dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-10--Bicycling craze is one saving grace of COVID-19

Finding parking at the Great Western Trail lot in St. Charles used to be a breeze .
`` I 've been going there for years .
I 've never seen it full , '' said Jackie Forbes , Kane County Division of Transportation planning chief .
Come summer 2020 and `` it 's so busy .
People are parking on the grass . ''
Amid all the pain COVID-19 is causing , one silver lining is a cycling renaissance as people make a two-wheeled getaway from their four walls .
Rachel Hyman of Palatine `` had n't biked in decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how , '' she said .
`` Now we all ride our bikes .
I bought a bike trailer for my car and we ride on the trails for hours , or just around the neighborhood . ''
There 's no exact count yet , but trips to Kane County parks and preserves are up from previous norms , rising by more than 200 % some days , according to Google Mobility Reports provided by the Kane County Division of Transportation .
And , visits to Lake County Forest Preserve District trails and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , officials said .
It 's a trend reverberating across the region as jaded adults climb into the saddle and remember `` there 's this joy to biking that they forgot about , '' said Maggie Czerwinski , advocacy manager for the Active Transportation Alliance .
`` People are looking for those moments of joy , and biking can help provide that . ''
Jamie Fredericks of Carol Stream started `` a new routine in quarantine by going on weekly bike rides -- either solo or with my husband and kids .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ June and now `` I 'm trying to ride every few days and average 5 to 10 miles a ride . ''
Joy is good .
But so is safety , and that 's why prudence is advised whether it 's resurrecting your vintage Schwinn with the banana seat from the basement or putting that new 100-speed mountain bike to the test .
`` Wear a helmet , '' Czerwinski said .
`` Do the ABCs -- check the air in your tires , check your brakes and check your chain to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do snap a bell on your bike or be prepared to call out `` on your left ! ''
or `` on your right ! ''
when hitting popular trails thronged with COVID-19 escapees .
`` There has been more friction between seasoned cyclists and newer cyclists especially on the trails , '' Ride Illinois Executive Director David Simmons of Elk Grove Village said .
Grizzled veterans `` need to welcome the new cyclists , '' Simmons said , and `` hope that folks keep riding '' so the resurgence of cycling is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some other tips include ride on the right and pass on the left on trails , consider using sidewalks if out with children but check your municipality 's rules first , and yield to pedestrians .
In this era of COVID-19 , bike experts recommend keeping a social distance from pedestrians and other bicyclists , and wearing a face covering when it 's not possible to stay 6 feet apart from others .
Speed , weather and proximity to other people can quickly change your circumstances , so it 's best to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The metro region boasts more than 1,100 miles of trails , but sadly `` nearly 200 miles of gaps exist along our major regional trails -- these gaps are sometimes just a few blocks long or can go on for miles , '' Czerwinski said .
The hope is new cycling converts will use their energy to advocate on issues ranging from trail improvements to safety .
And `` show folks that a bike is a perfectly practical and safe way to get to places , especially for short trips , '' Simmons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false ?
Cyclists have the same rights as motorists and must follow the rules applicable to a motorist .
You picked true ?
Good choice .
In fact , `` stop signs , traffic signals , right of way rules , and other laws governing traffic flow all apply to bicycles , too , '' according to the Ride Illinois ' Bike Safety Quiz .
There 's a quiz for adults and for children on the group 's website plus online maps , events and general advice .
Another invaluable resource is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos , trails , and tips for pedestrians and bikers .
The alliance also offers a $ 10 Chicagoland Bike Map for sale online .
Did we omit a biking tip ?
Want to share a cycling story ?
A favorite route ?
Drop an email to mpyke @ dailyherald.com .
Here are some scenic trails to ride in the metro region picked by cycling afficionados including the Daily Herald 's Neil Holdway , Kane County transportation chief Carl Schoedel and Terry Witt of Bartlett .
Be advised , some trails may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest Preserve linked trails that include Hawk Hollow and Mallard Lake , Herrick Lake and Danada , and Blackwell and Warrenville Grove • Virgil Gilman Trail between Montgomery and Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove .

Bicycling craze is one saving grace of COVID-19
Finding parking at the Great Western Trail lot in St. Charles used to be a breeze.
"I've been going there for years. I've never seen it full," said Jackie Forbes, Kane County Division of Transportation planning chief.
Come summer 2020 and "it's so busy. People are parking on the grass."
Amid all the pain COVID-19 is causing, one silver lining is a cycling renaissance as people make a two-wheeled getaway from their four walls.
Rachel Hyman of Palatine "hadn't biked in decades. The kids didn't even know how," she said. "Now we all ride our bikes. I bought a bike trailer for my car and we ride on the trails for hours, or just around the neighborhood."
There's no exact count yet, but trips to Kane County parks and preserves are up from previous norms, rising by more than 200% some days, according to Google Mobility Reports provided by the Kane County Division of Transportation. And, visits to Lake County Forest Preserve District trails and sites spiked by 67% compared to 2019, officials said.
It's a trend reverberating across the region as jaded adults climb into the saddle and remember "there's this joy to biking that they forgot about," said Maggie Czerwinski, advocacy manager for the Active Transportation Alliance.
"People are looking for those moments of joy, and biking can help provide that."
Jamie Fredericks of Carol Stream started "a new routine in quarantine by going on weekly bike rides -- either solo or with my husband and kids." She bought a new bike in June and now "I'm trying to ride every few days and average 5 to 10 miles a ride."
Joy is good. But so is safety, and that's why prudence is advised whether it's resurrecting your vintage Schwinn with the banana seat from the basement or putting that new 100-speed mountain bike to the test.
"Wear a helmet," Czerwinski said. "Do the ABCs -- check the air in your tires, check your brakes and check your chain to make sure it's greased."
And do snap a bell on your bike or be prepared to call out "on your left!" or "on your right!" when hitting popular trails thronged with COVID-19 escapees.
"There has been more friction between seasoned cyclists and newer cyclists especially on the trails," Ride Illinois Executive Director David Simmons of Elk Grove Village said.
Grizzled veterans "need to welcome the new cyclists," Simmons said, and "hope that folks keep riding" so the resurgence of cycling is "not just a blip."
Some other tips include ride on the right and pass on the left on trails, consider using sidewalks if out with children but check your municipality's rules first, and yield to pedestrians.
In this era of COVID-19, bike experts recommend keeping a social distance from pedestrians and other bicyclists, and wearing a face covering when it's not possible to stay 6 feet apart from others. Speed, weather and proximity to other people can quickly change your circumstances, so it's best to have a mask ready to whip out.
The metro region boasts more than 1,100 miles of trails, but sadly "nearly 200 miles of gaps exist along our major regional trails -- these gaps are sometimes just a few blocks long or can go on for miles," Czerwinski said.
The hope is new cycling converts will use their energy to advocate on issues ranging from trail improvements to safety.
And "show folks that a bike is a perfectly practical and safe way to get to places, especially for short trips," Simmons said.
You should know
True or false? Cyclists have the same rights as motorists and must follow the rules applicable to a motorist.
You picked true? Good choice. In fact, "stop signs, traffic signals, right of way rules, and other laws governing traffic flow all apply to bicycles, too," according to the Ride Illinois' Bike Safety Quiz.
There's a quiz for adults and for children on the group's website plus online maps, events and general advice.
Another invaluable resource is the Active Transportation's Alliance's website with videos, trails, and tips for pedestrians and bikers. The alliance also offers a $10 Chicagoland Bike Map for sale online.
Did we omit a biking tip? Want to share a cycling story? A favorite route? Drop an email to mpyke@dailyherald.com.
Happy trails
Here are some scenic trails to ride in the metro region picked by cycling afficionados including the Daily Herald's Neil Holdway, Kane County transportation chief Carl Schoedel and Terry Witt of Bartlett. Be advised, some trails may be crowded on weekends.
• Busse Woods Trail in the Northwest suburbs
• Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve in Mettawa
• Des Plaines River Trail in Lake County
• DuPage County Forest Preserve linked trails that include Hawk Hollow and Mallard Lake, Herrick Lake and Danada, and Blackwell and Warrenville Grove
• Fox River Trail in Kane County
• Great Western Trail between St. Charles and Sycamore
• Illinois Prairie Path (DuPage County)
• Prairie Trail of McHenry County and Fox River Trail
• Millennium and linked trails (Lake County)
• Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve in Wadsworth
• Virgil Gilman Trail between Montgomery and Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-09--Naperville aiming for police diversity from large hiring pool

