dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-20--How Camp Out From Cancer care packages give kids a break from dealing with disease

In June 2011 , Isaac Parris was just finishing up kindergarten and looking forward to a summer of fun .
But then the headaches started .
Isaac 's mom , April Schippers , said they waited it out about a week and half , using ice and heat to see if it would alleviate her son 's pain .
Then , after multiple days of various doctor 's appointments , a CT scan revealed a mass on his brain .
Medulla blastoma , the most common form of childhood brain cancer .
Schippers , of Oswego , said Isaac was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then taken by ambulance to Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge .
They found out his diagnosis on a Wednesday and he was in surgery by Friday .
`` Our pediatrician told us because she did n't want us to hear from a stranger , '' Schippers said .
`` Even when she told me they found a mass , I do n't really think I heard it 100 % .
I was naive .
I thought they would do surgery , remove this and he will be fine .
They said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ location .
Those were words I held onto . ''
After the surgery , Isaac took a few months to recuperate before starting radiation treatments in July 2011 to his brain and spine at the Northwestern Medicine Proton Center in Warrenville , which had just opened its doors in October 2010 .
`` It was very new .
They said if it had n't been there , we would have to had to go to Boston for his treatments , '' Schippers said .
Isaac endured daily radiation treatments , Monday through Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sedated .
`` He would go to first grade every day and sleep half of the day at school .
But we felt it was important to make everything as normal for him as we could , '' Schippers said .
In all , Isaac received 30 cranial and spinal proton radiation treatments and nine rounds of chemotherapy .
`` He 's a champ , '' Schippers said .
`` He was amazing , never in a bad mood .
He hated his port , but he was amazingly resilient . ''
Isaac @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and so far there is still No Evidence of Disease .
Schippers said that despite all of the worry , the worst thing that happened to the family also brought so much goodness .
`` I know it sounds strange to say , but that year was so joyful .
The worst year of our lives was also the best .
We learned to live in the moment and stopped stressing about the small things .
I swore we would never go back to living that stressed out lifestyle .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went above and beyond to help him . ''
So the family decided to pay it forward with their Camp Out From Cancer Foundation .
In June 2012 , Isaac and his family returned to Lutheran General , as had now become tradition , to thank the doctors and nurses who had cared for him .
This time , though , he came armed with care packages he had put together for kids who were also fighting cancer .
Schippers said that while Isaac was being treated he would receive gifts that maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but she hated throwing them away because people were kind enough to give them .
The family wanted to give items that were practical and could be used in the long term .
So they came up with the idea for tents .
Since Isaac was a minor , he could n't enter the pediatric oncology wing .
But a child life specialist at the hospital found a family that was willing to meet Isaac in the waiting room .
Five-year-old Sydney arrived with her mask and IV pole .
She had recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had yet to tell her .
Schippers said that Isaac , who is usually reserved , sat down to talk to the little girl .
They commiserated about their ports , and Isaac even showed her the scar from his .
After the family went back to their room with the care package in hand , the child life specialist returned with a photo of Sydney smiling in her new tent .
`` We just wanted to let the kids know we see you , and hopefully bring a little sunshine , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it to become a foundation . ''
But seven years later , COFC has distributed 1,158 packages , working with Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield , Lutheran General and Comer Children 's Hospital .
The family also sends packages nationwide .
Isaac hand packs everything with the help of his sister , Ivy , 14 .
The kits include an indoor popup tent , S'mores Goldfish , glow bracelets , a lantern , books , reusable bag , and `` I am Brave '' socks from Notes to Self .
Ivy decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just 4 years old when Isaac was diagnosed , and she spent a lot of time with friends and family while her mom tended to Isaac 's needs .
`` She was such a little mother back then , '' Schippers said .
`` She felt like she needed to be that strong one to hold it all together . ''
Each sibling now receives a $ 10 gift card so they can buy something just for themselves and a special encouraging message from Ivy .
Schippers said that she keeps in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive the kits .
`` They become like family to us , '' she said .
`` We have bonded in ways many people ca n't understand . ''
Rose Roeder , then 2 , found solace in the tent she received from Camp Out From Cancer .
`` It was really just a spot for her , '' said her mom , Emily .
`` We called it 'Rose time . '
When Rose was having a bad moment , that 's where she would go to escape everything . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Village is grateful for what COFC does .
In January 2014 , their then 2-year-old daughter Rose was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia .
The family was at Advocate Children 's Hospital in Park Ridge when they met Schippers , who set up a table during a fair hosted by the Child Life organization .
`` April was super friendly and charismatic , '' said Emily Roeder , Rose 's mom .
`` I was so excited to see what she had to offer .
I thought it was the best idea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ joy in the hospital . ''
Roeder said it was perfect timing when the tent arrived .
`` It was a particularly tense chemo time , '' she said .
But Rose lit up when she saw the tent put together and all the other goodies that came with it .
Within 24 hours she had it set up in the living room with her favorite toys and pillows .
`` It was really just a spot for her .
We called it 'Rose time . '
When Rose was having a bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to escape everything . ''
Seven years later , Roeder says the tent is still heavily used and remains a favorite spot to get away .
`` They 've put together this incredible program .
It goes beyond just a token or a toy .
It fills a real need for the emotional well-being of the child .
We received a lot of gifts and resources , but that tent has been the most impactful , '' Roeder said .
Which is why Schippers and her family keep doing what they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out through donations , like Giving Tuesday , which this year is Tuesday , Dec. 1 , and on their website , campoutfromcancer.com .
`` I am a huge proponent of not asking for donations , '' Schippers said .
`` I want it done in a meaningful way . ''
Isaac has also been the national ambassador for St. Baldrick 's .
`` That gave us a chance to give back to the research side , '' Schippers said .
Although Isaac 's journey is far from over -- there are numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still must continuously see his doctors -- Schippers is grateful for her son 's continued good health .
`` It never ends , '' she said .
`` It is never done .
But he has such a good attitude .
He 's all in , so we have to show up , too . ''
For more information about Camp Out From Cancer , or how to send a care package , visit campoutfromcancer.com .
What : Camp Out From Cancer is a nonprofit foundation that sends camping-themed care packages for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting cancer .
How you can help : • Follow Camp Out From Cancer on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram • Send a care package to a friend or loved one

