dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Straight from the Source: Gurnee man with heart damage from a virus says take COVID-19 seriously

Editor ’ s note : Steven Urizar of Gurnee is married and the father of three children .
He is waiting for a heart transplant and , before a recent illness , worked as a call center supervisor in the Northern suburbs .
In many of the stories around COVID-19 , I have seen an increase on social media of information that is not true .
As we get ready for the fall , it is important for people to understand the risks they are taking if they do n't heed the warnings of medical professionals .
I am not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone has access to those things , and when you break it down , they do n't tell the whole story of why our lives are being turned upside down .
Instead , I am instead going to tell you my story and how it relates to this pandemic .
My story goes back 20 years to January 2000 .
In the course of one month , I went from a healthy , working adult to gasping for air at night in my bed .
I ca n't tell you how scared I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wrong with me .
Not knowing if I was going to die .
All I knew was that something was wrong .
Throughout the month , I had experienced symptoms that were getting progressively worse , but I ignored them because I was young and thought they would go away .
My ignorance almost killed me .
When enough became enough , my mother begged me to go to an emergency room .
Her tears moved me to take action and seek the help I desperately needed .
After a week of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being rushed to a hospital downtown for what we thought was liver failure .
What we came to find out was that I had something ultimately worse than that .
For the past month , my heart had been damaged by a virus and was failing week by week .
By the time I ended up at the hospital downtown , I was in total organ failure .
My parents were told that we should call a priest to give last rites , that my heart failure had progressed to the point where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had to say goodbye to them , because I was starting to slip into a coma .
My body had put on over 80 pounds of water weight in the course of the month , and because of my weak heart , the oxygen supply was decreasing to my brain and other organs .
I do n't remember anything from there until I woke up a week later , very confused .
I could n't talk and I hurt everywhere .
You ca n't begin to understand what it is like being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of knowing I was not breathing on my own still haunts me .
I was strapped down and had wires , tubes , IV lines going in every direction .
And for a stretch of time , the only company was the beeping of machines .
I do n't know if I can convey in meaningful words the terror I felt then .
I ca n't convey how scared I was .
I can only hope that this gives just a small description of what I experienced mentally .
In time , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my heart was permanently damaged .
I was diagnosed and treated for congestive heart failure .
After spending three months in the hospital , I was given medicine to treat my symptoms .
For the next 17 years , I was doing fine until January 2017 .
I started experiencing the same symptoms as in 2000 .
After being in and out of the hospital for a couple of weeks , my cardiologist determined my heart had progressed to the advanced stages of heart failure .
I had to make a decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a life-prolonging procedure .
I chose to have the procedure .
In March 2017 , I had an LVAD , or left ventricular assist device , implanted in my heart .
This is effectively a pump that pushes the blood to the rest of my body since my heart is weakened .
It is considered a bridge to transplant , as the goal is to make it to receiving a donor heart .
So , is there something I could offer to show you the depth of what I went through ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I still suffer the consequences of that event from 2000 .
I have specific care involved with the equipment attached to me .
I have specific things I have to do each morning .
I go to bed hoping to be able to repeat my routine and in the morning , thank God I get to draw breath one more day .
So you may be asking what this all has to do with COVID-19 ?
My ignorance of how the body can fail almost killed me .
I did n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become that sick .
But it 's surprising how wrong we can be about these things .
My hope is that whoever reads this understands that although the chance may be small , you do n't want to experience this for yourself or have a loved one go through it .
My family had to sit powerless by my side , but at least they were there .
With COVID-19 , people are having to go through that experience alone .
No one should have to do that alone .
Do n't take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do n't think it is not that serious .
I would give anything in the world to make sure not another person has to experience what I did .
With COVID-19 there is that chance .
Listen to the professionals , wear a mask , limit your activity and hopefully we will soon find a way to return life to some normalcy .

Straight from the Source: Gurnee man with heart damage from a virus says take COVID-19 seriously
Editor’s note: Steven Urizar of Gurnee is married and the father of three children. He is waiting for a heart transplant and, before a recent illness, worked as a call center supervisor in the Northern suburbs.
In many of the stories around COVID-19, I have seen an increase on social media of information that is not true. As we get ready for the fall, it is important for people to understand the risks they are taking if they don't heed the warnings of medical professionals.
I am not going to give facts or figures because everyone has access to those things, and when you break it down, they don't tell the whole story of why our lives are being turned upside down. Instead, I am instead going to tell you my story and how it relates to this pandemic.
My story goes back 20 years to January 2000. In the course of one month, I went from a healthy, working adult to gasping for air at night in my bed. I can't tell you how scared I was back then, not knowing what was wrong with me. Not knowing if I was going to die. All I knew was that something was wrong. Throughout the month, I had experienced symptoms that were getting progressively worse, but I ignored them because I was young and thought they would go away.
My ignorance almost killed me. When enough became enough, my mother begged me to go to an emergency room. Her tears moved me to take action and seek the help I desperately needed. After a week of unfortunate events, I eventually ended up being rushed to a hospital downtown for what we thought was liver failure. What we came to find out was that I had something ultimately worse than that.
For the past month, my heart had been damaged by a virus and was failing week by week. By the time I ended up at the hospital downtown, I was in total organ failure. My parents were told that we should call a priest to give last rites, that my heart failure had progressed to the point where there may have been no return. I had to say goodbye to them, because I was starting to slip into a coma. My body had put on over 80 pounds of water weight in the course of the month, and because of my weak heart, the oxygen supply was decreasing to my brain and other organs.
I don't remember anything from there until I woke up a week later, very confused. I couldn't talk and I hurt everywhere. You can't begin to understand what it is like being on a ventilator. The sheer terror of knowing I was not breathing on my own still haunts me. I was strapped down and had wires, tubes, IV lines going in every direction. And for a stretch of time, the only company was the beeping of machines.
I don't know if I can convey in meaningful words the terror I felt then. I can't convey how scared I was. I can only hope that this gives just a small description of what I experienced mentally. In time, I recovered from the organ failure, but my heart was permanently damaged. I was diagnosed and treated for congestive heart failure. After spending three months in the hospital, I was given medicine to treat my symptoms. For the next 17 years, I was doing fine until January 2017.
I started experiencing the same symptoms as in 2000. After being in and out of the hospital for a couple of weeks, my cardiologist determined my heart had progressed to the advanced stages of heart failure. I had to make a decision to either say goodbye to my family or have a life-prolonging procedure. I chose to have the procedure.
In March 2017, I had an LVAD, or left ventricular assist device, implanted in my heart. This is effectively a pump that pushes the blood to the rest of my body since my heart is weakened. It is considered a bridge to transplant, as the goal is to make it to receiving a donor heart.
So, is there something I could offer to show you the depth of what I went through? Yes. It is my current existence. I still suffer the consequences of that event from 2000.
I have specific care involved with the equipment attached to me. I have specific things I have to do each morning. I go to bed hoping to be able to repeat my routine and in the morning, thank God I get to draw breath one more day.
So you may be asking what this all has to do with COVID-19? My ignorance of how the body can fail almost killed me. I didn't think a healthy person in his 20s could become that sick. But it's surprising how wrong we can be about these things.
My hope is that whoever reads this understands that although the chance may be small, you don't want to experience this for yourself or have a loved one go through it. My family had to sit powerless by my side, but at least they were there. With COVID-19, people are having to go through that experience alone. No one should have to do that alone.
Don't take that risk, however small it is. Don't think it is not that serious. I would give anything in the world to make sure not another person has to experience what I did. With COVID-19 there is that chance.
Listen to the professionals, wear a mask, limit your activity and hopefully we will soon find a way to return life to some normalcy.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Illinois' new virus cases exceed 2,000 for second straight day

The Illinois Department of Health on Saturday announced 2,190 new COVID-19 cases and 18 more deaths as the state reported @ @ @ @ @ tests performed for a one-day positivity rate of 4.6 percent .
It 's the second @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 , something that had n't occurred since May 24 .
The IDPH also reported @ @ @ @ @ seven-day positivity rate through Aug. 7 stands at 4.2 percent .
As of Friday night @ @ @ @ @ state were in the hospital with COVID-19 related issues .
There were 338 patients in @ @ @ @ @ ventilators .
Among the deaths were four people in Cook County , one in DuPage @ @ @ @ @ County and one in Lake County .