At a time when police across the country are under increased scrutiny , Naperville has an officer applicant pool of 860 candidates -- thanks in part to a new recruitment campaign and the waiving of a $ 45 applicant fee .
Now , instead of an average of 270 candidates during the past four hiring cycles , Deputy Chief Jason Arres said , the pool has grown in a way that activists hope will help the overwhelmingly white department make progress toward one of its long-standing goals : better mirroring local demographics .
Naperville 's population is 68 % white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanic , 5 % Black and 3 % other , according to 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates .
The police department -- with 172 sworn officers -- is 89 % white , 2 % Asian , 2 % Black , 5 % Hispanic and 2 % other as of 2019 .
The department has 21 female officers , making up 12 % of the force ; 19 of them are white , none are Hispanic or Black and two fall into other racial categories .
`` One of the biggest things we continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is having our department reflect our community , '' Arres said .
`` I think it 's important at any time -- whether we 're in a controversial time for policing or a normal time for policing -- our department should match our community . ''
No matter a candidate 's demographic background , applying to be a police officer in Naperville is a job for the patient and the dedicated .
It requires prerequisites of a bachelor 's degree in any field and a Police Officer Wellness Evaluation Report from the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after meeting these prerequisites , involves at least nine steps , including five instances of review by the city 's board of fire and police commissioners .
The police department itself does n't make any decisions on who to hire , Arres said .
That responsibility falls to the board .
But department leaders set the tone of the process , which they take seriously as a means to hiring an employee who 's likely to be around for 30 to 35 years as part of the public face of city government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-depth process as it goes to hiring someone , '' Arres said .
`` Our police and fire board is very strict , which I like . ''
Even as the department looks to diversify , there are no `` bonus points '' for being a diverse candidate ; decisions hinge on merit alone , as judged by factors including interviews , background screens , reference checks , a polygraph test , a psychological test and a medical exam .
That 's how it should be , said Benny White , Naperville 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former member of the board of fire and police commissioners .
`` I 'm not saying hire folks because of what they look like , but I want to get more people in the pool so there 's more opportunities for them to get hired , '' White said .
`` Then , they 've got to make it work on their own . ''
Members of the city 's South Asian , Indian and Islamic communities appreciate the steps the police department has taken to reach out and invite their constituents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic Center of Naperville , for example , results in mosque members inviting officers to attend religious events `` so they can come see the culture , '' Ashfaq Syed said .
The outreach `` has to happen from both sides to fill that gap '' in Asian officers relative to the city 's large Asian population , Shafeek Abubaker said .
Some of the work is about teaching the realities of policing and countering perceptions that it 's a low-paid job or not as prestigious as , say , being a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sometimes it is a false understanding , '' Abubaker said .
But Arres said those thoughts are common among many communities , regardless of their race .
`` We get a lot of families worried because policing , even in Naperville , is a dangerous job , '' he said .
`` And that ca n't be taken for granted . ''
With a candidate pool of 860 officer-hopefuls in hand , the vetting and testing company IO Solutions now can offer a written exam and create an initial eligibility list , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From that list , the police department will call the first candidate available whenever a vacancy arises and begin the rest of the hiring process .
A background investigator checks their criminal , credit , employment , education and family history .
An interview with three police leaders puts them through situational questions to prove they can handle the stress and trauma of the job .
A psychological test ensures they are mentally fit for duty and are not at high risk of behaviors that would be a liability to the police department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and physical fitness for the job .
The length of the process and thoroughness of the steps gives a feeling , White said , that `` we 're hiring the best of the best . ''

Naperville aiming for police diversity from large hiring pool
Naperville police set up tables like this at job fairs before the COVID-19 pandemic began to help with recruiting candidates for new officer positions. Courtesy of Naperville Police Department
After making it through a lengthy recruitment and hiring process, new Naperville police officers must attend and graduate from the police academy before starting their field training and work. Courtesy of Naperville Police Department
Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico and police Chief Robert Marshall preside over a recent swearing-in ceremony for new Naperville police officers. The department follows a lengthy recruitment and hiring process that includes background checks, interviews and medical and psychological exams. Courtesy of Naperville Police Department
At a time when police across the country are under increased scrutiny, Naperville has an officer applicant pool of 860 candidates -- thanks in part to a new recruitment campaign and the waiving of a $45 applicant fee.
Now, instead of an average of 270 candidates during the past four hiring cycles, Deputy Chief Jason Arres said, the pool has grown in a way that activists hope will help the overwhelmingly white department make progress toward one of its long-standing goals: better mirroring local demographics.
Naperville's population is 68% white, 18% Asian, 6% Hispanic, 5% Black and 3% other, according to 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The police department -- with 172 sworn officers -- is 89% white, 2% Asian, 2% Black, 5% Hispanic and 2% other as of 2019. The department has 21 female officers, making up 12% of the force; 19 of them are white, none are Hispanic or Black and two fall into other racial categories.
"One of the biggest things we continue to try to work toward every year is having our department reflect our community," Arres said. "I think it's important at any time -- whether we're in a controversial time for policing or a normal time for policing -- our department should match our community."
No matter a candidate's demographic background, applying to be a police officer in Naperville is a job for the patient and the dedicated. It requires prerequisites of a bachelor's degree in any field and a Police Officer Wellness Evaluation Report from the state.
The recruitment and hiring process, after meeting these prerequisites, involves at least nine steps, including five instances of review by the city's board of fire and police commissioners. The police department itself doesn't make any decisions on who to hire, Arres said. That responsibility falls to the board.
But department leaders set the tone of the process, which they take seriously as a means to hiring an employee who's likely to be around for 30 to 35 years as part of the public face of city government.
"What you see is a very in-depth process as it goes to hiring someone," Arres said. "Our police and fire board is very strict, which I like."
Even as the department looks to diversify, there are no "bonus points" for being a diverse candidate; decisions hinge on merit alone, as judged by factors including interviews, background screens, reference checks, a polygraph test, a psychological test and a medical exam.
That's how it should be, said Benny White, Naperville's first Black city council member and a former member of the board of fire and police commissioners.
"I'm not saying hire folks because of what they look like, but I want to get more people in the pool so there's more opportunities for them to get hired," White said. "Then, they've got to make it work on their own."
Members of the city's South Asian, Indian and Islamic communities appreciate the steps the police department has taken to reach out and invite their constituents to apply to become officers. Outreach with the Islamic Center of Naperville, for example, results in mosque members inviting officers to attend religious events "so they can come see the culture," Ashfaq Syed said.
The outreach "has to happen from both sides to fill that gap" in Asian officers relative to the city's large Asian population, Shafeek Abubaker said. Some of the work is about teaching the realities of policing and countering perceptions that it's a low-paid job or not as prestigious as, say, being a doctor, engineer or lawyer.
"Sometimes it is a false understanding," Abubaker said.
But Arres said those thoughts are common among many communities, regardless of their race.
"We get a lot of families worried because policing, even in Naperville, is a dangerous job," he said. "And that can't be taken for granted."
With a candidate pool of 860 officer-hopefuls in hand, the vetting and testing company IO Solutions now can offer a written exam and create an initial eligibility list, which will be valid for two years. From that list, the police department will call the first candidate available whenever a vacancy arises and begin the rest of the hiring process.
A background investigator checks their criminal, credit, employment, education and family history. An interview with three police leaders puts them through situational questions to prove they can handle the stress and trauma of the job. A psychological test ensures they are mentally fit for duty and are not at high risk of behaviors that would be a liability to the police department. A medical exam clears their heart and physical fitness for the job.
The length of the process and thoroughness of the steps gives a feeling, White said, that "we're hiring the best of the best."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-09--How Batavia plans to draw more visitors to North River Street businesses

Outdoor dining tables , umbrellas , lighting and additional signage are among the fixtures Batavia officials believe could help beautify and draw visitors to North River Street .
Supporting downtown businesses amid the coronavirus crisis is a top priority for aldermen , who directed staff members last week to invest in immediate aesthetic improvements to the woonerf-style roadway in hopes of generating more foot traffic on a street already designed to draw pedestrians and bicycles while slowing vehicles .
The city also is exploring converting North River Street into a one-way street for southbound traffic , a change that requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Transportation .
The move would maintain visibility for businesses that rely on a mix of vehicular and pedestrian traffic , while also providing space for additional outdoor seating , City Administrator Laura Newman said .
`` It presents an opportunity for a compromise that allows the maximum number of folks in that area to get what they want , '' she said .
`` One-way is a much more satisfactory situation for everyone involved . ''
In response to COVID-19 restrictions , the city council agreed to temporarily close both lanes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets earlier this year .
Restaurants and shops have used that extra space for alfresco dining , trivia events , open-mic nights and other social gatherings in hopes of drawing patrons to the corridor , business owners told aldermen last week .
`` We 're doing everything we can to make it someplace people want to go , '' said John Hamel , owner of Pal Joey 's and Bar Evolution .
`` We appreciate everything you 've done .
But we 've got to keep going on it . ''
Orange and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up at the entrances of the roadway to signify its temporary closure .
The blockades are an eyesore , aldermen and business owners said , and they send mixed messages to passersby who might be unaware the street is still open to pedestrians and patrons .
One simple , immediate solution would be creating a more aesthetically pleasing atmosphere , Alderman Marty Callahan said .
Rather than using picnic tables donated by the park district , as is done now , he suggested securing outdoor dining furniture similar to what has been donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Festoon lighting attached to building exteriors , or even twinkle lights on trees , could indicate there 's still activity on North River Street , he said .
Aldermen also suggested adding signage to emphasize shops and restaurants are open .
`` I think we need to put a little more into it financially for them , '' Callahan said .
`` I know they 're spending their time and talent and programming into that area to try to make it a success , and we have some means to try to assist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owns Funway Ultimate Entertainment , has since offered to rent out his outdoor tables for North River Street businesses and customers , saving the city money and the hassle of finding a place to store them at the end of the season , Newman said .
City staff members are looking into hiring a lighting contractor and purchasing umbrellas , both of which would return to the city council for approval .
The money would come from state funds retained by the city at the end of a previous economic development program .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvements that offer some flexibility , aldermen said , noting additional upgrades could be discussed at a later date .
City officials have begun the lengthy process to make North River Street a one-way street , Newman said , noting changing traffic patterns require a higher level of review by IDOT .
Meanwhile , signage will soon be added to direct drivers to public parking lots near North River Street , she said .
All signs indicating the roadway is closed to traffic also will have a partnering sign saying businesses are still @ @

