dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Trump impeachment articles marched over to Senate for trial

WASHINGTON -- In a dramatic procession across the U.S. Capitol , House Democrats carried the formal articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate late Wednesday , setting the stage for only the third trial to remove a president in American history .
Trump complained anew it was all a `` hoax , '' even as fresh details emerged about his efforts in Ukraine .
The ceremonial pomp and protocol by the lawmakers prosecuting the case against Trump moved the impeachment out of Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's Democratic-run House to the Republican-majority Senate , where the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swift acquittal .
`` Today we will make history , '' Pelosi said as she signed the documents , using multiple pens to hand out and mark the moment .
`` This president will be held accountable . ''
Moments later the prosecutors walked solemnly through the stately hall , filing into the Senate back row as the Clerk of the House announced the arrival : `` The House has passed House Resolution 798 , a resolution appointing and authorizing managers of the impeachment trail of Donald John Trump , President of United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself into an impeachment court at noon Thursday .
The Constitution calls for Chief Justice John Roberts to preside at the trial , administering the oath to senators who will serve as jurors and swear to deliver `` impartial justice . ''
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to have the Senate `` rise above the petty factionalism '' and `` factional fervor and serve the long-term , best interests of our nation . ''
He called it `` a difficult time for our country . ''
Technically , the House was simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the articles , with a more formal presentation Thursday .
Opening arguments are to begin next Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday .
Earlier Wednesday , the House voted 228-193 , almost entirely along party lines to deliver the charges .
The split reflected the deeply divided nation at the start of this presidential election year .
It came one month after the House impeached Trump alleging he abused his presidential power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden , using military aid to the country as leverage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' ensuing probe .
`` This is what an impeachment is about , ″ Pelosi said before the vote .
`` The president violated his oath of office , undermined our national security , jeopardized the integrity of our elections . ''
Trump 's political campaign dismissed the House effort as `` just a failed attempt to politically damage President Trump leading up to his reelection . ''
The top Republican in the House , Kevin McCarthy of California , said Americans will look back on this `` sad saga '' that tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` weakest case . ''
The president 's team expects acquittal with a Senate trial lasting no more than two weeks , according to senior administration officials unauthorized to discuss the matter and granted anonymity .
That 's far shorter than the last presidential impeachment trail , of Bill Clinton , in 1999 , or the first one , of Andrew Johnson , in 1868 .
As McConnell sets the rules for the trial , Trump has given mixed messages about whether he prefers lengthy or swift proceeding , and senators are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to call more witnesses for testimony .
The seven-member prosecution team was led by the chairmen of the House impeachment proceedings , Reps. Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee and Jerry Nadler of the Judiciary Committee , two of Pelosi 's top lieutenants .
`` The president gravely abused the power of his office , '' Nadler said .
`` He did all this for his personal political gain . ''
Ahead of Wednesday 's session , Schiff released new records from Lev Parnas , an associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange with another man about surveilling later-fired Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch .
Schiff said the new evidence should bring more pressure on McConnell , who is reluctant to allow witnesses to testify and prefers swift acquittal .
`` The challenge is to get a fair trial , '' Schiff said in an interview with The Associated Press .
`` It should n't be a challenge -- if the senators are really going to live up to their oath to be impartial , they 'll want a fair trial .
That 's obviously not where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's trial will be only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history , and it comes against the backdrop of a politically divided nation in an election year .
The managers are a diverse group with legal , law enforcement and military experience , including Hakeem Jeffries of New York , Sylvia Garcia of Texas , Val Demings of Florida , Jason Crow of Colorado and Zoe Lofgren of California .
Two are freshmen lawmakers -- Crow a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan , Garcia a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former police chief of Orlando and Jeffries is a lawyer and member of party leadership .
Lofgren has the rare credential of having worked on the congressional staff investigation of then-President Richard Nixon 's impeachment -- he resigned before the full House voted on the charges -- and then being an elected lawmaker during Bill Clinton 's .
For the roll call , all but one Democrat , Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota , voted to transmit the articles .
All Republicans voted against .
One former Republican-turned-independent , Rep. Justin Amash of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competing interests from his party for more witnesses , from centrists who are siding with Democrats on the need to hear testimony and conservatives mounting Trump 's defense .
Senate Republicans signaled they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump , as Trump himself has suggested .
McConnell agreed he does not have the votes to do that .
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is leading an effort among some Republicans , including Mitt Romney of Utah , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She told reporters she was satisfied the rules will allow votes on that .
Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton , the former national security adviser at the White House , who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy toward Ukraine being run by Giuliani .
Those four senators could force votes .
Republicans control the chamber , 53-47 , and are all but certain to acquit Trump .
But it takes just 51 votes during the trial to approve rules or call witnesses .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dismiss the charges against Trump .
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and other Republicans want to subpoena Biden and his son , Hunter , who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine , Burisma , while his father was vice president .
McConnell prefers to model Trump 's trial partly on the process used for Clinton 's impeachment trial in 1999 .
It , too , contained motions for dismissal or calling new witnesses .
McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong the trial and put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 in a bind with tough choices .
At the same time , he wants to give those same senators ample room to show voters they are listening .

Trump impeachment articles marched over to Senate for trial
House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, speaks Wednesday with reporters at a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California looks on. Associated Press
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., signs the resolution to transmit the two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate for trial on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. The two articles of impeachment against Trump are for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Associated Press
House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving and Clerk of the House Cheryl Johnson deliver the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to Secretary of the Senate Julie Adams on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. Following are impeachment managers, House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- In a dramatic procession across the U.S. Capitol, House Democrats carried the formal articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate late Wednesday, setting the stage for only the third trial to remove a president in American history.
Trump complained anew it was all a "hoax," even as fresh details emerged about his efforts in Ukraine.
The ceremonial pomp and protocol by the lawmakers prosecuting the case against Trump moved the impeachment out of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Democratic-run House to the Republican-majority Senate, where the president's team is mounting a defense aiming for swift acquittal.
"Today we will make history,'' Pelosi said as she signed the documents, using multiple pens to hand out and mark the moment. "This president will be held accountable."
Moments later the prosecutors walked solemnly through the stately hall, filing into the Senate back row as the Clerk of the House announced the arrival: "The House has passed House Resolution 798, a resolution appointing and authorizing managers of the impeachment trail of Donald John Trump, President of United States."
The Senate will transform itself into an impeachment court at noon Thursday. The Constitution calls for Chief Justice John Roberts to preside at the trial, administering the oath to senators who will serve as jurors and swear to deliver "impartial justice."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to have the Senate "rise above the petty factionalism" and "factional fervor and serve the long-term, best interests of our nation.'' He called it "a difficult time for our country."
Technically, the House was simply notifying the Senate of its delivery of the articles, with a more formal presentation Thursday. Opening arguments are to begin next Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Earlier Wednesday, the House voted 228-193, almost entirely along party lines to deliver the charges. The split reflected the deeply divided nation at the start of this presidential election year. It came one month after the House impeached Trump alleging he abused his presidential power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, using military aid to the country as leverage. Trump was also charged with obstructing Congress' ensuing probe.
"This is what an impeachment is about,″ Pelosi said before the vote. "The president violated his oath of office, undermined our national security, jeopardized the integrity of our elections."
Trump's political campaign dismissed the House effort as "just a failed attempt to politically damage President Trump leading up to his reelection."
The top Republican in the House, Kevin McCarthy of California, said Americans will look back on this "sad saga" that tried to remove the president from office with the "weakest case."
The president's team expects acquittal with a Senate trial lasting no more than two weeks, according to senior administration officials unauthorized to discuss the matter and granted anonymity.
That's far shorter than the last presidential impeachment trail, of Bill Clinton, in 1999, or the first one, of Andrew Johnson, in 1868.
As McConnell sets the rules for the trial, Trump has given mixed messages about whether he prefers lengthy or swift proceeding, and senators are under pressure with the emerging new evidence to call more witnesses for testimony.
The seven-member prosecution team was led by the chairmen of the House impeachment proceedings, Reps. Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee and Jerry Nadler of the Judiciary Committee, two of Pelosi's top lieutenants.
"The president gravely abused the power of his office," Nadler said. "He did all this for his personal political gain."
Ahead of Wednesday's session, Schiff released new records from Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, about the Ukraine strategy, including an exchange with another man about surveilling later-fired Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.
Schiff said the new evidence should bring more pressure on McConnell, who is reluctant to allow witnesses to testify and prefers swift acquittal.
"The challenge is to get a fair trial," Schiff said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It shouldn't be a challenge -- if the senators are really going to live up to their oath to be impartial, they'll want a fair trial. That's obviously not where Mitch McConnell is coming from."
Trump's trial will be only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history, and it comes against the backdrop of a politically divided nation in an election year.
The managers are a diverse group with legal, law enforcement and military experience, including Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Sylvia Garcia of Texas, Val Demings of Florida, Jason Crow of Colorado and Zoe Lofgren of California.
Two are freshmen lawmakers -- Crow a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Garcia a former judge in Houston. Demings is the former police chief of Orlando and Jeffries is a lawyer and member of party leadership. Lofgren has the rare credential of having worked on the congressional staff investigation of then-President Richard Nixon's impeachment -- he resigned before the full House voted on the charges -- and then being an elected lawmaker during Bill Clinton's.
For the roll call, all but one Democrat, Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, voted to transmit the articles. All Republicans voted against. One former Republican-turned-independent, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, joined Democrats.
McConnell faces competing interests from his party for more witnesses, from centrists who are siding with Democrats on the need to hear testimony and conservatives mounting Trump's defense.
Senate Republicans signaled they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump, as Trump himself has suggested. McConnell agreed he does not have the votes to do that.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is leading an effort among some Republicans, including Mitt Romney of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee to consider Senate witnesses. She told reporters she was satisfied the rules will allow votes on that.
Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton, the former national security adviser at the White House, who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy toward Ukraine being run by Giuliani.
Those four senators could force votes. Republicans control the chamber, 53-47, and are all but certain to acquit Trump. But it takes just 51 votes during the trial to approve rules or call witnesses. It also would take only 51 senators to vote to dismiss the charges against Trump.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and other Republicans want to subpoena Biden and his son, Hunter, who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine, Burisma, while his father was vice president.
McConnell prefers to model Trump's trial partly on the process used for Clinton's impeachment trial in 1999. It, too, contained motions for dismissal or calling new witnesses.
McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong the trial and put vulnerable senators who are up for reelection in 2020 in a bind with tough choices. At the same time, he wants to give those same senators ample room to show voters they are listening.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Cause of death of Schaumburg woman found in car's trunk in Chicago remains undetermined

