dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-04--Authorities ID snowmobiler who died after plunging into lake

Lake County authorities on Tuesday identified Damian Rivas of Antioch as the man killed Sunday night when a snowmobile he @ @ @ @ @ Lake near Antioch .
Results from an autopsy conducted Monday indicate Rivas , 40 , @ @ @ @ @ drowning , Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said .
While toxicology results are pending , @ @ @ @ @ appears to be a factor in the crash .
`` We have been in close @ @ @ @ @ family , and our deepest condolences go out to them during this difficult time .
@ @ @ @ @ , '' Cooper said .
Lake County sheriff 's police say Rivas was one of @ @ @ @ @ Lake at about 11 p.m. when his snowmobile fell through thin ice and into the @ @ @ @ @ 75 yards from shore .
The other driver , who was closer to shore , @ @ @ @ @ recovered in about five feet of water by rescuers from the Antioch Fire Department and @ @ @ @ @ Center in Libertyville , where he died early Monday morning .

Authorities ID snowmobiler who died after plunging into lake
Lake County authorities on Tuesday identified Damian Rivas of Antioch as the man killed Sunday night when a snowmobile he was driving plunged into Loon Lake near Antioch.
Results from an autopsy conducted Monday indicate Rivas, 40, died as a result of drowning, Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said.
While toxicology results are pending, Illinois Conservation Police said alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash.
"We have been in close contact with Mr. Rivas' family, and our deepest condolences go out to them during this difficult time. This is truly a tragedy," Cooper said.
Lake County sheriff's police say Rivas was one of two snowmobilers traveling across Loon Lake at about 11 p.m. when his snowmobile fell through thin ice and into the frigid water about 50 to 75 yards from shore. The other driver, who was closer to shore, remained safe.
Rivas was recovered in about five feet of water by rescuers from the Antioch Fire Department and taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he died early Monday morning.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-04--Tax amnesty program nets more than $60M more than expected

SPRINGFIELD -- A tax amnesty program created during the passage of last year 's state operating budget has brought in nearly $ 240 million -- approximately $ 60 million more than was expected -- the Illinois Department of Revenue announced Tuesday .
The Illinois Tax Amnesty Program , proposed by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and passed as part of Senate Bill 689 , allowed qualified taxpayers to pay off any outstanding state tax liability and have corresponding penalties and interest forgiven .
IDOR said in a news release that 63,006 taxpayers have taken advantage of the program , which brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jan. 31 .
More than $ 60 million of that money will go to local governments and approximately $ 7.5 million will go to the city of Chicago , according to a news release .
The program ran from October to mid-November , and before its launch , the Governor 's Office of Management and Budget estimated it would recover $ 175 million in outstanding liabilities .
`` The Tax Amnesty program proved to be successful , and we are pleased so many taxpayers took the opportunity to come into compliance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Illinois , '' Acting IDOR Director David Harris said in a news release .
The department will continue to process and certify tax amnesty payments over the next several months to `` ensure that the payments comply with the provisions of the program , '' according to the release .
The department expects to verify `` tens of millions more toward unpaid liabilities '' despite the program 's November end date .
`` Our mission at the department is to ensure all taxpayers are treated fairly .
By encouraging taxpayers with liabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build trust in the system while raising revenues the state can use to invest in our future , '' Harris said .
Taxpayers eligible for the amnesty program would have incurred a tax liability after June 30 , 2011 , and before July 1 , 2018 , according to IDOR .
Those participating had to fully pay their tax liability and submit original returns for any unfiled periods and amended returns for periods being adjusted .
More than 90 percent of the money brought in by the program came from payments for liabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sales tax and the individual income tax , according to the release .

Tax amnesty program nets more than $60M more than expected
SPRINGFIELD -- A tax amnesty program created during the passage of last year's state operating budget has brought in nearly $240 million -- approximately $60 million more than was expected -- the Illinois Department of Revenue announced Tuesday.
The Illinois Tax Amnesty Program, proposed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and passed as part of Senate Bill 689, allowed qualified taxpayers to pay off any outstanding state tax liability and have corresponding penalties and interest forgiven.
IDOR said in a news release that 63,006 taxpayers have taken advantage of the program, which brought in a verified $237 million as of Jan. 31.
More than $60 million of that money will go to local governments and approximately $7.5 million will go to the city of Chicago, according to a news release. The program ran from October to mid-November, and before its launch, the Governor's Office of Management and Budget estimated it would recover $175 million in outstanding liabilities.
"The Tax Amnesty program proved to be successful, and we are pleased so many taxpayers took the opportunity to come into compliance and earn a clean slate with the state of Illinois," Acting IDOR Director David Harris said in a news release.
The department will continue to process and certify tax amnesty payments over the next several months to "ensure that the payments comply with the provisions of the program," according to the release. The department expects to verify "tens of millions more toward unpaid liabilities" despite the program's November end date.
"Our mission at the department is to ensure all taxpayers are treated fairly. By encouraging taxpayers with liabilities to pay what they owe, we build trust in the system while raising revenues the state can use to invest in our future," Harris said.
Taxpayers eligible for the amnesty program would have incurred a tax liability after June 30, 2011, and before July 1, 2018, according to IDOR. Those participating had to fully pay their tax liability and submit original returns for any unfiled periods and amended returns for periods being adjusted.
More than 90 percent of the money brought in by the program came from payments for liabilities related to the business income tax, the sales tax and the individual income tax, according to the release.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-04--Truck driver cited after crashing into building in Elk Grove

A truck driver was issued two traffic citations after he lost control of his semitrailer and crashed into a building early Monday in Elk Grove Village , police said Tuesday .
The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident , and improper overtaking on the right , after the truck left the roadway and struck the corner of Aoki Laboratory America , 1240 Landmeier Road , just before 6 a.m. Monday , authorities said .
The police department 's traffic unit is still investigating a cause of the crash , but impaired driving is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Deputy Police Chief Michael Gaspari .
The trailer was carrying a partial load , but that 's also not believed to have contributed to the crash , Gaspari said .
The driver will have a court date in Rolling Meadows , and if found guilty , could face fines and possible court costs .
The light manufacturing building remained closed Tuesday after being deemed uninhabitable by village building inspectors .
The truck crash damaged the gas main on the side of the building , which led to a gas leak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ water service , remained shut off on Tuesday .
The building was unoccupied at the time of the crash , and no injuries were reported .

Truck driver cited after crashing into building in Elk Grove
A truck driver was issued two traffic citations after he lost control of his semitrailer and crashed into a building early Monday in Elk Grove Village, police said Tuesday.
The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and improper overtaking on the right, after the truck left the roadway and struck the corner of Aoki Laboratory America, 1240 Landmeier Road, just before 6 a.m. Monday, authorities said.
The police department's traffic unit is still investigating a cause of the crash, but impaired driving is not suspected and no additional charges are anticipated, said Deputy Police Chief Michael Gaspari.
The trailer was carrying a partial load, but that's also not believed to have contributed to the crash, Gaspari said.
The driver will have a court date in Rolling Meadows, and if found guilty, could face fines and possible court costs.
The light manufacturing building remained closed Tuesday after being deemed uninhabitable by village building inspectors. The truck crash damaged the gas main on the side of the building, which led to a gas leak. Utilities, including gas, electric and water service, remained shut off on Tuesday.
The building was unoccupied at the time of the crash, and no injuries were reported.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-04--Gun rights advocates sue state police over FOID delays

SPRINGFIELD -- A pair of gun rights advocacy groups are suing the Illinois State Police , its director and the chief of the Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau for `` not acting in a timely manner on Firearm Owner Identification card and concealed carry applications . ''
The Illinois State Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleging violations of Second Amendment rights .
`` The citizens of Illinois have been delayed getting their FOID cards for months , '' ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson said in a news release .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Police on this matter , but nothing is happening .
We are left with no other choice but to file a lawsuit . ''
The gun rights groups said the lawsuit was filed on behalf of Illinois residents Ryan A. Thomas and Goran Lazic in the Northern District of Illinois , Eastern Division federal court .
The news release said Thomas and Lazic have been waiting for their FOID cards and licenses for three years .
The lawsuit contends the State Police , `` has swept or transferred funds totaling more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Police Firearms Services Fund , the State Police Operations Assistance Fund , and the State Police Services Fund away from these funds and into other accounts . ''
According to the complaint , the money should have been used for the administration of the FOID card act , background checks for firearm-related services , and concealed carry licensing .
`` Instead , the more than ( $ 29.5 million ) has been subject to interfund transfers which are ostensibly to be repaid but which have not been , or swept into other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds at all , '' according to the lawsuit .
`` The sweeping of funds has denied qualified Illinois citizens their rights and the ability to defend themselves and their families , '' SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb said in the release .
`` Because of this practice , ISP processing of FOID and concealed carry applications has slowed to a crawl , allowing paperwork to languish .
That 's not just poor performance , it 's pathetic . ''
ISP spokeswoman Beth Hundsdorfer , however , said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authority to 'sweep ' funds . ''
`` In 2015 and 2018 , $ 13.2 million was swept from the Firearms Service Fund into the general fund during the budget crisis .
Under the current fiscal year , funds have not been swept , allowing the Firearms Services Bureau to start filling 17 analyst vacancies , procure technology to offer better customer service and to begin building a new Appeals Bureau , '' she said .
She added that 90 percent of FOID applications were on average processed in fewer than 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 days to renew a FOID card in 2019 .

