dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-16--Off-duty Lincolnshire firefighter dies in accident at marina

An off-duty Lincolnshire-Riverwoods firefighter died Thursday after a Bobcat flipped upside down and trapped him in the water at Ben Watts Marina in Fox Lake .
Amore was a former lieutenant with the McHenry Township Fire Protection District , where his father , Wayne , was the district 's first full-time chief .
In a Facebook post , McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett wrote Amore had a `` heart of gold '' and would light up a room .
`` The amount of love he had for his family and friends was evident , '' Jett wrote .
`` You will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In its own Facebook post , the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Firefighters IAFF Local 4224 wrote there were no words to express what the Amore family and their fire family are going through .
`` The sudden ( loss ) of a man with so much life and energy is beyond heartbreaking , '' they wrote .
Amore , according to his Facebook page , also worked as a heavy equipment operator at Pirtano Construction Co. Battalion Chief Larry Van Hoorelbeke of the Fox Lake Fire Protection District said his team was dispatched at 2:20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 116 South Route 12 for a water rescue .
When crews arrived , they found a Bobcat upside down in the water , with Amore still inside the cage .
Lee said Amore was using the machine to grade the parking lot and spread gravel .
`` He misjudged the edge of his sea wall and rolled into the water , '' Lee said .
Divers from the fire protection district pulled Amore out of the water .
He was then taken to Northwestern McHenry Hospital , where he succumbed to his injuries @

Off-duty Lincolnshire firefighter dies in accident at marina
An off-duty Lincolnshire-Riverwoods firefighter died Thursday after a Bobcat flipped upside down and trapped him in the water at Ben Watts Marina in Fox Lake.
Mark Amore, 46, was a McHenry resident, Fox Lake Police Chief Jimmy Lee said.
Amore was a former lieutenant with the McHenry Township Fire Protection District, where his father, Wayne, was the district's first full-time chief.
In a Facebook post, McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett wrote Amore had a "heart of gold" and would light up a room.
"The amount of love he had for his family and friends was evident," Jett wrote. "You will be greatly missed by so many."
In its own Facebook post, the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Firefighters IAFF Local 4224 wrote there were no words to express what the Amore family and their fire family are going through.
"The sudden (loss) of a man with so much life and energy is beyond heartbreaking," they wrote.
Amore, according to his Facebook page, also worked as a heavy equipment operator at Pirtano Construction Co.
Battalion Chief Larry Van Hoorelbeke of the Fox Lake Fire Protection District said his team was dispatched at 2:20 p.m. Thursday to Ben Watts Marina at 116 South Route 12 for a water rescue.
When crews arrived, they found a Bobcat upside down in the water, with Amore still inside the cage.
Lee said Amore was using the machine to grade the parking lot and spread gravel.
"He misjudged the edge of his sea wall and rolled into the water," Lee said.
Divers from the fire protection district pulled Amore out of the water. He was then taken to Northwestern McHenry Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-16--From school principal to NFL official, Nemmers loved it all

Former Elgin High School principal Larry Nemmers , a longtime Illinois High School Association football and basketball official , also was a Big Ten football official for nine years before he was hired as an NFL official in 1985 .
He was promoted to referee and crew chief in 1991 , the same year he worked as the side judge for Super Bowl XXV .
He retired from the field in 2007 and finished his career as replay official , working Super Bowl XLVI in 2012 .
Nemmers , 76 , lives with his wife , Sherry , in Springfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Q & A installment , Nemmers reflects on his career after graduating from Upper Iowa University .
DH : You tried out for the Bears in 1965 , the same year they drafted Dick Butkus and Gayle Sayers back-to-back in the first round .
Ever get hit by Butkus or have to race Sayers ?
Nemmers : I was a defensive back and all I remember is you did not want to try to tackle Gayle .
He was an unbelievable talent .
I played defense , so I never had to worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being huge and menacing .
Q : You worked the 1984 Rose Bowl and went to the NFL in 1985 .
Did you know you were on the shortlist for the NFL ?
A : I kind of did .
I thought I was going to get in the year before .
I was a finalist .
It 's based on what positions they need , so I had a pretty good idea I 'd get in , but you never really know .
Q : Tell us a little known story about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story from that game no one ever heard about was about George Toma .
He was the Kansas City Chiefs ' groundskeeper and for many years he has been the groundskeeper for the Super Bowl .
The night before the ( 1991 ) Super Bowl , the main in the middle of the field broke and the ground between the 45s had sunk about 10 inches and he worked all night to repair the field .
Q : When you were officiating high school and college football , did you ever think you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Bowl ?
A : I never even thought about the NFL , much less a Super Bowl .
I just wanted to be a Big Ten referee .
Q : You wore No .
20 throughout your NFL career .
Any significance to that number ?
A : No , they just handed me the jersey with No .
20 on it .
We got to ask for one number and I wanted 14 , but Gene Barth already had it so I did n't even ask for it .
So I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to me .
Q : You were an alternate for Super Bowl 35 .
Do you have one or two Super Bowl rings and where are they now ?
A : I do have two Super Bowl rings , one for 25 and one for 46 .
Alternates do n't get rings , but I got one for 46 for being a replay official .
I do n't wear them out very much unless my wife makes me .
I also have four Super Bowl watches .
Q : What 's your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
A : Whitney Houston singing The Star-Spangled Banner .
That was during the Persian Gulf War .
On Saturday , we had to practice the coin toss and we got to see her sing it a half dozen times and that was incredible .
I have a picture of myself with Whitney .
I can remember standing on the sidelines next to Bruce Smith of the Bills and we both had tears during The Star-Spangled Banner .
I had one foul in the game .
I was the deep official .
Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffalo had a better team but sometimes it 's just not written in the stars .
Scott Norwood , who missed the field goal ( with eight seconds to play that could have won the game for the Bills ) , was one of the nicest guys ever .
Q : After retiring from the field , you became a replay official for the NFL .
Tell us about that experience .
A : When replay came out I was against it .
It came out my first year as a ref and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to iron things out and came back with it the next year and now it 's just part of the game that everyone accepts .
Every game has a minimum of eight cameras .
The toughest calls always involved a catch .
The NFL has always struggled with what is a catch .
Q : If there were one rule you 'd like to see changed in the NFL , what would it be ?
A : All the NFL referees have an opportunity to recommend rule changes and every year I recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now but back then if the arm was going forward with control it was considered a forward pass .
The other one was stopping the clock on a quarterback sack .
I always wrote the NFL and asked why do we stop the clock on a quarterback sack ?
What I 'd like to see changed now is that when there 's illegal contact with a receiver it 's a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down , and I 've always said it should n't be an automatic first down .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that 's a travesty .
Q : When you think back on your officiating career , what are a couple of things that come to mind above all others ?
A : My officiating career allowed me to meet people who became friends for a lifetime .
We 'd spend two days a week together for almost half a year and because you do it with so many people you make bonds that last a lifetime .
Even now a couple times a week I 'll talk to someone I worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good as the people you surrounded yourself with , and I was surrounded by some really good people .
Q : What are you doing today ?
A : My wife and I are self-quarantined ( due to COVID-19 ) .
I 'm the oldest of nine and I spend time on Zoom with my siblings .
I 'm hoping to be able to get back to playing golf soon .
I thank the good Lord every night for the life he 's allowed me to live .