Determining what killed a 34-year-old Schaumburg woman found dead Monday night in the trunk of her car in Chicago will require further police investigation and the results of toxicology tests , the Cook County medical examiner 's office said Wednesday .
Sureel Dabawala was reported missing by her family Jan. 1 after she failed to return to their home on Dec. 30 .
Natalia Derevyanny , director of communications for the Cook County Bureau of Administration , said toxicology results take at least a month to arrive .
In autopsy cases in which they 're required , no details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are available , Derevyanny said .
Chicago police , who are handling the case as a death investigation , had no further information to release Wednesday .
Authorities reported that Dabawala 's body was located at 8:34 p.m. Monday , wrapped in a blanket in the trunk of her car on the 200 block of North Kilpatrick Avenue in the West Garfield Park neighborhood .
Schaumburg police had issued a missing person alert late last week , saying that Dabawala suffered from a medical condition that placed her in danger .
Authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dabawala 's white 2011 Lexus sedan in which she was found had also been reported missing .
Authorities said the vehicle was located by a private investigator hired by Dabawala 's family .
Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation should contact the Chicago Police Department or Schaumburg Police Department Investigations at ( 847 ) 882-3534 or investigations @ schaumburg.com .

Cause of death of Schaumburg woman found in car's trunk in Chicago remains undetermined
Determining what killed a 34-year-old Schaumburg woman found dead Monday night in the trunk of her car in Chicago will require further police investigation and the results of toxicology tests, the Cook County medical examiner's office said Wednesday.
Sureel Dabawala was reported missing by her family Jan. 1 after she failed to return to their home on Dec. 30.
Natalia Derevyanny, director of communications for the Cook County Bureau of Administration, said toxicology results take at least a month to arrive.
In autopsy cases in which they're required, no details of the investigation are released until those results are available, Derevyanny said.
Chicago police, who are handling the case as a death investigation, had no further information to release Wednesday.
Authorities reported that Dabawala's body was located at 8:34 p.m. Monday, wrapped in a blanket in the trunk of her car on the 200 block of North Kilpatrick Avenue in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
Schaumburg police had issued a missing person alert late last week, saying that Dabawala suffered from a medical condition that placed her in danger. Authorities have not revealed further details of that condition.
Dabawala's white 2011 Lexus sedan in which she was found had also been reported missing.
Authorities said the vehicle was located by a private investigator hired by Dabawala's family.
Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation should contact the Chicago Police Department or Schaumburg Police Department Investigations at (847) 882-3534 or investigations@schaumburg.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--'Stoner food' and the 'Big Lebowski': Theater celebrating pot legalization

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

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


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Lauzen ends campaign for third term as Kane County Board chairman

Republican Chris Lauzen withdrew his candidacy for Kane County Board chairman Wednesday , ending his campaign for a third term @ @ @ @ @ drop out of the March primary comes a week after he indicated his plans for @ @ @ @ @ in the air . ''
Just last month , he said he would be `` @ @ @ @ @ after filing 102 pages of nominating signatures .
Candidates in local races had until 4:30 @ @ @ @ @ the primary ballot .
Raymond Esquivel , the county 's director of elections , confirmed @ @ @ @ @ papers just before the deadline .
Lauzen did not respond to a request for comment @ @ @ @ @ David Rickert will now run unopposed in the Republican primary .
He filed his petition @ @ @ @ @ December , at which point Lauzen vowed to run a full and friendly campaign against @ @ @ @ @ also are vying for the office .
Greg Elsbree and Corinne Pierog will face off @ @ @ @ @ to face Rickert in November .

Lauzen ends campaign for third term as Kane County Board chairman
Republican Chris Lauzen withdrew his candidacy for Kane County Board chairman Wednesday, ending his campaign for a third term.
Lauzen's decision to drop out of the March primary comes a week after he indicated his plans for another term were "up in the air." Just last month, he said he would be "running hard" for reelection after filing 102 pages of nominating signatures.
Candidates in local races had until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to withdraw from the primary ballot. Raymond Esquivel, the county's director of elections, confirmed that Lauzen submitted his withdrawal papers just before the deadline.
Lauzen did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Longtime county Treasurer David Rickert will now run unopposed in the Republican primary. He filed his petition for county board chairman in December, at which point Lauzen vowed to run a full and friendly campaign against his challenger.
Two Democrats also are vying for the office. Greg Elsbree and Corinne Pierog will face off in March for the chance to face Rickert in November.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--After another pedestrian is hurt, lawmakers want safety improvements along Touhy Avenue

A pair of state lawmakers are calling for safety upgrades along Touhy Avenue in Des Plaines after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle there Wednesday , the latest of several such crashes -- two of them fatal -- on that stretch of road since late 2018 .
`` This man is lucky to have come away with his life , '' state Sen. Laura Murphy , a Democrat from Des Plaines , said in a written statement Wednesday .
`` Clearly there is a problem with this location on Touhy Avenue , and it is past time for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How many more have to be hurt or killed before action is taken ? ''
According to a joint statement from Murphy and state Rep. Marty Moylan , the unidentified man was hit early Wednesday morning as he exited a bus on the south side of Touhy near Wolf Road .
He was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition , they said .
In October , a 56-year-old Chicago woman was killed when she was hit by a truck as she attempted to cross Touhy after leaving work nearby .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same stretch of Touhy in December 2018 as she tried to walk across the busy thoroughfare .
Police at the time noted there are no crosswalks and poor lighting where the fatal crashes occurred .
Both women were employees of the LSG SkyChefs facility located across Touhy Avenue from the Pace Suburban Bus stop , Moylan and Murphy said .
LSG SkyChefs employees often take the bus and must cross seven lanes of heavy traffic to get to work , they added .
LSG SkyChefs has attempted to decrease the risk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now Murphy and Moylan are urging the Illinois Department of Transportation and Pace to make changes as well .
`` Long-term solutions are n't enough , '' said Moylan , a Democrat from Des Plaines .
`` We ca n't risk any more lives .
We need to start making improvements today . ''
Among the suggestions : better lighting , lowering speed limits and moving the bus stop to reduce Touhy Avenue crossings .

