dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--What to watch for as impeachment heads to Senate

WASHINGTON -- The articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump do n't move to the Senate by themselves .
They are escorted by specific political stars along a tightly choreographed path from the House through the Capitol rotunda to the Senate for trial .
There waits more history , pageantry and tradition of a type that 's only been seen on television once , and not since the 1999 trial of President Bill Clinton .
Like Clinton , Trump is expected to be acquitted .
But the nation has never seen Chief Justice John Roberts cross the street from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial .
Or witnessed four Democratic presidential candidates sitting in silence , without their phones , ahead of the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses .
Also , Twitter was not a thing the last time this happened .
It 's now the accused president 's favorite bullhorn to proclaim his innocence and his fury in real time .
What to watch Wednesday as the House transmits the impeachment articles to the Senate : Under Speaker Nancy Pelosi , the House voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine .
Trump is the third president to be impeached in U.S. history .
The others are Clinton and , in 1868 , Andrew Johnson .
President Richard Nixon resigned before the House could impeach him .
Pelosi delayed the transmission of the articles to the Senate , holding out for more specific terms of the trial .
Pelosi Wednesday morning named he seven House `` managers '' who will make the case to senators that Trump abused his office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate the son of political rival Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened .
The House formally signed off on the managers and the transmission to the Senate , voting 228-193 .
The team is led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler , who led the impeachment investigation and hearings .
The others are Reps. Zoe Lofgren of California , Hakeem Jeffries of New York , Val Demings of Florida , Jason Crow of Colorado and Sylvia Garcia of Texas .
Pelosi 's choices suggests an emphasis on professional experience ( many are lawyers ) and subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 elections , choosing what House members said was `` geographic diversity '' by appointing managers from beyond Democrat-dominated states .
And in choosing Garcia and Crow , she acknowledged the class of freshmen lawmakers who helped flip the House in the 2018 elections .
Crow 's appointment , too , is a nod to the seven national security freshmen who had resisted impeaching Trump , but then wrote an op-ed calling for it after the Ukraine scheme broke .
A Democrat familiar with how most managers were chosen said they were notified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were told they were being considered .
Then they were summoned to Pelosi 's office to meet with the speaker one-on-one .
Inside , Pelosi told them she had chosen them for the high visibility role .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity to convey the order of developments .
Later Wednesday , the whole prosecution team will line up behind House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving and House Clerk Cheryl Johnson , who will be holding the articles in folders .
The procession will walk through National Statuary Hall , past Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the doors of the Senate .
The managers will return to the House until the Senate admits them .
The Senate then considers some mundane-sounding details , as well as some historic ones , according to the precedent of Clinton 's impeachment trial .
First , they 'll consider resolutions on such things as how to arrange the chamber to accommodate the prosecution and defense teams , and who can watch from the galleries .
Then , according to a memo circulated among senators , comes a series of formalities , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By the end of the week , the managers are expected to exhibit the articles of impeachment .
Roberts and the senators will take their oaths .
And the senators will sign an oath book used since 1986 for presidential and judicial impeachment trials that has been stored at the National Archives .
`` Hear ye !
Hear ye !
Hear ye !
All persons are commanded to keep silent , on pain of imprisonment , while the Senate of the United States is sitting for the trial of the articles of impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then the Senate sergeant-at-arms , at Clinton 's trial in 1999 .
Senate rules say the trial then begins , and runs six days a week -- not on Sunday -- until it 's resolved .
But senators could vote to change the schedule .
Arguments in Trump 's trial begin next Tuesday , according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
Trump has said he wants a full trial with witnesses while also suggesting he 'd favor a dismissal .
But it takes 51 of 100 senators to do almost anything during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have rejected the idea of a dismissal .
The jury is out on whether the Senate calls witnesses , but it 's possible .
Former national security adviser John Bolton has agreed to testify if subpoenaed , and some Republicans have been meeting privately to guarantee that witnesses can be called .
With a 53-seat Republican majority , four GOP senators would have to vote with all Democrats to reach the 51-vote threshold .
On this , watch GOP moderate Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine , Mitt Romney of Utah , Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee .
Any plan for witnesses would likely involve depositions and testimony from people called by Republicans and Democrats .
Trump has said he wants the Senate to call Pelosi and Schiff , but that 's highly unlikely .
During the Clinton trial , former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was deposed privately but not called to testify .
She and Clinton had had an extramarital relationship , they both said .
Senators are fond of talking and any politician wants to stay connected to constituents .
So the impeachment trial rule against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate floor has the potential to make all of them cranky .
None moreso , however , than the four Democratic senators forced to decamp from Iowa less than three weeks before the election 's leadoff caucuses .
Look for Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , Bernie Sanders of Vermont , Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Michael Bennet of Colorado to send surrogates to Iowa or make short trips back and forth .
`` I 've told them this trial is your responsibility as senators and scheduling is not going to influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told The Associated Press in an interview last month .
He said none of them objected .
`` There are benefits of running as a senator , '' Schumer added , `` and there are liabilities . ''

What to watch for as impeachment heads to Senate
Protesters Tuesday display signs and sing in front of the White House in Washington. Associated Press
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, leaves a meeting Tuesday with the Democratic Caucus at the Capitol in Washington. Associated Press
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky, joined from left by Sen. John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican, Majority Whip John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, and Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, meets with reporters Tuesday. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- The articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump don't move to the Senate by themselves.
They are escorted by specific political stars along a tightly choreographed path from the House through the Capitol rotunda to the Senate for trial. There waits more history, pageantry and tradition of a type that's only been seen on television once, and not since the 1999 trial of President Bill Clinton.
Like Clinton, Trump is expected to be acquitted. But the nation has never seen Chief Justice John Roberts cross the street from the Supreme Court and preside over a Senate trial. Or witnessed four Democratic presidential candidates sitting in silence, without their phones, ahead of the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses.
Also, Twitter was not a thing the last time this happened. It's now the accused president's favorite bullhorn to proclaim his innocence and his fury in real time.
What to watch Wednesday as the House transmits the impeachment articles to the Senate:
At Issue
Under Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the House voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from his conduct toward Ukraine. Trump is the third president to be impeached in U.S. history. The others are Clinton and, in 1868, Andrew Johnson. President Richard Nixon resigned before the House could impeach him.
Pelosi delayed the transmission of the articles to the Senate, holding out for more specific terms of the trial.
The Crossing
Pelosi Wednesday morning named he seven House "managers" who will make the case to senators that Trump abused his office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate the son of political rival Joe Biden, and then obstructed Congress' search for what happened. The House formally signed off on the managers and the transmission to the Senate, voting 228-193.
The team is led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, who led the impeachment investigation and hearings. The others are Reps. Zoe Lofgren of California, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Val Demings of Florida, Jason Crow of Colorado and Sylvia Garcia of Texas.
Pelosi's choices suggests an emphasis on professional experience (many are lawyers) and subject matter expertise. She nodded to the 2020 elections, choosing what House members said was "geographic diversity" by appointing managers from beyond Democrat-dominated states.
And in choosing Garcia and Crow, she acknowledged the class of freshmen lawmakers who helped flip the House in the 2018 elections. Crow's appointment, too, is a nod to the seven national security freshmen who had resisted impeaching Trump, but then wrote an op-ed calling for it after the Ukraine scheme broke.
A Democrat familiar with how most managers were chosen said they were notified in a two-step process. First, they were told they were being considered. Then they were summoned to Pelosi's office to meet with the speaker one-on-one. Inside, Pelosi told them she had chosen them for the high visibility role. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to convey the order of developments.
Later Wednesday, the whole prosecution team will line up behind House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving and House Clerk Cheryl Johnson, who will be holding the articles in folders. The procession will walk through National Statuary Hall, past Pelosi's office, across the Rotunda and to the doors of the Senate.
The managers will return to the House until the Senate admits them.
Furniture And Oaths
The Senate then considers some mundane-sounding details, as well as some historic ones, according to the precedent of Clinton's impeachment trial.
First, they'll consider resolutions on such things as how to arrange the chamber to accommodate the prosecution and defense teams, and who can watch from the galleries. Then, according to a memo circulated among senators, comes a series of formalities, including the reception of the House managers.
By the end of the week, the managers are expected to exhibit the articles of impeachment. Roberts and the senators will take their oaths. And the senators will sign an oath book used since 1986 for presidential and judicial impeachment trials that has been stored at the National Archives.
The Senate Convenes As A Court
"Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the Senate of the United States is sitting for the trial of the articles of impeachment."
So proclaimed James Ziglar, then the Senate sergeant-at-arms, at Clinton's trial in 1999.
Senate rules say the trial then begins, and runs six days a week -- not on Sunday -- until it's resolved. But senators could vote to change the schedule.
Arguments in Trump's trial begin next Tuesday, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
No Dismissal
Trump has said he wants a full trial with witnesses while also suggesting he'd favor a dismissal.
But it takes 51 of 100 senators to do almost anything during a trial, and even Republican senators have rejected the idea of a dismissal.
Witnesses?
The jury is out on whether the Senate calls witnesses, but it's possible.
Former national security adviser John Bolton has agreed to testify if subpoenaed, and some Republicans have been meeting privately to guarantee that witnesses can be called. With a 53-seat Republican majority, four GOP senators would have to vote with all Democrats to reach the 51-vote threshold.
On this, watch GOP moderate Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee.
Any plan for witnesses would likely involve depositions and testimony from people called by Republicans and Democrats.
Trump has said he wants the Senate to call Pelosi and Schiff, but that's highly unlikely.
During the Clinton trial, former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was deposed privately but not called to testify. She and Clinton had had an extramarital relationship, they both said.
The Four
Senators are fond of talking and any politician wants to stay connected to constituents. So the impeachment trial rule against speaking or consulting their phones on the Senate floor has the potential to make all of them cranky.
None moreso, however, than the four Democratic senators forced to decamp from Iowa less than three weeks before the election's leadoff caucuses. Look for Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Michael Bennet of Colorado to send surrogates to Iowa or make short trips back and forth.
"I've told them this trial is your responsibility as senators and scheduling is not going to influence what we should do," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told The Associated Press in an interview last month. He said none of them objected. "There are benefits of running as a senator," Schumer added, "and there are liabilities."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Doctors warn of rise in RSV, flu cases in young children

