dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Aug. 3 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Suburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 89,802 cases in the suburbs as of Monday .
That 's 49 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 3,809 deaths in the suburbs , representing 50.6 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Monday , suburban Cook County had 45,305 cases and 2,108 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 61,942 cases and 2,789 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Des Plaines , 929 cases and 63 deaths in Wheeling , 896 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine , 766 cases and 23 deaths in Streamwood , 763 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 745 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg , 706 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights , 724 cases and 50 deaths in Glenview , 567 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 606 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 426 cases and 13 deaths in Rolling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Northbrook , 414 cases and 39 deaths in Elk Grove Village , 301 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 147 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 11,514 cases and 510 deaths as of Monday .
• Top counts : 938 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 883 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago , 766 cases and 12 deaths in Glendale Heights , 711 cases and 36 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Carol Stream , 600 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville , 554 cases and 26 deaths in Lombard , 528 cases and 41 deaths in Elmhurst , 461 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 414 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton , 314 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn , 313 cases and 5 deaths in Villa Park , 297 cases and 3 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) .
Lake County • The county listed 12,101 cases and 427 deaths on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of Friday : 3,035 to 3,039 in Waukegan , 700 to 704 in Round Lake Beach , 450 to 454 in Mundelein , 380 to 384 in Gurnee , 310 to 314 in Round Lake , 225 to 229 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 240 to 244 in Lake Zurich , 215 to 219 in Vernon Hills , 185 to 189 in Wauconda , 180 to 184 in Libertyville , 155 to 159 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 9,330 cases with 299 deaths on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 3,782 cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 2,183 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 862 in Carpentersville , 495 in St. Charles , 405 in South Elgin , 268 in Geneva , 260 in North Aurora , 213 in Batavia , and 73 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 2,968 cases and 113 deaths , according to the health department Monday .
Will County • 8,650 cases and 339 deaths , as of Monday .
• Cases per town include 592 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 107 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

Aug. 3 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Interactive map
Suburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 89,802 cases in the suburbs as of Monday. That's 49% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
There have been 3,809 deaths in the suburbs, representing 50.6% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Monday, suburban Cook County had 45,305 cases and 2,108 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 61,942 cases and 2,789 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,957 cases and 103 deaths in Des Plaines, 929 cases and 63 deaths in Wheeling, 896 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine, 766 cases and 23 deaths in Streamwood, 763 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 745 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg, 706 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights, 724 cases and 50 deaths in Glenview, 567 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 606 cases and 29 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 426 cases and 13 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 419 cases and 42 deaths in Northbrook, 414 cases and 39 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 301 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 147 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 11,514 cases and 510 deaths as of Monday.
• Top counts: 938 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 883 cases and 12 deaths in West Chicago, 766 cases and 12 deaths in Glendale Heights, 711 cases and 36 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 641 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 600 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 554 cases and 26 deaths in Lombard, 528 cases and 41 deaths in Elmhurst, 461 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 414 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton, 314 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn, 313 cases and 5 deaths in Villa Park, 297 cases and 3 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion).
Lake County • The county listed 12,101 cases and 427 deaths on its website Monday.
• Top counts as of Friday: 3,035 to 3,039 in Waukegan, 700 to 704 in Round Lake Beach, 450 to 454 in Mundelein, 380 to 384 in Gurnee, 310 to 314 in Round Lake, 225 to 229 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 240 to 244 in Lake Zurich, 215 to 219 in Vernon Hills, 185 to 189 in Wauconda, 180 to 184 in Libertyville, 155 to 159 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 9,330 cases with 299 deaths on its website Monday.
• Top counts: 3,782 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 2,183 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 862 in Carpentersville, 495 in St. Charles, 405 in South Elgin, 268 in Geneva, 260 in North Aurora, 213 in Batavia, and 73 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 2,968 cases and 113 deaths, according to the health department Monday.
Will County• 8,650 cases and 339 deaths, as of Monday.
• Cases per town include 592 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 107 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Teachers union calls for online-only instruction in Elmhurst District 205

The teachers union in Elmhurst Unit District 205 is calling for the academic year to begin with online-only learning , signaling growing resistance to school reopening plans as coronavirus cases continue to climb .
The leader of the Elmhurst Teachers ' Council , the union that represents more than 700 district educators , said the school board 's model `` brings too many students back into the classroom far too quickly . ''
The board last month approved a plan to provide full-time , in-person instruction for elementary and early childhood students .
Middle and high school students would follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose a remote option .
But teachers describe proposed safeguards as inadequate or unattainable in school buildings .
Council President Max Schoenberg said switching to an all-virtual format would enable the district to focus on one mode of instruction and avoid the `` nonstop '' educational and emotional disruptions created by confirmed virus cases .
`` It is a certainty that if we bring students back into the building , the coronavirus is going to spread , and that means that classrooms are going to start going into quarantine , '' Schoenberg told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a very tough situation where students could go home not knowing whether or not they 're going to set foot in their school the next day . ''
The council issued a statement Monday through the Illinois Federation of Teachers , pressing the district to change course .
It comes one week before the school board 's next meeting Aug. 11 .
`` The science says to limit large gatherings , maintain distance , and wear masks , '' the council statement read .
`` These are practically impossible for students to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an intellectually thriving , physically active and emotionally caring environment . ''
Schoenberg also cited staffing challenges with the existing plan .
At least 200 teachers have submitted doctors ' notes about underlying conditions that put them at elevated risk for contracting COVID-19 .
`` If the entire district works together to start the year with online learning , then students can take the classes that they signed up for , '' he said .
Superintendent David Moyer said administrators and council leadership have scheduled additional reopening talks for next week .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July , administrators met with union officials and agreed to begin reopening conversations around two topics , `` with further conversations on hold until additional information became available , '' Moyer said in a statement .
`` The administration is looking forward to a collaborative dialogue about how to best support student learning , while protecting the health and safety of our students and staff , '' Moyer said .
The district also worked with the council to establish its Open D205 Committee .
More than half the committee members were teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moyer said .
`` The administration has worked with the DuPage Health Department to develop a decision making matrix should a move to full remote learning be deemed necessary , which will be shared with the public this week , '' Moyer said in the statement .
`` Since the board approved the plan , many factors are being considered about how to implement the plan at each of our school sites , including the fact that 85 % of our parents would like their students in school in either an in-person or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our teachers . ''
The district and the board will continue to monitor the health environment and make adjustments , Moyer said .
The health department has reported 528 confirmed cases and 41 deaths in Elmhurst since the start of the pandemic .
The union on Monday also encouraged the district to provide professional development to improve the remote learning experience and work with community groups to make child-care available to families .
`` We should plan for how to bring students back to school , but we should plan to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health conditions have improved , '' Schoenberg said .

Teachers union calls for online-only instruction in Elmhurst District 205
The teachers union in Elmhurst Unit District 205 is calling for the academic year to begin with online-only learning, signaling growing resistance to school reopening plans as coronavirus cases continue to climb.
The leader of the Elmhurst Teachers' Council, the union that represents more than 700 district educators, said the school board's model "brings too many students back into the classroom far too quickly."
The board last month approved a plan to provide full-time, in-person instruction for elementary and early childhood students. Middle and high school students would follow a hybrid schedule. Families also can choose a remote option.
But teachers describe proposed safeguards as inadequate or unattainable in school buildings. Council President Max Schoenberg said switching to an all-virtual format would enable the district to focus on one mode of instruction and avoid the "nonstop" educational and emotional disruptions created by confirmed virus cases.
"It is a certainty that if we bring students back into the building, the coronavirus is going to spread, and that means that classrooms are going to start going into quarantine," Schoenberg told the Daily Herald. "We're in a very tough situation where students could go home not knowing whether or not they're going to set foot in their school the next day."
The council issued a statement Monday through the Illinois Federation of Teachers, pressing the district to change course. It comes one week before the school board's next meeting Aug. 11.
"The science says to limit large gatherings, maintain distance, and wear masks," the council statement read. "These are practically impossible for students to sustain and incompatible with daily life in an intellectually thriving, physically active and emotionally caring environment."
Schoenberg also cited staffing challenges with the existing plan. At least 200 teachers have submitted doctors' notes about underlying conditions that put them at elevated risk for contracting COVID-19.
"If the entire district works together to start the year with online learning, then students can take the classes that they signed up for," he said.
Superintendent David Moyer said administrators and council leadership have scheduled additional reopening talks for next week. Two days after the board approved the plan in July, administrators met with union officials and agreed to begin reopening conversations around two topics, "with further conversations on hold until additional information became available," Moyer said in a statement.
"The administration is looking forward to a collaborative dialogue about how to best support student learning, while protecting the health and safety of our students and staff," Moyer said.
The district also worked with the council to establish its Open D205 Committee. More than half the committee members were teachers and several were formal labor representatives, Moyer said.
"The administration has worked with the DuPage Health Department to develop a decision making matrix should a move to full remote learning be deemed necessary, which will be shared with the public this week," Moyer said in the statement. "Since the board approved the plan, many factors are being considered about how to implement the plan at each of our school sites, including the fact that 85% of our parents would like their students in school in either an in-person or hybrid model and the concerns expressed by our teachers."
The district and the board will continue to monitor the health environment and make adjustments, Moyer said.
The health department has reported 528 confirmed cases and 41 deaths in Elmhurst since the start of the pandemic.
The union on Monday also encouraged the district to provide professional development to improve the remote learning experience and work with community groups to make child-care available to families.
"We should plan for how to bring students back to school, but we should plan to do it in a very gradual way only when the health conditions have improved," Schoenberg said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Without federal relief, state faces big budget cuts, Pritzker warns