After another pedestrian is hurt, lawmakers want safety improvements along Touhy Avenue
A pair of state lawmakers are calling for safety upgrades along Touhy Avenue in Des Plaines after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle there Wednesday, the latest of several such crashes -- two of them fatal -- on that stretch of road since late 2018.
"This man is lucky to have come away with his life," state Sen. Laura Murphy, a Democrat from Des Plaines, said in a written statement Wednesday. "Clearly there is a problem with this location on Touhy Avenue, and it is past time for the government to do something about it. How many more have to be hurt or killed before action is taken?"
According to a joint statement from Murphy and state Rep. Marty Moylan, the unidentified man was hit early Wednesday morning as he exited a bus on the south side of Touhy near Wolf Road. He was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition, they said.
In October, a 56-year-old Chicago woman was killed when she was hit by a truck as she attempted to cross Touhy after leaving work nearby. A 55-year-old Dolton woman was killed along the same stretch of Touhy in December 2018 as she tried to walk across the busy thoroughfare.
Police at the time noted there are no crosswalks and poor lighting where the fatal crashes occurred.
Both women were employees of the LSG SkyChefs facility located across Touhy Avenue from the Pace Suburban Bus stop, Moylan and Murphy said. LSG SkyChefs employees often take the bus and must cross seven lanes of heavy traffic to get to work, they added.
LSG SkyChefs has attempted to decrease the risk to employees by implementing a shuttle system. Now Murphy and Moylan are urging the Illinois Department of Transportation and Pace to make changes as well.
"Long-term solutions aren't enough," said Moylan, a Democrat from Des Plaines. "We can't risk any more lives. We need to start making improvements today."
Among the suggestions: better lighting, lowering speed limits and moving the bus stop to reduce Touhy Avenue crossings.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Rozner: East Leyden and the NFC title game

If you can find a way to view the NFL postseason without watching every quarterback and thinking of Ryan Pace , well , you 've probably kept your sanity so far .
Of course , Pat Mahomes offers a significant opportunity in the AFC title game , and Jimmy Garoppolo gives you one more Sunday , as well .
But there 's yet another entertaining intersection to ponder as the NFC Championship takes place in Northern California .
With all its Hall of Fame coaches and teachers , legends like Jack Leese , Chuck Farina and Norm Goodman , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection of coaches and executives that makes little sense on the surface .
`` I do n't know why exactly , '' says former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti .
`` I think it was the culture of where we grew up . ''
That culture at East Leyden produced Colletti ( Class of '72 ) , whose story has been well-documented here over the years , growing up in a garage that served as his home and later climbing to the highest ranks of MLB .
Today , he still does pregame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a scout for the San Jose Sharks and teaches a class at Pepperdine .
At the same time Colletti was Dodgers GM -- when Los Angeles made the playoffs five times in his nine years with three NLCS appearances -- Glen Grunwald ( East Leyden , '76 ) was GM of the Knicks , and Mike Shanahan ( East Leyden , '70 ) was head coach and GM of the Broncos , after playing quarterback for Leese in Franklin Park .
But there 's more .
Niners quarterback Garoppolo -- apparently unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New England -- graduated from Rolling Meadows High School , but his dad , Tony , also played fullback and tackle at East Leyden ( Class of '74 ) , and Mike Shanahan 's son , Kyle , is the head coach in San Francisco , one game from the Super Bowl .
Wait , not done yet .
Bears castoff and current 49ers kicker Robbie Gould is married to Lauren Cozzi , daughter of Greg Cozzi , who coached baseball , soccer and wrestling at East Leyden and is in the Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Norm Goodman and Chuck Farina were all Marines .
We understood that hard work was the answer , '' the 88-year-old Leese said Wednesday .
`` We never looked at the clock .
We expected the players to work hard , whether you played or not , and that was it .
`` You have to put in the work and pay the price . ''
It 's something Colletti remembers well from his childhood .
`` I was cleaning out my office one day about 10 years ago and I found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shanahan ) and I are sitting next to each other , '' Colletti said Wednesday .
`` It was the Franklin Park baseball 1963 city championship team .
`` Mike was a catcher and was extremely competitive , and he has n't really changed much .
He always worked harder than everyone else .
`` I think those of us who came from there were hard working , trying to better our lives .
The coaching staff at Leyden and the teachers exuded that , gave you the confidence to believe you could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew anyone who did make it .
`` But that 's what they instilled in us , what our parents instilled in us .
Everyone worked and everyone competed . ''
It was a lunch-bucket community that hoped to give their children a chance at a better life .
`` Franklin Park , River Grove , Schiller Park , great place to grow up , but it was blue collar .
No one knew anyone whose dad went to work in a suit , '' Colletti said .
`` It 's kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well in different sports and in different places .
`` If it was a California or Florida school where you had athletics year-round it 's probably a little more likely , but to come from a working-class area with some harsh seasons is probably unusual .
`` I tell people once in a while about it and invariably they say , 'All three of you went to a prep school , right ? '
I try to explain that it was just the environment they provided us . ''
While Shanahan roots for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , Grunwald is now CEO of Canada Basketball and Colletti at 65 continues to reinvent himself , the latest version taking on a job with San Jose .
`` Doug ( Wilson ) and I have been friends a long time and he 's been asking me about it for three or four years , '' Colletti said of the former Blackhawks defenseman and longtime Sharks GM .
`` I finally tried it last year on the q.t .
and they were pleased with what I was doing .
`` Baseball and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can still do Dodgers TV and I scout about 85 hockey games .
I 'm responsible for 20 teams , including nine AHL teams .
`` I was just at scouting meetings and it 's interesting being on the other side of the table , telling them what I saw .
`` It 's been great .
I 'm blessed to be able to do it .
I 'm in baseball 38 years and keeping an open mind to other things .
I love teaching and giving back and talking about where I @ @ @ @

Rozner: East Leyden and the NFC title game
Retired NFL head coach Mike Shanahan, who graduated from East Leyden High School, will watch his son -- San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan -- lead his team in the NFC title game. Associated Press
Ned Colletti was the Los Angeles Dodgers general manager in 2014, and today does TV work for the team. He's also a scout for the San Jose Sharks and teaches a class at Pepperdine University. His connection to the NFC Championship is East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, which he recalls fondly. Associated Press
If you can find a way to view the NFL postseason without watching every quarterback and thinking of Ryan Pace, well, you've probably kept your sanity so far.
Of course, Pat Mahomes offers a significant opportunity in the AFC title game, and Jimmy Garoppolo gives you one more Sunday, as well.
But there's yet another entertaining intersection to ponder as the NFC Championship takes place in Northern California.
It's East Leyden High School in Franklin Park.
With all its Hall of Fame coaches and teachers, legends like Jack Leese, Chuck Farina and Norm Goodman, it has given the sporting world a stunning collection of coaches and executives that makes little sense on the surface.
"I don't know why exactly," says former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti. "I think it was the culture of where we grew up."
That culture at East Leyden produced Colletti (Class of '72), whose story has been well-documented here over the years, growing up in a garage that served as his home and later climbing to the highest ranks of MLB.
Today, he still does pregame and postgame for Dodgers TV, serves as a scout for the San Jose Sharks and teaches a class at Pepperdine.
At the same time Colletti was Dodgers GM -- when Los Angeles made the playoffs five times in his nine years with three NLCS appearances -- Glen Grunwald (East Leyden, '76) was GM of the Knicks, and Mike Shanahan (East Leyden, '70) was head coach and GM of the Broncos, after playing quarterback for Leese in Franklin Park.
But there's more.
Niners quarterback Garoppolo -- apparently unknown to the Bears before his trade from New England -- graduated from Rolling Meadows High School, but his dad, Tony, also played fullback and tackle at East Leyden (Class of '74), and Mike Shanahan's son, Kyle, is the head coach in San Francisco, one game from the Super Bowl.
Wait, not done yet.
Bears castoff and current 49ers kicker Robbie Gould is married to Lauren Cozzi, daughter of Greg Cozzi, who coached baseball, soccer and wrestling at East Leyden and is in the Illinois Wrestling Hall of Fame.
"Myself, Norm Goodman and Chuck Farina were all Marines. We understood that hard work was the answer," the 88-year-old Leese said Wednesday. "We never looked at the clock. We expected the players to work hard, whether you played or not, and that was it.
"You have to put in the work and pay the price."
It's something Colletti remembers well from his childhood.
"I was cleaning out my office one day about 10 years ago and I found a team picture, and Mike (Shanahan) and I are sitting next to each other," Colletti said Wednesday. "It was the Franklin Park baseball 1963 city championship team.
"Mike was a catcher and was extremely competitive, and he hasn't really changed much. He always worked harder than everyone else.
"I think those of us who came from there were hard working, trying to better our lives. The coaching staff at Leyden and the teachers exuded that, gave you the confidence to believe you could make it even though you never actually knew many people who did make it beyond the normal expectations.
"But that's what they instilled in us, what our parents instilled in us. Everyone worked and everyone competed."
It was a lunch-bucket community that hoped to give their children a chance at a better life.
"Franklin Park, River Grove, Schiller Park, Rosemont. Great places to grow up, but it was blue collar. No one knew anyone whose dad went to work in a suit," Colletti said. "It's kind of amazing that so many of us did well in different sports and in different places.
"If it was a California or Florida school where you had athletics year-round it's probably a little more likely, but to come from a working-class area with some harsh seasons is probably unusual.
"I tell people once in a while about it and invariably they say, 'All three of you went to a prep school, right?' I try to explain that it was just the environment they provided us."
While Shanahan roots for the 49ers and gets plenty of TV time, Grunwald is now CEO of Canada Basketball and Colletti at 65 continues to reinvent himself, the latest version taking on a job with San Jose.
"Doug (Wilson) and I have been friends a long time and he's been asking me about it for three or four years," Colletti said of the former Blackhawks defenseman and longtime Sharks GM. "I finally tried it last year on the q.t. and they were pleased with what I was doing.
"Baseball and hockey don't overlap much so I can still do Dodgers TV and I've already scouted about 85 hockey games this season. I'm responsible for 20 teams, including nine AHL teams.
"I was just at scouting meetings and it's interesting being on the other side of the table, telling them what I saw.
"It's been great. I'm blessed to be able to do it. I'm in baseball 38 years and keeping an open mind to other things. I love teaching and giving back and talking about where I've been."
That story begins in Franklin Park.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Cary man pleads guilty, avoids prison for DUI crash that killed McHenry teen