Even before Apryl Panagiotopoulos gave birth to her daughter Eleni just before the holidays , the Naperville mom planned to keep family gatherings from turning into a breeding ground for germs .
`` Everybody wants to touch and kiss and hold her , and I made it very clear we do n't want any of that because I was concerned about her getting RSV , '' she said .
But with a vulnerable immune system , her daughter still could n't fend off the respiratory infection that 's straining hospitals with high volumes of patients at the same time as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The predominant flu strain , influenza B , started circulating earlier than usual and tends to strike children more , doctors say .
`` The flu can cause similar symptoms of fever , cough , problems with breathing , and so parents should really be on the lookout for both symptoms of RSV or flu , '' said Dr. Melissa Manrique , a Lurie Children 's pediatric hospitalist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield .
At first , Eleni had the symptoms of an ordinary cold .
But the infant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I tried to get into the doctor 's office , but since so many are sick right now , they did n't have anything open , so they told me to go straight to the ER , '' Panagiotopoulos said .
Doctors at Central DuPage , where Panagiotopoulos works as a certified nursing assistant , confirmed respiratory syncytial virus , or RSV , a common illness that can cause serious complications , especially for babies .
`` Everyone in our area has been seeing a large volume of RSV patients , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had multiple times where the hospitals in the area have been full . ''
Eleni remained on oxygen all four days in the hospital as doctors kept an eye on any signs of dehydration and a fever that reached 101.4 .
The newborn is still recovering more than two weeks after she fell ill. '' She 's just not herself yet , '' Panagiotopoulos said .
`` She 's still a little under the weather , but she 's nowhere near where she was over a week ago , '' Apryl Panagiotopoulos said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home Tuesday .
Her daughter fell ill with RSV .
`` She 's still a little under the weather , but she 's nowhere near where she was over a week ago , '' Apryl Panagiotopoulos said of her baby , Eleni , recovering at home Tuesday .
Her daughter fell ill with RSV . '
A real uptick' It 's still not too late to get the flu shot .
With rare exception , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccine for those 6 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with medical conditions .
`` If you get the flu and you 've been vaccinated , you 're much less likely to have severe symptoms , much less likely to need to be hospitalized , '' said Dr. John Piotrowski , an emergency medicine physician at Advocate Condell Medical Center .
For the Libertyville hospital , Piotrowski said , `` it has n't been a great flu season , but it has n't been terrible , either .
But the RSV numbers are definitely higher than we 've seen . ''
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu season -- roughly extending through March -- could peak .
Nationwide , 32 flu-related child deaths have been reported to the CDC so far .
At Amita Health Immediate Care and Outpatient Center in Bartlett , one provider saw 12 cases in just four hours Tuesday -- `` which is unheard of , '' said Dr .
Sunny Sharma , an internist at the same office .
State public health officials are n't required to track RSV cases , and there is n't a vaccine for that virus .
`` Families often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it is only at this time for very premature infants and infants with other significant cardiac problems or heart problems at birth , '' Manrique said .
Parents should take precaution with simple hand-washing and avoiding people who are sick .
The virus spreads through respiratory droplets when someone sneezes or coughs , or through contaminated surfaces .
`` I 'm a new father , and I have a 7-month-old , and I have never been on as high alert for RSV as I am this year , '' Sharma said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more serious complications of both flu and RSV is pneumonia .
`` There are many patients that do just fine at home with RSV that just have symptoms of runny nose , cough , fever , '' Manrique said .
`` However , RSV can be very dangerous , especially for the youngest infants , just given that their lungs are smaller to begin with , and the RSV can cause them to have significant trouble breathing . ''
A child should be taken to the emergency room if a fever lasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's trouble breathing .
Dry diapers also indicate dehydration .
Doctors do n't always recommend routine testing , but a nose swab in the pediatrician 's office or the hospital will test for influenza and RSV .
As for treatment , RSV patients receive mainly supportive care , helping with hydration and oxygen as needed .
Symptoms usually reach their peak between three to seven days , but the cough and congestion can last two to four weeks .
Panagiotopoulos , meanwhile , is relieved to have her daughter at home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms .
`` I 'm glad we got to the hospital when we did , '' she said .

Doctors warn of rise in RSV, flu cases in young children
Even before Apryl Panagiotopoulos gave birth to her daughter Eleni just before the holidays, the Naperville mom planned to keep family gatherings from turning into a breeding ground for germs.
"Everybody wants to touch and kiss and hold her, and I made it very clear we don't want any of that because I was concerned about her getting RSV," she said.
But with a vulnerable immune system, her daughter still couldn't fend off the respiratory infection that's straining hospitals with high volumes of patients at the same time as a rough flu season for young children. The predominant flu strain, influenza B, started circulating earlier than usual and tends to strike children more, doctors say.
"The flu can cause similar symptoms of fever, cough, problems with breathing, and so parents should really be on the lookout for both symptoms of RSV or flu," said Dr. Melissa Manrique, a Lurie Children's pediatric hospitalist at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.
At first, Eleni had the symptoms of an ordinary cold. But the infant developed a cough and had difficulty breathing.
"I tried to get into the doctor's office, but since so many are sick right now, they didn't have anything open, so they told me to go straight to the ER," Panagiotopoulos said.
Doctors at Central DuPage, where Panagiotopoulos works as a certified nursing assistant, confirmed respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common illness that can cause serious complications, especially for babies.
"Everyone in our area has been seeing a large volume of RSV patients," Manrique said. "We've had multiple times where the hospitals in the area have been full."
Eleni remained on oxygen all four days in the hospital as doctors kept an eye on any signs of dehydration and a fever that reached 101.4. The newborn is still recovering more than two weeks after she fell ill.
"She's just not herself yet," Panagiotopoulos said.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer "She's still a little under the weather, but she's nowhere near where she was over a week ago," Apryl Panagiotopoulos said of her baby, Eleni, recovering at home Tuesday. Her daughter fell ill with RSV.
It's still not too late to get the flu shot. With rare exception, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccine for those 6 months and older, including pregnant women and people with medical conditions.
"If you get the flu and you've been vaccinated, you're much less likely to have severe symptoms, much less likely to need to be hospitalized," said Dr. John Piotrowski, an emergency medicine physician at Advocate Condell Medical Center.
For the Libertyville hospital, Piotrowski said, "it hasn't been a great flu season, but it hasn't been terrible, either. But the RSV numbers are definitely higher than we've seen."
It's too early to say when the flu season -- roughly extending through March -- could peak. Nationwide, 32 flu-related child deaths have been reported to the CDC so far.
At Amita Health Immediate Care and Outpatient Center in Bartlett, one provider saw 12 cases in just four hours Tuesday -- "which is unheard of," said Dr. Sunny Sharma, an internist at the same office.
State public health officials aren't required to track RSV cases, and there isn't a vaccine for that virus.
"Families often hear there is a RSV shot available, but it is only at this time for very premature infants and infants with other significant cardiac problems or heart problems at birth," Manrique said.
Parents should take precaution with simple hand-washing and avoiding people who are sick. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets when someone sneezes or coughs, or through contaminated surfaces.
"I'm a new father, and I have a 7-month-old, and I have never been on as high alert for RSV as I am this year," Sharma said.
What to look for
One of the more serious complications of both flu and RSV is pneumonia.
"There are many patients that do just fine at home with RSV that just have symptoms of runny nose, cough, fever," Manrique said. "However, RSV can be very dangerous, especially for the youngest infants, just given that their lungs are smaller to begin with, and the RSV can cause them to have significant trouble breathing."
A child should be taken to the emergency room if a fever lasts longer than four or five days or there's trouble breathing. Dry diapers also indicate dehydration.
Doctors don't always recommend routine testing, but a nose swab in the pediatrician's office or the hospital will test for influenza and RSV.
As for treatment, RSV patients receive mainly supportive care, helping with hydration and oxygen as needed. Symptoms usually reach their peak between three to seven days, but the cough and congestion can last two to four weeks.
Panagiotopoulos, meanwhile, is relieved to have her daughter at home and urges other parents not to dismiss cold symptoms.
"I'm glad we got to the hospital when we did," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Family seeks help finding Xena the dog, who helps Algonquin teen handle cancer treatment

While battling cancer the past few months , 13-year-old Jack Martin has taken great comfort in having his beloved dog by his side , his dad says .
The Martin family of Algonquin is now asking for help searching for Xena , a coonhound-Rhodesian ridgeback mix who got loose Jan. 4 in the Barrington area .
At nearly 2 years old , Xena is energetic and fun to watch , always instigating play time with the family 's other dogs , Jason Martin said .
She had a close bond with Jack from the beginning , he said , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed in October with stage 4 Ewing 's sarcoma , a rare bone cancer .
When Jack would get home from chemotherapy and need to lie down , for example , the loyal Xena could almost always be found relaxing with him .
`` She keeps his mind off stuff , '' Jason Martin said .
`` We love that dog to death .
She 's very important . ''
Jack has been missing his furry friend since she got loose earlier this month near the Penny Road Pond west of Old Sutton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the car and ran into the woods , he said , and `` before I could do anything about it , she was gone . ''
Family and friends have been searching the area and sharing photos of Xena .
But although the dog wears a collar and is chipped , Martin said , they have no substantial leads on her whereabouts .
Still , he says , the family remains hopeful as word about Xena 's disappearance spreads through social media posts and news reports .
`` I 'm hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at least if somebody did pick her up , they might realize she 's being looked for , '' Martin said .
`` We 're just trying everywhere we can to get help . ''
Meanwhile , Jack has been recuperating at home from a major surgery last Friday and has more treatment ahead , his dad says .
It 's been a challenging time for the family , but they remain optimistic and focused on Jack 's recovery .
`` We 're hoping everything in the next few months pans out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Finding the dog would just be awesome on top of that . ''
If anyone sees Xena , the Martins say she should not be chased .
Instead , people are asked to call or text ( 847 ) 754-6091 or ( 847 ) 878-8697 with any information , including the date , time , location and direction in which Xena was headed .
Photos also are encouraged .

