dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Delayed Barrington Art Walk back on schedule for September

Barrington 's annual outdoor art festival , on hold since May due to COVID-19 concerns , will be held with safety precautions in place next month .
Village board members Monday night entered into a letter of agreement with Amdur Productions Inc. to produce the fest on Sept. 12 and 13 .
The 2020 Barrington Art Walk previously had been set for Memorial Day weekend on May 24 and 25 .
About 50 juried artists , music and food vendors will be part of the event , held in the BMO Harris Bank parking lot in downtown Barrington .
Safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vendors and visitors -- except for children 2 and younger -- and social distancing .
There will be a controlled entry into the festival area .
`` It will be 50 % fewer artists and only 50 attendees at a time , '' said Patty Dowd Schmitz , the village 's director of communications and community engagement .
Instead of just showing up on downtown streets as in past years , patrons must make free online reservations for a one-hour time slot from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or make an advance purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket at amdurproductions.com .
Company President Amy Amdur said there will be temperature screenings before entry from Cook Street and a one-way flow for the patrons in the BMO Harris lot .
Plans call for a special session from 9 to 10 a.m. on both days for those with compromised health or mobility problems .
As part of its $ 8,250 contract with Barrington , Amdur will be responsible for the layout , artist selection , marketing and other management duties .
Schmitz said the success of the Barrington Wine Walk on July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescheduled 11th annual art festival .
Many suburbs hire Amdur Productions for annual art fests .
Amdur said the first of the fests with the new measures related to COVID-19 occurred Aug. 1 and 2 with the Art Walk at the Glen in Glenview .
There were about 2,000 patrons over two days at the Glenview festival and a high level of cooperation , she said .
`` People first thanked us for the safety protocols we had in place , '' Amdur added .
`` When we were taking their temperatures with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Some artists have `` done a pivot '' by selling face coverings , she said .
Amdur will stage the 23rd annual Lincolnshire Art Walk from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday .
Free reservations for a time slot or the $ 10 VIP tickets allowing flexibility are available on Amdur 's website .

Delayed Barrington Art Walk back on schedule for September
Barrington's annual outdoor art festival, which has been on hold due to COVID-19 concerns, will be held with safety precautions in the downtown BMO Harris Bank parking lot next month. Here, visitors gathered at the 2019 festival held on downtown Barrington streets. Courtesy of Amdur Productions
Barrington's annual outdoor art festival, which has been on hold due to COVID-19 concerns, will be held with safety precautions in the downtown BMO Harris Bank parking lot next month. Here, visitors gathered at the 2019 festival held on downtown Barrington streets. Courtesy of Amdur Productions
Barrington's annual outdoor art festival, on hold since May due to COVID-19 concerns, will be held with safety precautions in place next month.
Village board members Monday night entered into a letter of agreement with Amdur Productions Inc. to produce the fest on Sept. 12 and 13. The 2020 Barrington Art Walk previously had been set for Memorial Day weekend on May 24 and 25.
About 50 juried artists, music and food vendors will be part of the event, held in the BMO Harris Bank parking lot in downtown Barrington. Safety requirements include facial coverings for artists, vendors and visitors -- except for children 2 and younger -- and social distancing. There will be a controlled entry into the festival area.
"It will be 50% fewer artists and only 50 attendees at a time," said Patty Dowd Schmitz, the village's director of communications and community engagement.
Instead of just showing up on downtown streets as in past years, patrons must make free online reservations for a one-hour time slot from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or make an advance purchase of a flexible $10 VIP daily ticket at amdurproductions.com. Company President Amy Amdur said there will be temperature screenings before entry from Cook Street and a one-way flow for the patrons in the BMO Harris lot.
Plans call for a special session from 9 to 10 a.m. on both days for those with compromised health or mobility problems.
As part of its $8,250 contract with Barrington, Amdur will be responsible for the layout, artist selection, marketing and other management duties.
Schmitz said the success of the Barrington Wine Walk on July 25 helped officials decide to allow the rescheduled 11th annual art festival.
Many suburbs hire Amdur Productions for annual art fests. Amdur said the first of the fests with the new measures related to COVID-19 occurred Aug. 1 and 2 with the Art Walk at the Glen in Glenview.
There were about 2,000 patrons over two days at the Glenview festival and a high level of cooperation, she said.
"People first thanked us for the safety protocols we had in place," Amdur added. "When we were taking their temperatures with infrared thermometers, they were thanking us."
Some artists have "done a pivot" by selling face coverings, she said.