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Monday that Illinois faces the prospect of having to make deep spending cuts over the rest of the fiscal year if Congress does not pass an economic relief package that helps states make up for the massive loss in revenue they 've seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I continue to do my part to make calls , to make sure that people understand that Republican-led states and Democratic-led states all have this challenge of revenues that fell off a cliff because of COVID-19 , '' Pritzker said during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first appeared in Illinois in January and it quickly spread to all corners of the state , prompting Pritzker to issue a stay-at-home order that virtually shut down major segments of the economy .
Similar economic restrictions were imposed in other states as well , although many were less strict than those in Illinois .
As a result , base revenues flowing into state coffers fell during the fiscal year that ended June 30 by a little more than $ 1.1 billion .
In May , state lawmakers passed a budget for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That budget was roughly $ 5 billion out of balance compared to revenue estimates available at the time , but the plan was to fill in the gap by borrowing from the Federal Reserve and by passage of a proposed constitutional amendment to allow the state to levy a `` graduated '' income tax that would impose higher tax rates on higher levels of income .
The budget authorized borrowing roughly $ 4.5 billion through the Federal Reserve 's Municipal Liquidity Facility , something the Fed board approved earlier this year as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local governments make up for the loss of revenue they 've seen .
In Illinois , the plan was to borrow that money and pay it back with aid that lawmakers expected Congress to approve .
Republicans in the General Assembly argued against that plan , saying it would be unwise to rely on short-term borrowing to balance the budget , especially when it was still unknown what , if any , kind of relief package Congress would authorize in the future .
But Democrats argued that using the Federal Reserve 's credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it enabled the state to continue spending and spurring economic activity at a time when businesses and consumers could n't .
Now , as negotiations between the Democratic-led U.S. House and Republican-led U.S. Senate have dragged on , many observers say it looks increasingly less likely that the next economic relief package will include aid to states .
Although the House has passed its own version of a relief package that includes about $ 500 billion to help states make up for their lost revenue , the latest Senate proposal does not include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 23 , U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC that , `` the president is not going to bail out Chicago and New York and other states that prior to the coronavirus were mismanaged . ''
Without federal aid , however , Pritzker said Monday that there will be significant cuts and job layoffs in Illinois and throughout the country .
`` But this is going to be up to the Congress .
They 're the ones who have the ability to help us and to help all 50 states with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to be layoffs across the country , not just related to state government , but when you do n't fund state and local governments you 're going to see , and you 've already seen to some degree , layoffs , '' Pritzker said .
`` Not to mention those who provide services to state and local governments , private companies whose contracts no doubt will be put aside because the money is n't flowing , because we do n't have the ability to balance the budget in the way that @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Without federal relief, state faces big budget cuts, Pritzker warns
Gov. J.B. Pritzker answers questions from the media Monday after unveiling a new mask awareness campaign called "It Only Works If You Wear It" during a news conference in Springfield. Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday that Illinois faces the prospect of having to make deep spending cuts over the rest of the fiscal year if Congress does not pass an economic relief package that helps states make up for the massive loss in revenue they've seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I continue to do my part to make calls, to make sure that people understand that Republican-led states and Democratic-led states all have this challenge of revenues that fell off a cliff because of COVID-19," Pritzker said during a news conference in Springfield.
COVID-19 first appeared in Illinois in January and it quickly spread to all corners of the state, prompting Pritzker to issue a stay-at-home order that virtually shut down major segments of the economy. Similar economic restrictions were imposed in other states as well, although many were less strict than those in Illinois.
As a result, base revenues flowing into state coffers fell during the fiscal year that ended June 30 by a little more than $1.1 billion.
In May, state lawmakers passed a budget for the new fiscal year that began July 1. That budget was roughly $5 billion out of balance compared to revenue estimates available at the time, but the plan was to fill in the gap by borrowing from the Federal Reserve and by passage of a proposed constitutional amendment to allow the state to levy a "graduated" income tax that would impose higher tax rates on higher levels of income.
The budget authorized borrowing roughly $4.5 billion through the Federal Reserve's Municipal Liquidity Facility, something the Fed board approved earlier this year as a way to help state and large local governments make up for the loss of revenue they've seen.
In Illinois, the plan was to borrow that money and pay it back with aid that lawmakers expected Congress to approve.
Republicans in the General Assembly argued against that plan, saying it would be unwise to rely on short-term borrowing to balance the budget, especially when it was still unknown what, if any, kind of relief package Congress would authorize in the future.
But Democrats argued that using the Federal Reserve's credit program was the best option available because it enabled the state to continue spending and spurring economic activity at a time when businesses and consumers couldn't.
Now, as negotiations between the Democratic-led U.S. House and Republican-led U.S. Senate have dragged on, many observers say it looks increasingly less likely that the next economic relief package will include aid to states.
Although the House has passed its own version of a relief package that includes about $500 billion to help states make up for their lost revenue, the latest Senate proposal does not include such aid.
And as recently as July 23, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC that, "the president is not going to bail out Chicago and New York and other states that prior to the coronavirus were mismanaged."
Without federal aid, however, Pritzker said Monday that there will be significant cuts and job layoffs in Illinois and throughout the country.
"But this is going to be up to the Congress. They're the ones who have the ability to help us and to help all 50 states with the challenge we all have. But there are going to be layoffs across the country, not just related to state government, but when you don't fund state and local governments you're going to see, and you've already seen to some degree, layoffs," Pritzker said. "Not to mention those who provide services to state and local governments, private companies whose contracts no doubt will be put aside because the money isn't flowing, because we don't have the ability to balance the budget in the way that we had originally intended to."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--In Transit: The waiting is the hardest part at driver's facility, but it doesn't have to be

A three-hour wait to renew a driver 's license ?
It happened last week in Des Plaines with a perfect storm of end-of-the month sticker renewals and the ongoing backlog related to COVID-19 closures .
But there are ways to avoid a marathon session in the driver 's facility line amid a worldwide pandemic , said Dave Druker , spokesman for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White .
That advice is too late for Matt Arado , who showed up bright and early July 28 at the Des Plaines facility on Lee Street to renew his license , which expired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arado , a former Daily Herald writer , arrived shortly before 8 a.m. and finished up at about 11:30 a.m. '' Roughly three hours of that time was spent outside , waiting in line , '' he said .
`` No one was happy to be waiting for that long , obviously , but the mood was calm , '' Arado said , and everyone was wearing a face mask .
`` I got the sense that people understood that wait times would be long .
One person brought his own chair .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and got through nearly 100 pages . ''
And aside from one maskless passerby who yelled , `` Driving should be a right , not a privilege ! ''
at customers , there was little drama .
`` The employees did a good job keeping the line organized .
They came out early and walked the line to check everyone 's documents , etc.
, '' Arado said .
`` When we got closer to the entrance , they made sure to keep us roughly six feet apart .
Inside the building , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people like me , who were there just to renew . ''
There are 600,000 expired Illinois driver 's licenses and vehicle stickers , Druker said .
But there is no need to rush to get in line yet .
Because of closures during the state 's stay-at-home order , all licenses , driver 's licenses , ID cards , vehicle registration stickers , restricted driving permits and monitoring device driving permits `` currently expired or set to expire by Sept. 30 have been extended until Nov. 1 , '' officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours and days specific locations operate .
Numerous facilities are closed Monday and open Tuesday , meaning Tuesday mornings can be a crush .
In addition , sites are typically busier toward the end of the month when stickers go stale .
Also , `` I ca n't guarantee it , but some people have better luck going later in the afternoon rather than first thing in the morning , '' Druker said .
All employees and customers are required to wear face coverings , and plexiglass dividers are installed at work stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people inside a facility is limited , hence outside lines .
`` We 're asking customers to be patient when they come and we 'll get them through as fast as we can , '' Druker said .
Or you can avoid the in-person experience altogether and renew online , he recommended .
Druker noted that `` our employees make a concerted effort to find and bring inside the building , seniors , pregnant persons and those with disabilities .
If a customer is missed , they should seek out one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who will bring them inside . ''
And finally , for folks frenzied about meeting the REAL ID deadline , relax .
The date has been postponed a year to Oct. 1 , 2021 .
`` The project calls for expanded to three tracks along a 6.3-mile-long segment from Kress Road in West Chicago to Peck Road in Geneva , '' Metra spokeswoman Meg Thomas-Reile said .
`` The UP is currently finalizing real estate purchases required for the project , and the bid package for construction is currently under review with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Once the project is under contract and construction is underway , it is expected to take 24 months to complete .
`` The project plans show that an additional bridge will be needed for the third track at Route 31 , '' she said .
As reconstruction of the Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway grinds on , lane closures at the nexus with LaGrange Road start this week .
Northbound LaGrange Road will be down to two lanes through November between I-294 and 87th Street .
Expect delays during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Metra is adding more BNSF Line express trains and adjusting schedules starting Monday .
The 7:20 a.m. inbound train from Aurora will express from Brookfield to downtown , saving 10 minutes , and a 3:38 p.m. outbound train from Union Station will express to Brookfield then make all stops .
For details , go to metrarail.com .