Family seeks help finding Xena the dog, who helps Algonquin teen handle cancer treatment
Xena, a coonhound-Rhodesian ridgeback mix, has rarely left the side of 13-year-old Jack Martin of Algonquin since he was diagnosed with cancer in October. Martin's family is searching for the dog after she went missing Jan. 4. Courtesy of the Martin family
Thirteen-year-old Jack Martin of Algonquin was diagnosed with bone cancer in October and has been undergoing treatment ever since, his family said. Courtesy of the Martin family
The Martin family of Algonquin is searching for its beloved dog, Xena, who went missing Jan. 4 in the Barrington area. A nearly 2-year-old coonhound-Rhodesian ridgeback mix, Xena is a loyal companion to 13-year-old Jack Martin, who is battling cancer. Courtesy of the Martin family
While battling cancer the past few months, 13-year-old Jack Martin has taken great comfort in having his beloved dog by his side, his dad says.
The Martin family of Algonquin is now asking for help searching for Xena, a coonhound-Rhodesian ridgeback mix who got loose Jan. 4 in the Barrington area.
At nearly 2 years old, Xena is energetic and fun to watch, always instigating play time with the family's other dogs, Jason Martin said. She had a close bond with Jack from the beginning, he said, but even more so since the teen was diagnosed in October with stage 4 Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.
When Jack would get home from chemotherapy and need to lie down, for example, the loyal Xena could almost always be found relaxing with him.
"She keeps his mind off stuff," Jason Martin said. "We love that dog to death. She's very important."
Jack has been missing his furry friend since she got loose earlier this month near the Penny Road Pond west of Old Sutton Road, Martin said. Xena jumped out of the car and ran into the woods, he said, and "before I could do anything about it, she was gone."
Family and friends have been searching the area and sharing photos of Xena. But although the dog wears a collar and is chipped, Martin said, they have no substantial leads on her whereabouts.
Still, he says, the family remains hopeful as word about Xena's disappearance spreads through social media posts and news reports.
"I'm hoping there's more eyes out there, and at least if somebody did pick her up, they might realize she's being looked for," Martin said. "We're just trying everywhere we can to get help."
Meanwhile, Jack has been recuperating at home from a major surgery last Friday and has more treatment ahead, his dad says. It's been a challenging time for the family, but they remain optimistic and focused on Jack's recovery.
"We're hoping everything in the next few months pans out for him," Jason Martin said. "Finding the dog would just be awesome on top of that."
If anyone sees Xena, the Martins say she should not be chased. Instead, people are asked to call or text (847) 754-6091 or (847) 878-8697 with any information, including the date, time, location and direction in which Xena was headed. Photos also are encouraged.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Next wave of prospects give Chicago White Sox needed depth

In just less than a month , manager Rick Renteria is going to be on the field at Camelback Ranch when the White Sox report for spring training .
Renteria has been in Glendale , Arizona , this week evaluating some of the Sox 's top hitting prospects , including first-round draft picks Nick Madrigal , Andrew Vaughn and Zack Collins .
He likes what he 's been seeing .
`` All of our guys in the organization are prospects , obviously , '' Renteria said .
`` Some of the guys in the upper tier that we feel are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them together to be with a lot of the men they 're going to be working alongside .
`` It 's getting the messaging and the work done so they can transition into the spring and get into the season having a really good feel of how they want to be able to proceed and do the things they 're going to need to do to help them prove themselves as they continue to develop in their careers . ''
Danny Mendick , Blake Rutherford , Micker Adolfo and Luis Alexander Basabe are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
New catcher Yasmani Grandal is also at the minicamp .
As the White Sox move from a rebuilding team to a probable contender this season , established players such as Grandal , Jose Abreu , Yoan Moncada , Lucas Giolito , Tim Anderson and Dallas Keuchel are going to do much of the heavy lifting .
But the Sox need depth to get to where they want to go , and the glaring lack of capable replacements was the main reason general manager Rick Hahn decided to quit patching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of contention in early June 2016 , Hahn acquired James Shields in a trade from the San Diego Padres .
He was desperately needed to replace holes in the starting rotation left by the ineffective Mat Latos and injured Miguel Gonzalez .
The White Sox did n't have any major-league ready starters in the minors , so getting Shields cost them top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. , who has blossomed into one of the best young players in baseball .
Shields gave his best effort and was a great presence in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a 5.31 ERA in his three seasons with the Sox .
When the 2016 season ended , Chris Sale and Adam Eaton were traded for prospects and the rebuild was on .
Three years later , the White Sox now have proven players up and down the roster and plenty of high-end hitting and pitching prospects in the minor leagues in case something goes wrong .
With Luis Robert now under contract for the next six seasons , Madrigal is on deck and waiting his turn .
He should be with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second baseman was drafted with the No .
4 overall pick in 2018 following an All-American career at Oregon State .
Last season , Madrigal combined to hit .311/.377/.414 in 120 games with high Class A Winston-Salem , AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte .
Remarkably , he struck out only 16 times in 532 plate appearances .
`` Wow , '' Renteria said of Madrigal on Wednesday .
`` Watching him swing the bat yesterday , I 'm amazed at his bat-to-ball skills .
It 's incredible .
He 's actually filling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these guys , we 've seen them for the last four years , they 're growing up , and even though Magic ( Madrigal ) just joined us last year , you can see a difference in him , physically speaking .
`` I think his skill set in terms of his bat-to-ball skills , as he continues to develop you may see a ball leave the ballpark here and there .
But the fact he can put the bat on the ball and manage the barrel as well as he does , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Edwin Enacarnacion is the White Sox 's new designated hitter , but he 's 37 and on a one-year contract with a club option for 2021 .
If Encarnacion slows down or sustains an injury like he did last year ( broken wrist , oblique strain ) , Vaughn will only be a phone call away .
The No .
3 overall pick in last year 's draft , Vaughn combined to slash .278/.384/.449 with 6 home runs and 36 RBI over 55 games in his first professional season , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
10 overall pick in 2016 , played in 26 games with the Sox last season .
Surviving a 2-for-26 start and demotion to Charlotte , he came back in September and was 14-for-60 ( .233 ) with 2 home runs and 9 RBI .
Collins gives the White Sox depth at catcher , first base and DH .
`` He looks really good , '' Renteria said .
`` He is fit .
In talking to him a little bit , he 's been working hard .
His swing looks really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to hit .
The kid is going to hit .
`` The question now is to continue to develop his catching skills .
He 's been working on that . ''

Next wave of prospects give Chicago White Sox needed depth
Chicago White Sox's Zack Collins celebrates against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.comNick Madrigal, here greeting fans during opening night of last year's SoxFest, has been impressing Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria this week in Arizona.
In just less than a month, manager Rick Renteria is going to be on the field at Camelback Ranch when the White Sox report for spring training.
Renteria has been in Glendale, Arizona, this week evaluating some of the Sox's top hitting prospects, including first-round draft picks Nick Madrigal, Andrew Vaughn and Zack Collins.
He likes what he's been seeing.
"All of our guys in the organization are prospects, obviously," Renteria said. "Some of the guys in the upper tier that we feel are getting much closer, it's getting them together to be with a lot of the men they're going to be working alongside.
"It's getting the messaging and the work done so they can transition into the spring and get into the season having a really good feel of how they want to be able to proceed and do the things they're going to need to do to help them prove themselves as they continue to develop in their careers."
Danny Mendick, Blake Rutherford, Micker Adolfo and Luis Alexander Basabe are among the other young hitters in Arizona this week. New catcher Yasmani Grandal is also at the minicamp.
As the White Sox move from a rebuilding team to a probable contender this season, established players such as Grandal, Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Tim Anderson and Dallas Keuchel are going to do much of the heavy lifting.
But the Sox need depth to get to where they want to go, and the glaring lack of capable replacements was the main reason general manager Rick Hahn decided to quit patching the roster together with iffy veterans.
Sliding out of contention in early June 2016, Hahn acquired James Shields in a trade from the San Diego Padres. He was desperately needed to replace holes in the starting rotation left by the ineffective Mat Latos and injured Miguel Gonzalez.
The White Sox didn't have any major-league ready starters in the minors, so getting Shields cost them top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr., who has blossomed into one of the best young players in baseball.
Shields gave his best effort and was a great presence in the clubhouse, but the right-hander was 16-35 with a 5.31 ERA in his three seasons with the Sox.
When the 2016 season ended, Chris Sale and Adam Eaton were traded for prospects and the rebuild was on.
Three years later, the White Sox now have proven players up and down the roster and plenty of high-end hitting and pitching prospects in the minor leagues in case something goes wrong.
With Luis Robert now under contract for the next six seasons, Madrigal is on deck and waiting his turn. He should be with the Sox well before the all-star break.
The second baseman was drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 2018 following an All-American career at Oregon State.
Last season, Madrigal combined to hit .311/.377/.414 in 120 games with high Class A Winston-Salem, AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte. Remarkably, he struck out only 16 times in 532 plate appearances.
"Wow," Renteria said of Madrigal on Wednesday. "Watching him swing the bat yesterday, I'm amazed at his bat-to-ball skills. It's incredible. He's actually filling out a little bit more. All these guys, we've seen them for the last four years, they're growing up, and even though Magic (Madrigal) just joined us last year, you can see a difference in him, physically speaking.
"I think his skill set in terms of his bat-to-ball skills, as he continues to develop you may see a ball leave the ballpark here and there. But the fact he can put the bat on the ball and manage the barrel as well as he does, he'll be able to find holes."
Edwin Enacarnacion is the White Sox's new designated hitter, but he's 37 and on a one-year contract with a club option for 2021.
If Encarnacion slows down or sustains an injury like he did last year (broken wrist, oblique strain), Vaughn will only be a phone call away.
The No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, Vaughn combined to slash .278/.384/.449 with 6 home runs and 36 RBI over 55 games in his first professional season, which ended at Winston-Salem.
Collins, the No. 10 overall pick in 2016, played in 26 games with the Sox last season. Surviving a 2-for-26 start and demotion to Charlotte, he came back in September and was 14-for-60 (.233) with 2 home runs and 9 RBI. Collins gives the White Sox depth at catcher, first base and DH.
"He looks really good," Renteria said. "He is fit. In talking to him a little bit, he's been working hard. His swing looks really good. I still believe he's going to hit. The kid is going to hit.
"The question now is to continue to develop his catching skills. He's been working on that."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Constable: Wheaton artist captures the majesty of national parks