Illinois' new virus cases exceed 2,000 for second straight day
The Illinois Department of Health on Saturday announced 2,190 new COVID-19 cases and 18 more deaths as the state reported a 24-hour total of 48,016 tests performed for a one-day positivity rate of 4.6 percent.
It's the second straight day the caseload topped 2,000, something that hadn't occurred since May 24.
The IDPH also reported that the state's preliminary seven-day positivity rate through Aug. 7 stands at 4.2 percent.
As of Friday night, 1,538 people in the state were in the hospital with COVID-19 related issues. There were 338 patients in the ICU and 125 on ventilators.
Among the deaths were four people in Cook County, one in DuPage County, two in Kane County and one in Lake County.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--What remote learning will look like this school year

Kitchen tables and family dens again will serve as desks and classrooms when many suburban schools begin classes remotely starting this week .
Districts that planned on resuming in-person classes either fully or under a hybrid model with health and safety protocols in place mostly have pivoted to go virtual amid concerns over rising COVID-19 cases and the practical challenges of reopening schools with proper social distancing .
`` One of the things that was really difficult for us was implementing the daily protocols for students and staff -- symptoms screening , lunch without masks , managing social distancing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 students on a bus for about 30 minutes , '' said Dan Bridges , superintendent of Naperville Unit District 203 .
The district initially considered a hybrid model allowing its 16,500 students to attend on alternating days .
Instead , it will start e-learning Sept. 1 partly due to staffing limitations and challenges with separating groups of 50 students within school cafeterias while ensuring social distancing and mask wearing .
Unlike in the spring , teachers will be able to return to their classrooms to engage students at home through video conferencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2.5 hours of live instruction a day .
Schools in several districts are providing personal computing devices , such as Chromebooks and iPads , to bridge the divide between students and teachers , expanding wireless connectivity and supplying mobile hot spots so low-income families can get internet access , and offering day care support to working parents who need it .
Leaders in some districts not likely to reopen to in-school learning before October are planning to allow certain small groups into schools for regular services before others come back .
Such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education Programs , English Language Learners and students who need additional supports .
For teachers , building relationships from a distance with students they have never met before might be the hardest adjustment , said Paul Hertel , superintendent of Des Plaines Elementary District 62 , which begins remote learning Aug. 17 for 4,800 students in preschool through eighth grade .
`` Teachers are going to be working on creative ways to create that bond , '' Hertel said .
`` It will be somewhat new and challenging for everyone . ''
Districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to deliver live lessons and keep students engaged .
`` Last year , that was not necessarily the expectation , '' said David Wilm , assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Wauconda Unit District 118 whose 4,500 students start the school year remotely Aug. 24 .
`` It 's hard to read facial expressions over the computer .
You have to build community . ''
Educators assure remote learning will be different compared to spring when districts scrambled to provide distance learning while under lockdown without proper structures or training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students .
`` We understand that the spring was very traumatic for students , families and teachers , '' said Rosanne Williamson , assistant superintendent for educational services for Glenbrook High School District 225 .
Expectations for teachers and students will be greater when e-learning begins Aug. 19 , she added .
`` Grades will count .
Attendance will be adhered to .
There will be this expectation that teachers are teaching to mastery , '' she said .
`` What we are trying to achieve through this remote , electronic format is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replicate the in-person experience . ''
The biggest change for students is teachers will monitor and record daily attendance and resume grading practices and assessments so districts can meet state and federal accountability requirements that were waived last spring .
`` The difference is the rigor , the accountability , and the structure , '' said Adrian Talley , superintendent of Indian Prairie School District 204 which starts classes for about 27,000 students Sept. 3 .
A greater challenge for teachers will be addressing students ' social-emotional and mental health needs , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District 220 whose roughly 8,600 students in preschool through 12th grade start classes Aug. 20 .
`` We are going to have to work hard to find opportunities for our kids to engage ( with their peers ) in a social way until we are able to bring them all back in our buildings , '' Harris said .
Resumption of some athletics and physical education classes will offer students some reprieve from social isolation .
The Illinois High School Association is allowing limited sports practices -- boys and girls cross country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and girls swimming -- to begin Monday .
`` Teachers are adapting to include ways to engage students in fitness activities different from the traditional approach , '' said Mark Kovack , associate superintendent for student services for Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 whose roughly 12,000 students begin remote classes Aug. 13 .
`` I would encourage parents to remain involved in their students ' educational experiences .
It is even more important now than ever before . ''

What remote learning will look like this school year
Kitchen tables and family dens again will serve as desks and classrooms when many suburban schools begin classes remotely starting this week.
Districts that planned on resuming in-person classes either fully or under a hybrid model with health and safety protocols in place mostly have pivoted to go virtual amid concerns over rising COVID-19 cases and the practical challenges of reopening schools with proper social distancing.
"One of the things that was really difficult for us was implementing the daily protocols for students and staff -- symptoms screening, lunch without masks, managing social distancing in two very large high schools and having 50 students on a bus for about 30 minutes," said Dan Bridges, superintendent of Naperville Unit District 203.
The district initially considered a hybrid model allowing its 16,500 students to attend on alternating days. Instead, it will start e-learning Sept. 1 partly due to staffing limitations and challenges with separating groups of 50 students within school cafeterias while ensuring social distancing and mask wearing.
Unlike in the spring, teachers will be able to return to their classrooms to engage students at home through video conferencing platforms. The state requires a minimum of 2.5 hours of live instruction a day.
Schools in several districts are providing personal computing devices, such as Chromebooks and iPads, to bridge the divide between students and teachers, expanding wireless connectivity and supplying mobile hot spots so low-income families can get internet access, and offering day care support to working parents who need it.
Leaders in some districts not likely to reopen to in-school learning before October are planning to allow certain small groups into schools for regular services before others come back. Such groups include special needs students with Individualized Education Programs, English Language Learners and students who need additional supports.
For teachers, building relationships from a distance with students they have never met before might be the hardest adjustment, said Paul Hertel, superintendent of Des Plaines Elementary District 62, which begins remote learning Aug. 17 for 4,800 students in preschool through eighth grade.
"Teachers are going to be working on creative ways to create that bond," Hertel said. "It will be somewhat new and challenging for everyone."
Districts have been training teachers throughout the summer on how to deliver live lessons and keep students engaged.
"Last year, that was not necessarily the expectation," said David Wilm, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Wauconda Unit District 118 whose 4,500 students start the school year remotely Aug. 24. "It's hard to read facial expressions over the computer. You have to build community."
Educators assure remote learning will be different compared to spring when districts scrambled to provide distance learning while under lockdown without proper structures or training for teachers, and zero accountability for students.
"We understand that the spring was very traumatic for students, families and teachers," said Rosanne Williamson, assistant superintendent for educational services for Glenbrook High School District 225. Expectations for teachers and students will be greater when e-learning begins Aug. 19, she added.
"Grades will count. Attendance will be adhered to. There will be this expectation that teachers are teaching to mastery," she said. "What we are trying to achieve through this remote, electronic format is to, as much as possible, replicate the in-person experience."
The biggest change for students is teachers will monitor and record daily attendance and resume grading practices and assessments so districts can meet state and federal accountability requirements that were waived last spring.
"The difference is the rigor, the accountability, and the structure," said Adrian Talley, superintendent of Indian Prairie School District 204 which starts classes for about 27,000 students Sept. 3.
A greater challenge for teachers will be addressing students' social-emotional and mental health needs, said Brian Harris, superintendent of Barrington Unit District 220 whose roughly 8,600 students in preschool through 12th grade start classes Aug. 20.
"We are going to have to work hard to find opportunities for our kids to engage (with their peers) in a social way until we are able to bring them all back in our buildings," Harris said.
Resumption of some athletics and physical education classes will offer students some reprieve from social isolation. The Illinois High School Association is allowing limited sports practices -- boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, girls tennis and girls swimming -- to begin Monday.
"Teachers are adapting to include ways to engage students in fitness activities different from the traditional approach," said Mark Kovack, associate superintendent for student services for Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 whose roughly 12,000 students begin remote classes Aug. 13. "I would encourage parents to remain involved in their students' educational experiences. It is even more important now than ever before."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--'I can't do it at the expense of people's lives': NIU's Frazier explains move to postpone sports