In Transit: The waiting is the hardest part at driver's facility, but it doesn't have to be
Customers lined up at the Des Plaines secretary of state driver's facility July 21. Consider renewing online to avoid crowds and remember that extensions have been granted for many expired licenses and stickers, officials said. Courtesy of Matt Arado
A three-hour wait to renew a driver's license? It happened last week in Des Plaines with a perfect storm of end-of-the month sticker renewals and the ongoing backlog related to COVID-19 closures.
But there are ways to avoid a marathon session in the driver's facility line amid a worldwide pandemic, said Dave Druker, spokesman for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
That advice is too late for Matt Arado, who showed up bright and early July 28 at the Des Plaines facility on Lee Street to renew his license, which expired during the state's stay-at-home spring.
Arado, a former Daily Herald writer, arrived shortly before 8 a.m. and finished up at about 11:30 a.m.
"Roughly three hours of that time was spent outside, waiting in line," he said.
"No one was happy to be waiting for that long, obviously, but the mood was calm," Arado said, and everyone was wearing a face mask. "I got the sense that people understood that wait times would be long. One person brought his own chair. I brought the book I'm reading and got through nearly 100 pages."
And aside from one maskless passerby who yelled, "Driving should be a right, not a privilege!" at customers, there was little drama.
"The employees did a good job keeping the line organized. They came out early and walked the line to check everyone's documents, etc.," Arado said. "When we got closer to the entrance, they made sure to keep us roughly six feet apart. Inside the building, things moved fairly quickly -- at least for people like me, who were there just to renew."
There are 600,000 expired Illinois driver's licenses and vehicle stickers, Druker said. But there is no need to rush to get in line yet.
Because of closures during the state's stay-at-home order, all licenses, driver's licenses, ID cards, vehicle registration stickers, restricted driving permits and monitoring device driving permits "currently expired or set to expire by Sept. 30 have been extended until Nov. 1," officials said.
Druker also recommended checking cyberdriveillinois.com for hours and days specific locations operate. Numerous facilities are closed Monday and open Tuesday, meaning Tuesday mornings can be a crush. In addition, sites are typically busier toward the end of the month when stickers go stale.
Also, "I can't guarantee it, but some people have better luck going later in the afternoon rather than first thing in the morning," Druker said.
All employees and customers are required to wear face coverings, and plexiglass dividers are installed at work stations. Six-foot distancing is mandated and the number of people inside a facility is limited, hence outside lines.
"We're asking customers to be patient when they come and we'll get them through as fast as we can," Druker said.
Or you can avoid the in-person experience altogether and renew online, he recommended.
Druker noted that "our employees make a concerted effort to find and bring inside the building, seniors, pregnant persons and those with disabilities. If a customer is missed, they should seek out one of our employees wearing an orange vest, who will bring them inside."
And finally, for folks frenzied about meeting the REAL ID deadline, relax. The date has been postponed a year to Oct. 1, 2021.
Your voice
Metra Union Pacific West Line rider Katie Sherwood asked what's happening with additional tracks west of West Chicago.
"The project calls for expanded to three tracks along a 6.3-mile-long segment from Kress Road in West Chicago to Peck Road in Geneva," Metra spokeswoman Meg Thomas-Reile said. "The UP is currently finalizing real estate purchases required for the project, and the bid package for construction is currently under review with plans to go to bid later this year. Once the project is under contract and construction is underway, it is expected to take 24 months to complete.
"The project plans show that an additional bridge will be needed for the third track at Route 31," she said.
Gridlock alert
As reconstruction of the Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway grinds on, lane closures at the nexus with LaGrange Road start this week. Northbound LaGrange Road will be down to two lanes through November between I-294 and 87th Street. Expect delays during rush-hour.
Gains in trains
As ridership crawls back, Metra is adding more BNSF Line express trains and adjusting schedules starting Monday. The 7:20 a.m. inbound train from Aurora will express from Brookfield to downtown, saving 10 minutes, and a 3:38 p.m. outbound train from Union Station will express to Brookfield then make all stops. For details, go to metrarail.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Kane County holds first jury trial since COVID-19 outbreak

Kane County began its first jury trial Monday -- a case of a St. Charles man accused of punching a police officer in April 2019 during a warrant arrest -- since the COVID-19 pandemic ground operations almost to a halt in mid-March .
Judge D.J .
Tegeler presided over the trial of Eric E. Ericson , 63 , of the 1400 block of South Fourth Street , who is charged with felony aggravated battery to a police officer and misdemeanor resisting arrest .
Officials used the largest courtroom at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles for the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected in the morning and were seated in the benches normally reserved for audience members .
The general public was not allowed into the courtroom ; rather , a closed-circuit TV showed the courtroom proceedings in the lower level of the judicial center .
`` We are very happy to report that we held our first criminal jury trial since the COVID outbreak , '' said Clint Hull , chief judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit .
`` The measures that were implemented for the protection of the jurors , litigants and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appreciative of the cooperation we have received from all our judicial partners and look forward to holding criminal trials on a weekly basis . ''
Kane , along with other counties , has had to restrict the number of jurors summoned to potentially serve to about 46 instead of the 150 to 160 normally called .
Hull said he was `` pleased with the high number '' of jurors who reported for duty , although he could not immediately provide an exact tally .
McHenry County courts were the first in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
DuPage County resumed trials the week of July 20 .
No timeline has been set for Cook and Lake counties to resume jury trials .
Audio issues occurred during morning jury selection , but by afternoon and testimony of St. Charles police officer Rick Murkowski , everyone came through loud and clear .
Murkowski said he was on patrol and in full uniform the night of Aug. 30 , 2019 , when he learned of an arrest warrant for Ericson .
The officer went to the residence on South Fourth Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fixing a washing machine in the basement .
Ericson yelled that he wanted police out of his house and left through a rear door before Murkowski could call for backup officers .
Murkowski testified that he was punched in the left eye area by Ericson in the backyard and Ericson tried to run off but was caught and cuffed .
Ericson yelled obscenities at officers and said , `` I hope you die before you get your pensions , '' on the way to the station .
Ericson , who acted as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross-examining Murkowski , and drew several admonishments from Tegeler to stop editorializing and to ask questions .
During a 15-minute recess , two courthouse workers , clad in masks and gloves , entered the courtroom and sprayed and wiped down the witness stand , lectern for attorneys , and other areas .
Masks are required at the courthouse , but Tegeler told witnesses they may remove their masks when testifying .
A bailiff cleaned the witness stand with a sanitizing wipe after each new witness was called .
Attorneys and judges popped in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check out the courtroom layout as shown on the closed circuit TV .
The trial will resume Tuesday and court officials expect a full docket for trials next week .

Kane County holds first jury trial since COVID-19 outbreak
Kane County began its first jury trial Monday -- a case of a St. Charles man accused of punching a police officer in April 2019 during a warrant arrest -- since the COVID-19 pandemic ground operations almost to a halt in mid-March.
Judge D.J. Tegeler presided over the trial of Eric E. Ericson, 63, of the 1400 block of South Fourth Street, who is charged with felony aggravated battery to a police officer and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
Officials used the largest courtroom at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles for the trial.
Twelve jurors and two alternates were selected in the morning and were seated in the benches normally reserved for audience members.
The general public was not allowed into the courtroom; rather, a closed-circuit TV showed the courtroom proceedings in the lower level of the judicial center.
"We are very happy to report that we held our first criminal jury trial since the COVID outbreak," said Clint Hull, chief judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit. "The measures that were implemented for the protection of the jurors, litigants and staff worked as planned. We are very appreciative of the cooperation we have received from all our judicial partners and look forward to holding criminal trials on a weekly basis."
Kane, along with other counties, has had to restrict the number of jurors summoned to potentially serve to about 46 instead of the 150 to 160 normally called. Hull said he was "pleased with the high number" of jurors who reported for duty, although he could not immediately provide an exact tally.
McHenry County courts were the first in the state to hold a jury trial on June 1. DuPage County resumed trials the week of July 20. No timeline has been set for Cook and Lake counties to resume jury trials.
Audio issues occurred during morning jury selection, but by afternoon and testimony of St. Charles police officer Rick Murkowski, everyone came through loud and clear.
Murkowski said he was on patrol and in full uniform the night of Aug. 30, 2019, when he learned of an arrest warrant for Ericson. The officer went to the residence on South Fourth Street, where Ericson's tenants said he was fixing a washing machine in the basement.
Ericson yelled that he wanted police out of his house and left through a rear door before Murkowski could call for backup officers.
Murkowski testified that he was punched in the left eye area by Ericson in the backyard and Ericson tried to run off but was caught and cuffed. Ericson yelled obscenities at officers and said, "I hope you die before you get your pensions," on the way to the station.
Ericson, who acted as his own attorney, was combative when cross-examining Murkowski, and drew several admonishments from Tegeler to stop editorializing and to ask questions.
During a 15-minute recess, two courthouse workers, clad in masks and gloves, entered the courtroom and sprayed and wiped down the witness stand, lectern for attorneys, and other areas.
Masks are required at the courthouse, but Tegeler told witnesses they may remove their masks when testifying. A bailiff cleaned the witness stand with a sanitizing wipe after each new witness was called.
Attorneys and judges popped in and out of the basement room to check out the courtroom layout as shown on the closed circuit TV. The trial will resume Tuesday and court officials expect a full docket for trials next week.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Report: 'Field of Dreams' game canceled; White Sox will play in Iowa next season