From school principal to NFL official, Nemmers loved it all
Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood misses a field goal on the last play of Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, clinching a 20-19 win for the New York Giants. Larry Nemmers, the side judge in the game, calls Norwood "One of the nicest guys ever." Associated Press
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren talks with referee Larry Nemmers, center, and field judge Mike Weir (50) in 2005 in Seattle. Nemmers is the former Elgin High School principal who was the side judge for Super Bowl XXV in 1991. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former Elgin High School principal Larry Nemmers reached the pinnacle of his NFL officiating career when he was the side judge for Super Bowl XXV in 1991. Courtesy of Larry Nemmers
Second of 2 parts
Former Elgin High School principal Larry Nemmers, a longtime Illinois High School Association football and basketball official, also was a Big Ten football official for nine years before he was hired as an NFL official in 1985. He was promoted to referee and crew chief in 1991, the same year he worked as the side judge for Super Bowl XXV. He retired from the field in 2007 and finished his career as replay official, working Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.
Nemmers, 76, lives with his wife, Sherry, in Springfield, Missouri.
In today's final Q&A installment, Nemmers reflects on his career after graduating from Upper Iowa University.
DH: You tried out for the Bears in 1965, the same year they drafted Dick Butkus and Gayle Sayers back-to-back in the first round. Ever get hit by Butkus or have to race Sayers?
Nemmers: I was a defensive back and all I remember is you did not want to try to tackle Gayle. He was an unbelievable talent. I played defense, so I never had to worry about Butkus, but I remember him being huge and menacing.
Q: You worked the 1984 Rose Bowl and went to the NFL in 1985. Did you know you were on the shortlist for the NFL?
A: I kind of did. I thought I was going to get in the year before. I was a finalist. It's based on what positions they need, so I had a pretty good idea I'd get in, but you never really know.
Q: Tell us a little known story about Super Bowl XXV.
A: One story from that game no one ever heard about was about George Toma. He was the Kansas City Chiefs' groundskeeper and for many years he has been the groundskeeper for the Super Bowl. The night before the (1991) Super Bowl, the main in the middle of the field broke and the ground between the 45s had sunk about 10 inches and he worked all night to repair the field.
Q: When you were officiating high school and college football, did you ever think you'd wear the striped shirt for a Super Bowl?
A: I never even thought about the NFL, much less a Super Bowl. I just wanted to be a Big Ten referee.
Q: You wore No. 20 throughout your NFL career. Any significance to that number?
A: No, they just handed me the jersey with No. 20 on it. We got to ask for one number and I wanted 14, but Gene Barth already had it so I didn't even ask for it. So I just took number 20 when they handed it to me.
Q: You were an alternate for Super Bowl 35. Do you have one or two Super Bowl rings and where are they now?
A: I do have two Super Bowl rings, one for 25 and one for 46. Alternates don't get rings, but I got one for 46 for being a replay official. I don't wear them out very much unless my wife makes me. I also have four Super Bowl watches.
Q: What's your best memory of officiating Super Bowl XXV?
A: Whitney Houston singing The Star-Spangled Banner. That was during the Persian Gulf War. On Saturday, we had to practice the coin toss and we got to see her sing it a half dozen times and that was incredible. I have a picture of myself with Whitney. I can remember standing on the sidelines next to Bruce Smith of the Bills and we both had tears during The Star-Spangled Banner. I had one foul in the game. I was the deep official. Over the years, I've always said Buffalo had a better team but sometimes it's just not written in the stars. Scott Norwood, who missed the field goal (with eight seconds to play that could have won the game for the Bills), was one of the nicest guys ever.
Q: After retiring from the field, you became a replay official for the NFL. Tell us about that experience.
A: When replay came out I was against it. It came out my first year as a ref and then they canceled it the next year to iron things out and came back with it the next year and now it's just part of the game that everyone accepts. Every game has a minimum of eight cameras. The toughest calls always involved a catch. The NFL has always struggled with what is a catch.
Q: If there were one rule you'd like to see changed in the NFL, what would it be?
A: All the NFL referees have an opportunity to recommend rule changes and every year I recommended the tuck rule. It's OK now but back then if the arm was going forward with control it was considered a forward pass. The other one was stopping the clock on a quarterback sack. I always wrote the NFL and asked why do we stop the clock on a quarterback sack? What I'd like to see changed now is that when there's illegal contact with a receiver it's a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down, and I've always said it shouldn't be an automatic first down. Also, pass interference being reviewable. I think that's a travesty.
Q: When you think back on your officiating career, what are a couple of things that come to mind above all others?
A: My officiating career allowed me to meet people who became friends for a lifetime. We'd spend two days a week together for almost half a year and because you do it with so many people you make bonds that last a lifetime. Even now a couple times a week I'll talk to someone I worked with back then. You're only as good as the people you surrounded yourself with, and I was surrounded by some really good people.
Q: What are you doing today?
A: My wife and I are self-quarantined (due to COVID-19). I'm the oldest of nine and I spend time on Zoom with my siblings. I'm hoping to be able to get back to playing golf soon. I thank the good Lord every night for the life he's allowed me to live.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--Feder: WGN Radio to bring back Paul Harvey's 'The Rest of the Story'

For more than five decades the most listened-to voice in America belonged to Paul Harvey .
Now it will be heard again on WGN 720-AM -- longtime Chicago flagship of his vast radio empire , Robert Feder writes .
Starting April 27 , the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station will rebroadcast classic episodes of `` The Rest of the Story , '' historical vignettes Harvey hosted five days a week from 1976 until his death in 2009 .
They 'll air during Bob Sirott 's morning show on WGN .
Harvey 's son , Paul Harvey Jr. , who wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episodes for the initial two-week run .
Depending on how they 're received , the rebroadcasts could continue indefinitely on WGN or even expand to national syndication .
`` Paul Harvey 's radio adventure made him one of the most influential personalities in history , '' said Sean Compton , executive vice president of Nexstar Media Group overseeing WGN .
`` It 's an honor for WGN radio to reintroduce his amazing body of work to those of us who miss him and the younger generation who did n't have the privilege of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: WGN Radio to bring back Paul Harvey's 'The Rest of the Story'
WGN will rebroadcast classic episodes of "The Rest of the Story," historical vignettes Paul Harvey hosted five days a week from 1976 until his death in 2009. They'll air during Bob Sirott's morning show on WGN.
For more than five decades the most listened-to voice in America belonged to Paul Harvey. Now it will be heard again on WGN 720-AM -- longtime Chicago flagship of his vast radio empire, Robert Feder writes.
Starting April 27, the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station will rebroadcast classic episodes of "The Rest of the Story," historical vignettes Harvey hosted five days a week from 1976 until his death in 2009. They'll air during Bob Sirott's morning show on WGN.
Harvey's son, Paul Harvey Jr., who wrote the series, personally selected the 10 episodes for the initial two-week run. Depending on how they're received, the rebroadcasts could continue indefinitely on WGN or even expand to national syndication.
"Paul Harvey's radio adventure made him one of the most influential personalities in history," said Sean Compton, executive vice president of Nexstar Media Group overseeing WGN. "It's an honor for WGN radio to reintroduce his amazing body of work to those of us who miss him and the younger generation who didn't have the privilege of growing up with him."
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-16--A song to make you smile: 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Shake It Off '' by Taylor Swift , released in 2014 .

A song to make you smile: 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift
Pop megastar Taylor Swift attends the premiere of "Taylor Swift: Miss Americana" during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, in January. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift, released in 2014.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-16--Coming to devices near you: Radiohead guitarist's solo album, H.E.R. and Pink Floyd concert films

Here 's a collection curated by The Associated Press ' entertainment journalists of what 's arriving on music platforms this week .
-- H.E.R.
, `` Girls With Guitars '' : Grammy-winning guitar slayer and R & B dynamo H.E.R .
has launched an Instagram Live series about female musicians who are also guitar sheros .
It airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT and will include surprise guests ( last week Grammy winners Alessia Cara and Tori Kelly made special appearances ) .
With the IG series , H.E.R .
has also partnered with Amazon Music to raise donations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is run by The Recording Academy ( which presents the Grammy Awards ) .
-- EOB , `` Earth '' : Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien , under the moniker EOB , is releasing his debut solo album Friday .
It may be a solo album , but the man ranked 59th on Rolling Stones ' list of 100 Greatest Guitarists in 2010 has some top-notch helpers on `` Earth , '' including bandmate Colin Greenwood , Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley , Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche , Omar Hakim , Nathan East , Laura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
-- Pink Floyd and Genesis ( YouTube ) : On Friday , Pink Floyd will release full concert films every week for four weeks on YouTube .
It starts with `` Pulse , '' which was recorded in 1994 during the band 's The Division Bell Tour in London .
On Saturday , Genesis will also release a series of five concert films once a week .
It will begin with `` Three Sides Live , '' which includes live tour performances from two shows in 1981 , the year the band @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The performances were filmed at the Savoy Theatre and Nassau Coliseum in New York .

Coming to devices near you: Radiohead guitarist's solo album, H.E.R. and Pink Floyd concert films
Here's a collection curated by The Associated Press' entertainment journalists of what's arriving on music platforms this week.
-- H.E.R., "Girls With Guitars": Grammy-winning guitar slayer and R&B dynamo H.E.R. has launched an Instagram Live series about female musicians who are also guitar sheros. It airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT and will include surprise guests (last week Grammy winners Alessia Cara and Tori Kelly made special appearances). With the IG series, H.E.R. has also partnered with Amazon Music to raise donations for the MusiCares Covid-19 Relief Fund, which is run by The Recording Academy (which presents the Grammy Awards).
-- EOB, "Earth": Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien, under the moniker EOB, is releasing his debut solo album Friday. It may be a solo album, but the man ranked 59th on Rolling Stones' list of 100 Greatest Guitarists in 2010 has some top-notch helpers on "Earth," including bandmate Colin Greenwood, Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley, Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche, Omar Hakim, Nathan East, Laura Marling and The Invisible's David Okumu.
-- Pink Floyd and Genesis (YouTube): On Friday, Pink Floyd will release full concert films every week for four weeks on YouTube. It starts with "Pulse," which was recorded in 1994 during the band's The Division Bell Tour in London. On Saturday, Genesis will also release a series of five concert films once a week. It will begin with "Three Sides Live," which includes live tour performances from two shows in 1981, the year the band released the album "Abacab." The performances were filmed at the Savoy Theatre and Nassau Coliseum in New York.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-16--Online book sales keeping Geneva bookstore afloat

