservatives , it will mark a long-sought payoff for their at-times uncomfortable embrace of Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ another moment of reckoning , with their party locked in a bitter battle to retake the White House and the Senate .
Senate Republicans are readying for confirmation hearings in two weeks , with a vote in the full chamber now expected before Election Day .
Democrats are essentially powerless to block the votes .
`` I 'm confident he 's going to make an outstanding nomination , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News .
`` The American people are going to take a look at this nominee and conclude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that she well deserves to be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court . ''
`` They 're hell-bent on getting this done as fast as possible , '' said Democratic Senate whip Dick Durbin .
`` They think it helps Donald Trump get reelected . ''
Outside conservative groups , who have been preparing for this moment for 40 years , are planning to spend more than $ 25 million to support Trump and his nominee .
The Judicial Crisis Network has organized a coalition that includes American First Policies , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Growth and the group Catholic Vote .
`` One of the things we 've learned from the histories of confirmation processes , the intensity of the fight has more to do with the previous occupant of the seat than who the nominee is , '' said JCN 's Carrie Severino .
`` We expect this to be a very high stakes confirmation . ''
Within hours of Ginsburg 's death , Trump made clear his intention to nominate a woman in her stead , after previously putting two men on the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erosion in support among suburban women .
The White House has already concluded a round of vetting this month , as Trump released an additional 20 names he would consider for the court .
He has challenged Democrat Joe Biden to list possible nominees , too .
In discussing a five-person shortlist for Ginsburg 's seat , Trump has been sure to highlight some from election battleground states that he 's aiming to win this fall as much as their jurisprudence .
`` I 've heard incredible things about her , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day after Ginsburg 's death .
`` I do n't know her .
She 's Hispanic and highly respected .
Miami .
Highly respected . ''
In an interview with a Detroit television station , he volunteered that hometown Justice Joan Larsen is `` very talented . ''
Trump and his aides , though , appeared to have set their sights on nominating Barrett , of Indiana , who was at the White House twice this week , including for a Monday meeting with Trump .
The staunch conservative 's 2017 appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations that Democrats were attacking her Catholic faith .
Trump allies see that as a political windfall for them should Democrats attempt to do so once again .
Catholic voters in Pennsylvania , in particular , are viewed as a pivotal demographic in the swing state that Democratic nominee Joe Biden , also Catholic , is trying to recapture .
Vice President Mike Pence defended Barrett when asked whether her affiliation with People of Praise , a charismatic Christian community , would complicate her ability to serve on the high court .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during her last confirmation about her Catholic faith I really think was a disservice to the process and a disappointment to millions of Americans , '' he told ABC News .
Though the court can break down along ideological lines in high-profile cases , Chief Justice John Roberts and his colleagues resist the idea they are politicians in robes and emphasize that they agree more than they disagree .
Still , Barrett 's appointment would make the court more conservative .
It would be transformed from a court divided 5-4 between conservatives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are conservatives appointed by Republican presidents .
Barrett has been hailed as a justice in the mold of Antonin Scalia , for whom she clerked .
Trump played up the power to make judicial nominations with conservative voters in 2016 , when Republican senators kept open the seat vacated by the death of Scalia rather than let President Barack Obama fill the opening .
Trump 's decision to release lists of accomplished conservative jurists for potential elevation was rewarded by increased enthusiasm among white evangelical voters , many of whom had been resistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Democrat .

Trump expected to tap Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court
The flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in state in the U.S. Capitol on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Ginsburg died at the age of 87 on Sept. 18 and is the first women to lie in state at the Capitol. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
FILE - In this May 19, 2018, file photo, Amy Coney Barrett, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit judge, speaks during the University of Notre Dame's Law School commencement ceremony at the university, in South Bend, Ind. Barrett, a front-runner to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has established herself as a reliable conservative on hot-button legal issues from abortion to gun control. () Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune via AP, File
WASHINGTON -- Republicans are expecting President Donald Trump to announce Saturday that he is nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court as he aims to put a historic stamp on the high court just weeks before the election.
The Washington Post, New York Times and other media cited sources in saying Trump indeed will choose Barrett.