From the front window of his Wheaton townhouse , Fred Moss can gaze across a seemingly ceaseless suburban sea of brick and siding punctuated by small patches of green .
From his second-story art studio , Moss can see the splendor of the Grand Canyon .
`` I waited at this spot in the Grand Canyon for people to come up in this caravan of mule trains , '' Moss says as he adds some green to his oil painting of that moment .
For that painting , Moss takes inspiration from several photographs he shot that day .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moss painted plein air , or on location , in the parks .
`` I 've been to 14 national parks since 2013 , '' says Moss , who visited some with his mom , Lillian Moss , who lives in Elmhurst .
His work is featured through March 6 in an exhibit , `` Art of the Parks : Paintings of the National Parks , '' on the eighth floor of the Harold Washington Library Center , 400 S. State St. in Chicago .
Moss also will conduct a workshop on `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 in Room 8S-7 in the library .
For details , visit chipublib.org .
His paintings include scenes from Yosemite , Yellowstone , the Grand Canyon , Glacier , Redwood , Apostle Islands and Crater Lake , the Oregon national park where Moss was artist in residence in 2018 .
`` They issued me snowshoes , a walkie-talkie and a GPS , '' says Moss , who hiked to the lake to capture his stunning `` Silent Sapphire Sea '' painting .
`` I just look for these amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel .
You almost get into the zone of painting . ''
Some paintings capture the setting sun dancing across red rocks .
Others include animals , such as bison .
`` First of all , the bison move .
You ca n't get close to them .
So I took hundreds of photos , '' Moss says .
He saw a mother bear and cub at Banff National Park in Canada .
`` I was taking pictures of rams at Glacier National Park .
At one point , my flash popped open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , '' recalls Moss , who slowly backed his way to his car .
After spending his early years in Villa Park , Moss grew up in Elmhurst , where he attended Immaculate Conception High School , which now goes by Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep .
His grandmother Ann Roberts also painted and was a member of the Elmhurst Artist Guild , to which Moss now belongs .
Excelling in art classes by the time of his graduation , Moss went to the College of DuPage for a year and then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where he received a bachelor 's degree in 1998 .
After graduation , he studied with renowned painter Romel De La Torre in Arlington Heights .
A graphic designer for the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association in Elgin , Moss paints after work and on weekends .
He sells painting on his fredmoss.com website and is active on Instagram and Facebook .
He teaches , speaks and conducts workshops as well .
Some of his more unusual art has been created for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation , where Moss has painted life-size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For his `` Horses of Honor '' work , the fiberglass statue was delivered to his townhouse .
`` It was 6 feet tall , and I had that in my garage , '' Moss says , noting that curious neighbors would stop by to talk .
But natural scenes are his love .
`` The landscape has been the most integral part of my work for the last decade , '' Moss says in his artist statement .
`` My paintings are an emotional response to scenic landscapes . ''
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Italy , where his landscapes included a series of the sun setting on the Ponte Vecchio medieval stone arch bridge over the Arno River .
`` This one probably took 60 hours to paint , '' Moss says of one of those paintings , which is not for sale .
`` It 's a labor of love . ''

Constable: Wheaton artist captures the majesty of national parks
Artist Fred Moss of Wheaton calls this painting of the Apostle Island National Lakeshore in Wisconsin "Evening at the Apostle." Courtesy of Fred Moss
Having been an artist in residence at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, oil-painter Fred Moss of Wheaton calls this painting "Silent Sapphire Sea." It's is part of "Art of the Parks: Painting of the National Parks" on exhibit at the Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago. Courtesy of Fred Moss
From the front window of his Wheaton townhouse, Fred Moss can gaze across a seemingly ceaseless suburban sea of brick and siding punctuated by small patches of green. From his second-story art studio, Moss can see the splendor of the Grand Canyon.
"I waited at this spot in the Grand Canyon for people to come up in this caravan of mule trains," Moss says as he adds some green to his oil painting of that moment. For that painting, Moss takes inspiration from several photographs he shot that day. For other paintings of our national parks, Moss painted plein air, or on location, in the parks.
"I've been to 14 national parks since 2013," says Moss, who visited some with his mom, Lillian Moss, who lives in Elmhurst.
His work is featured through March 6 in an exhibit, "Art of the Parks: Paintings of the National Parks," on the eighth floor of the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St. in Chicago. Moss also will conduct a workshop on "Postcards from the Parks" from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 8 in Room 8S-7 in the library. For details, visit chipublib.org.
His paintings include scenes from Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Glacier, Redwood, Apostle Islands and Crater Lake, the Oregon national park where Moss was artist in residence in 2018.
"They issued me snowshoes, a walkie-talkie and a GPS," says Moss, who hiked to the lake to capture his stunning "Silent Sapphire Sea" painting. "I just look for these amazing landscapes. It's a very calming feel. You almost get into the zone of painting."
Some paintings capture the setting sun dancing across red rocks. Others include animals, such as bison.
Capturing a lone bison in a meadow, Wheaton artist Fred Moss calls this painting "Solitude at Yellowstone." - Courtesy of Fred Moss
"First of all, the bison move. You can't get close to them. So I took hundreds of photos," Moss says.
He saw a mother bear and cub at Banff National Park in Canada.
"I was taking pictures of rams at Glacier National Park. At one point, my flash popped open, and a ram didn't like that," recalls Moss, who slowly backed his way to his car.
After spending his early years in Villa Park, Moss grew up in Elmhurst, where he attended Immaculate Conception High School, which now goes by Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep. His grandmother Ann Roberts also painted and was a member of the Elmhurst Artist Guild, to which Moss now belongs.
Excelling in art classes by the time of his graduation, Moss went to the College of DuPage for a year and then the prestigious College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where he received a bachelor's degree in 1998. After graduation, he studied with renowned painter Romel De La Torre in Arlington Heights.
A graphic designer for the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association in Elgin, Moss paints after work and on weekends. He sells painting on his fredmoss.com website and is active on Instagram and Facebook. He teaches, speaks and conducts workshops as well.
Some of his more unusual art has been created for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, where Moss has painted life-size statues of police dogs and horses. For his "Horses of Honor" work, the fiberglass statue was delivered to his townhouse.
"It was 6 feet tall, and I had that in my garage," Moss says, noting that curious neighbors would stop by to talk. But natural scenes are his love.
"The landscape has been the most integral part of my work for the last decade," Moss says in his artist statement. "My paintings are an emotional response to scenic landscapes."
He also studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, where his landscapes included a series of the sun setting on the Ponte Vecchio medieval stone arch bridge over the Arno River.
"This one probably took 60 hours to paint," Moss says of one of those paintings, which is not for sale. "It's a labor of love."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Judge rules term limits law unconstitutional in Elk Grove case

A Cook County judge Wednesday ruled a new state law barring retroactive municipal term limits unconstitutional , giving hope to supporters of an Elk Grove Village proposal that seeks to oust longtime Mayor Craig Johnson and other board members .
Judge Maureen Hannon sided with attorneys for Elk Grove term limits referendum organizer Tim Burns , who sought judicial review of the term limits law signed July 19 , 2019 , by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
The law requires local term limits approved anytime after Nov. 8 , 2016 , to be prospective , not retroactive .
Though agreeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the judge took issue with the retroactivity clause , leading her to throw out the entire law .
Pericles Abbasi , attorney for referendum objector Benjamin Lee , said he 'd talk to his client to see if he wants to appeal .
But what 's more likely is that a separate objection to the referendum , brought by the Johnson-backed Committee To Oppose The Retroactive Term Limits Referendum , will now work its way through the courts .
`` From our perspective , we still have the right to argue this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we intend to present to the judge , '' said John Fogarty , attorney for committee Treasurer Gil Schumm .
Abbasi added that since the judge ruled on the constitutionality of a law , the state 's top lawyer , Attorney General Kwame Raoul , also could get involved .
After the judge 's ruling , Ross Secler , Burns ' attorney , said an order would be issued that directs the village clerk to certify the question to the ballot .
The binding question would ask voters whether the mayor and village @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two consecutive 4-year terms .
If approved , it would prevent four longtime incumbents -- including Johnson -- from running again in April 2021 .
As the remaining objection goes through the legal process , Cook County clerk 's office spokesman James Scalzitti said there 's still time before ballots are printed ahead of early voting that begins March 2 .
`` We can always work around what 's needed for the Elk Grove Village ballots , '' Scalzitti said .
`` Even so , as these type of cases move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases appeals process , we do n't expect any of the pending cases to present an undue burden with respect to ballot printing . ''
The legal wrangling comes as rhetoric has ramped up in Elk Grove Village two months before voters go to the polls .
Speaking from the village board dais Tuesday night , Johnson took aim at those behind the term limits effort , echoing previous statements that their actions are `` sad '' and `` sick . ''
On Wednesday morning , Secler responded in a lengthy written statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` electioneering '' meant to suppress and intimidate voters .

