dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-15--Customs agents doubled after 'totally unacceptable' delays at O'Hare

Authorities said they 've doubled the number of customs agents on duty at O'Hare International Airport after hundreds of frustrated travelers returning from overseas stood in line for hours Saturday waiting to undergo screening for coronavirus .
Images of those long lines prompted Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to skewer federal officials , first on Twitter late Saturday night and again Sunday morning when he appeared on NBC 's `` Meet the Press . ''
`` The federal government needs to get its ( expletive ) together .
NOW , '' Pritzker tweeted shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday .
On `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customs authorities should have expected a rush of travelers returning in the wake of a travel ban imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
`` What should have happened , they should have increased the customs and border patrol numbers and they should have increased the number of CDC personnel on the ground doing those checks , '' he said .
`` They did neither of those .
So last night as people were flooding into O'Hare Airport , they were stuck in a small area , hundreds and hundreds of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't want in this pandemic . ''
Pritzker said the initial response to his tweet Saturday night was a call from a White House staff member who yelled at him about it .
But on Sunday he said he spoke with Vice President Mike Pence and the head of the Department of Homeland Security , who pledged additional staffing at the airport .
`` My anger had everything to do with protecting the health and safety of the people of our state , '' Pritzker said Sunday .
`` If getting mad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get federal officials to act , then I am absolutely going to do that . ''
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot visited O'Hare on Sunday to see the situation , which she labeled a `` fail '' by the federal government .
`` Last night we saw ( travelers ) safety and security was seriously compromised and people were forced into conditions that are against CDC guidance and are totally unacceptable , '' Lightfoot said .
Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan said he recognized wait times were unacceptable at some airports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will unfortunately be times of disruption and increased processing times for travelers .
CBP is working around the clock to minimize these inconveniences .
`` As we work collaboratively with federal , state , and local agencies to address the spread of COVID-19 , some of the resources of our partners are stretched thin , '' Morgan said .
Illinois lawmakers , including Democratic Sens .
Dick Durbin of Springfield and Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates , and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg , asked the federal government for more resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhanced screening of international travelers .
`` We request that you expedite the process of providing guidelines and the necessary resources , including staff and any required screening apparatus and processes , to these 13 airports to ensure their operations are not disrupted and that public health is preserved , '' Duckworth and Durbin wrote in a letter to heads of the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection .

Customs agents doubled after 'totally unacceptable' delays at O'Hare
In this Saturday, March 14, 2020 photo provided by Elizabeth Pulvermacher, travelers returning from Madrid wait in a coronavirus screening line at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Long lines and hourslong waits for required medical screenings greeted weary travelers returning to some U.S. airports amid coronavirus-related travel restrictions. Elizabeth Pulvermacher via AP
Authorities said they've doubled the number of customs agents on duty at O'Hare International Airport after hundreds of frustrated travelers returning from overseas stood in line for hours Saturday waiting to undergo screening for coronavirus.
Images of those long lines prompted Gov. J.B. Pritzker to skewer federal officials, first on Twitter late Saturday night and again Sunday morning when he appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press."
"The federal government needs to get its (expletive) together. NOW," Pritzker tweeted shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday.
On "Meet the Press," Pritzker said customs authorities should have expected a rush of travelers returning in the wake of a travel ban imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"What should have happened, they should have increased the customs and border patrol numbers and they should have increased the number of CDC personnel on the ground doing those checks," he said. "They did neither of those. So last night as people were flooding into O'Hare Airport, they were stuck in a small area, hundreds and hundreds of people, and that's exactly what you don't want in this pandemic."
Pritzker said the initial response to his tweet Saturday night was a call from a White House staff member who yelled at him about it.
But on Sunday he said he spoke with Vice President Mike Pence and the head of the Department of Homeland Security, who pledged additional staffing at the airport.
"My anger had everything to do with protecting the health and safety of the people of our state," Pritzker said Sunday. "If getting mad on Twitter is what it takes to get federal officials to act, then I am absolutely going to do that."
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot visited O'Hare on Sunday to see the situation, which she labeled a "fail" by the federal government.
"Last night we saw (travelers) safety and security was seriously compromised and people were forced into conditions that are against CDC guidance and are totally unacceptable," Lightfoot said.
Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan said he recognized wait times were unacceptable at some airports.
"With this national emergency, there will unfortunately be times of disruption and increased processing times for travelers. CBP is working around the clock to minimize these inconveniences.
"As we work collaboratively with federal, state, and local agencies to address the spread of COVID-19, some of the resources of our partners are stretched thin," Morgan said.
Illinois lawmakers, including Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Springfield and Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, asked the federal government for more resources at O'Hare and 12 other airports handling enhanced screening of international travelers.
"We request that you expedite the process of providing guidelines and the necessary resources, including staff and any required screening apparatus and processes, to these 13 airports to ensure their operations are not disrupted and that public health is preserved," Duckworth and Durbin wrote in a letter to heads of the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-15--School district borrowing, term limits on Northwest suburban ballots

Whether a school district should borrow millions of dollars to pay for building projects , proposals to shift the clerk 's position from elected to appointed in two towns , and the future of recreational marijuana and video gambling in one of the region 's most-visited communities are among the referendums voters in the Northwest suburbs will decide Tuesday .
Here 's a look at some of top issues on the primary election ballot : Barrington Area Unit District 220 is seeking voter approval to borrow $ 147 million for building projects , including safety and security upgrades , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all its schools .
The borrowing also would fund construction of a physical education and wellness center at Barrington High School , additional classrooms at the district 's two middle schools , and new classroom space at all elementary buildings for science , technology , engineering and mathematics classes , and for students with special needs .
Residents will see a reduction in their property tax bills in any case , but how much depends on the outcome .
If the measure passes , the owner of a home valued at $ 500,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 75 a year .
However , if rejected by voters , the reduction would be about $ 468 .
Voters in the two towns will decide if the clerk 's job -- currently an elected post -- should be appointed instead .
Clerks attend council and board meetings and are paid for part-time work , but under the proposed changes , they would be appointed government staff members instead .
If approved , the new arrangement would take effect in April 2021 .
That 's when the terms of Des Plaines City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elaine Simpson end .
Voters will decide whether aldermen from the city 's seven wards should have tighter term limits than they do now .
The binding question , if approved , would limit aldermen to two consecutive 4-year terms , as has been the case with the mayor since 1995 .
Aldermen currently are limited to three consecutive terms .
Rosemont voters will weigh in on two advisory questions : whether the village should overturn its long-standing ban on video gambling and whether the community should allow recreational marijuana sales in town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with village board members and residents show opinions on both controversial issues are `` pretty much down the middle . ''
The village board enacted a temporary ban on recreational pot sales through June , giving officials enough time to prepare regulations should voters recommend overturning it .
For the third time since November 2018 , the South Barrington Park District wants voter permission to sell a vacant 34-acre lot that officials say is not needed .
Voters will decide whether the district can sell what 's known as `` Area N , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road and Route 59 in South Barrington .
The district bought the vacant 34 acres , along with a 12-acre site , for $ 4.3 million as part of 2003 lawsuit settlement involving a developer .
Officials say the parcel , formerly home to Klehm tree nursery , is not ideal for a park because it is n't flat , has wetlands and is awkwardly shaped .
An appraisal and public auction would follow if the park district is allowed to pursue a sale .

School district borrowing, term limits on Northwest suburban ballots
For the third time since November 2018, the South Barrington Park District wants voter permission to sell land known as "Area N," a vacant 34-acre site at the southeast corner of Bartlett Road and Route 59. Daily Herald File Photo
Whether a school district should borrow millions of dollars to pay for building projects, proposals to shift the clerk's position from elected to appointed in two towns, and the future of recreational marijuana and video gambling in one of the region's most-visited communities are among the referendums voters in the Northwest suburbs will decide Tuesday.
Here's a look at some of top issues on the primary election ballot:
Barrington Dist. 220 borrowing
Barrington Area Unit District 220 is seeking voter approval to borrow $147 million for building projects, including safety and security upgrades, as well as roofing and utility work at all its schools.
The borrowing also would fund construction of a physical education and wellness center at Barrington High School, additional classrooms at the district's two middle schools, and new classroom space at all elementary buildings for science, technology, engineering and mathematics classes, and for students with special needs.
Residents will see a reduction in their property tax bills in any case, but how much depends on the outcome.
If the measure passes, the owner of a home valued at $500,000 would see property taxes decrease of about $75 a year. However, if rejected by voters, the reduction would be about $468.
Clerks' positions in Des Plaines, Wheeling
Voters in the two towns will decide if the clerk's job -- currently an elected post -- should be appointed instead.
Clerks attend council and board meetings and are paid for part-time work, but under the proposed changes, they would be appointed government staff members instead.
If approved, the new arrangement would take effect in April 2021. That's when the terms of Des Plaines City Clerk Jennifer Tsalapatanis and Wheeling Village Clerk Elaine Simpson end.
Rolling Meadows term limits
Voters will decide whether aldermen from the city's seven wards should have tighter term limits than they do now.
The binding question, if approved, would limit aldermen to two consecutive 4-year terms, as has been the case with the mayor since 1995.
Aldermen currently are limited to three consecutive terms.
Gambling, pot in Rosemont
Rosemont voters will weigh in on two advisory questions: whether the village should overturn its long-standing ban on video gambling and whether the community should allow recreational marijuana sales in town.
Mayor Brad Stephens said informal conversations with village board members and residents show opinions on both controversial issues are "pretty much down the middle."
The village board enacted a temporary ban on recreational pot sales through June, giving officials enough time to prepare regulations should voters recommend overturning it.
South Barrington Park District
For the third time since November 2018, the South Barrington Park District wants voter permission to sell a vacant 34-acre lot that officials say is not needed.
Voters will decide whether the district can sell what's known as "Area N," on the southeast corner of Bartlett Road and Route 59 in South Barrington. The district bought the vacant 34 acres, along with a 12-acre site, for $4.3 million as part of 2003 lawsuit settlement involving a developer.
Officials say the parcel, formerly home to Klehm tree nursery, is not ideal for a park because it isn't flat, has wetlands and is awkwardly shaped. An appraisal and public auction would follow if the park district is allowed to pursue a sale.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-15--Government official: Coronavirus vaccine trial starts Monday