In a season that is spiraling into a nightmare for multiple major league teams , playing the `` Field of @ @ @ @ @ seemed like a good idea for weeks , if not months .
The White Sox @ @ @ @ @ originally scheduled to play Aug. 13 in Dyersville , Iowa .
When the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ the status of the game was in jeopardy until July 1 , when Major League @ @ @ @ @ Cardinals as the Sox 's new opponent in Iowa .
On Monday , The Athletic @ @ @ @ @ `` Field of Dreams '' game has been canceled .
Rosenthal cited logistical issues of @ @ @ @ @ Iowa led to the decision .
The Cardinals ' growing numbers of positive COVID-19 tests @ @ @ @ @ The Des Moines Register is reporting the White Sox will return to Dyersville in 2021 @ @ @ @ @ named later .

Reports: 'Field of Dreams' game canceled; White Sox will play in Iowa next season
Light stands near the "Field of Dreams" movie site are seen in June in Dyersville, Iowa. Major League Baseball has reportedly canceled the Aug. 13 game between the White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. Associated Press
In a season that is spiraling into a nightmare for multiple major-league teams, playing the "Field of Dreams" game has not seemed like a good idea for weeks, if not months.
The White Sox and New York Yankees originally were scheduled to play in Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 13.
When the coronavirus pandemic halted play on March 12, the status of the game was in jeopardy until July 1. That's when MLB announced the St. Louis Cardinals as the Sox's new opponent in Iowa.
On Monday, the Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported the "Field of Dreams" game has been canceled.
Rosenthal cited logistical issues of getting in and out of Iowa for the decision. The Cardinals' growing numbers of positive COVID-19 tests also were likely factors.
The Des Moines Register is reporting the White Sox will return to Dyersville in 2021 against an opponent to be named later.
The Sox were excited about playing in Iowa back in spring training, but much has changed over the past six months.
"I'm sad," said standout White Sox relief pitcher Aaron Bummer. "It's something that would be pretty awesome to be out there. I'm from Omaha, so I know guys were talking about that, family members. People in Nebraska, in general, were excited for that game to get some more baseball into the Midwest.
"I'm sad that it's going to be gone, but if that's the safest decision, that's something that I'm completely on board with. If it's an extra risk, to me, it's not necessarily worth it. Hopefully we get to be a part of it next year."
Richard returns:
The Sox announced they had signed Clayton Richard to a minor-league contract and assigned the veteran left-handed pitcher to their Schaumburg training facility.
The 36-year-old Richard was the White Sox's fifth-round draft pick in 2005 out of Michigan.
Pitching for the Sox in 2008 and part of '09 before going to the Padres in the Jake Peavy trade, Richard was 6-8 with a 5.14 ERA in 39 games (22 starts).
Last season, he was 1-5 with a 5.96 ERA in 10 starts for the Blue Jays.
Lambert update:
The White Sox placed right-handed pitcher Jimmy Lambert on the 45-day injured list Monday.
Just over a year removed from Tommy John surgery, Lambert was placed on the IL last week with a right-forearm strain. He pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief this season.
"Right now, it's just a forearm strain," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "They believe with rest and whatever treatments they give him, he'll be able to rebound. At this point, it looked like he was going to be about six weeks. It just made sense to go ahead and allow him to go through the healing process."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--July cannabis sales set record at nearly $61 million

July was another record month for marijuana dispensaries in Illinois .
The businesses sold more than $ 60.9 million worth of products , according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation .
Last month , dispensaries surpassed the 1 million mark for items sold for the first time , ringing up 1,270,063 individual products for customers .
That was an increase from 994,545 products sold in June .
The average purchase in July was $ 47.99 , not including taxes .
Since cannabis use and possession for people 21 and older became legal Jan. 1 , Illinois dispensaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana products .
Lines on the first day of sales snaked along for blocks .
Monthly sales have continued to grow as supplies have increased and more shops have opened .
Sales at the roughly 60 dispensaries in Illinois last month included $ 44.7 million worth of products sold to Illinois residents and $ 16.2 million to residents of other states -- both of which are new monthly records .
These sales figures likely will lead to a record in tax revenue , as well .
The state during the first six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in adult-use marijuana taxes , including $ 34.7 million in excise taxes and $ 18 million in sales taxes that will be shared with local governments .
July tax figures are expected to be released later this week .
The state taxes marijuana based on its potency , ranging from 10 % to 25 % .
Money generated from the state 's marijuana tax will go into multiple coffers .
The state 's general fund gets 35 % , a community development revitalization program for areas affected by the criminalization of marijuana gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to substance abuse and mental health programs and 10 % goes toward the state 's backlog of unpaid bills .
Local government law enforcement agencies receive 8 % , and 2 % goes to public education and analysis of marijuana legalization .
Legalization of marijuana has been a bright spot for Illinois finances , with revenues otherwise dwindling during the COVID-19 pandemic .

July cannabis sales set record at nearly $61 million
July was another record month for marijuana dispensaries in Illinois.
The businesses sold more than $60.9 million worth of products, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Last month, dispensaries surpassed the 1 million mark for items sold for the first time, ringing up 1,270,063 individual products for customers. That was an increase from 994,545 products sold in June. The average purchase in July was $47.99, not including taxes.
Since cannabis use and possession for people 21 and older became legal Jan. 1, Illinois dispensaries have sold $300.1 million worth of marijuana products. Lines on the first day of sales snaked along for blocks. Monthly sales have continued to grow as supplies have increased and more shops have opened.
Sales at the roughly 60 dispensaries in Illinois last month included $44.7 million worth of products sold to Illinois residents and $16.2 million to residents of other states -- both of which are new monthly records.
These sales figures likely will lead to a record in tax revenue, as well. The state during the first six months of the year collected $52 million in adult-use marijuana taxes, including $34.7 million in excise taxes and $18 million in sales taxes that will be shared with local governments.
July tax figures are expected to be released later this week.
The state taxes marijuana based on its potency, ranging from 10% to 25%. Money generated from the state's marijuana tax will go into multiple coffers.
The state's general fund gets 35%, a community development revitalization program for areas affected by the criminalization of marijuana gets 25%, while 20% goes to substance abuse and mental health programs and 10% goes toward the state's backlog of unpaid bills. Local government law enforcement agencies receive 8%, and 2% goes to public education and analysis of marijuana legalization.
Legalization of marijuana has been a bright spot for Illinois finances, with revenues otherwise dwindling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Daily Herald staff writer Jake Griffin contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Ex-Glendale Heights administrator pleads guilty to DUI

Former Glendale Heights village administrator Raquel Becerra pleaded guilty July 23 to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence @ @ @ @ @ to 18 months of court supervision and 100 hours of community service .
Becerra , @ @ @ @ @ for 100 months of service she did at Family of Faith Christian Church while awaiting @ @ @ @ @ a crash Sept. 2 , 2019 , at Schmale Road and West Stevenson Drive .
@ @ @ @ @ blood alcohol content was at .25 four hours after the crash , according to a @ @ @ @ @ .
She was charged in October with DUI , leaving the scene of a property-damage @ @ @ @ @ sign and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident .
From then until March @ @ @ @ @ , using accrued benefit time and Family and Medical Leave Act provisions .
She resigned @ @ @ @ @ being fired .
Becerra began working for the village in 2007 as a human resources @ @ @ @ @ administrator about eight years ago .

Ex-Glendale Heights administrator pleads guilty to DUI
Former Glendale Heights village administrator Raquel Becerra pleaded guilty July 23 to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and was sentenced to 18 months of court supervision and 100 hours of community service.
Becerra, 48, was given credit for 100 months of service she did at Family of Faith Christian Church while awaiting trial.
Becerra was in a crash Sept. 2, 2019, at Schmale Road and West Stevenson Drive. A hospital test showed her blood alcohol content was at .25 four hours after the crash, according to a police officer's sworn report.
She was charged in October with DUI, leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, disobeying a stop sign and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
From then until March, she was on leave, using accrued benefit time and Family and Medical Leave Act provisions.
She resigned in March in lieu of being fired.
Becerra began working for the village in 2007 as a human resources director. She became its administrator about eight years ago.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Chicago teachers, activists urge keeping schools closed during pandemic

As the debate heats up nationwide over the reopening of schools , Chicago teachers , activists and families rallied Monday @ @ @ @ @ oppose a planned return to classrooms when Chicago Public Schools classes resume next month .
@ @ @ @ @ officials have proposed a return to schools that would put most students in classrooms two @ @ @ @ @ staff , including teachers , four days a week .
They 've asked families sign @ @ @ @ @ fully remote learning by this Friday .
The most vocal leader in the push to @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago Teachers Union , which has said it believes in-person instruction is not safe @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 continues to spread .