How Camp Out From Cancer care packages give kids a break from dealing with disease
Isaac Parris, now 15, and his siblings, Eli Schippers, 6, and Ivy Parris, 14, pack all of the care packages for Camp Out From Cancer. Courtesy of April Schippers
In June 2011, Isaac Parris was just finishing up kindergarten and looking forward to a summer of fun.
But then the headaches started.
Isaac's mom, April Schippers, said they waited it out about a week and half, using ice and heat to see if it would alleviate her son's pain. Then, after multiple days of various doctor's appointments, a CT scan revealed a mass on his brain. Medulla blastoma, the most common form of childhood brain cancer.
Schippers, of Oswego, said Isaac was admitted into Rush-Copley Hospital in Aurora and then taken by ambulance to Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge. They found out his diagnosis on a Wednesday and he was in surgery by Friday.
"Our pediatrician told us because she didn't want us to hear from a stranger," Schippers said. "Even when she told me they found a mass, I don't really think I heard it 100%. I was naive. I thought they would do surgery, remove this and he will be fine. They said the mass was small and in a good location. Those were words I held onto."
Isaac Parris, then 7, of Oswego gets ready for his last round of chemotherapy. Isaac had just finished kindergarten when he was diagnosed with Medulla blastoma, the most common form of childhood brain cancer. - Courtesy of April Schippers
After the surgery, Isaac took a few months to recuperate before starting radiation treatments in July 2011 to his brain and spine at the Northwestern Medicine Proton Center in Warrenville, which had just opened its doors in October 2010.
"It was very new. They said if it hadn't been there, we would have to had to go to Boston for his treatments," Schippers said.
Isaac endured daily radiation treatments, Monday through Friday, which also required him to be sedated.
"He would go to first grade every day and sleep half of the day at school. But we felt it was important to make everything as normal for him as we could," Schippers said.
In all, Isaac received 30 cranial and spinal proton radiation treatments and nine rounds of chemotherapy.
"He's a champ," Schippers said. "He was amazing, never in a bad mood. He hated his port, but he was amazingly resilient."
Isaac finished his chemo treatment in August 2012, and so far there is still No Evidence of Disease.
April Schippers and her son Isaac Parris of Oswego started a foundation called Camp Out From Cancer to bring fun to kids fighting cancer. - Courtesy of April Schippers
Schippers said that despite all of the worry, the worst thing that happened to the family also brought so much goodness.
"I know it sounds strange to say, but that year was so joyful. The worst year of our lives was also the best. We learned to live in the moment and stopped stressing about the small things. I swore we would never go back to living that stressed out lifestyle.
"So many people helped us. Complete strangers went above and beyond to help him."
The foundation
So the family decided to pay it forward with their Camp Out From Cancer Foundation.
In June 2012, Isaac and his family returned to Lutheran General, as had now become tradition, to thank the doctors and nurses who had cared for him. This time, though, he came armed with care packages he had put together for kids who were also fighting cancer.
Isaac Parris, 15, holds one of the Warrior bags that go in the Camp Out From Cancer kits, which include a tent, books, lantern and snacks. - Courtesy of April Schippers
Schippers said that while Isaac was being treated he would receive gifts that maybe weren't always practical to keep, but she hated throwing them away because people were kind enough to give them.
The family wanted to give items that were practical and could be used in the long term. So they came up with the idea for tents.
Since Isaac was a minor, he couldn't enter the pediatric oncology wing. But a child life specialist at the hospital found a family that was willing to meet Isaac in the waiting room.
Five-year-old Sydney arrived with her mask and IV pole. She had recently been diagnosed with leukemia. Her family had yet to tell her.
Schippers said that Isaac, who is usually reserved, sat down to talk to the little girl. They commiserated about their ports, and Isaac even showed her the scar from his.
After the family went back to their room with the care package in hand, the child life specialist returned with a photo of Sydney smiling in her new tent.
"We just wanted to let the kids know we see you, and hopefully bring a little sunshine," Schippers said. "I never planned for it to become a foundation."
But seven years later, COFC has distributed 1,158 packages, working with Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Lutheran General and Comer Children's Hospital. The family also sends packages nationwide.
Isaac hand packs everything with the help of his sister, Ivy, 14. The kits include an indoor popup tent, S'mores Goldfish, glow bracelets, a lantern, books, reusable bag, and "I am Brave" socks from Notes to Self.
Ivy Parris, 14, of Oswego decided siblings needed to be recognized as well, so the family started putting in gift cards for each sibling in the family. - Courtesy of April Schippers
Ivy decided that siblings deserved recognition too. Ivy was just 4 years old when Isaac was diagnosed, and she spent a lot of time with friends and family while her mom tended to Isaac's needs.
"She was such a little mother back then," Schippers said. "She felt like she needed to be that strong one to hold it all together."
Each sibling now receives a $10 gift card so they can buy something just for themselves and a special encouraging message from Ivy.
Schippers said that she keeps in touch with some of the families who receive the kits.
"They become like family to us," she said. "We have bonded in ways many people can't understand."
Rose Roeder, then 2, found solace in the tent she received from Camp Out From Cancer. "It was really just a spot for her," said her mom, Emily. "We called it 'Rose time.' When Rose was having a bad moment, that's where she would go to escape everything." - Courtesy of Emily Roeder
The Roeder family of Elk Grove Village is grateful for what COFC does. In January 2014, their then 2-year-old daughter Rose was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
The family was at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge when they met Schippers, who set up a table during a fair hosted by the Child Life organization.
"April was super friendly and charismatic," said Emily Roeder, Rose's mom. "I was so excited to see what she had to offer. I thought it was the best idea. It's hard to provide comfort and joy in the hospital."
Roeder said it was perfect timing when the tent arrived.
"It was a particularly tense chemo time," she said.
Rose Roeder, 9, of Elk Grove Village, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was just 2, still uses the tent along with her younger brother. - Courtesy of Emily Roeder
But Rose lit up when she saw the tent put together and all the other goodies that came with it. Within 24 hours she had it set up in the living room with her favorite toys and pillows.
"It was really just a spot for her. We called it 'Rose time.' When Rose was having a bad moment, that's where she would go to escape everything."
Seven years later, Roeder says the tent is still heavily used and remains a favorite spot to get away.
"They've put together this incredible program. It goes beyond just a token or a toy. It fills a real need for the emotional well-being of the child. We received a lot of gifts and resources, but that tent has been the most impactful," Roeder said.
All in
Which is why Schippers and her family keep doing what they do. They manage to get the packages out through donations, like Giving Tuesday, which this year is Tuesday, Dec. 1, and on their website, campoutfromcancer.com.
"I am a huge proponent of not asking for donations," Schippers said. "I want it done in a meaningful way."
Isaac has also been the national ambassador for St. Baldrick's.
"That gave us a chance to give back to the research side," Schippers said.
Although Isaac's journey is far from over -- there are numerous side effects from his treatments and he still must continuously see his doctors -- Schippers is grateful for her son's continued good health.
"It never ends," she said. "It is never done. But he has such a good attitude. He's all in, so we have to show up, too."
For more information about Camp Out From Cancer, or how to send a care package, visit campoutfromcancer.com.
• • •
Camp Out From Cancer Foundation
What: Camp Out From Cancer is a nonprofit foundation that sends camping-themed care packages for an indoor camping adventure to children who are fighting cancer.
How you can help:
• Follow Camp Out From Cancer on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
• Share your own story
• Plan a fundraiser
• Make a donation
• Send a care package to a friend or loved one
Details: Email info@campoutfromcancer.org; visit campoutfromcancer.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-20--Aquino to replace Garcia as Illinois presidential elector

SPRINGFIELD -- U.S. Rep. Jesus `` Chuy '' Garcia will not serve as a presidential elector in Illinois .
Instead , he is being replaced by state Sen. Omar Aquino , the state Democratic Party confirmed , and the reason has to do with a requirement of the U.S. Constitution .
Garcia was selected to serve as an elector when the Democratic Party of Illinois ' state central committee met in July .
He was even listed on a press release the party sent out July 15 .
Capitol News Illinois used that list for a story first distributed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson that the names and descriptions were accurate .
But soon after the story was first published , Freeport High School civics teacher Jim Winker emailed CNI to point out that there must have been a mistake .
And indeed there was .
That 's because Article II , Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution , which gives states authority to decide how their presidential electors will be chosen , also places one specific limit on who can serve : `` no Senator or Representative , or Person holding an Office of Trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shall be appointed an Elector . ''
The entire electoral college system has been the subject of considerable controversy in recent years .
It was primarily responsible for George W. Bush winning the presidency in 2000 , and Donald Trump winning in 2016 , despite the fact that both had lost the popular vote .
There have been three other instances when the elected president failed to win the popular vote , including the election of 1876 , when the Electoral College chose Republican Rutherford B. Hayes over Democrat Samuel J. Tilden as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of Reconstruction .
Many historians say that the Electoral College itself was part of a compromise by the framers of the Constitution , some of whom feared that a chief executive directly elected by the people could lead to despotism .
In 1789 , when the Constitution was written , no other country chose their heads of government through direct popular elections .
Others at the time , however , objected to Congress having any role in choosing a president because they wanted a clear separation of powers between the executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who teaches constitutional law at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Law , said the ban on members of Congress serving as electors was meant as an additional check to prevent the office of president from becoming too much like a prime minister .
`` It preserves the Article II branch as a distinct branch of government in a system in which we do n't elect the president directly , '' he said in an email .
`` If you do n't want citizens voting directly for the President then you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you give it to members of Congress then you are very close to the parliamentary system that was otherwise rejected . ''
A spokeswoman for the state Democratic Party did not immediately respond to questions about why Garcia was initially placed on the slate of electors but she acknowledged Thursday that he had been replaced by Aquino .
The list of electors still has not been officially submitted to the Illinois secretary of state 's office .
A spokesman there said that is expected to happen `` on or about '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results statewide are certified .

Aquino to replace Garcia as Illinois presidential elector
Associated PressU.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" García speaks about the importance of the U.S. Postal Service during a news conference Aug. 18 outside the USPS Chicago headquarters. Garcia has been replaced as one of Illinois' presidential electors.
SPRINGFIELD -- U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia will not serve as a presidential elector in Illinois. Instead, he is being replaced by state Sen. Omar Aquino, the state Democratic Party confirmed, and the reason has to do with a requirement of the U.S. Constitution.
Garcia was selected to serve as an elector when the Democratic Party of Illinois' state central committee met in July. He was even listed on a press release the party sent out July 15.
Capitol News Illinois used that list for a story first distributed on Wednesday and also confirmed with a party spokesperson that the names and descriptions were accurate.
But soon after the story was first published, Freeport High School civics teacher Jim Winker emailed CNI to point out that there must have been a mistake. And indeed there was.
That's because Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives states authority to decide how their presidential electors will be chosen, also places one specific limit on who can serve: "no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector."
The entire electoral college system has been the subject of considerable controversy in recent years. It was primarily responsible for George W. Bush winning the presidency in 2000, and Donald Trump winning in 2016, despite the fact that both had lost the popular vote.
There have been three other instances when the elected president failed to win the popular vote, including the election of 1876, when the Electoral College chose Republican Rutherford B. Hayes over Democrat Samuel J. Tilden as part of a compromise that brought about the end of Reconstruction.
Many historians say that the Electoral College itself was part of a compromise by the framers of the Constitution, some of whom feared that a chief executive directly elected by the people could lead to despotism. In 1789, when the Constitution was written, no other country chose their heads of government through direct popular elections.
Others at the time, however, objected to Congress having any role in choosing a president because they wanted a clear separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.
Jason Mazzone, who teaches constitutional law at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Law, said the ban on members of Congress serving as electors was meant as an additional check to prevent the office of president from becoming too much like a prime minister.
"It preserves the Article II branch as a distinct branch of government in a system in which we don't elect the president directly," he said in an email. "If you don't want citizens voting directly for the President then you have to give the vote to somebody else. If you give it to members of Congress then you are very close to the parliamentary system that was otherwise rejected."
A spokeswoman for the state Democratic Party did not immediately respond to questions about why Garcia was initially placed on the slate of electors but she acknowledged Thursday that he had been replaced by Aquino.
The list of electors still has not been officially submitted to the Illinois secretary of state's office. A spokesman there said that is expected to happen "on or about" Dec. 4, the day final election results statewide are certified.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-20--Bruce Miles: Thanks for the memories, Theo

