dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Mundelein stays in-house with selection of new police chief

Mundelein officials decided to stay in-house with their choice for the village 's next police chief , appointing a 24-year department veteran to replace former Chief Eric Guenther .
John Monahan was sworn in Monday as the Mundelein 's top cop , the culmination of a village career that began in 1996 and has seen him serving on the police department 's command staff since 2003 .
`` Chief Monahan has been a dedicated team member with the Village of Mundelein for over two decades , '' Mayor Steve Lentz said Thursday in an announcement of the appointment .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and capable leader and he has our complete confidence that he will continue to excel in his new position as police chief . ''
Under ordinance , the appointment was made by Lentz with the consent of village trustees .
Monahan will fill the post left open in August when Guenther -- the chief since 2013 -- became village administrator .
He had been serving as interim chief since Guenther 's promotion .
Guenther endorsed Monahan 's selection as his replacement .
`` During his tenure with the village , John has risen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief for the last nine years , '' he said .
`` I feel confident that Chief Monahan 's leadership skills and steadfast work ethic will help the Mundelein Police Department continue to thrive . ''
Monahan will lead daily operations of the police department , including patrol , traffic , training and investigative functions .
He also will oversee an operational budget of about $ 11.3 million and manage the department 's public education programs , community engagement activities and contract negotiations .
Monahan , who holds a bachelor 's degree in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was designated as a `` certified eligible police chief '' by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in September 2019 , officials said .
He was sworn in Monday by Village Clerk Sol Cabachuela , with his wife , Mary Pat , pinning his new badge on him .

Mundelein stays in-house with selection of new police chief
John Monahan, right, was sworn in Monday as Mundelein's police chief by Village Clerk Sol Cabachuela. Monahan has been with the department since 1996 and has served as deputy chief since 2011. Courtesy of Village of Mundelein
Mundelein officials decided to stay in-house with their choice for the village's next police chief, appointing a 24-year department veteran to replace former Chief Eric Guenther.
John Monahan was sworn in Monday as the Mundelein's top cop, the culmination of a village career that began in 1996 and has seen him serving on the police department's command staff since 2003.
"Chief Monahan has been a dedicated team member with the Village of Mundelein for over two decades," Mayor Steve Lentz said Thursday in an announcement of the appointment. "He has proven to be a strong and capable leader and he has our complete confidence that he will continue to excel in his new position as police chief."
Under ordinance, the appointment was made by Lentz with the consent of village trustees.
Monahan will fill the post left open in August when Guenther -- the chief since 2013 -- became village administrator.
He had been serving as interim chief since Guenther's promotion.
Guenther endorsed Monahan's selection as his replacement.
"During his tenure with the village, John has risen through the ranks, serving as deputy chief for the last nine years," he said. "I feel confident that Chief Monahan's leadership skills and steadfast work ethic will help the Mundelein Police Department continue to thrive."
Monahan will lead daily operations of the police department, including patrol, traffic, training and investigative functions. He also will oversee an operational budget of about $11.3 million and manage the department's public education programs, community engagement activities and contract negotiations.
Monahan, who holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Ball State University, was designated as a "certified eligible police chief" by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in September 2019, officials said.
He was sworn in Monday by Village Clerk Sol Cabachuela, with his wife, Mary Pat, pinning his new badge on him.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Elgin council splits over new budget, spending on new hires

Elgin 's newly approved $ 266 million budget for 2021 is balanced , but not all city council members supported the addition of two new city staff positions that will focus on environmentally friendly practices and promoting and protecting human and civil rights .
The new staff positions are in response to areas of need identified both by existing staff and in a survey of residents .
But three council members -- Terry Gavin , Rose Martinez and Toby Shaw -- said an already struggling local economy combined with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic is not the time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting Wednesday , they also highlighted the need for pay cuts and furloughs for the majority of city staff to balance out both the 2020 and 2021 budget .
`` Many of our citizens are hurting as well as small businesses , '' Gavin said .
`` I was hoping for more compromise during these historic times . ''
Gavin and Shaw , who tend to be more conservative in their viewpoints , frequently clash with the more liberal majority of the board .
But annual budgets are not a typical source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he agreed with more than 95 % of what the budget calls for , except for the new positions .
Martinez , while citing increased division on the city council , said her concerns directly relate to `` a pandemic that may get worse and more complicated . ''
`` I hope to God I 'm wrong , and we 'll be fine next year at this time , '' Martinez said .
Council member Cory Dixon supported the budget and the new positions because he said 2020 was not just about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about social unrest , social justice , the Black Lives Matter movement , the country 's recognition that all things are not equal for all people , '' Dixon said .
`` With us creating these positions , those are great steps in the right direction .
Everything we do we should be striving for equality . ''
The Elgin in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter group sent in a petition with more than 140 signatures calling on the city council to not approve a $ 3 million budget increase for the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about over-policing fueling systemic racism and inequality .
In the end , the city council deleted the addition of a new police officer to trim the department 's budget .
The bulk of the added money for the department now is to pre-fund pensions for current and future department retirees , not to bolster operations .

Elgin council splits over new budget, spending on new hires
Elgin's newly approved $266 million budget for 2021 is balanced, but not all city council members supported the addition of two new city staff positions that will focus on environmentally friendly practices and promoting and protecting human and civil rights.
The new staff positions are in response to areas of need identified both by existing staff and in a survey of residents. But three council members -- Terry Gavin, Rose Martinez and Toby Shaw -- said an already struggling local economy combined with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic is not the time to add new positions. At the council meeting Wednesday, they also highlighted the need for pay cuts and furloughs for the majority of city staff to balance out both the 2020 and 2021 budget.
"Many of our citizens are hurting as well as small businesses," Gavin said. "I was hoping for more compromise during these historic times."
Gavin and Shaw, who tend to be more conservative in their viewpoints, frequently clash with the more liberal majority of the board. But annual budgets are not a typical source of contention. To that point, Shaw said he agreed with more than 95% of what the budget calls for, except for the new positions.
Martinez, while citing increased division on the city council, said her concerns directly relate to "a pandemic that may get worse and more complicated."
"I hope to God I'm wrong, and we'll be fine next year at this time," Martinez said.
Council member Cory Dixon supported the budget and the new positions because he said 2020 was not just about the pandemic.
"It was also about social unrest, social justice, the Black Lives Matter movement, the country's recognition that all things are not equal for all people," Dixon said. "With us creating these positions, those are great steps in the right direction. Everything we do we should be striving for equality."
The Elgin in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter group sent in a petition with more than 140 signatures calling on the city council to not approve a $3 million budget increase for the police department. The group has cited concerns about over-policing fueling systemic racism and inequality.
In the end, the city council deleted the addition of a new police officer to trim the department's budget. The bulk of the added money for the department now is to pre-fund pensions for current and future department retirees, not to bolster operations.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--U.S. cybersecurity agency warns of 'grave' threat from hack

WASHINGTON -- Federal authorities expressed increased alarm Thursday about an intrusion into U.S. and other computer systems around the globe that officials suspect was carried out by Russian hackers .
The nation 's cybersecurity agency warned of a `` grave '' risk to government and private networks .
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in its most detailed comments yet that the intrusion had compromised federal agencies as well as `` critical infrastructure '' in a sophisticated attack that was hard to detect and will be difficult to undo .
CISA did not say which agencies or infrastructure had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attack that it previously said appeared to have begun in March .
`` This threat actor has demonstrated sophistication and complex tradecraft in these intrusions , '' the agency said in its unusual alert .
`` CISA expects that removing the threat actor from compromised environments will be highly complex and challenging . ''
The hack , if authorities can indeed prove it was carried out by a nation such as Russia as experts believe , creates a fresh foreign policy problem for President Donald Trump in his final days in office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized for eliminating a White House cybersecurity adviser and downplaying Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election , has made no public statements about the breach .
President-elect Joe Biden said he would make cybersecurity a top priority of his administration , but that stronger defenses are not enough .
`` We need to disrupt and deter our adversaries from undertaking significant cyberattacks in the first place , '' he said .
`` We will do that by , among other things , imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and partners . ''
The cybersecurity agency previously said the perpetrators had used network management software from Texas-based SolarWinds t o infiltrate computer networks .
Its new alert said the attackers may have used other methods , as well .
Over the weekend , amid reports that the Treasury and Commerce departments were breached , CISA directed all civilian agencies of the federal government to remove SolarWinds from their servers .
The cybersecurity agencies of Britain and Ireland issued similar alerts .
A U.S. official previously told The Associated Press that Russia-based hackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI has publicly said who is believed be responsible .
Asked whether Russia was behind the attack , the official said : `` We believe so .
We have n't said that publicly yet because it is n't 100 % confirmed . ''
Another U.S. official , speaking Thursday on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that is under investigation , said the hack was severe and extremely damaging although the administration was not yet ready to publicly blame anyone for it .
`` This is looking like it 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , '' the official said .
`` They got into everything . ''
The official said the administration is working on the assumption that most , if not all , government agencies were compromised but the extent of the damage was not yet known .
CISA officials did not respond to questions and so it was unclear what it meant by a `` grave threat '' or by critical infrastructure .
The Department of Homeland Security , its parent agency , defines such infrastructure as any `` vital '' assets to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ category that could include power plants and financial institutions .
Among the business sectors scrambling to protect their systems and assess potential theft of information are defense contractors , technology companies and providers of telecommunications and the electric grid .
A group led by CEOs in the electric power industry said it held a `` situational awareness call '' earlier this week to help electric companies and public power utilities identify whether the compromise posed a threat to their networks .
And dozens of smaller institutions that seemed to have little data of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond to the hack .
The Helix Water District , which provides drinking water to the suburbs of San Diego , California , said it provided a patch to its SolarWinds software after it got an advisory the IT company sent out about the hack to about 33,000 customers Sunday .
`` While we do utilize SolarWinds , we are not aware of any district impacts from the security breach , '' said Michelle Curtis , a spokesperson for the water district .
With contributions from Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rhode Island .