Judge rules term limits law unconstitutional in Elk Grove case
A Cook County judge Wednesday ruled a new state law barring retroactive municipal term limits unconstitutional, giving hope to supporters of an Elk Grove Village proposal that seeks to oust longtime Mayor Craig Johnson and other board members.
Judge Maureen Hannon sided with attorneys for Elk Grove term limits referendum organizer Tim Burns, who sought judicial review of the term limits law signed July 19, 2019, by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The law requires local term limits approved anytime after Nov. 8, 2016, to be prospective, not retroactive.
Though agreeing that state lawmakers could impose term limits, the judge took issue with the retroactivity clause, leading her to throw out the entire law.
Pericles Abbasi, attorney for referendum objector Benjamin Lee, said he'd talk to his client to see if he wants to appeal.
But what's more likely is that a separate objection to the referendum, brought by the Johnson-backed Committee To Oppose The Retroactive Term Limits Referendum, will now work its way through the courts.
"From our perspective, we still have the right to argue this question, and we have another argument we intend to present to the judge," said John Fogarty, attorney for committee Treasurer Gil Schumm.
Abbasi added that since the judge ruled on the constitutionality of a law, the state's top lawyer, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, also could get involved.
After the judge's ruling, Ross Secler, Burns' attorney, said an order would be issued that directs the village clerk to certify the question to the ballot.
The binding question would ask voters whether the mayor and village trustees should be able to serve no more than two consecutive 4-year terms. If approved, it would prevent four longtime incumbents -- including Johnson -- from running again in April 2021.
As the remaining objection goes through the legal process, Cook County clerk's office spokesman James Scalzitti said there's still time before ballots are printed ahead of early voting that begins March 2.
"We can always work around what's needed for the Elk Grove Village ballots," Scalzitti said. "Even so, as these type of cases move through the electoral board and in some cases appeals process, we don't expect any of the pending cases to present an undue burden with respect to ballot printing."
The legal wrangling comes as rhetoric has ramped up in Elk Grove Village two months before voters go to the polls.
Speaking from the village board dais Tuesday night, Johnson took aim at those behind the term limits effort, echoing previous statements that their actions are "sad" and "sick."
On Wednesday morning, Secler responded in a lengthy written statement, labeling the mayor's comments as "electioneering" meant to suppress and intimidate voters.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-16--Feder: New WGN news director hopes to uphold 'great journalism tradition'

Following a legend in any job is never easy -- especially when that legend will still be working down the hall from you , Robert Feder writes .
On Wednesday Dominick Stasi was named to succeed Jennifer Lyons as news director of WGN-Channel 9 following Nexstar Media Group 's promotion of Lyons to vice president of news for WGN America .
Lyons will oversee `` News Nation , '' a three-hour nightly newscast to premiere this summer on the Chicago-based cable network .
Except for a brief interlude in 2018 , Lyons held the top job since 2014 and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's success as a broadcast news leader .
In May she 'll be inducted in the Silver Circle of the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences .
`` Never in my wildest dreams , '' Lyons told Facebook friends at the end of a life-changing day .
`` Super excited for this new project .
Love my WGN family and happy to be doing this at Bradley Place ! ''
For Stasi , 40 , the elevation from executive producer to news director comes just as WGN increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 72½ hours each week .
No other local station comes close to that .
`` It 's an honor and a privilege to be at the helm of WGN News , '' Stasi said .
`` I learned from the best in Jen and I look forward to continuing the great journalism tradition of 'Chicago 's Very Own . '
'' Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: New WGN news director hopes to uphold 'great journalism tradition'
Following a legend in any job is never easy -- especially when that legend will still be working down the hall from you, Robert Feder writes.
On Wednesday Dominick Stasi was named to succeed Jennifer Lyons as news director of WGN-Channel 9 following Nexstar Media Group's promotion of Lyons to vice president of news for WGN America. Lyons will oversee "News Nation," a three-hour nightly newscast to premiere this summer on the Chicago-based cable network.
Except for a brief interlude in 2018, Lyons held the top job since 2014 and has been credited with much of the station's success as a broadcast news leader. In May she'll be inducted in the Silver Circle of the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
"Never in my wildest dreams," Lyons told Facebook friends at the end of a life-changing day. "Super excited for this new project. Love my WGN family and happy to be doing this at Bradley Place!"
For Stasi, 40, the elevation from executive producer to news director comes just as WGN increased its output of news to a prodigious 72½ hours each week. No other local station comes close to that.
"It's an honor and a privilege to be at the helm of WGN News," Stasi said. "I learned from the best in Jen and I look forward to continuing the great journalism tradition of 'Chicago's Very Own.'"
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Man reported missing from Schaumburg

Man reported missing from Schaumburg

Schaumburg police are asking for help in the search for a missing resident .
James C. Straley , 58 , @ @ @ @ @ he rang a neighbor 's doorbell and tried to speak with the neighbor , a @ @ @ @ @ 's family members reported him missing Tuesday .
Straley has blue eyes and brown hair @ @ @ @ @ and weight 180 pounds , the release said .
Straley takes medication for a medical @ @ @ @ @ he does n't have the medication with him , the release said .
He could @ @ @ @ @ Chevy Malibu with Illinois license plate PJH 628 .
He is religious and has been @ @ @ @ @ , the release said .
Anyone with information should call the Schaumburg Police Department at @ @ @ @ @

Man reported missing from Schaumburg
Editor's note: Schaumburg police said Thursday afternoon that James C. Straley had been found.
Schaumburg police are asking for help in the search for a missing resident.
James C. Straley, 58, was last seen Monday when he rang a neighbor's doorbell and tried to speak with the neighbor, a news release said. Straley's family members reported him missing Tuesday.
Straley has blue eyes and brown hair, stands 5 feet, 10 inches and weighs 180 pounds, the release said.
Straley takes medication for a medical cond ition, and police believe he doesn't have the medication with him, the release said.
He could be driving a dark gray Chevy Malibu with Illinois license plate PJH 628. He is religious and has been known to go to churches, the release said.
Anyone with information should call the Schaumburg Police Department at (847) 882-3534.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-16--The Dude abides: Woodridge theater hosts 'Lebowski' screening to celebrate legal pot

A Woodridge theater is throwing a party to celebrate the legalization of recreational-use cannabis with a movie that fits the bill -- `` The Big Lebowski . ''
The $ 6 throwback showing at the Hollywood Blvd .
theater of the 1998 film , described by organizers as a `` kitschy cult favorite , '' features a `` quintessential stoner '' in title character Jeff `` The Dude '' Lebowski .
As tickets have gone on sale to customers 21 and older for the 7 p.m. showing on Tuesday , Jan. 28 , the theater has been fielding plenty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewers can bring their newly legal pot .
The answer : No .
`` You ca n't have cannabis at the event , '' said Dana Pobanz , the theater 's marketing director .
`` We ca n't have a cannabis license . ''
It 's illegal under the state 's Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act to use marijuana in public , unless in a licensed and designated lounge .
`` A lot of people do n't know that , '' said Nicole Yalaz , Illinois field marketing manager for Green Thumb Industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So GTI , which grows cannabis , produces its own brands of dry flower , pre-rolls , edibles and vapes , and runs the Rise chain of dispensaries , is doing the next best thing , Yalaz said -- celebrating cannabis culture with food and freebies .
Moviegoers can play cannabis trivia to win prizes including branded hoodies or hats , and the menu is designed with the munchies in mind .
Think pizza burgers , buffalo chicken pizzas , loaded fries and creations called `` super munchies '' and `` green munchkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what you would think of as normal 'stoner food , ' '' Pobanz said .
Drink specials match `` The Big Lebowski '' and the cannabis theme , too , featuring white Russians and a cocktail with a slightly misleading name , `` liquid marijuana , '' although it contains no cannabis .
The event came together after Yalaz reached out to Hollywood Blvd in hopes of putting on a sponsored feature to promote GTI 's products .
She was n't expecting much , she said , but found the theater willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things for all different groups of people , '' Pobanz said .
`` We know there is a large group that has been waiting for legalization to happen .
It works out nicely that we can cater to them . ''
Hollywood Blvd and GTI used social media polls to choose which film to show .
`` This one won hands-down , '' Pobanz said about `` The Big Lebowski , '' which features a middle-aged man who loves cannabis and bowling embarking on an adventure after he is mistaken for a millionaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat everything -- 'Harold & Kumar ( Go to White Castle ) , ' 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High . '
'' Yalaz said `` The Big Lebowski '' will be a natural fit .
`` We thought it would be good for people who may or may not be on cannabis watching it , '' Yalaz said .
`` It 's just a fun , kitschy , cult favorite .
'The Dude ' is the quintessential , he 's such a stoner . ''
The theater does n't have any safety concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pobanz said .
`` Lots of people decide to do things like that before they go see a movie anyway .
I do n't think it 's a new concept , '' Pobanz said .
`` It 's just more of an open concept . ''
Yalaz said GTI plans to look into hosting more movie showings in the future , especially at independent theaters that are open to working with cannabis companies -- despite the substance 's status as an illegal Schedule I drug at the federal level .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of stoners in a room together , '' she said .
`` Good things can happen , and a lot of laughs . ''
Organizers suggest buying tickets in advance , as the event is likely to sell out .
For tickets , visit http : //www.hollywoodblvdcinema.com/movies/coming-soon/big-lebowski-event/ ?
back=movies .