It 's no exaggeration to say that on my final Wrigley Field Sunday as a Cubs beat writer , all Hades was breaking loose around the joint .
The Cubs were in the midst of a nine-game losing streak that would scuttle their 2019 postseason hopes .
Just the day before , closer Craig Kimbrel gave up back-to-back homers to Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong to start the ninth inning , turning an 8-7 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals into a crushing 9-8 defeat .
Just as that Sunday , Sept. 22 game was about to begin , my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Oh , great , '' I thought .
`` Now what ? ''
Turns out it was a text from Theo Epstein : `` Congrats on a great run .
Let me know if you ever need anything from us . ''
Epstein was in the middle of a whole bunch of stuff that day , from enduring another late-season collapse to coming closer to a conclusion to part ways with manager Joe Maddon , a decision he would announce the following Sunday in St. Louis .
So it said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few seconds to wish an old hand well on his way to semiretirement .
The now-former Cubs president concluded his own great run this past week , announcing his resignation after nine eventful seasons in charge of baseball operations on the North Side .
Covering the Epstein regime on a daily basis from the fall of 2011 until October 2019 was an experience like no other .
In the years leading up to Epstein 's hiring , the Cubs front office was somewhat of a mom-and-pop operation , headed up by general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gregarious guy who worked for years under the estimable Andy MacPhail , the scion of baseball royalty .
Epstein brought with him a reputation as `` the smartest guy in the room , '' based on his Ivy League education and a pair of World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox , ending that franchise 's championship drought .
While Hendry is earthy , Epstein is erudite .
Answers to reporters ' questions often were measured in paragraphs , not sentences .
But there was a human side as well .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer hosted the beat writers for an informal lunch at Wrigley Field .
Theo went around the table asking about each of us , everything from our family lives to our tastes in music .
When Epstein and Hoyer interviewed managerial candidates that fall , they put each man before the media for a news conference , just to see how they 'd respond to reporters ' questions .
That was something I had never seen before .
The 2012-'14 seasons were tough to watch , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time 9:30 or so rolled around most nights .
For me , the first sign the arrow began pointing upward came on the Fourth of July 2014 when the Cubs again traded veterans for prospects , sending pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland for Addison Russell and others .
During a conference call the next day , I asked Epstein if this was the last of those kinds of deals he and Hoyer would have to make .
`` We talked about that a lot internally as we went through this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is the last year that we 'll be obvious sellers at the trade deadline , '' Epstein replied .
You know the rest of the story .
The best piece of advice I got from Theo during the 2016 postseason run to the World Series title was to take in each moment and not let it become a blur .
I did the best I could with that one .
Epstein 's legacy will land him in the Hall of Fame one day , both for his accomplishments in Boston and Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of the most iconic sports franchises in the country .
He brought the Cubs front office into the modern era ( keeping many of Hendry 's scouts , by the way ) by introducing advanced analytics to a franchise that had resisted them for so long .
Epstein 's trades brought players such as Anthony Rizzo ( today 's face of the franchise ) , Jake Arrieta , Kyle Hendricks , Pedro Strop , Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler .
Although Epstein takes some justifiable heat for his free-agent signings , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jon Lester before the 2015 season may be the best free agent signing in the history of the franchise , and one of the best in Chicago sports history , perhaps behind only Marian Hossa by the Blackhawks .
Free agent Ben Zobrist was MVP of the 2016 World Series and an exemplar of professionalism in a clubhouse filled with young , impressionable players .
And although Jason Heyward 's offensive numbers may not be what the Cubs hoped they would be when they gave him the huge contract , Heyward has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many ways .
And do n't forget the signing of Maddon to manage the team after the 2014 season .
Maddon deserved a contract extension just as Epstein and Hoyer got , but that 's for another day .
On the down side , the farm system has not produced any pitching talent to speak of , forcing Epstein to buy costly arms .
The farm system might not be what it once was as a whole , but that is a bit misleading .
On any given day this past season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lineup of such homegrown players as Kris Bryant , Kyle Schwarber , Ian Happ , Albert Almora and Nico Hoerner , along with Javier Baez and Willson Contreras , both obtained by the Hendry regime .
It 's been a long time since the Cubs were able to do that .
When teams finish high in the standings , they pick lower in the draft , and their farm systems suffer .
That 's how the system works .
Epstein also drew criticism for obtaining closer Aroldis Chapman in 2016 , given Chapman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in light of Epstein 's talk of wanting `` character '' players .
He faced similar scrutiny for sticking with Russell after Russell 's suspension for domestic violence issues .
Bottom line is that every exec in sports has a record of successes and failures .
During Epstein 's nine years in Chicago , the successes far outweighed the failures , and let 's remember that most Cubs fans were totally on board for the `` rebuild , '' which resulted in those losing early years .
During Epstein 's farewell news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd like to buy Cubs fans a beer if he ran into them in an establishment after the COVID-19 pandemic is over .
On the last day of the 2019 season , he mentioned to me that we need to have a glass of wine together .
Thanks for the memories , Theo , and I 'm holding you to that offer for the glass of wine .
In the spirit of Ernie Banks , let 's make it two .
• Bruce Miles covered the Cubs for The Daily Herald from 1998 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BruceMiles2112 .

Bruce Miles: Thanks for the memories, Theo
It's no exaggeration to say that on my final Wrigley Field Sunday as a Cubs beat writer, all Hades was breaking loose around the joint.
The Cubs were in the midst of a nine-game losing streak that would scuttle their 2019 postseason hopes. Just the day before, closer Craig Kimbrel gave up back-to-back homers to Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong to start the ninth inning, turning an 8-7 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals into a crushing 9-8 defeat.
Just as that Sunday, Sept. 22 game was about to begin, my cellphone lit up with a text message.
"Oh, great," I thought. "Now what?"
Turns out it was a text from Theo Epstein: "Congrats on a great run. Let me know if you ever need anything from us."
Epstein was in the middle of a whole bunch of stuff that day, from enduring another late-season collapse to coming closer to a conclusion to part ways with manager Joe Maddon, a decision he would announce the following Sunday in St. Louis. So it said a lot to me that he would take a few seconds to wish an old hand well on his way to semiretirement.
The now-former Cubs president concluded his own great run this past week, announcing his resignation after nine eventful seasons in charge of baseball operations on the North Side.
• • •
Covering the Epstein regime on a daily basis from the fall of 2011 until October 2019 was an experience like no other.
In the years leading up to Epstein's hiring, the Cubs front office was somewhat of a mom-and-pop operation, headed up by general manager Jim Hendry, a friendly and gregarious guy who worked for years under the estimable Andy MacPhail, the scion of baseball royalty.
Epstein brought with him a reputation as "the smartest guy in the room," based on his Ivy League education and a pair of World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, ending that franchise's championship drought.
While Hendry is earthy, Epstein is erudite. Answers to reporters' questions often were measured in paragraphs, not sentences. But there was a human side as well. During his first few weeks on the job, Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer hosted the beat writers for an informal lunch at Wrigley Field. Theo went around the table asking about each of us, everything from our family lives to our tastes in music.
When Epstein and Hoyer interviewed managerial candidates that fall, they put each man before the media for a news conference, just to see how they'd respond to reporters' questions. That was something I had never seen before.
• • •
The 2012-'14 seasons were tough to watch, and Wrigley Field was library quiet by the time 9:30 or so rolled around most nights.
For me, the first sign the arrow began pointing upward came on the Fourth of July 2014 when the Cubs again traded veterans for prospects, sending pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland for Addison Russell and others. During a conference call the next day, I asked Epstein if this was the last of those kinds of deals he and Hoyer would have to make.
"We talked about that a lot internally as we went through this process, that we certainly hope that this is the last year that we'll be obvious sellers at the trade deadline," Epstein replied.
You know the rest of the story. The best piece of advice I got from Theo during the 2016 postseason run to the World Series title was to take in each moment and not let it become a blur. I did the best I could with that one.
Epstein's legacy will land him in the Hall of Fame one day, both for his accomplishments in Boston and Chicago, as he broke championship droughts with two of the most iconic sports franchises in the country.
He brought the Cubs front office into the modern era (keeping many of Hendry's scouts, by the way) by introducing advanced analytics to a franchise that had resisted them for so long.
Epstein's trades brought players such as Anthony Rizzo (today's face of the franchise), Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, Pedro Strop, Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler.
Although Epstein takes some justifiable heat for his free-agent signings, both in Chicago and Boston, the addition of Jon Lester before the 2015 season may be the best free agent signing in the history of the franchise, and one of the best in Chicago sports history, perhaps behind only Marian Hossa by the Blackhawks.
Free agent Ben Zobrist was MVP of the 2016 World Series and an exemplar of professionalism in a clubhouse filled with young, impressionable players. And although Jason Heyward's offensive numbers may not be what the Cubs hoped they would be when they gave him the huge contract, Heyward has contributed positively to the Cubs in so many ways.
And don't forget the signing of Maddon to manage the team after the 2014 season. Maddon deserved a contract extension just as Epstein and Hoyer got, but that's for another day.
On the down side, the farm system has not produced any pitching talent to speak of, forcing Epstein to buy costly arms. The farm system might not be what it once was as a whole, but that is a bit misleading. On any given day this past season, the Cubs could trot out a starting lineup of such homegrown players as Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, Albert Almora and Nico Hoerner, along with Javier Baez and Willson Contreras, both obtained by the Hendry regime. It's been a long time since the Cubs were able to do that.
When teams finish high in the standings, they pick lower in the draft, and their farm systems suffer. That's how the system works.
Epstein also drew criticism for obtaining closer Aroldis Chapman in 2016, given Chapman's history of domestic abuse, especially in light of Epstein's talk of wanting "character" players. He faced similar scrutiny for sticking with Russell after Russell's suspension for domestic violence issues.
Bottom line is that every exec in sports has a record of successes and failures. During Epstein's nine years in Chicago, the successes far outweighed the failures, and let's remember that most Cubs fans were totally on board for the "rebuild," which resulted in those losing early years.
• • •
During Epstein's farewell news conference the other day, he mentioned he'd like to buy Cubs fans a beer if he ran into them in an establishment after the COVID-19 pandemic is over. On the last day of the 2019 season, he mentioned to me that we need to have a glass of wine together.
Thanks for the memories, Theo, and I'm holding you to that offer for the glass of wine.
In the spirit of Ernie Banks, let's make it two.
• Bruce Miles covered the Cubs for The Daily Herald from 1998 to 2019. Follow him on Twitter @BruceMiles2112.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-20--Brees to miss at least 3 games after Saints place him on IR