WASHINGTON -- A clinical trial evaluating a vaccine designed to protect against the new coronavirus will begin Monday , according to a government official .
The first participant in the trial will receive the experimental vaccine on Monday , the official said , speaking on the condition of anonymity because the trial has not been publicly announced yet .
The National Institutes of Health is funding the trial , which is taking place at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle , the official said .
Public health officials say it will take a year to 18 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Testing will begin with 45 young , healthy volunteers with different doses of shots co-developed by NIH and Moderna Inc .
There 's no chance participants could get infected from the shots , because they do n't contain the virus itself .
The goal is purely to check that the vaccines show no worrisome side effects , setting the stage for larger tests .
Dozens of research groups around the world are racing to create a vaccine as COVID-19 cases continue to grow .
Importantly , they 're pursuing different types of vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only are faster to produce than traditional inoculations but might prove more potent .
Some researchers even aim for temporary vaccines , such as shots that might guard people 's health a month or two at a time while longer-lasting protection is developed .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The worldwide outbreak has sickened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 5,800 dead .
The death toll in the United States is more than 50 , while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia .
The vast majority of people recover .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover .

Government official: Coronavirus vaccine trial starts Monday
A gun store customer that gave his name only at John waits in line, Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Burbank, Calif. As consumers are buying all kinds of goods in large quantities amid coronavirus concerns, putting pressure on inventories, John stated that he was there to buy ammunition because most other stores were out and he wanted to stock up. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- A clinical trial evaluating a vaccine designed to protect against the new coronavirus will begin Monday, according to a government official.
The first participant in the trial will receive the experimental vaccine on Monday, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the trial has not been publicly announced yet. The National Institutes of Health is funding the trial, which is taking place at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle, the official said.
Public health officials say it will take a year to 18 months to fully validate any potential vaccine.
Testing will begin with 45 young, healthy volunteers with different doses of shots co-developed by NIH and Moderna Inc. There's no chance participants could get infected from the shots, because they don't contain the virus itself. The goal is purely to check that the vaccines show no worrisome side effects, setting the stage for larger tests.
Dozens of research groups around the world are racing to create a vaccine as COVID-19 cases continue to grow. Importantly, they're pursuing different types of vaccines -- shots developed from new technologies that not only are faster to produce than traditional inoculations but might prove more potent. Some researchers even aim for temporary vaccines, such as shots that might guard people's health a month or two at a time while longer-lasting protection is developed.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 156,000 people and left more than 5,800 dead. The death toll in the United States is more than 50, while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia.
The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-15--DuPage ballots to include questions about pot, taxes

Voters in DuPage County on Tuesday will consider eight referendum questions dealing with a range of issues , including recreational marijuana sales and a school district 's master facility plan .
Here 's a look at the questions on the ballot : Villa Park Elementary District 45 is requesting voter approval to borrow $ 30 million to help pay for a master facility plan that includes building a new early childhood center .
If the property tax hike is approved , District 45 will construct an early childhood center , implement all-day kindergarten , upgrade technology , increase safety and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more opportunities in music .
The district -- which serves students from Villa Park , Lombard , Oakbrook Terrace and Elmhurst -- estimates it would cost $ 17.3 million to build the early childhood center .
In addition , an estimated $ 7.5 million would be spent on renovations and additions related to the implementation of all-day kindergarten at five of its six elementary schools .
Other proposed expenditures include roughly $ 2 million for safety and security upgrades at all schools ; roughly $ 1.8 million to upgrade technology ; and roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and new music rooms .
The owner of a $ 240,000 home pays roughly $ 2,820 a year in property taxes to the district .
If the ballot measure is approved , that amount would increase by roughly $ 170 .
Naperville voters could settle the debate on whether the city should allow recreational marijuana sales .
An advisory question was placed on the ballot by city council members , even though they moved to prohibit recreational pot stores in town .
While the referendum question is nonbinding , council members have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .
If voters do n't want recreational cannabis sales , no action will be needed .
But if voters say they want pot stores , the council would need to reverse its ban and set zoning regulations .
The Wood Dale Fire Protection District is seeking a property tax rate increase to maintain staffing levels , replace aging vehicles , repair its stations and pay for rising administrative costs .
If voters approve the proposal , it will generate roughly $ 1.5 million a year in additional revenue for the district , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of Itasca .
Fire officials say the extra revenue would allow the district to have eight firefighters working during each of its three shifts .
The district also would be able to replace aging vehicles and repair its two fire stations , officials say .
Finally , the extra revenue would help the district pay for rising administrative costs , including insurance and pension contributions .
The owner of a $ 250,000 home now pays roughly $ 700 in property taxes to the district .
If the tax rate hike is approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated $ 200 .
The Winfield Fire Protection District is asking voters to increase its property tax so it could hire more personnel to deal with a growing number of emergency calls .
If approved , the proposal would generate roughly $ 2.2 million a year in extra revenue for the district that includes nearly all of Winfield , as well as unincorporated sections near West Chicago , Wheaton , Carol Stream and Warrenville .
Fire officials said the district responds to more than 2,000 calls a year -- an increase of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased call volume is threatening the district 's ability to maintain its level of service , officials said .
Additional revenue would allow the district to hire more firefighters , replace aging vehicles and staff a fire station along Winfield Road , just north of Roosevelt Road .
If the tax rate hike is approved , the owner of a $ 318,000 house , who pays $ 360 a year in property taxes to the district , would see that amount increase to roughly $ 690 .
Other entities with questions on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lemont and the Yorkfield Fire Protection District .
An advisory question will ask Bloomingdale Township voters if they 're willing to pay higher property taxes to have a second sheriff 's deputy assigned to patrol the township 's unincorporated neighborhoods .
Yorkfield Fire , which is a `` paper '' district that collects taxes to pay for fire and ambulance services for parts of Elmhurst and some unincorporated areas , is seeking a tax increase to continue funding its contract with the Elmhurst Fire Department .
Burr Ridge is seeking permission from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lemont is asking whether it should allow a recreational marijuana dispensary in town .

DuPage ballots to include questions about pot, taxes
Naperville voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide an advisory referendum on whether the city should allow the sale of marijuana for recreational use. AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, 2016
Voters in DuPage County on Tuesday will consider eight referendum questions dealing with a range of issues, including recreational marijuana sales and a school district's master facility plan.
Here's a look at the questions on the ballot:
District 45
Villa Park Elementary District 45 is requesting voter approval to borrow $30 million to help pay for a master facility plan that includes building a new early childhood center.
If the property tax hike is approved, District 45 will construct an early childhood center, implement all-day kindergarten, upgrade technology, increase safety and security, improve STEM curriculum and provide more opportunities in music.
The district -- which serves students from Villa Park, Lombard, Oakbrook Terrace and Elmhurst -- estimates it would cost $17.3 million to build the early childhood center. In addition, an estimated $7.5 million would be spent on renovations and additions related to the implementation of all-day kindergarten at five of its six elementary schools.
Other proposed expenditures include roughly $2 million for safety and security upgrades at all schools; roughly $1.8 million to upgrade technology; and roughly $2 million to create science labs and new music rooms.
The owner of a $240,000 home pays roughly $2,820 a year in property taxes to the district. If the ballot measure is approved, that amount would increase by roughly $170.
Naperville
Naperville voters could settle the debate on whether the city should allow recreational marijuana sales.
An advisory question was placed on the ballot by city council members, even though they moved to prohibit recreational pot stores in town. While the referendum question is nonbinding, council members have said they will trust the will of the voters.
If voters don't want recreational cannabis sales, no action will be needed. But if voters say they want pot stores, the council would need to reverse its ban and set zoning regulations.
Wood Dale fire
The Wood Dale Fire Protection District is seeking a property tax rate increase to maintain staffing levels, replace aging vehicles, repair its stations and pay for rising administrative costs.
If voters approve the proposal, it will generate roughly $1.5 million a year in additional revenue for the district, which covers Wood Dale and a small part of Itasca.
Fire officials say the extra revenue would allow the district to have eight firefighters working during each of its three shifts. The district also would be able to replace aging vehicles and repair its two fire stations, officials say.
Finally, the extra revenue would help the district pay for rising administrative costs, including insurance and pension contributions.
The owner of a $250,000 home now pays roughly $700 in property taxes to the district. If the tax rate hike is approved, that amount will increase by an estimated $200.
Winfield fire
The Winfield Fire Protection District is asking voters to increase its property tax so it could hire more personnel to deal with a growing number of emergency calls.
If approved, the proposal would generate roughly $2.2 million a year in extra revenue for the district that includes nearly all of Winfield, as well as unincorporated sections near West Chicago, Wheaton, Carol Stream and Warrenville.
Fire officials said the district responds to more than 2,000 calls a year -- an increase of more than 33% since 2009. The increased call volume is threatening the district's ability to maintain its level of service, officials said.
Additional revenue would allow the district to hire more firefighters, replace aging vehicles and staff a fire station along Winfield Road, just north of Roosevelt Road.
If the tax rate hike is approved, the owner of a $318,000 house, who pays $360 a year in property taxes to the district, would see that amount increase to roughly $690.
Elsewhere
Other entities with questions on the ballot are Bloomingdale Township, Burr Ridge, Lemont and the Yorkfield Fire Protection District.
An advisory question will ask Bloomingdale Township voters if they're willing to pay higher property taxes to have a second sheriff's deputy assigned to patrol the township's unincorporated neighborhoods.
Yorkfield Fire, which is a "paper" district that collects taxes to pay for fire and ambulance services for parts of Elmhurst and some unincorporated areas, is seeking a tax increase to continue funding its contract with the Elmhurst Fire Department.
Burr Ridge is seeking permission from voters to become a home-rule community. Lemont is asking whether it should allow a recreational marijuana dispensary in town.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-15--Major referendums in Kane County: Police, libraries, rec center and more