U.S. cybersecurity agency warns of 'grave' threat from hack
Hackers got into computers at the U.S. Treasury Department and possibly other federal agencies, touching off a government response involving the National Security Council. Security Council spokesperson John Ullyot said Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 that the government is aware of reports about the hacks. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Federal authorities expressed increased alarm Thursday about an intrusion into U.S. and other computer systems around the globe that officials suspect was carried out by Russian hackers. The nation's cybersecurity agency warned of a "grave" risk to government and private networks.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in its most detailed comments yet that the intrusion had compromised federal agencies as well as "critical infrastructure" in a sophisticated attack that was hard to detect and will be difficult to undo.
CISA did not say which agencies or infrastructure had been breached or what information taken in an attack that it previously said appeared to have begun in March.
"This threat actor has demonstrated sophistication and complex tradecraft in these intrusions," the agency said in its unusual alert. "CISA expects that removing the threat actor from compromised environments will be highly complex and challenging."
The hack, if authorities can indeed prove it was carried out by a nation such as Russia as experts believe, creates a fresh foreign policy problem for President Donald Trump in his final days in office.
Trump, whose administration has been criticized for eliminating a White House cybersecurity adviser and downplaying Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, has made no public statements about the breach.
President-elect Joe Biden said he would make cybersecurity a top priority of his administration, but that stronger defenses are not enough.
"We need to disrupt and deter our adversaries from undertaking significant cyberattacks in the first place," he said. "We will do that by, among other things, imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks, including in coordination with our allies and partners."
The cybersecurity agency previously said the perpetrators had used network management software from Texas-based SolarWinds t o infiltrate computer networks. Its new alert said the attackers may have used other methods, as well.
Over the weekend, amid reports that the Treasury and Commerce departments were breached, CISA directed all civilian agencies of the federal government to remove SolarWinds from their servers. The cybersecurity agencies of Britain and Ireland issued similar alerts.
A U.S. official previously told The Associated Press that Russia-based hackers were suspected, but neither CISA nor the FBI has publicly said who is believed be responsible. Asked whether Russia was behind the attack, the official said: "We believe so. We haven't said that publicly yet because it isn't 100% confirmed."
Another U.S. official, speaking Thursday on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that is under investigation, said the hack was severe and extremely damaging although the administration was not yet ready to publicly blame anyone for it.
"This is looking like it's the worst hacking case in the history of America," the official said. "They got into everything."
The official said the administration is working on the assumption that most, if not all, government agencies were compromised but the extent of the damage was not yet known.
CISA officials did not respond to questions and so it was unclear what it meant by a "grave threat" or by critical infrastructure. The Department of Homeland Security, its parent agency, defines such infrastructure as any "vital" assets to the U.S. or its economy, a broad category that could include power plants and financial institutions.
Among the business sectors scrambling to protect their systems and assess potential theft of information are defense contractors, technology companies and providers of telecommunications and the electric grid.
A group led by CEOs in the electric power industry said it held a "situational awareness call" earlier this week to help electric companies and public power utilities identify whether the compromise posed a threat to their networks.
And dozens of smaller institutions that seemed to have little data of interest to foreign spies were nonetheless forced to respond to the hack.
The Helix Water District, which provides drinking water to the suburbs of San Diego, California, said it provided a patch to its SolarWinds software after it got an advisory the IT company sent out about the hack to about 33,000 customers Sunday.
"While we do utilize SolarWinds, we are not aware of any district impacts from the security breach," said Michelle Curtis, a spokesperson for the water district.
With contributions from Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Matt O'Brien in Providence, Rhode Island.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Naperville panel supports CityGate West concept without one hotel

Plans for the proposed $ 200 million CityGate West campus are moving forward with support from a Naperville panel , with the exception of one key component : a hotel that city officials say can not be defined as full-service .
The concept of developing a mixed-use , art-inspired destination at the town 's northwest gateway was met with praise from many planning and zoning commissioners Wednesday during an extended public hearing .
The petitioner 's application for the site at the Interstate 88 and Route 59 interchange was unanimously approved , sending the rezoning request , preliminary development plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variances to the city council .
But commissioners ' backing of the project is subject to 16 conditions , which they recommend be tied to ordinances related to CityGate West .
The parameters range from land use restrictions to the requirement of a more detailed phasing plan for the entire property before final approvals are granted for any particular piece .
`` There are some significant entitlements that are being requested ( for ) multiple components of this project .
That 's , I think , the beauty of it , '' Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're all in agreement that it 's going to be exciting when we see this whole thing completed , '' Hanson said .
`` The conditions are essential for the city to continue to work closely with the petitioner as this moves forward . ''
The panel also echoed staff members ' concerns that one of two proposed hotels does not meet Naperville 's qualifications for a full-service facility .
Representing the CityGate West team , attorney Michael Roth said the city 's requirements related to building size , an on-site restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other nearby uses -- particularly the existing Topgolf and WhirlyBall game centers that he says are central to the project .
But those businesses operate independently and are not included in the legal description of the CityGate West campus , Senior Assistant City Assistant Patricia Lord said .
The proposed hotel is no different from those without a banquet facility that have `` routinely been rejected '' over the last 17 years , she said .
`` It is a limited-service hotel , '' Lord said .
`` The fact that there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area does not make it comply with the code by virtue of them being in the vicinity . ''
The panel voted 8-1 to deny the use .
Commissioner Krishna Bansal cast the lone `` yes '' vote , saying he sees both sides of the argument .
A second hotel planned for the site 's southwest corner satisfies the intent of the code , staff members said , because of the simultaneous construction and operation of attached event spaces , including a 7,200-square-foot banquet hall .
An enclosed corridor also will connect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World , slated to be repurposed into a mixed-use entertainment venue with a restaurant , wine bar , retail and private meeting rooms , development plans show .
Other components of CityGate West include several restaurant and retail sites , a medical office building , 19 acres of open space , and two mixed-use apartment buildings with 410 total units and ground-level commercial space .
As requested by the commission at a previous meeting , project leaders on Wednesday offered more details related to plans for the shuttered Odyssey Fun World , reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the potential phasing of the project , which they said is largely dependent on the market .
The goal is to have the entire development completed within nine years , Roth said , pointing to assurances committing the team to that timeline .
Certain pieces would be constructed together , officials said , but exactly when and in what order each section gets built is unknown .
`` COVID has put an interesting kibosh on the market , '' said project representative Geoff Roehll of Hitchcock Design Group .
`` We do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover , so we 're asking for flexibility on the sequencing . ''

Naperville panel supports CityGate West concept without one hotel
Most components of a proposed $200 million mixed-use destination in northwest Naperville are moving forward with support from the planning and zoning commission. The CityGate West project includes retail, residential, entertainment, hospitality and office uses. Courtesy of CityGate West
One hotel proposed as part of the CityGate West project in Naperville is connected to a mixed-use entertainment venue and a banquet hall, qualifying it as a full-service facility, city officials said. Courtesy of CityGate West
Plans for the proposed $200 million CityGate West campus are moving forward with support from a Naperville panel, with the exception of one key component: a hotel that city officials say cannot be defined as full-service.
The concept of developing a mixed-use, art-inspired destination at the town's northwest gateway was met with praise from many planning and zoning commissioners Wednesday during an extended public hearing. The petitioner's application for the site at the Interstate 88 and Route 59 interchange was unanimously approved, sending the rezoning request, preliminary development plans and a slew of conditional uses and variances to the city council.
But commissioners' backing of the project is subject to 16 conditions, which they recommend be tied to ordinances related to CityGate West. The parameters range from land use restrictions to the requirement of a more detailed phasing plan for the entire property before final approvals are granted for any particular piece.
"There are some significant entitlements that are being requested (for) multiple components of this project. That's, I think, the beauty of it," Chairman Bruce Hanson said.
"I think we're all in agreement that it's going to be exciting when we see this whole thing completed," Hanson said. "The conditions are essential for the city to continue to work closely with the petitioner as this moves forward."
The panel also echoed staff members' concerns that one of two proposed hotels does not meet Naperville's qualifications for a full-service facility.
Representing the CityGate West team, attorney Michael Roth said the city's requirements related to building size, an on-site restaurant and a banquet facility are accommodated by other nearby uses -- particularly the existing Topgolf and WhirlyBall game centers that he says are central to the project.
But those businesses operate independently and are not included in the legal description of the CityGate West campus, Senior Assistant City Assistant Patricia Lord said. The proposed hotel is no different from those without a banquet facility that have "routinely been rejected" over the last 17 years, she said.
"It is a limited-service hotel," Lord said. "The fact that there are adjacent restaurants or banquet facilities in the area does not make it comply with the code by virtue of them being in the vicinity."
The panel voted 8-1 to deny the use. Commissioner Krishna Bansal cast the lone "yes" vote, saying he sees both sides of the argument.
A second hotel planned for the site's southwest corner satisfies the intent of the code, staff members said, because of the simultaneous construction and operation of attached event spaces, including a 7,200-square-foot banquet hall.
An enclosed corridor also will connect the hotel to the former Odyssey Fun World, slated to be repurposed into a mixed-use entertainment venue with a restaurant, wine bar, retail and private meeting rooms, development plans show.
Other components of CityGate West include several restaurant and retail sites, a medical office building, 19 acres of open space, and two mixed-use apartment buildings with 410 total units and ground-level commercial space.
As requested by the commission at a previous meeting, project leaders on Wednesday offered more details related to plans for the shuttered Odyssey Fun World, reduced building heights, revised residential density figures and the potential phasing of the project, which they said is largely dependent on the market.
The goal is to have the entire development completed within nine years, Roth said, pointing to assurances committing the team to that timeline. Certain pieces would be constructed together, officials said, but exactly when and in what order each section gets built is unknown.
"COVID has put an interesting kibosh on the market," said project representative Geoff Roehll of Hitchcock Design Group. "We don't know how it's going to recover, so we're asking for flexibility on the sequencing."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Radtke: IHSA's Anderson says no date set for meeting with state officials