Northern Illinois endured some sad news Saturday with the Mid-American Conference 's decision to postpone all fall sports .
NIU athletic director Sean Frazier , as he spoke to reporters on a Zoom call to discuss the direction of the league , could n't have been more passionate about how COVID-19 has rocked not only college sports , but the world .
`` No one wants to have football or sports more than me , '' Frazier said .
`` Football gave me all the opportunities I have today .
But I ca n't do it at the expense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that and I wo n't do that .
Not on my watch . ''
Frazier admitted he 's endured some family tragedy because of the coronavirus , though he did n't want to get into specifics .
`` We 've had some people who have caught this and have perished .
It 's real , '' he said .
`` For us to dismiss the science and dismiss what 's currently going on would be irresponsible of me and my leadership .
I ca n't look myself in the mirror and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season can be rescheduled in the spring .
The MAC is the first FBS conference to cancel the fall football season .
Division 2 , Division 3 , junior colleges and the major FCS conferences have already reached the same conclusion of trying again in the spring .
There were reports Frazier and NIU President Lisa Freeman led the charge inside the MAC to postpone fall sports , and Frazier 's strong comments pretty much confirmed that idea .
`` First off , the MAC and its presidents and its ADs , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Frazier said .
`` I 'm biased with my president .
I think she 's the best in the country .
She 's a scientist .
She 's a doctor .
This is not new for her as far as her ability to understand what a virus is as well as her access to information .
You 've got to respect that .
`` Yes , I was definitely out there a bit aggressive in the last few months about shifting and looking at a spring season .
But that 's really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with my family with COVID , watching this disease , watching this virus .
And then saying , 'You know what , I 'm a father .
I 'm not going to put my son in harm 's way . '
I 'm certainly not going to put the sons and daughters that I serve out there . ''
Frazier said the MAC athletic directors will begin working on a template for playing the football season in the spring .
Decisions are still being made about summer football practice , which had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about player reaction to the news .
`` I think they understood , '' he said .
`` We 've got a young football team .
We 've got 66 freshmen .
If we push it back to the spring , it give guys a chance to continue to develop and work on themselves to be the best student-athletes they can be . ''
There have been complaints across the lower divisions of college football about the costs of testing so many athletes on a regular basis .
Frazier admitted cost is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not why the MAC came to this conclusion .
`` We had to move resources and we 've had supporters and donors and others step up and help us with that ( testing ) process , '' he said .
`` Let 's get this straight -- it 's not about testing .
`` Here 's the bottom line -- we do n't have a vaccine .
We can test till the cows come home , but we can not stabilize once an individual has COVID , because we do n't know all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term . ''
While the rest of the FBS conferences continue to prepare for a fall season , the Big Ten announced a guideline to postpone contact football practices indefinitely .
Big Ten teams are continuing to practice with helmets and no pads .

'I can't do it at the expense of people's lives': NIU's Frazier explains move to postpone sports
Northern Illinois University Athletic Director Sean Frazier said he's hoping football can be rescheduled in the spring. The Mid-American Conference Saturday announced it was postponing all fall sports. Courtesy of NIU
Northern Illinois endured some sad news Saturday with the Mid-American Conference's decision to postpone all fall sports.
NIU athletic director Sean Frazier, as he spoke to reporters on a Zoom call to discuss the direction of the league, couldn't have been more passionate about how COVID-19 has rocked not only college sports, but the world.
"No one wants to have football or sports more than me," Frazier said. "Football gave me all the opportunities I have today. But I can't do it at the expense of people's lives. I can't do that and I won't do that. Not on my watch."
Frazier admitted he's endured some family tragedy because of the coronavirus, though he didn't want to get into specifics.
"We've had some people who have caught this and have perished. It's real," he said. "For us to dismiss the science and dismiss what's currently going on would be irresponsible of me and my leadership. I can't look myself in the mirror and do that."
Frazier is hoping football season can be rescheduled in the spring. The MAC is the first FBS conference to cancel the fall football season. Division 2, Division 3, junior colleges and the major FCS conferences have already reached the same conclusion of trying again in the spring.
There were reports Frazier and NIU President Lisa Freeman led the charge inside the MAC to postpone fall sports, and Frazier's strong comments pretty much confirmed that idea.
"First off, the MAC and its presidents and its ADs, that's where the leadership came from," Frazier said. "I'm biased with my president. I think she's the best in the country. She's a scientist. She's a doctor. This is not new for her as far as her ability to understand what a virus is as well as her access to information. You've got to respect that.
"Yes, I was definitely out there a bit aggressive in the last few months about shifting and looking at a spring season. But that's really more about having some personal knowledge firsthand with my family with COVID, watching this disease, watching this virus. And then saying, 'You know what, I'm a father. I'm not going to put my son in harm's way.' I'm certainly not going to put the sons and daughters that I serve out there."
Frazier said the MAC athletic directors will begin working on a template for playing the football season in the spring. Decisions are still being made about summer football practice, which had already started.
Football coach Thomas Hammock was asked about player reaction to the news.
"I think they understood," he said. "We've got a young football team. We've got 66 freshmen. If we push it back to the spring, it give guys a chance to continue to develop and work on themselves to be the best student-athletes they can be."
There have been complaints across the lower divisions of college football about the costs of testing so many athletes on a regular basis. Frazier admitted cost is an issue, but insisted that's not why the MAC came to this conclusion.
"We had to move resources and we've had supporters and donors and others step up and help us with that (testing) process," he said. "Let's get this straight -- it's not about testing.
"Here's the bottom line -- we don't have a vaccine. We can test till the cows come home, but we cannot stabilize once an individual has COVID, because we don't know all of the effects, long and short term."
While the rest of the FBS conferences continue to prepare for a fall season, the Big Ten announced a guideline to postpone contact football practices indefinitely. Big Ten teams are continuing to practice with helmets and no pads.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Mom of missing South Elgin teen Kianna Galvin says case a homicide

Surrounded by a large group of friends and family in front of the South Elgin police station , Fiona Galvin held a rally Saturday for her missing daughter , Kianna Galvin , who disappeared four years ago .
`` Today was important because her birthday , her 22nd birthday , the fifth one that she 's missed , just passed in July , '' said Galvin .
`` I wanted to do this ( rally ) as a significant date because I just recently found out that it 's not a missing person case anymore , it 's a homicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she only found out that the case classification was changed to homicide a couple of months ago , `` apparently it has been classified that since the search warrant ( for a neighbor 's house ) and November 2016 . ''
The group put signs remembering Kianna at the corner of State Street and North Water Street before gathering in a large prayer circle .
`` My whole mission in this vigil is to light a candle to keep focus on this case that 's still ongoing , that 's not solved , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more evidence to charge the person who 's the primary suspect with the circumstantial and probable cause evidence that they have , '' Galvin said .
Kianna left her house on Concord Avenue at about 12:30 p.m. May 6 , 2016 , telling her younger sister she was going to nearby Jim Hansen Park , her family said .
Instead , she went to visit a man who lived in the basement of a home on Revere Road near where she lived to get marijuana , according to a November 2016 search warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police five days later and said Kianna did not enter the home .
The man has not been publicly named by police .
He later assaulted a woman and is serving a 15-year prison sentence .
A neighbor who lived next to the home on Revere Road reported to police he found blood on the lid of his garbage can May 12 , 2016 , that was n't there when he took it out to the curb , documents show .
The neighbor also told police he saw Kianna go into the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she went missing or the day before .
The blood was sent to the state police lab , which found it was a 99.999 % match for `` the biological offspring of Everick York and Fiona Galvin , '' documents state .
York , who lives in Rockford , is Kianna 's father .