Voters across Kane County will find referendum questions on their election ballots Tuesday .
Here is a look at the major ones .
Voters in Pingree Grove will be asked to approve a new tax levy of 0.6 % that would yield $ 1.2 million a year exclusively to fund police protection services .
The money will allow the village to have two police officers per shift -- currently there is only one officer overnight -- along with increasing wages for officers , buying more police equipment like video recorders , and upgrading police vehicles , which currently have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had a 40 % increase in police calls in the past four years , but fewer officers because wages are not competitive with other police departments , village officials say .
The median home in the village has a fair market value of $ 189,000 and would see a property tax increase of about $ 343 a year with a `` yes '' vote , officials estimate .
However , if the referendum succeeds , the village board will eliminate two special service areas of taxation , SSA 4 and SSA 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are located .
That means that for those homes , the actual property tax impact would be about $ 180 a year , village officials said .
The Gail Borden Public Library District will ask voters to keep library taxes at the same amount after it finishes paying off its bonds next year .
The Elgin-based district plans to use the money for building maintenance , IT and security , and to preserve current services and hours of operations .
There also are plans to expand the South Elgin branch .
A `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the current level .
If voters say `` no , '' the library will not collect roughly $ 2.6 million a year and owners of a house with a median value of $ 192,000 would pay about $ 48 less in property taxes a year , library officials said .
Elgin and Dundee townships are asking voters for a property tax hike to fund the creation of their own mental health boards , know as 708 boards .
A `` yes '' vote would establish a maximum property tax levy of 0.15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local agencies that provide services in the areas of mental health , substance abuse and developmental disabilities .
The property tax increase would amount to about $ 85 annually for a house with an assessed value of $ 55,494 , which is the median in Elgin Township , according to calculations by advocates .
In Dundee Township , the median assessed value of a home is $ 60,533 , for which a homeowner would pay an extra $ 91 per year with the tax hike , according to the agency 's website .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a $ 27.1 million bond issue to build a 65,000-square-foot Batavia Activity & Recreation Center in the Fox Valley Business Park at the intersection of Belleview Lane and Oswalt Avenue , near Route 25 .
Executive Director Allison Niemela says the `` program-rich but facility-poor '' district needs indoor space .
If voters approve the plan , the owner of a $ 300,000 house would see an annual increase in their park district property bill of $ 178 for 20 years .
That same homeowner currently pays $ 556 annually to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would include an eight-lane pool , a running track , combination indoor turf area and multi-activity court gym , and multipurpose rooms , was designed based on feedback from the community. Voters in the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District will decide whether the district should borrow $ 8.5 million to build and equip two new fire stations .
Voters have rejected similar questions three times since April 2017 .
If the measure is approved , owners of a home with a $ 250,000 fair market value would pay an estimated $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the district would commit to paying $ 300,000 per year for 20 years , fire officials said .
The district has three fire stations .
Under the construction plan , Station 2 on Rippburger Road and Station 4 on Plank Roa would be closed , and new stations would be built on Highland Avenue just east of Coombs Road -- provided the district can find property there -- and on land the district owns on Dittman Road south of Plato Road .
• Daily Herald staff writers Lauren Rohr and Bob Smith contributed @ @ @ @

Major referendums in Kane County: Police, libraries, rec center and more
Pingree Grove is asking voters to approve a new tax levy that would raise an estimated $1.2 million a year to fund police services. Daily Herald File Photo, 2011
Voters across Kane County will find referendum questions on their election ballots Tuesday. Here is a look at the major ones.
Pingree Grove
Voters in Pingree Grove will be asked to approve a new tax levy of 0.6% that would yield $1.2 million a year exclusively to fund police protection services.
The money will allow the village to have two police officers per shift -- currently there is only one officer overnight -- along with increasing wages for officers, buying more police equipment like video recorders, and upgrading police vehicles, which currently have an average 100,000 miles.
The growing village has had a 40% increase in police calls in the past four years, but fewer officers because wages are not competitive with other police departments, village officials say.
The median home in the village has a fair market value of $189,000 and would see a property tax increase of about $343 a year with a "yes" vote, officials estimate. However, if the referendum succeeds, the village board will eliminate two special service areas of taxation, SSA 4 and SSA 9, where most homes in the village are located. That means that for those homes, the actual property tax impact would be about $180 a year, village officials said.
Gail Borden Library
The Gail Borden Public Library District will ask voters to keep library taxes at the same amount after it finishes paying off its bonds next year. The Elgin-based district plans to use the money for building maintenance, IT and security, and to preserve current services and hours of operations. There also are plans to expand the South Elgin branch.
A "yes" vote means keeping library taxes at the current level. If voters say "no," the library will not collect roughly $2.6 million a year and owners of a house with a median value of $192,000 would pay about $48 less in property taxes a year, library officials said.
Townships
Elgin and Dundee townships are asking voters for a property tax hike to fund the creation of their own mental health boards, know as 708 boards. A "yes" vote would establish a maximum property tax levy of 0.15% whose revenues would be distributed among local agencies that provide services in the areas of mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities.
The property tax increase would amount to about $85 annually for a house with an assessed value of $55,494, which is the median in Elgin Township, according to calculations by advocates. In Dundee Township, the median assessed value of a home is $60,533, for which a homeowner would pay an extra $91 per year with the tax hike, according to the agency's website.
Batavia Park District:
Batavia Park District is seeking voter approval for a $27.1 million bond issue to build a 65,000-square-foot Batavia Activity & Recreation Center in the Fox Valley Business Park at the intersection of Belleview Lane and Oswalt Avenue, near Route 25.
Executive Director Allison Niemela says the "program-rich but facility-poor" district needs indoor space.
If voters approve the plan, the owner of a $300,000 house would see an annual increase in their park district property bill of $178 for 20 years. That same homeowner currently pays $556 annually to the district.
The proposed center, which would include an eight-lane pool, a running track, combination indoor turf area and multi-activity court gym, and multipurpose rooms, was designed based on feedback from the community.
Fire district
Voters in the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District will decide whether the district should borrow $8.5 million to build and equip two new fire stations. Voters have rejected similar questions three times since April 2017.
If the measure is approved, owners of a home with a $250,000 fair market value would pay an estimated $46 more in property taxes, and the district would commit to paying $300,000 per year for 20 years, fire officials said.
The district has three fire stations. Under the construction plan, Station 2 on Rippburger Road and Station 4 on Plank Roa would be closed, and new stations would be built on Highland Avenue just east of Coombs Road -- provided the district can find property there -- and on land the district owns on Dittman Road south of Plato Road.
• Daily Herald staff writers Lauren Rohr and Bob Smith contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-15--Lake County voters to decide on school upgrades, tax hikes