Chicago teachers, activists urge keeping schools closed during pandemic
As the debate heats up nationwide over the reopening of schools, Chicago teachers, activists and families rallied Monday outside Chicago City Hall to oppose a planned return to classrooms when Chicago Public Schools classes resume next month.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS officials have proposed a return to schools that would put most students in classrooms two days a week and school staff, including teachers, four days a week. They've asked families sign up children for in-person or fully remote learning by this Friday.
The most vocal leader in the push to keep school buildings closed is the Chicago Teachers Union, which has said it believes in-person instruction is not safe for teachers or students as COVID-19 continues to spread.
For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Feder: Pat Cassidy keeps Newsradio on top of the Chicago radio morning ratings

Pat Cassidy , who 's been a warm and welcome fixture of morning drive radio in Chicago for more than 45 years , is now No .
1 all by himself .
In the first full ratings period since Felicia Middlebrooks retired as his co-anchor , Cassidy retained the top spot ( and the same audience share as last month ) as solo morning anchor at Entercom all-news WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM , Robert Feder writes .
A Chicago native who began his career at the former WEXI in Arlington Heights , Cassidy spent 25 years on the former WMAQ before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been there ever since -- except for an 18-month detour with talk show host Mancow Muller .
Nielsen Audio ratings released Monday showed WBBM Newsradio in first place overall for the sixth consecutive month as well as first in mornings and afternoons ( with Keith Johnson and Lisa Fielding ) .
Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV 97.1-FM again finished second , with The Drive 's Bob Stroud leading in middays .
In third place was iHeartMedia R & B WVAZ 102.7-FM , with the syndicated Keith Sweat winning evenings .
Among music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adult album alternative WXRT 93.1-FM .
Other notable upticks were Hubbard hot adult-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM , iHeartMedia Top 40 WKSC 103.5-FM , and Entercom To 40 WBBM 96.3-FM .
Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Pat Cassidy keeps Newsradio on top of the Chicago radio morning ratings
In the first full ratings period since Felicia Middlebrooks retired as his co-anchor, Pat Cassidy retained the top spot (and the same audience share as last month) as solo morning anchor at Entercom all-news WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM.
Pat Cassidy, who's been a warm and welcome fixture of morning drive radio in Chicago for more than 45 years, is now No. 1 all by himself.
In the first full ratings period since Felicia Middlebrooks retired as his co-anchor, Cassidy retained the top spot (and the same audience share as last month) as solo morning anchor at Entercom all-news WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM, Robert Feder writes.
A Chicago native who began his career at the former WEXI in Arlington Heights, Cassidy spent 25 years on the former WMAQ before joining Newsradio 780 in 2000. He's been there ever since -- except for an 18-month detour with talk show host Mancow Muller.
Nielsen Audio ratings released Monday showed WBBM Newsradio in first place overall for the sixth consecutive month as well as first in mornings and afternoons (with Keith Johnson and Lisa Fielding).
Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV 97.1-FM again finished second, with The Drive's Bob Stroud leading in middays. In third place was iHeartMedia R&B WVAZ 102.7-FM, with the syndicated Keith Sweat winning evenings.
Among music stations, the biggest gainer was Entercom adult album alternative WXRT 93.1-FM. Other notable upticks were Hubbard hot adult-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM, iHeartMedia Top 40 WKSC 103.5-FM, and Entercom To 40 WBBM 96.3-FM.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--One person killed in I-290 crash in DuPage County

One person was killed in a crash Monday morning on I-290 west of North Avenue in DuPage County .
State @ @ @ @ @ at 6:54 a.m. and involved a semitrailer truck and a passenger car .
The driver @ @ @ @ @ .
The person 's identity has not been released .
The truck was traveling behind @ @ @ @ @ , failed to reduce speed and hit the car .
The truck was being driven @ @ @ @ @ Chicago .
No charges have been filed .
The investigation is ongoing .

One person killed in I-290 crash in DuPage County
One person was killed in a crash Monday morning on I-290 west of North Avenue in DuPage County.
State police report the crash happened at 6:54 a.m. and involved a semitrailer truck and a passenger car.
The driver of the car was killed. The person's identity has not been released.
The truck was traveling behind a Buick on westbound I-290, failed to reduce speed and hit the car.
The truck was being driven by a 55-year-old man from Chicago.
No charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Libertyville musician busks for charity with 'Bassoons Filling Bellies'

You may have seen street musicians playing , instrument cases open for donations , in a practice called busking .
But it 's unlikely you 've seen someone playing the bassoon for coins or bills .
Or for that matter , know what a bassoon is or what it sounds like .
For the record , it 's a double reed woodwind instrument usually measuring about 4½-feet long and traditionally played in orchestral or band settings .
`` It 's unique .
A bit mysterious and a bit unusual , '' said Libertyville resident Harriet Legan , who switched to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year of high school .
Now , for Legan and six fellow students from Ball State University , the bassoon has become a way to feed the hungry during the coronavirus pandemic .
Bassoons Filling Bellies is the name of their group and their cause , said Legan , who graduated this year with bachelor 's degrees in speech pathology and French while minoring in bassoon performance .
`` We 're virtually busking for Feeding America , '' she added .
`` We 're just performing music and hope they ( online audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
After being sent home to finish college online , Legan and fellow members of Ball State 's Bassoon Studio who were scattered across the country looked for a way to benefit others .
With job loss in the wake of COVID-19 and food banks struggling to keep pace , the musicians determined that addressing food insecurity was a significant and immediate need .
`` We decided to try and support that cause .
We thought , 'What skills do we have to help others ? '
'' she said .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meals for every $ 1 donated , as offering a good bang for the virtual buck , according to Legan .
To compile their Bassoons Filling Bellies performances , individual musicians send audio and video of their parts to a member of the group , who assembles them into one piece for posting online .
The posts are 90 seconds to three minutes in length .
`` They 're not super long .
Just enough to send people a smile , '' Legan said .
Seventeen pieces have been published since the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most recent Monday .
If listeners like what they hear , they can follow the link to Feeding America and donate .
As of Friday , the group had raised enough to provide 13,800 meals , Legan said .
So why bassoon ?
Legan said she played saxophone through freshman year at Libertyville High School but was asked to switch after an opening surfaced .
`` I gave it a try and loved it , '' Legan said .
`` It sounds dark , warm , mellow .
It 's easier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not be a Bassoon World Tour , but the instrument has had its moments .
In Sergei Prokofiev 's 1936 composition `` Peter and the Wolf , '' the grandfather character is represented by a bassoon .
The `` Sorcerer 's Apprentice '' composed by Paul Dukas in 1897 features the bassoon and was used in Disney 's `` Fantasia . ''
Her mother , Anne , was skeptical about the instrument switch at first .
`` I thought , 'Are you sure you want to play that ? '
`` she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was that , really . ''

