dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Harper Promise free tuition program faces changes to keep it sustainable

With more and more students signing up for Harper College 's Promise Scholarship , the program that guarantees free tuition for good grades , attendance and community service is slowly becoming financially unsustainable , college officials say .
It 's a reality that has led them to consider tweaks to the program now , and perhaps an overhaul later .
In the short term , the college 's board next month will vote on an advisory committee 's recommendation to include Advanced Placement and dual credit courses taken in high school in the amount of credit hours the college will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to high schoolers at three Harper sender districts beginning with the graduating classes of 2025 -- current eighth-graders whom Harper officials already plan to start recruiting in January .
It would n't mean students need to arrive at Harper 's Palatine campus with college credits , nor would there be any changes to the existing list of requirements to get the tuition-free scholarship .
Established in 2015 under then-President Ken Ender , the program awards two years of tuition to students from Northwest Suburban High School District 214 , Palatine-Schaumburg High School District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who maintain solid grades , have good attendance , do n't repeat classes , graduate on time and provide service in their communities .
The proposed credit hour change , plus a one-time board contribution of $ 1.4 million , would make the Promise program whole for the next decade , officials said .
There 's about $ 20 million in the fund now , and it costs at least $ 1 million in tuition for each year 's class -- a number that 's expected to grow with the increase in demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly the Promise program would look like after 2030 , or if a sister program might be developed .
Early discussions from a board committee-of-the-whole meeting last week included the possibility of making the scholarship need-based .
It 's now open to anyone regardless of income .
Board members of the Harper College Educational Foundation , which raises funds from the private sector for the Promise program , will consider a new scholarship campaign at meetings starting next month , according to Harper President Avis Proctor .
But implementing a change to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as shock to the community and donors , Proctor said .
Added Michelé Smith , the college 's vice president of workforce solutions who oversees Promise : `` There was a commitment that the program would look a certain way .
So when we talk about substantial changes -- ( like ) making it need-based only -- we have donor commitments that were around a very different model . ''
Any changes to the program would n't take effect until the Class of 2029 arrives on campus , Smith said .
Last fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harper with the guarantee of free tuition , so long as they continue to meet similar criteria on grades , persistence and community service .
Harper welcomed 480 Promise scholars -- most of them virtual -- this year .
Those numbers will likely continue to grow , school officials say , and eventually , they hope to be able to support as many as 1,000 students in the program .

Harper Promise free tuition program faces changes to keep it sustainable
With more and more students signing up for Harper College's Promise Scholarship, the program that guarantees free tuition for good grades, attendance and community service is slowly becoming financially unsustainable, college officials say.
It's a reality that has led them to consider tweaks to the program now, and perhaps an overhaul later.
In the short term, the college's board next month will vote on an advisory committee's recommendation to include Advanced Placement and dual credit courses taken in high school in the amount of credit hours the college will pay for. The change would apply to high schoolers at three Harper sender districts beginning with the graduating classes of 2025 -- current eighth-graders whom Harper officials already plan to start recruiting in January.
It wouldn't mean students need to arrive at Harper's Palatine campus with college credits, nor would there be any changes to the existing list of requirements to get the tuition-free scholarship.
Established in 2015 under then-President Ken Ender, the program awards two years of tuition to students from Northwest Suburban High School District 214, Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 and Barrington Area Unit District 220 who maintain solid grades, have good attendance, don't repeat classes, graduate on time and provide service in their communities.
The proposed credit hour change, plus a one-time board contribution of $1.4 million, would make the Promise program whole for the next decade, officials said. There's about $20 million in the fund now, and it costs at least $1 million in tuition for each year's class -- a number that's expected to grow with the increase in demand.
What's less clear is what exactly the Promise program would look like after 2030, or if a sister program might be developed.
Early discussions from a board committee-of-the-whole meeting last week included the possibility of making the scholarship need-based. It's now open to anyone regardless of income.
Board members of the Harper College Educational Foundation, which raises funds from the private sector for the Promise program, will consider a new scholarship campaign at meetings starting next month, according to Harper President Avis Proctor.
But implementing a change to the Promise eligibility criteria now would be seen as shock to the community and donors, Proctor said.
Added Michelé Smith, the college's vice president of workforce solutions who oversees Promise: "There was a commitment that the program would look a certain way. So when we talk about substantial changes -- (like) making it need-based only -- we have donor commitments that were around a very different model."
Any changes to the program wouldn't take effect until the Class of 2029 arrives on campus, Smith said.
Last fall, 421 high school graduates came to Harper with the guarantee of free tuition, so long as they continue to meet similar criteria on grades, persistence and community service. Harper welcomed 480 Promise scholars -- most of them virtual -- this year.
Those numbers will likely continue to grow, school officials say, and eventually, they hope to be able to support as many as 1,000 students in the program.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--How Metra may fill its budget hole if there's no federal rescue

Service cuts are an option if no federal aid emerges for Metra , Union Pacific employees verifying tickets behind plexiglass creates `` a mess , '' but a massively complicated emergency braking system is good to go .
So says Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski , who 's steering the railroad through arguably one of its worst years .
Metra dealt with patronage scandals in 2013 and the CEO 's suicide in 2010 after misusing funds , but 2020 brings both ridership tanking up to 90 % amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the railroad 's dispute with partner UP going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 million shortfall in 2021 , and it 's likely the $ 700 million budget will be approved in November `` as unresolved with budgetary actions to be determined , '' Derwinski said in a Thursday interview .
`` If we get to a point later in 2021 and either the federal stimulus has n't come or ridership is much lower than forecast , we 're going to absolutely be at a place where this board 's going to have to make decisions to balance the budget .
`` Service cuts would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go to , '' Derwinski explained .
But it 's not as simple as yanking a few trains here and there .
And Metra is operating on a reduced schedule already with 382 trains per weekday compared to 690 in 2019 .
The agency 's capital budget is relatively flush after the state increased gas taxes to fund transportation , and Metra expects to use $ 61.5 million to buy new train cars .
Is it possible to delay those purchases and borrow from the capital fund to cover the operating deficit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has oversight of Metra , Pace and the CTA , does not allow dipping into capital but things could change if the budget crisis worsens , Derwinski said .
`` You have to look at all the options , '' he noted .
`` Capital 's one of them -- but certainly from an operational standpoint -- having cars still running around from 1953 and locomotives from 1977 '' is not ideal .
Layoffs are also a possibility , Derwinski said , but noted Metra is `` not filling all jobs right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retirements .
Last week , Metra sued its partner Union Pacific Railroad , hoping the Cook County circuit court will order the freight carrier 's conductors to resume walking the trains and collecting fares .
Conductors on Metra-operated and BNSF lines are circulating on trains .
It 's not safe during the pandemic for conductors to mingle with passengers , contends UP , which has set up a fare check system at Ogilvie Transportation Center where staff scrutinize tickets behind plexiglass .
That fix is `` a mess , '' Derwinski said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Riders ) can show their phones as they walk by but nobody 's having them touch it ( to prove payment ) .
As far as paper tickets go , they 're not punching any paper tickets . ''
And if passengers are crammed on platforms waiting for ticket screening , that 's counterproductive to social distancing , he said .
UP spokeswoman Kristen South said Friday the new system is working effectively .
Meanwhile , federal law requires U.S. railroads to install an expensive automatic braking system , dubbed Positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
It 's been a struggle for commuter railroads but PTC is operating on all Metra lines , with some final work continuing on Milwaukee District trains .
`` It looks like we 'll hit all of our deadlines on time , '' Derwinski said .
How do you think Metra can cut costs or raise revenues ?
Drop a line to mpyke @ dailyherald.com .
No need to come in The Secretary of State 's Office is offering a new email service to Illinoisans who want to reinstate driving privileges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you have questions about a revoked or suspended license or similar issues , email adminhearings @ ilsos.gov .
Sue Lesse of Hoffman Estates warns `` since it 's been getting darker earlier , I noticed there are so many drivers not turning on their car lights after dark !
How they can see their dashboards is beyond me .
But it makes it very dangerous when they are driving around in their dark cars . ''
It 's important , it 's relevant and it 's free this year .
Join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevent Tragedy on the Tracks 2020 : Keeping Families Together '' forum via Zoom from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday .
National experts will share solutions on preventing train fatalities .
To register , go to dupagerailsafety.org/events .