The public meetings have been held and messages driven home .
Now it 's up to voters Tuesday to decide whether projects , tax proposals and other measures on the ballot in their areas merit financial support .
Here 's a recap of the referendum questions voters will be deciding .
Voters in Libertyville are being asked to approve a 1 % non-home rule sales tax expected to raise $ 2 million in new annual revenue to pay for road repairs and other projects .
The tax on general merchandise would not apply to medicines , titled goods such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medicines .
Extensive information on the village website includes a myth and facts segment .
Mayor Terry Weppler says educating voters is key because the state-required wording of the question is confusing .
If approved , the new 1 % sales tax would be enacted and applied villagewide , and the existing 1 % places for eating tax would be repealed , village officials say .
Voters are being asked to approve a property tax increase to generate $ 975,000 per year for a road repair program .
Special service areas created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tax increase , there will be no road program in place , village officials say .
The referendum effort has been dubbed Hawthorn Woods Paves the Way .
According to information presented to voters , 90 % of village streets are in urgent need of resurfacing or reconstruction .
If the request is approved Tuesday , the owner of a home valued at $ 400,000 would pay about $ 275 per year in property tax .
The new tax would become effective next year .
Annual sticker fees of $ 30 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is approved , village officials say .
Voters in Lake Villa Elementary District 41 will be asked for authorization to borrow money to fund school building projects .
Soundly defeated last April , the request has been simplified to one question instead of two and the amount being sought reduced by $ 19.3 million to $ 30.7 million by cutting proposed projects .
The question faced organized opposition last time .
But the group behind that says the district listened to their concerns and is not opposing the revised version of the request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , $ 4.4 million in work at Pleviak School was dropped , and 21st Century Learning and other projects were eliminated or downsized .
Because the district is paying off debt , tax bills will drop no matter the outcome .
If the referendum fails , the tax bill for the owner of a $ 250,000 house will drop $ 773 annually .
If approved and the money is borrowed for 15 years , the decrease would be about $ 368 .
The fire district , which covers about 35 square miles including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a tax increase to generate about $ 1.57 million per year for personnel and building repairs .
If approved , owners of a house valued at $ 200,000 would pay about $ 163 in annual taxes .
Fire Chief Jon Cokefair says service calls have increased 10 % to 3,450 in two years , with more growth coming .
`` We 've got to do something to plan for that , '' he said .
Three aging fire stations are in need of various repairs and upgrades , he added .
About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would go to staffing .
The district does not pay pensions , Cokefair emphasized , and the 12 positions manning the three stations 24 hours a day are contracted or part-time employees .
District 114 is pursuing a `` Zero Rate Change Ballot Proposal '' to generate about $ 1.3 million each year to be used mainly for roof replacements and other needed work at its two schools .
Some money also will be set aside for salaries , as the district teachers are among the lowest paid in Lake County , officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow the tax rate to be set at a level that will generate annual funding for those purposes .
Officials say that if approved , taxes will stay about the same because the debt on Lotus School is being paid off .
The owner of a home valued at $ 200,000 will pay about $ 394 in annual taxes , if voters back the measure .
Bills will drop if the request is defeated .
Barrington Area Unit District 220 is seeking voter approval to borrow $ 147 million for building projects , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as roofing and utility work , at all its schools .
Residents will see a reduction in their property tax bills in any case , but how much depends on the outcome .
If the measure passes , the owner of a home valued at $ 500,000 would see property taxes decrease of about $ 75 a year .
However , if rejected by voters , the reduction would be about $ 468 .

Lake County voters to decide on school upgrades, tax hikes
The First Fire Protection District of Antioch Township is seeking a tax increase to raise $1.57 million per year for personnel and building repairs at three stations. Daily Herald file, 2016
The public meetings have been held and messages driven home. Now it's up to voters Tuesday to decide whether projects, tax proposals and other measures on the ballot in their areas merit financial support.
Here's a recap of the referendum questions voters will be deciding.
Libertyville sales tax
Voters in Libertyville are being asked to approve a 1% non-home rule sales tax expected to raise $2 million in new annual revenue to pay for road repairs and other projects.
The tax on general merchandise would not apply to medicines, titled goods such as cars and trailers, and most groceries and medicines.
Extensive information on the village website includes a myth and facts segment. Mayor Terry Weppler says educating voters is key because the state-required wording of the question is confusing.
If approved, the new 1% sales tax would be enacted and applied villagewide, and the existing 1% places for eating tax would be repealed, village officials say.
Hawthorn Woods roads
Voters are being asked to approve a property tax increase to generate $975,000 per year for a road repair program.
Special service areas created for that purpose are expiring and without the tax increase, there will be no road program in place, village officials say.
The referendum effort has been dubbed Hawthorn Woods Paves the Way. According to information presented to voters, 90% of village streets are in urgent need of resurfacing or reconstruction.
If the request is approved Tuesday, the owner of a home valued at $400,000 would pay about $275 per year in property tax. The new tax would become effective next year.
Annual sticker fees of $30 per vehicle would be eliminated if the request is approved, village officials say.
District 41 bond issue
Voters in Lake Villa Elementary District 41 will be asked for authorization to borrow money to fund school building projects.
Soundly defeated last April, the request has been simplified to one question instead of two and the amount being sought reduced by $19.3 million to $30.7 million by cutting proposed projects.
The question faced organized opposition last time. But the group behind that says the district listened to their concerns and is not opposing the revised version of the request.
To get to the lower figure, $4.4 million in work at Pleviak School was dropped, and 21st Century Learning and other projects were eliminated or downsized.
Because the district is paying off debt, tax bills will drop no matter the outcome. If the referendum fails, the tax bill for the owner of a $250,000 house will drop $773 annually. If approved and the money is borrowed for 15 years, the decrease would be about $368.
Antioch Twp. fire district
The fire district, which covers about 35 square miles including the village of Antioch, is asking for a tax increase to generate about $1.57 million per year for personnel and building repairs.
If approved, owners of a house valued at $200,000 would pay about $163 in annual taxes.
Fire Chief Jon Cokefair says service calls have increased 10% to 3,450 in two years, with more growth coming.
"We've got to do something to plan for that," he said.
Three aging fire stations are in need of various repairs and upgrades, he added.
About $800,000 of the request annual amount would go to staffing. The district does not pay pensions, Cokefair emphasized, and the 12 positions manning the three stations 24 hours a day are contracted or part-time employees.
Fox Lake District 114
District 114 is pursuing a "Zero Rate Change Ballot Proposal" to generate about $1.3 million each year to be used mainly for roof replacements and other needed work at its two schools.
Some money also will be set aside for salaries, as the district teachers are among the lowest paid in Lake County, officials say.
Voters are being asked to allow the tax rate to be set at a level that will generate annual funding for those purposes.
Officials say that if approved, taxes will stay about the same because the debt on Lotus School is being paid off. The owner of a home valued at $200,000 will pay about $394 in annual taxes, if voters back the measure. Bills will drop if the request is defeated.
Barrington District 220
Barrington Area Unit District 220 is seeking voter approval to borrow $147 million for building projects, including safety and security upgrades, as well as roofing and utility work, at all its schools.
Residents will see a reduction in their property tax bills in any case, but how much depends on the outcome.
If the measure passes, the owner of a home valued at $500,000 would see property taxes decrease of about $75 a year. However, if rejected by voters, the reduction would be about $468.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-15--In Underwood's Congressional district, the eyes Tuesday are on 7 Republicans

Democrat Lauren Underwood of Naperville rose to the top of a field of seven Congressional candidates in 2018 to win her party 's nomination , then won the traditionally Republican seat outright as part of 2018 's national blue wave .
Now there are just as many Republicans lining up in Tuesday 's primary for the chance to try to unseat her in November in what will be one of the most hotly contested Congressional elections in the country .
Seven GOP candidates in the sprawling 14th District , which spans parts of DuPage , Kane , Lake , McHenry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past few months establishing their conservative credentials .
They 've feuded over Second Amendment rights , health care , immigration , abortion and Social Security .
State Sens .
Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove and Sue Rezin of Morris are the only candidates with legislative experience .
The pair have battled over their voting records .
Catalina Lauf of Woodstock has drawn national media attention for positioning herself as the `` anti-AOC '' candidate and for her potential to become the youngest person ever to sit in Congress .
Ted Gradel of Naperville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates able raise enough money to compete in what is expected to be one of the most expensive general election battles in the country .
James Marter of Oswego and Jerry Evans of WSarrenville have established themselves as strong anti-abortion candidates .
But they have contrasting immigration views , with Marter taking a more hard-line approach to restrictions on both legal and undocumented entry .
Anthony Catella of St. Charles says he decided against raising substantial funds because that positions him as the candidate who does n't owe any person or special interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the district now represented by Underwood is the most visible race in the suburbs Tuesday , it 's far from the only one that 's generating interest .
Onetime governor 's candidate Jeanne Ives of Wheaton is taking on former Glen Ellyn park Board president Dr. Gordon `` Jay '' Kinzler in the Republican primary in the 6th District .
The winner will take on U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove , another 2018 blue wave freshman who 's seen as vulnerable in November .
Meanwhile , incumbent Democrats are getting primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suburbs : Ten-year incumbent Mike Quigley , of Chicago , a member of the Intelligence Committee that heard impeachment testimony against President Donald Trump , faces a challenge from the left by Chicago attorney Brian Burns in the 5th ; longtime incumbent Bill Foster of Naperville is defending against another progressive challenge , this one from Will County board member Rachel Ventura of Joliet in the 11th ; and second-term incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg , another member of the Intelligence Committee , is being challenged in the 8th by Dr. Inam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schaumburg , who are opposing him on various issues including immigration and diplomacy with India. At the same time , Republicans in the district now represented by Quigley will be choosing between commercial real estate broker Tommy Hanson and psychiatrist Kimball Ladien , both Chicagoans ; and those in the district now represented by Foster will be picking between Naperville Planning and Zoning Commissioner Krishna Bansal and Will County Sheriff 's Sgt .
Rick Laib of Joliet are running for the GOP nomination .
The winners in those two primary races will compete @ @ @ @ @ @ @