Take this past Monday for example .
Shortly after the Illinois High School Association 's board of directors meeting , the IHSA sent a news release with this statement : `` The board plans to meet with representatives from IDPH and the Governor 's office prior to January to develop a timeline for the resumption of winter sports . ''
Boom went social media .
`` IHSA to meet with state officials about resuming winter sports , '' was the general gist of the headlines .
The intention here is not to be a Debbie Downer , but to clarify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IHSA executive director Craig Anderson Thursday morning was this : Do you have a date set to meet with state officials ?
`` We do not , '' Anderson said .
`` It is our hope to meet ... we 've been told someone is trying to set it up ... but there 's no date yet . ''
And the clock goes tick tock .
Let 's review the current IHSA calendar .
It says winter sports , which have yet to even start , are to conclude Feb. 13 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football , boys soccer and girls volleyball , is to commence on Feb. 15 .
It 's going to be tough to keep that timeline , especially as there have been no changes to the state 's current COVID mitigations .
And Anderson agrees .
`` Frankly it 's quite likely there will have to be some season modifications , '' he said .
`` A season needs to be more than four weeks .
`` In my opinion these answers will be a result as to what the state will permit as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way things are now concerning low , medium and high-risk sports , basketball ( a high-risk sport ) is going to be a challenge . ''
So far , the state agencies have given no indication as to when anything will change .
If you look at how things have evolved since the pandemic hit in March -- and I sure hope I 'm wrong here -- there 's a slim-to-none chance things will change over the next 30 days .
While the metrics did n't suffer a huge spike after Thanksgiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we approach the holiday season over the next 2-3 weeks , especially as COVID-related deaths continue to escalate .
That does n't mean Anderson and the IHSA are giving up .
`` I continue to want to be able to engage a conversation ( with state officials ) , '' Anderson said .
`` I understand they 're very busy with regards to the vaccine , but it 's clear that as far as sports are concerned everything is still up in the air . ''
Which lends to continued frustration for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it time to think about moving basketball to spring -- as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has said it should be ?
Is it time to think about extending the 2020-21 sports calendar beyond its current June 26 end ?
`` Getting into July could conflict with our next school term , '' Anderson said .
`` There 's really nothing we can do until we know more from the state , `` Anderson said .
`` It 's frustrating for everyone .
People want answers -- we want answers -- but we just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The days weigh heavy right now for so many of us . ''
And the clock goes tick tock .

Radtke: IHSA's Anderson says no date set for meeting with state officials
Social media headlines can, oft times, be misleading.
Take this past Monday for example.
Shortly after the Illinois High School Association's board of directors meeting, the IHSA sent a news release with this statement: "The board plans to meet with representatives from IDPH and the Governor's office prior to January to develop a timeline for the resumption of winter sports."
Boom went social media. "IHSA to meet with state officials about resuming winter sports," was the general gist of the headlines.
Not so fast, kids.
The intention here is not to be a Debbie Downer, but to clarify that IHSA statement.
The question to IHSA executive director Craig Anderson Thursday morning was this: Do you have a date set to meet with state officials?
"We do not," Anderson said. "It is our hope to meet ... we've been told someone is trying to set it up ... but there's no date yet."
And the clock goes tick tock.
Let's review the current IHSA calendar. It says winter sports, which have yet to even start, are to conclude Feb. 13, and the spring season, which now includes football, boys soccer and girls volleyball, is to commence on Feb. 15.
It's going to be tough to keep that timeline, especially as there have been no changes to the state's current COVID mitigations. And Anderson agrees.
"Frankly it's quite likely there will have to be some season modifications," he said. "A season needs to be more than four weeks.
"In my opinion these answers will be a result as to what the state will permit as to our return to sports. With the way things are now concerning low, medium and high-risk sports, basketball (a high-risk sport) is going to be a challenge."
So far, the state agencies have given no indication as to when anything will change. If you look at how things have evolved since the pandemic hit in March -- and I sure hope I'm wrong here -- there's a slim-to-none chance things will change over the next 30 days. While the metrics didn't suffer a huge spike after Thanksgiving, caution is heavy in the air as we approach the holiday season over the next 2-3 weeks, especially as COVID-related deaths continue to escalate.
That doesn't mean Anderson and the IHSA are giving up.
"I continue to want to be able to engage a conversation (with state officials)," Anderson said. "I understand they're very busy with regards to the vaccine, but it's clear that as far as sports are concerned everything is still up in the air."
Which lends to continued frustration for Anderson, among many others.
Is it time to think about moving basketball to spring -- as Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said it should be? Is it time to think about extending the 2020-21 sports calendar beyond its current June 26 end?
"Getting into July could conflict with our next school term," Anderson said. "There's really nothing we can do until we know more from the state, "Anderson said. "It's frustrating for everyone. People want answers -- we want answers -- but we just don't have any right now.
"The days weigh heavy right now for so many of us."
And the clock goes tick tock.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Casstevens talks about police reforms, meeting with Barr

Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Casstevens ' year as president of the International Association of Police Chiefs formally ended this fall , but his opportunities to rub elbows with the nation 's top leaders in the halls of American power are n't done yet .
That included a trip last weekend to Washington , D.C. , where he attended a Christmas party at the White House .
And on his way out of town , he met Monday with Attorney General William Barr -- shortly before it was announced that Barr had tendered his resignation -- and gave him a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice '' bourbon .
We checked in with Casstevens on Thursday to ask him about the visit .
After that is part two of our earlier Q & A with the chief about his experiences guiding the world 's largest association of law enforcement leaders .
Part one is here .
Q : You met with Attorney General Barr on the day his resignation was announced .
Did that ever come up in your discussions or was it business as usual ?
A : No , it did n't come up .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while , so it was n't really a business meeting or a policy discussion meeting for the two of us .
This was just a one-on-one , personal meeting , just kind of telling him thanks for all he 's done working with IACP during my presidency .
And I dropped off a Christmas gift to him , as you probably saw , and that was it .
Q : We talked about some of the criticisms of law enforcement raised this year that you do n't agree with .
What critiques came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair or valid ?
A : I was one of the first ones that came out with a statement after the George Floyd incident .
That clearly should have never happened .
That was reprehensible , and any police officer who thought that that was n't a problem should n't be a police officer .
The fact is that there are 850,000 or so police officers across the U.S. People forget that they all come from the same human race as every other professional .
Just because a human puts on a police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad person .
And that 's the thing I struggle with that there are people out there that despise the law enforcement profession as a whole .
I 'll be the first to tell you -- and every police chief and every police officer will be the first to tell you -- the person who hates a bad cop more than anybody is a good cop .
And nobody wants a bad cop working with them .
And so , do we have police officers in our profession who maybe should n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as any other profession , by the way .
Our profession is just more in the spotlight and under scrutiny than any other profession on the planet .
Q : What initiatives has the IACP launched in the last year to address the issues raised ?
A : When the conversations came out about neck restraints and chokeholds and things like that , the IACP had already published a consensus use of force policy .
And the reason it was called a consensus use of force policy is because we came to consensus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fraternal Order of Police , the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and numerous other law enforcement-related entities .
We all agreed on a model and use-of-force policy .
And one of the things in that policy was chokeholds of any kind are absolutely prohibited , unless it 's a life-or-death situation for an officer , where deadly force would otherwise be authorized .
And so we came out with that consensus use-of-force policy that prohibited chokeholds , and we put that out to all of our membership .
Q : You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we spoke about before you became IACP president , and that was your goal of making efforts to reduce officer suicides a priority for your presidency .
Were you able to address that ?
A : We were able to address all three of my priorities , but certainly not to the level that I wanted to .
We got a grant from the Department of Justice and we were able to put together a national consortium on preventing law enforcement suicide .
It was a group of about 40 multidisciplinary experts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in suicide prevention .
We led that conversation with this group , and then let them break out into different focus groups to determine how we should address this issue and ( provide ) tools and resources to assist police leaders and officers and their families .
Toward the end of my presidency , that group finally came together and published a paper , which is on the IACP website , on the tools to address police officer suicides .
I 'm hoping that law enforcement leaders will use this and then we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come down , because they 've been rising every year for the past six years Q : In recent years there 's been a shortage of new police recruits .
Has 2020 made it even worse ?
A : Yeah , it has been worse .
There 's no shortage of news stories of massive retirements from departments like New York and ( Los Angeles ) and Seattle .
There are a percentage of officers that feel like they 're not being supported by their community , and they 've made a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profession .
It is tough to recruit officers , because of everything that you see in the media , and so many vocal people with such vitriol against the law enforcement professionals .
There are a lot of people who are second-guessing and going in different directions , but at the same time , I believe that this is probably one of the best times to become a cop , because you can get into a profession that is clearly changing right now and you can be part of that change .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get out to people .
But still , we 're looking at recruitment numbers across the country that are 30 % , 40 % of what we used to see .
Q : Now that your term is over , what are you doing with all your spare time ?
A : ( Laughs ) I still have a great police department to run here .
I 'm very blessed to be working for the agency that I am .
I get such great support from our elected officials and from my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dane Bragg .
I have such a great crew here , the supervisors and the officers on the Buffalo Grove Police Department .
It 's such a joy working here .
Santa Claus supervises DuPage County Sheriff 's Lt. Mark Garcia , left , and Sheriff James Mendrick as they wrap a present to be given to the child of a DuPage County jail inmate .
JUST in time for Christmas Employees and volunteers with JUST of DuPage turned a lump of coal -- the inability to have a holiday party this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DuPage County jail inmates .
They took the money they would have spent on a party and Secret Santa gifts and spent it on presents to give to 51 children enrolled in the jail 's Story Book Program .
The story program is a once-a-month program where parents detained in the jail record themselves reading a story or a chapter of a longer book .
The recording is then sent to their child or children .
JUST provides educational , spiritual , vocational and addiction-recovery programs at the jail .
• Got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Casstevens talks about police reforms, meeting with Barr
Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Casstevens wrapped up his year as president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police this fall, but he's continuing to serve the organization as immediate past president. Courtesy of International Association of Chiefs of Police
Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Casstevens met Monday with Attorney General William Barr, the same day Barr's resignation was announced by President Donald Trump. Casstevens said Barr's future didn't come up when they got together. Courtesy of Steve Casstevens
By Charles Keeshan and Susan Sarkauskas
copsandcrime@dailyherald.com
Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Casstevens' year as president of the International Association of Police Chiefs formally ended this fall, but his opportunities to rub elbows with the nation's top leaders in the halls of American power aren't done yet.
That included a trip last weekend to Washington, D.C., where he attended a Christmas party at the White House. And on his way out of town, he met Monday with Attorney General William Barr -- shortly before it was announced that Barr had tendered his resignation -- and gave him a handful of cigars and bottle of "Justice" bourbon.
We checked in with Casstevens on Thursday to ask him about the visit. After that is part two of our earlier Q&A with the chief about his experiences guiding the world's largest association of law enforcement leaders.
Part one is here.
Q: You met with Attorney General Barr on the day his resignation was announced. Did that ever come up in your discussions or was it business as usual?
A: No, it didn't come up. We've known each other for a little while, so it wasn't really a business meeting or a policy discussion meeting for the two of us. This was just a one-on-one, personal meeting, just kind of telling him thanks for all he's done working with IACP during my presidency. And I dropped off a Christmas gift to him, as you probably saw, and that was it.
Q: We talked about some of the criticisms of law enforcement raised this year that you don't agree with. What critiques came up this year that you believe were fair or valid?
A: I was one of the first ones that came out with a statement after the George Floyd incident. That clearly should have never happened. That was reprehensible, and any police officer who thought that that wasn't a problem shouldn't be a police officer. The fact is that there are 850,000 or so police officers across the U.S. People forget that they all come from the same human race as every other professional. Just because a human puts on a police uniform doesn't make them instantly a bad person. And that's the thing I struggle with that there are people out there that despise the law enforcement profession as a whole. I'll be the first to tell you -- and every police chief and every police officer will be the first to tell you -- the person who hates a bad cop more than anybody is a good cop. And nobody wants a bad cop working with them. And so, do we have police officers in our profession who maybe shouldn't be in our profession? Absolutely, same as any other profession, by the way. Our profession is just more in the spotlight and under scrutiny than any other profession on the planet.
Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Casstevens reached the pinnacle of any law enforcement leader's career last fall when he was sworn in as president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. - Courtesy of International Association of Chiefs of Police
Q: What initiatives has the IACP launched in the last year to address the issues raised?
A: When the conversations came out about neck restraints and chokeholds and things like that, the IACP had already published a consensus use of force policy. And the reason it was called a consensus use of force policy is because we came to consensus with 10 other entities, including the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and numerous other law enforcement-related entities. We all agreed on a model and use-of-force policy. And one of the things in that policy was chokeholds of any kind are absolutely prohibited, unless it's a life-or-death situation for an officer, where deadly force would otherwise be authorized. And so we came out with that consensus use-of-force policy that prohibited chokeholds, and we put that out to all of our membership.
Q: You referenced this earlier and it's something we spoke about before you became IACP president, and that was your goal of making efforts to reduce officer suicides a priority for your presidency. Were you able to address that?
A: We were able to address all three of my priorities, but certainly not to the level that I wanted to. We got a grant from the Department of Justice and we were able to put together a national consortium on preventing law enforcement suicide. It was a group of about 40 multidisciplinary experts in law enforcement, in mental health and in suicide prevention. We led that conversation with this group, and then let them break out into different focus groups to determine how we should address this issue and (provide) tools and resources to assist police leaders and officers and their families. Toward the end of my presidency, that group finally came together and published a paper, which is on the IACP website, on the tools to address police officer suicides. I'm hoping that law enforcement leaders will use this and then we'll be able to see those numbers come down, because they've been rising every year for the past six years
Q: In recent years there's been a shortage of new police recruits. Has 2020 made it even worse?
A: Yeah, it has been worse. There's no shortage of news stories of massive retirements from departments like New York and (Los Angeles) and Seattle. There are a percentage of officers that feel like they're not being supported by their community, and they've made a decision to move on and go to another profession. It is tough to recruit officers, because of everything that you see in the media, and so many vocal people with such vitriol against the law enforcement professionals. There are a lot of people who are second-guessing and going in different directions, but at the same time, I believe that this is probably one of the best times to become a cop, because you can get into a profession that is clearly changing right now and you can be part of that change. So that's the message that I try to get out to people. But still, we're looking at recruitment numbers across the country that are 30%, 40% of what we used to see.
Q: Now that your term is over, what are you doing with all your spare time?
A: (Laughs) I still have a great police department to run here. I'm very blessed to be working for the agency that I am. I get such great support from our elected officials and from my boss (Buffalo Grove Village Manager) Dane Bragg. I have such a great crew here, the supervisors and the officers on the Buffalo Grove Police Department. It's such a joy working here.
Santa Claus supervises DuPage County Sheriff's Lt. Mark Garcia, left, and Sheriff James Mendrick as they wrap a present to be given to the child of a DuPage County jail inmate. - Courtesy of the DuPage County Sheriff's Office
Employees and volunteers with JUST of DuPage turned a lump of coal -- the inability to have a holiday party this year -- into a blessing for children of DuPage County jail inmates.
They took the money they would have spent on a party and Secret Santa gifts and spent it on presents to give to 51 children enrolled in the jail's Story Book Program. The story program is a once-a-month program where parents detained in the jail record themselves reading a story or a chapter of a longer book. The recording is then sent to their child or children.
Workers and volunteers wrapped the presents Tuesday.
JUST provides educational, spiritual, vocational and addiction-recovery programs at the jail.
• Got a question, comment or a tip? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--A holiday hat trick: Elk Grove man is 3-time winner of Daily Herald lights contest

Richy Sandberg added a socially conscious element to his already spectacular display to win the Daily Herald holiday lights contest for the third year in a row .
`` This year , I lit up the middle arch green on the light tunnels to show support for health care professionals , '' Sandberg said of his exhibit at 391 Walnut Lane in Elk Grove Village .
Seven-foot lengths of green ribbon were sent to every household in the village during the summer to be tied around trees in support of those on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by wrapping the green mini-lights on the most prominent piece in his display .
The PVC-pipe arches create an inviting tunnel on the sidewalk where many viewers gather to take in the busy front yard that has at least 200 lighted , plastic blow mold characters covering every inch .
`` One of the things that I always saw , that I was always fascinated with as a child were the blow molds , '' he said of his obsession with the traditional , cartoonish figures smiling from his lawn .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer-generated shows when I was a kid .
They are very timeless , and you ca n't think of Christmas without thinking of blow molds . ''
The usual centerpiece of his winning display is a 34-piece choir of the molded plastic figures singing `` Somewhere In My Memory '' from the `` Home Alone '' movie soundtrack .
Visitors can tune their car radios to 106.1-FM to hear the music synced to the dancing lights .
At least 20,000 lights outline the house and cover the roof , while dozens of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers , Disney characters , gingerbread men and other traditional Christmas fare entice passing drivers slow or stop for a few moments to see it all .
Sandberg admits his friends , family and co-workers may have influenced the vote .
One co-worker told him she was voting for him every hour on the Daily Herald contest website .
But he stands by his audacious display .
`` I always said when I was a kid that I wanted to do this when I grew up and had my own house , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner , Sandberg will receive a $ 750 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $ 20 gift certificate from Ala Carte Entertainment , which owns a number of restaurants throughout the area including Moretti 's .