Amdur will stage the 23rd annual Lincolnshire Art Walk from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free reservations for a time slot or the $10 VIP tickets allowing flexibility are available on Amdur's website.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Rock-solid Neuqua Valley, other teams ready for a different looking girls swimming season

As a junior for Metea Valley last November , Stone rocked the 100-yard butterfly , winning her first IHSA state title .
A California-Berkeley commit , her move from the Aurora school to the Naperville school boosts a Neuqua Valley squad that already boasts Georgia-bound senior Rachel Stege , the defending state champ in the 200 and 500 freestyles , and senior Jane Riehs , who won the state diving title last season .
`` We have an arsenal , for sure , '' said Jason Niforatos , coach of the two-time defending state champs .
Niforatos ' Wildcats -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams -- also have a season to compete this fall .
But like fellow fall sports golf , cross country and tennis , swimming will look different due to COVID-19 .
While considered a low-risk sport by the IHSA , swimming 's social-distancing guidelines will include no relays and , likely , no invitationals .
Handshakes , fist bumps and hugs will not be allowed .
There will be fewer people allowed on deck and in the stands , as student participants , coaches and officials will be restricted to a combined total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an apropos term for the sport of swimming .
`` I 'm a little crushed that we 're not doing relays , '' Niforatos said of the 200 medley , 200 free and 400 free .
Stege swam on Neuqua Valley 's state-champion 200 and 400 free relays each of the last two years .
`` Our relays looked just stifling .
I know that they were super excited about doing those relays , but it is what it is .
We 're trying to keep everybody -- coaches , parents and athletes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're very grateful of this opportunity , more so because this is some level of normalcy for these girls . ''
Hersey coach Dick Mortensen notes that since there are no relays , the new guidelines allow swimmers to compete four individual events .
That means with only eight events , a team could load up a postseason lineup with just four elite swimmers .
Competitions are allowed to start on Aug. 24 , and the scheduled end of the season is set for Oct. 24 .
`` I do think relays can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rahul Sethna said .
`` Hopefully as time goes on ( the IHSA ) will reevaluate and maybe put relays back in there .
But we 're happy that we get to swim . ''
Mortensen will not have star Maggie Papanicholas , however .
As a freshman last year , Papanicholas finished third in the 100 breaststroke at state .
But she could n't compete during the pandemic and is only .03 seconds off the U.S. Olympic Time Trials cut in the breaststroke , Mortensen says , so she will swim with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity maybe for her , '' he said .
Another reality for Hersey is its school district will allow the Huskies to have only one swimmer per lane in practice .
In a normal year , there would be 9 or 10 swimmers using a lane .
Like Neuqua Valley , Hersey will use staggered practices to allow more girls to swim .
`` This year is about including as many kids as we can , not necessarily about being ultracompetitive , because the meets are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're not going to have a ton of them , I would guess . ''
Hersey might not have a ton of swimmers , either .
`` That 's my biggest struggle with this right now , '' Mortensen said .
`` We 've always prided ourselves on being a no-cut sport , and now we have to reevaluate that . ''
At Mundelein , per IHSA and IDPH guidelines , the Mustangs will follow USA Swimming guidelines , meaning they can have four swimmers per lane at practice .
Coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face-coverings when not in the pool and follow social-distancing protocol .
`` It is different , '' said Sethna , whose Mustangs return senior Adry Kasemets , last season 's state runner-up in the breaststroke .
`` We are going to have to stagger practices because we do n't want to cut anyone . ''
The big question for all teams is whether there will be a state meet .
`` I think there are different ways to do a state meet , '' Sethna said .
`` I do n't think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to in Illinois , where you have 500-some swimmers and 2,000 people in that one pool [ is realistic ] , but I think there are ways to do it , whether it 's virtually or [ another way ] .
USA Swimming has done things like that , and I think now is the time to be creative to hopefully have something like that . ''
While Niforatos says a third state championship would mean a lot for his Wildcats , they will approach the season one day and one week at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regardless of what the future holds .
A Zoom conference with his girls reminded him of what 's most important .
`` Man , I really miss my team , '' Niforatos said .
`` We can think about planning for a third state title and a lot of really just insane-level swims , but I think if something has really resonated with me the most the last three months it 's seeing all the girls on the entire team who are looking forward to coming back .
`` This is an opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added , `` and coaches and drivers of sport second . ''

Rock-solid Neuqua Valley, other teams ready for a different looking girls swimming season
Neuqua Valley, a rock in high school girls swimming, added a precious piece.