In Underwood's Congressional district, the eyes Tuesday are on 7 Republicans
Democrat Lauren Underwood of Naperville rose to the top of a field of seven Congressional candidates in 2018 to win her party's nomination, then won the traditionally Republican seat outright as part of 2018's national blue wave.
Now there are just as many Republicans lining up in Tuesday's primary for the chance to try to unseat her in November in what will be one of the most hotly contested Congressional elections in the country.
Seven GOP candidates in the sprawling 14th District, which spans parts of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, have spent the past few months establishing their conservative credentials. They've feuded over Second Amendment rights, health care, immigration, abortion and Social Security.
State Sens. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove and Sue Rezin of Morris are the only candidates with legislative experience. The pair have battled over their voting records.
Catalina Lauf of Woodstock has drawn national media attention for positioning herself as the "anti-AOC" candidate and for her potential to become the youngest person ever to sit in Congress.
Ted Gradel of Naperville has shown he is one of the candidates able raise enough money to compete in what is expected to be one of the most expensive general election battles in the country.
James Marter of Oswego and Jerry Evans of WSarrenville have established themselves as strong anti-abortion candidates. But they have contrasting immigration views, with Marter taking a more hard-line approach to restrictions on both legal and undocumented entry.
Anthony Catella of St. Charles says he decided against raising substantial funds because that positions him as the candidate who doesn't owe any person or special interest anything.
While the Republican primary in the district now represented by Underwood is the most visible race in the suburbs Tuesday, it's far from the only one that's generating interest.
Onetime governor's candidate Jeanne Ives of Wheaton is taking on former Glen Ellyn park Board president Dr. Gordon "Jay" Kinzler in the Republican primary in the 6th District. The winner will take on U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove, another 2018 blue wave freshman who's seen as vulnerable in November.
Meanwhile, incumbent Democrats are getting primary challenges in three districts that take in the suburbs:
Ten-year incumbent Mike Quigley, of Chicago, a member of the Intelligence Committee that heard impeachment testimony against President Donald Trump, faces a challenge from the left by Chicago attorney Brian Burns in the 5th; longtime incumbent Bill Foster of Naperville is defending against another progressive challenge, this one from Will County board member Rachel Ventura of Joliet in the 11th; and second-term incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, another member of the Intelligence Committee, is being challenged in the 8th by Dr. Inam Hussain of Libertyville and William Olson of Schaumburg, who are opposing him on various issues including immigration and diplomacy with India.
At the same time, Republicans in the district now represented by Quigley will be choosing between commercial real estate broker Tommy Hanson and psychiatrist Kimball Ladien, both Chicagoans; and those in the district now represented by Foster will be picking between Naperville Planning and Zoning Commissioner Krishna Bansal and Will County Sheriff's Sgt. Rick Laib of Joliet are running for the GOP nomination. The winners in those two primary races will compete against the Democratic winners in November.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--COVID-19 cases top 100 in Illinois; it's now in 15 counties

The number of cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reached 105 Monday , state officials announced , as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker banned gatherings of 50 people or more on the eve of St. Patrick 's Day to reduce the spread of the respiratory disease .
That total includes 12 new cases of the coronavirus , which can cause pneumonia and lead to death .
`` Illinoisans who can stay at home should continue to do so , '' Pritzker added , saying he was following new Centers for Disease Control guidelines .
On Sunday , Pritzker ordered all bars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business Monday through March 30 .
`` It is imperative that our residents take responsibility for themselves , their families and their communities . ''
Asked about revelers or bars owners who might thumb their noses at his directives particularly on St. Patrick 's Day , Pritzker said , `` Obviously , we ca n't police everything , '' but he expected most people understand the crisis and would comply .
If someone becomes sick or dies as a result of participating in illicit parties , the hosts `` should know they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump and the Centers for Disease Control on Monday advised people to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people , and Pritzker said he `` encouraged '' Illinoisans to heed those guidelines .
COVID-19 cases have been reported in 15 of Illinois ' 102 counties , with Peoria and Will counties new to the list Monday .
Other locations with known cases include Chicago and Champaign , Clinton , Cook , Cumberland , DuPage , Kane , Lake , McHenry , Sangamon , St. Clair , Whiteside , Winnebago and Woodford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed public and private schools from kindergarten through grade 12 until March 30 , although many suburban school districts had already closed their doors .
Meanwhile , Illinoisans are advised to stay at home and practice social distancing when out .
The governor also again criticized a lack of test kits , saying , `` There are tests approved for use in Europe and Asia that are not available in the U.S. '' With limited tests available , Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said the state wants to `` prioritize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness and ask those who do not meet those criteria do not demand to be tested . ''
We want to `` make sure the worried well do not overwhelm our health care system . ''
Pritzker confirmed 51 Illinois residents were in quarantine at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia after disembarking from the Grand Princess cruise ship where the disease broke out .
He and his staff had been making calls on behalf of the contingent on issues like getting their medications delivered , and they were expected to be released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked about crowds voting Tuesday , Pritzker said election judges were instructed to wipe down voting stations and reminded people to keep 6 feet of social distance from others .
Many Illinoisans had taken advantage of early voting .
`` We have to have our election continue , '' he said .
`` In my opinion , it 's the right thing to do .
Democracy needs to go on . ''

COVID-19 cases top 100 in Illinois; it's now in 15 counties
Travelers returning from Madrid wait in a coronavirus screening line at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Saturday. Elizabeth Pulvermacher via Associated Press
The number of cases of COVID-19 in Illinois reached 105 Monday, state officials announced, as Gov. J.B. Pritzker banned gatherings of 50 people or more on the eve of St. Patrick's Day to reduce the spread of the respiratory disease.
That total includes 12 new cases of the coronavirus, which can cause pneumonia and lead to death.
"Illinoisans who can stay at home should continue to do so," Pritzker added, saying he was following new Centers for Disease Control guidelines. On Sunday, Pritzker ordered all bars and restaurants to shut down at close of business Monday through March 30.
"It is imperative that our residents take responsibility for themselves, their families and their communities."
Asked about revelers or bars owners who might thumb their noses at his directives particularly on St. Patrick's Day, Pritzker said, "Obviously, we can't police everything," but he expected most people understand the crisis and would comply.
If someone becomes sick or dies as a result of participating in illicit parties, the hosts "should know they are responsible," Pritzker said.
President Donald Trump and the Centers for Disease Control on Monday advised people to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people, and Pritzker said he "encouraged" Illinoisans to heed those guidelines.
COVID-19 cases have been reported in 15 of Illinois' 102 counties, with Peoria and Will counties new to the list Monday. Other locations with known cases include Chicago and Champaign, Clinton, Cook, Cumberland, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Sangamon, St. Clair, Whiteside, Winnebago and Woodford counties.
Last week, the governor closed public and private schools from kindergarten through grade 12 until March 30, although many suburban school districts had already closed their doors.
Meanwhile, Illinoisans are advised to stay at home and practice social distancing when out.
On Monday night at a village board meeting, Buffalo Grove Village Manager Dane Bragg mentioned a potential exposure to coronavirus, but he did not specify whether it was within the village. "There is a potential exposure that we found out about a few minutes before this meeting," he said. "So we are investigating that now and following the appropriate steps."
Pritzker again criticized a lack of test kits, saying, "There are tests approved for use in Europe and Asia that are not available in the U.S."
With limited tests available, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said the state wants to "prioritize testing for those at highest risk of illness and ask those who do not meet those criteria do not demand to be tested." We want to "make sure the worried well do not overwhelm our health care system."
Pritzker confirmed 51 Illinois residents were in quarantine at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia after disembarking from the Grand Princess cruise ship where the disease broke out.
He and his staff had been making calls on behalf of the contingent on issues like getting their medications delivered, and they were expected to be released in a week, Pritzker explained.
Asked about crowds voting Tuesday, Pritzker said election judges were instructed to wipe down voting stations and reminded people to keep 6 feet of social distance from others. Many Illinoisans had taken advantage of early voting.
"We have to have our election continue," he said. "In my opinion, it's the right thing to do. Democracy needs to go on."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Stay home, save Grandma: Congressmen insist social distancing is so important even for families