Stacks of empty boxes waiting to be filled with books line the entryway to Harvey 's Tales , Books and Other Diversions bookstore in Geneva .
`` In normal times , we try to provide an escape for people , '' said Chuck Osborne of Geneva , who along with his wife Roxanne opened their post-retirement business 18 months ago .
Before the pandemic , the bulk of their business was foot traffic in the store .
Now virtually all of the business is mail order or porch delivery .
`` It 's been a totally rewarding experience for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the sense of community , '' Chuck said .
During the stay-at-home order they connect weekly by reading a children 's book live on Instagram every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m .
In order to help keep their business afloat , they have applied for aid through the stimulus program but find the process flawed .
`` While our local bank has been trying to accommodate , they seem to have as many questions as we do about how it all goes together , '' Osborne said .
`` We also do business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have been totally uninterested in trying to help . ''
Instead of greeting customers as they come through the door , their days are spent boxing up books .
`` With things the way they currently are , we think that those books are even more valuable now , '' he said • Do you know of a suburban small business with a compelling story to tell about working through the pandemic ?
Send me a detailed email with LIFE 'S WORK in the subject line at jknox @ dailyherald.com , and @ @ @ @ @

Their Life's Work: Online book sales keeping Geneva bookstore afloat
Stacks of empty boxes waiting to be filled with books line the entryway to Harvey's Tales, Books and Other Diversions bookstore in Geneva. "In normal times, we try to provide an escape for people," said Chuck Osborne of Geneva, who along with his wife Roxanne opened their post-retirement business 18 months ago.
Before the pandemic, the bulk of their business was foot traffic in the store. Now virtually all of the business is mail order or porch delivery.
"It's been a totally rewarding experience for us. We feel like we've added to the sense of community," Chuck said.
During the stay-at-home order they connect weekly by reading a children's book live on Instagram every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
In order to help keep their business afloat, they have applied for aid through the stimulus program but find the process flawed.
"While our local bank has been trying to accommodate, they seem to have as many questions as we do about how it all goes together," Osborne said. "We also do business with one of the big banks and they have been totally uninterested in trying to help."
Instead of greeting customers as they come through the door, their days are spent boxing up books.
"With things the way they currently are, we think that those books are even more valuable now," he said
• Do you know of a suburban small business with a compelling story to tell about working through the pandemic? Send me a detailed email with LIFE'S WORK in the subject line at jknox@dailyherald.com, and we'll consider it.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--Pritzker closing all schools for rest of academic year; school leaders say 'learning will never stop

Public and private schools serving students in kindergarten through grade 12 will remain physically closed for the remainder of the academic year to reduce the spread of COVID-19 , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced Friday .
E-learning , now going on in many suburban school districts , will continue , officials said .
`` I 've said time and time again , our decisions must follow the science and the science says our students ca n't go back to their normal routine this school year , '' Pritzker said .
The decision comes as the state announced its biggest jump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,842 , which is linked to increased testing .
Overall , 1,134 Illinoisans have died from COVID-19 and there are 27,575 infections statewide .
The seismic move will affect everyone from high school juniors and seniors with their eyes on college , to primary students who had been anticipating field days and end-of-year concerts .
`` While the buildings are closed , learning will never stop , '' Downers Grove School District 58 Superintendent Kevin Russell told parents in an email message after the announcement .
`` While this is disappointing news , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wellness of our students , staff , families and community members is the most important thing during this unprecedented time . ''
Barrington Area Unit District 220 Superintendent Brian Harris told parents `` given the current public health crisis ...
I 'm sure this news does not come as a surprise .
However , I share your disappointment , as I know many of you , including myself , were holding out hope that somehow our students and staff would be able return to our school buildings before the end of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means for report cards or grades , each school district is developing their own remote learning plan using Illinois State Board of Education guidelines .
`` Our recommendation is that grades be used as an opportunity to give feedback , not a tool for compliance , and that no educational harm should come to any child , '' ISBE spokeswoman Jackie Matthews said .
`` Grades should only be used to increase a student 's academic standing . ''
Anticipating Friday 's news did n't make it any less sad for students , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District 15 Chief Communications Officer Morgan Delack said .
Generally speaking , it 's believed to be more difficult to replicate the classroom experience via virtual learning at the elementary level than at the high school level , she said , but she pointed to steps the district is taking to make distance learning more interactive .
The reality `` is still emotionally difficult for all of us , '' Palatine Township Elementary District 15 Superintendent Laurie Heinz told parents in a message .
`` We deeply value the face-to-face connection that school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already moving to reschedule graduations and proms .
Waubonsie Valley , Metea Valley and Neuqua Valley high schools , for instance , will all have graduation July 18 and proms will be held July 9 and 16 .
St. Charles District 303 rescheduled graduation to July 25 and canceled its proms .
Kevin Myers , superintendent of Mundelein High School District 120 and Mundelein Elementary District 75 , said the district is exploring ways to hold events such as prom , eighth-grade promotion and graduation in June or July .
Elgin Area School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to school would have required providing masks for nearly 39,000 students , taking their temperature daily and getting students to comply with safety requirements .
`` We have a difficult time getting high school students and middle school students to wear IDs , '' he said .
And Sanders said districts might have to consider the possibility of not reopening schools or limiting attendance in the fall .
`` We 've already rethought public education to make this transition to distance learning , '' he said .
`` Maybe not all students need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time . ''
Statewide school closures began in March when Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order through April 30 affecting schools , businesses and nonessential workers .
Weeks later , the numbers of people dying from the respiratory disease and confirmed cases continue to grow , but Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said the state is experiencing a leveling off .
The puzzle for public health experts is how to reopen businesses and public areas without causing a second wave of COVID-19 .
• Daily Herald staff writers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zawislak and Eric Peterson contributed to this report .

Pritzker closing all schools for rest of academic year; school leaders say 'learning will never stop'
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, speaks during Gov. J.B. Pritzker's daily coronavirus news conference at the Thompson Center in Chicago, Friday. Tyler LaRivieres/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during his daily coronavirus news conference at the Thompson Center in Chicago, Friday. Tyler LaRivieres/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
Illinois Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen Ayala speaks during Gov. J.B. Pritzker's daily coronavirus news conference at the Thompson Center in Chicago, Friday. Tyler LaRivieres/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
Public and private schools serving students in kindergarten through grade 12 will remain physically closed for the remainder of the academic year to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday.
E-learning, now going on in many suburban school districts, will continue, officials said.
"I've said time and time again, our decisions must follow the science and the science says our students can't go back to their normal routine this school year," Pritzker said.
The decision comes as the state announced its biggest jump in cases of the respiratory disease, 1,842, which is linked to increased testing. Overall, 1,134 Illinoisans have died from COVID-19 and there are 27,575 infections statewide.
The seismic move will affect everyone from high school juniors and seniors with their eyes on college, to primary students who had been anticipating field days and end-of-year concerts.
"While the buildings are closed, learning will never stop," Downers Grove School District 58 Superintendent Kevin Russell told parents in an email message after the announcement. "While this is disappointing news, the district recognizes that the health and wellness of our students, staff, families and community members is the most important thing during this unprecedented time."
Barrington Area Unit District 220 Superintendent Brian Harris told parents "given the current public health crisis ... I'm sure this news does not come as a surprise. However, I share your disappointment, as I know many of you, including myself, were holding out hope that somehow our students and staff would be able return to our school buildings before the end of the year."
As for what the move means for report cards or grades, each school district is developing its own remote learning plan using Illinois State Board of Education guidelines.
"Our recommendation is that grades be used as an opportunity to give feedback, not a tool for compliance, and that no educational harm should come to any child," ISBE spokeswoman Jackie Matthews said. "Grades should only be used to increase a student's academic standing."
Anticipating Friday's news didn't make it any less sad for students, staff members and parents, Palatine Elementary District 15 Chief Communications Officer Morgan Delack said. Generally speaking, it's believed to be more difficult to replicate the classroom experience via virtual learning at the elementary level than at the high school level, she said, but she pointed to steps the district is taking to make distance learning more interactive.
The reality "is still emotionally difficult for all of us," Palatine Township Elementary District 15 Superintendent Laurie Heinz told parents in a message. "We deeply value the face-to-face connection that school provides."
Some school districts were already moving to reschedule graduations and proms.
Waubonsie Valley, Metea Valley and Neuqua Valley high schools, for instance, will all have graduation July 18 and proms will be held July 9 and 16. St. Charles District 303 rescheduled graduation to July 25 and canceled its proms.
Kevin Myers, superintendent of Mundelein High School District 120 and Mundelein Elementary District 75, said the district is exploring ways to hold events such as prom, eighth-grade promotion and graduation in June or July.
Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders said returning to school would have required providing masks for nearly 39,000 students, taking their temperature daily and getting students to comply with safety requirements. "We have a difficult time getting high school students and middle school students to wear IDs," he said.
And Sanders said districts might have to consider the possibility of not reopening schools or limiting attendance in the fall.
"We've already rethought public education to make this transition to distance learning," he said. "Maybe not all students need to be in a school at the same time."
Statewide school closures began in March when Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order through April 30 affecting schools, businesses and nonessential workers. Weeks later, the numbers of people dying from the respiratory disease and confirmed cases continue to grow, but Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said the state is experiencing a leveling off.
The puzzle for public health experts is how to reopen businesses and public areas without causing a second wave of COVID-19.
• Daily Herald staff writers Madhu Krishnamurthy, Susan Sarkauskas, Christopher Placek, Mick Zawislak and Eric Peterson contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--Illinois records highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases, largely as a result of more tests