How Batavia plans to draw more visitors to North River Street businesses
Batavia has put up barricades blocking North River Street to vehicular traffic, offering space for additional outdoor seating for restaurants and shops along the downtown corridor. But aldermen and business owners say the blockades are confusing for passersby. City officials now hope to make some fast and flexible improvements to help attract patrons to businesses. Courtesy of the city of Batavia
Outdoor dining tables, umbrellas, lighting and additional signage are among the fixtures Batavia officials believe could help beautify and draw visitors to North River Street.
Supporting downtown businesses amid the coronavirus crisis is a top priority for aldermen, who directed staff members last week to invest in immediate aesthetic improvements to the woonerf-style roadway in hopes of generating more foot traffic on a street already designed to draw pedestrians and bicycles while slowing vehicles.
The city also is exploring converting North River Street into a one-way street for southbound traffic, a change that requires review and approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The move would maintain visibility for businesses that rely on a mix of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, while also providing space for additional outdoor seating, City Administrator Laura Newman said.
"It presents an opportunity for a compromise that allows the maximum number of folks in that area to get what they want," she said. "One-way is a much more satisfactory situation for everyone involved."
In response to COVID-19 restrictions, the city council agreed to temporarily close both lanes of North River Street from Wilson to State streets earlier this year. Restaurants and shops have used that extra space for alfresco dining, trivia events, open-mic nights and other social gatherings in hopes of drawing patrons to the corridor, business owners told aldermen last week.
"We're doing everything we can to make it someplace people want to go," said John Hamel, owner of Pal Joey's and Bar Evolution. "We appreciate everything you've done. But we've got to keep going on it."
Orange and white barricades and concrete barriers were put up at the entrances of the roadway to signify its temporary closure. The blockades are an eyesore, aldermen and business owners said, and they send mixed messages to passersby who might be unaware the street is still open to pedestrians and patrons.
One simple, immediate solution would be creating a more aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, Alderman Marty Callahan said.
Rather than using picnic tables donated by the park district, as is done now, he suggested securing outdoor dining furniture similar to what has been donated and placed along South Water Street.
Festoon lighting attached to building exteriors, or even twinkle lights on trees, could indicate there's still activity on North River Street, he said. Aldermen also suggested adding signage to emphasize shops and restaurants are open.
"I think we need to put a little more into it financially for them," Callahan said.
"I know they're spending their time and talent and programming into that area to try to make it a success, and we have some means to try to assist them."
Bob Hansen, who owns Funway Ultimate Entertainment, has since offered to rent out his outdoor tables for North River Street businesses and customers, saving the city money and the hassle of finding a place to store them at the end of the season, Newman said.
City staff members are looking into hiring a lighting contractor and purchasing umbrellas, both of which would return to the city council for approval.
The money would come from state funds retained by the city at the end of a previous economic development program.
The fixtures are meant to be nimble improvements that offer some flexibility, aldermen said, noting additional upgrades could be discussed at a later date.
City officials have begun the lengthy process to make North River Street a one-way street, Newman said, noting changing traffic patterns require a higher level of review by IDOT.
Meanwhile, signage will soon be added to direct drivers to public parking lots near North River Street, she said. All signs indicating the roadway is closed to traffic also will have a partnering sign saying businesses are still open.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-09--COVID-19 puts the brakes on bike sales, repairs

After years of casual browsing , Mundelein resident Jeanna Cristino recently decided to get serious about buying a decent bicycle that would be fun to ride on trails .
She mentioned it to a neighbor , who works at a bike shop in Lake County .
`` Basically what he said to me was , 'Good luck finding one , ' '' Cristino said .
He was right .
For months , selections of new bicycles have been thin or nonexistent at shops throughout the suburbs .
Timely repairs also have become a luxury because parts , such as tires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pads , are in short supply .
Tariffs , unfortunate timing and the disruptive coronavirus played roles in creating a big gap between what people wanted and what they could get , experts say .
`` Demand for any new bike and repairs have gone through the roof , '' said Rob Rayl , manager at M & M Cyclery in Mundelein .
`` Every bike shop in the area is in the same boat . ''
Supplies shrank when production shut down .
As the virus spread , the state 's subsequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a way to safely escape their homes .
`` At a typical time , we 'd have 500 to 600 new bikes in store ready to sell .
Right now , I have about 15 , '' said Chris Enockson , sales manager at Mill Race Cyclery on the Fox River bike trail in Geneva .
`` We have n't had many new bikes come in for about two months now , '' he added .
`` It 's not just bicycles .
It 's repair parts . ''
Most bike shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers in March , explained Jim Kersten , show director at the Chicagoland Area Bicycle Dealers Association .
There are about 200 independent bicycle dealers in Chicago and the suburbs , according to the association .
`` There was a tremendous increase in demand ( because ) it was one of the few things people could do , '' Kersten said .
`` Reordering was difficult because the bikes were n't produced yet . ''
Jay Townley , founding partner and futurist for Human Powered Solutions , a California-based consultant to the bicycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current shortages of new bicycles , electric bikes and parts are rooted in a 25 % tariff imposed on Chinese imports in 2019 .
To avoid the tariff , importers last year reduced orders .
`` The American brands , the vast majority of which import ebike and bicycles from Asia and primarily China , worked off inventory that they had imported under the normal tariffs prior to the punitive tariffs going into force and effect , '' according to Townley .
`` That inventory was reduced to the bone going into January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tariffs in late 2019 and were poised to increase orders , Townley said .
However , because manufacturers shut down for about two weeks for the Chinese New Year , the order spurt was planned for late February and March .
By that time , the coronavirus was raging and the supply chain was `` totally disrupted , '' Townley said .
Looking to escape home confinement and burn off stress , people in April began dusting off old bikes from garages and basements and snatching up new ones .
Shops were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and resupplies have been slow , Townley said , resulting in continuing shortages across the board in all retail channels .
`` You call any shop in the area and you 'll hear the same thing , '' Enockson said .
`` It 's everywhere and it 's super frustrating .
We 've turned away so much business just because we do n't have items to sell . ''
Demand for repairs of old bikes simultaneously escalated and so did wait times .
Some shops switched to repairs only .
Rayl said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with repairs all summer and is catching up .
But repair time -- when parts are available -- is still about 10 days or double that of normal .
Because of short supply , M & M is rationing inner tubes .
Mill Race has had as many as 160 open work orders , Enockson said .
Estimated repair time tripled to three weeks .
`` A lot of people left the bike and said , 'Fix it when you can , ' '' according to Enockson .
`` Some of them have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Kersten predicted shortages in some categories will continue next year .
Rayl said he expects a `` good shipment '' of bikes in September but figures inventory wo n't be close to normal until next year .
Enockson said he has n't been able to get an accurate estimate of when normal shipments will resume .
And what of Jeanna Cristino ?
She finally found a bike in her size but will pick it up at a dealership near Milwaukee , where it will be shipped from Minnesota .
`` It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven to 10 days , '' Cristino noted .
`` I was expecting three weeks . ''

COVID-19 puts the brakes on bike sales, repairs
After years of casual browsing, Mundelein resident Jeanna Cristino recently decided to get serious about buying a decent bicycle that would be fun to ride on trails.
She mentioned it to a neighbor, who works at a bike shop in Lake County.
"Basically what he said to me was, 'Good luck finding one,'" Cristino said. He was right.
For months, selections of new bicycles have been thin or nonexistent at shops throughout the suburbs.
Timely repairs also have become a luxury because parts, such as tires, inner tubes, shifters and brake pads, are in short supply.
Tariffs, unfortunate timing and the disruptive coronavirus played roles in creating a big gap between what people wanted and what they could get, experts say.
"Demand for any new bike and repairs have gone through the roof," said Rob Rayl, manager at M & M Cyclery in Mundelein.
"Every bike shop in the area is in the same boat."
Supplies shrank when production shut down. As the virus spread, the state's subsequent stay-at-home order made people look to bicycles as a way to safely escape their homes.
"At a typical time, we'd have 500 to 600 new bikes in store ready to sell. Right now, I have about 15," said Chris Enockson, sales manager at Mill Race Cyclery on the Fox River bike trail in Geneva.
"We haven't had many new bikes come in for about two months now," he added. "It's not just bicycles. It's repair parts."
Most bike shops started getting notices of shipment delays from manufacturers in March, explained Jim Kersten, show director at the Chicagoland Area Bicycle Dealers Association. There are about 200 independent bicycle dealers in Chicago and the suburbs, according to the association.
"There was a tremendous increase in demand (because) it was one of the few things people could do," Kersten said. "Reordering was difficult because the bikes weren't produced yet."
Jay Townley, founding partner and futurist for Human Powered Solutions, a California-based consultant to the bicycle and electric bicycle business, said the current shortages of new bicycles, electric bikes and parts are rooted in a 25% tariff imposed on Chinese imports in 2019.
To avoid the tariff, importers last year reduced orders.
"The American brands, the vast majority of which import ebike and bicycles from Asia and primarily China, worked off inventory that they had imported under the normal tariffs prior to the punitive tariffs going into force and effect," according to Townley. "That inventory was reduced to the bone going into January 2020."
Importers wrangled exceptions from the tariffs in late 2019 and were poised to increase orders, Townley said. However, because manufacturers shut down for about two weeks for the Chinese New Year, the order spurt was planned for late February and March.
By that time, the coronavirus was raging and the supply chain was "totally disrupted," Townley said.
Looking to escape home confinement and burn off stress, people in April began dusting off old bikes from garages and basements and snatching up new ones. Shops were emptied within weeks.
Inventories are wiped out and resupplies have been slow, Townley said, resulting in continuing shortages across the board in all retail channels.
"You call any shop in the area and you'll hear the same thing," Enockson said. "It's everywhere and it's super frustrating. We've turned away so much business just because we don't have items to sell."
Demand for repairs of old bikes simultaneously escalated and so did wait times. Some shops switched to repairs only.
Rayl said M & M was "blasted" with repairs all summer and is catching up. But repair time -- when parts are available -- is still about 10 days or double that of normal. Because of short supply, M & M is rationing inner tubes.
Mill Race has had as many as 160 open work orders, Enockson said. Estimated repair time tripled to three weeks.
"A lot of people left the bike and said, 'Fix it when you can,'" according to Enockson. "Some of them have been here two or three months."
Kersten predicted shortages in some categories will continue next year. Rayl said he expects a "good shipment" of bikes in September but figures inventory won't be close to normal until next year. Enockson said he hasn't been able to get an accurate estimate of when normal shipments will resume.
And what of Jeanna Cristino? She finally found a bike in her size but will pick it up at a dealership near Milwaukee, where it will be shipped from Minnesota.
"It was kind of a surprise when they said seven to 10 days," Cristino noted. "I was expecting three weeks."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-09--Financing, soil problems delay Hickory-Kensington apartments in Arlington Heights