NEW ORLEANS -- The Saints placed quarterback Drew Brees on injured reserve Friday , meaning he 'll miss at least three games with rib injuries .
Brees was unable to finish last Sunday 's game after absorbing a heavy hit on a sack attempt by 287-pound San Francisco defensive tackle Kentavius Street , who was penalized for roughing on the play .
Street landed on the right side of Brees ' torso as the two went to the ground , and Brees was diagnosed Monday with rib fractures and a collapsed lung .
Brees , 41 , has played efficiently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 73.5 % of his passes for 2,196 yards and 18 touchdowns with three interceptions in eight-and-a-half games .
An injured reserve designation previously would end a players ' season with fewer than eight games remaining , but this year the NFL has adopted more flexible roster rules because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Brees already was not expected to play this week .
New Orleans ' other two quarterbacks are Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill , who have been splitting time working with first-team receivers during periods of practice open to reporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly name a starter for Sundays ' home game against Atlanta , but also said he had made a decision .
After Brees left last Sunday 's victory over the 49ers , Winston took most of the snaps , going 6 of 10 for 63 yards .
He did not throw for a touchdown and was nearly intercepted when safety Jimmie Ward dropped a pass over the middle .
But Hill , who has played throughout the season as a change-of-pace , option quarterback , and also has served in a utility role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end , is reportedly Payton 's choice to take the first snaps against the Falcons .
Hill has attempted just five passes this season , but has completed four of them for 86 yards .
He has not thrown a touchdown pass or interception this season .
Hill has been with New Orleans since his rookie season in 2017 and this offseason signed a two-year extension worth about $ 21 million , a signal that New Orleans considered him a legitimate candidate to step in when Brees retires .
But Hill has yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Brees missed five games last season , Hill was kept in his regular utility role while then backup Teddy Bridgewater served as a fill-in starter , going 5-0 .
Now it appears Hill could be in line for his chance to show how well he can run the offense for a sustained period during the game .

Brees to miss at least 3 games after Saints place him on IR
FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Kentavius Street (95) sacks quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans. The Saints placed Brees on injured reserve Friday, Nov. 20, meaning he'll miss at least three games with rib injuries. Brees was unable to finish last Sunday's game after absorbing a heavy hit on a sack attempt by 287-pound San Francisco defensive tackle Street, who was penalized for roughing on the play. Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS -- The Saints placed quarterback Drew Brees on injured reserve Friday, meaning he'll miss at least three games with rib injuries.
Brees was unable to finish last Sunday's game after absorbing a heavy hit on a sack attempt by 287-pound San Francisco defensive tackle Kentavius Street, who was penalized for roughing on the play.
Street landed on the right side of Brees' torso as the two went to the ground, and Brees was diagnosed Monday with rib fractures and a collapsed lung.
Brees, 41, has played efficiently this season for New Orleans, completing 73.5% of his passes for 2,196 yards and 18 touchdowns with three interceptions in eight-and-a-half games.
An injured reserve designation previously would end a players' season with fewer than eight games remaining, but this year the NFL has adopted more flexible roster rules because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Brees already was not expected to play this week. New Orleans' other two quarterbacks are Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill, who have been splitting time working with first-team receivers during periods of practice open to reporters.
Sean Payton declined after practice Friday to publicly name a starter for Sundays' home game against Atlanta, but also said he had made a decision.
After Brees left last Sunday's victory over the 49ers, Winston took most of the snaps, going 6 of 10 for 63 yards. He did not throw for a touchdown and was nearly intercepted when safety Jimmie Ward dropped a pass over the middle.
But Hill, who has played throughout the season as a change-of-pace, option quarterback, and also has served in a utility role on special teams and as a tight end, is reportedly Payton's choice to take the first snaps against the Falcons.
Hill has attempted just five passes this season, but has completed four of them for 86 yards. He has not thrown a touchdown pass or interception this season.
Hill has been with New Orleans since his rookie season in 2017 and this offseason signed a two-year extension worth about $21 million, a signal that New Orleans considered him a legitimate candidate to step in when Brees retires.
But Hill has yet to start a regular season game. When Brees missed five games last season, Hill was kept in his regular utility role while then backup Teddy Bridgewater served as a fill-in starter, going 5-0.
Now it appears Hill could be in line for his chance to show how well he can run the offense for a sustained period during the game.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-20--Convicted fraudster ordered to prison

Convicted fraudster ordered to prison

Insisting that `` enough is enough , '' an agitated federal judge sent a woman who helped a Buffalo Grove man defraud his employer to prison Friday after the feds say she squandered thousands from a $ 150,000 COVID-19 loan .
Prosecutors said Crystal Lundberg used the money -- meant for small businesses struggling through the pandemic -- on travel and legal bills , electronics , clothing and other items while putting off her surrender date with the Federal Bureau of Prisons originally set for Jan. 20 , 2020 .
U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo sentenced Lundberg last December to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wire fraud .
Since the feds leveled their new allegations earlier this week , she has been held in custody at the downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center , records show .
Lundberg , 34 , has been in hot water with the feds since 2017 , when she was first charged along with Buffalo Grove resident Scott Kennedy in a $ 5.79 million fraud scheme .
The two met when Kennedy hired her as an escort .
He later gave her access to his company 's credit card , and she helped him rack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services .
Kennedy pleaded guilty , testified at Lundberg 's trial about how he had fallen in love with her , and was sentenced in July to more than two years in prison .

Convicted fraudster ordered to prison
Insisting that "enough is enough," an agitated federal judge sent a woman who helped a Buffalo Grove man defraud his employer to prison Friday after the feds say she squandered thousands from a $150,000 COVID-19 loan.
Prosecutors said Crystal Lundberg used the money -- meant for small businesses struggling through the pandemic -- on travel and legal bills, electronics, clothing and other items while putting off her surrender date with the Federal Bureau of Prisons originally set for Jan. 20, 2020.
U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo sentenced Lundberg last December to more than four years in prison for wire fraud. Since the feds leveled their new allegations earlier this week, she has been held in custody at the downtown Metropolitan Correctional Center, records show.
Lundberg, 34, has been in hot water with the feds since 2017, when she was first charged along with Buffalo Grove resident Scott Kennedy in a $5.79 million fraud scheme. The two met when Kennedy hired her as an escort. He later gave her access to his company's credit card, and she helped him rack up exorbitant charges on luxury goods and services.
Kennedy pleaded guilty, testified at Lundberg's trial about how he had fallen in love with her, and was sentenced in July to more than two years in prison.
For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-21--Bartlett High School teacher fired after accusations of inappropriate relationships with 3 students