The people familiar with the matter, who spoke to the Post on the condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced, cautioned that Trump could always change his mind ahead of the announcement, but he is telling others that Barrett is his pick and she is the only candidate he is known to have met with about the vacancy. Administration officials and campaign advisers were preparing for a Barrett announcement, and some remarks for the president disclosing her as his choice have already been written, according to these people.
Conservative groups and congressional allies are laying the groundwork for a swift confirmation process for Barrett, even before Trump makes the selection official. They, like the president, are wasting little time moving to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, organizing multimillion-dollar ad campaigns and marshalling supporters both to confirm the pick and to boost Trump to a second term.
The likely shift in the court's makeup -- from Ginsburg, a liberal icon, to an outspoken conservative -- would be the sharpest ideological swing since Clarence Thomas replaced Justice Thurgood Marshall nearly three decades ago.
For Trump, it will provide a much-needed political assist as he tries to fire up his base. For conservatives, it will mark a long-sought payoff for their at-times uncomfortable embrace of Trump. And for Democrats, it will be another moment of reckoning, with their party locked in a bitter battle to retake the White House and the Senate.
Senate Republicans are readying for confirmation hearings in two weeks, with a vote in the full chamber now expected before Election Day. Democrats are essentially powerless to block the votes.
"I'm confident he's going to make an outstanding nomination," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News. "The American people are going to take a look at this nominee and conclude, as we are likely to conclude, that she well deserves to be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court."
"They're hell-bent on getting this done as fast as possible," said Democratic Senate whip Dick Durbin. "They think it helps Donald Trump get reelected."
Outside conservative groups, who have been preparing for this moment for 40 years, are planning to spend more than $25 million to support Trump and his nominee. The Judicial Crisis Network has organized a coalition that includes American First Policies, the Susan B. Anthony List, the Club for Growth and the group Catholic Vote.
"One of the things we've learned from the histories of confirmation processes, the intensity of the fight has more to do with the previous occupant of the seat than who the nominee is," said JCN's Carrie Severino. "We expect this to be a very high stakes confirmation."
Within hours of Ginsburg's death, Trump made clear his intention to nominate a woman in her stead, after previously putting two men on the court and as he struggles to mitigate an erosion in support among suburban women.
The White House has already concluded a round of vetting this month, as Trump released an additional 20 names he would consider for the court. He has challenged Democrat Joe Biden to list possible nominees, too.
In discussing a five-person shortlist for Ginsburg's seat, Trump has been sure to highlight some from election battleground states that he's aiming to win this fall as much as their jurisprudence.
"I've heard incredible things about her," he said of Florida's Barbara Lagoa, a day after Ginsburg's death. "I don't know her. She's Hispanic and highly respected. Miami. Highly respected."
In an interview with a Detroit television station, he volunteered that hometown Justice Joan Larsen is "very talented."
Trump and his aides, though, appeared to have set their sights on nominating Barrett, of Indiana, who was at the White House twice this week, including for a Monday meeting with Trump.
The staunch conservative's 2017 appeals court confirmation on a party-line vote included allegations that Democrats were attacking her Catholic faith. Trump allies see that as a political windfall for them should Democrats attempt to do so once again. Catholic voters in Pennsylvania, in particular, are viewed as a pivotal demographic in the swing state that Democratic nominee Joe Biden, also Catholic, is trying to recapture.
Vice President Mike Pence defended Barrett when asked whether her affiliation with People of Praise, a charismatic Christian community, would complicate her ability to serve on the high court.
"I must tell you the intolerance expressed during her last confirmation about her Catholic faith I really think was a disservice to the process and a disappointment to millions of Americans," he told ABC News.
Though the court can break down along ideological lines in high-profile cases, Chief Justice John Roberts and his colleagues resist the idea they are politicians in robes and emphasize that they agree more than they disagree. Still, Barrett's appointment would make the court more conservative. It would be transformed from a court divided 5-4 between conservatives and liberals to one in which six members are conservatives appointed by Republican presidents. Barrett has been hailed as a justice in the mold of Antonin Scalia, for whom she clerked.
Trump played up the power to make judicial nominations with conservative voters in 2016, when Republican senators kept open the seat vacated by the death of Scalia rather than let President Barack Obama fill the opening. Trump's decision to release lists of accomplished conservative jurists for potential elevation was rewarded by increased enthusiasm among white evangelical voters, many of whom had been resistant to supporting the candidacy of the one-time New York Democrat.