The developers of a proposed five-story , 76-unit apartment building east of downtown Arlington Heights are having trouble getting a shovel in the ground , amid financing and soil contamination problems .
Project attorney Mark Lenz told village officials his client is still committed to building the residential and commercial facility on the northwest corner of Hickory Avenue and Kensington Road , but they need a little more time .
The village board went along with the request , agreeing to a 12-month extension of its approval just before it was due to lapse last Thursday .
The board first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
Village officials have been counting on the project to kick-start redevelopment of the light industrial area into a long-envisioned mixed-use , pedestrian-friendly neighborhood that could complement the nearby downtown .
As a way to spur redevelopment , the board agreed in 2018 to give developers Guido Neri and Ben Pecoraro up to $ 120,000 a year for up to eight years from tax increment financing funds .
After the TIF district was set up in 2014 , property taxes above the existing level began going into a fund controlled by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the redevelopment agreement between the village and developers , the village is paying $ 800,000 to help the developers extend Campbell Street west from Hickory and make streetscape improvements along Hickory and Kensington , and paying the developers $ 700,000 for a parcel of land to the north targeted for future development .
But all of that is on hold for now , as the developers struggle to obtain financing amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Lenz wrote in a letter to village officials that the developers are continuing efforts to seek conventional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already invested a significant amount of time and money .
Even before the pandemic , acquisition of the vacant property was delayed nearly a year over concerns about environmental contamination , Lenz said .
It will be remediated during construction , he added .
The project calls for a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom units , and 3,450 square feet of first-floor commercial space for retailers and offices .
The board 's initial approval lasts for 24 months , and the recent vote extends that another 12 months .
Any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the plan commission and village board .

Financing, soil problems delay Hickory-Kensington apartments in Arlington Heights
A proposed five-story, 76-unit apartment building on the northwest corner of Kensington Road and Hickory Avenue in Arlington Heights was approved by the village board two years ago. But the project has faced delays amid financing problems related to COVID-19 and soil contamination on the site. Courtesy of Village of Arlington Heights
The developers of a proposed five-story, 76-unit apartment building east of downtown Arlington Heights are having trouble getting a shovel in the ground, amid financing and soil contamination problems.
Project attorney Mark Lenz told village officials his client is still committed to building the residential and commercial facility on the northwest corner of Hickory Avenue and Kensington Road, but they need a little more time.
The village board went along with the request, agreeing to a 12-month extension of its approval just before it was due to lapse last Thursday. The board first approved the planned unit development in August 2018.
Village officials have been counting on the project to kick-start redevelopment of the light industrial area into a long-envisioned mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood that could complement the nearby downtown.
As a way to spur redevelopment, the board agreed in 2018 to give developers Guido Neri and Ben Pecoraro up to $120,000 a year for up to eight years from tax increment financing funds.
After the TIF district was set up in 2014, property taxes above the existing level began going into a fund controlled by the village for economic development purposes.
Also under the redevelopment agreement between the village and developers, the village is paying $800,000 to help the developers extend Campbell Street west from Hickory and make streetscape improvements along Hickory and Kensington, and paying the developers $700,000 for a parcel of land to the north targeted for future development.
But all of that is on hold for now, as the developers struggle to obtain financing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lenz wrote in a letter to village officials that the developers are continuing efforts to seek conventional and alternative sources of funding, and have already invested a significant amount of time and money.
Even before the pandemic, acquisition of the vacant property was delayed nearly a year over concerns about environmental contamination, Lenz said.
It will be remediated during construction, he added.
The project calls for a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom units, and 3,450 square feet of first-floor commercial space for retailers and offices.
The board's initial approval lasts for 24 months, and the recent vote extends that another 12 months. Any request for a further extension would go before the plan commission and village board.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-10--Shots fired as crowds clash with police in downtown Chicago

Hundreds of people smashed windows , stole from stores and clashed with police early Monday in Chicago 's Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city 's downtown .
At one point , shots were fired at police and officers returned fire , police spokesman Tom Ahern said on Twitter .
No officers were injured in the shooting .
It was n't immediately clear what led to the unrest , which began shortly after midnight , but anti-police graffiti was seen in the area .
Hours earlier , dozens of people had faced off with police after officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 's Englewood neighborhood .
Asked for updates on the situation , Ahern told The Associated Press in an email that police planned to hold a news conference Monday morning .
Along the Magnificent Mile , people were seen going in and out of stores carrying shopping bags full of merchandise as well as at a bank , the Chicago Tribune reported , and as the crowd grew vehicles dropped off more people in the area .
One officer was seen slumped against a building , several arrests were made and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the newspaper said .
Police worked early Monday to disperse the crowds .
In the earlier shooting in Englewood , police said in a statement that they responded about 2:30 p.m. Sunday to a call about a person with a gun and tried to confront someone matching his description in an alley .
He fled from officers on foot and shot at officers , police said .
Officers returned fire , wounding him , and a gun was recovered , police said .
He was taken to a hospital for treatment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hospital for observation , the statement said .
More than an hour after the shooting , police and witnesses said a crowd faced off with police after someone reportedly told people that police had shot and wounded a child .
That crowd eventually dispersed .

Looters descend on downtown Chicago; more than 100 arrested
A door to the Block 37 retail building is shattered Monday after vandals struck overnight in Chicago's famed Loop. Chicago's police commissioner says more than 100 people were arrested following a night of looting and unrest that left several officers injured and caused damage in the city's upscale Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city. Associated Press
Yogi Dalal hugs his daughter, Jigisha, Monday after she arrived at the family food and liquor store and as his other daughter, Kajal, left, bows her head after the family business was vandalized in downtown Chicago. Chicago's police commissioner says more than 100 people were arrested following a night of looting and unrest that left several officers injured and caused damage in the city's upscale Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city. Associated Press
A store on E. Randolph street in Chicago was looted and damaged. More than 100 people were arrested Monday following a night of looting and unrest that left 13 officers injured and caused damage in the city's upscale Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city. Courtesy of Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
The Water Tower Macy's store was looted in Chicago. More than 100 people were arrested Monday following a night of looting and unrest that left 13 officers injured and caused damage in the city's upscale Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city. Courtesy of Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Windows were smashed at the McDonald's restaurant at Randolph and Dearborn in Chicago. More than 100 people were arrested Monday following a night of looting and unrest that left 13 officers injured and caused damage in the city's upscale Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city. Courtesy of Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
A window was smashed at the Michigan Avenue Macy's store at Water Tower Place in Chicago. More than 100 people were arrested Monday following a night of looting and unrest that left 13 officers injured and caused damage in the city's upscale Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city. Courtesy of Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Hundreds of looters and vandals descended on downtown Chicago early Monday following a police shooting on the city's South Side, smashing the windows of dozens of businesses and making off with merchandise, cash machines and anything else they could carry, police said.
Hours earlier, police shot a man after he opened fire on officers Sunday afternoon -- an incident that apparently prompted a social media post urging looters to converge on the business district, Police Superintendent David Brown told a news conference.
Some 400 additional officers were dispatched to the area after the department spotted the post. Over several hours, police made more than 100 arrests and 13 officers were injured, including one who was struck in the head with a bottle, Brown said.
Brown dismissed any suggestion that the chaos was part of an organized protest of the shooting, instead calling it "pure criminality" that included occupants of a vehicle opening fire on police who were arresting a man they spotted carrying a cash register.
No officers were wounded by gunfire, but a security guard and a civilian were hospitalized in critical condition after being shot, and five guns were recovered, he said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot agreed that the melee had nothing to do with a protest. "This was straight-up felony criminal conduct," she said. "This was an assault on our city."
The looting brightened the national spotlight that has been on Chicago for weeks after a surge in gun violence that resulted in more homicides in July than any month in decades. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the city's handling of the violence, recently ordered more federal agents to Chicago to take part in what Attorney General William Barr called "classic crime fighting."
Further ratcheting up the tensions in the city was a video that circulated on Facebook hours before the looting that falsely claimed that Chicago police had shot and killed a 15-year-old boy. Posted at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the video shows upset residents confronting officers near the scene where officers shot and wounded an adult suspect who they said had fired at them that day. By Monday morning, it had been watched nearly 100,000 times.
Witnesses to the looting described a scene that bore a striking resemblance to the unrest that unfolded when protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis devolved into chaos. Brown suggested that the lenient treatment of people arrested then played a role in what happened Monday.
"Not many of those cases were prosecuted to the full extent," he said. "These looters, these thieves, these criminals being emboldened by (the lack of) consequences ... emboldened to do more."
At the same news conference, Lightfoot addressed the looters directly, telling them that police had collected a lot of surveillance video and other evidence that will be used to arrest and prosecute as many as possible.
"We saw you, and we will come after you," she warned.
Videos of the vandalism showed huge crowds of people smashing their way into businesses and streaming out of the broken windows and doors with clothes and other merchandise. They loaded up vehicles and drove off, some leaving behind boxes of rocks that they had apparently brought to shatter the windows. Cash register drawers and clothes hangers were strewed about the streets, along with automatic teller machines that had been ripped from walls or pulled from inside businesses.
Stores miles from downtown were also ransacked, their parking lots littered with glass and boxes that once contained television sets and other electronics.
"This was obviously very orchestrated," the Rev. Michael Pfleger, a prominent Roman Catholic priest and activist on the city's South Side, told Chicago television station WBBM.
Train and bus service into downtown was temporarily suspended. Bridges over the Chicago River were lifted, preventing travel to and from the downtown area, and state police blocked some expressway ramps into downtown. Access was to be restored later in the day.
Brown said the department would maintain a huge presence in the downtown area indefinitely, telling reporters that all days off had been canceled until further notice.
On the South Side, police responded about 2:30 p.m. Sunday to a call about a person with a gun in the Englewood neighborhood and tried to confront someone matching his description in an alley. He fled from officers on foot and shot at officers, police said.
Officers returned fire, wounding the man, who was taken to a hospital for treatment. He was expected to recover. Three officers also were taken to a hospital for observation, the statement said.
Brown later said the 20-year-old man had a long criminal history, including arrests for domestic battery and child endangerment, He said a gun was recovered at the scene.
More than an hour after the shooting, police and witnesses said a crowd faced off with officers after someone reportedly told people that police had shot and wounded a child. That crowd eventually dispersed.
But police later came across the social media post about a caravan of cars "being prompted to go to our downtown to loot," Brown said. "Within 15 minutes, we respond and almost immediately the caravan is in our downtown area."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-09--From Lake County to the Libertarian ticket: Presidential candidate says both sides want change