Mom of missing South Elgin teen Kianna Galvin says case a homicide
Surrounded by a large group of friends and family in front of the South Elgin police station, Fiona Galvin held a rally Saturday for her missing daughter, Kianna Galvin, who disappeared four years ago.
"Today was important because her birthday, her 22nd birthday, the fifth one that she's missed, just passed in July," said Galvin. "I wanted to do this (rally) as a significant date because I just recently found out that it's not a missing person case anymore, it's a homicide case."
Galvin said that while she only found out that the case classification was changed to homicide a couple of months ago, "apparently it has been classified that since the search warrant (for a neighbor's house) and November 2016."
The group put signs remembering Kianna at the corner of State Street and North Water Street before gathering in a large prayer circle.
"My whole mission in this vigil is to light a candle to keep focus on this case that's still ongoing, that's not solved, and to pressure the police to get more evidence to charge the person who's the primary suspect with the circumstantial and probable cause evidence that they have," Galvin said.
Kianna left her house on Concord Avenue at about 12:30 p.m. May 6, 2016, telling her younger sister she was going to nearby Jim Hansen Park, her family said.
Instead, she went to visit a man who lived in the basement of a home on Revere Road near where she lived to get marijuana, according to a November 2016 search warrant affidavit.
The man was questioned by police five days later and said Kianna did not enter the home. The man has not been publicly named by police. He later assaulted a woman and is serving a 15-year prison sentence.
A neighbor who lived next to the home on Revere Road reported to police he found blood on the lid of his garbage can May 12, 2016, that wasn't there when he took it out to the curb, documents show. The neighbor also told police he saw Kianna go into the home where the man lived either the day she went missing or the day before.
The blood was sent to the state police lab, which found it was a 99.999% match for "the biological offspring of Everick York and Fiona Galvin," documents state. York, who lives in Rockford, is Kianna's father.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Aug. 8 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Suburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 93,588 cases in the suburbs as of Saturday .
That 's 49 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 3,821 deaths in the suburbs , representing 50 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Saturday , suburban Cook County had 47,288 cases and 2,116 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 63,577 cases and 2,808 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts as of Friday ( not updated Saturday ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examiner 's office : 1,992 cases and 104 deaths in Des Plaines , 945 cases and 65 deaths in Wheeling , 925 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine , 794 cases and 23 deaths in Streamwood , 782 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 774 cases and 21 deaths in Schaumburg , 747 cases and 50 deaths in Glenview , 728 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights , 584 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 642 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rolling Meadows , 437 cases and 42 deaths in Northbrook , 431 cases and 39 deaths in Elk Grove Village , 308 cases and 9 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 151 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 12,141 cases and 518 deaths as of Saturday .
• Top counts : 957 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 911 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago , 797 cases and 12 deaths in Glendale Heights , 761 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion ) , 671 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 610 cases and 13 deaths in Bensenville , 582 cases and 27 deaths in Lombard , 561 cases and 43 deaths in Elmhurst , 490 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 464 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton , 354 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn , 336 cases and 5 deaths in Villa Park , 317 cases and 3 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) .
Lake County • The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its website Friday .
The website was not updated Saturday .
• Most recent top counts : 3,160 to 3,164 in Waukegan , 745 to 749 in Round Lake Beach , 460 to 464 in Mundelein , 405 to 409 in Gurnee , 325 to 329 in Round Lake , 235 to 239 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 245 to 249 in Lake Zurich , 225 to 229 in Vernon Hills , 190 to 194 in Wauconda , 180 to 184 in Libertyville , 165 to 169 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed 9,755 cases with 305 deaths on its website Saturday .
• Top counts : 3,898 cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 2,235 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 930 in Carpentersville , 580 in St. Charles , 425 in South Elgin , 286 in Geneva , 268 in North Aurora , 232 in Batavia , 101 in Gilberts and 87 in Hampshire .
McHenry County • 3,179 cases and 113 deaths , according to the health department Saturday .
Will County • 9,151 cases and 345 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town include 632 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) and 116 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

Aug. 8 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Faculty, staff and students take part in the free on-campus COVID-19 walk-up testing sites at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Courtesy of the University of Illinois
Interactive map
Suburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 93,588 cases in the suburbs as of Saturday. That's 49% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
There have been 3,821 deaths in the suburbs, representing 50% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Saturday, suburban Cook County had 47,288 cases and 2,116 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 63,577 cases and 2,808 fatalities. • Top suburb counts as of Friday (not updated Saturday) from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,992 cases and 104 deaths in Des Plaines, 945 cases and 65 deaths in Wheeling, 925 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine, 794 cases and 23 deaths in Streamwood, 782 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 774 cases and 21 deaths in Schaumburg, 747 cases and 50 deaths in Glenview, 728 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights, 584 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 642 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 443 cases and 13 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 437 cases and 42 deaths in Northbrook, 431 cases and 39 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 308 cases and 9 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 151 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 12,141 cases and 518 deaths as of Saturday.
• Top counts: 957 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 911 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago, 797 cases and 12 deaths in Glendale Heights, 761 cases and 38 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 671 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 610 cases and 13 deaths in Bensenville, 582 cases and 27 deaths in Lombard, 561 cases and 43 deaths in Elmhurst, 490 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 464 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton, 354 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn, 336 cases and 5 deaths in Villa Park, 317 cases and 3 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion).
Lake County • The county listed 12,484 cases and 427 deaths on its website Friday. The website was not updated Saturday.
• Most recent top counts: 3,160 to 3,164 in Waukegan, 745 to 749 in Round Lake Beach, 460 to 464 in Mundelein, 405 to 409 in Gurnee, 325 to 329 in Round Lake, 235 to 239 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 245 to 249 in Lake Zurich, 225 to 229 in Vernon Hills, 190 to 194 in Wauconda, 180 to 184 in Libertyville, 165 to 169 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 9,755 cases with 305 deaths on its website Saturday.
• Top counts: 3,898 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 2,235 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 930 in Carpentersville, 580 in St. Charles, 425 in South Elgin, 286 in Geneva, 268 in North Aurora, 232 in Batavia, 101 in Gilberts and 87 in Hampshire.
McHenry County• 3,179 cases and 113 deaths, according to the health department Saturday.
Will County• 9,151 cases and 345 deaths as of Saturday.
• Cases per town include 632 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 116 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Trump orders more unemployment pay, a payroll tax deferral

BEDMINSTER , N.J. -- Seizing the power of his podium and his pen , President Donald Trump on Saturday moved to bypass the nation 's elected lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed .
At his private country club in Bedminster , New Jersey , Trump signed four executive orders to act where Congress has n't , contending Washington 's gridlock had compelled him to act as the pandemic undermined the country 's economy and imperiled his November reelection hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak .
However , his order called for up to $ 400 payments , one-third less than the $ 600 people had been receiving .
Congress allowed those higher payments to lapse on Aug. 1 , and negotiations to extend them have been mired in partisan gridlock , with the White House and Democrats miles apart .
Trump largely stayed on the sidelines during the administration 's negotiations with congressional leaders , leaving the talks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin .
Trump 's embrace of executive actions to sidestep Congress runs in sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama 's use of executive orders on a more limited basis .
And the president 's step-back from talks with Congress breaks with his self-assured negotiating skills .
Now , Trump , who has not spoken with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since last year , sought to play the role of election-year savior , with the $ 400 weekly assistance , as well as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on some evictions during the crisis .
`` It 's $ 400 a week , and we 're doing it without the Democrats , '' Trump said , asking states to cover 25 % of the cost .
Trump is seeking to set aside $ 44 billion in previously approved disaster aid to help states maintain supplemental pandemic jobless benefits , but Trump said it would be up to states to determine how much , if any of it , to fund , so the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have been facing budget shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic and would have difficulty assuming the new obligation .
The previous unemployment benefit was fully funded by Washington .
The president said at his club on Friday night that `` if Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need . ''
Democrats had said they would lower their spending demands from $ 3.4 trillion to $ 2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 trillion plan .
White House aides have watched the talks break down with apprehension , fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down .
Friday 's jobs report , though it beat expectations , was smaller than the past two months , in part because a resurgence of the virus has led to states rolling back their reopenings .
The president 's team believes the economy needs to stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frame the expected executive orders signings as a sign that Trump was taking action in a time of crisis .
But it also would reinforce the view that the president , who took office declaring he was a dealmaker , was unable to steer the process to an agreement .
Trump said Saturday the orders `` will take care of pretty much this entire situation , as we know it . ''
But they are far smaller in scope than congressional legislation , and even aides acknowledged they did n't meet the needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is not a perfect answer -- we 'll be the first ones to say that , '' Meadows said Friday as talks broke down .
`` But it is all that we can do and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power , and we 're going to encourage him to do it . ''
Trump said the employee portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year .
The move would not directly aid unemployed workers , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are jobless , and employees will need to repay the federal government eventually without an act of Congress , where there is bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill .
In essence , the deferral is an interest-free loan that would have to be repaid .
Trump said he 'll try to get lawmakers to extend it , and the timing would line up with a postelection lame-duck session in which Congress will try to pass government funding bills .
`` If I win , I may extend and terminate , '' Trump said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how he 'd fund the Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7 % tax on employee income covers .
Employers also pay 7.65 % of their payrolls into the funds .
`` This fake tax cut would also be a big shock to workers who thought they were getting a tax cut when it was only a delay , '' said Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon .
`` These workers would be hit with much bigger payments down the road . ''
Both the House and Senate have left Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement .
With no deal in sight , their absence raised the possibility of a prolonged stalemate that stretches well into August and even September .
Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public -- but not so this time .
It would mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus .
Friday 's negotiations at the Capitol added up to only `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York .
He said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi , D-Calif. , to curb Democratic demands by about $ 1 trillion .
Schumer urged the White House to `` negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle .
Do n't say it 's your way or no way . ''
That Capitol Hill session followed a combative meeting Thursday evening that for the first time cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the talks all but dead until Meadows and Mnuchin give ground .
The breakdown in the negotiations is particularly distressing for schools , which have been counting on billions of dollars from Washington to help with the costs of reopening .
But other priorities are also languishing , including a fresh round of $ 1,200 direct payments to most people , a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service and money to help states hold elections in November .
Mnuchin said renewal of a $ 600-per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments are the key areas where they are stuck .
Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $ 1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably , but some of Pelosi 's proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the time frame for benefits like food stamps .
Pelosi and Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package to address a surge in cases and deaths , double-digit joblessness and the threat of poverty for millions of the newly unemployed .
Senate Republicans have been split , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all .
Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $ 3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling , but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost .
McConnell has kept his distance from the negotiations while coordinating with Mnuchin and Meadows .