A Stone. McKenna Stone.
As a junior for Metea Valley last November, Stone rocked the 100-yard butterfly, winning her first IHSA state title. A California-Berkeley commit, her move from the Aurora school to the Naperville school boosts a Neuqua Valley squad that already boasts Georgia-bound senior Rachel Stege, the defending state champ in the 200 and 500 freestyles, and senior Jane Riehs, who won the state diving title last season.
"We have an arsenal, for sure," said Jason Niforatos, coach of the two-time defending state champs.
Niforatos' Wildcats -- and all IHSA girls swimming and diving teams -- also have a season to compete this fall.
But like fellow fall sports golf, cross country and tennis, swimming will look different due to COVID-19. While considered a low-risk sport by the IHSA, swimming's social-distancing guidelines will include no relays and, likely, no invitationals. Handshakes, fist bumps and hugs will not be allowed. There will be fewer people allowed on deck and in the stands, as student participants, coaches and officials will be restricted to a combined total of 50 per "wave" -- an apropos term for the sport of swimming.
"I'm a little crushed that we're not doing relays," Niforatos said of the 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free. Stege swam on Neuqua Valley's state-champion 200 and 400 free relays each of the last two years. "Our relays looked just stifling. I know that they were super excited about doing those relays, but it is what it is. We're trying to keep everybody -- coaches, parents and athletes -- in a mind set that we're very grateful of this opportunity, more so because this is some level of normalcy for these girls."
Hersey coach Dick Mortensen notes that since there are no relays, the new guidelines allow swimmers to compete four individual events. That means with only eight events, a team could load up a postseason lineup with just four elite swimmers. Competitions are allowed to start on Aug. 24, and the scheduled end of the season is set for Oct. 24.
"I do think relays can be done safely," Mundelein coach Rahul Sethna said. "Hopefully as time goes on (the IHSA) will reevaluate and maybe put relays back in there. But we're happy that we get to swim."
Mortensen will not have star Maggie Papanicholas, however. As a freshman last year, Papanicholas finished third in the 100 breaststroke at state. But she couldn't compete during the pandemic and is only .03 seconds off the U.S. Olympic Time Trials cut in the breaststroke, Mortensen says, so she will swim with her age-group team. He understands.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity maybe for her," he said.
Another reality for Hersey is its school district will allow the Huskies to have only one swimmer per lane in practice. In a normal year, there would be 9 or 10 swimmers using a lane. Like Neuqua Valley, Hersey will use staggered practices to allow more girls to swim.
"This year is about including as many kids as we can, not necessarily about being ultracompetitive, because the meets are going to look different," Mortensen said. "We're not going to have a ton of them, I would guess."
Hersey might not have a ton of swimmers, either.
"That's my biggest struggle with this right now," Mortensen said. "We've always prided ourselves on being a no-cut sport, and now we have to reevaluate that."
At Mundelein, per IHSA and IDPH guidelines, the Mustangs will follow USA Swimming guidelines, meaning they can have four swimmers per lane at practice. Coaches and swimmers will be required to wear face-coverings when not in the pool and follow social-distancing protocol.
"It is different," said Sethna, whose Mustangs return senior Adry Kasemets, last season's state runner-up in the breaststroke. "We are going to have to stagger practices because we don't want to cut anyone."
The big question for all teams is whether there will be a state meet.
"I think there are different ways to do a state meet," Sethna said. "I don't think the traditional state meet that we're used to in Illinois, where you have 500-some swimmers and 2,000 people in that one pool [is realistic], but I think there are ways to do it, whether it's virtually or [another way]. USA Swimming has done things like that, and I think now is the time to be creative to hopefully have something like that."
While Niforatos says a third state championship would mean a lot for his Wildcats, they will approach the season one day and one week at a time, enjoying being together, regardless of what the future holds. A Zoom conference with his girls reminded him of what's most important.
"Man, I really miss my team," Niforatos said. "We can think about planning for a third state title and a lot of really just insane-level swims, but I think if something has really resonated with me the most the last three months it's seeing all the girls on the entire team who are looking forward to coming back.
"This is an opportunity for us to be teachers first," he added, "and coaches and drivers of sport second."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--What Chicago Blackhawks must do to even series with Knights

Duncan Keith had a simple , direct message after the Blackhawks dropped a 4-1 decision to Vegas in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series in Edmonton on Tuesday : It 's time to loosen up a bit .
`` At the end of the day , not many teams are giving us a chance to win , '' the defenseman said .