Gun rights advocates sue state police over FOID delays
The Illinois State Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation have sued the Illinois State Police, saying the agency is taking too long to process Firearm Owner Identification card and concealed carry applications, in violation of the Second Amendment. Associated Press file photo
SPRINGFIELD -- A pair of gun rights advocacy groups are suing the Illinois State Police, its director and the chief of the Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau for "not acting in a timely manner on Firearm Owner Identification card and concealed carry applications."
The Illinois State Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleging violations of Second Amendment rights.
"The citizens of Illinois have been delayed getting their FOID cards for months," ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson said in a news release. "We have tried to work with the State Police on this matter, but nothing is happening. We are left with no other choice but to file a lawsuit."
The gun rights groups said the lawsuit was filed on behalf of Illinois residents Ryan A. Thomas and Goran Lazic in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division federal court. The news release said Thomas and Lazic have been waiting for their FOID cards and licenses for three years.
The lawsuit contends the State Police, "has swept or transferred funds totaling more than ($29.5 million) from the State Police Firearms Services Fund, the State Police Operations Assistance Fund, and the State Police Services Fund away from these funds and into other accounts."
According to the complaint, the money should have been used for the administration of the FOID card act, background checks for firearm-related services, and concealed carry licensing.
"Instead, the more than ($29.5 million) has been subject to interfund transfers which are ostensibly to be repaid but which have not been, or swept into other accounts without an obligation to reimburse the funds at all," according to the lawsuit.
"The sweeping of funds has denied qualified Illinois citizens their rights and the ability to defend themselves and their families," SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb said in the release. "Because of this practice, ISP processing of FOID and concealed carry applications has slowed to a crawl, allowing paperwork to languish. That's not just poor performance, it's pathetic."
ISP spokeswoman Beth Hundsdorfer, however, said in a statement the ISP does "not have the authority to 'sweep' funds."
"In 2015 and 2018, $13.2 million was swept from the Firearms Service Fund into the general fund during the budget crisis. Under the current fiscal year, funds have not been swept, allowing the Firearms Services Bureau to start filling 17 analyst vacancies, procure technology to offer better customer service and to begin building a new Appeals Bureau," she said.
She added that 90 percent of FOID applications were on average processed in fewer than 30 days and it took an average of 65 days to renew a FOID card in 2019.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-04--'Major flaws' reported as state shifts former foster children into Medicaid managed care

SPRINGFIELD -- An estimated 2,500 children and young adults in Illinois who had been in the custody of the state 's foster care system within the last year abruptly lost their health coverage on Feb. 1 .
That was just one of many problems that occurred over the weekend when the state shifted some 19,000 former foster children into its privatized `` managed care '' health coverage system .
Children 's advocacy groups warned Tuesday that more problems may lie ahead as the state works to move approximately 17,000 current foster children into that same system .
`` These are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Danielle Gomez of the Cook County public guardian 's office told a state Senate panel Tuesday .
`` I am not sensationalizing the issue when I say that children will die as a result of the stubborn resolve to continue moving forward . ''
Illinois began transitioning its Medicaid program from a traditional fee-for-service model to managed care in 2011 .
Under managed care , the state contracts with a number of private insurance companies and pays them a flat monthly fee for each patient they enroll .
In turn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations , or MCOs , are supposed to manage those patients ' care by making sure they have complete health screenings and regular checkups .
MCOs are also supposed to coordinate care between the patient 's primary doctor and any specialists they need .
Today , nearly all regular Medicaid recipients in Illinois are enrolled in a managed care plan .
But there have been widespread reports of MCOs denying claims and delaying payments , often because their enrollment with the MCO was n't completed correctly or the provider that a patient went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's network .
But two groups the state did not immediately put under managed care were current and former foster care children , a population that includes victims of abuse and neglect , many of whom have highly complex physical , mental and behavioral health issues .
State officials announced in 2017 that they intended to move those groups into managed care , but the official launch date was delayed several times .
Finally , after extensive negotiations with ACLU attorneys , the state announced last month it had reached a deal : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed care on Feb. 1 , but current foster children would not be shifted into the new system until April 1 .
Since Saturday 's launch of managed care for former foster children , Gomez said , she had learned of two cases in which an MCO refused to speak with parents about a child 's health condition unless the child executed a power of attorney .
`` These children were 9 and 2 years old , '' she said .
Gomez said another parent of a 14-year-old girl tried to fill her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharmacy refused and would not offer advice about where they could go to have it filled .
`` Finally , another parent attempted to get a monthly supply of feeding tubes and supplies for her child and was told by the provider that her child 's care was inactive as of Saturday and that it was not an isolated instance , but that all of the foster children who receives supplies from that agency were inactive now , '' she said .
ACLU of Illinois attorney Heidi Dalenberg described the process of shifting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care as a `` herky-jerky journey for the entire state . ''
`` I think it 's fair to say that there 's been intense concerns since that time about the way that the rollout was going to proceed and whether or not children were going to continue to receive care in the way that they should when they need it from close-by practitioners , and in a way that makes it possible for their families to care for them in a comfortable way , '' she said .
`` Unfortunately , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Both Dalenberg and Gomez urged lawmakers to halt the transition to managed care and to delay the rollout until the state is certain all the glitches have been fixed .
Kristine Herman of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services , the agency that runs the state Medicaid program , described the deactivation of 2,500 children from the system as a `` glitch '' in a computer program that was quickly fixed .
And she said the agency is working hard , along with the Department of Children and Family Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to resolve other issues .
`` There is nothing more important to us than getting this process right , '' she said .
`` Vulnerable children and families in Illinois deserve quality health care with coordinated services and support .
And all of us at HFS are committed to providing that level of care , and we truly believe the managed care plan that we have created will accomplish that goal . ''
But Sen. David Koehler , a Peoria Democrat , said he was skeptical a managed care system would ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all the staff and all the departments are really working hard to resolve this issue , '' he said .
`` I think that the problem probably more lies with us as policymakers .
You know , we 've gone into a system that I do n't think is really going to work . ''
Tuesday 's hearing was a joint meeting of the Senate Human Services Committee and the Special Committee On Oversight of Medicaid Managed Care .
Because it was only an informational hearing , no action was taken .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat who chairs the Human Services Committee , suggested that the integrity of the state 's foster care system was on the line .
`` And if we 're trying to incentivize foster parents to participate in our system , we need to get this figured out and we need to have it right , '' she said .

'Major flaws' reported as state shifts former foster children into Medicaid managed care
SPRINGFIELD -- An estimated 2,500 children and young adults in Illinois who had been in the custody of the state's foster care system within the last year abruptly lost their health coverage on Feb. 1.
That was just one of many problems that occurred over the weekend when the state shifted some 19,000 former foster children into its privatized "managed care" health coverage system. Children's advocacy groups warned Tuesday that more problems may lie ahead as the state works to move approximately 17,000 current foster children into that same system.
"These are not glitches, these are major flaws," Danielle Gomez of the Cook County public guardian's office told a state Senate panel Tuesday. "I am not sensationalizing the issue when I say that children will die as a result of the stubborn resolve to continue moving forward."
Illinois began transitioning its Medicaid program from a traditional fee-for-service model to managed care in 2011. Under managed care, the state contracts with a number of private insurance companies and pays them a flat monthly fee for each patient they enroll.
In turn, the companies, known as managed care organizations, or MCOs, are supposed to manage those patients' care by making sure they have complete health screenings and regular checkups. MCOs are also supposed to coordinate care between the patient's primary doctor and any specialists they need.
Today, nearly all regular Medicaid recipients in Illinois are enrolled in a managed care plan. But there have been widespread reports of MCOs denying claims and delaying payments, often because their enrollment with the MCO wasn't completed correctly or the provider that a patient went to see wasn't in the MCO's network.
But two groups the state did not immediately put under managed care were current and former foster care children, a population that includes victims of abuse and neglect, many of whom have highly complex physical, mental and behavioral health issues.
State officials announced in 2017 that they intended to move those groups into managed care, but the official launch date was delayed several times. Finally, after extensive negotiations with ACLU attorneys, the state announced last month it had reached a deal: Former foster children would be shifted into managed care on Feb. 1, but current foster children would not be shifted into the new system until April 1.
Since Saturday's launch of managed care for former foster children, Gomez said, she had learned of two cases in which an MCO refused to speak with parents about a child's health condition unless the child executed a power of attorney.
"These children were 9 and 2 years old," she said.
Gomez said another parent of a 14-year-old girl tried to fill her daughter's seizure medication, but the pharmacy refused and would not offer advice about where they could go to have it filled.
"Finally, another parent attempted to get a monthly supply of feeding tubes and supplies for her child and was told by the provider that her child's care was inactive as of Saturday and that it was not an isolated instance, but that all of the foster children who receives supplies from that agency were inactive now," she said.
ACLU of Illinois attorney Heidi Dalenberg described the process of shifting current and former foster children into managed care as a "herky-jerky journey for the entire state."
"I think it's fair to say that there's been intense concerns since that time about the way that the rollout was going to proceed and whether or not children were going to continue to receive care in the way that they should when they need it from close-by practitioners, and in a way that makes it possible for their families to care for them in a comfortable way," she said. "Unfortunately, that's not how things have played out."
Both Dalenberg and Gomez urged lawmakers to halt the transition to managed care and to delay the rollout until the state is certain all the glitches have been fixed.
Kristine Herman of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the agency that runs the state Medicaid program, described the deactivation of 2,500 children from the system as a "glitch" in a computer program that was quickly fixed. And she said the agency is working hard, along with the Department of Children and Family Services, the state's foster care agency, to resolve other issues.
"There is nothing more important to us than getting this process right," she said. "Vulnerable children and families in Illinois deserve quality health care with coordinated services and support. And all of us at HFS are committed to providing that level of care, and we truly believe the managed care plan that we have created will accomplish that goal."
But Sen. David Koehler, a Peoria Democrat, said he was skeptical a managed care system would ever work.
"I don't doubt that all the staff and all the departments are really working hard to resolve this issue," he said. "I think that the problem probably more lies with us as policymakers. You know, we've gone into a system that I don't think is really going to work."
Tuesday's hearing was a joint meeting of the Senate Human Services Committee and the Special Committee On Oversight of Medicaid Managed Care. Because it was only an informational hearing, no action was taken. But Sen. Julie Morrison, a Deerfield Democrat who chairs the Human Services Committee, suggested that the integrity of the state's foster care system was on the line.
"And if we're trying to incentivize foster parents to participate in our system, we need to get this figured out and we need to have it right," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-04--Chicago Executive Airport inks long-term lease with hangar operator, new jet service to start

Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling has inked a 40-year agreement with a company that plans to construct a new hangar as part of its services to private aircraft using the facility .
The new hangar will be one of four Atlantic Aviation leases at Chicago Executive , starting in May 2021 at total cost of $ 433,200 annually .
Documents show Atlantic 's rent will be adjusted yearly according to the Consumer Price Index through the agreement 's expiration in April 2061 .
`` That is a typical lease duration for a large hangar and apron development , '' airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Thirty to 40 years is normal for those types of facilities when a company is investing millions of dollars .
The benefit of a long-term lease is that it secures revenues for the airport for a long period of time . ''
Similar to two other fixed-base operators at the airport -- Signature Flight Support and Hawthorne Global Aviation -- Atlantic provides terminals for passengers and crew , baggage handling , fueling , gourmet catering and other services for private airplanes .
Atlantic plans to begin construction in the spring on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet and include business offices , parking and an extension of the current aircraft ramp .
Atlantic 's campus will expand to about 13 acres on Chicago Executive 's west side off Wolf Road .
Chicago Executive 's director of economic development and strategic planning , George Sakas , said Atlantic , Signature and Hawthorne continue to invest `` significant financial resources '' in operations .
Attracting new customers to the hangars and amenities should create more airport jobs and revenue for the facility co-owned by Wheeling and Prospect Heights , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Chicago Executive Airport customer when it launches service this week from the facility as part of its expansion , Chief Operating Officer Jessica Naor said .
GrandView will use Signature 's hangar and services .
Naor said GrandView will use Embraer 's Phenom 300 light jet , which has a flying range allowing travelers to go nonstop from Chicago Executive to almost all continental U.S. destinations .
She said GrandView selected Chicago Executive in part for its easy access for travelers coming from downtown or the suburbs .
`` Chicago has one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country , making it an ideal locale for expansion for GrandView Aviation , '' Naor said .

Chicago Executive Airport inks long-term lease with hangar operator, new jet service to start
GrandView Aviation will begin private jet service this week from Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling. The company will use an Embraer Phenom 300 light jet that has a nonstop flying range to almost all continental U.S. destinations from Chicago Executive. Courtesy of GrandView Aviation
GrandView Aviation Chief Operating Officer Jessica Naor says the company plans to launch private service this week from Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling using an Embraer Phenom 300 light jet that has nonstop flying range to almost all continental U.S. destinations from the facility. Courtesy of GrandView Aviation
Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling has inked a 40-year agreement with a company that plans to construct a new hangar as part of its services to private aircraft using the facility.
The new hangar will be one of four Atlantic Aviation leases at Chicago Executive, starting in May 2021 at total cost of $433,200 annually. Documents show Atlantic's rent will be adjusted yearly according to the Consumer Price Index through the agreement's expiration in April 2061.
"That is a typical lease duration for a large hangar and apron development," airport Executive Director Jamie Abbott said Tuesday. "Thirty to 40 years is normal for those types of facilities when a company is investing millions of dollars. The benefit of a long-term lease is that it secures revenues for the airport for a long period of time."
Similar to two other fixed-base operators at the airport -- Signature Flight Support and Hawthorne Global Aviation -- Atlantic provides terminals for passengers and crew, baggage handling, fueling, gourmet catering and other services for private airplanes.
Atlantic plans to begin construction in the spring on the fourth hangar that'll cover 28,000 square feet and include business offices, parking and an extension of the current aircraft ramp. Atlantic's campus will expand to about 13 acres on Chicago Executive's west side off Wolf Road.
Chicago Executive's director of economic development and strategic planning, George Sakas, said Atlantic, Signature and Hawthorne continue to invest "significant financial resources" in operations. Attracting new customers to the hangars and amenities should create more airport jobs and revenue for the facility co-owned by Wheeling and Prospect Heights, he said.
Maryland-based GrandView Aviation will be a new Chicago Executive Airport customer when it launches service this week from the facility as part of its expansion, Chief Operating Officer Jessica Naor said. GrandView will use Signature's hangar and services.
Naor said GrandView will use Embraer's Phenom 300 light jet, which has a flying range allowing travelers to go nonstop from Chicago Executive to almost all continental U.S. destinations. She said GrandView selected Chicago Executive in part for its easy access for travelers coming from downtown or the suburbs.
"Chicago has one of the highest concentrations of high-net-worth individuals in the country, making it an ideal locale for expansion for GrandView Aviation," Naor said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-04--House bucks governor to OK reinstatement of tax break on aircraft parts

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois House overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to override the governor 's veto of legislation restoring and retroactively applying a tax break for aircraft parts .
Rep. Monica Bristow , a Godfrey Democrat , said it would protect more than 3,700 jobs at 14 aviation facilities in 12 communities across the state .
She added 36 other states have similar laws on the books .
The chamber `` sent a strong , bipartisan message that we value good-paying jobs in our state and will do what it takes to protect them , '' Bristow said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010 , but it expired without regulatory or other official bodies taking note , Bristow said .
Aviation repair companies consequently did not collect the tax from jet owners during that period .
Without the new law , those companies would need to repay $ 50 million in taxes to the state , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said in his veto message , the initiative `` is not in line '' with improving Illinois ' economy .
`` Giving private aircraft companies tens of millions of dollars in past due tax forgiveness is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state as we face billions in debt associated with unpaid bills , a multi-billion-dollar structural deficit , and critical needs in schools and public safety services , '' Pritzker said in his letter to the General Assembly .
The governor also said passage of the bill would result in a $ 10 million tax break for aviation repair companies annually over the next five years .
It would be `` absurd '' to ask businesses to recover those taxes retroactively in November , said Senate sponsor Rachelle Crowe , a Democrat from Glen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assembly passed the bill initially .
And Bristow said the measure is ultimately protecting jobs .
`` While some party leaders may not have wanted me to do this , I overrode the veto of the governor because he chose to misrepresent this issue and play politics with legislation that directly impacted hundreds of local jobs in the Metro East that people depend on to support their families , '' she said in a statement The override of Pritzker 's veto of House Bill 3902 was approved in the House with 107 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two lawmakers -- Democrat Jaime Andrade Jr. of Chicago and Republican Norine Hammond of Macomb -- voted present .
The Senate has 15 days to call the vote for an override .
As in the House , a two-thirds vote is required for an override .
The bill passed 48-1 , with two senators voting `` present '' and eight not voting on Nov. 14 during the fall veto session