Trump orders more unemployment pay, a payroll tax deferral
BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- Seizing the power of his podium and his pen, President Donald Trump on Saturday moved to bypass the nation's elected lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed.
At his private country club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump signed four executive orders to act where Congress hasn't, contending Washington's gridlock had compelled him to act as the pandemic undermined the country's economy and imperiled his November reelection hopes.
Perhaps most crucially, Trump moved to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak. However, his order called for up to $400 payments, one-third less than the $600 people had been receiving. Congress allowed those higher payments to lapse on Aug. 1, and negotiations to extend them have been mired in partisan gridlock, with the White House and Democrats miles apart.
Trump largely stayed on the sidelines during the administration's negotiations with congressional leaders, leaving the talks on his side to chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
Trump's embrace of executive actions to sidestep Congress runs in sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama's use of executive orders on a more limited basis. And the president's step-back from talks with Congress breaks with his self-assured negotiating skills.
Now, Trump, who has not spoken with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi since last year, sought to play the role of election-year savior, with the $400 weekly assistance, as well as a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on some evictions during the crisis.
"It's $400 a week, and we're doing it without the Democrats," Trump said, asking states to cover 25% of the cost. Trump is seeking to set aside $44 billion in previously approved disaster aid to help states maintain supplemental pandemic jobless benefits, but Trump said it would be up to states to determine how much, if any of it, to fund, so the benefits could be smaller still.
Many states have been facing budget shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic and would have difficulty assuming the new obligation. The previous unemployment benefit was fully funded by Washington.
The president said at his club on Friday night that "if Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need."
Democrats had said they would lower their spending demands from $3.4 trillion to $2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase their offer. Republicans have proposed a $1 trillion plan.
White House aides have watched the talks break down with apprehension, fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down. Friday's jobs report, though it beat expectations, was smaller than the past two months, in part because a resurgence of the virus has led to states rolling back their reopenings.
The president's team believes the economy needs to stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at winning reelection. Aides were hoping to frame the expected executive orders signings as a sign that Trump was taking action in a time of crisis. But it also would reinforce the view that the president, who took office declaring he was a dealmaker, was unable to steer the process to an agreement.
Trump said Saturday the orders "will take care of pretty much this entire situation, as we know it." But they are far smaller in scope than congressional legislation, and even aides acknowledged they didn't meet the needs of all that was required.
"This is not a perfect answer -- we'll be the first ones to say that," Meadows said Friday as talks broke down. "But it is all that we can do and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power, and we're going to encourage him to do it."
Trump said the employee portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year. The move would not directly aid unemployed workers, who do not pay the tax when they are jobless, and employees will need to repay the federal government eventually without an act of Congress, where there is bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill.
In essence, the deferral is an interest-free loan that would have to be repaid. Trump said he'll try to get lawmakers to extend it, and the timing would line up with a postelection lame-duck session in which Congress will try to pass government funding bills.
"If I win, I may extend and terminate," Trump said, repeating a longtime goal but remaining silent on how he'd fund the Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7% tax on employee income covers. Employers also pay 7.65% of their payrolls into the funds.
"This fake tax cut would also be a big shock to workers who thought they were getting a tax cut when it was only a delay," said Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon. "These workers would be hit with much bigger payments down the road."
Both the House and Senate have left Washington, with members sent home on instructions to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement. With no deal in sight, their absence raised the possibility of a prolonged stalemate that stretches well into August and even September.
Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public -- but not so this time. It would mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.
Friday's negotiations at the Capitol added up to only "a disappointing meeting," said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. He said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi, D-Calif., to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. Schumer urged the White House to "negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don't say it's your way or no way."
That Capitol Hill session followed a combative meeting Thursday evening that for the first time cast real doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill.
Pelosi declared the talks all but dead until Meadows and Mnuchin give ground.
The breakdown in the negotiations is particularly distressing for schools, which have been counting on billions of dollars from Washington to help with the costs of reopening. But other priorities are also languishing, including a fresh round of $1,200 direct payments to most people, a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service and money to help states hold elections in November.
Mnuchin said renewal of a $600-per-week pandemic jobless boost and huge demands by Democrats for aid to state and local governments are the key areas where they are stuck.
Democrats have offered to reduce her almost $1 trillion demand for state and local governments considerably, but some of Pelosi's proposed cost savings would accrue chiefly because she would shorten the time frame for benefits like food stamps.
Pelosi and Schumer continue to insist on a huge aid package to address a surge in cases and deaths, double-digit joblessness and the threat of poverty for millions of the newly unemployed.
Senate Republicans have been split, with roughly half of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's rank and file opposed to another rescue bill at all. Four prior coronavirus response bills totaling almost $3 trillion have won approval on bipartisan votes despite intense wrangling, but conservatives have recoiled at the prospect of another Pelosi-brokered agreement with a whopping deficit-financed cost.
McConnell has kept his distance from the negotiations while coordinating with Mnuchin and Meadows.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--2 injured in Bartlett fire that destroyed two townhouses

Two people suffered minor injuries late Friday night after a fire rendered two townhouse units on the 1200 block of @ @ @ @ @ , fire officials said .
A damage estimate was not immediately available and the cause @ @ @ @ @ said in a Saturday media release .
`` The cause is undetermined at this point @ @ @ @ @ Protection District Deputy Chief Brian Becker .
Firefighters were called about the fire at 11:52 @ @ @ @ @ two-story townhouse complex at 11:59 p.m. , and brought the blaze under control by 12:35 @ @ @ @ @ .
No firefighters were injured , but two civilians were treated for minor injuries and @ @ @ @ @ .
Overall , 29 firefighters from five departments fought the blaze .
Also present were @ @ @ @ @ fire investigators .
Bartlett police provided crowd and traffic control , officials said .

2 injured in Bartlett fire that destroyed two townhouses
Two people suffered minor injuries late Friday night after a fire rendered two townhouse units on the 1200 block of Appaloosa Way in Bartlett uninhabitable. Courtesy of Bartlett Fire Protection District
Two people suffered minor injuries late Friday night after a fire rendered two townhouse units on the 1200 block of Appaloosa Way in Bartlett uninhabitable, fire officials said.
A damage estimate was not immediately available and the cause is under investigation, officials said in a Saturday media release.
"The cause is undetermined at this point," said Bartlett Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Brian Becker.
Firefighters were called about the fire at 11:52 p.m., arrived at the two-story townhouse complex at 11:59 p.m., and brought the blaze under control by 12:35 a.m. Saturday, officials said.
No firefighters were injured, but two civilians were treated for minor injuries and released, fire officials said.
Overall, 29 firefighters from five departments fought the blaze. Also present were six command officers and two fire investigators. Bartlett police provided crowd and traffic control, officials said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Batavia High School graduates Class of 2020

The 2020 class of Batavia High School finally got their day Saturday as the graduates took turns crossing a small @ @ @ @ @ zone of the football field .
Families took turns entering the field to watch their @ @ @ @ @ `` This is a right of passage , '' Inang Aziz-Antal said after watching her @ @ @ @ @ short ceremony .
`` It 's every mom 's dream and it makes them feel @ @ @ @ @ '' Each graduate had their name announced over the stadium loudspeakers and then each crossed @ @ @ @ @ diploma .
Masks and social distancing were the norm , except during the occasional photo @ @ @ @ @ side of the stadium .