Expressing deep remorse for what he had done , a 19-year-old Cary man pleaded guilty Wednesday to an aggravated driving under the influence charge stemming from a crash in March that killed a McHenry teen .
In exchange for pleading guilty to the DUI charge and two counts of aggravated reckless driving , Caleb R. Rohrbach was sentenced to 20 months of periodic imprisonment , the first 12 of which will include electronic home monitoring .
He also must serve 48 months of probation and perform 200 hours of community service .
Before Lake County Judge Mark Levitt accepted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the crash that killed 16-year-old McHenry West High School student Danielle Thomas .
`` I pray everyday she is at peace and that we will reunite , '' Rohrbach said .
Authorities say Rohrbach had marijuana in his system while driving a Hyundai Elantra on Route 12 in Wauconda when it crossed into oncoming traffic at 10:15 p.m. March 16 and collided head-on with Ford Focus driven by Danielle .
Rohrbach and two teen girls who were passengers in Danielle 's car were injured .
Levitt filled in Wednesday for Judge Victoria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's case .
On Tuesday , Rossetti met with lawyers for both sides and determined that because of Rohrbach 's age and lack of prior convictions , a sentence without prison time would be appropriate .
As part of the plea deal , if Rohrbach complies to the rules of probation and electronic home monitoring for 12 months , the final eight months of periodic imprisonment could be commuted .
Rohrbach also was sentenced to 180 days in the Lake County jail , but he 's already served that time while his case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if Rohrbach were to return to college , he would be required to wear a bracelet that monitors alcohol consumption .
A spokesman from the Lake County state 's attorney 's office said Danielle 's family and the other crash victims gave their consent to the plea agreement .

Cary man pleads guilty, avoids prison for DUI crash that killed McHenry teen
Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the date of the crash and the number of passengers.
Expressing deep remorse for what he had done, a 19-year-old Cary man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a charge of aggravated driving under the influence stemming from a crash in March that killed a McHenry teen.
In exchange for pleading guilty to the DUI charge and two counts of aggravated reckless driving, Caleb R. Rohrbach was sentenced to 20 months of periodic imprisonment, the first 12 of which will include electronic home monitoring. He also must serve 48 months of probation and perform 200 hours of community service.
Before Lake County Judge Mark Levitt accepted the plea deal Wednesday, Rohrbach expressed regret for the crash that killed 16-year-old McHenry West High School student Danielle Thomas.
"I pray everyday she is at peace and that we will reunite," Rohrbach said.
Authorities say Rohrbach had marijuana in his system while driving a Hyundai Elantra on Route 12 in Wauconda when it crossed into oncoming traffic at 10:15 p.m. March 15 and collided head-on with Ford Focus driven by Danielle. Rohrbach and three other girls who were passengers in Danielle's car were injured.
Levitt filled in Wednesday for Judge Victoria Rossetti, who normally presides over Rohrbach's case. On Tuesday, Rossetti met with lawyers for both sides and determined that because of Rohrbach's age and lack of prior convictions, a sentence without prison time would be appropriate.
As part of the plea deal, if Rohrbach complies to the rules of probation and electronic home monitoring for 12 months, the final eight months of periodic imprisonment could be commuted.
Rohrbach also was sentenced to 180 days in the Lake County jail, which was covered by time already served.
The deal also stipulates that if Rohrbach were to return to college, he would be required to wear a bracelet that monitors alcohol consumption.
A spokesman from the Lake County state's attorney's office said Danielle's family and the other crash victims gave their consent to the plea agreement.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Hanover Park man dies from multiple gunshot wounds

A 19-year-old Hanover Park man died after suffering multiple gunshots wounds Monday night in a residence on the 5500 block @ @ @ @ @ village , authorities said .
Mickyle Fossett was pronounced dead at 10:56 p.m. Jan. 13 @ @ @ @ @ Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates .
The Cook County medical examiner 's office ruled @ @ @ @ @ Hanover Park Deputy Police Chief Terrence Sherrill said officers responding to a call at 10:04 @ @ @ @ @ at the residence found the wounded Fossett , who was then taken to the hospital @ @ @ @ @ with assistance from the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team , are continuing to investigate @ @ @ @ @ appears to be an isolated event , Sherrill said .

Hanover Park man dies from multiple gunshot wounds
A 19-year-old Hanover Park man died after suffering multiple gunshots wounds Monday night in a residence on the 5500 block of Pebblebeach Drive in the village, authorities said.
Mickyle Fossett was pronounced dead at 10:56 p.m. Jan. 13, at Amita Health St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. The Cook County medical examiner's office ruled his death a homicide.
Hanover Park Deputy Police Chief Terrence Sherrill said officers responding to a call at 10:04 p.m. Monday about person shot at the residence found the wounded Fossett, who was then taken to the hospital.
Hanover Park detectives, with assistance from the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team, are continuing to investigate the shooting, which currently appears to be an isolated event, Sherrill said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--O'Donnell: College basketball marquee swinging back toward Underwood and the Fighting Illini