With 1,842 new cases of coronavirus diagnosed , Illinois experienced its highest single-day increase of infections since the state began releasing test results March 10 .
Additionally , 62 more Illinois residents succumbed to the disease within 24 hours , state health officials announced Friday , bringing the state 's death toll from the coronavirus outbreak to 1,134 .
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said the spike in new cases was expected given that the state also experienced the second-highest number of test results returned Friday , with 7,574 results logged .
Only last Sunday did the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , with 7,956 , according to IDPH figures .
That corresponded with 1,672 new cases , a record increase at the time .
`` We 're not surprised to see more cases when there is the extra fact of the number of tests done on one day compared to another , '' she said .
`` It 's very important to have the results of every test that happens in the state , but I do n't think we 've peaked . ''
To that end , the state has now tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the state 's population .
Of those tested , 27,575 were positive for the infection , which is 21.1 % of those tested .
But Gov .
J.B. Pritzker believes the important figure to watch is the number of people hospitalized by the virus .
`` We look at hospitalizations really as the most important number , or at least I do , '' he said .
`` The more we test , the more we 're going to see positive tests .
The bigger , more important number is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) beds . ''
Currently , the IDPH is reporting coronavirus patients are using 1,196 of the 2,979 ICU beds in the state 's hospitals .
They are also using 777 of the state 's 3,213 ventilators .
However , only 926 of the state 's ICU beds remain available , as well as 1,918 of the state 's ventilator supply , as patients suffering other maladies also need the rooms and equipment .
In northern Illinois , the suburbs make up four IDPH hospital regions .
In the northeast region , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County and the northeastern portion of suburban Cook County , just 35 of the 150 ICU beds and 66 of 131 ventilators are available .
In the northwest region , made up of western Lake County , all of McHenry and Kane counties , and northwestern Cook County , 118 of 307 ICU beds are available , and so are 186 of 297 ventilators .
In the west suburban region , which contains all of DuPage County and a small portion of western Cook County , 125 of 369 ICU beds are available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the southwest suburban region , only 95 of the 427 ICU beds and 149 of the 297 ventilators are available .
This region contains southern Cook County and all of Will , Grundy and Kankakee counties , as well as a portion of Kendall County .
The state only recently began releasing these figures and does n't provide any historical use data .
But Pritzker remains optimistic about what he 's seeing .
`` With hospitalizations , we are seeing a flattening of that , '' he said .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor also announced students will not be returning to the classrooms this school year .
He apologized for the circumstances and praised the work students and teachers have been doing since the outbreak began .
`` The routine of school is a source of joy for so many , '' he said .
`` But it also opens up a nearly limitless opportunity for potential infections in a time when our health care workers , researchers , scientists and our first responders need us to bend the curve . ''
He said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to find a way to honor students who are graduating but have missed out on many of the milestones of their senior year , including proms , senior nights and graduation .
`` I know you 're feeling sad about missing these rituals , '' he said .
`` There is room for you to feel all those things , big and small .
You will get through this , though .
You will talk about this for the rest of your lives .
And you will go on to do @ @ @ @

Illinois records highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases, largely as a result of more tests
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during his daily coronavirus news conference at the Thompson Center in Chicago, Friday. Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, speaks during Gov. J.B. Pritzker's daily coronavirus news conference at the Thompson Center in Chicago, Friday. Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
With 1,842 new cases of coronavirus diagnosed, Illinois experienced its highest single-day increase of infections since the state began releasing test results March 10.
Additionally, 62 more Illinois residents succumbed to the disease within 24 hours, state health officials announced Friday, bringing the state's death toll from the coronavirus outbreak to 1,134.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said the spike in new cases was expected given that the state also experienced the second-highest number of test results returned Friday, with 7,574 results logged. Only last Sunday did the state see more tests results in one day, with 7,956, according to IDPH figures. That corresponded with 1,672 new cases, a record increase at the time.
"We're not surprised to see more cases when there is the extra fact of the number of tests done on one day compared to another," she said. "It's very important to have the results of every test that happens in the state, but I don't think we've peaked."
To that end, the state has now tested 130,163 people, barely more than 1% of the state's population. Of those tested, 27,575 were positive for the infection, which is 21.1% of those tested.
But Gov. J.B. Pritzker believes the important figure to watch is the number of people hospitalized by the virus.
"We look at hospitalizations really as the most important number, or at least I do," he said. "The more we test, the more we're going to see positive tests. The bigger, more important number is the number of hospitalizations and (intensive care) beds."
Currently, the IDPH is reporting coronavirus patients are using 1,196 of the 2,979 ICU beds in the state's hospitals. They are also using 777 of the state's 3,213 ventilators.
However, only 926 of the state's ICU beds remain available, as well as 1,918 of the state's ventilator supply, as patients suffering other maladies also need the rooms and equipment.
In northern Illinois, the suburbs make up four IDPH hospital regions.
In the northeast region, which is essentially the eastern half of Lake County and the northeastern portion of suburban Cook County, just 35 of the 150 ICU beds and 66 of 131 ventilators are available.
In the northwest region, made up of western Lake County, all of McHenry and Kane counties, and northwestern Cook County, 118 of 307 ICU beds are available, and so are 186 of 297 ventilators.
In the west suburban region, which contains all of DuPage County and a small portion of western Cook County, 125 of 369 ICU beds are available, as are 125 of 322 ventilators.
In the southwest suburban region, only 95 of the 427 ICU beds and 149 of the 297 ventilators are available. This region contains southern Cook County and all of Will, Grundy and Kankakee counties, as well as a portion of Kendall County.
The state only recently began releasing these figures and doesn't provide any historical use data. But Pritzker remains optimistic about what he's seeing.
"With hospitalizations, we are seeing a flattening of that," he said. "But we haven't peaked."
The governor also announced students will not be returning to the classrooms this school year. He apologized for the circumstances and praised the work students and teachers have been doing since the outbreak began.
"The routine of school is a source of joy for so many," he said. "But it also opens up a nearly limitless opportunity for potential infections in a time when our health care workers, researchers, scientists and our first responders need us to bend the curve."
He said he hopes communities and school districts eventually will be able to find a way to honor students who are graduating but have missed out on many of the milestones of their senior year, including proms, senior nights and graduation.
"I know you're feeling sad about missing these rituals," he said. "There is room for you to feel all those things, big and small. You will get through this, though. You will talk about this for the rest of your lives. And you will go on to do amazing things."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--High school sports community reacts to school closing announcement