A tenured Bartlett High School teacher has been fired after accusations of inappropriate relationships with three students who graduated during the 2000s , according to documents released by the school district .
The reasons for Gary Lorber 's dismissal were not publicly disclosed at the time of the Elgin Area School District U-46 board of education 's unanimous termination vote Monday .
But a Freedom of Information request filed by the Daily Herald led to the release Friday of a Notice of Charges and Bill of Particulars which detailed 20 professional charges against Lorber relating to his conduct with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradual progression from notes and attention , to gifts , and eventually in two cases paid trips to New York .
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services officials said Friday they are investigating Lorber , but would not disclose any details .
Lorber , 51 , of Wheaton has not been charged with any crime .
Lorber , who taught at the school for 25 years , could not be reached for comment .
The document released by the district said he apologized to school officials for his behavior .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning of the inappropriate relationships when it received notice on Sept. 27 from a 2009 graduate who said Lorber had used his position to foster an unprofessional teacher-student relationship with her while she still attended Bartlett High School and then established an inappropriate personal relationship with her after she 'd graduated .
A similar scenario regarding a 2003 graduate was also detailed in the district 's document .
It included kissing and touching during private practice sessions for a performance , notes saying `` my love , '' emails , phone calls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his home , according to the document .
The document states `` your grooming of Person B '' resulted in `` an intimate , personal and sexual relationship with Person B while Person B was student at Bartlett High School . ''
After graduation , the former student moved into Lorber 's home as his girlfriend for a time , according to the document .
But a third , earlier student who 'd received preferential treatment from Lorber , including regular 30-minute morning meetings before school during her junior year , avoided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior year before her 2002 graduation because his conduct made her very uncomfortable , according to the document .
The document says that Lorber denied all allegations related to Student A during an initial interview Sept. 30 and refused to answer questions about allegations related to Student B .
But after another interview on Oct. 20 , he contacted the district .
`` On November 5 , 2020 , you emailed Superintendent Tony Sanders stating that you were 'ashamed and deeply sorry ' for your actions as it related to the district 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated that you wanted Superintendent Sanders to know that you were , 'completely at fault and blame no one but ( yourself ) , ' '' the document states .
Sanders said in a statement Saturday that the district has sent its finding to the DuPage County state 's attorney 's office and has asked the state board of education to revoke Lorber 's teaching license .
Sanders pointed to the district 's current policies and training regarding reporting and preventing of sexual abuse , but added : `` We are developing another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explicitly address the issue of professional boundaries as well as the requirements to report suspected cases of inappropriate behavior . ''
Lorber was a popular teacher at the school , serving at one time as the Elgin Teachers ' Association 's building representative .
When he was briefly placed on administrative leave with pay in November 2013 , students took to Twitter , using the hashtag # freelorber to express their disappointment .
Some said Lorber was one of their favorite teachers , while others said they felt he was being punished for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suspension was because of his vocal opposition to a new grading scale using numbers rather than letters .
School officials declined at the time to comment on what was described as a personnel matter .

Bartlett High School teacher fired after accusations of inappropriate relationships with 3 students
A tenured Bartlett High School teacher has been fired after accusations of inappropriate relationships with three students who graduated during the 2000s, according to documents released by the school district.
The reasons for Gary Lorber's dismissal were not publicly disclosed at the time of the Elgin Area School District U-46 board of education's unanimous termination vote Monday.
But a Freedom of Information request filed by the Daily Herald led to the release Friday of a Notice of Charges and Bill of Particulars which detailed 20 professional charges against Lorber relating to his conduct with the three students.
The document details a gradual progression from notes and attention, to gifts, and eventually in two cases paid trips to New York.
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services officials said Friday they are investigating Lorber, but would not disclose any details.
Lorber, 51, of Wheaton has not been charged with any crime.
Lorber, who taught at the school for 25 years, could not be reached for comment. The document released by the district said he apologized to school officials for his behavior.
According to the school district document, U-46 began learning of the inappropriate relationships when it received notice on Sept. 27 from a 2009 graduate who said Lorber had used his position to foster an unprofessional teacher-student relationship with her while she still attended Bartlett High School and then established an inappropriate personal relationship with her after she'd graduated.
A similar scenario regarding a 2003 graduate was also detailed in the district's document. It included kissing and touching during private practice sessions for a performance, notes saying "my love," emails, phone calls, meetings in a forest preserve and visits to his home, according to the document.
The document states "your grooming of Person B" resulted in "an intimate, personal and sexual relationship with Person B while Person B was student at Bartlett High School." After graduation, the former student moved into Lorber's home as his girlfriend for a time, according to the document.
But a third, earlier student who'd received preferential treatment from Lorber, including regular 30-minute morning meetings before school during her junior year, avoided him during the second half of her senior year before her 2002 graduation because his conduct made her very uncomfortable, according to the document.
The document says that Lorber denied all allegations related to Student A during an initial interview Sept. 30 and refused to answer questions about allegations related to Student B. But after another interview on Oct. 20, he contacted the district.
"On November 5, 2020, you emailed Superintendent Tony Sanders stating that you were 'ashamed and deeply sorry' for your actions as it related to the district's investigation of your actions. You further stated that you wanted Superintendent Sanders to know that you were, 'completely at fault and blame no one but (yourself),'" the document states.
Sanders said in a statement Saturday that the district has sent its finding to the DuPage County state's attorney's office and has asked the state board of education to revoke Lorber's teaching license.
Sanders pointed to the district's current policies and training regarding reporting and preventing of sexual abuse, but added: "We are developing another layer to our professional development to more explicitly address the issue of professional boundaries as well as the requirements to report suspected cases of inappropriate behavior."
Lorber was a popular teacher at the school, serving at one time as the Elgin Teachers' Association's building representative.
When he was briefly placed on administrative leave with pay in November 2013, students took to Twitter, using the hashtag #freelorber to express their disappointment. Some said Lorber was one of their favorite teachers, while others said they felt he was being punished for speaking his mind.
Lorber had said the suspension was because of his vocal opposition to a new grading scale using numbers rather than letters. School officials declined at the time to comment on what was described as a personnel matter.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-21--How the 'red mirage' snatched victories away from some Republican candidates

As votes were being counted on election night , congressional candidate Jim Oberweis was ebullient .
Oberweis , a Republican from Sugar Grove , was leading Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood for her 14th District seat .
And if he won , he 'd be moving from the state Senate to federal office -- something he 'd been unsuccessfully chasing since 2002 .
Not only that , but President Donald Trump 's reelection chances were looking good .
Oberweis has been a vocal Trump supporter , and Trump had endorsed Oberweis .
`` This could be a great , glorious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was an illusion .
In the days that followed , Oberweis ' lead evaporated .
Underwood was in front by the weekend , and The Associated Press declared her the winner a few days later .
Underwood finished ahead by 5,377 votes , unofficial results showed -- about 1 % of the 400,908 total votes cast in the contest .
Oberweis , who intends to pursue a recount , was n't the only suburban Republican who led on election night but fell behind as votes cast by mail were added to tallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney Michael Nerheim , Lake County Board member Mike Rummel , Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak and DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan .
More than 2 million Illinoisans voted using mail-in ballots in this election , according to the Illinois State Board of Elections .
Nearly 2 million others voted early at in-person polling places .
The COVID-19 crisis was a factor in those totals .
It led to systems being created in Illinois and other states that encouraged voting by mail over in-person voting because it was considered safer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this month 's election -- also resulted in anyone who voted in 2018 , 2019 or this year 's primary automatically being sent applications for mail-in voting .
For example , Lake County 's Democratic organization sent letters to registered voters detailing their options , including vote by mail , party Chair Lauren Beth Gash said .
They also called people to inform them of those options and to motivate them to vote .
Meanwhile , Trump and other Republicans groused about possible election fraud in voting by mail .
Relatively few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a messaging advantage , '' said Kent Redfield , professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield .
Election results have shown most people who vote by mail back Democratic candidates .
`` Vote by mail does have a Democratic lean , '' Redfield said .
`` New voters , particularly younger voters , find voting by mail very easy and low-cost in terms of time and effort . ''
On the flip side , Election Day tallies appear more Republican than the final totals .
For proof of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Underwood-Oberweis showdown .
In the Lake County portion of the 14th District , unofficial results showed Underwood received 13,323 votes by mail , more than double Oberweis ' share of such votes .
Conversely , Oberweis got 8,464 Election Day votes in Lake County -- nearly double Underwood 's haul that day .
Likewise , in McHenry County , Oberweis received nearly twice as many votes on Election Day as Underwood but less than half the mail-in votes .
In the end , Underwood 's total in the seven counties the 14th District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her campaign , the 203,195 votes she received were more votes than any congressional candidate in the district 's history -- and voting by mail was a big factor .
`` Our democracy is precious , and it requires participation , '' Underwood said in a news release .
`` I 'm grateful to every voter for making their voice heard . ''
The Cook County Board of Review 's Patlak was also on the other side of the red mirage .
The 1st District commissioner since 2010 , Patlak , of Wheeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Palos Heights despite being ahead on election night .
As he watched vote totals update after the polls closed , Patlak saw they were lower than the numbers from his last election in 2016 .
And considering how anti-Trump sentiment was expected to drive more people than usual to vote , the total of counted votes as of election night likely was far lower than the number that actually had been cast .
The next day , Patlak learned some 300,000 mail-in ballots from suburban Cook County had yet to be counted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1st District .
As those mail-in votes were tabulated , Patlak 's lead was whittled away .
Wendt eventually pulled out front .
Patlak , who is concerned about possible inconsistencies in the vote totals and has n't conceded , was n't surprised by the vote-by-mail numbers or their Democratic slant .
`` My mistake was that ( I thought ) they were being processed and would be counted on election night , '' he said .
To prevent these situations from reoccurring , Redfield suggested state legislatures make two changes .
First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting by mail and early in-person voting .
Second , they should change when such ballots are counted and reported to the public by county clerks and other election authorities .
Under state law in Illinois , officials can process and tabulate vote-by-mail and early ballots as they come in -- staffers just are n't allowed to read or release the numbers before the polls close on election night .
Even so , not all process ballots that way .
In suburban Cook County , for example , all votes are counted at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precinct by precinct .
But in Lake and McHenry counties , mail-in votes are counted after Election Day votes .
If states required election authorities to process -- but not reveal -- those votes as they come in , officials would be able to announce results from a much larger portion of the total ballots cast right after the polls close .
`` This would eliminate ( that ) dramatic shift , '' Redfield said .
In close races like the one between Underwood and Oberweis , however , candidates may still move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailed ballots can arrive after Election Day .
In such cases , if voting by mail continues favoring Democratic candidates , red mirages might occur .
`` There really is no fix for ( that ) situation , '' Redfield said .