The Dude abides: Woodridge theater hosts 'Lebowski' screening to celebrate legal pot
GRAMERCY ENTERTAINMENTJeff Bridges, Steve Buscemi and John Goodman star in "The Big Lebowski," playing Jan. 28 at Hollywood Blvd in Woodridge.
A Woodridge theater is throwing a party to celebrate the legalization of recreational-use cannabis with a movie that fits the bill -- "The Big Lebowski."
The $6 throwback showing at the Hollywood Blvd. theater of the 1998 film, described by organizers as a "kitschy cult favorite," features a "quintessential stoner" in title character Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski.
As tickets have gone on sale to customers 21 and older for the 7 p.m. showing on Tuesday, Jan. 28, the theater has been fielding plenty of questions, most of them asking if viewers can bring their newly legal pot. The answer: No.
"You can't have cannabis at the event," said Dana Pobanz, the theater's marketing director. "We can't have a cannabis license."
It's illegal under the state's Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act to use marijuana in public, unless in a licensed and designated lounge.
"A lot of people don't know that," said Nicole Yalaz, Illinois field marketing manager for Green Thumb Industries, which is sponsoring the film.
So GTI, which grows cannabis, produces its own brands of dry flower, pre-rolls, edibles and vapes, and runs the Rise chain of dispensaries, is doing the next best thing, Yalaz said -- celebrating cannabis culture with food and freebies.
Moviegoers can play cannabis trivia to win prizes including branded hoodies or hats, and the menu is designed with the munchies in mind. Think pizza burgers, buffalo chicken pizzas, loaded fries and creations called "super munchies" and "green munchkins."
"It's a lot of what you would think of as normal 'stoner food,'" Pobanz said.
Drink specials match "The Big Lebowski" and the cannabis theme, too, featuring white Russians and a cocktail with a slightly misleading name, "liquid marijuana," although it contains no cannabis.
The event came together after Yalaz reached out to Hollywood Blvd in hopes of putting on a sponsored feature to promote GTI's products. She wasn't expecting much, she said, but found the theater willing and enthusiastic.
"We like doing things for all different groups of people," Pobanz said. "We know there is a large group that has been waiting for legalization to happen. It works out nicely that we can cater to them."
Hollywood Blvd and GTI used social media polls to choose which film to show.
"This one won hands-down," Pobanz said about "The Big Lebowski," which features a middle-aged man who loves cannabis and bowling embarking on an adventure after he is mistaken for a millionaire of the same name. "It beat everything -- 'Harold & Kumar (Go to White Castle),' 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High.'"
Yalaz said "The Big Lebowski" will be a natural fit.
"We thought it would be good for people who may or may not be on cannabis watching it," Yalaz said. "It's just a fun, kitschy, cult favorite. 'The Dude' is the quintessential, he's such a stoner."
The theater doesn't have any safety concerns related to potential marijuana use beforehand, Pobanz said.
"Lots of people decide to do things like that before they go see a movie anyway. I don't think it's a new concept," Pobanz said. "It's just more of an open concept."
Yalaz said GTI plans to look into hosting more movie showings in the future, especially at independent theaters that are open to working with cannabis companies -- despite the substance's status as an illegal Schedule I drug at the federal level.
"It's always fun when you get a lot of stoners in a room together," she said. "Good things can happen, and a lot of laughs."
Organizers suggest buying tickets in advance, as the event is likely to sell out. For tickets, visit http://www.hollywoodblvdcinema.com/movies/coming-soon/big-lebowski-event/?back=movies.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-16--Long Island holds off St. Francis (BKN) for 69-66 win

NEW YORK -- Raiquan Clark scored 17 points and Tyrn Flowers had a double-double and Long Island rallied then held @ @ @ @ @ ) 69-66 on Wednesday .
Deniz Celen scored back-to-back layups to tie it at 63 @ @ @ @ @ 3-pointer with 3:12 left and the Sharks ( 8-9 , 3-1 Northeast Conference ) led @ @ @ @ @ .
Neither team scored again until Batts ' layup with 54 seconds left made it @ @ @ @ @ Higgins ' 3 with eight seconds remaining reduced the deficit to 68-66 and the Terriers @ @ @ @ @ made 1 of 2 from the line , but Unique McLean missed a 3-point heave @ @ @ @ @ Francis led ( 7-9 , 1-3 ) led 39-29 at halftime before Long Island used @ @ @ @ @ the second half and led 59-50 before the Terriers got back in it .
Celen @ @ @ @ @ with 10 rebounds , Higgins scored 20 and McLean 15 with 13 rebounds .
For @ @ @ @ @ : https : //apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http : //twitter.com/AP_Top25

Long Island holds off St. Francis (BKN) for 69-66 win
NEW YORK -- Raiquan Clark scored 17 points and Tyrn Flowers had a double-double and Long Island rallied then held of St. Francis (BKN) 69-66 on Wednesday.
Deniz Celen scored back-to-back layups to tie it at 63 before Julian Batts buried a 3-pointer with 3:12 left and the Sharks (8-9, 3-1 Northeast Conference) led the rest of the way. Neither team scored again until Batts' layup with 54 seconds left made it a five-point advantage.
Rob Higgins' 3 with eight seconds remaining reduced the deficit to 68-66 and the Terriers immediately fouled Flowers. He made 1 of 2 from the line, but Unique McLean missed a 3-point heave at the buzzer.
St. Francis led (7-9, 1-3) led 39-29 at halftime before Long Island used a 30-11 outburst to start the second half and led 59-50 before the Terriers got back in it.
Flowers scored 10 with 11 rebounds, Batts scored 15 and Virshon Cotton 10.
Celen scored 20 on 10-of-13 shooting with 10 rebounds, Higgins scored 20 and McLean 15 with 13 rebounds.
___
For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25


Five people were reported injured , two of them critically , after a pickup truck slammed into a McHenry Starbucks on Thursday evening , leaving a path of destruction in its wake .
The crash occurred before 5 p.m. on the 4300 block of West Elm St. , McHenry police said .
The pickup truck 's hazard lights were blinking as it jutted out of the gaping maw left in the building .
McHenry police Public Affairs officer Patrick Polidori said the full-sized pickup truck was traveling west on West Elm Street when it ran off the roadway for unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The building sustained extensive damage and five people were injured , two of whom were taken from the scene with critical injuries , Polidori said .
The driver had to be pulled out of the pickup truck , ABC 7 reported .
One of those in critical condition subsequently was flown to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville on Thursday night , where Polidori said that person remained in critical condition .
The second critical patient later was upgraded to fair condition at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital , Polidori said .
Two other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital , Polidori said .
One additional person , while injured , was released at the scene and not taken to a hospital , he said .
The victims ' ages and genders were n't immediately available Thursday night .
Some witnesses said the windshield of the pickup appeared damaged before it struck the coffee shop , ABC 7 reported .
Police said they had to deal with leaking gas and remained concerned that the building might collapse , ABC 7 reported .
Caleb Brasil , 21 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Starbucks shortly after the crash occurred and said it appeared that the truck crashed into the building at a 45-degree angle , taking out the engine block of a white car visible in the drive-thru lane .
`` I could see a lady behind the counter walking around .
She appeared to be in shock , '' Brasil said , adding it appeared the truck was positioned `` right over the barista counter . ''
Brasil said he was stopped in traffic on eastbound Route 120 -- in the lane closest to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fire truck pulled in to block the road behind him .
`` There were people running down the road trying to get to the building .
Police officers shouting to keep people back .
Onlookers lined up on the sidewalk , '' he said .
`` You could tell it was a lot of chaos going on .
Pedestrians arguing with police officers . ''
No one was visible inside the vehicle in the drive-through lane , Brasil said .
McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett posted a message on his Facebook page Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured in the crash .
`` I was on scene within a few minutes and witnessed several men and women step into action in this bitter cold to save lives , '' Jett wrote .
`` I have always respected the police , dispatch and fire department for what they do , but today they deserve the most highest respect for how they all handled this situation , '' Jett continued .
`` Prayers to all of the Starbucks employees and customers who [ were ] involved . ''
Polidori said the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutual aid assistance from several agencies in McHenry County .