Scientist and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster referred Monday to a hashtag trending on social media that he said explains the premise and purpose of social distancing in light of the new coronavirus .
It 's called # dontkillgrandma .
Most COVID-19 illnesses caused by the new coronavirus are mild for people who are relatively young and healthy .
But for those who are older or who have weakened immune systems , the virus can cause severe respiratory symptoms or death .
So the message Monday from Foster , as well as health executives and U.S. Reps. Sean Casten and Lauren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Naperville , was this : It 's not safe or responsible for young to middle-aged people who feel well to go about their usual activities without taking precautions .
`` The difficulty is that there are a large number of asymptomatic spreaders in this disease , '' Foster said .
`` Simply because you 're young , it 's not OK to disrespect the social distancing . ''
Social distancing calls for people to remain at home as much as possible -- work from home , refrain from using public transportation and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention , avoid gatherings of more than 50 .
And federal officials on Monday even said avoid gatherings of more than 10 .
It is the theory behind the school closures , restaurant closures and event cancellations now widespread across the state and the country .
And it 's what Mary Lou Mastro , president and CEO of Edward-Elmhurst Health , said Monday is the `` No .
1 thing '' people can do to help slow the spread of the virus .
The problem is , when people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus interact with others , they can spread it through chains of transmission that are impossible to trace .
These chains can spread until the virus hits people with chronic conditions that weaken their immune system -- such as diabetes or cancer -- or people whose age makes them more susceptible to disease .
`` That 's a real incentive for everyone to take the social distancing seriously , '' Foster said , `` especially having to do with the elderly . ''
Social distancing is n't easy , natural or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it works , Foster and Casten said , and has shown promising results in slowing the instance of new COVID-19 cases in China , the country where the virus originated in late December .
`` China does things that we simply do not contemplate , '' Casten said about what he described as the country 's relative shutdown of the Hubei province of roughly 60 million people .
`` That 's really intrusive , but it works . ''
Foster said China is `` aggressive '' with separating family members from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That 's going to be a very tough thing for us to accept in the U.S. , '' he said .
So far , even calls to stay away from crowds have proved difficult for many to accept , Foster said , with revelers still partying over the weekend for St. Patrick 's Day .
But staying home to practice social isolation is a moral duty , Mastro said , and a proven precaution .
`` For the vast majority of the population ... even if they did contract the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` The purpose of everything that we 're doing is to protect the small percentage of the population who would not be fine . ''

Stay home, save Grandma: Congressmen say social distancing is crucial even for families
Scientist and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster referred Monday to a hashtag trending on social media that he said explains the purpose of social distancing in light of the coronavirus. It's called #dontkillgrandma.
Most COVID-19 illnesses caused by the coronavirus are mild for people who are relatively young and healthy. But for those who are older or who have weakened immune systems, the virus can cause severe respiratory symptoms or death.
So the message Monday from Foster, as well as health executives and U.S. Reps. Sean Casten and Lauren Underwood who gathered at a roundtable in Naperville, was this: It's not safe or responsible for young to middle-aged people who feel well to go about their usual activities without taking precautions.
"The difficulty is that there are a large number of asymptomatic spreaders in this disease," Foster said. "Simply because you're young, it's not OK to disrespect the social distancing."
Social distancing calls for people to remain at home as much as possible -- work from home, refrain from using public transportation and, under new guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avoid gatherings of more than 50. And federal officials on Monday even said avoid gatherings of more than 10.
It is the theory behind the school closures, restaurant closures and event cancellations now widespread across the state and the country. And it's what Mary Lou Mastro, president and CEO of Edward-Elmhurst Health, said Monday is the "No. 1 thing" people can do to help slow the spread of the virus.
When people who don't know they are carrying the coronavirus interact with others, they can spread it through chains of transmission that are impossible to trace. These chains can spread until the virus hits people with chronic conditions that weaken their immune system -- such as diabetes or cancer -- or people whose age makes them more susceptible to disease.
"That's a real incentive for everyone to take the social distancing seriously," Foster said, "especially having to do with the elderly."
Social distancing isn't easy or natural. But it works, Foster and Casten said, and has shown promising results in slowing the instance of new cases in China, the country where the virus originated in late December.
"China does things that we simply do not contemplate," Casten said about the country's relative shutdown of the Hubei province of roughly 60 million people. "That's really intrusive, but it works."
Foster said China is "aggressive" about separating family members when someone gets sick.
"That's going to be a very tough thing for us to accept in the U.S.," he said.
So far, even calls to stay away from crowds have proved difficult for many to accept, Foster said, with revelers still partying over the weekend for St. Patrick's Day.
But staying home to practice social isolation is a moral duty, Mastro said, and a proven precaution.
"For the vast majority of the population ... even if they did contract the coronavirus, they would be fine," Mastro said. "The purpose of everything that we're doing is to protect the small percentage of the population who would not be fine."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Constable: Coronavirus rekindles memories of past fears, unknowns we have overcome

This Coronavirus Era is going to be remembered for the rest of our lives .
All major sporting events abruptly coming to a halt .
Schools closed and colleges sending students home .
Nations essentially closing their borders .
St. Patrick 's Day a nonevent .
Nursing homes prohibiting visitors .
Conventions and vacations in ruins .
The stock market plunging .
More restrictions possible .
You have to be well into your 90s to remember President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's first inaugural address on March 4 , 1933 , in which he told the American people suffering through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to fear is fear itself . ''
That 's all that is typically quoted , but FDR explained that he was talking about `` nameless , unreasoning , unjustified terror , which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance . ''
The seeds of World War II were germinating overseas , but Roosevelt gave thanks that America 's woes were generally confined to material things .
`` Values have shrunken to fantastic levels ; taxes have risen ; our ability to pay has fallen ; government of all kinds is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade ; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side ; farmers find no markets for their produce ; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone , '' he said .
A bit bleak for a politician whose campaign theme song was , `` Happy Days Are Here Again . ''
It took sacrifice , rationing , a deadly war and more than a decade , but things did improve .
For people a bit too young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rekindle memories of the polio scare , an ailment that FDR was diagnosed with at age 39 .
`` In the late 1940s , polio outbreaks in the U.S. increased in frequency and size , crippling an average of more than 35,000 people each year , '' reads the polio entry on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
`` Parents were frightened to let their children go outside , especially in the summer when the virus seemed to peak .
Travel and commerce between affected cities were sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( used to separate and restrict the movement of well people who may have been exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become ill ) on homes and towns where polio cases were diagnosed . ''
That sounds familiar .
A polio vaccine changed all that , and now scientists are working on a coronavirus vaccine and cure .
Fear and uncertainty were a staple in the 1980s and '90s when AIDS surfaced and quickly became a pandemic , killing without a cure .
Suburbanites ordered beer in bottles for fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass that had been used by someone with the virus .
No one wanted to sit on a public toilet seat .
Our government was slow to respond to that health crisis , but eventually drugs for prevention and treatment became available .
We knew in advance of the new millennium that Y2K was coming and threatening to wreak havoc on anything with a computer .
Apocalyptic scenarios never happened , not because the fear was a hoax , but because smart people worked hard to prevent it from happening .
After the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were scared life might never return to normal as everything seemed to shut down for days and weeks .
Things did n't come back exactly the same , but we quickly learned to adjust to the new normal .
Logic and history tells us that this Coronavirus Era too shall pass .
But we have fears now , and uncertainty of when it will be over .
`` We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of the national unity ; with the clear consciousness of seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clean satisfaction that comes from the stem performance of duty by old and young alike , '' FDR promised .
`` We aim at the assurance of a rounded and permanent national life . ''
Hang tough .
Be smart .
Come together as Americans .
We 'll get there .

Constable: Coronavirus rekindles memories of past fears, unknowns we have overcome
This is a scene in the emergency polio ward on Aug. 16, 1955, at Haynes Memorial Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Associated Press
The Coronavirus Era has given us new challenges and created fear. In 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt took the oath of office as the 32nd president of the United States from Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes and immediately told Americans that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Associated Press
This Coronavirus Era is going to be remembered for the rest of our lives. All major sporting events abruptly coming to a halt. Schools closed and colleges sending students home. Nations essentially closing their borders. St. Patrick's Day a nonevent. Nursing homes prohibiting visitors. Conventions and vacations in ruins. The stock market plunging. More restrictions possible.
And fear is a growth industry.
You have to be well into your 90s to remember President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inaugural address on March 4, 1933, in which he told the American people suffering through the Great Depression that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." That's all that is typically quoted, but FDR explained that he was talking about "nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
The seeds of World War II were germinating overseas, but Roosevelt gave thanks that America's woes were generally confined to material things.
"Values have shrunken to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone," he said.
A bit bleak for a politician whose campaign theme song was "Happy Days Are Here Again." It took sacrifice, rationing, a deadly war and more than a decade, but things did improve.
For people a bit too young to remember FDR, the coronavirus might rekindle memories of the polio scare, an ailment that FDR was diagnosed with at age 39.
"In the late 1940s, polio outbreaks in the U.S. increased in frequency and size, crippling an average of more than 35,000 people each year," reads the polio entry on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Parents were frightened to let their children go outside, especially in the summer when the virus seemed to peak. Travel and commerce between affected cities were sometimes restricted. Public health officials imposed quarantines (used to separate and restrict the movement of well people who may have been exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become ill) on homes and towns where polio cases were diagnosed."
That sounds familiar. A polio vaccine changed all that, and now scientists are working on a coronavirus vaccine and cure.
Fear and uncertainty were a staple in the 1980s and '90s when AIDS surfaced and quickly became a pandemic, killing without a cure. Suburbanites ordered beer in bottles for fear that they could get AIDS from a glass that had been used by someone with the virus. No one wanted to sit on a public toilet seat. Our government was slow to respond to that health crisis, but eventually drugs for prevention and treatment became available.
We knew in advance of the new millennium that Y2K was threatening to wreak havoc on anything with a computer. Apocalyptic scenarios never happened -- not because the fear was a hoax, but because smart people worked hard to prevent it from happening.
After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, people were scared life might never return to normal as everything seemed to shut down for days and weeks. Things didn't come back exactly the same, but we quickly learned to adjust to the new normal.
Logic and history tell us that this Coronavirus Era too shall pass. But we have fears now, and uncertainty of when it will be over.
"We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of the national unity; with the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values; with the clean satisfaction that comes from the stem performance of duty by old and young alike," FDR promised. "We aim at the assurance of a rounded and permanent national life."
Hang tough. Be smart. Come together as Americans. We'll get there.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Temporary job losses, new ways of business in 'absolutely shaken' hospitality business