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's announcement Friday that all schools will be closed for the remainder of the academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic was met with sadness and frustration , but also understanding by the high school sports community .
`` It 's not a surprise but it 's very disappointing , '' said Naperville North athletic director Bob Quinn .
`` It 's heartbreaking for our athletes , our coaches and our families .
We 're relying on medical professionals and for that reason we 'll follow the guidelines . ''
The closing of schools until at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the 2019-20 high school sports season , although the Illinois High School Association did not make that immediate determination Friday .
`` The IHSA board of directors is scheduled to meet via video conference on Tuesday , '' IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said in a statement Friday after the governor 's announcement .
`` At that meeting , the board will make a final determination on the IHSA 's spring sport state tournaments based on the governor 's announcement that Illinois high schools will not return to in-person learning this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicated , the cessation of in-person learning will make it difficult for the IHSA to conduct spring state tournaments this year .
More information will be provided following Tuesday 's board meeting . ''
Coaches and athletic directors from across the suburbs had similar reactions of disappointment and understanding .
`` The announcement does n't come as surprise , '' said Barrington athletic director Mike Obsuszt .
`` We 're very , very disappointed we are not going to be able to have our athletes participating this spring .
Obviously , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
1 priority at this point as well as the health of everyone else . ''
This is Mike Schmidt 's 25th year coaching the Burlington Central boys track and field team .
The Rockets had nine seniors on a team Schmidt said had the potential to win a state trophy .
`` They do n't get to fulfill everything they have worked so hard for , '' Schmidt said .
`` That 's the most frustrating thing .
The hard work and dedication to their sport is not going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some it 's the end of their careers , some will go on to college .
For those who this is it it 's a sad day . ''
Steve May , Wheeling 's assistant principal/student activities said : `` It 's really disappointing that a lot of these kids who only play one sport .
They 've geared up for their spring season and the seniors are losing out on their final opportunities .
It 's sad for them .
`` I just had a meeting with all my spring coaches and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do , They love interacting with the student/athletes .
They love the competition .
I 'm just sad for everyone -- parents , teachers coaches , everyone . ''
Grayslake Central baseball coach Troy Whalen was trying Friday to determine how to speak to his players .
`` Illinois was one of the last states holding on and everyone had a small glimmer of hope for spring sports , '' Whalen said .
`` But most people saw this coming .
It 's just like anything else though .
Once you hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially for the seniors .
`` I have a Zoom call with my seniors later today , just the seniors , and it 's a call that I never in my wildest imagination thought I would ever be on .
I 've been thinking about what I 'm going to say and I 'm sure it will get emotional .
I know it will for me .
The first thing I 'm going to tell them is that as a coach , I feel robbed of getting to spend time this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're never going to get that time back and that 's tough . ''
Burlington 's Schmidt also has the perspective as a parent .
His son Zac is a sophomore on the track team .
`` Equally frustrating but from a different angle of seeing the progress and the ability to achieve greater things and see him enjoy time with his teammates , '' Schmidt said .
`` And for us as parents to go watch him .
There 's a finite amount of time you get to see your kid play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes away a little bit more of that . ''
Rob Harvey , Wheaton Warrenville South girls track and field coach who is also the father of a South Elgin boys track and field athlete , said it 's not about winning and losing .
`` The winning and losing , those are secondary , '' Harvey said .
`` Yeah , we have some kids on our team that would have possibly run for state championships or all-state medals and conference championships and all those type of things .
But those are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coaches and teachers try to create for kids .
Those moments , you ca n't get those back , and it breaks my heart .
`` From a personal standpoint , I miss my kids .
I miss my teaching .
I miss the kids I see in second period and third and fifth and all the way through the day .
What I do n't think kids understand is that they are a really , really big part of our life , the kids we teach and really as high school coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many of them go on and become lifelong friends .
They 're huge , huge , parts of our lives .
And we do n't know when we 'll see them again . ''
St. Charles East 's softball team was hoping to make a return trip to the state tournament .
The Saints lost 1-0 to Huntley in last year 's Class 4A state title game .
While disappointed not to have that opportunity , that 's not what Saints coach Jarod Gutesha said he 's going to miss the most .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's the day-to-day , the practices , the day-to-day stuff is toughest , '' Gutesha said .
`` I 'd love 3 to 5 when we are dialed into softball .
Hitting ground balls , getting better .
Having the kids make those bonds .
That 's the stuff I miss the most as a coach is the day-to-day . ''
Stevenson 's girls water polo team is the three-time defending state champion and had run its current winning streak to 70 .
`` It 's only logical right now , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday 's decision .
`` First and foremost , and I 've said this to kids for 30-something years , health is more important than anything .
Without health , you have nothing .
And right now it 's health with your family and health with everyone .
Every time I see and talk to anyone , I finish by saying , 'Stay healthy . '
`` Larkin athletic director Ethan Karolczak placed an emphasis on education .
`` It was n't necessarily unexpected but it 's still disappointing and it 's kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` My text message alert is blowing up .
I 've gotten 22 text messages from athletic directors in the last five minutes .
It 's kind of surreal for us , too .
Now our job is doing everything we can to make sure that our student-athletes are still learning .
He ( Gov .
Pritzker ) did n't say learning was closed .
`` It 's unfortunate , but I believe that if the medical health experts and the state officials think it 's in the best interests of keeping everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a sacrifice we 're all going to have to make .
That 's our priority . ''
Naperville North girls soccer coach Steve Goletz also said health and safety have to come first .
`` I think as the date kept getting pushed back the hope continued to get smaller and smaller and then once the word came out today it was one of those things where it feels like , all right , what can we really do ?
But the health and safety of everybody is paramount in this situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know the kids and families understand that , but it does n't make it any easier for especially senior athletes to swallow .
`` As you watch these press conferences that happen , you continue to see some signs that just point you towards , what is normal going to be again and what is normal going to look like ?
For our kids it 's hard to wrap your head around that because it 's hard for us as adults to wrap your head around it .
There 's only so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sting out of the losses that they 're incurring over the last month here . ''
`` You kind of knew this was expected but when the finality actually happens , yeah , it 's sad , '' he said .
`` You just feel awful for the athletes , especially the seniors .
The next thing is we hope we can get together again in the summer . ''
• Daily Herald sports writers Orrin Schwarz , John Lemon , Joe Aguilar , Kevin Schmit , Dave Oberhelman , John Leusch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story .

'It's heartbreaking for our athletes': Prep sports community reacts to schools closing
High school sports will likely not return in Illinois this spring after Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday the state's schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Daily Herald File Photo
Gov. J.B. Pritzker's announcement Friday that all schools will be closed for the remainder of the academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic was met with sadness and frustration, but also understanding by the high school sports community.
"It's not a surprise but it's very disappointing," said Naperville North athletic director Bob Quinn. "It's heartbreaking for our athletes, our coaches and our families. We're relying on medical professionals and for that reason we'll follow the guidelines."
The closing of schools until at least August will likely also mean the end of the 2019-20 high school sports season, although the Illinois High School Association did not make that immediate determination Friday.
"The IHSA board of directors is scheduled to meet via video conference on Tuesday," IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said in a statement Friday after the governor's announcement. "At that meeting, the board will make a final determination on the IHSA's spring sport state tournaments based on the governor's announcement that Illinois high schools will not return to in-person learning this school year.
"As we previously indicated, the cessation of in-person learning will make it difficult for the IHSA to conduct spring state tournaments this year. More information will be provided following Tuesday's board meeting."
Coaches and athletic directors from across the suburbs had similar reactions of disappointment and understanding.
"The announcement doesn't come as surprise," said Barrington athletic director Mike Obsuszt. "We're very, very disappointed we are not going to be able to have our athletes participating this spring. Obviously, though, the health of our students in the No. 1 priority at this point as well as the health of everyone else."
This is Mike Schmidt's 25th year coaching the Burlington Central boys track and field team. The Rockets had nine seniors on a team Schmidt said had the potential to win a state trophy.
"They don't get to fulfill everything they have worked so hard for," Schmidt said. "That's the most frustrating thing. The hard work and dedication to their sport is not going to be fulfilled for this year anyway. For some it's the end of their careers, some will go on to college. For those who this is it it's a sad day."
Steve May, Wheeling's assistant principal/student activities said: "It's really disappointing that a lot of these kids who only play one sport. They've geared up for their spring season and the seniors are losing out on their final opportunities. It's sad for them.
"I just had a meeting with all my spring coaches and they're devastated because they love what they do, They love interacting with the student/athletes. They love the competition. I'm just sad for everyone -- parents, teachers coaches, everyone."
Grayslake Central baseball coach Troy Whalen was trying Friday to determine how to speak to his players.
"Illinois was one of the last states holding on and everyone had a small glimmer of hope for spring sports," Whalen said. "But most people saw this coming. It's just like anything else though. Once you hear that final message, it's tough, especially for the seniors.
"I have a Zoom call with my seniors later today, just the seniors, and it's a call that I never in my wildest imagination thought I would ever be on. I've been thinking about what I'm going to say and I'm sure it will get emotional. I know it will for me. The first thing I'm going to tell them is that as a coach, I feel robbed of getting to spend time this season with some really great seniors. You're never going to get that time back and that's tough."
Burlington's Schmidt also has the perspective as a parent. His son Zac is a sophomore on the track team.
"Equally frustrating but from a different angle of seeing the progress and the ability to achieve greater things and see him enjoy time with his teammates," Schmidt said. "And for us as parents to go watch him. There's a finite amount of time you get to see your kid play sports in high school and this just takes away a little bit more of that."
Rob Harvey, Wheaton Warrenville South girls track and field coach who is also the father of a South Elgin boys track and field athlete, said it's not about winning and losing.
"The winning and losing, those are secondary," Harvey said. "Yeah, we have some kids on our team that would have possibly run for state championships or all-state medals and conference championships and all those type of things. But those are secondary to the moments that we as coaches and teachers try to create for kids. Those moments, you can't get those back, and it breaks my heart.
"From a personal standpoint, I miss my kids. I miss my teaching. I miss the kids I see in second period and third and fifth and all the way through the day. What I don't think kids understand is that they are a really, really big part of our life, the kids we teach and really as high school coaches, the kids that we coach. Many of them go on and become lifelong friends. They're huge, huge, parts of our lives. And we don't know when we'll see them again."
St. Charles East's softball team was hoping to make a return trip to the state tournament. The Saints lost 1-0 to Huntley in last year's Class 4A state title game.
While disappointed not to have that opportunity, that's not what Saints coach Jarod Gutesha said he's going to miss the most.
"It's not the end, it's the day-to-day, the practices, the day-to-day stuff is toughest," Gutesha said. "I'd love 3 to 5 when we are dialed into softball. Hitting ground balls, getting better. Having the kids make those bonds. That's the stuff I miss the most as a coach is the day-to-day."
Stevenson's girls water polo team is the three-time defending state champion and had run its current winning streak to 70.
"It's only logical right now," said Patriots' coach Jeff Wimer of Friday's decision. "First and foremost, and I've said this to kids for 30-something years, health is more important than anything. Without health, you have nothing. And right now it's health with your family and health with everyone. Every time I see and talk to anyone, I finish by saying, 'Stay healthy.' "
Larkin athletic director Ethan Karolczak placed an emphasis on education.
"It wasn't necessarily unexpected but it's still disappointing and it's kind of surreal," he said. "My text message alert is blowing up. I've gotten 22 text messages from athletic directors in the last five minutes. It's kind of surreal for us, too. Now our job is doing everything we can to make sure that our student-athletes are still learning. He (Gov. Pritzker) didn't say learning was closed.
"It's unfortunate, but I believe that if the medical health experts and the state officials think it's in the best interests of keeping everybody alive and keeping everybody safe, it's a sacrifice we're all going to have to make. That's our priority."
Naperville North girls soccer coach Steve Goletz also said health and safety have to come first.
"I think as the date kept getting pushed back the hope continued to get smaller and smaller and then once the word came out today it was one of those things where it feels like, all right, what can we really do? But the health and safety of everybody is paramount in this situation," Goletz said. "I know the kids and families understand that, but it doesn't make it any easier for especially senior athletes to swallow.
"As you watch these press conferences that happen, you continue to see some signs that just point you towards, what is normal going to be again and what is normal going to look like? For our kids it's hard to wrap your head around that because it's hard for us as adults to wrap your head around it. There's only so much you can say to kids to take the sting out of the losses that they're incurring over the last month here."
WW South AD Mike Healy looked to the future.
"You kind of knew this was expected but when the finality actually happens, yeah, it's sad," he said. "You just feel awful for the athletes, especially the seniors. The next thing is we hope we can get together again in the summer."
• Daily Herald sports writers Orrin Schwarz, John Lemon, Joe Aguilar, Kevin Schmit, Dave Oberhelman, John Leusch and Patricia Babcock McGraw contributed to this story.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--Fourth of July celebration canceled in Carol Stream, others in jeopardy