How the 'red mirage' gave Republicans false sense of election success
Republican Jim Oberweis was leading the 14th Congressional District race on Election Day but lost once ballots cast by mail were counted, unofficial results showed. He's contesting the election results. Facebook Video Screenshot
As votes were being counted on election night, congressional candidate Jim Oberweis was ebullient.
Oberweis, a Republican from Sugar Grove, was leading Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood for her 14th District seat. And if he won, he'd be moving from the state Senate to federal office -- something he'd been unsuccessfully chasing since 2002.
Not only that, but President Donald Trump's reelection chances were looking good. Oberweis has been a vocal Trump supporter, and Trump had endorsed Oberweis.
"This could be a great, glorious night," Oberweis said.
But it was an illusion.
In the days that followed, Oberweis' lead evaporated. Underwood was in front by the weekend, and The Associated Press declared her the winner a few days later.
Underwood finished ahead by 5,377 votes, unofficial results showed -- about 1% of the 400,908 total votes cast in the contest.
Oberweis, who intends to pursue a recount, wasn't the only suburban Republican who led on election night but fell behind as votes cast by mail were added to tallies.
So did Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim, Lake County Board member Mike Rummel, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Dan Patlak and DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan.
Election watchers called the phenomena "the red mirage."
The COVID factor
More than 2 million Illinoisans voted using mail-in ballots in this election, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Nearly 2 million others voted early at in-person polling places.
The COVID-19 crisis was a factor in those totals. It led to systems being created in Illinois and other states that encouraged voting by mail over in-person voting because it was considered safer.
Illinois' legislation -- good only for this month's election -- also resulted in anyone who voted in 2018, 2019 or this year's primary automatically being sent applications for mail-in voting.
Savvy Democratic organizations then actively promoted voting by mail.
For example, Lake County's Democratic organization sent letters to registered voters detailing their options, including vote by mail, party Chair Lauren Beth Gash said. They also called people to inform them of those options and to motivate them to vote.
Meanwhile, Trump and other Republicans groused about possible election fraud in voting by mail. Relatively few promoted it.
"The Democrats had a messaging advantage," said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
'A Democratic lean'
Election results have shown most people who vote by mail back Democratic candidates.
"Vote by mail does have a Democratic lean," Redfield said. "New voters, particularly younger voters, find voting by mail very easy and low-cost in terms of time and effort."
On the flip side, Election Day tallies appear more Republican than the final totals.
For proof of this partisan split, look at the Underwood-Oberweis showdown.
In the Lake County portion of the 14th District, unofficial results showed Underwood received 13,323 votes by mail, more than double Oberweis' share of such votes.
Conversely, Oberweis got 8,464 Election Day votes in Lake County -- nearly double Underwood's haul that day.
Likewise, in McHenry County, Oberweis received nearly twice as many votes on Election Day as Underwood but less than half the mail-in votes.
In the end, Underwood's total in the seven counties the 14th District reaches exceeded Oberweis'. According to her campaign, the 203,195 votes she received were more votes than any congressional candidate in the district's history -- and voting by mail was a big factor.
"Our democracy is precious, and it requires participation," Underwood said in a news release. "I'm grateful to every voter for making their voice heard."
The Cook County Board of Review's Patlak was also on the other side of the red mirage.
The 1st District commissioner since 2010, Patlak, of Wheeling, lost to Democratic challenger Tammy Wendt of Palos Heights despite being ahead on election night.
As he watched vote totals update after the polls closed, Patlak saw they were lower than the numbers from his last election in 2016. And considering how anti-Trump sentiment was expected to drive more people than usual to vote, the total of counted votes as of election night likely was far lower than the number that actually had been cast.
The next day, Patlak learned some 300,000 mail-in ballots from suburban Cook County had yet to be counted -- including tens of thousands from the 1st District.
As those mail-in votes were tabulated, Patlak's lead was whittled away. Wendt eventually pulled out front.
Patlak, who is concerned about possible inconsistencies in the vote totals and hasn't conceded, wasn't surprised by the vote-by-mail numbers or their Democratic slant.
"My mistake was that (I thought) they were being processed and would be counted on election night," he said.
What's the solution?
To prevent these situations from reoccurring, Redfield suggested state legislatures make two changes.
First, they should create long periods for voting by mail and early in-person voting. Second, they should change when such ballots are counted and reported to the public by county clerks and other election authorities.
Under state law in Illinois, officials can process and tabulate vote-by-mail and early ballots as they come in -- staffers just aren't allowed to read or release the numbers before the polls close on election night.
Even so, not all process ballots that way.
In suburban Cook County, for example, all votes are counted at the same time on election night, precinct by precinct. But in Lake and McHenry counties, mail-in votes are counted after Election Day votes.
If states required election authorities to process -- but not reveal -- those votes as they come in, officials would be able to announce results from a much larger portion of the total ballots cast right after the polls close.
"This would eliminate (that) dramatic shift," Redfield said.
In close races like the one between Underwood and Oberweis, however, candidates may still move in and out of the lead because mailed ballots can arrive after Election Day.
In such cases, if voting by mail continues favoring Democratic candidates, red mirages might occur.
"There really is no fix for (that) situation," Redfield said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-21--Contactless visits with Santa still on at suburban malls

COVID-19 wo n't keep Santa from making his suburban mall rounds this week .
But you 'll want a reservation -- and need a mask -- to see him .
Plus , you 'll have to stay at least six feet away .
The Christmas magic of seeing Santa may be stunted amid rising COVID-19 numbers and new mitigations , but it wo n't be stopped this season as malls adopt safety precautions and some feature virtual visits in light of the pandemic .
Santa 's first local stops in his annual trek around the world are this weekend in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At Woodfield Mall , Fashion Outlets of Chicago and Oakbrook Center , where Santa first met with families Friday , reservations are encouraged and everyone must wear a mask and stay 6 feet away from Santa , who will also be wearing a mask .
`` Although it will take on a new look this year , we 're delighted to offer visits with Santa this holiday season and bring some joy to our community during a much-needed time , '' said Katie Walsh , senior marketing manager at Rosemont 's Fashion Outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will welcome visitors to their contactless Santa experience starting Friday .
Santa will be at all locations through Christmas Eve .
Reservations are required at Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee and requested at other spots .
A few malls are offering extra displays .
At Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills , families can expect a new walk-through , selfie-friendly set based on the Warner Bros. movie `` Elf . ''
A Charlie Brown-themed interactive set will entertain kids before their contactless visits with Santa at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to venture out , Santa also will be taking Christmas wishes online through some malls , including Northbrook Court , Spring Hill Mall and Oakbrook Center .
Check out the following websites for details about Santa 's hours , socially distant photos , reservations and more :

Contactless visits with Santa still on at suburban malls
COVID-19 won't keep Santa from making his suburban mall rounds this week. But you'll want a reservation -- and need a mask -- to see him.
Plus, you'll have to stay at least six feet away.
The Christmas magic of seeing Santa may be stunted amid rising COVID-19 numbers and new mitigations, but it won't be stopped this season as malls adopt safety precautions and some feature virtual visits in light of the pandemic.
Santa's first local stops in his annual trek around the world are this weekend in Schaumburg, Rosemont and Oak Brook. At Woodfield Mall, Fashion Outlets of Chicago and Oakbrook Center, where Santa first met with families Friday, reservations are encouraged and everyone must wear a mask and stay 6 feet away from Santa, who will also be wearing a mask.
"Although it will take on a new look this year, we're delighted to offer visits with Santa this holiday season and bring some joy to our community during a much-needed time," said Katie Walsh, senior marketing manager at Rosemont's Fashion Outlets of Chicago.
Most other suburban malls will welcome visitors to their contactless Santa experience starting Friday. Santa will be at all locations through Christmas Eve. Reservations are required at Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee and requested at other spots.
A few malls are offering extra displays. At Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, families can expect a new walk-through, selfie-friendly set based on the Warner Bros. movie "Elf." A Charlie Brown-themed interactive set will entertain kids before their contactless visits with Santa at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora.
For those who can't or don't want to venture out, Santa also will be taking Christmas wishes online through some malls, including Northbrook Court, Spring Hill Mall and Oakbrook Center.
Check out the following websites for details about Santa's hours, socially distant photos, reservations and more:
• Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg: woodfieldmallsanta.splashthat.com
• Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont: fashionoutletsofchicago.com/holiday
• Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook: oakbrookcenter.com
• Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills: shophawthornmall.com/holiday
• Fox Valley Mall in Aurora: shopfoxvalleymall/holiday
• Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee: springhillmall.com/en/visit/holiday.html
• Gurnee Mills in Gurnee: gurneemillssanta.splashthat.com/
• Northbrook Court in Northbrook: www.northbrookcourt.com/en/visit/holiday.html