The 2020 class of Batavia High School finally got their day Saturday as the graduates took turns crossing a small stage near the north end zone of the football field.
Families took turns entering the field to watch their student get a diploma.
"This is a right of passage," Inang Aziz-Antal said after watching her son Zachary go through his short ceremony.
"It's every mom's dream and it makes them feel like they accomplished something."
Each graduate had their name announced over the stadium loudspeakers and then each crossed the stage to get the diploma.
Masks and social distancing were the norm, except during the occasional photo op before exiting the other side of the stadium.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Life of 40-year trustee Petri celebrated in Elk Grove council chambers

There was no better place to celebrate the life of James `` Jim '' Paul Petri than in the Elk Grove Village council chambers he served in for four decades , though the village 's public works facility that bears his name might run a close second .
Petri , who died suddenly in his home on July 23 at the age of 86 , was honored Saturday in the council chambers by family , friends and an honor guard from the Elk Grove Village Veterans of Foreign Wars .
Petri , known as the elder statesman of Elk Grove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in village history .
`` My dad would absolutely love this , '' said Jennifer Kuchta , Petri 's daughter .
`` It 's such a tribute to him .
It 's overwhelming to see how he touched so many people .
It 's very moving . ''
An Army veteran from the Korean War era , Petri came to Elk Grove Village in 1966 and spent 45 years working for United Airlines .
Petri was elected as a village board trustee in 1979 and served for 40 years before deciding in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term .
At Saturday 's visitation -- as an urn with Petri 's ashes proudly sat at the front of the council chambers -- taps was played and a member of the Elk Grove Village VFW presented Petri 's family with a folded flag in honor of his military service .
`` The biggest thing about Jim was that he truly cared about Elk Grove , '' said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson .
`` Elk Grove was always in his heart .
He was ingrained in this village like no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of him . ''
Among the many projects aided by Petri , he helped bring $ 100 million in upgrades to the village 's business park .
He served as co-chairman of the village 's Industrial/Commercial Revitalization Commission and chairman of the capital improvements committee .
Petri was also instrumental in bringing cable television and a local community access channel to Elk Grove Village .
While serving with three mayors and 18 trustees , Petri attended more than 800 village board meetings .
`` He was truly amazing , '' said Elk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We thought it 'd be a tremendous honor to have people come to the village hall and remember him and his service to the community . ''

Life of 40-year trustee Petri celebrated in Elk Grove council chambers
Elk Grove Village's public works facility bears the name of its longest-serving trustee, James Petri, who died July 23 at 86. Courtesy of Elk Grove Village
There was no better place to celebrate the life of James "Jim" Paul Petri than in the Elk Grove Village council chambers he served in for four decades, though the village's public works facility that bears his name might run a close second.
Petri, who died suddenly in his home on July 23 at the age of 86, was honored Saturday in the council chambers by family, friends and an honor guard from the Elk Grove Village Veterans of Foreign Wars. Petri, known as the elder statesman of Elk Grove Village, was the longest-serving elected official in village history.
"My dad would absolutely love this," said Jennifer Kuchta, Petri's daughter. "It's such a tribute to him. It's overwhelming to see how he touched so many people. It's very moving."
An Army veteran from the Korean War era, Petri came to Elk Grove Village in 1966 and spent 45 years working for United Airlines. Petri was elected as a village board trustee in 1979 and served for 40 years before deciding in 2019 not to seek reelection for an 11th term.
At Saturday's visitation -- as an urn with Petri's ashes proudly sat at the front of the council chambers -- taps was played and a member of the Elk Grove Village VFW presented Petri's family with a folded flag in honor of his military service.
"The biggest thing about Jim was that he truly cared about Elk Grove," said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson. "Elk Grove was always in his heart. He was ingrained in this village like no one else. We're a better village because of him."
Among the many projects aided by Petri, he helped bring $100 million in upgrades to the village's business park. He served as co-chairman of the village's Industrial/Commercial Revitalization Commission and chairman of the capital improvements committee.
Petri was also instrumental in bringing cable television and a local community access channel to Elk Grove Village.
While serving with three mayors and 18 trustees, Petri attended more than 800 village board meetings.
"He was truly amazing," said Elk Grove Village Manager Ray Rummel. "We thought it'd be a tremendous honor to have people come to the village hall and remember him and his service to the community."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Facts Matter: U.S. didn't reject Black Statue of Liberty

A Facebook meme falsely claims the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was the second choice after the U.S. turned down the first version .
`` The first Statue of Liberty given to the U.S. by France was a Black woman which the U.S. rejected , '' the post claims .
`` France replaced it with the version currently in New York Harbor .
This Black Lady Liberty , also created by France , sits on the island of St .
Martin . ''
This claim is false , according to PolitiFact.com .
The statue Lady Liberty on St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 120 years after the Statue of Liberty was placed in New York .
It was built to celebrate the 159th anniversary of emancipation of the French side of the island , PolitiFact said .
Several social media posts contain false information regarding use of infrared thermometers to check for COVID-19 .
`` Why are they aiming a laser ray at our pineal gland for a virus that has a 99.9 % survival rate ? ''
asked one post , which was viewed more than 100,000 times .
For one thing , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And noncontact infrared thermometers , used to identify the possibility of COVID-19 infection , do n't emit radiation or anything else into the brain .
Rather , they measure heat being release from the body , according to The Associated Press .
Dr. Haris Sair , director of neuroradiology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore , told the AP the thermometers do n't target the pineal gland , located deep inside the brain , or send infrared light or wavelengths into the body .
`` Nothing is happening between the thermometer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tim Robinson , vice president of marketing at thermometer retailer ThermoWorks , told the AP that people mistakenly believe `` you 're somehow sending something that 's going to bounce back , but none of that is true . ''
Some thermometers include a laser to aid the user in directing the tool to its target , but it has nothing to do with measuring the temperature , the AP said .
A social media post recently showed a few dozen people attending a July 31 speech given by President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida .
Next to it is a second image with a much larger crowd and the claim it was released by the White House .
The second photo is indeed altered , according to Snopes.com , but it was n't done by the White House .
The original photo was shared by Tampa Bay Times political editor Steve Contorno .
The image was then altered and posted by social media user Ludger , claiming it was an official release from the White House .
Ludger later claimed it was a joke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by using Paint ( no Photoshop was harmed in the production ) the resulting edits would be so obvious that EVERYONE would immediately recognize it as a joke , chuckle and move on , '' Ludger wrote .
There 's no 2-minute test for the coronavirus Business Wire , a news release distribution company , recently removed an item promoting a two-minute test for the coronavirus after the claim was debunked by the Associated Press .
AP editor Barbara Whitaker told the Facebook Journalism Project `` something seemed off '' about the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inc. had a rapid blood test for the coronavirus .
`` At first it appeared legitimate , but when we dug a little deeper , we saw that you could n't even order the product , despite the company 's news release claiming it had already shipped out thousands of the tests , '' she said .
Bodysphere Inc. was n't registered in California and phone numbers for the company and the CEO were disconnected , Whitaker told the Facebook Journalism Project .
A Food and Drug Administration spokesman told the AP the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical experts told reporters a blood test can not diagnose COVID-19 .
`` The experience reiterated an old lesson : never believe something just because it is in a news release , '' Whitaker said .
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News .
Contact him at boboswald33 @ gmail.com .

Facts Matter: U.S. didn't reject Black Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was erected in New York 120 years before the Lady Liberty of St. Martin, France, a statue of a Black woman, was unveiled there. Associated press, 2019
A Facebook meme falsely claims the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was the second choice after the U.S. turned down the first version.
"The first Statue of Liberty given to the U.S. by France was a Black woman which the U.S. rejected," the post claims. "France replaced it with the version currently in New York Harbor. This Black Lady Liberty, also created by France, sits on the island of St. Martin."
This claim is false, according to PolitiFact.com.
The statue Lady Liberty on St. Martin was unveiled in 2007, more than 120 years after the Statue of Liberty was placed in New York.
It was built to celebrate the 159th anniversary of emancipation of the French side of the island, PolitiFact said.
Infrared thermometers don't laser the brain
Several social media posts contain false information regarding use of infrared thermometers to check for COVID-19.
"Why are they aiming a laser ray at our pineal gland for a virus that has a 99.9% survival rate?" asked one post, which was viewed more than 100,000 times.
For one thing, Illinois reports 95% of COVID-19 victims survive.
And noncontact infrared thermometers, used to identify the possibility of COVID-19 infection, don't emit radiation or anything else into the brain.
Rather, they measure heat being release from the body, according to The Associated Press.
Dr. Haris Sair, director of neuroradiology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, told the AP the thermometers don't target the pineal gland, located deep inside the brain, or send infrared light or wavelengths into the body.
"Nothing is happening between the thermometer and the pineal gland," he said.
Tim Robinson, vice president of marketing at thermometer retailer ThermoWorks, told the AP that people mistakenly believe "you're somehow sending something that's going to bounce back, but none of that is true."
Some thermometers include a laser to aid the user in directing the tool to its target, but it has nothing to do with measuring the temperature, the AP said.
White House didn't inflate crowd size
A social media post recently showed a few dozen people attending a July 31 speech given by President Donald Trump on the tarmac at Tampa International Airport in Florida.
Next to it is a second image with a much larger crowd and the claim it was released by the White House.
The second photo is indeed altered, according to Snopes.com, but it wasn't done by the White House.
The original photo was shared by Tampa Bay Times political editor Steve Contorno.
The image was then altered and posted by social media user Ludger, claiming it was an official release from the White House.
Ludger later claimed it was a joke, Snopes said.
"I figured that by using Paint (no Photoshop was harmed in the production) the resulting edits would be so obvious that EVERYONE would immediately recognize it as a joke, chuckle and move on," Ludger wrote.
There's no 2-minute test for the coronavirus
Business Wire, a news release distribution company, recently removed an item promoting a two-minute test for the coronavirus after the claim was debunked by the Associated Press.
AP editor Barbara Whitaker told the Facebook Journalism Project "something seemed off" about the news release claiming a California company named Bodysphere Inc. had a rapid blood test for the coronavirus.
"At first it appeared legitimate, but when we dug a little deeper, we saw that you couldn't even order the product, despite the company's news release claiming it had already shipped out thousands of the tests," she said.
Bodysphere Inc. wasn't registered in California and phone numbers for the company and the CEO were disconnected, Whitaker told the Facebook Journalism Project.
A Food and Drug Administration spokesman told the AP the agency had not authorized any such test and medical experts told reporters a blood test cannot diagnose COVID-19.
"The experience reiterated an old lesson: never believe something just because it is in a news release," Whitaker said.
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News. Contact him at boboswald33@gmail.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Grammar Moses: The majority of you are going to get the point of this headline