Up to 1,000 employees wo n't be at their jobs starting Tuesday for one of the top suburban restaurant and bar operators as a result of a temporary shutdown ordered by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
Pritzker ordered all sit-down restaurants and bars in the state to close at the end of business Monday night until at least March 30 in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus .
Eateries can continue with curbside pickup , delivery and drive-through service .
Fred Hoffmann said only the Moretti 's Ristorante and Pizzeria brand that 's part of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pickup across the suburbs .
The eight other Ala Carte concepts in the suburbs and Chicago will be closed .
`` I do n't know if it needed to be this radical , '' Hoffmann said Monday .
`` It probably could have been restricted in different ways versus just a complete shutdown , but it is what it is .
It 's the law and we 'll abide by it .
The governor has the right to do whatever he wants .
...
If it helps , it 's a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other employees are expected to remain on the job for now at Moretti 's locations that include Barrington , Schaumburg , Bartlett , Lake in the Hills and Rosemont .
Hoffmann said `` maybe as many as a thousand '' sidelined employees , in part , will be from three Finn McCool 's Irish Sports Pub locations , Lucky Star in Bartett , Chandler 's Chop House in Schaumburg , Snuggery Restaurant & Bar in McHenry and Drink and Alumni Club , both in Schaumburg .
Famous Freddie 's Roadhouse in Fox Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late April .
Elsewhere , Carol Arriola said she and three other co-owners of Rise n Dine Pancake Cafe on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling wo n't be taking salaries and hope to keep as many employees working as possible if a new setup to comply with Pritzker 's order is deemed financially successful .
Arriola said she , her husband , Ivan , Ismael Andres and Gary Dudkowski will begin Tuesday by handling all cooking , free no-contact delivery and curbside orders .
She said Rise n Dine has 22 employees who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other duties .
`` One of the things we discussed is , it really just depends on the demand and how much ( business ) we get and we can determine who we can even afford to bring in , '' Arriola said .
Andy-John Kalkounos said his family 's Chicago Prime Steakhouse and Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg will operate delivery , curbside service and catering for dinner only .
He said he was unclear about the status of the family 's Avante Banquets & Conference Center in Fox River Grove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bar .
Kalkounos said there are about 100 employees between the Chicago Prime restaurants , and that kitchen staffing will remain the same .
However , he said , only half of about 18 servers typically needed will be slotted in for the deliveries or curbside work .
`` Everyone is absolutely shaken , '' Kalkounos said .
`` I mean , this industry is absolutely shaken . ''
Some suburban chambers of commerce are attempting to help the affected restaurateurs .
For example , Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry President/CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to a city request Monday for ideas on how to help the hospitality businesses .
`` I am asking our restaurants and bars to share with me any suggestions for how the city may be able to help , such as the designation of express pickup parking spaces in districts where businesses rely mostly on on-street parking , '' Quigley said .
Kalkounos said he and other Schaumburg restaurant row operators plan to show their appreciation for the outpouring of public support .
Free cups of soup will be given to anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 6 p.m. Tuesday , Chicago Prime Italian on Wednesday and Fat Rosie 's and Tequila Bar on Thursday .
Other restaurants in the Meacham Road corridor are expected to follow .
Before Pritzker 's order , George Panagakis said , his Savoury Restaurant & Pancake Cafe in Bartlett was doing good business and was stronger than his Six06 Cafe and Bar in Chicago 's West Town neighborhood .
Kalkounos and Hoffmann also said their establishments still were drawing strong crowds last weekend .
Arriola said Rise n Dine 's sales began sliding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the closure of all schools through the end of the month .
She added that there have been acts of kindness from customers who visited specifically over the weekend to show support because they want the eatery to stay open .
`` One customer ( Sunday ) gave $ 60 to me and said , 'Hey , divide this up among the staff because we know they 're really being affected , ' '' she said .

Temporary job losses, new ways of business in 'absolutely shaken' hospitality business
Andy-John Kalkounos said his family's Chicago Prime Steakhouse in Schaumburg had strong business during the new coronavirus pandemic before Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all bars and restaurants closed through at least March 30. This was the scene there Friday. Courtesy of Chicago Prime Steakhouse
Up to 1,000 employees won't be at their jobs starting Tuesday for one of the top suburban restaurant and bar operators as a result of a temporary shutdown ordered by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Pritzker ordered all sit-down restaurants and bars in the state to close at the end of business Monday night until at least March 30 in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Eateries can continue with curbside pickup, delivery and drive-through service.
Fred Hoffmann said only the Moretti's Ristorante and Pizzeria brand that's part of his Ala Carte Entertainment will continue with delivery and pickup across the suburbs. The eight other Ala Carte concepts in the suburbs and Chicago will be closed.
"I don't know if it needed to be this radical," Hoffmann said Monday. "It probably could have been restricted in different ways versus just a complete shutdown, but it is what it is. It's the law and we'll abide by it. The governor has the right to do whatever he wants. ... If it helps, it's a good thing."
About 500 cooks and other employees are expected to remain on the job for now at Moretti's locations that include Barrington, Schaumburg, Bartlett, Lake in the Hills and Rosemont.
Hoffmann said "maybe as many as a thousand" sidelined employees, in part, will be from three Finn McCool's Irish Sports Pub locations, Lucky Star in Bartett, Chandler's Chop House in Schaumburg, Snuggery Restaurant & Bar in McHenry and Drink and Alumni Club, both in Schaumburg. Famous Freddie's Roadhouse in Fox Lake operates seasonally and is to reopen in late April.
Elsewhere, Carol Arriola said she and three other co-owners of Rise n Dine Pancake Cafe on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling won't be taking salaries and hope to keep as many employees working as possible if a new setup to comply with Pritzker's order is deemed financially successful.
Arriola said she, her husband, Ivan, Ismael Andres and Gary Dudkowski will begin Tuesday by handling all cooking, free no-contact delivery and curbside orders. She said Rise n Dine has 22 employees who will be on call to potentially handle deliveries and other duties.
"One of the things we discussed is, it really just depends on the demand and how much (business) we get and we can determine who we can even afford to bring in," Arriola said.
Andy-John Kalkounos said his family's Chicago Prime Steakhouse and Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg will operate delivery, curbside service and catering for dinner only. He said he was unclear about the status of the family's Avante Banquets & Conference Center in Fox River Grove because it is neither a restaurant nor a bar.
Kalkounos said there are about 100 employees between the Chicago Prime restaurants, and that kitchen staffing will remain the same. However, he said, only half of about 18 servers typically needed will be slotted in for the deliveries or curbside work.
"Everyone is absolutely shaken," Kalkounos said. "I mean, this industry is absolutely shaken."
Some suburban chambers of commerce are attempting to help the affected restaurateurs. For example, Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry President/CEO John Quigley issued a special message in response to a city request Monday for ideas on how to help the hospitality businesses.
"I am asking our restaurants and bars to share with me any suggestions for how the city may be able to help, such as the designation of express pickup parking spaces in districts where businesses rely mostly on on-street parking," Quigley said.
Kalkounos said he and other Schaumburg restaurant row operators plan to show their appreciation for the outpouring of public support.
Free cups of soup will be given to anyone who visits Chicago Prime Steakhouse from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Chicago Prime Italian on Wednesday and Fat Rosie's and Tequila Bar on Thursday. Other restaurants in the Meacham Road corridor are expected to follow.
Before Pritzker's order, George Panagakis said, his Savoury Restaurant & Pancake Cafe in Bartlett was doing good business and was stronger than his Six06 Cafe and Bar in Chicago's West Town neighborhood. Kalkounos and Hoffmann also said their establishments still were drawing strong crowds last weekend.
Arriola said Rise n Dine's sales began sliding Saturday, a day after Pritzker announced the closure of all schools through the end of the month. She added that there have been acts of kindness from customers who visited specifically over the weekend to show support because they want the eatery to stay open.
"One customer (Sunday) gave $60 to me and said, 'Hey, divide this up among the staff because we know they're really being affected,'" she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Back home in the suburbs, college students face uncertainties over online learning