How Metra may fill its budget hole if there's no federal rescue
Service cuts are an option if no federal aid emerges for Metra, Union Pacific employees verifying tickets behind plexiglass creates "a mess," but a massively complicated emergency braking system is good to go.
So says Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski, who's steering the railroad through arguably one of its worst years.
Metra dealt with patronage scandals in 2013 and the CEO's suicide in 2010 after misusing funds, but 2020 brings both ridership tanking up to 90% amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the railroad's dispute with partner UP going volcanic
Currently, Metra faces a $70 million shortfall in 2021, and it's likely the $700 million budget will be approved in November "as unresolved with budgetary actions to be determined," Derwinski said in a Thursday interview.
"If we get to a point later in 2021 and either the federal stimulus hasn't come or ridership is much lower than forecast, we're going to absolutely be at a place where this board's going to have to make decisions to balance the budget.
"Service cuts would be one of the areas we would have to go to," Derwinski explained.
But it's not as simple as yanking a few trains here and there. And Metra is operating on a reduced schedule already with 382 trains per weekday compared to 690 in 2019.
The agency's capital budget is relatively flush after the state increased gas taxes to fund transportation, and Metra expects to use $61.5 million to buy new train cars.
Is it possible to delay those purchases and borrow from the capital fund to cover the operating deficit? The Regional Transportation Authority, which has oversight of Metra, Pace and the CTA, does not allow dipping into capital but things could change if the budget crisis worsens, Derwinski said.
"You have to look at all the options," he noted. "Capital's one of them -- but certainly from an operational standpoint -- having cars still running around from 1953 and locomotives from 1977" is not ideal.
Layoffs are also a possibility, Derwinski said, but noted Metra is "not filling all jobs right now" as people leave through attrition and retirements.
Last week, Metra sued its partner Union Pacific Railroad, hoping the Cook County circuit court will order the freight carrier's conductors to resume walking the trains and collecting fares. Conductors on Metra-operated and BNSF lines are circulating on trains.
It's not safe during the pandemic for conductors to mingle with passengers, contends UP, which has set up a fare check system at Ogilvie Transportation Center where staff scrutinize tickets behind plexiglass.
That fix is "a mess," Derwinski said. "They're not really validating fares. (Riders) can show their phones as they walk by but nobody's having them touch it (to prove payment). As far as paper tickets go, they're not punching any paper tickets." And if passengers are crammed on platforms waiting for ticket screening, that's counterproductive to social distancing, he said.
UP spokeswoman Kristen South said Friday the new system is working effectively.
Meanwhile, federal law requires U.S. railroads to install an expensive automatic braking system, dubbed Positive Train Control, by the end of 2020.
It's been a struggle for commuter railroads but PTC is operating on all Metra lines, with some final work continuing on Milwaukee District trains. "It looks like we'll hit all of our deadlines on time," Derwinski said.
How do you think Metra can cut costs or raise revenues? Drop a line to mpyke@dailyherald.com.
No need to come in
The Secretary of State's Office is offering a new email service to Illinoisans who want to reinstate driving privileges, schedule an administrative hearing or related issues. If you have questions about a revoked or suspended license or similar issues, email adminhearings@ilsos.gov.
Your voice
Sue Lesse of Hoffman Estates warns "since it's been getting darker earlier, I noticed there are so many drivers not turning on their car lights after dark! How they can see their dashboards is beyond me. But it makes it very dangerous when they are driving around in their dark cars."
Upcoming
It's important, it's relevant and it's free this year. Join the DuPage Railroad Safety Council's "Prevent Tragedy on the Tracks 2020: Keeping Families Together" forum via Zoom from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday. National experts will share solutions on preventing train fatalities. To register, go to dupagerailsafety.org/events.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Full of curiosities, Libertyville resale shop helps nonprofits

In boxes or by the truckload , donations arrive every day at Upscale Rummage and Furniture Warehouse on Libertyville 's east side .
Most items are traditional fare , like clothing , furniture and home decor .
But there also are collectibles , heirlooms , treasures , and curiosities that add spice to the extensive inventory and make it different from a typical resale shop .
`` Need a wet suit ? ''
founder/proprietor Renee Baldwin asks while guiding a visitor through the vast space .
`` We had two pieces of the Berlin Wall .
We sold both of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those are n't the most unusual available items in the extensive inventory .
A document from 1787 , for example , is among the more recent additions .
More on that later .
Everything among the thousands of items on display is sold at a fair price , with proceeds going to dozens of local nonprofits , Baldwin said .
Upscale Rummage also donates pots , pans , clothing and other supplies to various organizations , and it provides families affected by fires or other circumstances what they need to get back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the good that this place does , '' says Mary Coduti , one of Baldwin 's longtime friends and a volunteer .
Such is the atmosphere that a cancer patient visits the store every Thursday after receiving chemotherapy .
`` She comes here and walks for an hour , '' Baldwin said .
`` She says it 's her happy place . ''
What has become a second career in retirement for Baldwin , a former commercial music producer , began 20 years ago when she held a weekend fundraiser for Montessori School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded to quarterly fundraisers held in donated spaces .
Finding that storing items did n't work , Baldwin accelerated her commitment to full time and set up shop in a 10,000-square-foot warehouse two years ago .
Upscale Rummage at 801 E. Park Ave. shares the building with Sell A Cow Furniture in a commercial/industrial area between Route 176 and the North Shore Bike Path but has a separate entrance .
In honor of Upscale Rummage 's 20th anniversary , Baldwin started a program called Sharing Saturdays , where the day 's proceeds are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not worked with in the past .
`` It 's started with 20 but it 's been so well received , we 're adding '' organizations , Baldwin said .
She declined to say how much is raised for charity in a given year but noted the Montessori school fundraiser would produce $ 25,000 in a weekend .
Along the way , Baldwin made many connections and is on the contact lists of many estate sale and real estate companies .
Being able to make pickups quickly has provided a good source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to get rid of their stuff , they wanted it gone then , '' Baldwin said .
Befitting the shop 's name , available items are of high quality and have been cleaned , polished and ironed , if needed .
Merchandise is neatly arranged and displayed , department store style , in more than two dozen categories .
`` I wanted them ( customers and those receiving donations ) to have a dignified shopping experience , not looking through everyone 's castoffs , '' Baldwin said .
One of the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section of the cavernous sales floor , which Baldwin says stretches 100 yards in either direction from the checkout .
`` We have fabric .
We have rugs .
We have more furniture .
We have a round velvet sofa that needs to be in Las Vegas , '' she quipped .
The striking red sofa has a suggested price of $ 7,000 .
Keepsakes , first-edition signed books , old maps , diaries , love letters and items of historical interest are among diverse offerings .
Another curiosity that showed up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was written in a Declaration of Independence style and details a rental agreement in England for watchmaker John Arnold .
There is no asking price , Coduti said , but the hope is that a watch or timepiece enthusiast will make a good offer .

Full of curiosities, Libertyville resale shop helps nonprofits
This document from 1787 details a rental agreement for watchmaker John Arnold for property in England. There is no asking price, but officials at Upscale Rummage Furniture and Warehouse in Libertyville hope a watch or timepiece enthusiast will make an offer. Courtesy of Mary Coduti
In boxes or by the truckload, donations arrive every day at Upscale Rummage and Furniture Warehouse on Libertyville's east side.
Most items are traditional fare, like clothing, furniture and home decor. But there also are collectibles, heirlooms, treasures, and curiosities that add spice to the extensive inventory and make it different from a typical resale shop.
"Need a wet suit?" founder/proprietor Renee Baldwin asks while guiding a visitor through the vast space.
"We had two pieces of the Berlin Wall. We sold both of those," she later added.
Those aren't the most unusual available items in the extensive inventory. A document from 1787, for example, is among the more recent additions. More on that later.
Everything among the thousands of items on display is sold at a fair price, with proceeds going to dozens of local nonprofits, Baldwin said.
Upscale Rummage also donates pots, pans, clothing and other supplies to various organizations, and it provides families affected by fires or other circumstances what they need to get back on their feet.
"It's remarkable the good that this place does," says Mary Coduti, one of Baldwin's longtime friends and a volunteer.
Such is the atmosphere that a cancer patient visits the store every Thursday after receiving chemotherapy.
"She comes here and walks for an hour," Baldwin said. "She says it's her happy place."
What has become a second career in retirement for Baldwin, a former commercial music producer, began 20 years ago when she held a weekend fundraiser for Montessori School of Lake Forest.
That annual effort expanded to quarterly fundraisers held in donated spaces. Finding that storing items didn't work, Baldwin accelerated her commitment to full time and set up shop in a 10,000-square-foot warehouse two years ago. Upscale Rummage at 801 E. Park Ave. shares the building with Sell A Cow Furniture in a commercial/industrial area between Route 176 and the North Shore Bike Path but has a separate entrance.
In honor of Upscale Rummage's 20th anniversary, Baldwin started a program called Sharing Saturdays, where the day's proceeds are donated to 20 nonprofits the store had not worked with in the past.
"It's started with 20 but it's been so well received, we're adding" organizations, Baldwin said.
She declined to say how much is raised for charity in a given year but noted the Montessori school fundraiser would produce $25,000 in a weekend.
Along the way, Baldwin made many connections and is on the contact lists of many estate sale and real estate companies. Being able to make pickups quickly has provided a good source of merchandise.
"I learned when people want to get rid of their stuff, they wanted it gone then," Baldwin said.
Befitting the shop's name, available items are of high quality and have been cleaned, polished and ironed, if needed. Merchandise is neatly arranged and displayed, department store style, in more than two dozen categories.
"I wanted them (customers and those receiving donations) to have a dignified shopping experience, not looking through everyone's castoffs," Baldwin said.
One of the more memorable items is in the fine furniture section of the cavernous sales floor, which Baldwin says stretches 100 yards in either direction from the checkout.
"We have fabric. We have rugs. We have more furniture. We have a round velvet sofa that needs to be in Las Vegas," she quipped. The striking red sofa has a suggested price of $7,000.
Keepsakes, first-edition signed books, old maps, diaries, love letters and items of historical interest are among diverse offerings.
Another curiosity that showed up in a donation box is the 1787 document, which was written in a Declaration of Independence style and details a rental agreement in England for watchmaker John Arnold.
There is no asking price, Coduti said, but the hope is that a watch or timepiece enthusiast will make a good offer.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-18--Steelworkers union shines "Biden-Harris" light on Chicago's Trump Tower

Members of the United Steelworkers union brought their traveling `` bat light '' to Chicago overnight Friday to project their @ @ @ @ @ Trump Tower .
The words `` Biden-Harris '' were shown in blazing blue letters over @ @ @ @ @ on his hotel and condo building overlooking the Chicago River at 401 N. Wabash Ave @ @ @ @ @ appearances on Wrigley Field , the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Theatre .
@ @ @ @ @ Organization could not be reached for comment Saturday .
`` This election is obviously very @ @ @ @ @ lot at stake for workers , '' said Jess Kamm Broomell , spokeswoman for United @ @ @ @ @ 850,000 members .
`` A lot of issues facing working people are on the ballot @ @ @ @ @ ... retirement security , workers ' rights , health and safety on the job , @ @ @ @ @ at stake . ''