FUNNY HOW THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL MARQUEE can slip away .
Three weeks ago , DePaul was 12-1 and the toast of the region .
Brad Underwood and Illinois were 8-4 and as baffling on a game-to-game basis as myopic tourists playing bocce .
Now the Fighting Illini ( 12-5 , 4-2 Big Ten ) are No .
24 in the nation and the Blue Demons ( 12-5 , 0-4 Big East ) ca n't buy a break or a conference victory .
Still , Underwood is walking humbly with renewed fortune and looking no farther than Saturday 's home blast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; 4 p.m. , BTN ) .
`` The Big Ten is as good as it 's been in years with a quality and depth that 's astounding , '' Underwood told The Daily Herald .
`` You look at 12 of the league 's teams in the 'kenpom ' ( Ken Pomeroy ) Top 40 and you know you have to maintain that 'next-game ' mentality throughout Big Ten play . ''
Since the glory echoes of the Orange Krush have begun to tease the Illini , it 's not just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next-guy frame of mind .
Ayo Dosunmu , the 6-5 fleet wing from Chicago 's Morgan Park , emerged once again as primary force during recent wins at Wisconsin and over visiting Rutgers .
But Underwood 's confidence in his depth is growing through ranks that include boy-mountain Kofi Cockburn , sophomores Alan Griffin and Giorgi Bezhashinvili and wiki-wiki vet Trent Frazier .
Even senior Andres Feliz continues to try and expand his designated assignment as deep stabilizer .
`` We 're still a young team and we 'll have to go through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the way , '' Underwood freely admits .
`` If you go back and watch the tape from our game at Arizona during the first week of the season ( a 90-69 defeat ) , you almost do n't recognize our team . ''
One thing too-frequently Krushed fans would recognize is an NCAA tournament bid .
Illinois has n't had one since 2013 , its first season under former coach John Groce .
Underwood -- in year three of an $ 18 million deal at Champaign that runs through 2023 -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austin ( 3-for-3 ) and Oklahoma State ( 1-for-1 ) .
So , what about it Coach ?
With an eye toward the long and grinding road to March gladness , Underwood instructed a U. of I. basketball spokesman to humbly reply : THE NEXT TIME THAT `` Jeopardy James '' Holzhauer visits his native Naperville , he can answer to his new nickname ... `` Clemson . ''
The victories and style of Ken Jennings in the `` Jeopardy !
Greatest of All Time '' matches -- a 3-1 KO -- were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He tweaked his game on `` Daily Doubles , '' going `` all in '' on all 7 ( of 8 tries ) that he nailed , maintained his stellar ground punch throughout and `` J !
-GOAT '' was his .
Holzhauer , meanwhile , began to sulk around Match 3 , especially as the precious `` DDs '' eluded him .
He finished 5-of-6 with the game changers ; spoiler Brad Rutter flailed but blocked , going 4-of-10 over the four nights .
There is a tremendously imaginative way for Sony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ superstar showcase next autumn , but no free consult here .
Executive producer Harry Friedman and minions can contact the sports and media desk at The Daily Herald for keys to a freshened and even flashier gold mine .
STREET-BEATIN ' : Vegas sources are indicating that more than 70 percent of all early week action on the NFC title game is chasing Jimmy Garoppolo and San Francisco ( minus-7½ ) over Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay .
What a surprise ; Danica Patrick has yet to publicly declare .
... ESPN 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the CFP championship game was diminished by some frenzied directing .
And winning QB Joe Burrow looked about as happy as a Baton Rouger who just found out his favorite hound dog was missing .
... Jimbo Covert 's selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was so overdue .
And a reminder that of Jim Finks 's 10 first-round choices during his franchise-resurrecting 1974-83 run as Bears GM , four were offensive tackles -- Dennis Lick , Ted Albrecht , Keith Van Horne and Covert .
... Bill Carstanjen allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most recent negotiations for a new horsemen 's contract at Arlington Park via speaker phone from Louisville .
And for the first time , at least one rather improbable rep of CDI/AP implied that the corporation may attempt to conduct a 2020 live meet without a contract .
...
Speaking of AP , the local oval no longer has crack crisis management consultant Thom Serafin on retainer and it shows .
... Adam Silver and the NBA will be using Wintrust Arena for The Celebrity Game and the All-Star practice sessions next month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 14 to 16 ) will be at the United Center .
... Daily Herald do-all Bob Susnjara beat the bobtails with news that Steve Olken and Ed Sherman are leaving WSCR-670 's Saturday-morning golf show .
( He 's also crediting Rory Spears with a report that the long-running Chicagoland Golf magazine is shutting down . )
... And the recent flurry of interest in how area high school folks name things recalled the 1967 tempest about the selection of author John Hersey .
Original favorite was retiring District 214 superintendent Harold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arx to deadpan : `` Slichenmyer High ?
By the time the cheerleaders get done spelling the name , it 'll be halftime . ''
• Jim O'Donnell 's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday .
Reach him at jimodonnelldh @ yahoo.com .

O'Donnell: College basketball marquee swinging back toward Underwood and the Fighting Illini
Illinois men's basketball coach Brad Underwood (and his son, Tyler) like what they see from the Illini in a game against Purdue earlier this month in Champaign. Associated Press
FUNNY HOW THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL MARQUEE can slip away.
Or beckon a team back.
Three weeks ago, DePaul was 12-1 and the toast of the region.
Brad Underwood and Illinois were 8-4 and as baffling on a game-to-game basis as myopic tourists playing bocce.
Now the Fighting Illini (12-5, 4-2 Big Ten) are No. 24 in the nation and the Blue Demons (12-5, 0-4 Big East) can't buy a break or a conference victory.
Still, Underwood is walking humbly with renewed fortune and looking no farther than Saturday's home blast vs. struggling Northwestern (6-10, 1-5; 4 p.m., BTN).
"The Big Ten is as good as it's been in years with a quality and depth that's astounding," Underwood told The Daily Herald.
"You look at 12 of the league's teams in the 'kenpom' (Ken Pomeroy) Top 40 and you know you have to maintain that 'next-game' mentality throughout Big Ten play."
Since the glory echoes of the Orange Krush have begun to tease the Illini, it's not just a next-game mentality -- it's also a next-guy frame of mind.
Ayo Dosunmu, the 6-5 fleet wing from Chicago's Morgan Park, emerged once again as primary force during recent wins at Wisconsin and over visiting Rutgers.
But Underwood's confidence in his depth is growing through ranks that include boy-mountain Kofi Cockburn, sophomores Alan Griffin and Giorgi Bezhashinvili and wiki-wiki vet Trent Frazier.
Even senior Andres Feliz continues to try and expand his designated assignment as deep stabilizer.
"We're still a young team and we'll have to go through some growing pains and make some changes along the way," Underwood freely admits.
"If you go back and watch the tape from our game at Arizona during the first week of the season (a 90-69 defeat), you almost don't recognize our team."
One thing too-frequently Krushed fans would recognize is an NCAA tournament bid.
Illinois hasn't had one since 2013, its first season under former coach John Groce.
Underwood -- in year three of an $18 million deal at Champaign that runs through 2023 -- never missed during stops at Stephen F. Austin (3-for-3) and Oklahoma State (1-for-1).
So, what about it Coach?
With an eye toward the long and grinding road to March gladness, Underwood instructed a U. of I. basketball spokesman to humbly reply:
"No NCAA tourney talk on Jan. 15."
THE NEXT TIME THAT "Jeopardy James" Holzhauer visits his native Naperville, he can answer to his new nickname ... "Clemson."
The victories and style of Ken Jennings in the "Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time" matches -- a 3-1 KO -- were poised, good-natured and supremely impressive.
He tweaked his game on "Daily Doubles," going "all in" on all 7 (of 8 tries) that he nailed, maintained his stellar ground punch throughout and "J!-GOAT" was his.
Holzhauer, meanwhile, began to sulk around Match 3, especially as the precious "DDs" eluded him.
He finished 5-of-6 with the game changers; spoiler Brad Rutter flailed but blocked, going 4-of-10 over the four nights.
There is a tremendously imaginative way for Sony Pictures Television to craft one final fresh superstar showcase next autumn, but no free consult here.
Executive producer Harry Friedman and minions can contact the sports and media desk at The Daily Herald for keys to a freshened and even flashier gold mine.
STREET-BEATIN': Vegas sources are indicating that more than 70 percent of all early week action on the NFC title game is chasing Jimmy Garoppolo and San Francisco (minus-7½) over Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay. What a surprise; Danica Patrick has yet to publicly declare. ...
ESPN's coverage of LSU's mashing of Clemson in the CFP championship game was diminished by some frenzied directing. And winning QB Joe Burrow looked about as happy as a Baton Rouger who just found out his favorite hound dog was missing. ...
Jimbo Covert's selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was so overdue. And a reminder that of Jim Finks's 10 first-round choices during his franchise-resurrecting 1974-83 run as Bears GM, four were offensive tackles -- Dennis Lick, Ted Albrecht, Keith Van Horne and Covert. ...
Bill Carstanjen allowed staff at Churchill Downs Inc. to conduct most recent negotiations for a new horsemen's contract at Arlington Park via speaker phone from Louisville. And for the first time, at least one rather improbable rep of CDI/AP implied that the corporation may attempt to conduct a 2020 live meet without a contract. ...
Speaking of AP, the local oval no longer has crack crisis management consultant Thom Serafin on retainer and it shows. ... Adam Silver and the NBA will be using Wintrust Arena for The Celebrity Game and the All-Star practice sessions next month. All other All-Star Weekend events (Feb. 14 to 16) will be at the United Center. ...
Daily Herald do-all Bob Susnjara beat the bobtails with news that Steve Olken and Ed Sherman are leaving WSCR-670's Saturday-morning golf show. (He's also crediting Rory Spears with a report that the long-running Chicagoland Golf magazine is shutting down.) ...
And the recent flurry of interest in how area high school folks name things recalled the 1967 tempest about the selection of author John Hersey. Original favorite was retiring District 214 superintendent Harold Slichenmyer, which prompted newsman Frank Von Arx to deadpan: "Slichenmyer High? By the time the cheerleaders get done spelling the name, it'll be halftime."
• Jim O'Donnell's Sports & Media column appears Thursday and Sunday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Cousins Subs under construction in Hoffman Estates

A Cousins Subs will occupy the restaurant half of a two-tenant outlot building under construction at Hoffman Plaza Shopping Center @ @ @ @ @ Roselle and Higgins roads , Hoffman Estates Economic Development Director Kevin Kramer said .
Cousins @ @ @ @ @ said the company did not have a specific time frame for the Hoffman Estates location @ @ @ @ @ a December opening of St. Charles restaurant at the intersection of Randall Road and Lincoln @ @ @ @ @ unanimously approved construction of the 4,500-square-foot outlot building at Hoffman Plaza last June .
At @ @ @ @ @ said the developer already had a tenant lined up for the restaurant space equipped with @ @ @ @ @ area .