A holiday hat trick: Elk Grove man is 3-time winner of Daily Herald lights contest
Richy Sandberg added a socially conscious element to his already spectacular display to win the Daily Herald holiday lights contest for the third year in a row.
"This year, I lit up the middle arch green on the light tunnels to show support for health care professionals," Sandberg said of his exhibit at 391 Walnut Lane in Elk Grove Village.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Richy Sandberg's display at 391 Walnut Lane in Elk Grove Village is the grand prize winner of the Daily Herald holiday lights contest for the third consecutive year. Sandberg added green lights to his sidewalk tunnel in honor a health care workers, an Elk Grove Village movement this summer.
Seven-foot lengths of green ribbon were sent to every household in the village during the summer to be tied around trees in support of those on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle. Sandberg incorporated that idea into his presentation by wrapping the green mini-lights on the most prominent piece in his display.
The PVC-pipe arches create an inviting tunnel on the sidewalk where many viewers gather to take in the busy front yard that has at least 200 lighted, plastic blow mold characters covering every inch.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Richy Sandberg's contest-winning display at 391 Walnut Lane in Elk Grove Village has more than 200 plastic blow mold figures in his yard -- most are decades old.
"One of the things that I always saw, that I was always fascinated with as a child were the blow molds," he said of his obsession with the traditional, cartoonish figures smiling from his lawn. "There weren't any light shows or special computer-generated shows when I was a kid. They are very timeless, and you can't think of Christmas without thinking of blow molds."
The usual centerpiece of his winning display is a 34-piece choir of the molded plastic figures singing "Somewhere In My Memory" from the "Home Alone" movie soundtrack. Visitors can tune their car radios to 106.1-FM to hear the music synced to the dancing lights.
At least 20,000 lights outline the house and cover the roof, while dozens of other plastic figures of candy canes, toy soldiers, Disney characters, gingerbread men and other traditional Christmas fare entice passing drivers slow or stop for a few moments to see it all.
Sandberg admits his friends, family and co-workers may have influenced the vote. One co-worker told him she was voting for him every hour on the Daily Herald contest website. But he stands by his audacious display.
"I always said when I was a kid that I wanted to do this when I grew up and had my own house," he explained.
As the grand prize winner, Sandberg will receive a $750 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $20 gift certificate from Ala Carte Entertainment, which owns a number of restaurants throughout the area including Moretti's.
The Daily Herald also chooses four Editor's Choice winners, one each from DuPage County, the Fox Valley, Lake County and the Northwest suburbs. Editor's Choice winners receive a $25 Treetime Christmas Creations gift card and a $10 Ala Carte Entertainment gift certificate.
Check out their displays:
Holiday Lights Contest Editor's Choice Winner: Northwest suburbs: Ray Aviles, 3708 Rywick Drive in Rolling Meadows
Holiday Lights Contest Editor's Choice Winner: DuPage County: Rudy Vanderbiest, 1214 Easton Drive in Carol Stream
Holiday Lights Contest Editor's Choice Winner: Fox Valley: Michael Ash, 7438 Grandview Court in Carpentersville
Holiday Lights Contest Editor's Choice Winner: Lake County: Brett Safron, 11 Copperwood Drive in Buffalo Grove


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Why Deer Park's sales tax rate could increase again

Deer Park voters will decide whether to increase the village 's sales tax rate for the second time in three years .
Prompted by revenue losses triggered by the COVID-19 crisis , the village board on Thursday voted to put a proposal on the April 2021 ballot that would , if approved , increase the town 's portion of sales tax by half a percentage point and keep it at that level for three years .
That would result in an additional 50 cents of tax for every $ 100 spent .
After the third year , the rate would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park 's overall sales tax rate is 7.5 % .
If voters approve the plan , the rate would be 8 % for three years .
The increase could net Deer Park an extra $ 700,000 annually , Village Administrator Beth McAndrews said .
Deer Park voters last approved a sales tax rate increase in 2018 .
Starting that July , Deer Park 's portion of the sales tax rate increased a quarter percentage point , or an extra 25 cents for every $ 100 spent .
The extra cash was supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other infrastructure projects .
Deer Park collected more than $ 2,65 million in total sales tax during the 2019 fiscal year , which ended April 30 , 2019 , McAndrews said .
The total dropped to about $ 2.58 million in the 2020 fiscal year , which included the first two months of this year 's COVID-19 crisis and saw many retail businesses temporarily close , reduce in-person service or both .
The sales tax haul for the current fiscal year , which began May 1 , is expected to drop to about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , McAndrews said .
If voters approve the plan , the revenue from the tax increase will help make up for tax revenue lost during the pandemic , McAndrews said .
In addition to sales tax cash , the village 's revenue from hotel and entertainment taxes also has been affected by the health crisis , she said .
Entertainment tax revenue especially is down , Treasurer David Littwin said during Thursday 's meeting .
`` It 's literally on life support , '' he said .
If voters reject the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid running a deficit , Littwin said .
The board approved the plan with a 5-2 vote .
Trustees Michael Mann and Jodie Johnson voted against it .
`` I do n't think the voters are going to go for this , '' Johnson said .

Why Deer Park's sales tax rate could increase again
Retail activity has been down this year at the Deer Park Town Center and elsewhere in the village because of the coronavirus pandemic, and that's meant less sales tax revenue than usual. Daily Herald File Photo
Deer Park voters will decide whether to increase the village's sales tax rate for the second time in three years.
Prompted by revenue losses triggered by the COVID-19 crisis, the village board on Thursday voted to put a proposal on the April 2021 ballot that would, if approved, increase the town's portion of sales tax by half a percentage point and keep it at that level for three years. That would result in an additional 50 cents of tax for every $100 spent.
After the third year, the rate would return to its current level.
Deer Park's overall sales tax rate is 7.5%. If voters approve the plan, the rate would be 8% for three years.
The increase could net Deer Park an extra $700,000 annually, Village Administrator Beth McAndrews said.
Deer Park voters last approved a sales tax rate increase in 2018. Starting that July, Deer Park's portion of the sales tax rate increased a quarter percentage point, or an extra 25 cents for every $100 spent.
The extra cash was supposed to help pay for stormwater drainage improvements and other infrastructure projects.
Deer Park collected more than $2,65 million in total sales tax during the 2019 fiscal year, which ended April 30, 2019, McAndrews said.
The total dropped to about $2.58 million in the 2020 fiscal year, which included the first two months of this year's COVID-19 crisis and saw many retail businesses temporarily close, reduce in-person service or both.
The sales tax haul for the current fiscal year, which began May 1, is expected to drop to about $2 million, again because of the pandemic, McAndrews said.
If voters approve the plan, the revenue from the tax increase will help make up for tax revenue lost during the pandemic, McAndrews said. In addition to sales tax cash, the village's revenue from hotel and entertainment taxes also has been affected by the health crisis, she said.
Entertainment tax revenue especially is down, Treasurer David Littwin said during Thursday's meeting.
"It's literally on life support," he said.
If voters reject the plan, program cuts will be needed to avoid running a deficit, Littwin said.
Unlike most towns, Deer Park doesn't levy a property tax.
The board approved the plan with a 5-2 vote. Trustees Michael Mann and Jodie Johnson voted against it.
"I don't think the voters are going to go for this," Johnson said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-18--Arlington Heights parolee charged with Hoffman Estates burglary

An Arlington Heights man on parole for two 2018 residential burglary convictions was ordered held on $ 50,000 bail Thursday on charges that he and another man took cash and jewelry from a Hoffman Estates home .
Sam Mason , 24 , is charged with residential burglary , which in his case is a non-probationable offense , according to prosecutors .
Hoffman Estates police officers received a report about 3:35 p.m. Tuesday of men wearing construction uniforms entering the home of a senior who neighbors say does not typically allow people into his house , said Nicole Murphy , assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front door was ajar , and inside police heard footsteps and the chirping of walkie-talkies , Murphy said .
Soon after officers saw one of the men , whom a spokeswoman for the Cook County state 's attorney 's office identified as Lawrence Miller , lying on the driveway .
According to spokeswoman Tandra Simonton , Miller jumped from a third-story window in an attempt to flee .
He was injured and is hospitalized , Simonton said .
She did not indicate when he will appear in court .
Meanwhile officers found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door at the back of the house , Murphy said .
They recovered cash and jewelry from Mason , who told them `` he needed the cash for Christmas , '' Murphy said .
Mason has two residential burglary convictions from 2018 and misdemeanor theft convictions from 2018 and 2015 .
He next appears in court on Jan. 8 .