Steelworkers union shines "Biden-Harris" light on Chicago's Trump Tower
Members of the United Steelworkers union brought their traveling "bat light" to Chicago overnight Friday to project their endorsement of Joe Biden onto Trump Tower.
The words "Biden-Harris" were shown in blazing blue letters over President Donald Trump's name on his hotel and condo building overlooking the Chicago River at 401 N. Wabash Ave. The endorsement also made appearances on Wrigley Field, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Theatre.
A representative for the Trump Organization could not be reached for comment Saturday.
"This election is obviously very important and there's a lot at stake for workers," said Jess Kamm Broomell, spokeswoman for United Steelworkers, which represents about 850,000 members. "A lot of issues facing working people are on the ballot this year: Affordable healthcare... retirement security, workers' rights, health and safety on the job, all of these things are at stake."
Read more at chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--100th birthday party in Grayslake draws a crowd

More than 100 people on helped Julia Karkenen of Zion celebrate her 100th birthday after the worship service Sunday at @ @ @ @ @ .
`` She 's terrific , '' said Senior Pastor Richard Valkanet of Lindenhurst .
@ @ @ @ @ the church for over 20 years , and until just about a year or two @ @ @ @ @ here in the summer , sit on the back of a bucket , and she @ @ @ @ @ the garden for us , just so the church would look nice . ''
Karkenen @ @ @ @ @ Peninsula of Michigan on a small farm without electricity and moved to the area in @ @ @ @ @ her husband , Valkanet said .

100th birthday party in Grayslake draws a crowd
Darlene Rajala of Zion, right, gives a hug to Julia Karkenen of Zion during a celebration Sunday of her 100th birthday at Living Waters Church in Grayslake. Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
More than 100 people on helped Julia Karkenen of Zion celebrate her 100th birthday after the worship service Sunday at Living Waters Church in Grayslake.
"She's terrific," said Senior Pastor Richard Valkanet of Lindenhurst. "They've been in the church for over 20 years, and until just about a year or two ago, she would come here in the summer, sit on the back of a bucket, and she would pick weeds out of the garden for us, just so the church would look nice."
Karkenen grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on a small farm without electricity and moved to the area in 1991 with her daughter and her husband, Valkanet said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Some suburban counties likely to face restrictions amid spike in COVID-19 infections

DuPage , Kane , Kankakee and Will counties are on the verge of having state-mandated restrictions imposed after their COVID-19 test positivity rates surpassed warning thresholds , according to Illinois Department of Public Health figures .
`` We 're now entering a new wave of this virus , '' Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Monday .
`` Every region of the state is moving in the wrong direction .
Cases , positivity rates , hospitalizations and deaths are all rising statewide . ''
Two suburban regions -- Region 8 with DuPage and Kane counties and Region 7 with Will and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 8 % threshold for positive results on COVID-19 tests , according to IDPH figures .
Both regions ' seven-day average rates have been over the 8 % threshold for two days .
A third day will trigger a mitigation plan designed to restrict gatherings until positivity rates decline .
That usually takes several weeks after the beginning of restrictions such as reduced hours of operation for some businesses , banning indoor food and bar service , and limiting gatherings to 25 or fewer people or 25 % of room capacity .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also exceeding the positivity rate threshold , according to IDPH figures .
It will have mitigation restrictions imposed starting Thursday , Pritzker announced at Monday 's news conference .
In Kane County , health officials are investigating whether a Sept. 27 rally attended by thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump at the county fairgrounds in St. Charles aided the recent spike in cases .
Photos and video from the rally show crowds packed together tightly with few wearing masks .
The day the event was held , the county 's seven-day average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , the county 's average infection rate was 9.2 % , the highest among suburban counties .
`` I know this is an ongoing investigation , so I 'm not sure we can comment , '' Kane County Health Department spokeswoman Susan Stack said .
Meanwhile , state health officials announced 22 more COVID-19 deaths Monday and 3,113 new cases of the respiratory disease .
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city is in the midst of a `` second surge '' of the virus and warned residents to heed precautions or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the limits during the spring .
`` We , as a city government , are looking at every tool in our tool box -- including rolling back to Phase 3 restrictions or other measures as needed , '' Lightfoot said .
Phase 3 limited groups to 10 people ; banned indoor dining , bar service and fitness classes ; and mandated remote learning .
`` I do n't want to go there -- particularly for those who are in business , the small businesses who have already suffered through a very difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This would be tragedy for many of them .
But I 've got to do what is right to protect us from this virus . ''
The state 's death toll from the disease stands at 9,236 , while 347,161 Illinois residents have been infected .
IDPH is reporting 97 % of those who have contracted COVID-19 have since recovered , but the state is also experiencing widespread growth in cases , hospitalizations and death .
The state 's infection rate is at 5.4 % , based on a seven-day average .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate was just 4.3 % .
Hospitals statewide reported Sunday that 2,096 patients are being treated , and 485 of them are in intensive care .
The number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs increased by 77 from Saturday to Sunday , the largest single-day uptick since IDPH started tracking in early April .
Dr. Craig Davis , a physician in the southern Illinois region that will be put under restriction soon , said hospital admissions in his area have `` tripled '' in recent days .
`` My colleagues and I have witnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they wait for news of a recovery and the devastation they feel when their loved ones succumb to this , '' Davis said .
`` What is most alarming is the complacency I see in some of our community members and the polarization over simple prevention methods , especially surrounding masks and social distancing .
Please consider these short-term sacrifices for the greater good .
The enemy is disease , not each other . ''
IDPH officials are also reporting the state is averaging 34 deaths each day over the past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the state was averaging 21 deaths a day from COVID-19 .
Pritzker was optimistic about the state 's ability to handle this new wave of the virus .
`` We know a good deal more about how to monitor and address this pandemic than we did before , '' he said .
`` We 've built up resources preparing for the possibility of a fall or winter wave . ''
He added that because of the resurgence of the virus , he and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike will be holding daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's ongoing battle against the spread of the virus .
`` If you 're tired and let your guard down , now is the time to pick it back up again , '' Pritzker said .
`` Things are getting worse .
Wear a mask wherever you go .
Get your flu shot .
Forego unnecessary trips and gatherings , and take extra care to stay 6 feet away from others , especially in public . ''

Some suburban counties likely to face restrictions amid spike in COVID-19 infections
DuPage, Kane, Kankakee and Will counties are on the verge of having state-mandated restrictions imposed after their COVID-19 test positivity rates surpassed warning thresholds, according to Illinois Department of Public Health figures.
"We're now entering a new wave of this virus," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday. "Every region of the state is moving in the wrong direction. Cases, positivity rates, hospitalizations and deaths are all rising statewide."
Two suburban regions -- Region 8 with DuPage and Kane counties and Region 7 with Will and Kankakee counties -- are exceeding the state's 8% threshold for positive results on COVID-19 tests, according to IDPH figures.
Both regions' seven-day average rates have been over the 8% threshold for two days. A third day will trigger a mitigation plan designed to restrict gatherings until positivity rates decline.
That usually takes several weeks after the beginning of restrictions such as reduced hours of operation for some businesses, banning indoor food and bar service, and limiting gatherings to 25 or fewer people or 25% of room capacity.
The southernmost Illinois region of 19 counties is also exceeding the positivity rate threshold, according to IDPH figures. It will have mitigation restrictions imposed starting Thursday, Pritzker announced at Monday's news conference.
In Kane County, health officials are investigating whether a Sept. 27 rally attended by thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump at the county fairgrounds in St. Charles aided the recent spike in cases. Photos and video from the rally show crowds packed together tightly with few wearing masks.
The day the event was held, the county's seven-day average infection rate was 4.8%. On Monday, the county's average infection rate was 9.2%, the highest among suburban counties.
"I know this is an ongoing investigation, so I'm not sure we can comment," Kane County Health Department spokeswoman Susan Stack said.
Meanwhile, state health officials announced 22 more COVID-19 deaths Monday and 3,113 new cases of the respiratory disease.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city is in the midst of a "second surge" of the virus and warned residents to heed precautions or face restrictions on businesses and group gatherings like the limits during the spring.
"We, as a city government, are looking at every tool in our tool box -- including rolling back to Phase 3 restrictions or other measures as needed," Lightfoot said. Phase 3 limited groups to 10 people; banned indoor dining, bar service and fitness classes; and mandated remote learning.
"I don't want to go there -- particularly for those who are in business, the small businesses who have already suffered through a very difficult year," the mayor said. "This would be tragedy for many of them. But I've got to do what is right to protect us from this virus."
The state's death toll from the disease stands at 9,236, while 347,161 Illinois residents have been infected.
IDPH is reporting 97% of those who have contracted COVID-19 have since recovered, but the state is also experiencing widespread growth in cases, hospitalizations and death.
The state's infection rate is at 5.4%, based on a seven-day average. A week ago on Monday, the rate was just 4.3%.
Hospitals statewide reported Sunday that 2,096 patients are being treated, and 485 of them are in intensive care. The number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs increased by 77 from Saturday to Sunday, the largest single-day uptick since IDPH started tracking in early April.
Dr. Craig Davis, a physician in the southern Illinois region that will be put under restriction soon, said hospital admissions in his area have "tripled" in recent days.
"My colleagues and I have witnessed the agony of our patients' families as they wait for news of a recovery and the devastation they feel when their loved ones succumb to this," Davis said. "What is most alarming is the complacency I see in some of our community members and the polarization over simple prevention methods, especially surrounding masks and social distancing. Please consider these short-term sacrifices for the greater good. The enemy is disease, not each other."
IDPH officials are also reporting the state is averaging 34 deaths each day over the past week from the virus. A month ago, the state was averaging 21 deaths a day from COVID-19.
Pritzker was optimistic about the state's ability to handle this new wave of the virus.
"We know a good deal more about how to monitor and address this pandemic than we did before," he said. "We've built up resources preparing for the possibility of a fall or winter wave."
He added that because of the resurgence of the virus, he and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike will be holding daily news briefings to update residents on the state's ongoing battle against the spread of the virus.
"If you're tired and let your guard down, now is the time to pick it back up again," Pritzker said. "Things are getting worse. Wear a mask wherever you go. Get your flu shot. Forego unnecessary trips and gatherings, and take extra care to stay 6 feet away from others, especially in public."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Why some Cook County voters are still waiting for mail-in ballots