Legalize all recreational drugs , let individuals decide about wearing face masks and end all foreign military entanglements , Libertarian presidential nominee Jo Jorgensen says .
That 's the `` issues '' side of the candidate , who recalls some of her views taking shape as she was growing up in Grayslake , participating in 4H and marching in her high school band in the 1970s .
Jorgensen , 63 , now lives in South Carolina and has a doctorate in industrial psychology , was a tech entrepreneur and teaches college students .
She dove into the 2020 race with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former Vice President Joe Biden because `` government 's too big , too noisy , too intrusive .
It hurts those it tries to help , '' she told the Daily Herald .
She cites as an example the Food and Drug Administration , which is `` so bloated by red tape , '' Jorgensen said .
`` It creates huge obstacles in bringing new drugs to the market '' and is costly , hampering efforts to fight COVID-19 , she said .
Jorgensen was born in 1957 at Condell Memorial Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We were typical 1960s 'free-range ' children , '' she said , recalling riding her bike to Woodview Elementary School and cutting across the frozen lake in winter .
`` I literally walked through a cornfield to get to Grayslake Junior High School . ''
At then-Grayslake Community High School , Jorgensen was `` anti-political , '' objecting to student council because it reminded her of George Orwell 's `` Animal Farm '' -- `` an elite making decisions for everybody else . ''
She said that 's the problem with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't care if it 's Trump or ( Speaker Nancy ) Pelosi . ''
But she engaged at the grass-roots level , serving as president of the French and 4-H clubs and marching in the high school band as a drum major .
`` Part of that was because I could fit into the uniform , '' she said .
While she was a freshman , the band performed at graduation , where the valedictorian caused a stir with a speech calling it `` hypocritical for someone to drink a martini and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The speech struck a chord with Jorgensen , who has never used illicit drugs but wants them legalized , arguing that government interference exacerbates addiction and related problems .
`` If R.J. Reynolds and Seagrams sold drugs , you would n't have these shootouts where innocent children are harmed , '' Jorgensen said .
Congress has been wrestling unsuccessfully to come up with a new aid package for Americans beset economically by COVID-19 .
Jorgensen opposed its predecessor , the CARES Act , because `` a lot of bailout money went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't doing that good of a job maybe they should n't be bailed out .
If people kept their own money ( less taxes ) it could help the mom-and-pop stores , '' she said .
Jorgensen opposes mandating mask-wearing to prevent COVID-19 spread , although `` business establishments have the right to set whatever rules they want .
( Like ) 'no shoes , no service . '
I do n't think the government should do that . ''
On foreign relations , Jorgensen advocates turning `` America into a giant Switzerland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding European countries are wealthy and should pay for their own defense .
`` There should be no foreign military aid . ''
Asked how she 'd provide for millions of uninsured Americans , Jorgensen opts for a system such as the Healthy Indiana Program that offers health insurance to low-income residents at reduced prices with an annual deductible .
In late July , Jorgensen returned to her roots , making a campaign stop with voters in Green Oaks .
`` I have extremely fond memories of growing up in Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include sailing on Grays Lake and skating after her father , a concrete company owner , had cleared off a section of frozen ice .
That experience translated into her love of hockey but Jorgensen can also whip out a needle and sew a French seam .
One of her handmade garments made it to the Illinois State Fair finals when she was a teenager , although `` to be honest , I did n't get any blue ribbons for my cooking . ''
She graduated in 1979 from Baylor University and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MBA .
She worked as a marketing representative for IBM , later owned a software duplication company and worked as a business consultant .
Now , Jorgensen teaches psychology at Clemson University .
Libertarians have n't made a dent in Illinois ' presidential elections .
Candidate Gary Johnson received 3.8 % in 2016 and 1.1 % in 2012 .
Jorgensen says all conventional wisdom is off in 2020 and she 's optimistic .
`` The myth is we mostly draw from the right ; we actually draw people from both sides , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who tend to give us their vote are people who are independent or who have never voted . ''

From Lake County to the Libertarian ticket: Presidential candidate says both sides want change
Grayslake native Jo Jorgensen will represent the Libertarian Party on the November presidential ballot. Courtesy of the libertarian Party
Grayslake native Jo Jorgensen will represent the Libertarian Party on the November presidential ballot. Daily Herald File Photo
Legalize all recreational drugs, let individuals decide about wearing face masks and end all foreign military entanglements, Libertarian presidential nominee Jo Jorgensen says.
That's the "issues" side of the candidate, who recalls some of her views taking shape as she was growing up in Grayslake, participating in 4H and marching in her high school band in the 1970s.
Jorgensen, 63, now lives in South Carolina and has a doctorate in industrial psychology, was a tech entrepreneur and teaches college students.
She dove into the 2020 race with Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden because "government's too big, too noisy, too intrusive. It hurts those it tries to help," she told the Daily Herald.
She cites as an example the Food and Drug Administration, which is "so bloated by red tape," Jorgensen said. "It creates huge obstacles in bringing new drugs to the market" and is costly, hampering efforts to fight COVID-19, she said.
Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen was a drum major in the Grayslake Community High School marching band in the 1970s. - Courtesy of Jo Jorgensen
Jorgensen was born in 1957 at Condell Memorial Hospital in Libertyville and grew up in Grayslake.
"We were typical 1960s 'free-range' children," she said, recalling riding her bike to Woodview Elementary School and cutting across the frozen lake in winter. "I literally walked through a cornfield to get to Grayslake Junior High School."
At then-Grayslake Community High School, Jorgensen was "anti-political," objecting to student council because it reminded her of George Orwell's "Animal Farm" -- "an elite making decisions for everybody else."
She said that's the problem with America now, adding, "I don't care if it's Trump or (Speaker Nancy) Pelosi."
But she engaged at the grass-roots level, serving as president of the French and 4-H clubs and marching in the high school band as a drum major.
"Part of that was because I could fit into the uniform," she said.
While she was a freshman, the band performed at graduation, where the valedictorian caused a stir with a speech calling it "hypocritical for someone to drink a martini and tell others they couldn't smoke marijuana."
The speech struck a chord with Jorgensen, who has never used illicit drugs but wants them legalized, arguing that government interference exacerbates addiction and related problems.
"If R.J. Reynolds and Seagrams sold drugs, you wouldn't have these shootouts where innocent children are harmed," Jorgensen said.
Congress has been wrestling unsuccessfully to come up with a new aid package for Americans beset economically by COVID-19. Jorgensen opposed its predecessor, the CARES Act, because "a lot of bailout money went to large corporations. If someone isn't doing that good of a job maybe they shouldn't be bailed out. If people kept their own money (less taxes) it could help the mom-and-pop stores," she said.
Jorgensen opposes mandating mask-wearing to prevent COVID-19 spread, although "business establishments have the right to set whatever rules they want. (Like) 'no shoes, no service.' I don't think the government should do that."
On foreign relations, Jorgensen advocates turning "America into a giant Switzerland. Armed and neutral," she said, adding European countries are wealthy and should pay for their own defense. "There should be no foreign military aid."
Asked how she'd provide for millions of uninsured Americans, Jorgensen opts for a system such as the Healthy Indiana Program that offers health insurance to low-income residents at reduced prices with an annual deductible.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Libertarian Party presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen talks with supporters during a meet and greet in July at Post Time Sports Bar & Grille in Green Oaks.
In late July, Jorgensen returned to her roots, making a campaign stop with voters in Green Oaks.
"I have extremely fond memories of growing up in Lake County," Jorgensen said, which include sailing on Grays Lake and skating after her father, a concrete company owner, had cleared off a section of frozen ice.
That experience translated into her love of hockey but Jorgensen can also whip out a needle and sew a French seam. One of her handmade garments made it to the Illinois State Fair finals when she was a teenager, although "to be honest, I didn't get any blue ribbons for my cooking."
She graduated in 1979 from Baylor University and in 1980 from Southern Methodist University with an MBA. She worked as a marketing representative for IBM, later owned a software duplication company and worked as a business consultant. Now, Jorgensen teaches psychology at Clemson University.
Libertarians haven't made a dent in Illinois' presidential elections. Candidate Gary Johnson received 3.8% in 2016 and 1.1% in 2012.
Jorgensen says all conventional wisdom is off in 2020 and she's optimistic.
"The myth is we mostly draw from the right; we actually draw people from both sides," she said. "However, the people who tend to give us their vote are people who are independent or who have never voted."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-09--Wrong-way driver killed in Crystal Lake crash