Arlington Heights parolee charged with Hoffman Estates burglary
An Arlington Heights man on parole for two 2018 residential burglary convictions was ordered held on $50,000 bail Thursday on charges that he and another man took cash and jewelry from a Hoffman Estates home.
Sam Mason, 24, is charged with residential burglary, which in his case is a non-probationable offense, according to prosecutors.
Hoffman Estates police officers received a report about 3:35 p.m. Tuesday of men wearing construction uniforms entering the home of a senior who neighbors say does not typically allow people into his house, said Nicole Murphy, assistant state's attorney.
An officer noticed the front door was ajar, and inside police heard footsteps and the chirping of walkie-talkies, Murphy said.
Soon after officers saw one of the men, whom a spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney's office identified as Lawrence Miller, lying on the driveway. According to spokeswoman Tandra Simonton, Miller jumped from a third-story window in an attempt to flee. He was injured and is hospitalized, Simonton said. She did not indicate when he will appear in court.
Meanwhile officers found Mason attempting to kick out a sliding door at the back of the house, Murphy said. They recovered cash and jewelry from Mason, who told them "he needed the cash for Christmas," Murphy said.
Mason has two residential burglary convictions from 2018 and misdemeanor theft convictions from 2018 and 2015.
He next appears in court on Jan. 8.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Vaccine vignettes: Hospital workers find 'peace of mind'

Aminderjit Dhanoa did n't expect he would be `` the first one . ''
The one to launch a vaccination effort against COVID-19 at Edward Hospital in Naperville .
Dhanoa intimately knows the toll of the disease .
He 's a survivor himself .
`` It was like nothing I 've ever experienced before , '' said Dhanoa , who suffered serious symptoms for three days in October .
`` It was the worst . ''
The 37-year-old respiratory therapist made it through his illness , acutely aware of those who did not .
`` Some patients struggle every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get better but some of them just do n't , '' he said .
`` We just keep doing our work . ''
And that 's exactly what he did after nurse Nikki Carini-Wardecki administered the hospital 's first vaccine into Dhanoa 's right arm Thursday .
`` I 'm still going to take all the precautions , but it 's a peace of mind to have the vaccine now . ''
Northwest Community Hospitalk emergency room nurse Laura Aagesen , right , was the second person at the Arlington Heights hospital to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heartwarming thing The waiting line snaked through the hallways Thursday at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights .
Doctors , intensive care unit nurses , fire department paramedics and hospital security guards all stood 6 feet apart for the first doses of the vaccine .
`` This is just such a heartwarming thing .
We can finally get our lives back to normal , '' said Laura Aagesen , an emergency room nurse who has led education efforts on COVID-19 test swabbing at the hospital since the spring .
She was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines delivered to the hospital at 10:30 a.m. By 2:30 p.m. , she was helping oversee a recovery room where the vaccinated employees and first responders were asked to stay for 15 minutes in case they experienced any side effects .
Amid the hectic pace -- the hospital 's goal was to give doses to 150 people an hour -- Aagesen reflected on the moment .
`` It 's just been so hard for everyone , '' said Aagesen , who is the hospital emergency department 's trauma and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the hospital and all the team I work with , but the teachers and everything . ''
She said it was such a blessing to take a step to getting back to normal .
`` The staff have had family losses , '' she said .
`` We had one of the nurses lose her husband to COVID .
We 're seeing a lot of human suffering every day , and it just intensifies the fear and anxiety of working as a nurse everyday .
The fear of getting it or bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a real fear . ''
Dr. Jacob Salman and Dr. Alicja Salman celebrate after receiving their COVID-19 vaccines at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin Thursday .
Science behind us Dr. Alicja Salman flexed her arm like a modern-day `` Rosie the Riveter '' to share in a moment of scientific triumph .
She and her husband , Dr. Jacob Salman , were among the newly vaccinated health care workers at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin .
The Chicago couple , both hospitalists on the front lines since March , volunteered for the shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed the vaccine .
`` We have science behind us , '' Dr. Jacob Salman said .
He was coming off about a 10-week stretch of caring for patients daily .
`` Even from Day 1 , when this first started , we had some days off , but I felt it was like an honor and a duty that I need to be here , that we need to be here every single day . ''
The Salmans were n't feeling any reactions less than an hour after their shots .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple days with new armor against the virus .
`` We still have that adrenaline rush , '' Dr. Alicja Salman said .
`` We 're still here .
We 're still helping .
We 're still trying to push things along . ''
Courtesy of Timothy Nelson , AMITA HealthDr .
Anandita Gephart , chief medical officer at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Elgin , was the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the hospital Thursday morning .
Their Christmas present About 2 p.m. Wednesday , around 960 doses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saint Joseph Hospital Elgin , accompanied by seven unmarked police cars .
Dr. Anandita Gephart , the hospital 's chief medical officer , and several co-workers watched the arrival .
`` A lot of people today were saying that it is their Christmas present , '' Gephart said Thursday morning when she was the first to receive the vaccine .
Gephart said her colleagues , some of whom work with COVID-19 patients on a near-daily basis , have worried throughout the pandemic that they will get infected and unwittingly spread the virus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of relief that they will no longer be bringing COVID back to their homes to their children and family , '' she said .
After getting her shot , Gephart joined hospital employees -- some wearing Santa hats and elf ears -- in administering the vaccine to other members of the medical staff while Christmas music played lightly in the background .
Gephart sought to set an example for people to not be frightened of the vaccine and to see it as the medical miracle that it is .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short time .
I 'm just in awe of the scientists , '' she said .
`` I want the public to know that getting it is definitely recommended and not to be afraid . ''

Vaccine vignettes: Hospital workers find 'peace of mind'
Courtesy of Timothy Nelson, AMITA HealthLouise Ryan, an ICU nurse at AMITA Mercy Medical Center Aurora, gives a thumbs-up after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine Thursday morning.
A conference room at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights serves as a makeshift COVID-19 vaccination clinic Thursday -- the first day the hospital received an initial shipment of doses. Courtesy of Jim Vondruska
Aminderjit Dhanoa didn't expect he would be "the first one."
The one to launch a vaccination effort against COVID-19 at Edward Hospital in Naperville. Dhanoa intimately knows the toll of the disease. He's a survivor himself.
"It was like nothing I've ever experienced before," said Dhanoa, who suffered serious symptoms for three days in October. "It was the worst."
The 37-year-old respiratory therapist made it through his illness, acutely aware of those who did not.
"Some patients struggle every day, and we wait for them to get better but some of them just don't," he said. "We just keep doing our work."
And that's exactly what he did after nurse Nikki Carini-Wardecki administered the hospital's first vaccine into Dhanoa's right arm Thursday.
Dhanoa got back to work.
"I'm still going to take all the precautions, but it's a peace of mind to have the vaccine now."
-- Katlyn Smith and John Starks
Northwest Community Hospitalk emergency room nurse Laura Aagesen, right, was the second person at the Arlington Heights hospital to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Thursday. - Courtesy of Jim Vondruska
The waiting line snaked through the hallways Thursday at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
Doctors, intensive care unit nurses, fire department paramedics and hospital security guards all stood 6 feet apart for the first doses of the vaccine.
"This is just such a heartwarming thing. We can finally get our lives back to normal," said Laura Aagesen, an emergency room nurse who has led education efforts on COVID-19 test swabbing at the hospital since the spring.
She was the second person to get one of the 2,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines delivered to the hospital at 10:30 a.m. By 2:30 p.m., she was helping oversee a recovery room where the vaccinated employees and first responders were asked to stay for 15 minutes in case they experienced any side effects.
Amid the hectic pace -- the hospital's goal was to give doses to 150 people an hour -- Aagesen reflected on the moment.
"It's just been so hard for everyone," said Aagesen, who is the hospital emergency department's trauma and stroke coordinator. "Not just here at the hospital and all the team I work with, but the teachers and everything."
She said it was such a blessing to take a step to getting back to normal.
"The staff have had family losses," she said. "We had one of the nurses lose her husband to COVID. We're seeing a lot of human suffering every day, and it just intensifies the fear and anxiety of working as a nurse everyday. The fear of getting it or bringing it home to family -- that's a real fear."
-- Christopher Placek
Dr. Jacob Salman and Dr. Alicja Salman celebrate after receiving their COVID-19 vaccines at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin Thursday. - courtesy of Advocate Health Care
Dr. Alicja Salman flexed her arm like a modern-day "Rosie the Riveter" to share in a moment of scientific triumph.
She and her husband, Dr. Jacob Salman, were among the newly vaccinated health care workers at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin. The Chicago couple, both hospitalists on the front lines since March, volunteered for the shots, immensely grateful for the scientists who developed the vaccine.
"We have science behind us," Dr. Jacob Salman said.
He was coming off about a 10-week stretch of caring for patients daily.
"Even from Day 1, when this first started, we had some days off, but I felt it was like an honor and a duty that I need to be here, that we need to be here every single day."
The Salmans weren't feeling any reactions less than an hour after their shots. They'll soon return to work in a couple days with new armor against the virus.
"We still have that adrenaline rush," Dr. Alicja Salman said. "We're still here. We're still helping. We're still trying to push things along."
-- Katlyn Smith
Courtesy of Timothy Nelson, AMITA HealthDr. Anandita Gephart, chief medical officer at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Elgin, was the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the hospital Thursday morning.
About 2 p.m. Wednesday, around 960 doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Elgin, accompanied by seven unmarked police cars.
Dr. Anandita Gephart, the hospital's chief medical officer, and several co-workers watched the arrival.
"A lot of people today were saying that it is their Christmas present," Gephart said Thursday morning when she was the first to receive the vaccine.
Gephart said her colleagues, some of whom work with COVID-19 patients on a near-daily basis, have worried throughout the pandemic that they will get infected and unwittingly spread the virus to loved ones.
"We are hearing a lot of relief that they will no longer be bringing COVID back to their homes to their children and family," she said.
After getting her shot, Gephart joined hospital employees -- some wearing Santa hats and elf ears -- in administering the vaccine to other members of the medical staff while Christmas music played lightly in the background.
Gephart sought to set an example for people to not be frightened of the vaccine and to see it as the medical miracle that it is.
"So much research was done in such a short time. I'm just in awe of the scientists," she said. "I want the public to know that getting it is definitely recommended and not to be afraid."
-- Doug T. Graham