Judging by overheard conversations and what I read , today 's topic bears repeating .
`` I have a question about which is the correct verb to use when the subject , or object , of the sentence is about a group of something , '' writes reader Jim Greenlee .
`` I have seen this done both ways in print , and have heard it done both ways orally , and so am wondering . ''
Jim gave two possibilities : `` A group of scientists is going to Hawaii to study the volcano '' and `` A group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study the volcano . ''
Let me rephrase this slightly to make my point .
It is proper to say `` Ten scientists are going to Hawaii . ''
It 's also proper to say `` A group of 10 scientists is going to Hawaii . ''
The phrase `` of scientists '' in my second example modifies the subject `` group '' -- a singular noun .
In my first case , `` scientists '' is the subject and takes a plural noun .
By the way , count me in on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ write about it , take some cellphone pictures and lord it over you .
That was the easy part of my discussion with Jim .
His second question is about the sentence `` A majority of Americans are planning to vote by mail . ''
`` Is the subject of this sentence 'majority ' or 'Americans ' ?
If 'majority , ' should the verb be 'is ' rather than 'are ' ? ''
Jim 's first question was pretty rudimentary .
His second is graduate level .
`` Majority '' is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes , it is the subject of his sentence .
`` Majority '' is a collective noun , and those buggers can be singular or plural , depending on whether you are talking about the group itself or the individuals who constitute it .
Here is a pretty reliable hint : If the sentence is `` the majority of '' something , then you 're referring to a group .
If it 's `` a majority of '' something , you 're talking about the individuals .
Take his sentence : `` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by mail . ''
That is correct .
He is referring to individual voters .
Here is another way to look at it : If the pronoun you would use in lieu of `` Americans '' is `` them , '' then you 're talking about individuals , and it would be assigned a plural verb .
If your pronoun is `` it , '' go with a singular verb .
The Associated Press adds this : If `` majority '' is used alone -- as in `` the majority has spoken '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A couple of weeks ago , I took a swipe at a radio ad that touted a suburb 's `` unique , one-of-a-kind '' businesses as being redundant .
`` My logic is that reference is made to 'businesses , ' '' he said .
`` The municipality might have businesses that are unique and businesses that are one-of-a-kind .
To wit , a business might have a product that can only be purchased at that location in the state of Illinois , thereby being 'unique ' for that product in the area/state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a product that is only available there , not anywhere else in the country/world , thereby being 'one-of-a-kind . '
Both businesses could then be separate and still coexist under the banner that you question .
I would accept the position that you make if the phrase had read 'unique , one-of-a-kind business ' ( not referring to plural businesses ) . ''
I had to let that one sink in .
My guess is that Bill will search a downy white field for days until he finds a four-leaf clover ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule ) .
Because Bill is splitting hairs here , allow me to split a few myself .
As I wrote , the description in the radio ad was of `` unique , one-of-a-kind businesses '' -- not `` unique businesses and one-of-a-kind businesses . ''
The comma in my sentence suggests an application of both of those modifiers to the same businesses .
Take this example : `` The toddler played with large , red rubber balls . ''
What do you see in your mind 's eye ?
I see several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all of which are red and all of which are rubber .
There is no potpourri of balls -- some of them red , some of them rubber , some of them large .
• Jim Baumann is vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald .
Write him at jbau-mann @ dailyherald.com .
Put Grammar Moses in the subject line .
You also can friend or follow Jim at face-book.com/baumannjim .

Grammar Moses: The majority of you are going to get the point of this headline
Judging by overheard conversations and what I read, today's topic bears repeating.
"I have a question about which is the correct verb to use when the subject, or object, of the sentence is about a group of something," writes reader Jim Greenlee. "I have seen this done both ways in print, and have heard it done both ways orally, and so am wondering."
Jim gave two possibilities: "A group of scientists is going to Hawaii to study the volcano" and "A group of scientists are going to Hawaii to study the volcano."
Let me rephrase this slightly to make my point.
It is proper to say "Ten scientists are going to Hawaii." It's also proper to say "A group of 10 scientists is going to Hawaii."
The phrase "of scientists" in my second example modifies the subject "group" -- a singular noun.
In my first case, "scientists" is the subject and takes a plural noun.
By the way, count me in on that trip, if not just to write about it, take some cellphone pictures and lord it over you.
That was the easy part of my discussion with Jim.
His second question is about the sentence "A majority of Americans are planning to vote by mail."
"Is the subject of this sentence 'majority' or 'Americans'? If 'majority,' should the verb be 'is' rather than 'are'?"
Jim's first question was pretty rudimentary. His second is graduate level.
"Majority" is a much more complicated thing. And, yes, it is the subject of his sentence.
"Majority" is a collective noun, and those buggers can be singular or plural, depending on whether you are talking about the group itself or the individuals who constitute it.
Here is a pretty reliable hint: If the sentence is "the majority of" something, then you're referring to a group. If it's "a majority of" something, you're talking about the individuals. Take his sentence: "A majority of Americans are planning to vote by mail."
That is correct. He is referring to individual voters.
Here is another way to look at it: If the pronoun you would use in lieu of "Americans" is "them," then you're talking about individuals, and it would be assigned a plural verb. If your pronoun is "it," go with a singular verb.
The Associated Press adds this: If "majority" is used alone -- as in "the majority has spoken" -- it takes a singular verb.
Unique, one of a kind
A couple of weeks ago, I took a swipe at a radio ad that touted a suburb's "unique, one-of-a-kind" businesses as being redundant.
Reader Bill Thomas disagrees with my conclusion.
"My logic is that reference is made to 'businesses,'" he said. "The municipality might have businesses that are unique and businesses that are one-of-a-kind. To wit, a business might have a product that can only be purchased at that location in the state of Illinois, thereby being 'unique' for that product in the area/state. There also could be a business with a product that is only available there, not anywhere else in the country/world, thereby being 'one-of-a-kind.' Both businesses could then be separate and still coexist under the banner that you question. I would accept the position that you make if the phrase had read 'unique, one-of-a-kind business' (not referring to plural businesses)."
I had to let that one sink in.
My guess is that Bill will search a downy white field for days until he finds a four-leaf clover (knowing there is an exception to every rule).
Because Bill is splitting hairs here, allow me to split a few myself.
As I wrote, the description in the radio ad was of "unique, one-of-a-kind businesses" -- not "unique businesses and one-of-a-kind businesses."
The comma in my sentence suggests an application of both of those modifiers to the same businesses.
Take this example: "The toddler played with large, red rubber balls."
What do you see in your mind's eye? I see several balls -- all of which are large, all of which are red and all of which are rubber. There is no potpourri of balls -- some of them red, some of them rubber, some of them large.
Write carefully!
• Jim Baumann is vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald. Write him at jbau-mann@dailyherald.com. Put Grammar Moses in the subject line. You also can friend or follow Jim at face-book.com/baumannjim.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-08--Preckwinkle: Dramatic rise in suicides among Cook County's Black population