Five hurt -- two critically -- when truck crashes into Starbucks in McHenry
Five people were injured Thursday when a truck crashed into a Starbucks in McHenry, according to police. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
Five people were reported injured, two of them critically, after a pickup truck slammed into a McHenry Starbucks on Thursday evening, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
The crash occurred before 5 p.m. on the 4300 block of West Elm St., McHenry police said. The pickup truck's hazard lights were blinking as it jutted out of the gaping maw left in the building.
McHenry police Public Affairs officer Patrick Polidori said the full-sized pickup truck was traveling west on West Elm Street when it ran off the roadway for unknown reasons and struck the Starbucks building.
The building sustained extensive damage and five people were injured, two of whom were taken from the scene with critical injuries, Polidori said. The driver had to be pulled out of the pickup truck, ABC 7 reported.
One of those in critical condition subsequently was flown to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville on Thursday night, where Polidori said that person remained in critical condition. The second critical patient later was upgraded to fair condition at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, Polidori said.
Two other people were listed in fair condition Thursday night at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, Polidori said. One additional person, while injured, was released at the scene and not taken to a hospital, he said.
The victims' ages and genders weren't immediately available Thursday night.
Some witnesses said the windshield of the pickup appeared damaged before it struck the coffee shop, ABC 7 reported.
Police said they had to deal with leaking gas and remained concerned that the building might collapse, ABC 7 reported.
Caleb Brasil, 21, of McHenry said he was driving by the Starbucks shortly after the crash occurred and said it appeared that the truck crashed into the building at a 45-degree angle, taking out the engine block of a white car visible in the drive-thru lane.
"I could see a lady behind the counter walking around. She appeared to be in shock," Brasil said, adding it appeared the truck was positioned "right over the barista counter."
Brasil said he was stopped in traffic on eastbound Route 120 -- in the lane closest to Starbucks -- because of the crash and a fire truck pulled in to block the road behind him.
"There were people running down the road trying to get to the building. Police officers shouting to keep people back. Onlookers lined up on the sidewalk," he said. "You could tell it was a lot of chaos going on. Pedestrians arguing with police officers."
No one was visible inside the vehicle in the drive-through lane, Brasil said.
McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett posted a message on his Facebook page Thursday evening asking people to pray for everyone injured in the crash.
"I was on scene within a few minutes and witnessed several men and women step into action in this bitter cold to save lives," Jett wrote.
"I have always respected the police, dispatch and fire department for what they do, but today they deserve the most highest respect for how they all handled this situation," Jett continued. "Prayers to all of the Starbucks employees and customers who [were] involved."
Polidori said the investigation still is preliminary and McHenry police received mutual aid assistance from several agencies in McHenry County.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-16--How Naperville building could complete Water Street block

The Water Street District in downtown Naperville takes up most of a city block on both sides of the street just south of the DuPage River , but one corner of the parcel remains undeveloped .
A building called River Main is in the works to finish the site with space for retail , offices and restaurants at the now-grassy northwest corner of Main and Water streets .
Plans for the five-story building moved forward Wednesday when the planning and zoning commission gave unanimous approval to variances related to building height and floor area .
That means all property owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedule in March is city council approval and a building permit .
The River Main building is proposed to be 69 feet tall to the roof deck , with a highest point at 74 feet .
Adjacent buildings on Water Street are 61 feet , 8 inches tall to the roof deck , with highest points at 69 feet tall .
`` The height will allow that fifth story to align and square off the development there on Water Street , '' Rubin said .
The rest of the block was developed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project completed in late 2016 .
The transformation brought lodging back to downtown Naperville with the 158-room Hotel Indigo , and it added several restaurants , a banquet center , boutiques , 500 feet of Riverwalk path , a fountain , a plaza , murals and 521 parking spaces .
Rubin said he was n't yet ready to develop his property just east of the Marquette project when Water Street District construction began in 2015 .
But five years later , he said , he 's seen the success of the hotel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understands how the mix of tenants he expects to bring to River Main will fit in .
`` We 're a relatively small piece of the whole Water Street development , '' he said .
`` We 're really interested in following how it evolved . ''
The design of the proposed building steps back the fifth story so some parts of the structure are shorter , Rubin said .
The effect will match what 's already there , making the 9 feet of height above what typically would be allowed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and zoning commission Vice Chairman Krishna Bansal said .
`` If we lower the height , it will not really look right , '' Bansal said .
`` It will look out of place . ''
The commission also was OK with the request for a larger floor area than code would allow because the building 's corner lot and river frontage do n't allow for a traditional loading dock or outdoor garbage enclosure .
`` Because of the configuration of the building , the location , we really do n't have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have three fronts . ''
Glass will be a key material on all three visible `` fronts '' of the building , facing north , east and south in a design that also won kudos from planning and zoning commissioners .
`` The architecture and shape of the building is balanced and looks very perfect for that space , '' Bansal said .
`` It 'll be a great addition to the city of Naperville . ''

How Naperville building could complete Water Street block
River Main is designed as a five-story building with space for retail, restaurants and offices at the northwest corner of Main and Water streets in downtown Naperville. Courtesy of Steve Rubin
Glass will be a main architectural feature on three sides of the River Main building, which is planned for the northwest corner of Main and Water streets in downtown Naperville. Courtesy of Steve Rubin
The Water Street District in downtown Naperville takes up most of a city block on both sides of the street just south of the DuPage River, but one corner of the parcel remains undeveloped.
A building called River Main is in the works to finish the site with space for retail, offices and restaurants at the now-grassy northwest corner of Main and Water streets.
Plans for the five-story building moved forward Wednesday when the planning and zoning commission gave unanimous approval to variances related to building height and floor area. That means all property owner Steve Rubin needs to begin construction on schedule in March is city council approval and a building permit.
The River Main building is proposed to be 69 feet tall to the roof deck, with a highest point at 74 feet. Adjacent buildings on Water Street are 61 feet, 8 inches tall to the roof deck, with highest points at 69 feet tall.
"The height will allow that fifth story to align and square off the development there on Water Street," Rubin said.
The rest of the block was developed by Marquette Companies in a $93 million project completed in late 2016. The transformation brought lodging back to downtown Naperville with the 158-room Hotel Indigo, and it added several restaurants, a banquet center, boutiques, 500 feet of Riverwalk path, a fountain, a plaza, murals and 521 parking spaces.
Rubin said he wasn't yet ready to develop his property just east of the Marquette project when Water Street District construction began in 2015. But five years later, he said, he's seen the success of the hotel, shops and restaurants, so he better understands how the mix of tenants he expects to bring to River Main will fit in.
"We're a relatively small piece of the whole Water Street development," he said. "We're really interested in following how it evolved."
The design of the proposed building steps back the fifth story so some parts of the structure are shorter, Rubin said. The effect will match what's already there, making the 9 feet of height above what typically would be allowed in the downtown zoning district a nonissue, planning and zoning commission Vice Chairman Krishna Bansal said.
"If we lower the height, it will not really look right," Bansal said. "It will look out of place."
The commission also was OK with the request for a larger floor area than code would allow because the building's corner lot and river frontage don't allow for a traditional loading dock or outdoor garbage enclosure.
"Because of the configuration of the building, the location, we really don't have a back door," Rubin said. "We have three fronts."
Glass will be a key material on all three visible "fronts" of the building, facing north, east and south in a design that also won kudos from planning and zoning commissioners.
"The architecture and shape of the building is balanced and looks very perfect for that space," Bansal said. "It'll be a great addition to the city of Naperville."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-16--Why Illinois State Police are changing standards for recruiting push