Cousins Subs under construction in Hoffman Estates
A Cousins Subs will occupy the restaurant half of a two-tenant outlot building under construction at Hoffman Plaza Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Roselle and Higgins roads, Hoffman Estates Economic Development Director Kevin Kramer said.
Cousins Subs PR Manager Kathryn Kazan said the company did not have a specific time frame for the Hoffman Estates location, but is aiming for a December opening of St. Charles restaurant at the intersection of Randall Road and Lincoln Highway.
Hoffman Estates trustees unanimously approved construction of the 4,500-square-foot outlot building at Hoffman Plaza last June.
At that time, village officials said the developer already had a tenant lined up for the restaurant space equipped with a drive-through and outdoor seating area.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--DuPage, state police won't enforce panhandling prohibition while lawsuit is pending

A state law prohibiting roadside panhandling wo n't be enforced by Illinois State Police and the DuPage County state 's attorney 's office until a federal lawsuit challenging the law is resolved .
Michael Dumiak and Christopher Simmons filed the lawsuit in August 2019 against state police Director Brendan Kelly , DuPage County State 's Attorney Robert Berlin and the village of Downers Grove .
The plaintiffs argue in the lawsuit that they have the free-speech right to ask for help .
State police and the state 's attorney office on Tuesday agreed to a preliminary injunction prohibiting them from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that bars asking drivers for money for the duration of the litigation .
`` For now , our clients and many others will be able to exercise their First Amendment right to ask for help without interference from the state police , '' said Rebecca Glenberg of the ACLU , one of the lawyers in the case .
`` In the long term , we hope that the court agrees with us that this statute is unconstitutional and may not be enforced at all . ''
Officials with the DuPage state 's attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending litigation .
Dumiak and Simmons are being represented by the ACLU of Illinois , the Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless , and the law firm of Schiff Hardin .
The lawsuit was filed after Dumiak and Simmons were punished for panhandling in Downers Grove .
The men stood on a raised median strip seeking donations from people in vehicles stopped at the intersection of Butterfield and Finley roads .
`` All I want to do is to ask for help when I need it , '' Dumiak said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking traffic or putting myself at risk -- I 'm just holding a cardboard sign . ''
Dumiak was cited twice ; Simmons was cited five times in Downers Grove and once elsewhere in DuPage .
Their attorneys say the men were charged under an Illinois statute that makes it a misdemeanor to stand on a median to solicit contributions , employment , business or rides from passing vehicles .
The statute does n't prohibit other interactions with drivers and passengers , such as gathering petition signatures or distributing leaflets , the lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , municipalities can exempt certain charities from the law .
Downers Grove had a local law that mirrored the state law .
But the village rescinded the ordinance shortly after it was named in the lawsuit .
`` Our clients were ticketed for panhandling when it was cold outside and they needed money to seek shelter , '' Chicago Coalition for the Homeless community lawyer Diane O'Connell said in a statement .
`` They were charged fines they could n't be expected to pay , and one had to spend a night in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope this will prevent others from being prosecuted for asking for help . ''

DuPage, state police won't enforce panhandling prohibition while lawsuit is pending
A state law prohibiting roadside panhandling won't be enforced by Illinois State Police and the DuPage County state's attorney's office until a federal lawsuit challenging the law is resolved.
Michael Dumiak and Christopher Simmons filed the lawsuit in August 2019 against state police Director Brendan Kelly, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and the village of Downers Grove. The plaintiffs argue in the lawsuit that they have the free-speech right to ask for help.
State police and the state's attorney office on Tuesday agreed to a preliminary injunction prohibiting them from enforcing a section of a state law that bars asking drivers for money for the duration of the litigation.
"For now, our clients and many others will be able to exercise their First Amendment right to ask for help without interference from the state police," said Rebecca Glenberg of the ACLU, one of the lawyers in the case. "In the long term, we hope that the court agrees with us that this statute is unconstitutional and may not be enforced at all."
Officials with the DuPage state's attorney's office declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
Dumiak and Simmons are being represented by the ACLU of Illinois, the Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, and the law firm of Schiff Hardin.
The lawsuit was filed after Dumiak and Simmons were punished for panhandling in Downers Grove. The men stood on a raised median strip seeking donations from people in vehicles stopped at the intersection of Butterfield and Finley roads.
"All I want to do is to ask for help when I need it," Dumiak said in August. "I'm not blocking traffic or putting myself at risk -- I'm just holding a cardboard sign."
Dumiak was cited twice; Simmons was cited five times in Downers Grove and once elsewhere in DuPage.
Their attorneys say the men were charged under an Illinois statute that makes it a misdemeanor to stand on a median to solicit contributions, employment, business or rides from passing vehicles.
The statute doesn't prohibit other interactions with drivers and passengers, such as gathering petition signatures or distributing leaflets, the lawyers said in a statement. In addition, municipalities can exempt certain charities from the law.
Downers Grove had a local law that mirrored the state law. But the village rescinded the ordinance shortly after it was named in the lawsuit.
"Our clients were ticketed for panhandling when it was cold outside and they needed money to seek shelter," Chicago Coalition for the Homeless community lawyer Diane O'Connell said in a statement. "They were charged fines they couldn't be expected to pay, and one had to spend a night in jail because of a ticket. We hope this will prevent others from being prosecuted for asking for help."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Feder: WGN America to launch prime-time national newscast from Chicago

Nexstar Media Group will launch a three-hour nightly national newscast from Chicago this summer on its WGN America cable network @ @ @ @ @ will air from 7 to 10 p.m. daily from a new newsroom and studio under @ @ @ @ @ at 2501 W. Bradley Place .
It 's expected to debut in July and reach @ @ @ @ @ by WGN America .

Feder: WGN America to launch prime-time national newscast from Chicago
Nexstar Media Group will launch a three-hour nightly national newscast from Chicago this summer on its WGN America cable network. "News Nation" will air from 7 to 10 p.m. daily from a new newsroom and studio under construction at WGN-Channel 9 headquarters at 2501 W. Bradley Place. It's expected to debut in July and reach about 75 million households served by WGN America.
Read the full report at robertfeder.com


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Reform advocates push for tighter lobbying controls

SPRINGFIELD -- Government reform advocates in Illinois are urging state lawmakers to impose stricter rules on lobbying activity at the Statehouse , including a ban on lawmakers themselves working as lobbyists with other levels of government .
Their testimony before a special legislative committee Wednesday in Chicago came against the backdrop of a sprawling federal investigation that has focused in part on potentially corrupt lobbying practices .
Former Rep. Luis Arroyo , who also lobbied the city of Chicago , was forced to resign last year after he was indicted for attempting to bribe a state senator on behalf of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant ComEd has also been the subject of federal investigative activity .
Chicago area news outlets have reported that the investigation has centered , at least in part , on allegations ComEd hired politically connected individuals in exchange for favorable legislative action .
`` We need a concerted effort to restore Illinoisans ' trust in government , '' Ryan Tolley , policy director for the group CHANGE Illinois told the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform during its meeting .
`` Undoubtedly , it has been shaken by the ongoing monthslong FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and private interests seeking to influence our government for personal gain . ''
Tolley was part of a panel that testified before the committee in favor of stricter lobbying limits .
The panel also included representatives from the Chicago-based Better Government Association , the Center for Illinois Politics , Common Cause Illinois and Reform for Illinois .
All of the groups urged the panel to recommend a so-called `` revolving-door '' law that would prohibit elected officials from going to work as lobbyists for a specified period of time after leaving office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers , lobbyists and special interests can get too cozy , potentially promoting corruption and distorting the democratic process , '' said Alisa Kaplan , policy director at Reform for Illinois .
`` Implementing a revolving-door restriction would bring Illinois in line with the vast majority of other states and begin to draw healthy boundaries between the lobbying industry , special interests and the government , whose primary obligation should always be to the public . ''
The advocates also called for barring lawmakers from working as lobbyists at other levels of government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arroyo was a registered lobbyist in Chicago .
In the wake of his indictment , however , the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting elected officials from other levels of government from lobbying the city and prohibiting city officials from lobbying other units of government .
House Majority Leader Gregory Harris , a Chicago Democrat , questioned how far that limit should extend , saying it could interfere with a lawmaker 's ability to talk to local governments on behalf of a constituent .
But members of the panel said that should n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should extend only to working for pay on behalf of a private client .
Other recommendations from the panel included requiring lobbyists to disclose how much their clients pay them , something Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has proposed but which lawmakers have not yet endorsed .
However , lawmakers did pass a bill during the fall veto session last year , Senate Bill 1639 , that expanded other kinds of information lobbyists must disclose .
That law also requires the secretary of state to maintain a searchable database containing information about their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other suggestions from the panel included a ban on what Kaplan referred to as `` shadow lobbying , '' or attempting to influence legislation without interacting directly with lawmakers .
`` Recent revelations about Mike McClain ( a close confidant of House Speaker Mike Madigan ) , who according to press reports was paid more than $ 300,000 as a 'consultant ' for ComEd after he stopped registering as a lobbyist , have raised the issue of so-called shadow lobbying , '' Kaplan said .
McClain was the author of a 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which he urged officials in then-Gov .
Pat Quinn 's administration to go easy on a state worker who was the subject of a disciplinary action because , `` He has kept his mouth shut on Jones ' ghost workers , the rape in Champaign and other items . ''
Pritzker commented on that email during a news conference Tuesday , saying he thinks it points to a deeper problem in the state 's political culture .
`` This McClain email is emblematic of a culture that has been poisonous in Springfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Those who protect the culture , those who tolerate it , those who promote it , well they 'll have to answer for their role in it . ''
Marie Dillon , policy director for the Better Government Association , expressed a similar opinion at Wednesday 's hearing when she said reforming the ethical culture in state government requires more than changes to state lobbying rules .
`` I do n't think the problem is lobbyists , '' she said .
`` I think the problem is the transactional relationships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our laws and set our government policies .
That 's what 's poisoning the trust of the people of Illinois , and I think that 's what our work here is about . ''