If there 's a metaphor for this year 's Fourth of July celebrations , it 's in the old box of firecrackers gathering dust in your garage .
Independence Day blowouts already have fizzled out in some towns , turning July Fourth into a dud and a disappointment .
But with each passing day of the coronavirus pandemic , it 's getting harder to imagine star-spangled traditions : packed parade routes , neighborhood cookouts and a fireworks show for the masses .
Last month , organizers called off Lisle 's Eyes to the Skies hot air balloon festival and three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday canceled the village 's Fourth of July fireworks display , along with the summer concert series because of the COVID-19 crisis .
Carol Stream 's parade also has been scrapped .
In other suburbs , the virus threat and a recent warning by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker are weighing heavily on officials and volunteers who make Fourth of July festivities a source of community pride .
`` I think everyone needs to think seriously about canceling large summer events , '' Pritzker advised earlier this month .
`` I do n't see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings of people until we have a vaccine , which is months and months away . ''
Towns from Arlington Heights to Elgin and from Hoffman Estates to Vernon Hills have n't yet reached decisions on July 4 festivities .
`` At this time , the village 's summer events are under review as the COVID-19 crisis continues and we await word on an update of the governor 's stay at home order , '' said Nancy Kluz , an Arlington Heights village spokeswoman .
Volunteers put on Carol Stream 's parade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are sad that we will not be able to do the parade , but the main thing is the safety of our residents , '' said Trustee Rick Gieser , who sits on the 4th of July Parade Committee .
The independent group relies entirely on donations to stage the parade .
Organizers have had to cancel restaurant fundraisers due to the dining shutdown , but those disruptions did n't have any bearing on the decision to forgo the parade , Gieser said .
`` We have the money for this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That 's not a problem . ''
The last time organizers pulled the plug on Fourth of July celebrations across the suburbs , severe storms and extreme heat were the culprit eight years ago .
Carol Stream also scrapped the fireworks and parade in 2012 amid a cleanup effort and widespread power outages .
`` That was a huge disappointment , too , but we continued and had a stronger parade the next year , '' Gieser said .
In Wheaton , the park district has not yet made a formal announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Executive Director Mike Benard said .
`` But it seems very likely that the 4th of July parade and fireworks in Wheaton will be canceled due to the need to continue social distancing protocols , '' he said via email .
`` I believe the governor will have something to say about the status of large events this summer at some point in the near future . ''

Fourth of July celebration canceled in Carol Stream, others in jeopardy
Carol Stream is among the first towns to cancel its Fourth of July festivities and Wheaton Park District is likely to follow suit. Daily Herald File photo
If there's a metaphor for this year's Fourth of July celebrations, it's in the old box of firecrackers gathering dust in your garage.
Independence Day blowouts already have fizzled out in some towns, turning July Fourth into a dud and a disappointment.
But with each passing day of the coronavirus pandemic, it's getting harder to imagine star-spangled traditions: packed parade routes, neighborhood cookouts and a fireworks show for the masses.
Last month, organizers called off Lisle's Eyes to the Skies hot air balloon festival and three nights of fireworks. Carol Stream on Friday canceled the village's Fourth of July fireworks display, along with the summer concert series because of the COVID-19 crisis. Carol Stream's parade also has been scrapped.
In other suburbs, the virus threat and a recent warning by Gov. J.B. Pritzker are weighing heavily on officials and volunteers who make Fourth of July festivities a source of community pride.
"I think everyone needs to think seriously about canceling large summer events," Pritzker advised earlier this month. "I don't see how we're going to have large gatherings of people until we have a vaccine, which is months and months away."
Towns from Arlington Heights to Elgin and from Hoffman Estates to Vernon Hills haven't yet reached decisions on July 4 festivities.
"At this time, the village's summer events are under review as the COVID-19 crisis continues and we await word on an update of the governor's stay-at-home order," said Nancy Kluz, an Arlington Heights village spokeswoman.
Volunteers put on Carol Stream's parade, making preparations throughout the year.
"We are sad that we will not be able to do the parade, but the main thing is the safety of our residents," said Trustee Rick Gieser, who sits on the 4th of July Parade Committee.
The independent group relies entirely on donations to stage the parade. Organizers have had to cancel restaurant fundraisers due to the dining shutdown, but those disruptions didn't have any bearing on the decision to forgo the parade, Gieser said.
"We have the money for this year's parade," he said. "That's not a problem."
The last time organizers pulled the plug on Fourth of July celebrations across the suburbs, severe storms and extreme heat were the culprit eight years ago. Carol Stream also scrapped the fireworks and parade in 2012 amid a cleanup effort and widespread power outages.
"That was a huge disappointment, too, but we continued and had a stronger parade the next year," Gieser said.
In Wheaton, the park district has not yet made a formal announcement on the status of its celebration, Executive Director Mike Benard said.
"But it seems very likely that the 4th of July parade and fireworks in Wheaton will be canceled due to the need to continue social distancing protocols," he said via email. "I believe the governor will have something to say about the status of large events this summer at some point in the near future."
• Daily Herald staff writer Christopher Placek contributed to this report


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--Church's mask giveaway procedure tweaked in Arlington Heights

Another 10,000 surgical masks are being given away at Lakewood Chapel in Arlington Heights , but church officials have changed the procedure a bit for safety reasons .
Pastor John Elleson said the church 's giveaway of 10,000 masks was so successful over Easter weekend , it caused a traffic hazard on Palatine Road .
`` It 's really been unreal , '' he said .
`` People are having a hard time getting masks . ''
Elleson said so many cars were lined up for the `` drive-through '' pickup that traffic was stopped in a long line in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palatine Road .
Now that another giveaway of 10,000 masks is underway , people are asked to park and walk into the church lobby , where they will be handed a mask .
Lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m .
He said drivers who are unable or unwilling to come inside the lobby can pull up to the door and a mask will be brought to them .
The church also delivered masks to local medical facilities and some law enforcement offices but is trying to keep the majority for civilians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one person each .
They are being handed out from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. while supplies last .
Elleson said he plans to have another 10,000 masks available starting Friday , April 24 .