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-21--Constable: Ho, ho, hold on a sec, as 'Pandemic Santas' ponder COVID holidays

Probably .
Maybe .
But you might not recognize him at first .
Pandemic Santa might wear a mask , maybe a plastic face shield , and he 'll keep kids off his lap and a safe distance away , possibly behind plexiglass .
All while the paranoid side of you might be wondering if Rudolph the reindeer 's red nose might be a symptom of the coronavirus .
`` It would be difficult if you had a Santa and he had to wear a mask and do social distancing , '' says Paul Eggert , a 70-year-old father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long white beard and a twinkle in his eyes .
In the nearly three decades that he has assumed the persona of the jolly old elf , Eggert has learned how to make personal connections with children .
Timid and scared children during their first visit to Santa became comfortable in future years .
`` I had several kids who got to know Santa , '' Eggert says .
`` I had a lot of them who would run up and hug me . ''
Even if they saw him drive up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CR-V -- `` and it 's red , well , maroon '' -- children figured he 'd come from the North Pole because he looked exactly as they thought Santa looked .
`` I got the suit when my son was in Cubs Scouts and he 's 35 now , '' says Eggert , who started out using an old Santa suit owned by his church .
`` I was at a garage sale and I saw a suit .
I asked how much and they said , 'If you 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' '' remembers Eggert , who still wears that suit every Christmas Eve for his family and also at private parties , church events , community gatherings and charity programs .
`` In most cases , I do n't like the gigs that pay anymore , '' Eggert says .
`` I 'm doing this for the excitement of the season and the joy of the kids .
The sparkle in the eyes of the kids seeing Santa Claus is worth a million dollars . ''
He 'll still be Santa for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 12 grandchildren all know it 's `` Santa Papa . ''
But last December 's schedule wo n't be this December 's schedule .
He usually plays Santa for an event at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Sugar Grove .
But he 's not sure if and how that would go this year .
`` A drive-by Santa ? ''
he says with a chuckle .
Jim and Deb Van Antwerp , who are known as Santa and Mrs. Claus of Rolling Meadows , know the pain of the present pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tree lighting .
The park district has canceled their Breakfast With Santa , '' Jim Van Antwerp says .
An event for a home association in Lake Barrington most likely will exchange the traditional lap experience for more of a Santa parade , he says .
`` There 's no sitting on his lap or whispering in his ear , '' Santa 's better half says .
The white-bearded Jim Van Antwerp , 61 , has been portraying Santa since he and his wife took their kids to Randhurst Mall in Mount Prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye of a Santa who was looking for some backup help .
`` My kids thought Santa hand-picked their dad to help , '' Deb Van Antwerp remembers .
`` He looks like Santa Claus .
In July , people come to our table at restaurants and say they 've been good . ''
Eggert , who also sports a long white beard of his own , says his beard always got a workout when he did his Christmas in July gig ( but not this year because of COVID-19 ) at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kids pulled on his beard `` almost constantly '' to see if it was a fake .
One particularly skeptical boy was a problem .
`` Before he sat down , he kicked me in the shin , '' Eggert says .
Then he yanked Eggert 's beard .
`` You should have seen his face when he pulled my beard and my chin came down with it , '' Eggert says .
`` He had the most astonished look on his face .
He told his mom and dad , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . '
'' Kids want to believe .
Even though my best friend in first grade insisted Santa was make-believe , I remained a staunch believer .
As a symbol of goodness and generosity , Santa has the power to influence young lives .
So maybe a Santa wearing a mask is a good thing , says Eggert , who notes kids , and their parents , might figure , `` 'Hey , if Santa wears a mask , maybe I better wear one , too . '
''

Constable: Ho, ho, hold on a sec, as 'Pandemic Santas' ponder COVID holidays
Jim and Deb Van Antwerp generally play Santa and Mrs. Claus this time of year. But his beard is real, so kids sometimes come up to the couple to let Santa know they've been good. Courtesy of Jim and Deb Van Antwerp
As Santa Claus before the coronavirus, Paul Eggert posed for a selfie with a mom and son during one of his annual appearances at the Banana Split ice cream parlor in Aurora to help raise funds and toys for the Aurora Salvation Army. COURTESY OF AL BENSON
For decades, Jim Van Antwerp of Rolling Meadows has donned his gay apparel and given children a chance to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. This year, the pandemic is changing everything. Daily Herald File Photo
Every July, Paul Eggert of Aurora played Santa for the "Christmas in July" charity fundraiser at Banana Split ice cream parlor in Aurora. The pandemic canceled the event this year. Courtesy of Al Benson
Pressing up to the plexiglass to visit Santa might replace the traditional lap visit this year because of the pandemic. Associated Press
As longtime Santa and Mrs. Claus in Rolling Meadows, Jim and Deb Van Antwerp have years of touching moments with children. But this year requires a new approach. Daily Herald File Photo
Santa Claus is coming to town.
Probably. Maybe. But you might not recognize him at first. Pandemic Santa might wear a mask, maybe a plastic face shield, and he'll keep kids off his lap and a safe distance away, possibly behind plexiglass. All while the paranoid side of you might be wondering if Rudolph the reindeer's red nose might be a symptom of the coronavirus.
"It would be difficult if you had a Santa and he had to wear a mask and do social distancing," says Paul Eggert, a 70-year-old father, grandfather and great-grandfather from Aurora who has a long white beard and a twinkle in his eyes. In the nearly three decades that he has assumed the persona of the jolly old elf, Eggert has learned how to make personal connections with children.
Timid and scared children during their first visit to Santa became comfortable in future years. "I had several kids who got to know Santa," Eggert says. "I had a lot of them who would run up and hug me."
Even if they saw him drive up not in his sleigh but a Honda CR-V -- "and it's red, well, maroon" -- children figured he'd come from the North Pole because he looked exactly as they thought Santa looked.
"I got the suit when my son was in Cubs Scouts and he's 35 now," says Eggert, who started out using an old Santa suit owned by his church.
"I was at a garage sale and I saw a suit. I asked how much and they said, 'If you're going to use it, you can have it,'" remembers Eggert, who still wears that suit every Christmas Eve for his family and also at private parties, church events, community gatherings and charity programs.
"In most cases, I don't like the gigs that pay anymore," Eggert says. "I'm doing this for the excitement of the season and the joy of the kids. The sparkle in the eyes of the kids seeing Santa Claus is worth a million dollars."
He'll still be Santa for his family this year, even if his 12 grandchildren all know it's "Santa Papa." But last December's schedule won't be this December's schedule. He usually plays Santa for an event at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Sugar Grove. But he's not sure if and how that would go this year.
"A drive-by Santa?" he says with a chuckle.
Jim and Deb Van Antwerp, who are known as Santa and Mrs. Claus of Rolling Meadows, know the pain of the present pandemic.
"The city has canceled the tree lighting. The park district has canceled their Breakfast With Santa," Jim Van Antwerp says. An event for a home association in Lake Barrington most likely will exchange the traditional lap experience for more of a Santa parade, he says.
"There's no sitting on his lap or whispering in his ear," Santa's better half says. The white-bearded Jim Van Antwerp, 61, has been portraying Santa since he and his wife took their kids to Randhurst Mall in Mount Prospect years ago and his look caught the eye of a Santa who was looking for some backup help.
"My kids thought Santa hand-picked their dad to help," Deb Van Antwerp remembers. "He looks like Santa Claus. In July, people come to our table at restaurants and say they've been good."
Eggert, who also sports a long white beard of his own, says his beard always got a workout when he did his Christmas in July gig (but not this year because of COVID-19) at the Banana Split ice cream shop in Aurora. Kids pulled on his beard "almost constantly" to see if it was a fake.
One particularly skeptical boy was a problem. "Before he sat down, he kicked me in the shin," Eggert says. Then he yanked Eggert's beard.
"You should have seen his face when he pulled my beard and my chin came down with it," Eggert says. "He had the most astonished look on his face. He told his mom and dad, 'I think that's the real Santa.'"
Kids want to believe. Even though my best friend in first grade insisted Santa was make-believe, I remained a staunch believer. As a symbol of goodness and generosity, Santa has the power to influence young lives.
So maybe a Santa wearing a mask is a good thing, says Eggert, who notes kids, and their parents, might figure, "'Hey, if Santa wears a mask, maybe I better wear one, too.'"