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Believe Project: $100 to help struggling sister-in-law

Today 's recipient of a $ 100 bill through the Believe Project is Mary Ann Zemla of Palatine .
Here @ @ @ @ @ story : '' My sister-in-law ... gave up her job ( age 73 ) to @ @ @ @ @ ( age 71 ) who is paralyzed and diabetic .
She 's cared for her @ @ @ @ @ .
She 's struggling to meet her expenses , and the $ 100 would be @ @ @ @ @ • The Believe Project is awarding $ 100 each day in December to a different @ @ @ @ @ for how to use the money to do a good deed for someone else .
@ @ @ @ @ words or fewer at events.dailyherald.com/believe/ .

Believe Project: $100 to help struggling sister-in-law
Today's recipient of a $100 bill through the Believe Project is Mary Ann Zemla of Palatine.
Here is an excerpt of her story:
"My sister-in-law ... gave up her job (age 73) to care for her younger sister (age 71) who is paralyzed and diabetic. She's cared for her younger sister for ten years. She's struggling to meet her expenses, and the $100 would be welcomed at Christmas."
• The Believe Project is awarding $100 each day in December to a different person with a great idea for how to use the money to do a good deed for someone else. Submit your idea in 150 words or fewer at events.dailyherald.com/believe/.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--Black Lung Brewing hits goal in online fundraiser for new Round Lake Beach taproom

With days still left to go before a Dec. 21 deadline , Black Lung Brewing Co. exceeded its $ 15,000 goal in an online fundraiser launched to ensure the company could afford to open a new Round Lake Beach taproom in January .
The company has received $ 16,646 in pledged donations so far through its campaign on Kickstarter.com .
The campaign started off well but founder and head brewer Josh Grubbs admitted that it got nerve-wracking in November when the number of donations plateaued and Black Lung was still far from its goal .
But on Dec. 2 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and generous family member who wished to remain anonymous , donated more than $ 7,000 .
`` I 'm not giving the person 's name out because they do n't want me to , '' Grubbs said .
`` It was someone very supportive who wanted us to succeed . ''
Grubbs , a 39-year-old father of four , founded the company with his wife , Sarah , last year .
Grubbs and his team have been brewing at a rented space at ZumBier in Waukegan , but they are in the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a storefront that used to be a pawnshop at 2217 N. Route 83 in Round Lake Beach .
Grubbs said he is still hoping to open in January , but it could be later in the month .
`` We 're still waiting on the state to come in and do their inspection , '' Grubbs said .
`` We ca n't produce beer there until the state comes . ''
The company 's campaign has offered a wide range of rewards to people who pledge funds .
At the low end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` social distanced air hi-five '' with Black Lung staff at the taproom .
Once the campaign ends on Monday , Grubbs and his team will begin fulfilling those rewards .
The family member who donated more than $ 7,000 elected not to select a reward so the most elaborate rewards Grubbs and his staff will fulfill are for people who pledged $ 300 or more .
Those 11 people get invites to an special party and the taproom 's soft open as well as receiving branded apparel , glassware and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay at the brewery for them to use when they visit .
Credit for the company 's name goes to Sarah Grubbs , who heard the Joe Bonamassa song `` Black Lung Heartache '' about the rough life of a coal miner and thought of her husband 's grandfather Bill Grubbs , who worked briefly as a coal miner before nearly dying in a cave-in .

Black Lung Brewing hits goal in online fundraiser for new Round Lake Beach taproom
Black Lung Brewing Company co-owners Sarah Grubbs, left, and Josh Grubbs, right, pose for a photo with their four children, Savannah, Cheyenne, Jackson and Charlie. The family plans to open a taproom in Round Lake Beach in January. Courtesy of Josh Grubbs
With days still left to go before a Dec. 21 deadline, Black Lung Brewing Co. exceeded its $15,000 goal in an online fundraiser launched to ensure the company could afford to open a new Round Lake Beach taproom in January.
The company has received $16,646 in pledged donations so far through its campaign on Kickstarter.com.
The campaign started off well but founder and head brewer Josh Grubbs admitted that it got nerve-wracking in November when the number of donations plateaued and Black Lung was still far from its goal.
But on Dec. 2, a person Grubbs described as a kind and generous family member who wished to remain anonymous, donated more than $7,000.
"I'm not giving the person's name out because they don't want me to," Grubbs said. "It was someone very supportive who wanted us to succeed."
Grubbs, a 39-year-old father of four, founded the company with his wife, Sarah, last year. Grubbs and his team have been brewing at a rented space at ZumBier in Waukegan, but they are in the process of opening the company's first taproom in a storefront that used to be a pawnshop at 2217 N. Route 83 in Round Lake Beach.
Grubbs said he is still hoping to open in January, but it could be later in the month.
"We're still waiting on the state to come in and do their inspection," Grubbs said. "We can't produce beer there until the state comes."
The company's campaign has offered a wide range of rewards to people who pledge funds. At the low end, donors of $5 can share a "social distanced air hi-five" with Black Lung staff at the taproom.
Once the campaign ends on Monday, Grubbs and his team will begin fulfilling those rewards. The family member who donated more than $7,000 elected not to select a reward so the most elaborate rewards Grubbs and his staff will fulfill are for people who pledged $300 or more. Those 11 people get invites to an special party and the taproom's soft open as well as receiving branded apparel, glassware and their own special 20-ounce glass mug that will stay at the brewery for them to use when they visit.
Credit for the company's name goes to Sarah Grubbs, who heard the Joe Bonamassa song "Black Lung Heartache" about the rough life of a coal miner and thought of her husband's grandfather Bill Grubbs, who worked briefly as a coal miner before nearly dying in a cave-in.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-18--Feder: Melissa McGurren says 'truth will come out' about Mix messages

Hours after her bosses publicly bade farewell to Melissa McGurren , the former co-host of Eric Ferguson 's top-rated morning @ @ @ @ @ her departure from WTMX 101.9-FM , Robert Feder reports .
In a brief but emotional @ @ @ @ @ platforms , McGurren said the statement released by Hubbard Radio Chicago was `` not accurate @ @ @ @ @ truth will come out . ''

Feder: Melissa McGurren says 'truth will come out' about Mix messages
Hours after her bosses publicly bade farewell to Melissa McGurren, the former co-host of Eric Ferguson's top-rated morning show disputed their version of her departure from WTMX 101.9-FM, Robert Feder reports.
In a brief but emotional video posted on social media platforms, McGurren said the statement released by Hubbard Radio Chicago was "not accurate" adding: "The truth will come out."
Read the full story here.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-18--'Elgin's Hope for the Holidays' provides gifts for more than 2,500 area kids

`` Elgin 's Hope for the Holidays , '' a combined effort of the Salvation Army Elgin Corps and the Community Crisis Center , provided Christmas gifts and other necessities for 2,500 kids of families in need .
Pickup for families , who registered for the program in October and November , was held Wednesday and Thursday at the Salvation Army Elgin Corps Community Center .
Specific requests made during registration were fulfilled where possible .
All gifts were new and unwrapped to allow parents to be part of the process .
Salvation Army Elgin Corps Capt .
Rich Forney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as Toys for Tots and Elgin Township , but largely came from community donations .
`` People have been giving more this year because they understand the need , '' Forney said .
`` We have so many more families coming here that have never needed help before . ''
Books from the Rotary Club , pajamas from Altrusa International Club of Elgin and holiday dinners also were provided .
This is the first year of the combined holiday effort between the Salvation Army and Community Crisis Center , which opted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Both groups said they could see the partnership continuing next year .
Melissa Owens , volunteer coordinator for Community Crisis Center , said that approach makes sense .
`` We all rely on the same volunteer base in the Elgin area , so to be able to combine that person-power is really helpful , '' Owens said .
`` I think it 's a great service to the community for the agencies to be united , and it 's great for donors who want to give toys , knowing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families served by both agencies ) , '' he said .
One unified registration and database helped ensure non-duplication of families and also that people did n't slip through the cracks , he said .
`` The partnership has been wonderful . ''