Libertyville musician busks for charity with 'Bassoons Filling Bellies'
Students and recent graduates of Ball State University's Bassoon Studio started a campaign called "Bassoons Filling Bellies" to support Feeding America. Here the play a Looney Tunes Melody. YouTube screen shot
Libertyville resident Harriet Legan is part of a group that has combined a love of music with a good cause Courtesy of Harriet Legan
Bassoonists who recently graduated from Ball State University's Bassoon Studio, including Harríet Legan of Libertyville, in upper left, have been performing virtual concerts as Bassoons Filling Bellies to raise money for meals for those in need during the pandemic. Courtesy of Harriet Legan
Students and recent graduates of Ball State University's Bassoon Studio started a campaign called "Bassoons Filling Bellies" to support Feeding America. Here the play "Chattanooga Choo Choo." YouTube screen shot
You may have seen street musicians playing, instrument cases open for donations, in a practice called busking.
But it's unlikely you've seen someone playing the bassoon for coins or bills. Or for that matter, know what a bassoon is or what it sounds like.
For the record, it's a double reed woodwind instrument usually measuring about 4½-feet long and traditionally played in orchestral or band settings.
"It's unique. A bit mysterious and a bit unusual," said Libertyville resident Harriet Legan, who switched to the bassoon from saxophone during her sophomore year of high school.
Now, for Legan and six fellow students from Ball State University, the bassoon has become a way to feed the hungry during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bassoons Filling Bellies is the name of their group and their cause, said Legan, who graduated this year with bachelor's degrees in speech pathology and French while minoring in bassoon performance.
"We're virtually busking for Feeding America," she added. "We're just performing music and hope they (online audience) throw coins in our tip jar."
After being sent home to finish college online, Legan and fellow members of Ball State's Bassoon Studio who were scattered across the country looked for a way to benefit others.
With job loss in the wake of COVID-19 and food banks struggling to keep pace, the musicians determined that addressing food insecurity was a significant and immediate need.
"We decided to try and support that cause. We thought, 'What skills do we have to help others?'" she said.
They chose Feeding America, which provides 10 meals for every $1 donated, as offering a good bang for the virtual buck, according to Legan.
To compile their Bassoons Filling Bellies performances, individual musicians send audio and video of their parts to a member of the group, who assembles them into one piece for posting online. The posts are 90 seconds to three minutes in length.
"They're not super long. Just enough to send people a smile," Legan said.
Seventeen pieces have been published since the group's YouTube debut on May 28, the most recent Monday. If listeners like what they hear, they can follow the link to Feeding America and donate. As of Friday, the group had raised enough to provide 13,800 meals, Legan said.
So why bassoon? Legan said she played saxophone through freshman year at Libertyville High School but was asked to switch after an opening surfaced.
"I gave it a try and loved it," Legan said. "It sounds dark, warm, mellow. It's easier to listen to than describe."
There may not be a Bassoon World Tour, but the instrument has had its moments.
In Sergei Prokofiev's 1936 composition "Peter and the Wolf," the grandfather character is represented by a bassoon. The "Sorcerer's Apprentice" composed by Paul Dukas in 1897 features the bassoon and was used in Disney's "Fantasia."
Her mother, Anne, was skeptical about the instrument switch at first.
"I thought, 'Are you sure you want to play that?' " she said. "She liked it and that was that, really."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-04--Plan to convert Grandt's into Mariano's gas station rejected board Arlington Heights board

The Arlington Heights village board late Monday unanimously turned down a plan to turn a long-standing mom-and-pop gas station into what they feared would become a high-volume station with more traffic .
Following a marathon 3-hour discussion during a meeting held virtually , the board unanimously denied a special-use permit for a Mariano 's gas station on the site of the iconic Grandt 's Shell service station at Northwest Highway and Belmont Avenue .
`` That station is iconic .
It was like Mayberry R.F.D.
, '' said Trustee Jim Tinaglia .
`` I feel like Goober would come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your gas . ''
But of the Mariano 's proposal , Tinaglia said : `` Right now , this does not look like Mayberry to me anymore .
...
This is not a neighborhood gas station .
This is a destination gas station . ''
Many trustees said they were in favor of Mariano 's proposal in concept -- which would encourage shoppers of the nearby grocery store to earn fuel rewards points -- but they hoped to see it built in a different location .
In the end , the elected panel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the nearby Recreation Park neighborhood about the potential increase in traffic volumes -- perhaps by at least tenfold , under one estimate .
Plans called for demolition of the Grandt 's service station and removal of its four existing gas pumps -- including one that still operates as a full-service pump .
Five new pumps and a small retail sales kiosk were proposed on the 18,150-square-foot site .
The plan was strongly opposed by the Arlington Heights Park District , which has long-sought the property to be able to expand the neighboring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Mariano 's station would n't be harmonious or compatible with the area .
And despite negotiations that fell through previously , she promised to `` work with the Grandt family to make sure a fair and equitable transaction occurs . ''
Park board Commissioner Rob Nesvacil said Monday the last best offer the district made owner Craig Grandt was $ 935,000 , plus the removal of underground tanks and environmental cleanup .
But Grandt disputed that figure , saying the district offered 30 % below what was finally taken with Mariano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was trying to `` torpedo '' the deal and put his retirement in jeopardy .
`` If the park wanted it so bad , then the park should 've anted up in final hour when they knew what it was being sold for , and they did not , '' Grandt said .
Noting that the village is a separate governmental entity from the park district , members of the village board said they did not base their decision on whether the site should be park property , but on the intensity of @ @ @ @

Plan to convert Grandt's into Mariano's gas station rejected by Arlington Heights board
The Arlington Heights village board late Monday unanimously turned down a plan to turn a long-standing mom-and-pop gas station into what they feared would become a high-volume station with more traffic.
Following a marathon 3-hour discussion during a meeting held virtually, the board unanimously denied a special-use permit for a Mariano's gas station on the site of the iconic Grandt's Shell service station at Northwest Highway and Belmont Avenue.
"That station is iconic. It was like Mayberry R.F.D.," said Trustee Jim Tinaglia. "I feel like Goober would come out and wash your windows and fill up your gas."
But of the Mariano's proposal, Tinaglia said: "Right now, this does not look like Mayberry to me anymore. ... This is not a neighborhood gas station. This is a destination gas station."
Many trustees said they were in favor of Mariano's proposal in concept -- which would encourage shoppers of the nearby grocery store to earn fuel rewards points -- but they hoped to see it built in a different location. In the end, the elected panel was sympathetic to arguments from many residents in the nearby Recreation Park neighborhood about the potential increase in traffic volumes -- perhaps by at least tenfold, under one estimate.
Plans called for demolition of the Grandt's service station and removal of its four existing gas pumps -- including one that still operates as a full-service pump. Five new pumps and a small retail sales kiosk were proposed on the 18,150-square-foot site.
The plan was strongly opposed by the Arlington Heights Park District, which has long-sought the property to be able to expand the neighboring park.
Park board President Maryfran Leno said the Mariano's station wouldn't be harmonious or compatible with the area. And despite negotiations that fell through previously, she promised to "work with the Grandt family to make sure a fair and equitable transaction occurs."
Park board Commissioner Rob Nesvacil said Monday the last best offer the district made owner Craig Grandt was $935,000, plus the removal of underground tanks and environmental cleanup.
But Grandt disputed that figure, saying the district offered 30% below what was finally taken with Mariano's. And he said the district was trying to "torpedo" the deal and put his retirement in jeopardy.
"If the park wanted it so bad, then the park should've anted up in final hour when they knew what it was being sold for, and they did not," Grandt said.
Noting that the village is a separate governmental entity from the park district, members of the village board said they did not base their decision on whether the site should be park property, but on the intensity of the proposed use.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Chiropractic office approved for Foxfire Plaza in Palatine

Palatine village council members Monday night approved a proposal for a chiropractor 's office that has plans to gradually expand into other services such as Chinese herbal medicine at Rand and Hicks roads .
Foundations Spine & Well-Necessities will open in two tenant spaces covering roughly a combined 2,400 square feet in Foxfire Plaza , which is anchored by Butera Market .
The medical office will be adjacent to Papa Ray 's Pizza and Wings fronting Rand Road .
Council members at Monday evening 's meeting approved a special-use permit for Foundations to open next door to the restaurant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ building and zoning , said the projected traffic to the medical facility could boost business elsewhere in Foxfire Plaza with a `` turn of the dollar '' if someone with an appointment visits the pizza restaurant or other tenants there .
`` I know we 're looking for in our shopping centers diversity in tenants , so if you have a medical office , we need to ensure that 's included in some type of retail use , '' Vyverberg said .
Foundations plans to start with chiropractic services , according to owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gradual expansion of services is expected to include Chinese herbal medicine , diet and nutrition advice , acupuncture and physical therapy .
Foundations projects 10 to 30 patient visits per hour in the beginning .
By the fifth year , 30 to 50 patients an hour -- many of them family members arriving together -- are expected to seek services .
At a Palatine zoning board of appeals hearing last month , Chakalian said there is a community need for the chiropractic office he intends to open off Rand .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Foundations in the beginning , but more hires are projected as the business expands .
Vyverberg said Foundations must apply for a building permit to renovate its space .
A tentative occupancy date is not yet known .

Chiropractic office approved for Foxfire Plaza in Palatine
Foundations Spine & Well-Necessities will open in two tenant spaces covering roughly a combined 2,400 square feet in Foxfire Plaza in Palatine.
Palatine village council members Monday night approved a proposal for a chiropractor's office that has plans to gradually expand into other services such as Chinese herbal medicine at Rand and Hicks roads.
Foundations Spine & Well-Necessities will open in two tenant spaces covering roughly a combined 2,400 square feet in Foxfire Plaza, which is anchored by Butera Market. The medical office will be adjacent to Papa Ray's Pizza and Wings fronting Rand Road.
Council members at Monday evening's meeting approved a special-use permit for Foundations to open next door to the restaurant. Ben Vyverberg, Palatine's director of building and zoning, said the projected traffic to the medical facility could boost business elsewhere in Foxfire Plaza with a "turn of the dollar" if someone with an appointment visits the pizza restaurant or other tenants there.
"I know we're looking for in our shopping centers diversity in tenants, so if you have a medical office, we need to ensure that's included in some type of retail use," Vyverberg said.
Foundations plans to start with chiropractic services, according to owner Dr. Vartan Chakalian. The chiropractor said a gradual expansion of services is expected to include Chinese herbal medicine, diet and nutrition advice, acupuncture and physical therapy.
Foundations projects 10 to 30 patient visits per hour in the beginning. By the fifth year, 30 to 50 patients an hour -- many of them family members arriving together -- are expected to seek services.
At a Palatine zoning board of appeals hearing last month, Chakalian said there is a community need for the chiropractic office he intends to open off Rand. He said he and two other employees would work at Foundations in the beginning, but more hires are projected as the business expands.
Vyverberg said Foundations must apply for a building permit to renovate its space. A tentative occupancy date is not yet known.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-04--McDavid notches hat trick in Game 2 victory over Blackhawks