An onslaught of paper vote-by-mail applications in suburban Cook County may be the cause of weekslong delays experienced by voters who have not yet received their ballots , election officials said .
Roughly 180,000 of the more than 510,000 mail-in ballot requests submitted to the Cook County clerk 's office so far have been in paper form , requiring more time and manpower to process than online applications , Deputy Clerk of Elections Edmund Michalowski said .
The sheer volume of applications returned , coupled with inconsistencies in the forms and a temporary office shutdown , resulted in delays in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
In turn , some voters who applied as early as late August still could be without their mail-in ballots just two weeks before the Nov. 3 election .
But Michalowski said they wo n't have to wait much longer .
As of Monday , he said , the clerk 's office is caught up on verifying and entering data for outstanding paper ballots , roughly 30,000 of which have been processed since late last week .
Batches of mail-in ballots are expected to be printed and sent out this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processed moving forward .
`` We just had an ungodly amount of mail applications in paper for mail ballots , and the problem with that is they 're all incongruent , '' Michalowski said .
`` It 's really tedious . ''
For the requests trickling in now , he said , voters can expect a seven- to 10-day turnaround time before their ballots are delivered .
The agency never experienced a backlog of online applications , which offers a faster and more automated process , he said .
The paper applications returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those distributed by the election authority to those sent out by third-party organizations and political groups .
Though permitted by state statute , the variation in forms has partially contributed to the delays , Michalowski said .
The office also had to shut down this summer for two weeks due to COVID-19 cases among staff members , he said .
The clerk 's office has since increased data entry resources , and employees have been working mandatory overtime to process the record number of applications they 've received to date , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received ahead of the 2016 presidential election , Michalowski said .
Cook County received a bulk of applications before Sept. 24 , when election authorities statewide could begin mailing out ballots , and saw another surge within the last week , Michalowski said .
Large groups of voters who submitted paper requests should see their ballots ' statuses updated on the election website within the next few days to signify that it is en route , he said .
Once the ballot is returned to the clerk 's office , employees will process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter that it was received .
More than 27,000 mail-in ballots already have been submitted in suburban Cook County , and 11,900 residents have voted early in person as of Monday morning , according to data from the Illinois State Board of Elections .
Other local election authorities , including in Kane , DuPage and McHenry counties , have not reported significant delays in vote-by-mail processes , but they 've warned voters against procrastinating .
More than 1.1 million voters in suburban Cook and the collar counties have requested mail-in ballots , accounting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 29 , though election authorities urge voters to submit their requests much sooner to ensure their ballots arrive in time .
Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and arrive within 14 days to be counted .

Why some Cook County voters are still waiting for mail-in ballots
An onslaught of paper vote-by-mail applications in suburban Cook County may be the cause of weekslong delays experienced by voters who have not yet received their ballots, election officials said.
Roughly 180,000 of the more than 510,000 mail-in ballot requests submitted to the Cook County clerk's office so far have been in paper form, requiring more time and manpower to process than online applications, Deputy Clerk of Elections Edmund Michalowski said.
The sheer volume of applications returned, coupled with inconsistencies in the forms and a temporary office shutdown, resulted in delays in getting blank ballots in the mail, he said.
In turn, some voters who applied as early as late August still could be without their mail-in ballots just two weeks before the Nov. 3 election. But Michalowski said they won't have to wait much longer.
As of Monday, he said, the clerk's office is caught up on verifying and entering data for outstanding paper ballots, roughly 30,000 of which have been processed since late last week. Batches of mail-in ballots are expected to be printed and sent out this week, leaving only day-to-day volumes to be processed moving forward.
"We just had an ungodly amount of mail applications in paper for mail ballots, and the problem with that is they're all incongruent," Michalowski said. "It's really tedious."
For the requests trickling in now, he said, voters can expect a seven- to 10-day turnaround time before their ballots are delivered.
The agency never experienced a backlog of online applications, which offers a faster and more automated process, he said.
The paper applications returned to the clerk's office range from those distributed by the election authority to those sent out by third-party organizations and political groups. Though permitted by state statute, the variation in forms has partially contributed to the delays, Michalowski said.
The office also had to shut down this summer for two weeks due to COVID-19 cases among staff members, he said.
The clerk's office has since increased data entry resources, and employees have been working mandatory overtime to process the record number of applications they've received to date, which is more than five times the total requests received ahead of the 2016 presidential election, Michalowski said.
Cook County received a bulk of applications before Sept. 24, when election authorities statewide could begin mailing out ballots, and saw another surge within the last week, Michalowski said. Large groups of voters who submitted paper requests should see their ballots' statuses updated on the election website within the next few days to signify that it is en route, he said.
Once the ballot is returned to the clerk's office, employees will process and verify the ballot before notifying the voter that it was received.
More than 27,000 mail-in ballots already have been submitted in suburban Cook County, and 11,900 residents have voted early in person as of Monday morning, according to data from the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Other local election authorities, including in Kane, DuPage and McHenry counties, have not reported significant delays in vote-by-mail processes, but they've warned voters against procrastinating. More than 1.1 million voters in suburban Cook and the collar counties have requested mail-in ballots, accounting for roughly half the applications received statewide.
The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 29, though election authorities urge voters to submit their requests much sooner to ensure their ballots arrive in time. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and arrive within 14 days to be counted.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Students in Dist. 220, Dist. 54 return to class

It came much later than expected , but students in a pair of Northwest suburban school districts made their long-awaited return to the classroom Monday after months of virtual learning at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Students in Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 and Barrington Area Unit District 220 were welcomed back with safety protocols like temperature checks , socially distanced seating and mask requirements , Both districts are operating with hybrid models that feature a blend of in-person learning and remote instruction .
In District 54 , which educates more than 15,500 students at 28 schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of in-person instruction and three days of remote learning each week .
District officials say that allows the lower class sizes needed for proper social distancing .
The model in District 220 -- which educates about 9,000 students in 11 schools and an early learning center -- also has students attending in-person twice a week and receiving remote instruction the other three days .
Families in the districts also can choose remote learning only .
Both districts have created online dashboards to inform parents and other community members of COVID-19 cases involving students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at https : //sites.google.com/sd54.org/covid-19-dashboard/home and the District 220 dashboard can be found at www.barrington220.org/coronavirus .

Students in Dist. 220, Dist. 54 return to class
A student at Roslyn Road Elementary School in Barrington sanitizes her hands before heading into the building for the first day of in-person learning of the school year, Courtesy of Barrington Area Unit School District 220
A student at Hough Street Elementary School in Barrington practices social distancing Monday, the first day of in-person instruction for Barrington Area Unit District 220. The district is operating with a hybrid model that blends in-person learning with remote instruction. Courtesy of Barrington Area Unit School District 220
Kindergarten students in Jennifer DiSanti's class at Lakeview Elementary School in Hoffman Estates worked Monday on building a classroom community during the first day of in-person attendance this school year. Schaumburg Township School District 54 is operating with a hybrid model that blends in-person learning with remote instruction. Courtesy of Schaumburg Township School District 54
A Barrington Middle School-Station Campus staff member checks a student in at the start of the school day Monday, the first day of in-person instruction for Barrington Area Unit District 220. Each student must be checked in to make sure the student has completed a COVID-19 symptom screening before entering the school. Courtesy of Barrington Area Unit School District 220
It came much later than expected, but students in a pair of Northwest suburban school districts made their long-awaited return to the classroom Monday after months of virtual learning at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students in Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 and Barrington Area Unit District 220 were welcomed back with safety protocols like temperature checks, socially distanced seating and mask requirements,
Both districts are operating with hybrid models that feature a blend of in-person learning and remote instruction.
In District 54, which educates more than 15,500 students at 28 schools, the hybrid model includes two full days of in-person instruction and three days of remote learning each week. District officials say that allows the lower class sizes needed for proper social distancing.
The model in District 220 -- which educates about 9,000 students in 11 schools and an early learning center -- also has students attending in-person twice a week and receiving remote instruction the other three days.
Families in the districts also can choose remote learning only.
Both districts have created online dashboards to inform parents and other community members of COVID-19 cases involving students and staff. The District 54 dashboard is at https://sites.google.com/sd54.org/covid-19-dashboard/home and the District 220 dashboard can be found at www.barrington220.org/coronavirus.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Naperville D203, Elmhurst 205 going all-remote amid virus spread; U-46, others stand pat