House bucks governor to OK reinstatement of tax break on aircraft parts
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois House overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to override the governor's veto of legislation restoring and retroactively applying a tax break for aircraft parts.
Rep. Monica Bristow, a Godfrey Democrat, said it would protect more than 3,700 jobs at 14 aviation facilities in 12 communities across the state. She added 36 other states have similar laws on the books.
The chamber "sent a strong, bipartisan message that we value good-paying jobs in our state and will do what it takes to protect them," Bristow said in a statement.
The tax exemption was in place since 2010, but it expired without regulatory or other official bodies taking note, Bristow said. Aviation repair companies consequently did not collect the tax from jet owners during that period.
Without the new law, those companies would need to repay $50 million in taxes to the state, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in his veto message, the initiative "is not in line" with improving Illinois' economy.
"Giving private aircraft companies tens of millions of dollars in past due tax forgiveness is not the right fiscal decision for our state as we face billions in debt associated with unpaid bills, a multi-billion-dollar structural deficit, and critical needs in schools and public safety services," Pritzker said in his letter to the General Assembly.
The governor also said passage of the bill would result in a $10 million tax break for aviation repair companies annually over the next five years.
It would be "absurd" to ask businesses to recover those taxes retroactively in November, said Senate sponsor Rachelle Crowe, a Democrat from Glen Carbon, in November when the General Assembly passed the bill initially.
And Bristow said the measure is ultimately protecting jobs.
"While some party leaders may not have wanted me to do this, I overrode the veto of the governor because he chose to misrepresent this issue and play politics with legislation that directly impacted hundreds of local jobs in the Metro East that people depend on to support their families," she said in a statement
The override of Pritzker's veto of House Bill 3902 was approved in the House with 107 votes in favor and none against. Only two lawmakers -- Democrat Jaime Andrade Jr. of Chicago and Republican Norine Hammond of Macomb -- voted present.
The Senate has 15 days to call the vote for an override. As in the House, a two-thirds vote is required for an override. The bill passed 48-1, with two senators voting "present" and eight not voting on Nov. 14 during the fall veto session


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-04--World Long Drive Championship to bring golf's big hitters to Cog Hill

Chicago 's biggest public golf facility will soon by back in the national -- if not the world -- spotlight .
Cog Hill , in Lemont , was named Tuesday as the site of the 45th annual World Long Drive Championship .
It 'll be held Sept. 3 to 9 with national television coverage on The Golf Channel .
The event will be held under the lights the last two days .
This is a big breakthrough for Cog Hill and the Jemsek family , which has been a leader in Chicago golf over nearly nine decades .
The 72-hole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2011 , the last year the PGA Tour 's BMW Championship was played on the facility 's Dubsdread course .
Dubsdread was the site of the history-rich Western Open from 1991 until 2006 .
That event , which had been contested 103 times over a 108-year span , was converted to a FedEx Cup Playoff event and was moved off its traditional Fourth of July weekend dates .
The playoff event was shifted to August and the Western Golf Association opted to play the tournament at sites away from Chicago every other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Dubsdread in 2011 .
Then its Chicago site was Conway Farms , in Lake Forest , for three stagings .
Last year it was played at Medinah and this year it will be staged at Olympia Fields in August .
The Jemsek family , longtime owners of Cog Hill , had been trying to land a high profile event ever since the BMW was last played there .
For the World Long Drive the club will construct a custom hitting grid that will be used throughout the competition .
`` We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jemsek said .
`` Long drive championships are in our blood . ''
Her grandfather , Joe Jemsek , won the World Fair 's Long Drive Championship in 1934 with a poke off an elevated hitting station that measured more than 500 yards .
`` Cog Hill 's tradition in the sport reflects our own storied history , '' said Matt Farrell , executive director of the World Long Drive Association .
`` We 're expanding our commitment to global development of the sport through a broader qualifying series that includes expansion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
While the World Long Drive is new to Chicago , this year 's schedule of lead-in events includes a qualifier in Thailand and a series of regular stops around the country .
The first is April 17 to 22 -- the Clash in the Canyon in Mesquite , Nev. That was the site of the Long Drive finals from 2008 to 2012 .

World Long Drive Championship to bring golf's big hitters to Cog Hill
The 2019 World Long Drive winners were Chloe Garner and Kyle Berkshire at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla. Cy Cyr/World Long Drive Association
Chicago's biggest public golf facility will soon by back in the national -- if not the world -- spotlight.
Cog Hill, in Lemont, was named Tuesday as the site of the 45th annual World Long Drive Championship. It'll be held Sept. 3 to 9 with national television coverage on The Golf Channel. The event will be held under the lights the last two days.
This is a big breakthrough for Cog Hill and the Jemsek family, which has been a leader in Chicago golf over nearly nine decades. The 72-hole facility last hosted top level competitive golf in 2011, the last year the PGA Tour's BMW Championship was played on the facility's Dubsdread course.
Dubsdread was the site of the history-rich Western Open from 1991 until 2006. That event, which had been contested 103 times over a 108-year span, was converted to a FedEx Cup Playoff event and was moved off its traditional Fourth of July weekend dates.
The playoff event was shifted to August and the Western Golf Association opted to play the tournament at sites away from Chicago every other year. The tournament was last held on Dubsdread in 2011. Then its Chicago site was Conway Farms, in Lake Forest, for three stagings. Last year it was played at Medinah and this year it will be staged at Olympia Fields in August.
The Jemsek family, longtime owners of Cog Hill, had been trying to land a high profile event ever since the BMW was last played there. For the World Long Drive the club will construct a custom hitting grid that will be used throughout the competition.
"We're thrilled," Cog Hill President Katherine Jemsek said. "Long drive championships are in our blood."
Her grandfather, Joe Jemsek, won the World Fair's Long Drive Championship in 1934 with a poke off an elevated hitting station that measured more than 500 yards.
"Cog Hill's tradition in the sport reflects our own storied history," said Matt Farrell, executive director of the World Long Drive Association. "We're expanding our commitment to global development of the sport through a broader qualifying series that includes expansion to Asia and other parts of the world."
While the World Long Drive is new to Chicago, this year's schedule of lead-in events includes a qualifier in Thailand and a series of regular stops around the country. The first is April 17 to 22 -- the Clash in the Canyon in Mesquite, Nev. That was the site of the Long Drive finals from 2008 to 2012.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-04--California shooting shows security vulnerabilities on buses

LOS ANGELES -- Would-be plotters bent on staging an attack aboard a passenger plane know they 've first got to pass through a gauntlet of security measures at an airport , from body scans and spot interrogations to pat-downs and even close scrutiny of their shoes .
But a shooting that killed a person and wounded five this week on a Greyhound bus in California illustrates a stark reality about security on buses and trains : Anyone determined to carry out an attack on ground transportation faces few , if any , security checks .
The comparative scant security prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting on the bus heading from Los Angeles to San Francisco to rethink his future mode of travel .
'I think I will just fly from now on , '' Mark Grabban said .
He was on the bus with his girlfriend when a passenger who 'd been muttering and cursing opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun .
Grabban 's perception was that Greyhound worried more about stopping passengers from smoking and talking too loudly than ensuring no one got aboard with a gun .
`` It 's astounding and shameful , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terror attacks , some U.S. lawmakers complained that way too little federal money was spent on ground transit security compared with what was spent on airports .
Then-U.S. Rep. David Obey , a Wisconsin Democrat , estimated that $ 22 billion had gone into airline security in those years , while less than $ 550 million went to security for buses , trains , subways and ferries combined .
There 's no indication spending gaps have closed .
That 's true even though vastly more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or subway than on planes each day .
More than 30 million Americans use ground transit daily , compared with around 2 million who fly .
Violent incidents on buses are extremely rare .
But concerns have arisen that with airports more secure than ever , would-be terrorists in particular could see buses and other ground transit as easier targets .
The Transportation Security Administration was established in 2001 to fix security holes that allowed for the 9/11 attacks , with a mandate to check 100 % of baggage through airports .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's sprawling bus and rail lines .
More than 70,000 buses operate on 230,000 miles ( 370,149 kilometers ) of roadways , according to the American Public Transportation Association .
Even if money could be found to pay for metal detectors at bus stations , it would be impossible to have them at every stop along a route , security experts say .
The suspect in the California shooting boarded at the East Seventh Street bus station in Los Angeles , according to California Highway Patrol Sgt .
Brian Pennings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guards were visible , but there were no signs of baggage or any other kind of security checks .
'No metal detector , no wand , nothing , ' Grabban recalled about the preboarding process Monday .
Greyhound has a no-gun policy , but Grabban said 'a policy is n't enough to stop someone from boarding the bus with a gun and shooting people , as I 've found out .
' There 's no indication federal officials will ever consider making pat-downs , body scans and metal detectors as ubiquitous at bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airports .
'We do n't intend to roll out anything like what we have in the airports .
We are satisfied at this point , ' Transportation Security Administration Administrator David Pekoske said in 2017 .
TSA 's mandate does include security on all the nation 's transportation networks .
But the vast majority of the TSA 's more than 43,000 security officers work at the over 400 U.S. airports .
TSA efforts beyond airports often take the form of partnerships , advice and federal grants .
States and municipalities assume more responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and there 's little uniformity nationwide .
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority together with TSA officials announced in 2018 that it would become the first mass transit system in the U.S. to install screening equipment that scans passengers for weapons and explosives .
The TSA has deployed response teams that have done spot baggage checks on city subway systems , including in Chicago .
'It 's largely to create the perception that there is an active security program more than a realistic chance of catching someone , ' said Joseph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor at DePaul University in Chicago .
'They want anyone thinking of carrying a gun into the system to think twice .
' Just because passengers do n't see security measures at bus and train stations does n't mean they are n't there , explained another Chicago-based security expert , James Fagel .
He said undercover staff are often looking for signs someone might be carrying a gun , while others trained to spot behavior quirks that could indicate trouble monitor depots via surveillance cameras .
Few countries have attempted the kinds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plausibly thwart an attack .
Israel is one .
At least some Israeli buses are fitted with four or five separated , fortified compartments , which can help limit the deadliness of a bomb or gun attack , said Fagel , who teaches crisis management at the Illinois Institute of Technology .
Among measures to boost security on U.S. buses and trains that would n't be too costly or impractical would include requirements that riders show IDs that match names on tickets before boarding , Schwieterman said .
He said enabling bus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket buyers to see if they have violent criminal records also could help manage risks .
As it is now , drivers and passengers are the de facto , frontline security when violence breaks out on buses .
That happened during a 2014 attack in which a man screaming 'everybody 's going to die' pummeled the driver and caused a Greyhound bus to careen off an Arizona highway , injuring more than 20 people .
Passengers were credited with subduing the assailant .
Same goes for Monday 's attack .
Authorities say passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Devonte Williams and got him off the bus .
He was arrested on the side of the road .
Officials praised the efforts as heroic , though they did n't immediately provide details .
Tarm reported from Chicago .
Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo in Washington , D.C. , contributed to this report .