Because Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers kicked their best-of-five series against the Blackhawks into an entirely different gear with a 6-3 Game 2 victory in Edmonton on Monday .
The sizzling-fast McDavid showed off his entire repertoire , scoring 3 goals in the first two periods to make sure his Oilers would not be quietly dispatched by the 24th -- and final -- team in this tournament .
The series is now tied at a game a piece , with Game 3 on Wednesday .
The Hawks fought back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to tie the game at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Slater Koekkoek and Olli Maatta .
McDavid turned the tables , though , when he scored on the power play at 17:10 of the second period , just two minutes after Maatta 's seeing-eye shot got past Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen .
Edmonton put the game away with 2 third-period goals in 40 seconds , the first of which came from James Neal after Corey Crawford whiffed on a clearing attempt from behind his own net .
Alex Chiasson then made it 6-3 with 11:55 remaining .
`` McDavid 's obviously a focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jonathan Toews .
`` When we 're not making things hard enough for them offensively , we get ourselves in spots where we end up taking penalties .
You know what happens on the power play -- a guy like McDavid 's gon na make you pay .
`` A couple times early in the game we 're giving him Grade A chances , and he 's not making any mistakes .
We know what we 're going to get out of him every game , so we 've got to be better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end-to-end action in the first 10 minutes that left commentators , players and fans alike gasping for breath .
McDavid scored just 19 seconds in by batting at a bouncing puck over Crawford 's left shoulder .
McDavid scored again less than four minutes later with an incredible individual effort .
The Oilers ' superstar picked up the puck at center ice , exploded into the offensive zone , motored past Maatta and lifted another shot over Crawford 's shoulder to make it 2-0 .
Kane cut the lead in half at 9:06 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The second period featured a combined 6 power plays , with 4 going to the Hawks .
Three of the Oilers ' infractions came in near succession , and coach Dave Tippett 's selfless squad was up to the task , blocking 5 high-velocity shots in 55 seconds at one point .
Kirby Dach and Alex DeBrincat each had 2 assists for the Hawks .
• John Quenneville replaced Drake Caggiula in the Hawks ' lineup after Caggiula was suspended for a hit Tyler Ennis ' head in Game 1 .
Quenneville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

McDavid notches hat trick in Game 2 victory over Blackhawks
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) scores against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford (50) during first-period NHL hockey Stanley Cup qualifying round game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020. The Canadian Press via AP
Buckle up, folks.
Because Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers kicked their best-of-five series against the Blackhawks into an entirely different gear with a 6-3 Game 2 victory in Edmonton on Monday.
The sizzling-fast McDavid showed off his entire repertoire, scoring 3 goals in the first two periods to make sure his Oilers would not be quietly dispatched by the 24th -- and final -- team in this tournament.
The series is now tied at a game a piece, with Game 3 on Wednesday.
The Hawks fought back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to tie the game at 3-3 on goals by Patrick Kane, Slater Koekkoek and Olli Maatta.
McDavid turned the tables, though, when he scored on the power play at 17:10 of the second period, just two minutes after Maatta's seeing-eye shot got past Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen.
Edmonton put the game away with 2 third-period goals in 40 seconds, the first of which came from James Neal after Corey Crawford whiffed on a clearing attempt from behind his own net. Alex Chiasson then made it 6-3 with 11:55 remaining.
"McDavid's obviously a focus for us," Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said. "When we're not making things hard enough for them offensively, we get ourselves in spots where we end up taking penalties. You know what happens on the power play -- a guy like McDavid's gonna make you pay.
"A couple times early in the game we're giving him Grade A chances, and he's not making any mistakes. We know what we're going to get out of him every game, so we've got to be better."
The first period featured wild end-to-end action in the first 10 minutes that left commentators, players and fans alike gasping for breath.
McDavid scored just 19 seconds in by batting at a bouncing puck over Crawford's left shoulder.
McDavid scored again less than four minutes later with an incredible individual effort. The Oilers' superstar picked up the puck at center ice, exploded into the offensive zone, motored past Maatta and lifted another shot over Crawford's shoulder to make it 2-0.
"Not the start we wanted, without question," Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. "You have a chance to maybe continue the frustration that they may have been feeling going into the game, and right away they're feeling good and feel they're turning it around.
"Their top players are feeling confident, and then it's an uphill battle. Some of our guys were really good and they allowed us to stay in the game, but not enough of them."
Kane cut the lead in half at 9:06 off a gorgeous pass from Alex DeBrincat.
The second period featured a combined 6 power plays, with 4 going to the Hawks. Three of the Oilers' infractions came in near succession, and coach Dave Tippett's selfless squad was up to the task, blocking 5 high-velocity shots in 55 seconds at one point.
"It hurts us when we're not scoring those goals," said Kirby Dach, who had 2 assists. "(Those) are critical times in the game when we could've tied it up. "We have to find a way to get our shots through."
Edmonton had 22 blocked shots to the Hawks' 14.
John Quenneville replaced Drake Caggiula in the Hawks' lineup after Caggiula was suspended for a hit Tyler Ennis' head in Game 1. Quenneville saw just five minutes of ice time as Colliton elected to double shift Patrick Kane (22:42, 5 SOG) much of the game.
"We're always a better team when we're rolling four lines," Kane said. "As a player, you want to play as much as possible, but we're a team that needs everyone going. ...
"Drake's a big part of our lineup (and) we missed him tonight. He brings a physical edge to his game and likes to mix it up so we'll welcome that back in Game 3."
The Hawks will be the home team in that contest, meaning Colliton gets the last change. But it will hardly matter if the Hawks don't adjust to what happened in Game 2.
"We didn't have enough," Colliton said. "We weren't able to string shifts together. It very rarely happened where we were able to get 30, 40 seconds in the offensive zone to build on.
"(When you get that), you draw a penalty, you score a goal or you start to wear them down. It's protecting the puck, it's being clean when you have time to make a play. ...
"We'll respond. It's a 1-1 series, I'm sure no one picked us to sweep 'em. They won a game now we have to find a way to be better on Wednesday. And we will."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Gurnee residents can expect better water pressure soon

In the coming days , the new water tower on the west side of Gurnee will be switched on , boosting the village 's water capacity and improving water pressure for thousands of residents .
The tower has been under construction since January 2019 on village-owned land at 1525 Knowles Road , near Rollins Road .
Village officials estimate the project 's cost at $ 7 million .
Jack Linehan , the assistant to the village administrator , said the new water tower will improve water pressure for about 4,000 households north of Washington Street and west of Hunt Club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have 10 times the capacity of the old 200,000-gallon tower , which was located near Gurnee Fire Station 1 and demolished last year .
Village officials said there were a few weather delays during the construction , but nothing too significant .
Linehan said the project was n't greatly slowed by the global pandemic , either .
`` The plan was for it to be done in the summer of 2020 , and it 's still looking like that 's going to happen , '' Linehan said Monday .
The work that remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tower 's water systems , Linehan said .
`` Once it is filled , they will make sure the temperature is correct and the chlorine level is correct , '' Linehan said , referring to village contract workers .
The tower is the village 's first to bear Gurnee 's new logo , which is prominently displayed on the village website , gurnee.il.us .
The village published a time-lapse video on its YouTube page that shows the progress of the water tower from a hole in the ground to a massive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later .
The village used a $ 5.5 million low-interest loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to help pay for the project .
Village officials said the project has been part of the village 's plans for almost 15 years .