It might not have the same ring to it as the `` Uncle Sam Wants You '' phrase that adorned military recruiting posters of the past , but the message is the same : Reinforcements are needed .
Faced with a bevy of retirements in the next two years and already staffed at levels well below what they were a couple of decades ago , the Illinois State Police are making a big recruiting push this month .
Part of that push is reducing educational requirements .
While a bachelor 's degree used to be a must , state police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degree or 60 college credit hours .
Trooper Aldo Schumann , the northern recruitment coordinator for the state police , told us he does n't believe the lowered requirements mean they 're accepting lesser candidates .
Instead , he said , they 're widening the pool of potential state troopers .
`` We 're able to get more people from different walks of life who want to serve their communities , '' Schumann said .
`` Four years of college is n't for everybody . ''
Along with that change , Schumann noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age to join -- 21 -- there 's no maximum .
People well into their 40s or even 50s can join , so long as they can make it through the 26-week Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield .
A big reason for the recruiting campaign is the need to restock the agency 's patrol division -- which Schumann called `` the bread and butter of our agency . ''
It 's facing promotions as well as retirements .
Like departments nationwide , the state police have seen their ranks declining in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that its patrol staffing was down about 20 % from where it was about 20 years ago .
`` The job has the potential to be dangerous , but if you 're willing to take on the challenge , it 's a great opportunity , '' he said .
Want to know more ?
Move fast .
The deadline to apply for the next cadet class , which begins in August , is Jan. 31 .
Visit www.illinoistrooper.com for application details .
After spending decades of his life putting criminals behind bars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburbs soon will be joining them .
A McHenry County judge Wednesday found Lorin Volberding guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the February 2017 slaying of his wife , Elizabeth .
Authorities say Volberding fatally shot his 68-year-old wife -- also a retired Chicago cop -- during an argument in the couple 's Spring Grove home .
The small town 's police chief said at the time it was the first murder in village history .
Among the evidence that led to Volberding 's conviction was a recording of a voicemail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's about 1:30 .
I think I just shot and killed Liz , '' Volberding said .
`` I need help . ''
He now faces a minimum of 45 years in prison when sentenced March 25 .
The phone lines have been burning up at the Lisle Police Department since Monday , when authorities announced they 'd solved a 44-year mystery surrounding the strangling of Pamela Maurer .
The 16-year-old Woodridge girl disappeared Jan. 13 , 1976 .
Her body was found the next day along College Road in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years , authorities were able to link the slaying to Bruce Lindahl of Aurora , who died in 1981 when he accidentally stabbed himself while killing 18-year-old Charles Huber of Naperville .
Since a news conference announcing the discovery , Lisle police have received about 50 tips about potential other victims of Lindahl , Deputy Chief Ron Wilke told us in an email Thursday .
DuPage County investigators have received some as well , he said .
This week 's announcement in the Lindahl case hit close to home for one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1970s in the same part of Woodridge where Pamela lived -- about three blocks away .
Susan was five years younger than Pamela , and Woodridge back then was the kind of place where 11-year-olds could be sent to the grocery store alone to return empty pop bottles for the deposits or get a gallon of milk .
Parents did n't drive you to school , let alone every baseball practice or piano lesson .
It was the kind of place where you were told to go play outside , where playdates were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if so-and-so could come out , where you could explore creeks and vacant lots and patches of scrubby `` woods . ''
It 's not that we thought there was no crime .
Parents taught `` stranger danger '' tips and drilled in the importance of locking up bikes .
But still , it was a pretty good place to grow up .
Unfortunately for Pamela , the childhood Woodridge offered was cut far too short .
• Have a question , tip or comment ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Why Illinois State Police are changing standards for recruiting push
Illinois State Police are looking to broaden their ranks with a recruiting push this month. As part of their effort, the agency is easing its educational requirements to attract "more people from different walks of life." Associated Press Pool photo by Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune, 2019
Illinois wants you.
It might not have the same ring to it as the "Uncle Sam Wants You" phrase that adorned military recruiting posters of the past, but the message is the same: Reinforcements are needed.
Faced with a bevy of retirements in the next two years and already staffed at levels well below what they were a couple of decades ago, the Illinois State Police are making a big recruiting push this month.
Part of that push is reducing educational requirements. While a bachelor's degree used to be a must, state police now will accept candidates with an associate degree or 60 college credit hours.
Trooper Aldo Schumann, the northern recruitment coordinator for the state police, told us he doesn't believe the lowered requirements mean they're accepting lesser candidates. Instead, he said, they're widening the pool of potential state troopers.
"We're able to get more people from different walks of life who want to serve their communities," Schumann said. "Four years of college isn't for everybody."
Along with that change, Schumann noted that while the agency has a minimum age to join -- 21 -- there's no maximum. People well into their 40s or even 50s can join, so long as they can make it through the 26-week Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield.
Why the push?
A big reason for the recruiting campaign is the need to restock the agency's patrol division -- which Schumann called "the bread and butter of our agency." It's facing promotions as well as retirements.
Like departments nationwide, the state police have seen their ranks declining in recent years. Last year the agency reported that its patrol staffing was down about 20% from where it was about 20 years ago.
"The job has the potential to be dangerous, but if you're willing to take on the challenge, it's a great opportunity," he said.
Want to know more? Move fast. The deadline to apply for the next cadet class, which begins in August, is Jan. 31. Visit www.illinoistrooper.com for application details.
Cop becomes criminal
After spending decades of his life putting criminals behind bars, an ex-Chicago cop who retired to the suburbs soon will be joining them. A McHenry County judge Wednesday found Lorin Volberding guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the February 2017 slaying of his wife, Elizabeth.
Lorin Volberding -
Authorities say Volberding fatally shot his 68-year-old wife -- also a retired Chicago cop -- during an argument in the couple's Spring Grove home. The small town's police chief said at the time it was the first murder in village history.
Among the evidence that led to Volberding's conviction was a recording of a voicemail he left a neighbor after the slaying.
"It's about 1:30. I think I just shot and killed Liz," Volberding said. "I need help."
He now faces a minimum of 45 years in prison when sentenced March 25.
Tips pouring in
The phone lines have been burning up at the Lisle Police Department since Monday, when authorities announced they'd solved a 44-year mystery surrounding the strangling of Pamela Maurer. The 16-year-old Woodridge girl disappeared Jan. 13, 1976. Her body was found the next day along College Road in Lisle.
Bruce Lindahl was identified this week as the killer in the previously unsolved 1976 murder of 16-year-old Pamela Maurer
Using DNA technology unavailable until recent years, authorities were able to link the slaying to Bruce Lindahl of Aurora, who died in 1981 when he accidentally stabbed himself while killing 18-year-old Charles Huber of Naperville.
Since a news conference announcing the discovery, Lisle police have received about 50 tips about potential other victims of Lindahl, Deputy Chief Ron Wilke told us in an email Thursday. DuPage County investigators have received some as well, he said.
On a personal note
This week's announcement in the Lindahl case hit close to home for one of us. Susan grew up in the 1970s in the same part of Woodridge where Pamela lived -- about three blocks away.
Pamela Maurer
Susan was five years younger than Pamela, and Woodridge back then was the kind of place where 11-year-olds could be sent to the grocery store alone to return empty pop bottles for the deposits or get a gallon of milk.
Parents didn't drive you to school, let alone every baseball practice or piano lesson. It was the kind of place where you were told to go play outside, where playdates were knocking on a screen door and asking if so-and-so could come out, where you could explore creeks and vacant lots and patches of scrubby "woods."
It's not that we thought there was no crime. Parents taught "stranger danger" tips and drilled in the importance of locking up bikes.
But still, it was a pretty good place to grow up. Unfortunately for Pamela, the childhood Woodridge offered was cut far too short.
• Have a question, tip or comment? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-16--Metra's goal in 2020

Metra scofflaws who try to cheat the system should watch out in the coming weeks as the railroad cracks down on fare evasion .
Facing a $ 4 million dip in anticipated passenger revenues from January through November 2019 , Metra officials are hoping to introduce new techniques in 2020 to reverse the trend .
`` It 's not just about fare evasion , '' Executive Director Jim Derwinski said Wednesday .
`` It 's about fare collection .
Sometimes , the trains are overcrowded and you ca n't get a conductor through the train . ''
First , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deploying Metra police officers to conduct random spot checks on its 11 routes to ensure passengers have the right tickets and `` potentially citing those who do not , '' a flier to be distributed Friday warns .
Metra employees also might be checking tickets before riders board trains at high-volume stations that could include Lisle and Naperville .
Metra has faced criticism in the past about conductors not collecting fares , and officials said they hear those complaints loud and clear .
But `` there 's a lot of good conductors out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` And a lot of great passengers who pay their fair share . ''
`` It 's a vast , open system with no gates and no turnstiles , '' Director of Station Services David Rubino said .
One subtle way of losing money is `` zone jumping , '' where passengers purchase a ticket for a shorter trip that is cheaper than the distance they actually travel .
`` It may take a second pass through the train to catch those people ... they 're very crafty , '' Derwinski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visited commuter railroads on the East and West coasts recently to study best practices .
Ideas the agency may consider include : using gates at high-volume stations , although it 's an expensive proposition ; giving conductors hand-held devices that verify tickets and can issue citations ; and tap-on/tap-off fare cards that record the distance a rider is traveling .

Metra's goal in 2020 -- get tough on fare evasion
Metra scofflaws who try to cheat the system should watch out in the coming weeks as the railroad cracks down on fare evasion.
Facing a $4 million dip in anticipated passenger revenues from January through November 2019, Metra officials are hoping to introduce new techniques in 2020 to reverse the trend.
"It's not just about fare evasion," Executive Director Jim Derwinski said Wednesday. "It's about fare collection. Sometimes, the trains are overcrowded and you can't get a conductor through the train."
First, though, the railroad intends some tough love deploying Metra police officers to conduct random spot checks on its 11 routes to ensure passengers have the right tickets and "potentially citing those who do not," a flier to be distributed Friday warns.
Metra employees also might be checking tickets before riders board trains at high-volume stations that could include Lisle and Naperville.
Metra has faced criticism in the past about conductors not collecting fares, and officials said they hear those complaints loud and clear.
But "there's a lot of good conductors out there doing good work," Derwinski said. "And a lot of great passengers who pay their fair share."
"It's a vast, open system with no gates and no turnstiles," Director of Station Services David Rubino said.
One subtle way of losing money is "zone jumping," where passengers purchase a ticket for a shorter trip that is cheaper than the distance they actually travel.
"It may take a second pass through the train to catch those people ... they're very crafty," Derwinski said.
Meanwhile, Metra staff members visited commuter railroads on the East and West coasts recently to study best practices.
Ideas the agency may consider include: using gates at high-volume stations, although it's an expensive proposition; giving conductors hand-held devices that verify tickets and can issue citations; and tap-on/tap-off fare cards that record the distance a rider is traveling.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-17--Snow could complicate Friday's evening commute. Here's what you need to know.

Snow could begin in the suburbs today just as workers are heading home for the weekend .
The area could @ @ @ @ @ through early Saturday , meteorologists at the Chicago office of the National Weather Service say @ @ @ @ @ will be in effect from 5 p.m. today to 6 a.m. Saturday .
Ice accumulations @ @ @ @ @ inch are possible .
Wind gusts of up to 30 mph during the storm could @ @ @ @ @ conditions , forecasters warned .
Saturday 's high temperature is forecast at 36 degrees , @ @ @ @ @ will be 11 degrees .
Temperatures wo n't go above freezing again until Wednesday , @ @ @ @

Snow could complicate Friday's evening commute. Here's what you need to know.
Snow could begin in the suburbs today just as workers are heading home for the weekend.
The area could get 2 to 4 inches through early Saturday, meteorologists at the Chicago office of the National Weather Service say.
A winter weather advisory will be in effect from 4 p.m. today to 6 a.m. Saturday.
Ice accumulations of one tenth of an inch are possible.
Wind gusts of up to 30 mph during the storm could hamper travel and worsen road conditions, forecasters warned.
Saturday's high temperature is forecast at 36 degrees, but Sunday's top temperature will be 11 degrees.
Temperatures won't go above freezing again until Wednesday, the agency says.