Correction: Bus Shooting-Security story
Security guard Damoi Shilon, left, watches over the Greyhound bus terminal on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. A shooting on a Greyhound bus in California this week illustrates a stark reality about security on other modes of mass transportation in the U.S., those determined to carry out an attack on a bus, train and subway would likely face few if any security checks from any time before or after they take their seats. Associated Press
Security guard Damoi Shilon closes a door at the Greyhound bus terminal on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. A shooting on a Greyhound bus in California this week illustrates a stark reality about security on other modes of mass transportation in the U.S., those determined to carry out an attack on a bus, train and subway would likely face few if any security checks from any time before or after they take their seats. Associated Press
Security guard Damoi Shilon, left, speaks with a customer at the Greyhound bus terminal on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. A shooting on a Greyhound bus in California this week illustrates a stark reality about security on other modes of mass transportation in the U.S., those determined to carry out an attack on a bus, train and subway would likely face few if any security checks from any time before or after they take their seats. Associated Press
The downtown Los Angeles Greyhound bus station is seen Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. It was the embarkation point Monday for the Bay Area-bound bus on which a gunman killed a woman and wounded five others enroute, in Lebec, Calif. The man was cursing and muttering incoherently before the attack, passengers and authorities said. Anthony Devonte Williams, 33, of Capitol Heights, Md., was arrested after passengers managed to disarm him and get him off the bus. 51-year-old Lurbis Elena Vence of Molino, Colombia, died in the attack, according to the Kern County coroner's office. Associated Press
A pedestrian walks near the entrance of the Greyhound bus terminal on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. A shooting on a Greyhound bus in California this week illustrates a stark reality about security on other modes of mass transportation in the U.S., those determined to carry out an attack on a bus, train and subway would likely face few if any security checks from any time before or after they take their seats. Associated Press
A sign warning passengers of prohibited items is seen posted at the Greyhound bus terminal on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Oakland, Calif. A shooting on a Greyhound bus in California this week illustrates a stark reality about security on other modes of mass transportation in the U.S., those determined to carry out an attack on a bus, train and subway would likely face few if any security checks from any time before or after they take their seats. Associated Press
The downtown Los Angeles Greyhound bus station is seen Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. It was the embarkation point Monday for the Bay Area-bound bus on which a gunman killed a woman and wounded five others enroute, in Lebec, Calif. The man was cursing and muttering incoherently before the attack, passengers and authorities said. Anthony Devonte Williams, 33, of Capitol Heights, Md., was arrested after passengers managed to disarm him and get him off the bus. 51-year-old Lurbis Elena Vence of Molino, Colombia, died in the attack, according to the Kern County coroner's office. Associated Press
The downtown Los Angeles Greyhound bus station is seen Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. It was the embarkation point Monday for the Bay Area-bound bus on which a gunman killed a woman and wounded five others enroute, in Lebec, Calif. The man was cursing and muttering incoherently before the attack, passengers and authorities said. Anthony Devonte Williams, 33, of Capitol Heights, Md., was arrested after passengers managed to disarm him and get him off the bus. 51-year-old Lurbis Elena Vence of Molino, Colombia, died in the attack, according to the Kern County coroner's office. Associated Press
The downtown Los Angeles Greyhound bus station is seen Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. It was the embarkation point Monday for the Bay Area-bound bus on which a gunman killed a woman and wounded five others enroute, in Lebec, Calif. Associated Press


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Restaurants are hurting, and so are suburbs' sales tax hauls

Juan Gonzalez is still making tortas , tacos and fajitas at his Mago Grill & Cantina in South Barrington , just not nearly as many .
`` It 's not much at all .
We sell maybe 5 % of what we were doing every day before this , '' Gonzalez said .
`` Right now , the only reason we 're open is to pass along money to the employees who really need it . ''
Restaurant dining room closures resulting from the coronavirus pandemic are wreaking havoc on the industry 's bottom line and upending the lives of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those losses also will be felt by communities that rely on restaurant sales taxes and special food and beverage taxes to help fund municipal services .
Some suburbs will feel the effects much more than others because of how heavily they rely on such taxes .
Sales taxes at restaurants and bars contributed more than $ 2 million a week to 83 suburbs , a Daily Herald analysis of 2019 tax records on the Illinois Department of Revenue 's website shows .
In a dozen suburbs , sales taxes from restaurants and bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their sales tax revenue last year .
South Barrington received 44.4 % of all its sales taxes in 2019 from restaurants and bars , according to the analysis .
The $ 812,875 received represents 11.5 % of the village 's general fund revenue , according to South Barrington 's most recent audit .
The general fund pays for the day-to-day operations of the village .
Other towns are more diversified .
In Wheeling , 21.3 % of all sales taxes came from restaurants and bars last year , but the nearly $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the village 's total general fund revenue .
South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie believes her village is positioned to weather the effects on local businesses , but she acknowledged it all depends on how long the coronavirus forces people to stay at home .
`` It 's definitely going to affect us , but it 's too early to see , '' she said .
`` And if you do n't have the funds to cover those losses , you 're going to have to look at how you 're doing things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bigger month than most others for restaurants and bars because of the NCAA men 's basketball tournament , which has been canceled .
`` It 's not just restaurants and bars , though , '' said Rob Karr , president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association , pointing out many sources of sales tax have had sharp drops .
`` Everybody in the retail sector has been negatively impacted , aside from groceries . ''
In 2019 , the 83 suburbs received a combined $ 58 million in sales taxes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general sales tax .
On top of that , 64 of the suburbs received a combined $ 50 million from other restaurant-related sales taxes like a home-rule sales tax , non-home-rule sales tax or food and beverage taxes , according to the analysis .
Schaumburg received $ 8.1 million in total sales taxes from restaurants and bars last year , Naperville received $ 7.5 million , Aurora received $ 5.6 million and Elgin received $ 4.2 million .
Rosemont , with its massive Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District , took in $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bars alone .
Some of that money is needed to pay off debt incurred by the village when the complex was constructed .
The village received 37.3 % of all of its sales taxes last year from bars and restaurants and stands to lose about $ 120,000 a week from shuttered eateries and bars .
`` There are a considerable amount of places that just figured to shut down and wait until it 's over .
But we do n't know how long it 's going to go on for and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephens , expressing hope that following Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's stay-at-home order will shorten the duration .
`` Let 's hope everyone complies and it 's short-lived . ''
For those restaurants that have stayed open , Rosemont has loosened restrictions on packaged liquor sales , after receiving permission from the state liquor commission .
Restaurants can sell bottles of wine and beer with carryout and delivered meals now .
Not all towns have changed the rules on alcohol sales .
`` We have n't heard of that here and we probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our lease , with being in the same strip mall as the Jewel , '' said Jenni Martinez , general manager of Rep 's Place in Rolling Meadows , referring to the grocery store that also sells liquor .
`` We had to cut 94 % of our staff and we 're lucky if we 're doing 20 % of the sales we normally would do . ''
To try and stay afloat , the restaurant has begun offering `` family meal packs '' instead of just individual items off the regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dishes and pizza packages with wings and salads now are offered .
`` It 's doing really good , '' she said .
`` This way , people can get affordable food for their entire family . ''
Karr said some businesses have shut down .
He worried that if state and federal aid is n't made available to those business owners soon , `` the problems of tax revenues are n't going to temporary , they 'll be permanent . ''
The state has announced several initiatives since the quarantine began , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus.illinois.gov website .
And the federal government should be rolling out aid in the coming weeks after Congress approved a $ 2.2 trillion stimulus package last week .