Gurnee residents can expect better water pressure soon
In the coming days, the new water tower on the west side of Gurnee will be switched on, boosting the village's water capacity and improving water pressure for thousands of residents.
The tower has been under construction since January 2019 on village-owned land at 1525 Knowles Road, near Rollins Road. Village officials estimate the project's cost at $7 million.
Jack Linehan, the assistant to the village administrator, said the new water tower will improve water pressure for about 4,000 households north of Washington Street and west of Hunt Club Road.
The new water tower will have 10 times the capacity of the old 200,000-gallon tower, which was located near Gurnee Fire Station 1 and demolished last year.
Village officials said there were a few weather delays during the construction, but nothing too significant. Linehan said the project wasn't greatly slowed by the global pandemic, either.
"The plan was for it to be done in the summer of 2020, and it's still looking like that's going to happen," Linehan said Monday.
The work that remains includes a final round of tests on the tower's water systems, Linehan said.
"Once it is filled, they will make sure the temperature is correct and the chlorine level is correct," Linehan said, referring to village contract workers.
The tower is the village's first to bear Gurnee's new logo, which is prominently displayed on the village website, gurnee.il.us. The village published a time-lapse video on its YouTube page that shows the progress of the water tower from a hole in the ground to a massive, fully painted concrete structure about 18 months later.
The village used a $5.5 million low-interest loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to help pay for the project. Village officials said the project has been part of the village's plans for almost 15 years.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-04--Feder: WGN Radio boss bans CNN, Fox News and Svengoolie

With Nexstar Media Group 's `` News Nation '' prime-time newscast set to debut September 1 on WGN America , @ @ @ @ @ networks may no longer be welcome as guests on WGN 720-AM , the company 's @ @ @ @ @ writes .
Sean Compton , the Nexstar executive vice president who oversees WGN , told @ @ @ @ @ : `` Now , with News Nation launching , that will be our go-to for @ @ @ @ @ No more CNN or Fox News personalities -- let 's promote and encourage our own @ @ @ @ @ persona non grata on WGN Radio : Svengoolie , the iconic horror-movie host played for @ @ @ @ @ Rich Koz .
Svengoolie works at Me-TV , a competitor to Nexstar 's Antenna TV @ @ @ @ @ , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: WGN Radio boss bans CNN, Fox News and Svengoolie
Anchors and correspondents from competing networks may no longer be welcome as guests on WGN 720-AM, the company's news/talk station.
With Nexstar Media Group's "News Nation" prime-time newscast set to debut September 1 on WGN America, anchors and correspondents from competing networks may no longer be welcome as guests on WGN 720-AM, the company's news/talk station, Robert Feder writes.
Sean Compton, the Nexstar executive vice president who oversees WGN, told staffers in a memo Monday: "Now, with News Nation launching, that will be our go-to for national news talent needs. No more CNN or Fox News personalities -- let's promote and encourage our own product."
Also declared persona non grata on WGN Radio: Svengoolie, the iconic horror-movie host played for more than 40 years by Rich Koz. Svengoolie works at Me-TV, a competitor to Nexstar's Antenna TV.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-03--Reports: 'Field of Dreams' game canceled; White Sox will play in Iowa next season

In a season that is spiraling into a nightmare for multiple major-league teams , playing the `` Field of Dreams '' game has not seemed like a good idea for weeks , if not months .
The White Sox and New York Yankees originally were scheduled to play in Dyersville , Iowa , on Aug. 13 .
When the coronavirus pandemic halted play on March 12 , the status of the game was in jeopardy until July 1 .
That 's when MLB announced the St. Louis Cardinals as the Sox 's new opponent in Iowa .
On Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Field of Dreams '' game has been canceled .
Rosenthal cited logistical issues of getting in and out of Iowa for the decision .
The Cardinals ' growing numbers of positive COVID-19 tests also were likely factors .
The Des Moines Register is reporting the White Sox will return to Dyersville in 2021 against an opponent to be named later .
The Sox were excited about playing in Iowa back in spring training , but much has changed over the past six months .
`` I 'm sad , '' said standout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's something that would be pretty awesome to be out there .
I 'm from Omaha , so I know guys were talking about that , family members .
People in Nebraska , in general , were excited for that game to get some more baseball into the Midwest .
`` I 'm sad that it 's going to be gone , but if that 's the safest decision , that 's something that I 'm completely on board with .
If it 's an extra risk , to me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopefully we get to be a part of it next year . ''
The Sox announced they had signed Clayton Richard to a minor-league contract and assigned the veteran left-handed pitcher to their Schaumburg training facility .
The 36-year-old Richard was the White Sox 's fifth-round draft pick in 2005 out of Michigan .
Pitching for the Sox in 2008 and part of '09 before going to the Padres in the Jake Peavy trade , Richard was 6-8 with a 5.14 ERA in 39 games ( 22 starts ) .
Last season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 10 starts for the Blue Jays .
The White Sox placed right-handed pitcher Jimmy Lambert on the 45-day injured list Monday .
Just over a year removed from Tommy John surgery , Lambert was placed on the IL last week with a right-forearm strain .
He pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief this season .
`` Right now , it 's just a forearm strain , '' Sox manager Rick Renteria said .
`` They believe with rest and whatever treatments they give him , he 'll be able to rebound .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was going to be about six weeks .
It just made sense to go ahead and allow him to go through the healing process . ''


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-04--Illinois has 1,471 new COVID-19 cases; Pritzker warns about campus parties after SIU outbreak

The state reported 1,471 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and 19 new deaths as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker warned college students to curtail parties after a localized surge in cases related to Southern Illinois University .
Total COVID-19 cases statewide come to 184,712 , and fatalities are 7,545 , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
The last seven days have seen 1,569 new daily cases on average , compared to 1,433 daily from July 22 to July 28 .
The percentage of positive tests for the virus ticked down from 4 % Monday to 3.9 % Tuesday based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age group in Illinois with COVID-19 is 20-somethings , with 18.4 % of infections , IDPH data show , raising difficult issues on college campuses where students are returning to in-person learning .
During an event Tuesday at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale , Pritkzer said `` the COVID-19 pandemic , which once seemed tame in Carbondale and throughout the region , is now surging .
It 's worse than in Chicago , and if we do n't see some change , the virus will cause some businesses to close and increase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some will even die . ''
Across Illinois , hospitalizations for the virus numbered 1,496 as of Monday night , the highest since June 26 , when 1,498 were counted .
The current seven-day average for patients in Illinois hospitals with COVID-19 is 1,426 , lower than the daily average from July 21 to July 27 of 1,433 .
The state reported 42,598 virus tests Tuesday and Pritzker said he hopes to collaborate with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , which is developing a saliva test to detect COVID-19 that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The goal is to test up to 10,000 students a day when classes resume at U of I Aug. 24 .
`` We 're talking to the University of Illinois about how we might provide that across the state to other locations , '' Pritzker said .
`` We need all residents to take this seriously and to protect themselves , no matter how young and invincible you think you are . ''
Regarding universities , colleges and schools , `` there is not a single one of these institutions that should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are enforcing a mask mandate , '' Pritzker said .
In Jackson County , where SIU is located , one cause of cases spiking has been students arriving early on campus to participate in athletics or orientation and hold parties , Pritzker said .
`` Large , unmasked gatherings are a no-go , '' he said .
Jackson County has had 658 cases and 19 deaths since March .
Although the death rate from the virus for Illinoisans in their 20s is less than 1 % , the disease can pose serious complications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put others at grave risk .
At Edward Hospital in Naperville , experts are noticing a trend among some elderly patients with COVID-19 who were infected by younger people , physician Jonathan Pinsky said .
`` They tell us they were in contact with someone in a younger age group who often does engage in social gatherings '' and is in the same household , said Pinsky , medical director of infection control and prevention .

Illinois has 1,471 new COVID-19 cases; Pritzker warns about campus parties after SIU outbreak
The state reported 1,471 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and 19 new deaths as Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned college students to curtail parties after a localized surge in cases related to Southern Illinois University.
Total COVID-19 cases statewide come to 184,712, and fatalities are 7,545, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The last seven days have seen 1,569 new daily cases on average, compared to 1,433 daily from July 22 to July 28.
The percentage of positive tests for the virus ticked down from 4% Monday to 3.9% Tuesday based on a seven-day average.
The largest age group in Illinois with COVID-19 is 20-somethings, with 18.4% of infections, state data show, raising difficult issues on college campuses where students are returning to in-person learning. During an event Tuesday at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Pritkzer said that "the COVID-19 pandemic, which once seemed tame in Carbondale and throughout the region, is now surging. It's worse than in Chicago, and if we don't see some change, the virus will cause some businesses to close and increase the percentage of people to get sick, and some will even die."
Across Illinois, hospitalizations for the virus numbered 1,496 as of Monday night, the highest since June 26, when 1,498 were counted.
The current seven-day average for patients in Illinois hospitals with COVID-19 is 1,426, lower than the daily average from July 21 to July 27 of 1,433.
Among the new cases announced Tuesday was a Cook County teenager.
The state reported 42,598 virus tests Tuesday, and Pritzker said he hopes to collaborate with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is developing a saliva test to detect COVID-19 that's noninvasive and produces results within 24 hours. The goal is to test up to 10,000 students a day when classes resume at U of I Aug. 24.
"We're talking to the University of Illinois about how we might provide that across the state to other locations," Pritzker said.
"We need all residents to take this seriously and to protect themselves, no matter how young and invincible you think you are."
Regarding universities, colleges and schools, "there is not a single one of these institutions that should be opening without making sure that you are enforcing a mask mandate," Pritzker said.
In Jackson County, where SIU is located, one cause of the spike in cases has been students who arrived early on campus to participate in athletics or orientation and hold parties, Pritzker said.
"Large, unmasked gatherings are a no-go," he said.
Jackson County has had 658 cases and 19 deaths since March.
Although the death rate from the virus for Illinoisans in their 20s is less than 1%, the disease can pose serious complications, and many people are asymptomatic carriers who put others at grave risk.
At Edward Hospital in Naperville, experts are noticing a trend among some elderly patients with COVID-19 who were infected by younger people, physician Jonathan Pinsky said.
"They tell us they were in contact with someone in a younger age group who often does engage in social gatherings" and is in the same household, said Pinsky, medical director of infection control and prevention.