A wrong-way driver died at the scene in Crystal Lake Sunday afternoon after causing a five-car crash that sent three @ @ @ @ @ An initial investigation by the Crystal Lake Police determined a 2019 Honda CR-V was traveling @ @ @ @ @ from Munshaw Lane , in the eastbound lanes when it struck a 2004 Honda CR-V @ @ @ @ @ Fusion , both of which were traveling east on Rakow Road .
The 2019 Honda @ @ @ @ @ eastbound lanes and collided head-on with a 2017 Buick Enclave , which caused another collision @ @ @ @ @ .
Crystal Lake Fire Rescue provided medical care to the victims .
The adult driver @ @ @ @ @ 2019 Honda CR-V was pronounced dead at the scene .
Three others were taken to @ @ @ @ @ injuries .
Two additional adult victims were released from care at the scene .
Crystal @ @ @ @ @ in the early stages of the investigation and had no further information to provide late @ @

Wrong-way driver killed in Crystal Lake crash
A wrong-way driver died at the scene in Crystal Lake Sunday afternoon after causing a five-car crash that sent three people to the hospital.
An initial investigation by the Crystal Lake Police determined a 2019 Honda CR-V was traveling west on Rakow Road, from Munshaw Lane, in the eastbound lanes when it struck a 2004 Honda CR-V EX and a 2012 Ford Fusion, both of which were traveling east on Rakow Road.
The 2019 Honda CR-V continued west in the eastbound lanes and collided head-on with a 2017 Buick Enclave, which caused another collision with a 2011 Nissan Versa.
Crystal Lake Fire Rescue provided medical care to the victims. The adult driver and sole occupant of the 2019 Honda CR-V was pronounced dead at the scene. Three others were taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Two additional adult victims were released from care at the scene.
Crystal Lake police said they are in the early stages of the investigation and had no further information to provide late Sunday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-09--Preckwinkle: Dramatic rise in suicides among Cook County's Black population

Cook County is seeing a dramatic increase in suicides among Black residents .
`` There have been more suicides so far this year in the Black community than in all of 2019 , '' Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said .
`` Most notably , we are seeing an increase in youth suicide .
The youngest victim this year was just 9 years old . ''
The African American community has borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic , opioid overdose deaths and rising homicide rates , she added .
The Cook County medical examiner 's office reports 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year for suicides in the Black community in a decade .
So far , there have been 58 suicide deaths among Blacks compared to 56 in all of 2019 .
Nearly 80 % of suicides were men , 40 % were under 30 , three were under 18 , and the youngest was the 9-year-old boy who died July 5 .
Anxiety and depression are high among Blacks , who disproportionately have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and also suffer health disparities , high rates of unemployment and poverty , said Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of behavioral health .
`` We need to have a conversation about mental health and suicide , '' said Washington , a psychiatrist for more than 28 years .
`` There 's a lot of stigma in our own community about mental health .
...
The shame that goes with mental health is huge in our community .
This pain is unbearable , and this despondency and this despair is huge .
It has overtaken our community . ''
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , constant interactions and conversations with students help deter threats to school safety , says Streamwood police officer Courtney Stoiber , a school resource officer at Tefft Middle School in Streamwood .
Stoiber is among a cadre of resource officers stationed at Elgin Area School District U-46 middle and high schools .
She is trained in crisis intervention .
`` It 's highly focused on de-escalation and identifying persons in crisis ... with mental or physical disabilities , on the autism spectrum , with mental illnesses or other emotional needs , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counseling them through that crisis and referring them to staff or resources to better address their needs . ''
At U-46 , student arrests for behavioral infractions are down from 343 in the 2013-14 school year to 36 in 2019-20 .
The majority of arrests during that period involved Black and Hispanic students .
Latinos constitute nearly 55 % of the district 's 38,395 students , followed by whites 26 % , Asians 8 % , Blacks 6 % and two or more races 3 % , data show .
Rich Bosh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 years as a resource officer for Bartlett High , was part of an oversight committee reviewing district policies and procedures for identifying students as threats .
He started a safety task force at the school that gives students a say in school culture .
`` Kids really took ownership of the school , '' Bosh said .
`` That was a really good thing that we hope to build on with other schools . ''
John Heiderscheidt , U-46 director of school safety and culture , said officials are considering expanding student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parents is pushing student-led violence prevention/safety programs to reduce bullying and build relationships , such as the `` See something , say something '' initiative started after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown , Connecticut .
`` Our officers are helping to build those programs at a grass-roots level , '' Heiderscheidt said .
`` Students are leading the effort to grow that . ''
The district will be asking resource officers to provide A.L.I.C.E .
( Alert , Lockdown , Inform , Counter , Evacuate ) active shooter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elgin Police Department also trains its officers in the Handle with Care program .
`` It 's an excellent way to be a trauma-informed care community , '' Heiderscheidt said .
The Youth and Family Center of McHenry County is offering a socially distanced summer park program , including music , self-defense training , martial arts , sports and a free lunch , for at-risk students with food insecurity .
`` Any normal year , we would have had anywhere from 45 to 55 kids , '' Executive Director Guadalupe Ortiz said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time .
We are really trying to focus on our after-school program to support the coming needs for remote learning for a lot of our kids . ''
The McHenry-based agency serves roughly 500 clients , including youths and adults , through prevention programs , bicultural service navigation and social-emotional supports .
They are mostly low-income , minority and uninsured families , many of whom have suffered job loss due to the pandemic .
Officials at the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva are anticipating an uptick in need for food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the state 's moratoriums on evictions and utility cutoffs expire by month end .
`` In June , we distributed 9.5 million meals ' worth of food in all of our counties , '' spokeswoman Liz Gartman said .
`` Typically , it 's like in the 5 million range .
It is pretty uncharted for us . ''
In 2018-19 , the agency distributed more than 69 million meals , mostly in DuPage and Kane counties .
That grew to about 80.3 million meals in the fiscal year that ended June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those meals during COVID-19 from March to June , '' said Gartman , adding that people served include low-income , minorities and a lot of newly poor families .
• Share stories , news and happenings from the suburban mosaic with Madhu Krishnamurthy at mkrishnamurthy @ dailyherald.com .

Preckwinkle: Dramatic rise in suicides among Cook County's Black population
Cook County is seeing a dramatic increase in suicides among Black residents.
"There have been more suicides so far this year in the Black community than in all of 2019," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. "Most notably, we are seeing an increase in youth suicide. The youngest victim this year was just 9 years old."
The African American community has borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid overdose deaths and rising homicide rates, she added.
The Cook County medical examiner's office reports 2020 is on pace to be the worst year for suicides in the Black community in a decade.
So far, there have been 58 suicide deaths among Blacks compared to 56 in all of 2019. Nearly 80% of suicides were men, 40% were under 30, three were under 18, and the youngest was the 9-year-old boy who died July 5.
Mental health support
Anxiety and depression are high among Blacks, who disproportionately have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and also suffer health disparities, high rates of unemployment and poverty, said Dr. Diane Washington, Cook County Health director of behavioral health.
"We need to have a conversation about mental health and suicide," said Washington, a psychiatrist for more than 28 years.
"There's a lot of stigma in our own community about mental health. ... The shame that goes with mental health is huge in our community. This pain is unbearable, and this despondency and this despair is huge. It has overtaken our community."
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
Cops building bonds
Building relationships, constant interactions and conversations with students help deter threats to school safety, says Streamwood police officer Courtney Stoiber, a school resource officer at Tefft Middle School in Streamwood.
Stoiber is among a cadre of resource officers stationed at Elgin Area School District U-46 middle and high schools. She is trained in crisis intervention.
"It's highly focused on de-escalation and identifying persons in crisis ... with mental or physical disabilities, on the autism spectrum, with mental illnesses or other emotional needs," she said. "It's about verbally counseling them through that crisis and referring them to staff or resources to better address their needs."
Minority student arrests
At U-46, student arrests for behavioral infractions are down from 343 in the 2013-14 school year to 36 in 2019-20. The majority of arrests during that period involved Black and Hispanic students.
Latinos constitute nearly 55% of the district's 38,395 students, followed by whites 26%, Asians 8%, Blacks 6% and two or more races 3%, data show.
Rich Bosh, a Bartlett police detective who has served 14 years as a resource officer for Bartlett High, was part of an oversight committee reviewing district policies and procedures for identifying students as threats. He started a safety task force at the school that gives students a say in school culture.
"Kids really took ownership of the school," Bosh said. "That was a really good thing that we hope to build on with other schools."
Mentoring students
John Heiderscheidt, U-46 director of school safety and culture, said officials are considering expanding student mentoring through resource officers.
A group of parents is pushing student-led violence prevention/safety programs to reduce bullying and build relationships, such as the "See something, say something" initiative started after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
"Our officers are helping to build those programs at a grass-roots level," Heiderscheidt said. "Students are leading the effort to grow that."
The district will be asking resource officers to provide A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) active shooter response training for school employees.
The Elgin Police Department also trains its officers in the Handle with Care program.
"It's an excellent way to be a trauma-informed care community," Heiderscheidt said.
Youth services
The Youth and Family Center of McHenry County is offering a socially distanced summer park program, including music, self-defense training, martial arts, sports and a free lunch, for at-risk students with food insecurity.
"Any normal year, we would have had anywhere from 45 to 55 kids," Executive Director Guadalupe Ortiz said. "We are now having 10 kids at a time. We are really trying to focus on our after-school program to support the coming needs for remote learning for a lot of our kids."
The McHenry-based agency serves roughly 500 clients, including youths and adults, through prevention programs, bicultural service navigation and social-emotional supports. They are mostly low-income, minority and uninsured families, many of whom have suffered job loss due to the pandemic.
Growing food insecurity
Officials at the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva are anticipating an uptick in need for food support as pandemic unemployment benefits run out and the state's moratoriums on evictions and utility cutoffs expire by month end.
"In June, we distributed 9.5 million meals' worth of food in all of our counties," spokeswoman Liz Gartman said. "Typically, it's like in the 5 million range. It is pretty uncharted for us."
In 2018-19, the agency distributed more than 69 million meals, mostly in DuPage and Kane counties. That grew to about 80.3 million meals in the fiscal year that ended June 30.
"We distributed 30 million of those meals during COVID-19 from March to June," said Gartman, adding that people served include low-income, minorities and a lot of newly poor families.
• Share stories, news and happenings from the suburban mosaic with Madhu Krishnamurthy at mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-09--Fight mars A's 9th straight win, 7-2 over Astros