First came the excitement about a prolonged vacation .
Then reality set in .
How is online learning going to play out , especially for classes that require hands-on work ?
What about group presentations ?
How will I handle it all ?
Will my grades suffer ?
Those are some of the questions troubling 20-year-old Justin Ethithara of Des Plaines and other suburban college students whose schools have closed or canceled in-person classes in the face of the new coronavirus outbreak .
Their lives upended , students are finding themselves back home in the suburbs , with no guarantees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal .
Ethithara , a sophomore at Marquette University in Milwaukee , was on spring break last week when he learned the time off would be extended by a week and after that he 'd continue classes online until April 10 .
Marquette students could go back to school only during the day Sunday to pick up their belongings .
`` At first I was super excited because I loved the idea of having an extended spring break , but then I realized what was going to happen , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to focus here at home .
Mentally , I want to be on spring break .
Now , I am kind of worried my grades are going to kind of slip down . ''
Michigan State University student Erika Christensen came back to her hometown of Naperville on Thursday , March 12 , a day after students were told all classes would be held online until April 20 .
No in-person meetings would be permitted in the meantime .
Students are not required to leave campus , but were strongly encouraged to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major , had a cold , so she figured she 'd head home and leave the dorm room to her roommate , a native of Wyoming who was planning to stay .
Christensen said she 's taken some online classes previously , but not an entire semester load .
`` You have to tell yourself , ' I 'm not going to jeopardize my grade just because I 'm home , ' '' she said .
`` You want to be able to say , ' I know this material . '
'' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sophomore at Indiana University , was scheduled to go on spring break Monday .
Students were informed last week the school would close and they could not return to campus until April 6 , she said .
Starting March 23 , classes will take place online via web conferencing , she said .
The move was not unexpected , particularly after Ohio State University and others announced closures , Knott said .
Despite having taken several classes online in the past , Knott is worried about how she will tackle that now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only two of her five classes are in lecture format , she said .
The other three are studio or lab classes , relying on in-person work such as 3-D designs , paper making and the like .
`` I 'm more worried about my grades , '' Knott said .
`` Lectures are a lot easier , you watch and take notes .
It 's a lot harder when you have lab . ''
Still , some have it worse , she said , like some fellow students who went back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes at 5 a.m. , which is 8 a.m. in Indiana .
Ashia Walker , 19 , of Elgin , said she plans to come home from Loyola University Chicago early this week .
The sophomore economics major was shocked to find out March 5 that the campus would be closing and students had to pack and be out by Thursday .
She 's never taken online classes and has lots of uncertainties about how that will happen .
`` Many of the professors were kind of confused about what mode they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and do voice-overs , or have a video and send it out so we could watch it anytime ? ''
But she , too , is keeping things in perspective .
It 's an inconvenience to have to move out of her dorm room but international students have it much worse , she said , having to figure out if they can go home or where to stay otherwise .
There are other things the students will miss out on .
Christensen is in the marching band at Michigan State and sings with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all performances have been canceled , all the more disappointing because the school was celebrating its 150th anniversary of the band program , she said .
`` A lot of us are really bummed , but we also keep a sense of humor about it , '' she said .
Ethithara had been choreographing a dance for the annual Indian Student Association show in about two weeks , while also working with others to finish a robotic arm by the end of the semester .
Walker is n't sure if she can keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Archdiocese of Chicago .
Loyola University wo n't pay her salary while the school is closed , she said .
The archdiocese offered to pay her , but she 's not sure about the scheduling and format of her online classes , and whether she can tackle the commute to Chicago , she said .
The students did agree about one thing : they are not too concerned about being sickened by COVID-19 .
Knott and her parents planned to leave Saturday for spring break in Arizona , where they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did have some worry about her grandparents in Elgin , knowing the disease is more serious for older people , she said .
`` I am not that worried about it because it does n't really affect younger people , '' Ethithara said .
`` You ca n't really do anything about it except being careful ourselves -- and hoping for the best . ''

Back home in the suburbs, college students face uncertainties over online learning
First came the excitement about a prolonged vacation. Then reality set in.
How is online learning going to play out, especially for classes that require hands-on work? What about group presentations? How will I handle it all? Will my grades suffer?
Those are some of the questions troubling 20-year-old Justin Ethithara of Des Plaines and other suburban college students whose schools have closed or canceled in-person classes in the face of the new coronavirus outbreak.
Their lives upended, students are finding themselves back home in the suburbs, with no guarantees about when life will go back to normal.
Ethithara, a sophomore at Marquette University in Milwaukee, was on spring break last week when he learned the time off would be extended by a week and after that he'd continue classes online until April 10.
Marquette students could go back to school only during the day Sunday to pick up their belongings.
"At first I was super excited because I loved the idea of having an extended spring break, but then I realized what was going to happen," he said. "I know it's really hard to focus here at home. Mentally, I want to be on spring break. Now, I am kind of worried my grades are going to kind of slip down."
Michigan State University student Erika Christensen came back to her hometown of Naperville on March 12, a day after students were told all classes would be held online until April 20. No in-person meetings would be permitted in the meantime.
Students are not required to leave campus, but were strongly encouraged to do so. Christensen, a computer science major, had a cold, so she figured she'd head home and leave the dorm room to her roommate, a native of Wyoming who was planning to stay.
Christensen said she's taken some online classes previously, but not an entire semester load.
"You have to tell yourself, 'I'm not going to jeopardize my grade just because I'm home,'" she said. "You want to be able to say, 'I know this material.'"
Madison Knott of Elgin, a 19-year-old sophomore at Indiana University, was scheduled to go on spring break Monday. Students were informed last week the school would close and they could not return to campus until April 6, she said.
Starting March 23, classes will take place online via web conferencing, she said. The move was not unexpected, particularly after Ohio State University and others announced closures, Knott said.
Despite having taken several classes online in the past, Knott is worried about how she will tackle that now. She's an interior design major and only two of her five classes are in lecture format, she said. The other three are studio or lab classes, relying on in-person work such as 3-D designs, paper making and the like.
"I'm more worried about my grades," Knott said. "Lectures are a lot easier, you watch and take notes. It's a lot harder when you have lab."
Still, some have it worse, she said, like some fellow students who went back to California and will have to start some classes at 5 a.m., which is 8 a.m. in Indiana.
Ashia Walker, 19, of Elgin, said she plans to come home from Loyola University Chicago early this week.
The sophomore economics major was shocked to find out March 5 that the campus would be closing and students had to pack and be out by Thursday. She's never taken online classes and has lots of uncertainties about how that will happen.
"Many of the professors were kind of confused about what mode they would go with. Do they do PowerPoint and do voice-overs, or have a video and send it out so we could watch it anytime?"
But she, too, is keeping things in perspective. It's an inconvenience to have to move out of her dorm room but international students have it much worse, she said, having to figure out if they can go home or where to stay otherwise.
There are other things the students will miss out on.
Christensen is in the marching band at Michigan State and sings with the women's Glee Club, but all performances have been canceled, all the more disappointing because the school was celebrating its 150th anniversary of the band program, she said.
"A lot of us are really bummed, but we also keep a sense of humor about it," she said.
Ethithara had been choreographing a dance for the annual Indian Student Association show in about two weeks, while also working with others to finish a robotic arm by the end of the semester.
Walker isn't sure if she can keep her work-study job as an administrative aide for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Loyola University won't pay her salary while the school is closed, she said. The archdiocese offered to pay her, but she's not sure about the scheduling and format of her online classes, and whether she can tackle the commute to Chicago, she said.
The students did agree about one thing: they are not too concerned about being sickened by COVID-19.
Knott and her parents planned to leave Saturday for spring break in Arizona, where they were to meet relatives from Iowa. She did have some worry about her grandparents in Elgin, knowing the disease is more serious for older people, she said.
"I am not that worried about it because it doesn't really affect younger people," Ethithara said. "You can't really do anything about it except being careful ourselves -- and hoping for the best."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-16--Authorities: Geneva man secretly video recorded girl in changing room

A 23-year-old Geneva man has been arrested and charged with video recording a girl without her knowledge while she was in a changing room at a Batavia store .
Alejandro Galvan-Mendez , of the 0-100 block of Ridge Lane , faces two felony counts of unauthorized video recording of a person under 18 and disorderly conduct , a misdemeanor , in connection with a Feb. 26 , incident at a store on the 100 block of South Randall Road in Batavia , according to prosecutors and Kane County court records .
Galvan-Mendez is accused of holding his cellphone over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording the victim as she changed .
The girl did not consent to being recorded , prosecutors said .
Batavia police investigated and a warrant was issued and signed last week before Galvan-Mendez turned himself into police Thursday .
He was released after posting 10 % of $ 5,000 bail , according to prosecutors .
If convicted of the most severe charge of unauthorized recording , Galvan-Mendez faces a sentence ranging from probation to up to five years in prison along with registration as a sex offender .
Galvan-Mendez is free after posting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court March 26 .

Authorities: Geneva man secretly video recorded girl in changing room
Alejandro Galvan-Mendez faces up to five years in prison if convicted of unauthorized video recording of a minor.
A 23-year-old Geneva man has been arrested and charged with video recording a girl without her knowledge while she was in a changing room at a Batavia store.
Alejandro Galvan-Mendez, of the 0-100 block of Ridge Lane, faces two felony counts of unauthorized video recording of a person under 18 and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, in connection with a Feb. 26, incident at a store on the 100 block of South Randall Road in Batavia, according to prosecutors and Kane County court records.
Galvan-Mendez is accused of holding his cellphone over the top of a fitting room wall and recording the victim as she changed. The girl did not consent to being recorded, prosecutors said.
Batavia police investigated and a warrant was issued and signed last week before Galvan-Mendez turned himself into police Thursday. He was released after posting 10% of $5,000 bail, according to prosecutors.
If convicted of the most severe charge of unauthorized recording, Galvan-Mendez faces a sentence ranging from probation to up to five years in prison along with registration as a sex offender.
Galvan-Mendez is free after posting $500 bond and is next due in court March 26.