Church's mask giveaway procedure tweaked in Arlington Heights
Another 10,000 surgical masks are being given away at Lakewood Chapel in Arlington Heights, but church officials have changed the procedure a bit for safety reasons.
Pastor John Elleson said the church's giveaway of 10,000 masks was so successful over Easter weekend, it caused a traffic hazard on Palatine Road. "It's really been unreal," he said. "People are having a hard time getting masks."
Elleson said so many cars were lined up for the "drive-through" pickup that traffic was stopped in a long line in front of the church at 1307 E. Palatine Road. Now that another giveaway of 10,000 masks is underway, people are asked to park and walk into the church lobby, where they will be handed a mask. Lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
He said drivers who are unable or unwilling to come inside the lobby can pull up to the door and a mask will be brought to them.
The church also delivered masks to local medical facilities and some law enforcement offices but is trying to keep the majority for civilians to pick up. Masks are limited to one person each. They are being handed out from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. while supplies last.
Elleson said he plans to have another 10,000 masks available starting Friday, April 24.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--Duckworth, Pritzker, Lightfoot tour COVID-19 facilities at McCormick Place

State leaders toured McCormick Place Friday , one day after the alternate care facility saw its first COVID-19 patients .
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and health officials briefly toured the makeshift overflow site for Chicago-area hospitals .
McCormick Place has begun to accept COVID-19 patients to lessen the burden on the regional health care system .
The facility takes patients from hospital partners only .
State leaders announced plans in March to transform the 2.6 million-square-foot convention center .
The project is being constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade union labor .
The facility now has more than 2,200 patient rooms and is expected to house about 3,000 rooms by late April .
It will be staffed by 400 health care professionals .
`` Hall B , where we are currently standing , represents a new model for care for crises , '' Dr. Christina Bratis of the DuPage Medical Group , the site 's clinical chief of staff , said Friday .
`` What makes this place so unique is its ability to deliver care across a wide spectrum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those with moderate and even high-acuity illness . ''
The layout is modeled after a typical hospital , Bratis said , with 15 tents surrounding a central nursing station .
This allows for close monitoring of patients .
Inside each tent is a headboard that can deliver in-line oxygen , vacuum and suctioning for specific medical procedures and power .
Each tent is designed to provide a continuous flow of air with outflow through the back .
Such air pressure is meant to keep the virus from escaping into the common areas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can treat COVID-19 patients regardless of symptom severity .
`` One of the things that we 've learned from this pandemic is that the needs for hospitals are difficult to predict when the course of the infection is also difficult to predict , '' she said .
`` With these features if the load of patients is due to a lot of low-acuity , we can take care of them .
Similarly , if there is an overload of patients that is more severely ill , we can take care of them too @ @

Duckworth, Pritzker, Lightfoot tour COVID-19 facilities at McCormick Place
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, left, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot speak outside one of the patient rooms at the COVID-19 alternate care facility in Hall C at McCormick Place Friday. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth tour the COVID-19 alternate care facility in Hall C at McCormick Place in Chicago Friday. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Gov. J.B. Pritzker tours one of the patient rooms at the COVID-19 alternate care facility in Hall C at McCormick Place in Chicago Friday. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Hoffman Estates Democrat, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker tour the ventilation system Friday at the COVID-19 alternate care facility in Hall C at McCormick Place in Chicago. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
State leaders toured McCormick Place Friday, one day after the alternate care facility saw its first COVID-19 patients.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and health officials briefly toured the makeshift overflow site for Chicago-area hospitals.
McCormick Place has begun to accept COVID-19 patients to lessen the burden on the regional health care system. The facility takes patients from hospital partners only.
State leaders announced plans in March to transform the 2.6 million-square-foot convention center. The project is being constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois National Guard and local trade union labor.
The facility now has more than 2,200 patient rooms and is expected to house about 3,000 rooms by late April. It will be staffed by 400 health care professionals.
"Hall B, where we are currently standing, represents a new model for care for crises," Dr. Christina Bratis of the DuPage Medical Group, the site's clinical chief of staff, said Friday. "What makes this place so unique is its ability to deliver care across a wide spectrum of medical severity from the lowest acuity to those with moderate and even high-acuity illness."
The layout is modeled after a typical hospital, Bratis said, with 15 tents surrounding a central nursing station. This allows for close monitoring of patients.
Inside each tent is a headboard that can deliver in-line oxygen, vacuum and suctioning for specific medical procedures and power.
Each tent is designed to provide a continuous flow of air with outflow through the back. Such air pressure is meant to keep the virus from escaping into the common areas of the hall.
Bratis said the facility can treat COVID-19 patients regardless of symptom severity.
"One of the things that we've learned from this pandemic is that the needs for hospitals are difficult to predict when the course of the infection is also difficult to predict," she said. "With these features if the load of patients is due to a lot of low-acuity, we can take care of them. Similarly, if there is an overload of patients that is more severely ill, we can take care of them too."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--April 17 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code

• Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below .
• As of Friday , suburban Cook County had 7,982 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 333 deaths , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 11,409 cases and 427 fatalities .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health on Friday listed 380 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines , 193 cases in Glenview , 108 in Mount Prospect , 102 in Park Ridge , 94 in Wheeling , 92 in Palatine , 89 in Schaumburg , 83 in Arlington Heights , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove Village , 55 in Hoffman Estates , 31 each in Prospect Heights and Rolling Meadows , and 23 in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
• The Lake County Health Department lists 1,932 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 70 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Friday .
• Cases in some Lake County towns as of Friday : 510 to 514 in Waukegan , 75 to 79 in Gurnee , 70 to 74 in Round Lake , 65-69 in Mundelein , 40 to 44 each in Libertyville and Vernon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) and Wauconda , 30 to 34 in Grayslake , and 25 to 29 each in Lake Zurich and Lake Villa .
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 1,560 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 78 deaths on its coronavirus website Friday .
• Cases per suburb include 120 in Naperville ( DuPage portion ) , 105 in Addison , 103 in Carol Stream , 100 in Bensenville , 84 in Lombard , 75 each in Elmhurst and Willowbrook , 74 in Glendale Heights , 67 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 50 in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) .
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 561 cases of COVID-19 with 28 deaths on its website Friday at kanehealth.com .
• Cases per town as of Friday include 208 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 114 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 46 in St. Charles , 21 in South Elgin , 17 in Batavia , 16 each in Geneva and North Aurora , 12 in Gilberts , and nine in Sugar Grove .
• There are 324 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McHenry County , according to the health department 's website Friday .
• There have been 1,566 cases of COVID-19 and 90 deaths , according to the Will County Health Department 's website Friday .
• Cases per town include 111 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) , and 11 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

April 17 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website, shown here at the end of March, that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Interactive map
• Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below.
Cook County
• As of Friday, suburban Cook County had 7,982 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 333 deaths, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 11,409 cases and 427 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health on Friday listed 380 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines, 193 cases in Glenview, 108 in Mount Prospect, 102 in Park Ridge, 94 in Wheeling, 92 in Palatine, 89 in Schaumburg, 83 in Arlington Heights, 76 in Streamwood, 56 in Elk Grove Village, 55 in Hoffman Estates, 31 each in Prospect Heights and Rolling Meadows, and 23 in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department lists 1,932 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 70 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Friday.
• Cases in some Lake County towns as of Friday: 510 to 514 in Waukegan, 75 to 79 in Gurnee, 70 to 74 in Round Lake, 65-69 in Mundelein, 40 to 44 each in Libertyville and Vernon Hills, 35 to 39 each in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion) and Wauconda, 30 to 34 in Grayslake, and 25 to 29 each in Lake Zurich and Lake Villa.
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 1,560 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 78 deaths on its coronavirus website Friday.
• Cases per suburb include 120 in Naperville (DuPage portion), 105 in Addison, 103 in Carol Stream, 100 in Bensenville, 84 in Lombard, 75 each in Elmhurst and Willowbrook, 74 in Glendale Heights, 67 in West Chicago, 58 in Downers Grove, and 50 in Aurora (DuPage County portion).
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 561 cases of COVID-19 with 28 deaths on its website Friday at kanehealth.com.
• Cases per town as of Friday include 208 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 114 in Elgin (Kane portion), 46 in St. Charles, 21 in South Elgin, 17 in Batavia, 16 each in Geneva and North Aurora, 12 in Gilberts, and nine in Sugar Grove.
McHenry County
• There are 324 cases of COVID-19 and 14 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department's website Friday.
Will County
• There have been 1,566 cases of COVID-19 and 90 deaths, according to the Will County Health Department's website Friday.
• Cases per town include 111 in Naperville (Will County portion), and 11 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--Images: Spring snow covers the suburbs

Images: Spring snow covers the suburbs

Rey Lautenschlager , 20 , from Geneva enjoys the mid April snow by sledding at Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva @ @ @ @ @ in college at UC San Diego but is home due to the pandemic .
`` @ @ @ @ @ different than usual , but the past few times I 've been home in December @ @ @ @ @ I 'll take what I can get and enjoy it now , ''

Rick West | Staff Photographer
Rey Lautenschlager, 20, from Geneva enjoys the mid April snow by sledding at Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva Friday. Lautenschlager should be in college at UC San Diego but is home due to the pandemic. "It's definitely a little different than usual, but the past few times I've been home in December it hasn't snowed so I'll take what I can get and enjoy it now,"


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--Will new evidence mean new trial in 1988 murder-for-hire case?