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland 's 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday , tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston 's sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers .
Oakland 's Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch - for the third time in the three-game series - this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh .
Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron , then left first base , threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laureano before the A 's outfielder reached Cintron , and a wild scene ensued .
Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray .
A 's and Astros players who were sitting in the seats , observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols , also rushed onto the field .
Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett .
Oakland won its ninth straight , and Houston lost its fifth in a row .
Matt Olson hit a three-run homer in the third and Matt Chapman connected the very next pitch , taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offerings from Astros starter Cristian Javier ( 1-1 ) .
Robbie Grossman also homered and Mark Canha contributed an RBI single .
A 's rookie left-hander Jesus Luzardo ( 1-0 ) earned his first major league win in his second career start .
PHILADELPHIA -- Ronald Acuna Jr. homered twice and Freddie Freeman also went deep to spoil Spencer Howard 's big league debut and Atlanta Braves completed a sweep of the doubleheader with an 8-0 win in the second game .
Acuna also homered in Atlanta 's 5-2 victory in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second game and added his his fourth career multihomer game .
The Phillies had waited since the restart to send Howard ( 0-1 ) to the mound .
Freeman hit a two-run homer in the third for the early lead and Acuna had a solo shot to the opposite field in right for a 3-0 lead .
Atlanta 's Max Fried ( 3-0 ) hummed along against the Phillies until needed to get out of a bases-loaded , two-out jam in the fifth .
Acuna hit a two-run shot off Trevor Kelley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the first game , Acuna hit a two-run homer off Deolis Guerra ( 1-1 ) and Adam Duvall had a three-run double to lead the Braves .
Tyler Matzek ( 2-0 ) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win , and Mark Melancon worked a scoreless ninth for his third save .
CHICAGO -- Delino DeShields snapped a tie with a perfectly placed squeeze bunt in the 10th inning to lift Cleveland .
DeShields ' bunt drove in JosÃ© RamÃrez , who started the inning on second as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
Mike Freeman added a two-out RBI single that gave Cleveland a 5-3 lead .
Veteran left-hander Oliver Perez got the final two outs following a 46-minute rain delay for his first save .
It was just the fifth save of his 18-year career .
Phil Maton ( 1-0 ) pitched a scoreless inning for the win .
Jimmy Codero ( 0-1 ) allowed two runs , one earned , in the loss .
KANSAS CITY , Mo -- Hunter Dozier hit a two-run single in his first at-bat since testing positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Singer earned his major league win to lead Kansas City .
The Royals won their fourth in a row overall .
The Twins lost all three at Kauffman Stadium and have dropped four straight .
Dozier had n't played this season while recovering from the virus .
He quickly delivered , putting the Royals ahead 2-0 in the first inning .
Singer ( 1-1 ) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings .
The Kansas City bullpen threw four shutout innings with Scott Barlow closed for his first save .
Jose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innings giving up four runs .
He allowed Maikel Franco 's leadoff homer in the sixth .
ARLINGTON , Texas -- Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell was charged with a rare four-base error when a fly ball from Texas ' Nick Solak popped out of the rookie 's glove and flew the few remaining feet over the fence in the Rangers ' win .
The play was initially ruled a home run for Solak , but the official scorer changed it to an error after consulting with the Elias Sports Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lance Lynn ( 2-0 ) earned his 100th career win , losing a shutout on Tommy La Stella 's two-run homer in the fifth .
Shin-Soo Choo capped a four-run fourth with a two-run single that chased Angels starter Andrew Heaney ( 1-1 ) .
Rougned Odor ended an 0-for-18 skid with an RBI single for the first run in the fourth .
MILWAUKEE -- Christian Yelich homered , tripled and drew a bases-loaded walk Milwaukee got its first home victory .
The Brewers avoided falling to 0-5 at home for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inaugural season in Milwaukee .
Justin Smoak broke out of a slump and delivered hits from each side of the plate during a six-run rally in the sixth that put the Brewers ahead for good .
Milwaukee poured it on in the seventh with back-to-back homers from Keston Hiura and Yelich .
Sonny Gray ( 3-1 ) gave up three hits to the Brewers ' first four batters of the sixth and left with the score tied and runners on the corners with one out .
Michael Lorenzen replaced Gray and did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced as the Brewers eventually built a 7-2 lead .
Brent Suter ( 2-0 ) earned the win with two innings of shutout relief .
NEW YORK -- Jacob deGrom dodged trouble for five innings , rookie AndrÃ©s GimÃ©nez had three hits and scored three runs , and New York won a home series for the first time this season .
DeGrom ( 2-0 ) allowed two runs and seven hits , marking the 25th time in his past 27 starts he permitted three runs or fewer .
Jesus Aguilar hit a two-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who lost their second straight after getting off to a 7-1 start despite 18 players testing positive for the coronavirus .
Seth Lugo tossed a scoreless ninth for his third save .
Pablo Lopez ( 1-1 ) allowed three runs - two earned - and five hits in five innings .
BOSTON -- Mitch Moreland hit two home runs , including a walk-off shot over the Green Monster to lead Boston .
Xander Bogaerts drew a two-out walk from Thomas Hatch ( 0-1 ) to set up Moreland 's game-winner .
Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ninth to get the win .
The Blue Jays now head to Buffalo , New York , where they 'll play their remaining home games at the site of their Triple-A affiliate across the Niagara River from Canada .
Rafael Devers also homered for the Red Sox .
ST. PETERSURG , Fla. -- Michael Perez had an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning to lift Tampa Bay .
Mike Brosseau started the ninth with a double off Zack Britton ( 0-1 ) but was thrown out at third on Brandon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second on a wild pitch before Manuel Margot walked .
After both runners advanced on Willy Adames grounder to first , Perez lined a single to right as the Rays took three of four from the AL East leaders .
Brosseau and Lowe both homered in the seventh , when the Rays tied it at 3 .
Ryan Thompson ( 1-0 ) worked a perfect ninth for his first major league win .
PITTSBURGH -- Spencer Turnbull pitched seven strong innings and Miguel Cabrera singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field off Richard Rodriguez ( 0-1 ) scored Jonathan Schoop , who was hit by a pitch with two outs and took second on a wild pitch .
Turnbull ( 2-0 ) allowed only one run and five hits while striking out four and walking two .
Buck Farmer pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Joe Jimenez retired the side in order for his fifth save .
SAN DIEGO -- Dinelson Lamet was brilliant in taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Fernando Tatis Jr. continued his remarkable power surge with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who allowed four of San Diego 's club-record six long balls as the Padres beat Arizona .
Manny Machado homered twice off Bumgarner .
Wil Myers , Francisco Mejia and Ty France also went deep for San Diego .
Lamet ( 2-0 ) had allowed only one baserunner , on a hit by pitch , until Kole Calhoun homered leading off the seventh .
The right-hander struck out 11 and walked none in 6 2/3 innings .
The Padres remain the only major league team without a no-hitter , having played 8,154 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0-3 ) has struggled with the Diamondbacks , who gave him an $ 85 million , five-year contract in December after he spent a decade with the San Francisco Giants , helping them win three World Series titles in five seasons .
He allowed six runs and five hits in two innings .
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the 31-year-old lefty exited after experiencing back spasms .
LOS ANGELES -- AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts each hit a three-run homer to rally Los Angeles past San Francisco .
The Dodgers have won nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of three in the series from their NL West rivals .
Their 29 long balls lead the majors .
With the Dodgers trailing 2-0 , Cody Bellinger singled off Giants starter Kevin Gausman with one out in the seventh inning and Justin Turner followed with a single off submariner Tyler Rogers ( 1-3 ) .
Max Muncy took a called third strike , but Pollock sent a full-count pitch to left-center for his fourth homer and a 3-2 lead .
Betts ' shot in the eighth made it 6-2 .
Jake McGee ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitless inning .
Mike Yastrzemski had a two-run single in the fifth for the Giants .
SEATTLE -- Justus Sheffield pitched six shutout innings for his first major league win , Dylan Moore hit a two-run homer and Seattle slowed down Colorado .
Sheffield ( 1-2 ) gave up four hits without a walk and struck out seven in his longest stint this season .
He worked his way out of a jam with a strikeout to end the fifth , then sat down two more Rockies in the sixth before reaching his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitting streak to 13 games with a first-inning double for Colorado .
The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Rockies , who had won seven of eight in August -- including two straight over the Mariners .
Colorado starter German Marquez ( 2-2 ) allowed six hits in seven innings .