Restaurants are hurting, and so are suburbs' sales tax hauls
Juan Gonzalez is still making tortas, tacos and fajitas at his Mago Grill & Cantina in South Barrington, just not nearly as many.
"It's not much at all. We sell maybe 5% of what we were doing every day before this," Gonzalez said. "Right now, the only reason we're open is to pass along money to the employees who really need it."
Restaurant dining room closures resulting from the coronavirus pandemic are wreaking havoc on the industry's bottom line and upending the lives of many working in the service industry. Those losses also will be felt by communities that rely on restaurant sales taxes and special food and beverage taxes to help fund municipal services. Some suburbs will feel the effects much more than others because of how heavily they rely on such taxes.
Sales taxes at restaurants and bars contributed more than $2 million a week to 83 suburbs, a Daily Herald analysis of 2019 tax records on the Illinois Department of Revenue's website shows.
In a dozen suburbs, sales taxes from restaurants and bars represented more than 20% of all their sales tax revenue last year.
South Barrington received 44.4% of all its sales taxes in 2019 from restaurants and bars, according to the analysis. The $812,875 received represents 11.5% of the village's general fund revenue, according to South Barrington's most recent audit. The general fund pays for the day-to-day operations of the village.
Other towns are more diversified. In Wheeling, 21.3% of all sales taxes came from restaurants and bars last year, but the nearly $2 million generated was equal to 5.3% of the village's total general fund revenue.
South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie believes her village is positioned to weather the effects on local businesses, but she acknowledged it all depends on how long the coronavirus forces people to stay at home.
"It's definitely going to affect us, but it's too early to see," she said. "And if you don't have the funds to cover those losses, you're going to have to look at how you're doing things."
Historically, March is a bigger month than most others for restaurants and bars because of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, which has been canceled.
"It's not just restaurants and bars, though," said Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, pointing out many sources of sales tax have had sharp drops. "Everybody in the retail sector has been negatively impacted, aside from groceries."
In 2019, the 83 suburbs received a combined $58 million in sales taxes from restaurants and bars from their share of the general sales tax.
On top of that, 64 of the suburbs received a combined $50 million from other restaurant-related sales taxes like a home-rule sales tax, non-home-rule sales tax or food and beverage taxes, according to the analysis.
Schaumburg received $8.1 million in total sales taxes from restaurants and bars last year, Naperville received $7.5 million, Aurora received $5.6 million and Elgin received $4.2 million.
Rosemont, with its massive Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District, took in $6.3 million in sales taxes from restaurants and bars alone. Some of that money is needed to pay off debt incurred by the village when the complex was constructed.
The village received 37.3% of all of its sales taxes last year from bars and restaurants and stands to lose about $120,000 a week from shuttered eateries and bars.
"There are a considerable amount of places that just figured to shut down and wait until it's over. But we don't know how long it's going to go on for and the magnitude," said Rosemont Mayor Bradley Stephens, expressing hope that following Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order will shorten the duration. "Let's hope everyone complies and it's short-lived."
For those restaurants that have stayed open, Rosemont has loosened restrictions on packaged liquor sales, after receiving permission from the state liquor commission. Restaurants can sell bottles of wine and beer with carryout and delivered meals now. Not all towns have changed the rules on alcohol sales.
"We haven't heard of that here and we probably wouldn't be able to anyway because of our lease, with being in the same strip mall as the Jewel," said Jenni Martinez, general manager of Rep's Place in Rolling Meadows, referring to the grocery store that also sells liquor. "We had to cut 94% of our staff and we're lucky if we're doing 20% of the sales we normally would do."
To try and stay afloat, the restaurant has begun offering "family meal packs" instead of just individual items off the regular menu. Chicken dinners with several side dishes and pizza packages with wings and salads now are offered.
"It's doing really good," she said. "This way, people can get affordable food for their entire family."
Karr said some businesses have shut down. He worried that if state and federal aid isn't made available to those business owners soon, "the problems of tax revenues aren't going to temporary, they'll be permanent."
The state has announced several initiatives since the quarantine began, which are available at the state's coronavirus.illinois.gov website. And the federal government should be rolling out aid in the coming weeks after Congress approved a $2.2 trillion stimulus package last week.
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dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-29--With new owner in place, concerns remain over future of Stratford Square Mall

The new owner of Stratford Square Mall is looking to get money from a 1 % sales tax on all purchases at the Bloomingdale shopping center .
But village officials say Namdar Realty Group wo n't receive monthly payments from the business district where the special sales tax is collected until after the company presents a plan to turn around the struggling mall .
`` We are extremely concerned '' about the viability of the mall , Village Administrator Pietro Scalera said .
`` The village is anxious to receive something from the new owners that shows their plan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Stratford was ailing long before shopping centers throughout Illinois were forced to close because of state-imposed restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
It had lost four anchor stores within six years , including Sears , Carson 's and Macy 's .
In addition , there was a growing number of smaller stores closing inside the mall at the southeast corner of Gary Avenue and Schick Road .
`` The future outlook does not look good for the mall , '' Scalera said .
Stratford 's previous owner -- StreetMac @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 42 million to improve the mall , including landscaping , pavement work and upgrades to entrances .
The company was hoping to attract new retail , entertainment and restaurants to fill the empty spaces .
But in October , the mall was acquired by Namdar Realty -- a commercial real estate investment firm based in Long Island , New York .
The company declined to disclose the purchase price .
Elliot Nassim of Mason Asset Management , which partners with Namdar Realty Group , said the company acquired Stratford because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great market .
`` It is always our goal to add value to our properties and we are excited about the opportunity to continue doing so with Stratford Square Mall , '' Nassim said in an email response to questions from the Daily Herald .
`` We look forward to sharing announcements in the coming months . ''
Scalera said StreetMac never told Bloomingdale officials the mall was for sale .
The village did n't know it was sold until after the deal closed .
With a new owner in the mix , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next for the mall .
`` We are back to the beginning and working with a new ownership group to try and identify what their plans are for the mall and how they 're going to fill the vacancies , '' Scalera said .
To recoup some of its investment , StreetMac was receiving payments from the Stratford Business District , which is the area where the extra 1 % sales tax is collected .
Bloomingdale established the district in 2007 .
Last year , the business district generated less than $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to StreetMac to help cover the cost of improvements .
But there 's a limit on how much money can be paid out before the tax ends in 2030 .
Since it was implemented , the village has paid roughly $ 12.8 million toward the $ 20 million cap .
Namdar Realty has asked the village to transfer the monthly payments to its company .
But village board members say they wo n't approve the assignment until the village receives a plan from Namdar .
When asked about planned improvements to the mall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new Woodman 's Food Market .
Woodman 's is planning to build a stand-alone grocery store on roughly 19 acres near the intersection of Schick and Gary .
To make room for the 243,000-square-foot building , a former Macy 's and part of the mall has been demolished .
Nassim said the Woodman 's should be open next year .
He also said Namdar Realty is working with the village on plans for the former J.C. Penney store , which has been shuttered since 2014 .
`` We should be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of months , '' Nassim said .
`` Ultimately , our vision is to work with city leadership to transform the mall into a premier regional destination and flourishing center of community life , where residents and visitors shop , work , live and play . ''
He said Namdar Realty is committed to ensuring the success of Stratford Square .
`` We are working hard to find the right mix of tenants that will best serve the local community , '' Nassim said , `` and we look forward to sharing those @ @ @ @ @ @ @