More than three decades after authorities say he gunned down a Palatine Township woman in a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by her husband , Ronald Kliner is trying again to win a new trial -- and this time he has some heavyweight backing .
Kliner , 59 , filed a motion in Cook County court last month seeking a new trial on murder charges stemming from the February 1988 slaying of Dana Rinaldi , who was shot five times in the head as she pleaded for her life outside her home .
A jury convicted the former Des Plaines man in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death penalty -- a sentence commuted to life without parole by then-Gov .
George Ryan in 2003 .
The 41-page motion was filed for Kliner by the University of Chicago-based Exoneration Project , which has won freedom for dozens of previously convicted people since its founding .
The motion argues there 's new evidence that could clear Kliner if he were given another trial .
That new evidence includes : DNA results from the crime scene that fail to provide a physical link between Kliner and the murder ; evidence casting doubt on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , who avoided a possible death sentence by testifying against Kliner ; witnesses providing Kliner with an alibi at the time of the murder ; and testimony connecting another man to the killing .
`` He did not kill Dana Rinaldi and should not be in prison serving a life sentence for her killing -- a sentence that only thanks to the mass commutation by former Gov .
Ryan did not result in his death , '' the motion states .
`` His conviction rests on false testimony from people with now-exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spokeswoman for Cook County State 's Attorney Kimberly Foxx , said the office could not comment on the pending case .
Kliner 's motion for now is scheduled to go before a Cook County judge June 12 in Rolling Meadows for a status hearing .
Can you pour nail polish remover into a toddler 's milk without intending great bodily harm to the child ?
A state appeals court answered that question with a resounding `` no '' this week , when it upheld the conviction and 9-year prison sentence for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her boyfriend 's 17-month-old daughter .
Andrea Vazquez-Hernandez was found guilty of attempted aggravated battery to a child in 2017 , after a judge found she poured about an inch of nail polish remover into the girl 's sippy cup of milk to get back at her boyfriend , whom she suspected of cheating on her .
Vazquez-Hernandez , 40 , did n't deny doing it , but claimed she did n't fully understand the danger and believed the girl would at worst suffer a stomach ache or diarrhea .
Her appeal argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she intended to do worse .
The appellate court , in a unanimous ruling Monday , said her claims are not credible .
`` Even had she not been familiar with the bottle 's specific contents , the ( trial ) court could and did reasonably infer that she knew that the ingredients were unfit for human consumption and designed for a purpose that implied great danger , especially to a 17-month-old child , '' Justice Joseph E. Birkett wrote .
The child was taken to the emergency room but was not seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Corrections , Vazquez-Hernandez will be eligible for parole in September .
Arrestees are keeping their threats against police , firefighters and paramedics au courant .
At least twice in the last two weeks , we 've seen cases in DuPage County of aggravated battery against police officers , in which the accused has told officers that they 're infected with COVID-19 and are going to give it to them deliberately , by spitting on them .
The Drug Enforcement Administration 's annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day , scheduled for April 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Back called off Add this to the list of things COVID-19 has canceled : National Prescription Drug Take Back Day , which was scheduled for Saturday , April 25 .
On that day , police departments across the suburbs hold events to accept unwanted or expired prescription drugs , no questions asked .
Authorities say it not only keeps potential contaminants out of landfills and sewer systems , but it also helps keep potentially dangerous and addictive drugs out of the wrong hands .
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recommends that those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to find a location you can visit to safely dispose them .
In an effort to create some special moments and lasting memories amid their disrupted final weeks of high school , seniors across the country are taking to social media to share their portraits and name of their school along with the # ClassOf2020 hashtag .
While it seems like harmless fun , the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois says students might be unwittingly putting themselves at risk .
`` Watch out , scammers or hackers who surf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # ClassOf2020 posts and will now have the name of your high school and graduation year , which are common online security questions , '' said Steve Bernas , the organization 's president and CEO .
`` All it takes is an internet search to reveal more information about you , such as family members , your real name , birth date , or even where you live . ''
To stay safe , the BBB recommends social media users check their security settings to see what they are sharing and with whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have been inadvertently revealed to a wide audience .
• Have a question , tip or comment ?
Email us at copsandcrime @ dailyherald.com .

Will new evidence mean new trial in 1988 murder-for-hire case?
More than three decades after authorities say he gunned down a Palatine Township woman in a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by her husband, Ronald Kliner is trying again to win a new trial -- and this time he has some heavyweight backing.
Kliner, 59, filed a motion in Cook County court last month seeking a new trial on murder charges stemming from the February 1988 slaying of Dana Rinaldi, who was shot five times in the head as she pleaded for her life outside her home.
A jury convicted the former Des Plaines man in 1996, and he was given the death penalty -- a sentence commuted to life without parole by then-Gov. George Ryan in 2003.
The 41-page motion was filed for Kliner by the University of Chicago-based Exoneration Project, which has won freedom for dozens of previously convicted people since its founding. The motion argues there's new evidence that could clear Kliner if he were given another trial.
That new evidence includes: DNA results from the crime scene that fail to provide a physical link between Kliner and the murder; evidence casting doubt on the credibility of witnesses including Rinaldi's husband, who avoided a possible death sentence by testifying against Kliner; witnesses providing Kliner with an alibi at the time of the murder; and testimony connecting another man to the killing.
"He did not kill Dana Rinaldi and should not be in prison serving a life sentence for her killing -- a sentence that only thanks to the mass commutation by former Gov. Ryan did not result in his death," the motion states. "His conviction rests on false testimony from people with now-exposed reasons to lie."
Tandra Simonton, spokeswoman for Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx, said the office could not comment on the pending case.
Kliner's motion for now is scheduled to go before a Cook County judge June 12 in Rolling Meadows for a status hearing.
Just a minor poisoning?
Can you pour nail polish remover into a toddler's milk without intending great bodily harm to the child?
A state appeals court answered that question with a resounding "no" this week, when it upheld the conviction and 9-year prison sentence for a Carol Stream woman who tried to poison her boyfriend's 17-month-old daughter.
Andrea Vazquez-Hernandez was found guilty of attempted aggravated battery to a child in 2017, after a judge found she poured about an inch of nail polish remover into the girl's sippy cup of milk to get back at her boyfriend, whom she suspected of cheating on her.
Vazquez-Hernandez, 40, didn't deny doing it, but claimed she didn't fully understand the danger and believed the girl would at worst suffer a stomach ache or diarrhea.
Her appeal argued that DuPage County prosecutors failed to prove she intended to do worse.
The appellate court, in a unanimous ruling Monday, said her claims are not credible.
"Even had she not been familiar with the bottle's specific contents, the (trial) court could and did reasonably infer that she knew that the ingredients were unfit for human consumption and designed for a purpose that implied great danger, especially to a 17-month-old child," Justice Joseph E. Birkett wrote.
The child was taken to the emergency room but was not seriously hurt.
According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, Vazquez-Hernandez will be eligible for parole in September.
Viral threat
Arrestees are keeping their threats against police, firefighters and paramedics au courant.
At least twice in the last two weeks, we've seen cases in DuPage County of aggravated battery against police officers, in which the accused has told officers that they're infected with COVID-19 and are going to give it to them deliberately, by spitting on them.
The Drug Enforcement Administration's annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day, scheduled for April 25, has been called off. - Round Lake Park Police
Add this to the list of things COVID-19 has canceled: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which was scheduled for Saturday, April 25.
On that day, police departments across the suburbs hold events to accept unwanted or expired prescription drugs, no questions asked. Authorities say it not only keeps potential contaminants out of landfills and sewer systems, but it also helps keep potentially dangerous and addictive drugs out of the wrong hands.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recommends that those with unwanted prescriptions visit its website, www.dea.gov, to find a location you can visit to safely dispose them.
Senior (class) scam
In an effort to create some special moments and lasting memories amid their disrupted final weeks of high school, seniors across the country are taking to social media to share their portraits and name of their school along with the #ClassOf2020 hashtag.
While it seems like harmless fun, the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois says students might be unwittingly putting themselves at risk.
"Watch out, scammers or hackers who surf through social media sites will see these #ClassOf2020 posts and will now have the name of your high school and graduation year, which are common online security questions," said Steve Bernas, the organization's president and CEO. "All it takes is an internet search to reveal more information about you, such as family members, your real name, birth date, or even where you live."
To stay safe, the BBB recommends social media users check their security settings to see what they are sharing and with whom, and change security questions/settings if anything might have been inadvertently revealed to a wide audience.
• Have a question, tip or comment? Email us at copsandcrime@dailyherald.com.