Cook County is seeing a dramatic increase in suicides among Black residents .
`` There have been more suicides so far this year in the Black community than in all of 2019 , '' Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said .
`` Most notably , we are seeing an increase in youth suicide .
The youngest victim this year was just 9 years old . ''
The African American community has borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic , opioid overdose deaths and rising homicide rates , she added .
The Cook County medical examiner 's office reports 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year for suicides in the Black community in a decade .
So far , there have been 58 suicide deaths among Blacks compared to 56 in all of 2019 .
Nearly 80 % of suicides were men , 40 % were under 30 , three were under 18 , and the youngest was the 9-year-old boy who died July 5 .
Anxiety and depression are high among Blacks , who disproportionately have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and also suffer health disparities , high rates of unemployment and poverty , said Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of behavioral health .
`` We need to have a conversation about mental health and suicide , '' said Washington , a psychiatrist for more than 28 years .
`` There 's a lot of stigma in our own community about mental health .
...
The shame that goes with mental health is huge in our community .
This pain is unbearable , and this despondency and this despair is huge .
It has overtaken our community . ''
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , constant interactions and conversations with students help deter threats to school safety , says Streamwood police officer Courtney Stoiber , a school resource officer at Tefft Middle School in Streamwood .
Stoiber is among a cadre of resource officers stationed at Elgin Area School District U-46 middle and high schools .
She is trained in crisis intervention .
`` It 's highly focused on de-escalation and identifying persons in crisis ... with mental or physical disabilities , on the autism spectrum , with mental illnesses or other emotional needs , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counseling them through that crisis and referring them to staff or resources to better address their needs . ''
At U-46 , student arrests for behavioral infractions are down from 343 in the 2013-14 school year to 36 in 2019-20 .
The majority of arrests during that period involved Black and Hispanic students .
Latinos constitute nearly 55 % of the district 's 38,395 students , followed by whites 26 % , Asians 8 % , Blacks 6 % and two or more races 3 % , data show .
Rich Bosh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 years as a resource officer for Bartlett High , was part of an oversight committee reviewing district policies and procedures for identifying students as threats .
He started a safety task force at the school that gives students a say in school culture .
`` Kids really took ownership of the school , '' Bosh said .
`` That was a really good thing that we hope to build on with other schools . ''
John Heiderscheidt , U-46 director of school safety and culture , said officials are considering expanding student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parents are pushing student-led violence prevention/safety programs to reduce bullying and build relationships , such as the `` See something , say something '' initiative started after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown , Connecticut .
`` Our officers are helping to build those programs at a grass-roots level , '' Heiderscheidt said .
`` Students are leading the effort to grow that . ''
The district will be asking resource officers to provide A.L.I.C.E .
( Alert , Lockdown , Inform , Counter , Evacuate ) active shooter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elgin Police Department also trains its officers in the Handle with Care program .
`` It 's an excellent way to be a trauma-informed care community , '' Heiderscheidt said .
The Youth and Family Center of McHenry County is offering a socially distanced summer park program , including music , self-defense training , martial arts , sports and a free lunch , for at-risk students with food insecurity .
`` Any normal year , we would have had anywhere from 45 to 55 kids , '' Executive Director Guadalupe Ortiz said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time .
We are really trying to focus on our after-school program to support the coming needs for remote learning for a lot of our kids . ''
The McHenry-based agency serves roughly 500 clients , including youths and adults , through prevention programs , bicultural service navigation and social-emotional supports .
They are mostly low-income , minority and uninsured families , many of whom have suffered job loss due to the pandemic .
Officials at the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva are anticipating an uptick in need for food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the state 's moratoriums on evictions and utility cutoffs expire by month end .
`` In June , we distributed 9.5 million meals ' worth of food in all of our counties , '' spokeswoman Liz Gartman said .
`` Typically , it 's like in the 5 million range .
It is pretty uncharted for us . ''
In 2018-19 , the agency distributed more than 69 million meals , mostly in DuPage and Kane counties .
That grew to about 80.3 million meals in the fiscal year that ended June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those meals during COVID-19 from March to June , '' said Gartman , adding that people served include low-income , minorities and a lot of newly poor families .
• Share stories , news and happenings from the suburban mosaic with Madhu Krishnamurthy at mkrishnamurthy @ dailyherald.com .

Preckwinkle: Dramatic rise in suicides among Cook County's Black population
Cook County is seeing a dramatic increase in suicides among Black residents.
"There have been more suicides so far this year in the Black community than in all of 2019," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. "Most notably, we are seeing an increase in youth suicide. The youngest victim this year was just 9 years old."
The African American community has borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid overdose deaths and rising homicide rates, she added.
The Cook County medical examiner's office reports 2020 is on pace to be the worst year for suicides in the Black community in a decade.
So far, there have been 58 suicide deaths among Blacks compared to 56 in all of 2019. Nearly 80% of suicides were men, 40% were under 30, three were under 18, and the youngest was the 9-year-old boy who died July 5.
Mental health support
Anxiety and depression are high among Blacks, who disproportionately have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and also suffer health disparities, high rates of unemployment and poverty, said Dr. Diane Washington, Cook County Health director of behavioral health.
"We need to have a conversation about mental health and suicide," said Washington, a psychiatrist for more than 28 years.
"There's a lot of stigma in our own community about mental health. ... The shame that goes with mental health is huge in our community. This pain is unbearable, and this despondency and this despair is huge. It has overtaken our community."
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
Cops building bonds
Building relationships, constant interactions and conversations with students help deter threats to school safety, says Streamwood police officer Courtney Stoiber, a school resource officer at Tefft Middle School in Streamwood.
Stoiber is among a cadre of resource officers stationed at Elgin Area School District U-46 middle and high schools. She is trained in crisis intervention.
"It's highly focused on de-escalation and identifying persons in crisis ... with mental or physical disabilities, on the autism spectrum, with mental illnesses or other emotional needs," she said. "It's about verbally counseling them through that crisis and referring them to staff or resources to better address their needs."
Minority student arrests
At U-46, student arrests for behavioral infractions are down from 343 in the 2013-14 school year to 36 in 2019-20. The majority of arrests during that period involved Black and Hispanic students.
Latinos constitute nearly 55% of the district's 38,395 students, followed by whites 26%, Asians 8%, Blacks 6% and two or more races 3%, data show.
Rich Bosh, a Bartlett police detective who has served 14 years as a resource officer for Bartlett High, was part of an oversight committee reviewing district policies and procedures for identifying students as threats. He started a safety task force at the school that gives students a say in school culture.
"Kids really took ownership of the school," Bosh said. "That was a really good thing that we hope to build on with other schools."
Mentoring students
John Heiderscheidt, U-46 director of school safety and culture, said officials are considering expanding student mentoring through resource officers.
A group of parents is pushing student-led violence prevention/safety programs to reduce bullying and build relationships, such as the "See something, say something" initiative started after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
"Our officers are helping to build those programs at a grass-roots level," Heiderscheidt said. "Students are leading the effort to grow that."
The district will be asking resource officers to provide A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) active shooter response training for school employees.
The Elgin Police Department also trains its officers in the Handle with Care program.
"It's an excellent way to be a trauma-informed care community," Heiderscheidt said.
Youth services
The Youth and Family Center of McHenry County is offering a socially distanced summer park program, including music, self-defense training, martial arts, sports and a free lunch, for at-risk students with food insecurity.
"Any normal year, we would have had anywhere from 45 to 55 kids," Executive Director Guadalupe Ortiz said. "We are now having 10 kids at a time. We are really trying to focus on our after-school program to support the coming needs for remote learning for a lot of our kids."
The McHenry-based agency serves roughly 500 clients, including youths and adults, through prevention programs, bicultural service navigation and social-emotional supports. They are mostly low-income, minority and uninsured families, many of whom have suffered job loss due to the pandemic.
Growing food insecurity
Officials at the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva are anticipating an uptick in need for food support as pandemic unemployment benefits run out and the state's moratoriums on evictions and utility cutoffs expire by month end.
"In June, we distributed 9.5 million meals' worth of food in all of our counties," spokeswoman Liz Gartman said. "Typically, it's like in the 5 million range. It is pretty uncharted for us."
In 2018-19, the agency distributed more than 69 million meals, mostly in DuPage and Kane counties. That grew to about 80.3 million meals in the fiscal year that ended June 30.
"We distributed 30 million of those meals during COVID-19 from March to June," said Gartman, adding that people served include low-income, minorities and a lot of newly poor families.
• Share stories, news and happenings from the suburban mosaic with Madhu Krishnamurthy at mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com.