With new owner in place, concerns remain over future of Stratford Square Mall
Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale has a new owner, but its future remains in question. Village officials say they want to see a plan for the mall from new owner Namdar Realty Group. Daily Herald file photo
The new owner of Stratford Square Mall is looking to get money from a 1% sales tax on all purchases at the Bloomingdale shopping center.
But village officials say Namdar Realty Group won't receive monthly payments from the business district where the special sales tax is collected until after the company presents a plan to turn around the struggling mall.
"We are extremely concerned" about the viability of the mall, Village Administrator Pietro Scalera said. "The village is anxious to receive something from the new owners that shows their plan of action to deal with the property."
Stratford was ailing long before shopping centers throughout Illinois were forced to close because of state-imposed restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus. It had lost four anchor stores within six years, including Sears, Carson's and Macy's.
In addition, there was a growing number of smaller stores closing inside the mall at the southeast corner of Gary Avenue and Schick Road.
"The future outlook does not look good for the mall," Scalera said.
Stratford's previous owner -- StreetMac LLC -- was planning to spend more than $42 million to improve the mall, including landscaping, pavement work and upgrades to entrances. The company was hoping to attract new retail, entertainment and restaurants to fill the empty spaces.
But in October, the mall was acquired by Namdar Realty -- a commercial real estate investment firm based in Long Island, New York. The company declined to disclose the purchase price.
Elliot Nassim of Mason Asset Management, which partners with Namdar Realty Group, said the company acquired Stratford because it's a well-located shopping destination in a great market.
"It is always our goal to add value to our properties and we are excited about the opportunity to continue doing so with Stratford Square Mall," Nassim said in an email response to questions from the Daily Herald. "We look forward to sharing announcements in the coming months."
Scalera said StreetMac never told Bloomingdale officials the mall was for sale. The village didn't know it was sold until after the deal closed.
With a new owner in the mix, village officials want to know what's next for the mall.
"We are back to the beginning and working with a new ownership group to try and identify what their plans are for the mall and how they're going to fill the vacancies," Scalera said.
To recoup some of its investment, StreetMac was receiving payments from the Stratford Business District, which is the area where the extra 1% sales tax is collected. Bloomingdale established the district in 2007.
Last year, the business district generated less than $1 million. Almost all that money went to StreetMac to help cover the cost of improvements.
But there's a limit on how much money can be paid out before the tax ends in 2030. Since it was implemented, the village has paid roughly $12.8 million toward the $20 million cap.
Namdar Realty has asked the village to transfer the monthly payments to its company. But village board members say they won't approve the assignment until the village receives a plan from Namdar.
When asked about planned improvements to the mall, Nassim pointed to the construction of a new Woodman's Food Market.
Woodman's is planning to build a stand-alone grocery store on roughly 19 acres near the intersection of Schick and Gary. To make room for the 243,000-square-foot building, a former Macy's and part of the mall has been demolished.
Nassim said the Woodman's should be open next year. He also said Namdar Realty is working with the village on plans for the former J.C. Penney store, which has been shuttered since 2014.
"We should be able to announce those plans in the next couple of months," Nassim said. "Ultimately, our vision is to work with city leadership to transform the mall into a premier regional destination and flourishing center of community life, where residents and visitors shop, work, live and play."
He said Namdar Realty is committed to ensuring the success of Stratford Square.
"We are working hard to find the right mix of tenants that will best serve the local community," Nassim said, "and we look forward to sharing those developments as information becomes available."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Victim, defendant in West Chicago murder had been dating, authorities say

A West Chicago man who was stabbed to death this month , and the man who allegedly killed him , were in a two-year `` dating relationship , '' according to authorities .
And a bystander told police that the day before the murder was reported , the defendant , Frank Rosas , appeared to be drunk and belligerent .
Rosas , 29 , is accused of stabbing Jose Alonso-Lopez , 56 , more than 30 times , sometime the evening of March 21 , at their home in the 700 block of Lincoln Avenue .
He reported the stabbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. March 22 .
Rosas was then hospitalized for several days after undergoing surgery to repair two tendons in his hand that were severed during the attack , according to the DuPage County state 's attorney 's office .
Police found a steak knife in a garbage can outside the house ; a neighbor told them they had seen the knife on the ground near where the victim 's car had been parked , picked it up and threw it away .
That was the vehicle Rosas drove to the police station .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ car .
Bystanders reported that on the afternoon of March 21 , Rosas threatened a relative .
They also said Alonso-Lopez , Rosas and a mechanic were outside that afternoon , working on a car , and that Rosas asked people for change for a $ 100 bill to pay the mechanic , and that he and the mechanic argued .
Rosas is held on $ 1 million bail at the DuPage County jail .
His next scheduled court date is April 27 .

Victim, defendant in West Chicago murder had been dating, authorities say
A West Chicago man who was stabbed to death this month, and the man who allegedly killed him, were in a two-year "dating relationship," according to authorities.
And a bystander told police that the day before the murder was reported, the defendant, Frank Rosas, appeared to be drunk and belligerent.
Rosas, 29, is accused of stabbing Jose Alonso-Lopez, 56, more than 30 times, sometime the evening of March 21, at their home in the 700 block of Lincoln Avenue. He reported the stabbing to West Chicago police station around 4 p.m. March 22. Rosas was then hospitalized for several days after undergoing surgery to repair two tendons in his hand that were severed during the attack, according to the DuPage County state's attorney's office.
First-degree murder charges were filed March 27.
Police found a steak knife in a garbage can outside the house; a neighbor told them they had seen the knife on the ground near where the victim's car had been parked, picked it up and threw it away. That was the vehicle Rosas drove to the police station. Police also found another knife in the car.
Bystanders reported that on the afternoon of March 21, Rosas threatened a relative. They also said Alonso-Lopez, Rosas and a mechanic were outside that afternoon, working on a car, and that Rosas asked people for change for a $100 bill to pay the mechanic, and that he and the mechanic argued.
Rosas is held on $1 million bail at the DuPage County jail. His next scheduled court date is April 27.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-29--Illinois COVID-19 update: More than 1,100 new cases, 18 additional deaths

Illinois added 1,105 confirmed COVID-19 cases Sunday , more than twice the number of new cases Saturday , dramatically illustrating the virus ' rapid and exponential spread through the state .
Along with the new cases , state officials announced 18 additional deaths from the coronavirus , including that of a Kane County man in his 40s .
In all , 65 state residents have died as a result of the virus , and 4,596 have been sickened .
The deaths reported Sunday include 11 Cook County residents : a man in his 50s , two women in their 60s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their 70s , and two men and a woman in their 80s .
State officials also confirmed the death of a DuPage County man in his 60s and two Kane County men in their 90s .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said it would be weeks before Illinois reaches a peak in new cases , expected sometime next month .
During his daily news briefing Sunday , Pritzker focused on the state 's testing efforts , saying about 4,000 people a day are now being tested , compared to 2,000 a day a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of a goal of 10,000 tests a day , a figure experts say is needed to get a clear understanding of the virus ' spread in Illinois .
`` Where we are now is not where we want to be , '' he said .
`` Every day we are not at 10,000 or more is another day we are not able to get answers that will help us get past this current crisis . ''
Pritzker said he believes the state will get to 10,000 daily tests within the next 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he is urging federal authorities to lift a cap that limits a facility to 250 tests a day .
`` We 're turning people away that we just should n't have to , and we ask the federal government to remove their restriction , '' he said .
`` We 're also pressuring the federal government on the return timelines of these tests .
The private labs contracted by the federal government are taking four to seven days and sometimes even up to 10 days to turn around results .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ezike , director of the Illinois Department of Public Health , addressed Saturday 's report of an infant in Illinois dying as a result of COVID-19 , a case believed to be the first of its kind in the United States .
She said an investigation into the death of the child from Cook County is ongoing .
`` I know that there is a lot of concern hearing about the death of an infant who also had COVID and so we really want to get a complete report , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms typically include a fever , sore throat and runny nose , and not the severe pulmonary problems that show up with adults .
Pritzker also addressed reports that nurses and other health care works are losing or being denied apartment leases by landlords fearing the spread of the virus .
`` Let me be clear to everyone , that will not be tolerated in our state , '' he said .
Health care works still need personal protection equipment , officials say .
To donate , email PPE.donations @ illinois.gov .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state hotline at ( 800 ) 889-3931 or email dph.sick @ illinois.gov .

Illinois COVID-19 update: More than 1,100 new cases, 18 additional deaths
Gov. JB Pritzker updated the state's testing efforts Sunday, saying about 4,000 people are being tested a day, up from 2,000 a day a week ago. But it's still far short of the goal of 10,000 a day, he said.
A man walks on the street next to Wrigley Field which is Chicago Cubs stadium in Chicago, Sunday, March 29, 2020. Associated Press
Illinois added 1,105 confirmed COVID-19 cases Sunday, more than twice the number of new cases Saturday, dramatically illustrating the virus' rapid and exponential spread through the state.
Along with the new cases, state officials announced 18 additional deaths from the coronavirus, including that of a Kane County man in his 40s.
In all, 65 state residents have died as a result of the virus, and 4,596 have been sickened.
The deaths reported Sunday include 11 Cook County residents: a man in his 50s, two women in their 60s, two men and three women in their 70s, and two men and a woman in their 80s.
State officials also confirmed the death of a DuPage County man in his 60s and two Kane County men in their 90s.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said it would be weeks before Illinois reaches a peak in new cases, expected sometime next month.
During his daily news briefing Sunday, Pritzker focused on the state's testing efforts, saying about 4,000 people a day are now being tested, compared to 2,000 a day a week ago.
But that's still far short of a goal of 10,000 tests a day, a figure experts say is needed to get a clear understanding of the virus' spread in Illinois.
"Where we are now is not where we want to be," he said. "Every day we are not at 10,000 or more is another day we are not able to get answers that will help us get past this current crisis."
Pritzker said he believes the state will get to 10,000 daily tests within the next 10 days. To get there, he said he is urging federal authorities to lift a cap that limits a facility to 250 tests a day.
"We're turning people away that we just shouldn't have to, and we ask the federal government to remove their restriction," he said. "We're also pressuring the federal government on the return timelines of these tests. The private labs contracted by the federal government are taking four to seven days and sometimes even up to 10 days to turn around results. That is far too long."
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, addressed Saturday's report of an infant in Illinois dying as a result of COVID-19, a case believed to be the first of its kind in the United States. She said an investigation into the death of the child from Cook County is ongoing.
"I know that there is a lot of concern hearing about the death of an infant who also had COVID and so we really want to get a complete report," she said.
For children, Ezike said, symptoms typically include a fever, sore throat and runny nose, and not the severe pulmonary problems that show up with adults.
Pritzker also addressed reports that nurses and other health care works are losing or being denied apartment leases by landlords fearing the spread of the virus.
"Let me be clear to everyone, that will not be tolerated in our state," he said.
Health care works still need personal protection equipment, officials say. To donate, email PPE.donations@illinois.gov.
For health questions about COVID-19, call the state hotline at (800) 889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-29--St. Charles wants 'wow' factor on former police station site