Reform advocates push for tighter lobbying controls
Government reform advocates testifying before a special legislative committee Wednesday in Chicago included, from left, Jay Young of Common Cause Illinois; Ryan Tolley of CHANGE Illinois; Brendan Rigney of the Center for Illinois Politics; Alisa Kaplan of Reform for Illinois; and Marie Dillon of the Better Government Association. blueroomstream.com
SPRINGFIELD -- Government reform advocates in Illinois are urging state lawmakers to impose stricter rules on lobbying activity at the Statehouse, including a ban on lawmakers themselves working as lobbyists with other levels of government.
Their testimony before a special legislative committee Wednesday in Chicago came against the backdrop of a sprawling federal investigation that has focused in part on potentially corrupt lobbying practices.
Former Rep. Luis Arroyo, who also lobbied the city of Chicago, was forced to resign last year after he was indicted for attempting to bribe a state senator on behalf of one of his lobbying clients.
Utility giant ComEd has also been the subject of federal investigative activity. Chicago area news outlets have reported that the investigation has centered, at least in part, on allegations ComEd hired politically connected individuals in exchange for favorable legislative action.
"We need a concerted effort to restore Illinoisans' trust in government," Ryan Tolley, policy director for the group CHANGE Illinois told the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform during its meeting. "Undoubtedly, it has been shaken by the ongoing monthslong FBI investigation that is engulfing lawmakers, lobbyists and private interests seeking to influence our government for personal gain."
Tolley was part of a panel that testified before the committee in favor of stricter lobbying limits. The panel also included representatives from the Chicago-based Better Government Association, the Center for Illinois Politics, Common Cause Illinois and Reform for Illinois.
All of the groups urged the panel to recommend a so-called "revolving-door" law that would prohibit elected officials from going to work as lobbyists for a specified period of time after leaving office.
"We have seen how relationships between lawmakers, lobbyists and special interests can get too cozy, potentially promoting corruption and distorting the democratic process," said Alisa Kaplan, policy director at Reform for Illinois. "Implementing a revolving-door restriction would bring Illinois in line with the vast majority of other states and begin to draw healthy boundaries between the lobbying industry, special interests and the government, whose primary obligation should always be to the public."
The advocates also called for barring lawmakers from working as lobbyists at other levels of government.
While a sitting state representative, Arroyo was a registered lobbyist in Chicago. In the wake of his indictment, however, the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting elected officials from other levels of government from lobbying the city and prohibiting city officials from lobbying other units of government.
House Majority Leader Gregory Harris, a Chicago Democrat, questioned how far that limit should extend, saying it could interfere with a lawmaker's ability to talk to local governments on behalf of a constituent. But members of the panel said that shouldn't be a problem and that a ban should extend only to working for pay on behalf of a private client.
Other recommendations from the panel included requiring lobbyists to disclose how much their clients pay them, something Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed but which lawmakers have not yet endorsed.
However, lawmakers did pass a bill during the fall veto session last year, Senate Bill 1639, that expanded other kinds of information lobbyists must disclose. That law also requires the secretary of state to maintain a searchable database containing information about their clients as well as their campaign contributions.
Other suggestions from the panel included a ban on what Kaplan referred to as "shadow lobbying," or attempting to influence legislation without interacting directly with lawmakers.
"Recent revelations about Mike McClain (a close confidant of House Speaker Mike Madigan), who according to press reports was paid more than $300,000 as a 'consultant' for ComEd after he stopped registering as a lobbyist, have raised the issue of so-called shadow lobbying," Kaplan said.
McClain was the author of a 2012 email uncovered recently by radio station WBEZ-FM in which he urged officials in then-Gov. Pat Quinn's administration to go easy on a state worker who was the subject of a disciplinary action because, "He has kept his mouth shut on Jones' ghost workers, the rape in Champaign and other items."
Pritzker commented on that email during a news conference Tuesday, saying he thinks it points to a deeper problem in the state's political culture.
"This McClain email is emblematic of a culture that has been poisonous in Springfield for far too long," he said. "Those who protect the culture, those who tolerate it, those who promote it, well they'll have to answer for their role in it."
Marie Dillon, policy director for the Better Government Association, expressed a similar opinion at Wednesday's hearing when she said reforming the ethical culture in state government requires more than changes to state lobbying rules.
"I don't think the problem is lobbyists," she said. "I think the problem is the transactional relationships between lobbyists and the people who write our laws and set our government policies. That's what's poisoning the trust of the people of Illinois, and I think that's what our work here is about."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Another soggy planting season likely in store for farmers

SPRINGFIELD -- The state 's climatologist is predicting Illinois farmers are likely to endure more burdensomely wet weather while they try to plant cash crops this spring after suffering major losses as a result of a record-wet planting season last year .
April through June is likely to be wetter than normal in Illinois , according to rainfall projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , posing a challenge to corn and soybean farmers in the heart of planting season .
Right now those farmers are calculating their losses after suffering through the wettest January to June in state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months was May , which pushed planting of Illinois ' top two crops into June and July , when in an ideal year they can be in the ground in April .
The result : Corn and soybean production dropped 18 percent and 20 percent , respectively , according to final yield numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
`` Farmers should expect to deal with an increased frequency of wet winters and springs , '' said Illinois ' State Climatologist Trent Ford , who expects wetter-than-normal conditions to become routine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said all but far northwest Illinois has had above-average January precipitation with half the month still to go .
The NOAA also projects a wetter-than-average February and March .
`` The last couple of decades especially we 've seen our winters be wetter than previous decades , '' Ford said .
`` That does n't mean more snow necessarily , it just means overall more precipitation . ''
For example , he says 20 of the past 25 winters in Peoria have been wetter than the city 's 120-plus-year average .
`` Preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or happen more frequently is something that farmers should be doing in Illinois , '' Ford said .
Continuous wet planting seasons present a challenge to farmers , as late planting pushes back their entire farm timeline .
Rep. Charlie Meier , an Okawville Republican , grows 1,600 acres of corn and soybeans on his farm east of St. Louis .
`` Our planters started rolling on June 8 , and it was not pretty , '' he said .
Delayed planting causes delayed harvest , which can lower end-of-year yields like farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave farmers less time for tilling fields before it gets too cold , which breaks up compacted soil and deep field ruts that can hold too much water .
Unfortunately for Meier , a lot of his tillage this fall `` just did not happen . ''
`` Those factors will all go into next year 's crop , '' he said .
Now in winter , Meier and other Illinois farmers are focused on getting tractors and equipment ready for planting season and hope they can better prepare their fields in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or field preparation , '' Ford said , however , `` that gets delayed if we have a wetter-than-normal March or early April . ''
Scientists point to climate change , also referred to as global warming , as a main contributor to increased rainfall .
As humans emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide , they become trapped in the atmosphere .
The more carbon in the atmosphere , the more moisture it can hold , increasing precipitation .
`` The connections there are pretty strong , '' Ford said of wetter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In wet regions such as this , there 's abundant water supply at the surface , '' he explained .
`` So as the atmosphere can take in more water , it does . ''
`` If we get a large amount of precipitation in one single event , what that can do is inundate the soil very quickly and then cause a lot of runoff and flooding , '' Ford said .
Decreases in crop production not only hurt farmers , but they also trickle down into other industries like corn elevators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a senior economist at the Illinois Farm Bureau .
`` Most of our ag businesses off the farm , which are a big part of the downstate ag economy , they all have lower revenues as well , '' Doherty said .
A soggy spring could also spell danger for Illinois farmers vulnerable to further crop losses , he said .
`` You have costs no matter how much of a crop you raise , '' Meier said , including rent , equipment and supplies .
Government aid and insurance payments helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , but they do not fix the problem .
`` There is a legitimate concern here , '' Doherty said , as to the ability of some farmers to make debt payments on capital investments like machinery and land improvements .
`` That percentage of farmers is going to be a higher percentage than it was last year at this time , '' he said .
`` We are poorly poised to deal with that . ''
Meier said farmers may adapt by planting earlier , managing fields differently or using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wet fields .
`` You learn to start planning , '' he said , adding that proactiveness helped him through periods of drought in the 1980s .
Constantly adapting to worsening weather conditions , though , might not work in the long term , especially since crop production is what brings in a farm 's income .
`` Agriculture , especially here in the middle of the Grain Belt , is a volume business , '' Doherty said .
`` You can not make money off bushels you do n't grow or that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the mercy of Mother Nature , he said , will always be part of the job .
`` This is the nature of farming .
You ca n't control the weather . ''