'Elgin's Hope for the Holidays' provides gifts for more than 2,500 area kids
"Elgin's Hope for the Holidays," a combined effort of the Salvation Army Elgin Corps and the Community Crisis Center, provided Christmas gifts and other necessities for 2,500 kids of families in need.
Pickup for families, who registered for the program in October and November, was held Wednesday and Thursday at the Salvation Army Elgin Corps Community Center. Specific requests made during registration were fulfilled where possible. All gifts were new and unwrapped to allow parents to be part of the process.
Salvation Army Elgin Corps Capt. Rich Forney said the gifts were provided by organizations, such as Toys for Tots and Elgin Township, but largely came from community donations.
"People have been giving more this year because they understand the need," Forney said. "We have so many more families coming here that have never needed help before."
Books from the Rotary Club, pajamas from Altrusa International Club of Elgin and holiday dinners also were provided.
This is the first year of the combined holiday effort between the Salvation Army and Community Crisis Center, which opted to work together to improve logistics during the pandemic. Both groups said they could see the partnership continuing next year.
Melissa Owens, volunteer coordinator for Community Crisis Center, said that approach makes sense.
"We all rely on the same volunteer base in the Elgin area, so to be able to combine that person-power is really helpful," Owens said.
Forney agreed.
"I think it's a great service to the community for the agencies to be united, and it's great for donors who want to give toys, knowing that there's one collection site (for families served by both agencies)," he said.
One unified registration and database helped ensure non-duplication of families and also that people didn't slip through the cracks, he said. "The partnership has been wonderful."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-17--77-year-old man from Naperville goes missing

The Naperville Police Department is requesting the public 's help in finding a missing resident .
Claude Rousseau , 77 @ @ @ @ @ Jewel-Osco in Crest Hill on Thursday driving a 2014 Buick Lacrosse with Illinois license plate @ @ @ @ @ alert from the Illinois State Police .
Rousseau is Black , stands 5-foot-9 and weighs @ @ @ @ @ gray hair and brown eyes .
He has a condition that places him in danger @ @ @ @ @ with information on Rousseau 's whereabouts should call the Naperville Police Department at ( 630 @ @ @ @ @ .

77-year-old man from Naperville goes missing
Editor's note: Authorities reported Friday evening that Claude Rousseau had been found.
The Naperville Police Department is requesting the public's help in finding a missing resident.
Claude Rousseau, 77, was last seen near Jewel-Osco in Crest Hill on Thursday driving a 2014 Buick Lacrosse with Illinois license plate CR345, according to an alert from the Illinois State Police.
Rousseau is Black, stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 150 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes. He has a condition that places him in danger, police said.
Anyone with information on Rousseau's whereabouts should call the Naperville Police Department at (630) 420-6173 or dial 911.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-12-18--17,000 health workers vaccinated so far; nursing homes could get shots Dec. 28

Deaths from COVID-19 surpassed 15,000 Friday , officials reported , as more than 17,000 health care workers in the suburbs and beyond have been vaccinated against the respiratory disease so far .
Also , seniors in Illinois long-term care facilities should begin receiving shots to combat the virus the week of Dec. 28 , Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said .
Illinois ' current supply of the Pfizer Inc. vaccine should be supplemented by a Moderna Inc. version in the coming days , after the Food and Drug Administration approved it Friday night , Gov .
J.B. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modern vaccine is `` more than 94 % effective after two doses , and it 's proven very safe in clinical trials , '' Pritzker said .
`` Based on the federal government 's likely delivery schedule , Illinois hospitals can expect their Moderna shipments sometime early next week . ''
Pritzker noted that as of Friday morning , more than 17,000 health care workers in the suburbs and elsewhere in Illinois had been vaccinated .
Chicago has a separate tally .
New cases of COVID-19 came to 7,377 , with 181 additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state is partnering with Walgreens and CVS to administer the vaccines at nursing homes .
Deerfield-based Walgreens started giving COVID-19 vaccines at long-term care facilities in Ohio and Connecticut on Friday .
`` With more than a decade of experience administering various vaccines , we have the deep expertise to support this unprecedented effort , '' Walgreens President John Standley said in a statement .
Asked about lifting strict `` Tier 3 '' restrictions that include closing movie theaters and banquet halls , and banning indoor dining and fitness classes , Pritzker said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and review COVID-19 metrics in the state 's 11 public health regions .
`` I am very glad things are moving in the right direction .
I 'm also concerned the numbers have not come down as precipitously as we would have liked to have seen , '' he said .
`` It 's of great concern to us .
We 're still seeing 7,000 , 8,000 , 9,000 , cases every day . ''
The seven-day average for new cases is 7,615 .
IDPH rules state Tier 3 restrictions will be eased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 tests is less than 12 % for three days , more than 20 % of general and ICU hospital beds are available for three days , and the number of COVID-19 patients decreases for seven out of 10 days .
Test positivity is measured by dividing positive COVID-19 tests by total tests .
On Tuesday , suburban Cook ( Region 10 ) recorded its first day since Dec. 6 under the 12 % positivity threshold , according to the latest IDPH data .
As of Thursday , hospitalizations had declined for 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 % .
Lake and McHenry counties ( Region 9 ) have stayed under 12 % positivity and shown decreases in patients for six days .
But general bed availability was 18 % on Thursday .
DuPage and Kane counties ( Region 8 ) have measured below 12 % positivity for five days , with patient numbers dropping for nine days .
But general bed availability was 16 % on Thursday .
Will and Kankakee counties ( Region 7 ) fell under 12 % positivity Tuesday with 10 days of lower patient numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % as of Thursday .
Statewide , there were 4,690 COVID-19 patients in hospitals as of Thursday night compared with the seven-day average of 4,896 .
The case positivity rate for COVID-19 cases reached 8 % based on a seven-day average .
Labs processed 112,292 tests in the last 24 hours .
Total virus cases since the pandemic began stand at 886,805 and fatalities are 15,015 .

17,000 health workers vaccinated so far; nursing homes could get shots Dec. 28
Frontline caregivers at Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday. Courtesy of Amita Health
ER physician Kristen Maguire receives her COVID-19 vaccination at Amita Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village on Friday. Courtesy of Amita Health
Laura Aagesen, an emergency room nurse at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, receives the COVID-19 vaccine Thursday. Courtesy of Jim Vondruska
Deaths from COVID-19 surpassed 15,000 Friday, officials reported, as more than 17,000 health care workers in the suburbs and beyond have been vaccinated against the respiratory disease so far.
Also, seniors in Illinois long-term care facilities should begin receiving shots to combat the virus the week of Dec. 28, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said.
Illinois' current supply of the Pfizer Inc. vaccine should be supplemented by a Moderna Inc. version in the coming days, after the Food and Drug Administration approved it Friday night, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a briefing.
The Modern vaccine is "more than 94% effective after two doses, and it's proven very safe in clinical trials," Pritzker said.
"Based on the federal government's likely delivery schedule, Illinois hospitals can expect their Moderna shipments sometime early next week."
Pritzker noted that as of Friday morning, more than 17,000 health care workers in the suburbs and elsewhere in Illinois had been vaccinated. Chicago has a separate tally.
New cases of COVID-19 came to 7,377, with 181 additional deaths, the IDPH reported.
The state is partnering with Walgreens and CVS to administer the vaccines at nursing homes.
Deerfield-based Walgreens started giving COVID-19 vaccines at long-term care facilities in Ohio and Connecticut on Friday.
"With more than a decade of experience administering various vaccines, we have the deep expertise to support this unprecedented effort," Walgreens President John Standley said in a statement.
Asked about lifting strict "Tier 3" restrictions that include closing movie theaters and banquet halls, and banning indoor dining and fitness classes, Pritzker said he would wait until after the holidays and review COVID-19 metrics in the state's 11 public health regions.
"I am very glad things are moving in the right direction. I'm also concerned the numbers have not come down as precipitously as we would have liked to have seen," he said. "It's of great concern to us. We're still seeing 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, cases every day."
The seven-day average for new cases is 7,615.
IDPH rules state Tier 3 restrictions will be eased if a region's positivity rate for COVID-19 tests is less than 12% for three days, more than 20% of general and ICU hospital beds are available for three days, and the number of COVID-19 patients decreases for seven out of 10 days. Test positivity is measured by dividing positive COVID-19 tests by total tests.
On Tuesday, suburban Cook (Region 10) recorded its first day since Dec. 6 under the 12% positivity threshold, according to the latest IDPH data. As of Thursday, hospitalizations had declined for 10 days, but bed availability hovered at 17%.
Lake and McHenry counties (Region 9) have stayed under 12% positivity and shown decreases in patients for six days. But general bed availability was 18% on Thursday.
DuPage and Kane counties (Region 8) have measured below 12% positivity for five days, with patient numbers dropping for nine days. But general bed availability was 16% on Thursday.
Will and Kankakee counties (Region 7) fell under 12% positivity Tuesday with 10 days of lower patient numbers. But bed availability was under 20% as of Thursday.
Statewide, there were 4,690 COVID-19 patients in hospitals as of Thursday night compared with the seven-day average of 4,896.
The case positivity rate for COVID-19 cases reached 8% based on a seven-day average.
Labs processed 112,292 tests in the last 24 hours.
Total virus cases since the pandemic began stand at 886,805 and fatalities are 15,015.