At least two major school districts are reverting to or extending fully remote learning in response to rising COVID-19 case rates in DuPage County , while several others say they 'll keep schools open but closely watch the numbers .
Elmhurst Unit District 205 will switch to online-only instruction starting Wednesday for two weeks .
The setback comes two weeks after it became one of the first school systems in the county to bring all students back to classrooms for hybrid learning .
Naperville Unit District 203 planned to roll out the second phase of its reopening plan this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday most students in the district will continue e-learning until Nov. 4 .
Only K-12 specialized programs will continue with in-person learning .
While the county health department is now recommending schools operate with 100 % remote learning , it 's ultimately up to individual districts to decide whether to do so .
The county recently registered a weekly infection rate of 119 new cases per 100,000 people .
That metric exceeds a state-set threshold moving DuPage from a `` moderate '' to `` substantial '' level of community transmission .
A surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloud of uncertainty over school reopenings just as waves of students return to classrooms at least for part of the week .
Meanwhile , Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said district officials plan to bring back some students next week .
Limited in-person instruction for small groups of special-needs students began two weeks ago .
Prekindergarten through second-graders are expected to start hybrid classes for two days a week starting Monday .
`` I 'm not going to stop our planning to reopen at this point , '' Sanders said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the data every single day .
Things could change for the worse .
Either way , we are making our plans for kids to return . ''
Transmission rates within the district , whose boundaries stretch across Cook , DuPage and Kane counties , were at moderate-to-higher moderate or minimal levels when U-46 decided to bring back students .
Now , there is a `` substantial spread '' of COVID-19 cases in most U-46 communities -- Bartlett , Carol Stream , the east side of Elgin , Hanover Park , South Elgin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elgin 's west side and Hoffman Estates are the only areas with moderate spread , Sanders said .
The east side of Elgin , Streamwood , Wayne and West Chicago also have substantial cases among youths , he said .
For now , Sanders said , the plan is to start hybrid learning for third- through sixth-graders in late November or early December , and bring in smaller groups of middle and high school students starting in November .
`` What worries me is we have to start following the guidance that our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` If you want your kids in school , then we all have to agree to this new social contract of wearing a mask , keeping our distance and washing our hands . ''
The DuPage health department has seen reports of COVID-19 cases in dozens of students and school employees , but the majority are not linked to outbreaks inside schools , officials said Monday .
Still , officials warned the risk of school-related outbreaks increases as virus infections spread in the wider community .
For now , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to distance learning and remain confident in their mitigation measures inside schools .
In one scenario , the district would move classes online if all three of the following criteria are met : Any single county health department metric indicates substantial transmission for three weeks , one or more schools have had to cease daily operations because of building-level targets , and the health department is concerned `` spread is happening in the local school community . ''
`` I 'm very confident on our measures and the schedule that we 've put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 've slowed the day down .
We only have four periods , 70 minutes each .
We 're not serving lunch .
We have a host of staff to watch the corridors and traffic patterns to ensure students are distancing themselves . ''
Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 has no immediate plans to halt in-person learning , but officials called the county-level data concerning .
`` It means that the community needs to double down on mitigation strategies , but we 're going to monitor that here over the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schuler said .
In a letter to families , Schuler said the health department has agreed it 's appropriate to monitor data because `` school mitigation strategies have been effective . ''
A district dashboard shows two students and one staff member had positive tests across early childhood and elementary schools for the week ending Oct. 11 .
A total of 13 students and three employees at those grade levels have tested positive since the school year began Sept. 1 .
Schuler told the school board last week the positive cases were linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elmhurst District 205 Superintendent David Moyer announced the `` adaptive pause '' to in-person learning in a note to families , citing rising case rates and a 46.7 % increase in youth cases .
`` This means that the presence of COVID-19 is on a large scale and is widely spreading throughout our community at a rapid pace that jeopardizes the health and safety of our families , '' Moyer said .
Coronavirus concerns are spreading to at least a couple of other suburban school distircts .
Round Lake Area Unit District 116 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anytime soon , citing the increase of positive cases in the Round Lake area .
And Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake will close Tuesday , returning to all-remote learning the rest of the week , due to a number of confirmed COVID-19 cases .
The McHenry County Department of Health notified the high school on Monday it was under evaluation because of COVID-19 cases , the school 's website said .
The exact number of cases was n't provided .

Naperville D203, Elmhurst 205 going all-remote amid virus spread; U-46, others stand pat
Students at York High School in Elmhurst will switch to remote learning for two weeks starting Wednesday as a result of rising COVID-19 test positivity rates in DuPage County. Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Central High School and other Naperville Unit District 203 schools will now keep most learning remote until at least Nov. 4. daily herald file photo
At least two major school districts are reverting to or extending fully remote learning in response to rising COVID-19 case rates in DuPage County, while several others say they'll keep schools open but closely watch the numbers.
Elmhurst Unit District 205 will switch to online-only instruction starting Wednesday for two weeks. The setback comes two weeks after it became one of the first school systems in the county to bring all students back to classrooms for hybrid learning.
Naperville Unit District 203 planned to roll out the second phase of its reopening plan this week. Instead, Superintendent Dan Bridges announced Monday most students in the district will continue e-learning until Nov. 4. Only K-12 specialized programs will continue with in-person learning.
While the county health department is now recommending schools operate with 100% remote learning, it's ultimately up to individual districts to decide whether to do so.
The county recently registered a weekly infection rate of 119 new cases per 100,000 people. That metric exceeds a state-set threshold moving DuPage from a "moderate" to "substantial" level of community transmission.
A surge in cases across the region leaves a cloud of uncertainty over school reopenings just as waves of students return to classrooms at least for part of the week.
Meanwhile, Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said district officials plan to bring back some students next week.
Limited in-person instruction for small groups of special-needs students began two weeks ago. Prekindergarten through second-graders are expected to start hybrid classes for two days a week starting Monday.
"I'm not going to stop our planning to reopen at this point," Sanders said. "We are going to monitor the data every single day. Things could change for the worse. Either way, we are making our plans for kids to return."
Transmission rates within the district, whose boundaries stretch across Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, were at moderate-to-higher moderate or minimal levels when U-46 decided to bring back students. Now, there is a "substantial spread" of COVID-19 cases in most U-46 communities -- Bartlett, Carol Stream, the east side of Elgin, Hanover Park, South Elgin, Streamwood, Wayne and West Chicago. Elgin's west side and Hoffman Estates are the only areas with moderate spread, Sanders said.
The east side of Elgin, Streamwood, Wayne and West Chicago also have substantial cases among youths, he said.
For now, Sanders said, the plan is to start hybrid learning for third- through sixth-graders in late November or early December, and bring in smaller groups of middle and high school students starting in November.
"What worries me is we have to start following the guidance that our health departments are giving us," he said. "If you want your kids in school, then we all have to agree to this new social contract of wearing a mask, keeping our distance and washing our hands."
The DuPage health department has seen reports of COVID-19 cases in dozens of students and school employees, but the majority are not linked to outbreaks inside schools, officials said Monday.
Still, officials warned the risk of school-related outbreaks increases as virus infections spread in the wider community.
For now, some area superintendents say they won't pivot to distance learning and remain confident in their mitigation measures inside schools.
Glenbard High School District 87 has set clear thresholds for scaling back in-person learning.
In one scenario, the district would move classes online if all three of the following criteria are met: Any single county health department metric indicates substantial transmission for three weeks, one or more schools have had to cease daily operations because of building-level targets, and the health department is concerned "spread is happening in the local school community."
On Monday, Glenbard students moved to a hybrid schedule.
"I'm very confident on our measures and the schedule that we've put together," Superintendent David Larson said. "We've slowed the day down. We only have four periods, 70 minutes each. We're not serving lunch. We have a host of staff to watch the corridors and traffic patterns to ensure students are distancing themselves."
Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 has no immediate plans to halt in-person learning, but officials called the county-level data concerning.
"It means that the community needs to double down on mitigation strategies, but we're going to monitor that here over the next week or so," Superintendent Jeff Schuler said.
In a letter to families, Schuler said the health department has agreed it's appropriate to monitor data because "school mitigation strategies have been effective."
A district dashboard shows two students and one staff member had positive tests across early childhood and elementary schools for the week ending Oct. 11. A total of 13 students and three employees at those grade levels have tested positive since the school year began Sept. 1.
Schuler told the school board last week the positive cases were linked to transmission outside of school buildings.
Elmhurst District 205 Superintendent David Moyer announced the "adaptive pause" to in-person learning in a note to families, citing rising case rates and a 46.7% increase in youth cases.
"This means that the presence of COVID-19 is on a large scale and is widely spreading throughout our community at a rapid pace that jeopardizes the health and safety of our families," Moyer said.
Coronavirus concerns are spreading to at least a couple of other suburban school distircts. Round Lake Area Unit District 116 will not be returning to in-person learning anytime soon, citing the increase of positive cases in the Round Lake area.
And Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake will close Tuesday, returning to all-remote learning the rest of the week, due to a number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. The McHenry County Department of Health notified the high school on Monday it was under evaluation because of COVID-19 cases, the school's website said. The exact number of cases wasn't provided.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Polling places getting extra sanitizing attention as COVID-19 cases surge