An empty hodgepodge of a building sits desolate in the heart of downtown St. Charles , waiting for a developer 's vision to breathe new life into the riverfront property .
The site was home to the city 's police department for years before officers moved to their new state-of-the-art headquarters last fall .
But where some now see a vacant station that lacked operational efficiency , city leaders see potential .
The prime piece of real estate at 211 N. Riverside Ave. has been identified as the city 's next major redevelopment opportunity , a chance to create economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus .
When it comes to determining what exactly the project should entail , however , aldermen would prefer to remain open-minded .
St. Charles is preparing to issue a request for proposals , pending city council review and approval .
It 'll then be up to developers to present their own ideas for the city-owned property and adjacent parcels .
`` I have to think that somebody 's going to see this and say , 'There 's an opportunity here for the downtown , ' '' Mayor Ray Rogina said .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned there is a `` very fine line '' between providing developers with direction and scaring them off with specific demands .
The city council will have a chance to negotiate and get the final say on any project brought forward .
• Which properties are being considered ?
The impetus for a potential redevelopment project centers around the police station site and an ancillary parking lot .
The request for proposals is expected to also include the following parcels : one just east of the `` core subject property '' ; a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently used by city hall employees and surrounding businesses ; and the open space along the Fox River .
• What would an ideal project look like ?
A large-scale , mixed-use development with `` wow '' factor is preferred over a smaller , single-use concept .
Aldermen say they 're open to myriad uses , including retail , residential or even a hotel .
Parking has been identified as a key priority .
Proposals will need to demonstrate that enough spaces can be created to accommodate the development , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a result of the project , aldermen said .
• How will the Fox River play a role ?
City officials have previously indicated a desire to leave a 60-foot buffer of open space along the riverfront .
Developers will have to show how that area could be incorporated into their plans , and whether they think it should be public , private or a mix , said Rita Tungare , community and economic development director .
The city also will make potential developers aware of the proposed Active River Project , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create various recreational amenities along the Fox River corridor in an attempt to boost tourism .
Those improvements are on hold pending financial partnerships , Tungare said , but `` we do n't want any developer to design a project in a vacuum where at some point it compromises the ability to move forward . ''
• What will happen to the former police station ?
The building likely will be torn down by the city before a developer is chosen .
Aldermen said they 'd also be OK with completing some preliminary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marketability .
• Will the city offer any financial assistance ?
City officials know that any large-scale project is likely to come with a request for incentives , possibly in the form of a pay-as-you-go reimbursement through the creation of a tax increment financing district .
But they 're not planning to make any offers upfront in the request for proposals .
• What is the time line ?
Aldermen are expected to review a draft request for proposals during a committee meeting April 13 .
Once the city council gives the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential developers .
Almost every component of the project will be market-driven , from the property sale to desired incentives to the proposed use , Alderman Todd Bancroft said .
Given the current state of economic uncertainty , he said , the market `` may be very different 12 months from now . ''
City officials have already received several informal inquiries about the former police station site , Rogina said .
Ideally , summer or fall of next year would be a target date to `` turn some dirt on this property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

St. Charles wants 'wow' factor on former police station site
An empty hodgepodge of a building sits desolate in the heart of downtown St. Charles, waiting for a developer's vision to breathe new life into the riverfront property.
The site was home to the city's police department for years before officers moved to their new state-of-the-art headquarters last fall. But where some now see a vacant station that lacked operational efficiency, city leaders see potential.
The prime piece of real estate at 211 N. Riverside Ave. has been identified as the city's next major redevelopment opportunity, a chance to create economic activity on what is otherwise a municipal campus.
When it comes to determining what exactly the project should entail, however, aldermen would prefer to remain open-minded.
St. Charles is preparing to issue a request for proposals, pending city council review and approval. It'll then be up to developers to present their own ideas for the city-owned property and adjacent parcels.
"I have to think that somebody's going to see this and say, 'There's an opportunity here for the downtown,'" Mayor Ray Rogina said.
During a recent workshop, Alderman Dan Stellato warned there is a "very fine line" between providing developers with direction and scaring them off with specific demands. The city council will have a chance to negotiate and get the final say on any project brought forward.
• Which properties are being considered?
The impetus for a potential redevelopment project centers around the police station site and an ancillary parking lot.
The request for proposals is expected to also include the following parcels: one just east of the "core subject property"; a public parking lot immediately south, which is currently used by city hall employees and surrounding businesses; and the open space along the Fox River.
• What would an ideal project look like?
A large-scale, mixed-use development with "wow" factor is preferred over a smaller, single-use concept. Aldermen say they're open to myriad uses, including retail, residential or even a hotel.
Parking has been identified as a key priority. Proposals will need to demonstrate that enough spaces can be created to accommodate the development, as well as replace any existing public parking lost as a result of the project, aldermen said.
• How will the Fox River play a role?
City officials have previously indicated a desire to leave a 60-foot buffer of open space along the riverfront. Developers will have to show how that area could be incorporated into their plans, and whether they think it should be public, private or a mix, said Rita Tungare, community and economic development director.
The city also will make potential developers aware of the proposed Active River Project, a plan developed by community leaders to create various recreational amenities along the Fox River corridor in an attempt to boost tourism. Those improvements are on hold pending financial partnerships, Tungare said, but "we don't want any developer to design a project in a vacuum where at some point it compromises the ability to move forward."
• What will happen to the former police station?
The building likely will be torn down by the city before a developer is chosen. Aldermen said they'd also be OK with completing some preliminary environmental work to improve the site's marketability.
• Will the city offer any financial assistance?
City officials know that any large-scale project is likely to come with a request for incentives, possibly in the form of a pay-as-you-go reimbursement through the creation of a tax increment financing district. But they're not planning to make any offers upfront in the request for proposals.
• What is the time line?
Aldermen are expected to review a draft request for proposals during a committee meeting April 13. Once the city council gives the final OK, it will be issued to potential developers.
Almost every component of the project will be market-driven, from the property sale to desired incentives to the proposed use, Alderman Todd Bancroft said. Given the current state of economic uncertainty, he said, the market "may be very different 12 months from now."
City officials have already received several informal inquiries about the former police station site, Rogina said. Ideally, summer or fall of next year would be a target date to "turn some dirt on this property if everything were to fall into place."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Authorities: Man faces hate crime charge after using racial slurs, fighting hospital workers

A Downers Grove man is charged with a felony hate crime , accused of telling a black hospital security officer that he was `` going to hang him from a tree , '' authorities said Monday .
Erik J. Lewis , 21 , of the 4000 block of William Street , also is charged with aggravated battery for slapping the security officer .
Oak Brook police had arrested Lewis after an unrelated traffic crash at 8:35 p.m. Friday , according to a news release from the DuPage County State 's Attorney 's office .
Authorities say he was combative and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in Downers Grove , suspecting he had used an intoxicating substance .
Authorities say Lewis fought hospital workers and directed racial slurs and slapped the security officer .
`` The charges against Mr. Lewis are very disturbing , '' DuPage County State 's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the news release .
`` Hate crimes have no place in civilized society , particularly in times such as these when we should all be coming together to help each other . ''
Lewis was released Sunday on a $ 50,000 personal-recognizance bond , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital except for medical treatment .
He is due to be arraigned April 27 .

Authorities: Man charged with hate crime after using racial slurs, fighting hospital workers
A Downers Grove man is charged with a felony hate crime, accused of telling a black hospital security officer that he was "going to hang him from a tree," authorities said Monday.
Erik J. Lewis, 21, of the 4000 block of William Street, also is charged with aggravated battery for slapping the security officer, authorities said.
Oak Brook police had arrested Lewis after an unrelated traffic crash at 8:35 p.m. Friday, according to a news release from the DuPage County state's attorney's office. Authorities say he was combative, and police brought him to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, suspecting he had used an intoxicating substance.
Authorities say Lewis fought hospital workers, used racial slurs and slapped the security officer.
"The charges against Mr. Lewis are very disturbing," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the news release. "Hate crimes have no place in civilized society, particularly in times such as these when we should all be coming together to help each other."
Lewis was released Sunday on a $50,000 personal-recognizance bond and was ordered to stay away from the hospital except for medical treatment. He is due to be arraigned April 27.