Another soggy planting season likely in store for farmers
SPRINGFIELD -- The state's climatologist is predicting Illinois farmers are likely to endure more burdensomely wet weather while they try to plant cash crops this spring after suffering major losses as a result of a record-wet planting season last year.
April through June is likely to be wetter than normal in Illinois, according to rainfall projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, posing a challenge to corn and soybean farmers in the heart of planting season.
Right now those farmers are calculating their losses after suffering through the wettest January to June in state history last year.
Wettest of those months was May, which pushed planting of Illinois' top two crops into June and July, when in an ideal year they can be in the ground in April.
The result: Corn and soybean production dropped 18 percent and 20 percent, respectively, according to final yield numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"Farmers should expect to deal with an increased frequency of wet winters and springs," said Illinois' State Climatologist Trent Ford, who expects wetter-than-normal conditions to become routine.
After last weekend's rainstorms, Ford said all but far northwest Illinois has had above-average January precipitation with half the month still to go. The NOAA also projects a wetter-than-average February and March.
"The last couple of decades especially we've seen our winters be wetter than previous decades," Ford said. "That doesn't mean more snow necessarily, it just means overall more precipitation."
For example, he says 20 of the past 25 winters in Peoria have been wetter than the city's 120-plus-year average.
"Preparing for wetter-than-normal conditions to be more common or happen more frequently is something that farmers should be doing in Illinois," Ford said.
Continuous wet planting seasons present a challenge to farmers, as late planting pushes back their entire farm timeline.
Rep. Charlie Meier, an Okawville Republican, grows 1,600 acres of corn and soybeans on his farm east of St. Louis.
"Our planters started rolling on June 8, and it was not pretty," he said.
Delayed planting causes delayed harvest, which can lower end-of-year yields like farmers saw in 2019. Late harvests also leave farmers less time for tilling fields before it gets too cold, which breaks up compacted soil and deep field ruts that can hold too much water.
Unfortunately for Meier, a lot of his tillage this fall "just did not happen."
"Those factors will all go into next year's crop," he said.
Now in winter, Meier and other Illinois farmers are focused on getting tractors and equipment ready for planting season and hope they can better prepare their fields in the spring.
"Any sort of pre-planting or field preparation," Ford said, however, "that gets delayed if we have a wetter-than-normal March or early April."
Scientists point to climate change, also referred to as global warming, as a main contributor to increased rainfall.
As humans emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, they become trapped in the atmosphere. The more carbon in the atmosphere, the more moisture it can hold, increasing precipitation.
"The connections there are pretty strong," Ford said of wetter planting seasons and climate change.
"In wet regions such as this, there's abundant water supply at the surface," he explained. "So as the atmosphere can take in more water, it does."
Scientists also expect heavy downpours to increase.
"If we get a large amount of precipitation in one single event, what that can do is inundate the soil very quickly and then cause a lot of runoff and flooding," Ford said.
Decreases in crop production not only hurt farmers, but they also trickle down into other industries like corn elevators and trucking companies, says Mike Doherty, a senior economist at the Illinois Farm Bureau.
"Most of our ag businesses off the farm, which are a big part of the downstate ag economy, they all have lower revenues as well," Doherty said.
A soggy spring could also spell danger for Illinois farmers vulnerable to further crop losses, he said.
"You have costs no matter how much of a crop you raise," Meier said, including rent, equipment and supplies.
Government aid and insurance payments helped lessen the impact of low crop production last year, but they do not fix the problem.
"There is a legitimate concern here," Doherty said, as to the ability of some farmers to make debt payments on capital investments like machinery and land improvements.
"That percentage of farmers is going to be a higher percentage than it was last year at this time," he said. "We are poorly poised to deal with that."
Meier said farmers may adapt by planting earlier, managing fields differently or using strains of crops that respond better to wet fields.
"You learn to start planning," he said, adding that proactiveness helped him through periods of drought in the 1980s.
Constantly adapting to worsening weather conditions, though, might not work in the long term, especially since crop production is what brings in a farm's income.
"Agriculture, especially here in the middle of the Grain Belt, is a volume business," Doherty said. "You cannot make money off bushels you don't grow or that you don't have."
Being at the mercy of Mother Nature, he said, will always be part of the job.
"This is the nature of farming. You can't control the weather."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-15--Chicago might ban foam food containers and limit plastic forks, knives, straws

Chicago restaurants and carryout places would be prohibited from using foam containers and required to provide plastic straws and food utensils only on request under a sweeping ordinance proposed by a top mayoral ally Wednesday to curb `` plastic pollution . ''
The ordinance championed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot 's hand-picked Finance Committee Chairman Scott Waguespack was hailed by Illinois Environmental Council President Jen Walling as the `` strongest ordinance in the Midwest '' and a `` mirror '' of some of the strongest ordinances in the country .
The `` Plastic Free Water '' ordinance would give restaurant and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to stop selling or serving food in , with or on polystyrene containers regardless of where the food will be consumed .
Accessory disposable foodware items like plastic eating utensils `` shall be provided , only upon request by the customer or at self-serve stations . ''
The ordinance states `` for safety reasons , disposable cups for delivery '' by a restaurant or takeout delivery service `` may include lids , spill plugs and sleeves without request . ''
Plastic drinking straws `` must be provided when specifically requested . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Access Living to accommodate customers with disabilities who `` need plastic straws to live , '' the sponsors said .
Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia argued the ordinance would impose a severe hardship on restaurants already forced to endure a host of increased costs .
They include a higher minimum wage , an increased restaurant tax , paid sick leave , a ban on plastic single use plastic bags ultimately replaced by a bag tax , a predictable scheduling ordinance and higher property taxes .
`` There 's a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A lot of education and communication needs to go on both sides to see if we can get to a middle and not kill the quick-service , small restaurants that are the backbone of our 77 neighborhoods , '' Toia said .

Chicago might ban foam food containers and limit plastic forks, knives, straws
An ordinance being considered by the Chicago City Council would require restaurants and carryout places to provide plastic straws only on request. Associated Press
Chicago restaurants and carryout places would be prohibited from using foam containers and required to provide plastic straws and food utensils only on request under a sweeping ordinance proposed by a top mayoral ally Wednesday to curb "plastic pollution."
The ordinance championed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot's hand-picked Finance Committee Chairman Scott Waguespack was hailed by Illinois Environmental Council President Jen Walling as the "strongest ordinance in the Midwest" and a "mirror" of some of the strongest ordinances in the country.
The "Plastic Free Water" ordinance would give restaurant and carryout joints until Jan. 1, 2021, to stop selling or serving food in, with or on polystyrene containers regardless of where the food will be consumed.
Accessory disposable foodware items like plastic eating utensils "shall be provided, only upon request by the customer or at self-serve stations."
The ordinance states "for safety reasons, disposable cups for delivery" by a restaurant or takeout delivery service "may include lids, spill plugs and sleeves without request."
Plastic drinking straws "must be provided when specifically requested." That exception was made at the request of Access Living to accommodate customers with disabilities who "need plastic straws to live," the sponsors said.
Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia argued the ordinance would impose a severe hardship on restaurants already forced to endure a host of increased costs. They include a higher minimum wage, an increased restaurant tax, paid sick leave, a ban on plastic single use plastic bags ultimately replaced by a bag tax, a predictable scheduling ordinance and higher property taxes.
"There's a lot of anxiety out there with these small-business owners. A lot of education and communication needs to go on both sides to see if we can get to a middle and not kill the quick-service, small restaurants that are the backbone of our 77 neighborhoods," Toia said.
Read the full story at chicago.suntimes.com.