With COVID-19 cases surging in Illinois , voters may be concerned about their safety when heading to the polls to vote in person , but suburban county clerks say they are taking extra precautions while preaching pandemic common sense .
Precautions include placing sneeze guards between election judges and voters , cleaning each voting station between voters , having plenty of hand sanitizer available , and social distancing markers in place at polling locations .
Of course , voters are encouraged to wear masks .
Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham said while officials ca n't force a voter to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` all over '' thanking people for wearing them .
`` I 'd say 99 % of people are wearing masks right now ( during early voting ) , '' he said .
Cunningham said they 've provided poll workers with masks , in addition to face shields , gloves and plastic gowns .
`` There 's an epidemic of the virus and an epidemic of fear , '' he said .
`` We have to counter both of those for our 300,000-plus voters and also our 1,500 judges . ''
What else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robin M. O'Connor suggested in a news release that voters can bring their own black or blue ink pen ( no markers ) .
Even though pens are cleaned between uses in many places , bringing your own will limit your physical contact at the voting site to practically just your paper ballot .
She also recommended using the provided disposable stylus for touch-screen ballot marking equipment .
The Centers for Disease Control website also suggests voting at off-peak hours to avoid large crowds and filling out paperwork in advance , if possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down electronic voting equipment , as some cleaners and disinfectants can cause damage .
Cunningham said his office is using the most modern cleaning equipment available , similar to what Boeing uses on its airplanes and what CTA is using on buses .
`` I think we 're doing everything possible to keep everyone safe . ''

Polling places getting extra sanitizing attention as COVID-19 cases surge
With COVID-19 cases surging in Illinois, voters may be concerned about their safety when heading to the polls to vote in person, but suburban county clerks say they are taking extra precautions while preaching pandemic common sense.
Precautions include placing sneeze guards between election judges and voters, cleaning each voting station between voters, having plenty of hand sanitizer available, and putting social distancing markers in place at polling locations.
Of course, voters are encouraged to wear masks.
Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham said while officials can't force a voter to wear a mask, there are signs posted "all over" thanking people for wearing them.
"I'd say 99% of people are wearing masks right now (during early voting)," he said.
Cunningham said his staff has provided poll workers with masks, in addition to face shields, gloves and plastic gowns.
"There's an epidemic of the virus and an epidemic of fear," he said. "We have to counter both of those for our 300,000-plus voters and also our 1,500 judges." What else can voters do?
Lake County Clerk Robin M. O'Connor suggested in a news release that voters bring their own black or blue ink pen (no markers). Even though pens are cleaned between uses in many places, bringing your own will limit your physical contact at the voting site to practically just your paper ballot. She also recommended using the provided disposable stylus for touch-screen ballot marking equipment.
The Centers for Disease Control website also suggests voting at off-peak hours to avoid large crowds and filling out paperwork in advance, if possible.
Officials say voters should not wipe down electronic voting equipment, as some cleaners and disinfectants can cause damage.
Cunningham said his office is using the most modern cleaning equipment available, similar to what Boeing uses on its airplanes and what the CTA is using on buses.
"I think we're doing everything possible to keep everyone safe," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Ives claims Casten backed out of debate; he cites scheduling conflict

Republican congressional hopeful Jeanne Ives is trying to make hay out of Democratic opponent Sean Casten 's decision to skip a television appearance scheduled for Tuesday night .
Ives , of Wheaton , will appear on WTTW 11 's `` Chicago Tonight '' at 7 p.m. to discuss the issues facing Illinois ' 6th Congressional District and the nation .
Casten , a freshman lawmaker from Downers Grove , was invited to participate but wo n't because of a schedule conflict , said his campaign spokesman , Jacob Vurpillat .
Ives spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy said Ives booked the event in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to attend last week .
In subsequent social media posts and in an email to supporters , Ives accused Casten of dropping out of the debate and ridiculed him for the anticipated no-show .
`` Sean Casten backed out of our final debate on WTTW , '' one message said .
Another reads : `` He 's back to hiding in his basement . ''
Vurpillat called that inaccurate , insisting Casten tried to fit the debate into his schedule but could n't .
He rejected Ives ' attempts to paint Casten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In the past 22 months , Rep. Casten has hosted 40 town halls , '' Vurpillat said .
`` He participated in debates with the League of Women Voters , WBBM , WGN and , unlike his opponent , participated in every newspaper editorial board debate . ''
That last remark referred to Ives ' refusal to participate in endorsement interviews with the Daily Herald , Shaw Media and the Chicago Sun-Times because of how the newspapers endorsed her opponents in the 2018 gubernatorial primary and in the congressional primary earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Chicago Tonight '' will be prerecorded , her campaign spokeswoman said .
Libertarian Bill Redpath of West Dundee also is running but is n't participating in the WTTW program , either .
The 6th District includes parts of Cook , DuPage , Kane , Lake and McHenry counties .

Ives claims Casten backed out of debate; he cites scheduling conflict
Sean Casten and Jeanne Ives are candidates for the 6th Congressional District seat.
Republican congressional hopeful Jeanne Ives is trying to make hay out of Democratic opponent Sean Casten's decision to skip a television appearance scheduled for Tuesday night.
Ives, of Wheaton, will appear on WTTW 11's "Chicago Tonight" at 7 p.m. to discuss the issues facing Illinois' 6th Congressional District and the nation.
Casten, a freshman lawmaker from Downers Grove, was invited to participate but won't because of a schedule conflict, said his campaign spokesman, Jacob Vurpillat.
Ives spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy said Ives booked the event in September and learned of Casten's decision not to attend last week.
In subsequent social media posts and in an email to supporters, Ives accused Casten of dropping out of the debate and ridiculed him for the anticipated no-show.
"Sean Casten backed out of our final debate on WTTW," one message said. Another reads: "He's back to hiding in his basement."
Vurpillat called that inaccurate, insisting Casten tried to fit the debate into his schedule but couldn't. He rejected Ives' attempts to paint Casten as hiding from her or the public.
"In the past 22 months, Rep. Casten has hosted 40 town halls," Vurpillat said. "He participated in debates with the League of Women Voters, WBBM, WGN and, unlike his opponent, participated in every newspaper editorial board debate."
That last remark referred to Ives' refusal to participate in endorsement interviews with the Daily Herald, Shaw Media and the Chicago Sun-Times because of how the newspapers endorsed her opponents in the 2018 gubernatorial primary and in the congressional primary earlier this year.
Ives' appearance on "Chicago Tonight" will be prerecorded, her campaign spokeswoman said.
Libertarian Bill Redpath of West Dundee also is running but isn't participating in the WTTW program, either.
The 6th District includes parts of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Warrant issued for West Dundee man in Elgin hit-and-run case

A felony arrest warrant has been issued for a West Dundee man involved in a hit-and-run earlier this month in @ @ @ @ @ .
According to a news release from the Kane County state 's attorney 's office @ @ @ @ @ , was driving a Chevrolet SUV when he struck the victim 's vehicle from behind @ @ @ @ @ near McLean Boulevard and Spartan Drive , causing a chain-reaction crash .
Aguirre fled but @ @ @ @ @ who was able to remember details about the vehicle and license plate , according to @ @ @ @ @ driver of the vehicle Aguirre hit suffered minor injuries , the news release said .
@ @ @ @ @ at $ 15,000 .
Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call Elgin police at @ @ @ @ @

Warrant issued for West Dundee man in Elgin hit-and-run case
A felony arrest warrant has been issued for a West Dundee man involved in a hit-and-run earlier this month in Elgin, authorities announced Monday.
According to a news release from the Kane County state's attorney's office, Bryan Aguirre, 21, was driving a Chevrolet SUV when he struck the victim's vehicle from behind about 4:40 p.m. Oct. 2 near McLean Boulevard and Spartan Drive, causing a chain-reaction crash.
Aguirre fled but was pursued by a witness who was able to remember details about the vehicle and license plate, according to the news release. The driver of the vehicle Aguirre hit suffered minor injuries, the news release said.
Aguirre's bail is set at $15,000. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call Elgin police at (847) 289-2700.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Longtime priest and seminary professor dies two weeks after 100th birthday

Monsignor Charles R. Meyer , a senior professor emeritus at St. Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary died Thursday , two weeks after his 100th birthday .
According to a news release issued Monday by the Archdiocese of Chicago , Meyer was born in Chicago Sept. 30 , 1920 , and grew up attending St. Andrew Parish , where he was encouraged to become a priest .
Meyer later studied philosophy and theology at Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary and Mundelein Seminary , the archdiocese said .
He received his doctorate in theology at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mary of the Lake .
An avid traveler , Meyer studied in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University and in the Vatican Library for his postdoctoral studies .
Meyer was ordained on Feb. 24 , 1945 , and celebrated his first Mass the next day at St. Andrew Parish , according to the release .
In 1949 , he served as an assistant librarian at Mundelein Seminary and later became the dean of discipline for the philosophy and theology department .
He taught courses on church history , dogmatic theology , and liturgical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the University of St. Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary from 1976 until 1981 , when he returned to the classroom full time .
He retired in 1991 and as a professor emeritus he continued to teach part time until 2013 .
The Very Rev .
Thomas Baima , provost of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary , met Meyer in 1976 when he started Mundelein Seminary as a student .
`` While everyone knows him as a brilliant scholar and a demanding teacher , '' said Baima @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know about him was how , through the years , he maintained a connection with parish life . ''
For many years , he served as an assisting priest on the weekends in St. Edna Parish in Arlington Heights , and he also led a women 's theology group in Mary , Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge In 2010 , Pope Benedict XVI named him Prelate of Honor of His Holiness for his long service to the seminary .
The Rev .
Emery de Gaál , chairman and professor of dogmatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Lake , said he remembers Meyer as cheerful , witty and knowledgeable .
`` He was always alert to God 's calling him to new tasks and obligations , '' de Gaál said .
`` He responded with singular devotion and discipline .
... At every task he joyfully excelled , precisely because he was fulfilling God 's will . ''
Visitation and a funeral Mass have not yet been scheduled .