Fight mars A's 9th straight win, 7-2 over Astros
Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers benches clear after Athletics' Ramon Laureano charged the dugout after being hit by a pitch thrown by Astros' Humberto Castellanos during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. Associated Press
Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers scuffle after Athletics' Ramon Laureano charged the dugout after being hit by a pitch thrown by Astros' Humberto Castellanos during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. Associated Press
Oakland Athletics' Ramon Laureano (22) charges the Houston Astros' dugout after being hit by a pitch thrown by Humberto Castellanos during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. Associated Press
Oakland Athletics' Ramon Laureano, left, speaks with Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado after being hit by a pitch thrown by Astro's Humberto Castellanos in the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. Associated Press
Oakland Athletics' Ramon Laureano (22) charges the Houston Astros' dugout after being hit by a pitch thrown by Humberto Castellanos during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. Associated Press
Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland's 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston's sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.
Oakland's Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch - for the third time in the three-game series - this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.
Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A's outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.
Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A's and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett.
Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.
Matt Olson hit a three-run homer in the third and Matt Chapman connected the very next pitch, taking the score from 1-0 to 5-0 on consecutive offerings from Astros starter Cristian Javier (1-1). Robbie Grossman also homered and Mark Canha contributed an RBI single.
A's rookie left-hander Jesus Luzardo (1-0) earned his first major league win in his second career start.
BRAVES 5, PHILLIES 2, 1st game; BRAVES 8, PHILLIES 0, 2nd game
PHILADELPHIA -- Ronald Acuna Jr. homered twice and Freddie Freeman also went deep to spoil Spencer Howard's big league debut and Atlanta Braves completed a sweep of the doubleheader with an 8-0 win in the second game.
Acuna also homered in Atlanta's 5-2 victory in the first game. He had four hits in the second game and added his his fourth career multihomer game.
The Phillies had waited since the restart to send Howard (0-1) to the mound.
Freeman hit a two-run homer in the third for the early lead and Acuna had a solo shot to the opposite field in right for a 3-0 lead.
Atlanta's Max Fried (3-0) hummed along against the Phillies until needed to get out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the fifth.
Acuna hit a two-run shot off Trevor Kelley for a 6-0 lead in the sixth.
In the first game, Acuna hit a two-run homer off Deolis Guerra (1-1) and Adam Duvall had a three-run double to lead the Braves.
Tyler Matzek (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, and Mark Melancon worked a scoreless ninth for his third save.
INDIANS 5, WHITE SOX 4, 10 innings
CHICAGO -- Delino DeShields snapped a tie with a perfectly placed squeeze bunt in the 10th inning to lift Cleveland.
DeShields' bunt drove in José Ramírez, who started the inning on second as part of baseball's extra-inning rule for the pandemic-shortened season. Mike Freeman added a two-out RBI single that gave Cleveland a 5-3 lead.
Veteran left-hander Oliver Perez got the final two outs following a 46-minute rain delay for his first save. It was just the fifth save of his 18-year career.
Phil Maton (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win. Jimmy Codero (0-1) allowed two runs, one earned, in the loss.
José Abreu and James McCann homered for Chicago.
ROYALS 4, TWINS 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo -- Hunter Dozier hit a two-run single in his first at-bat since testing positive for COVID-19, and prized prospect Brady Singer earned his major league win to lead Kansas City.
The Royals won their fourth in a row overall. The Twins lost all three at Kauffman Stadium and have dropped four straight.
Dozier hadn't played this season while recovering from the virus. He quickly delivered, putting the Royals ahead 2-0 in the first inning.
Singer (1-1) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. The Kansas City bullpen threw four shutout innings with Scott Barlow closed for his first save.
Jose Berrios (1-2) went 5 1/3 innings giving up four runs. He allowed Maikel Franco's leadoff homer in the sixth.
RANGERS 7, ANGELS 3
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell was charged with a rare four-base error when a fly ball from Texas' Nick Solak popped out of the rookie's glove and flew the few remaining feet over the fence in the Rangers' win.
The play was initially ruled a home run for Solak, but the official scorer changed it to an error after consulting with the Elias Sports Bureau.
Texas completed a three-game sweep as Lance Lynn (2-0) earned his 100th career win, losing a shutout on Tommy La Stella's two-run homer in the fifth.
Shin-Soo Choo capped a four-run fourth with a two-run single that chased Angels starter Andrew Heaney (1-1). Rougned Odor ended an 0-for-18 skid with an RBI single for the first run in the fourth.
BREWERS 9, REDS 3
MILWAUKEE -- Christian Yelich homered, tripled and drew a bases-loaded walk Milwaukee got its first home victory.
The Brewers avoided falling to 0-5 at home for the first time since 1970, the franchise's inaugural season in Milwaukee.
Justin Smoak broke out of a slump and delivered hits from each side of the plate during a six-run rally in the sixth that put the Brewers ahead for good. Milwaukee poured it on in the seventh with back-to-back homers from Keston Hiura and Yelich.
Sonny Gray (3-1) gave up three hits to the Brewers' first four batters of the sixth and left with the score tied and runners on the corners with one out. Michael Lorenzen replaced Gray and didn't retire any of the four hitters he faced as the Brewers eventually built a 7-2 lead.
Brent Suter (2-0) earned the win with two innings of shutout relief.
METS 4, MARLINS 2
NEW YORK -- Jacob deGrom dodged trouble for five innings, rookie Andrés Giménez had three hits and scored three runs, and New York won a home series for the first time this season.
DeGrom (2-0) allowed two runs and seven hits, marking the 25th time in his past 27 starts he permitted three runs or fewer.
Jesus Aguilar hit a two-run homer in the fifth for the Marlins, who lost their second straight after getting off to a 7-1 start despite 18 players testing positive for the coronavirus.
Seth Lugo tossed a scoreless ninth for his third save.
Pablo Lopez (1-1) allowed three runs - two earned - and five hits in five innings.
RED SOX 5, BLUE JAYS 3
BOSTON -- Mitch Moreland hit two home runs, including a walk-off shot over the Green Monster to lead Boston.
Xander Bogaerts drew a two-out walk from Thomas Hatch (0-1) to set up Moreland's game-winner. Matt Barnes (1-1) pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win.
The Blue Jays now head to Buffalo, New York, where they'll play their remaining home games at the site of their Triple-A affiliate across the Niagara River from Canada.
Rafael Devers also homered for the Red Sox.
RAYS 4, YANKEES 3
ST. PETERSURG, Fla. -- Michael Perez had an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning to lift Tampa Bay.
Mike Brosseau started the ninth with a double off Zack Britton (0-1) but was thrown out at third on Brandon Lowe's grounder. Lowe advanced to second on a wild pitch before Manuel Margot walked.
After both runners advanced on Willy Adames grounder to first, Perez lined a single to right as the Rays took three of four from the AL East leaders.
Brosseau and Lowe both homered in the seventh, when the Rays tied it at 3.
Ryan Thompson (1-0) worked a perfect ninth for his first major league win.
TIGERS 2, PIRATES 1
PITTSBURGH -- Spencer Turnbull pitched seven strong innings and Miguel Cabrera singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth for Detroit.
Cabrera's single to left-center field off Richard Rodriguez (0-1) scored Jonathan Schoop, who was hit by a pitch with two outs and took second on a wild pitch.
Turnbull (2-0) allowed only one run and five hits while striking out four and walking two.
Buck Farmer pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Joe Jimenez retired the side in order for his fifth save.
PADRES 9, DIAMONDBACKS 5
SAN DIEGO -- Dinelson Lamet was brilliant in taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Fernando Tatis Jr. continued his remarkable power surge with a two-run homer off winless Madison Bumgarner, who allowed four of San Diego's club-record six long balls as the Padres beat Arizona.
Manny Machado homered twice off Bumgarner. Wil Myers, Francisco Mejia and Ty France also went deep for San Diego.
Lamet (2-0) had allowed only one baserunner, on a hit by pitch, until Kole Calhoun homered leading off the seventh. The right-hander struck out 11 and walked none in 6 2/3 innings.
The Padres remain the only major league team without a no-hitter, having played 8,154 games since 1969 without one.
With the Padres leading 9-1, Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly pitched a scoreless eighth.
Bumgarner (0-3) has struggled with the Diamondbacks, who gave him an $85 million, five-year contract in December after he spent a decade with the San Francisco Giants, helping them win three World Series titles in five seasons.
He allowed six runs and five hits in two innings. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the 31-year-old lefty exited after experiencing back spasms.
DODGERS 6, GIANTS 2
LOS ANGELES -- AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts each hit a three-run homer to rally Los Angeles past San Francisco.
The Dodgers have won nine of 12, and they took two of three in the series from their NL West rivals. Their 29 long balls lead the majors.
With the Dodgers trailing 2-0, Cody Bellinger singled off Giants starter Kevin Gausman with one out in the seventh inning and Justin Turner followed with a single off submariner Tyler Rogers (1-3). Max Muncy took a called third strike, but Pollock sent a full-count pitch to left-center for his fourth homer and a 3-2 lead.
Betts' shot in the eighth made it 6-2.
Jake McGee (1-0) got the win with a hitless inning.
Mike Yastrzemski had a two-run single in the fifth for the Giants.
MARINERS 5, ROCKIES 3
SEATTLE -- Justus Sheffield pitched six shutout innings for his first major league win, Dylan Moore hit a two-run homer and Seattle slowed down Colorado.
Sheffield (1-2) gave up four hits without a walk and struck out seven in his longest stint this season. He worked his way out of a jam with a strikeout to end the fifth, then sat down two more Rockies in the sixth before reaching his pitch limit.
Charlie Blackmon extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a first-inning double for Colorado. The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Rockies, who had won seven of eight in August -- including two straight over the Mariners.
Colorado starter German Marquez (2-2) allowed six hits in seven innings.