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-21--State reports 127 more COVID-19 deaths, 11,891 more positive tests

While the state reported high COVID-19 case and death numbers again on Saturday , there were small signs that the current surge in cases may have peaked .
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 11,891 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease , including 127 additional deaths .
After rising for weeks , the seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests has been coming down in recent days and held stable in the period from Nov. 14-20 at 11.5 % .
The number of people hospitalized as of Friday night was up 64 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in intensive care fell 23 to 1,196 and the number of people on ventilators fell 9 to 604 .
The dead included 50 in Cook County , 4 in DuPage County , 6 in Kane County , 1 in McHenry County and 7 in Will County .
Friday ushered in stricter rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Those include reducing capacity to 50 % at grocery stores and 25 % at other stores , suspending indoor group sports , closing casinos and gaming terminals , and banning events at banquet halls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the state is reporting a total of 646,286 cases , including 11,430 deaths .
Within the past 24 hours , laboratories have reported 120,284 specimens for a total 9,708,982 .

State reports 127 more COVID-19 deaths, 11,891 more positive tests
While the state reported high COVID-19 case and death numbers again on Saturday, there were small signs that the current surge in cases may have peaked.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 11,891 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease, including 127 additional deaths.
After rising for weeks, the seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests has been coming down in recent days and held stable in the period from Nov. 14-20 at 11.5%.
The number of people hospitalized as of Friday night was up 64 to 6,111, but the number of people in intensive care fell 23 to 1,196 and the number of people on ventilators fell 9 to 604.
The dead included 50 in Cook County, 4 in DuPage County, 6 in Kane County, 1 in McHenry County and 7 in Will County.
Friday ushered in stricter rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those include reducing capacity to 50% at grocery stores and 25% at other stores, suspending indoor group sports, closing casinos and gaming terminals, and banning events at banquet halls, party venues and clubs.
Currently, the state is reporting a total of 646,286 cases, including 11,430 deaths. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 120,284 specimens for a total 9,708,982.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-21--Former Bartlett student says her work with children led her to speak out against teacher

The former Bartlett High School student who first approached Elgin Area School District U-46 in September with allegations of grooming against Gary Lorber , which led to his dismissal last week , says she was moved to come forward because she now works with children and is aware of how vulnerable they can be .
`` He was an excellent teacher and he was a predator , and he can be both at once and that 's something that 's eye-opening , '' she said in an interview Friday .
`` We tend to demonize people in our society .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big loss for a lot of people whom he affected positively . ''
Lorber has not been charged with a crime .
He is under investigation by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services .
He could n't be reached for comment .
The Notice of Charges and Bill of Particulars for Termination Recommendation released by U-46 in response to a Freedom of Information Act request says that she told the district `` you used your position of power to foster an unprofessional teacher student relationship with her while she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to establish an inappropriate personal relationship after she graduated . ''
The teacher 's conduct before graduation included hugging , exchanging personal notes , sharing music CDs , buying her alcohol , giving her a book of poetry and taking her to lunch on her 17th birthday without her parents ' knowledge , according to the document .
After the student graduated in 2009 , Lorber consistently spoke to her over the phone , invited her to his home , provided alcohol to her though she was underage and paid for a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the document .
In her interview with the Daily Herald , she said in retrospect , she believes she was vulnerable because `` I was an extremely bright kid who came from a very broken home . ''
The woman , who asked to remain anonymous , said it was her current work with children that led her to reassess this chapter of her past .
It made her realize how much power and authority an adult has over a child .
She said she long felt that no one would believe her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` U-46 's handling of this was prompt and filled with compassion , '' she said , explaining that the superintendent and assistant superintendent cried during her conversation with them .
The district investigated and found two other former students who had similar experiences .
She said it feels good to have her experience validated .
`` I 've had such an inability to trust others , '' she said of her struggle with the legacy of her experience .
`` I guess for me it does n't ever feel good to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is something that shaped me to do better for the next generation of children , '' she said .
`` I work with children and I 'm really good at what I do . ''

Former Bartlett student says her work with children led her to speak out against teacher
The former Bartlett High School student who first approached Elgin Area School District U-46 in September with allegations of grooming against Gary Lorber, which led to his dismissal last week, says she was moved to come forward because she now works with children and is aware of how vulnerable they can be.
"He was an excellent teacher and he was a predator, and he can be both at once and that's something that's eye-opening," she said in an interview Friday. "We tend to demonize people in our society. I know this is going to be a big loss for a lot of people whom he affected positively."
Lorber has not been charged with a crime. He is under investigation by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. He couldn't be reached for comment.
The Notice of Charges and Bill of Particulars for Termination Recommendation released by U-46 in response to a Freedom of Information Act request says that she told the district "you used your position of power to foster an unprofessional teacher student relationship with her while she was a student and then exploiting that relationship to establish an inappropriate personal relationship after she graduated."
The teacher's conduct before graduation included hugging, exchanging personal notes, sharing music CDs, buying her alcohol, giving her a book of poetry and taking her to lunch on her 17th birthday without her parents' knowledge, according to the document.
After the student graduated in 2009, Lorber consistently spoke to her over the phone, invited her to his home, provided alcohol to her though she was underage and paid for a joint trip to New York, according to the document.
In her interview with the Daily Herald, she said in retrospect, she believes she was vulnerable because "I was an extremely bright kid who came from a very broken home."
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was her current work with children that led her to reassess this chapter of her past. It made her realize how much power and authority an adult has over a child.
She said she long felt that no one would believe her, but her fear proved unfounded.
"U-46's handling of this was prompt and filled with compassion," she said, explaining that the superintendent and assistant superintendent cried during her conversation with them. The district investigated and found two other former students who had similar experiences.
She said it feels good to have her experience validated.
"I've had such an inability to trust others," she said of her struggle with the legacy of her experience.
"I guess for me it doesn't ever feel good to see stuff like this happen. But it is something that shaped me to do better for the next generation of children," she said. "I work with children and I'm really good at what I do."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-21--Antioch teen charged in killings poses with Ricky Schroder after making bail

KENOSHA , Wis. -- An Antioch 17-year-old accused of killing two people during a protest in Wisconsin was seen smiling in a photo with his lawyer and `` Silver Spoons '' and `` NYPD Blue '' actor Ricky Schroder after being released from custody by posting a $ 2 million bail .
Kyle Rittenhouse is accused of fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz during a demonstration Aug. 25 that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha .
He posted bail through his attorney at about 2 p.m. Friday .
Hours after being released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of Rittenhouse 's defense team , tweeted a photo of Rittenhouse , Ricky Schroder and attorney John Pierce , under a title of `` FREE AT LAST !
!
! ''
Lin earlier tweeted that a donation from Schroder helped put Rittenhouse 's bond fundraising effort `` over the top . ''
Rittenhouse told police he was attacked while he was guarding a business and that he fired in self-defense .
He faces multiple charges , including intentional homicide , reckless endangerment and being a minor in possession of a firearm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry or possess a gun unless they 're hunting .
He is due back in court on Dec. 3 for a preliminary hearing .
His case has taken on political overtones .
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have painted Rittenhouse as a trigger-happy white supremacist .
Conservatives upset over property destruction during recent protests have portrayed him as a patriot who was exercising his right to bear arms during unrest .
A legal defense fund for Rittenhouse has raised millions of dollars in donations , and his mother got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County GOP function in September .

Antioch teen charged in killings poses with Ricky Schroder after making bail
This tweet shows attorney John Pierce, left, and actor Ricky Schroder, right, with Antioch teenager Kyle Rittenhouse after he made bail on charges stemming from shootings during an Aug. 25 protest against police racism and brutality in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
KENOSHA, Wis. -- An Antioch 17-year-old accused of killing two people during a protest in Wisconsin was seen smiling in a photo with his lawyer and "Silver Spoons" and "NYPD Blue" actor Ricky Schroder after being released from custody by posting a $2 million bail.
Kyle Rittenhouse is accused of fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz during a demonstration Aug. 25 that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha. He posted bail through his attorney at about 2 p.m. Friday.
FREE AT LAST!!!
From L to R:
Attorney John Pierce @CaliKidJMP
THE KYLE RITTENHOUSE
Actor Ricky Schroder @rickyschroder13
Thank you, All Donors.
Thank you, All Patriots.
Thank God Almighty.#FightBack pic.twitter.com/37Ly66itT8 — Lin Wood (@LLinWood) November 21, 2020
Hours after being released, L. Lin Wood of Atlanta, a member of Rittenhouse's defense team, tweeted a photo of Rittenhouse, Ricky Schroder and attorney John Pierce, under a title of "FREE AT LAST!!!" Lin earlier tweeted that a donation from Schroder helped put Rittenhouse's bond fundraising effort "over the top."
Rittenhouse told police he was attacked while he was guarding a business and that he fired in self-defense.
He faces multiple charges, including intentional homicide, reckless endangerment and being a minor in possession of a firearm. Wisconsin law doesn't permit minors to carry or possess a gun unless they're hunting. He is due back in court on Dec. 3 for a preliminary hearing.
His case has taken on political overtones. Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have painted Rittenhouse as a trigger-happy white supremacist. Conservatives upset over property destruction during recent protests have portrayed him as a patriot who was exercising his right to bear arms during unrest.
A legal defense fund for Rittenhouse has raised millions of dollars in donations, and his mother got a standing ovation from women at a Waukesha County GOP function in September.