Longtime priest and seminary professor dies two weeks after 100th birthday
Monsignor Charles R. Meyer, a senior professor emeritus at St. Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary died Thursday, two weeks after his 100th birthday.
According to a news release issued Monday by the Archdiocese of Chicago, Meyer was born in Chicago Sept. 30, 1920, and grew up attending St. Andrew Parish, where he was encouraged to become a priest.
Meyer later studied philosophy and theology at Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary and Mundelein Seminary, the archdiocese said. He received his doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Faculty of Theology at the St. Mary of the Lake.
An avid traveler, Meyer studied in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University and in the Vatican Library for his postdoctoral studies.
Meyer was ordained on Feb. 24, 1945, and celebrated his first Mass the next day at St. Andrew Parish, according to the release.
In 1949, he served as an assistant librarian at Mundelein Seminary and later became the dean of discipline for the philosophy and theology department. He taught courses on church history, dogmatic theology, and liturgical rubrics.
Meyer was the academic dean of the University of St. Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary from 1976 until 1981, when he returned to the classroom full time.
He retired in 1991 and as a professor emeritus he continued to teach part time until 2013.
The Very Rev. Thomas Baima, provost of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, met Meyer in 1976 when he started Mundelein Seminary as a student.
"While everyone knows him as a brilliant scholar and a demanding teacher," said Baima, "what many people didn't know about him was how, through the years, he maintained a connection with parish life."
For many years, he served as an assisting priest on the weekends in St. Edna Parish in Arlington Heights, and he also led a women's theology group in Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge
In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI named him Prelate of Honor of His Holiness for his long service to the seminary.
The Rev. Emery de Gaál, chairman and professor of dogmatic theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, said he remembers Meyer as cheerful, witty and knowledgeable.
"He was always alert to God's calling him to new tasks and obligations," de Gaál said. "He responded with singular devotion and discipline. ... At every task he joyfully excelled, precisely because he was fulfilling God's will."
Visitation and a funeral Mass have not yet been scheduled.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Feder: Bill Leff to host morning cartoon show on MeTV

Bill Leff , the affable Chicago radio personality , stand-up comedian and improv actor , will host a national one-hour weekday morning cartoon show on MeTV , the Chicago-based network for nostalgic television , Robert Feder writes .
Starting in early January , `` Toon In With Me '' will feature Leff and a few other characters performing original comedy sketches leading into the best of the Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes animated classics , including Bugs Bunny , Daffy Duck , Porky Pig , Tweety and Road Runner .
For the eternally youthful Leff , a pop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the role recalls a golden era of Chicago television , including such legendary children 's show hosts Ray Rayner and Bill Jackson , among others .
`` As a child I was late for school every morning because I could not stop watching Ray Rayner 's show , '' said Leff , who grew up in Oak Forest and now lives in Evanston .
`` I felt like he was talking directly to me .
Then after school , the brilliance that was Bill Jackson 's 'Cartoon Town ' was just so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` 'Toon In With Me ' pays tribute to both .
It 's part Ray Rayner , part 'Cartoon Town , ' part 'Pee Wee 's Playhouse , ' and part 'Sea Hunt . '
It 's something for everybody , '' he said .
Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Bill Leff to host morning cartoon show on MeTV
Bill Leff, the affable Chicago radio personality, stand-up comedian and improv actor, will host a national one-hour weekday morning cartoon show on MeTV, the Chicago-based network for nostalgic television, Robert Feder writes.
Starting in early January, "Toon In With Me" will feature Leff and a few other characters performing original comedy sketches leading into the best of the Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes animated classics, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety and Road Runner.
For the eternally youthful Leff, a pop culture fan and collector of wide renown, the role recalls a golden era of Chicago television, including such legendary children's show hosts Ray Rayner and Bill Jackson, among others.
"As a child I was late for school every morning because I could not stop watching Ray Rayner's show," said Leff, who grew up in Oak Forest and now lives in Evanston. "I felt like he was talking directly to me. Then after school, the brilliance that was Bill Jackson's 'Cartoon Town' was just so influential to who I would eventually become.
"'Toon In With Me' pays tribute to both. It's part Ray Rayner, part 'Cartoon Town,' part 'Pee Wee's Playhouse,' and part 'Sea Hunt.' It's something for everybody," he said.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--DuPage deputy sues sheriff's office, says she faced sexual harassment, discrimination

A DuPage County sheriff 's deputy is suing the sheriff 's office , saying she was sexually harassed by a supervisor , and discriminated against because she is a woman .
Veronica Caunca , 40 , of Oswego , filed the lawsuit Oct. 9 against the office , current Sheriff James Mendrick and previous sheriff John Zaruba .
According to the lawsuit , Caunca has been a deputy since November 2008 .
The sheriff 's office spokesman declined to comment about the lawsuit and instead referred questions to the DuPage County state 's attorney 's office .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be served .
As with any pending litigation filed against the county or its elected officials , we will not be making any comment regarding this suit other than to say we will vigorously defend our clients , '' said Paul Darrah , the state 's attorney 's spokesman .
Caunca 's attorney has not replied to a request for comment .
The lawsuit states that starting in January 2014 , Caunca was sexually harassed and received unwanted sexual advances from a lieutenant who was in charge of the courthouse security detail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit alleges that after Caunca rebuffed the lieutenant , he defamed her character and professional reputation .
She states she also was denied a promotion to sergeant ; the supervisor tried to take away her courtroom assignment ; and that he interfered with , and denied her , time to pump breast milk , to the point she developed breast inflammation .
The lawsuit contends the stress of dealing with the situation caused Caunca to suffer from shingles , diarrhea , nausea and migraine headaches .
The supervisor named in the lawsuit retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she filed complaints with superiors at the sheriff 's office , and to the county 's human resources department , but nothing was done .
The suit seeks at least $ 50,000 in damages for unspecified loss of wages and benefits , and for suffering , pain , distress , humiliation and damage to her reputation .
Caunca is one of 19 plaintiffs in a separate lawsuit against the sheriff 's office stemming from a pay dispute .

DuPage deputy sues sheriff's office, says she faced sexual harassment, discrimination
A DuPage County sheriff's deputy is suing the sheriff's office, saying she was sexually harassed by a supervisor, and discriminated against because she is a woman.
Veronica Caunca, 40, of Oswego, filed the lawsuit Oct. 9 against the office, current Sheriff James Mendrick and previous sheriff John Zaruba. According to the lawsuit, Caunca has been a deputy since November 2008.
The sheriff's office spokesman declined to comment about the lawsuit and instead referred questions to the DuPage County state's attorney's office.
"We are aware of the lawsuit but have yet to be served. As with any pending litigation filed against the county or its elected officials, we will not be making any comment regarding this suit other than to say we will vigorously defend our clients," said Paul Darrah, the state's attorney's spokesman.
Caunca's attorney has not replied to a request for comment.
The lawsuit states that starting in January 2014, Caunca was sexually harassed and received unwanted sexual advances from a lieutenant who was in charge of the courthouse security detail to which she was assigned.
The suit alleges that after Caunca rebuffed the lieutenant, he defamed her character and professional reputation. She states she also was denied a promotion to sergeant; the supervisor tried to take away her courtroom assignment; and that he interfered with, and denied her, time to pump breast milk, to the point she developed breast inflammation.
The lawsuit contends the stress of dealing with the situation caused Caunca to suffer from shingles, diarrhea, nausea and migraine headaches.
The supervisor named in the lawsuit retired in August.
Caunca's suit says she filed complaints with superiors at the sheriff's office, and to the county's human resources department, but nothing was done.
The suit seeks at least $50,000 in damages for unspecified loss of wages and benefits, and for suffering, pain, distress, humiliation and damage to her reputation.
Caunca is one of 19 plaintiffs in a separate lawsuit against the sheriff's office stemming from a pay dispute.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Judge rules municipalities are exempt from Election Day 'holiday'

SPRINGFIELD -- A Sangamon County judge has ruled local units of government are exempt from a law the General Assembly passed this year declaring the Nov. 3 general election as a state holiday and requiring all government offices to be closed that day , unless they are used as polling places or for other election-related services .
Lawmakers passed that measure during their special session in May as a way to protect public safety during the election amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Specifically , it was intended to allow schools , colleges and universities to be used as polling places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public who might be carrying the virus .
The Illinois Municipal League , a nonprofit advocacy group that represents local governments , filed suit in July seeking a declaratory judgment stating that the law did not apply to its members .
The case was filed on behalf of village of Bolingbrook , in Will and DuPage counties , and Southern View , in Sangamon County , against the Illinois State Board of Elections .
The plaintiffs challenged a portion of the law that reads , `` All government offices , with the exception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless authorized to be used as a location for Election Day services or as a polling place . ''
If that applied to local governments , the plaintiffs argued , it would have forced many of them to pay tens , or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for holiday pay and related expenses for law enforcement officers , firefighters , other first responders and other staff who would be required to work on that day .
In a six-page opinion released Friday , Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow ruled that if the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would amount to an impermissible unfunded mandate .
`` Where the legislature fails to make necessary appropriations allowing reimbursement of expenses , local governments are not required to implement such mandates , '' Grischow wrote .
She also cited transcripts of debate in the House over the bill , including a statement from Rep. Kelly Burke , D-Evergreen Park , one of the lead sponsors of the bill , who said upon questioning that the bill would not apply to local governments .
`` We applaud the court 's decision to uphold the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Municipal League executive director Brad Cole said in a statement .
`` Local leaders understand the needs of their communities and must be able to make decisions in their best interest .
This decision allows them to do so in respect to Election Day .
At a time when municipalities have experienced added public health costs and decreases in tax revenue , many simply can not afford the extra costs this mandate would have created . ''

Judge rules municipalities are exempt from Election Day 'holiday'
SPRINGFIELD -- A Sangamon County judge has ruled local units of government are exempt from a law the General Assembly passed this year declaring the Nov. 3 general election as a state holiday and requiring all government offices to be closed that day, unless they are used as polling places or for other election-related services.
Lawmakers passed that measure during their special session in May as a way to protect public safety during the election amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, it was intended to allow schools, colleges and universities to be used as polling places without exposing students to members of the public who might be carrying the virus.
The Illinois Municipal League, a nonprofit advocacy group that represents local governments, filed suit in July seeking a declaratory judgment stating that the law did not apply to its members. The case was filed on behalf of village of Bolingbrook, in Will and DuPage counties, and Southern View, in Sangamon County, against the Illinois State Board of Elections.
The plaintiffs challenged a portion of the law that reads, "All government offices, with the exception of election authorities, shall be closed unless authorized to be used as a location for Election Day services or as a polling place."
If that applied to local governments, the plaintiffs argued, it would have forced many of them to pay tens, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for holiday pay and related expenses for law enforcement officers, firefighters, other first responders and other staff who would be required to work on that day.
In a six-page opinion released Friday, Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow ruled that if the law were applied to local governments, it would amount to an impermissible unfunded mandate.
"Where the legislature fails to make necessary appropriations allowing reimbursement of expenses, local governments are not required to implement such mandates," Grischow wrote.
She also cited transcripts of debate in the House over the bill, including a statement from Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, one of the lead sponsors of the bill, who said upon questioning that the bill would not apply to local governments.
"We applaud the court's decision to uphold the authority of local officials," Illinois Municipal League executive director Brad Cole said in a statement. "Local leaders understand the needs of their communities and must be able to make decisions in their best interest. This decision allows them to do so in respect to Election Day. At a time when municipalities have experienced added public health costs and decreases in tax revenue, many simply cannot afford the extra costs this mandate would have created."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Addison man dies from crash injuries

Addison man dies from crash injuries

A second man has died from his injuries after an SUV veered off Interstate I-290 and struck a vehicle on @ @ @ @ @ J. Doyle , 58 , of Addison died Sunday evening at Loyola University Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ examiner 's office announced Monday .
The crash occurred about 1:15 p.m. Friday .
Police @ @ @ @ @ , 23 , veered left off I-290 , drove into a ditch and went airborne @ @ @ @ @ Grand Avenue , where it struck the driver 's side of Doyle 's Ford .
@ @ @ @ @ the scene .

Addison man dies from crash injuries
A second man has died from his injuries after an SUV veered off Interstate I-290 and struck a vehicle on the road below.
Robert J. Doyle, 58, of Addison died Sunday evening at Loyola University Medical Center, the Cook County medical examiner's office announced Monday.
The crash occurred about 1:15 p.m. Friday. Police say Wauconda resident Jack Giannini, 23, veered left off I-290, drove into a ditch and went airborne before his vehicle landed on Grand Avenue, where it struck the driver's side of Doyle's Ford.
Giannini was pronounced dead at the scene.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--Pandemic air travel milestone; 1 million passengers screened

SILVER SPRING , Md .
-- The number of passengers screened in a single day for flights in the U.S. topped one million for the first time since COVID-19 infections began to spike last March .
The notable milestone , reached Sunday , signifies both the progress made since the darkest days of pandemic for the devastated U.S. airline industry , when fewer than 100,000 people were screened per day in April , and how far it still has to go .
The million plus passengers screened Sunday compares with 2.6 million on the same day last year , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Transportation Security Administration .
The TSA said that the 6.1 million passengers at U.S. checkpoints the week of Oct. 12 through Oct. 18 was the greatest volume measured since the start of the pandemic .
Vacation plans and business trips were frozen in the spring as millions took shelter .
With so little known about the virus , few wanted to board planes or walk through an airport even if they could .
Airlines received $ 50 billion in cash and loans from Congress in March on the condition that they held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Airlines are now warning of mass layoffs while lobbying Congress and the White House for another $ 25 billion to pay workers for the next six months .
The point at which Congress can deliver broader coronavirus relief before the November election is slipping away .
The gap between what is being sought by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Senate Republican rivals and President Donald Trump seems increasingly insurmountable .
Southwest Airlines , which has never laid off employees in its roughly 50-year history , warned this month that it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that union workers must also accept less pay or face furloughs next year .
And while passenger numbers are increasing , no one knows if that trend will continue .
Infections are spiking in the Midwest and stubbornly holding in place or edging higher in other parts of the country as colder weather settles in .

Pandemic air travel milestone; 1 million passengers screened
FILE - In this June 10, 2020 file photo, Transportation Security Administration agents process passengers at the south security checkpoint at Denver International Airport in Denver, as travelers deal with the effects of the new coronavirus. TSA, the government agency that oversees air travel, said the number of passengers screened for flights topped one million in a day on Sunday, Oct. 18 for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic outbreak last March. Associated Press
SILVER SPRING, Md. -- The number of passengers screened in a single day for flights in the U.S. topped one million for the first time since COVID-19 infections began to spike last March.
The notable milestone, reached Sunday, signifies both the progress made since the darkest days of pandemic for the devastated U.S. airline industry, when fewer than 100,000 people were screened per day in April, and how far it still has to go.
The million plus passengers screened Sunday compares with 2.6 million on the same day last year, or roughly 60% fewer, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
The TSA said that the 6.1 million passengers at U.S. checkpoints the week of Oct. 12 through Oct. 18 was the greatest volume measured since the start of the pandemic.
Vacation plans and business trips were frozen in the spring as millions took shelter. With so little known about the virus, few wanted to board planes or walk through an airport even if they could.
Airlines received $50 billion in cash and loans from Congress in March on the condition that they held off on layoffs at least through October. Airlines are now warning of mass layoffs while lobbying Congress and the White House for another $25 billion to pay workers for the next six months.
The point at which Congress can deliver broader coronavirus relief before the November election is slipping away. The gap between what is being sought by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Senate Republican rivals and President Donald Trump seems increasingly insurmountable.
Southwest Airlines, which has never laid off employees in its roughly 50-year history, warned this month that it will cut pay for nonunion workers in January and that union workers must also accept less pay or face furloughs next year.
And while passenger numbers are increasing, no one knows if that trend will continue. Infections are spiking in the Midwest and stubbornly holding in place or edging higher in other parts of the country as colder weather settles in.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-10-19--District 116 to stick with remote learning for now

Round Lake Area Unit District 116 will not be returning to in-person learning any time soon .
School officials confirmed on Monday that the district does not have an established date for returning .
Superintendent Donn Mendoza said school leaders are assessing the risks of reopening now that they have more information .
`` I think we 're in a better place now than we were at the end of July in terms of making informed decisions , '' Mendoza said .
Officials said the biggest obstacle for reopening has been the increase of positive cases in the Round Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rate of positive results on COVID-19 tests for ZIP code 60076 was 8.51 % , far above the threshold set for reopening schools .
Lake County Health Department guidelines say full reopening should occur only when a school has positivity rates of 5 % or lower for 10 straight days .
Hybrid learning , a blend of in-person and remote classes , should occur only if the positivity rate is below 8 % for 10 straight days , District 116 says on its website .
Additionally , the number of cases is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Cases have been at 14 per 100,000 people for at least five days in a row , compared to a goal of half that before in-person learning should resume .
Ten percent of the 935 confirmed cases in the ZIP code are among people age 20 or younger .
Director of Engagement Heather Bennett said the district has had three students and two faculty members test positive in recent weeks .
The school district has been hosting focus groups via Zoom for parents who want to discuss the pandemic 's effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Creating this type of outreach could certainly serve to benefit parents as individuals but also may spark some ideas of how they can better support their children during the pandemic , '' Bennett said .
Elsewhere in the suburbs , Barrington Area Unit District 220 moved from remote to hybrid learning Monday .

District 116 to stick with remote learning for now
Round Lake Area Unit District 116 will not be returning to in-person learning any time soon.
School officials confirmed on Monday that the district does not have an established date for returning. Superintendent Donn Mendoza said school leaders are assessing the risks of reopening now that they have more information.
"I think we're in a better place now than we were at the end of July in terms of making informed decisions," Mendoza said.
Officials said the biggest obstacle for reopening has been the increase of positive cases in the Round Lake area. As of Oct. 16, the rate of positive results on COVID-19 tests for ZIP code 60076 was 8.51%, far above the threshold set for reopening schools.
Lake County Health Department guidelines say full reopening should occur only when a school has positivity rates of 5% or lower for 10 straight days. Hybrid learning, a blend of in-person and remote classes, should occur only if the positivity rate is below 8% for 10 straight days, District 116 says on its website.
Additionally, the number of cases is too high to reopen schools, officials said. Cases have been at 14 per 100,000 people for at least five days in a row, compared to a goal of half that before in-person learning should resume.
Ten percent of the 935 confirmed cases in the ZIP code are among people age 20 or younger. Director of Engagement Heather Bennett said the district has had three students and two faculty members test positive in recent weeks.
The school district has been hosting focus groups via Zoom for parents who want to discuss the pandemic's effect on their children's education.
"Creating this type of outreach could certainly serve to benefit parents as individuals but also may spark some ideas of how they can better support their children during the pandemic," Bennett said.
Elsewhere in the suburbs, Barrington Area Unit District 220 moved from remote to hybrid learning Monday.