`` Part of it is just going out and having fun , especially for younger guys .
Everybody really .
`` Enjoy the challenge .
It 's a great challenge , but it 's also a great opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't look terrible against the top-seeded Golden Knights , but they were clearly trying to play a low-risk game .
It 's an understandable strategy , considering Vegas can roll four lines -- one of which is n't afraid to plaster you into the boards -- and has a group of blue-liners that defends hard and also contributes offensively .
Here 's what the Hawks must do to even the series with a victory in Game 2 on Thursday : Robin Lehner had a gut feeling about how the Blachkawks would try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ netminder ended up being hole-ly correct .
`` I know a lot of their tendencies , '' Lehner said after making 19 saves .
`` I know what they 're trying to do on the power play , etc .
… '' I knew that … they were going to mix it up a little bit on me .
On all the really in-tight chances they tried to go five-hole .
I kind of anticipated that before the game . ''
It was n't just the in-tight situations , though .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calvin de Haan , Duncan Keith , Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews all tried beating Lehner low with shots from 25-60 feet out .
The only attempt that went into the net came when David Kampf scored short-handed in the second period .
As Kampf released his shot , Lehner slammed his legs shut .
Only this time , the puck went sailing over the big goalie 's left shoulder .
It 's time for the Hawks to mix it up and use the whole net .
It 's been a pleasant surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 goals ) , Olli Maatta ( 2 ) , Slater Koekkoek ( 1 ) and David Kampf ( 1 ) have all scored .
But it 's going to be awfully difficult for the Hawks to eliminate Vegas -- much less win a game -- if Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat do n't contribute offensively .
Both were quiet against Edmonton and remained so Tuesday .
Kane had just 4 shot attempts ( 1 on goal ) , while DeBrincat had 1 , which was blocked .
With four 20-goal seasons under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jonathan Marchessault is one of Vegas ' most talented forwards .
He also understands that playoff hockey requires a hard-nosed mentality and is n't afraid to mix it up when necessary .
`` I do n't like playing like a 5-9 guy out there .
I like to play a little bigger , '' said Marchessault , who went toe-to-toe with Jonathan Toews in the second period after Toews took exception to a hit on Adam Boqvist .
`` I tried to get the boys going in the second period .
Little wrestle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after that our game turned around and we started producing offensively .
`` It 's playoff hockey .
Everybody needs to contribute physically and it starts with a guy like me . ''
The Hawks do n't have a ton of size , but it would n't hurt if Connor Murphy , Slater Koekkoek , Calvin de Haan , Dylan Strome , Ryan Carpenter and even Brandon Saad made their presence known more often .
The Hawks also need to do a better job of getting to the middle of the offensive zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outside and there was rarely a player near Lehner to get in his eyes or put home a potential rebound .
Coach Jeremy Colliton was pleased with a large portion of Tuesday 's game , but he was irked with a seven-minute stretch early in the third period that helped lead to 2 goals by Reilly Smith .
`` We started cheating , '' Colliton said .
`` It 's a 2-1 game and we started cheating to try and score .
We 're gon na have to be more patient in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the end , it was just one loss .
Keith , for one , remains optimistic .
`` We 're right there , '' he said .
`` It 's one game .
I do n't think we 're happy with the game .
But know that we can be better .
… And we 're gon na have to be better . ''

What Chicago Blackhawks must do to even series with Vegas
Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) looks back after a goaly by Vegas Golden Knights' William Carrier (28) during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Duncan Keith had a simple, direct message after the Blackhawks dropped a 4-1 decision to Vegas in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series in Edmonton on Tuesday: It's time to loosen up a bit.
"At the end of the day, not many teams are giving us a chance to win," the defenseman said. "Part of it is just going out and having fun, especially for younger guys. Everybody really.
"Enjoy the challenge. It's a great challenge, but it's also a great opportunity for our group."
The Hawks didn't look terrible against the top-seeded Golden Knights, but they were clearly trying to play a low-risk game.
It's an understandable strategy, considering Vegas can roll four lines -- one of which isn't afraid to plaster you into the boards -- and has a group of blue-liners that defends hard and also contributes offensively.
Here's what the Hawks must do to even the series with a victory in Game 2 on Thursday:
Solve Lehner:
Robin Lehner had a gut feeling about how the Blachkawks would try to attack him. And the Vegas netminder ended up being hole-ly correct.
"I know a lot of their tendencies," Lehner said after making 19 saves. "I know what they're trying to do on the power play, etc. …
"I knew that … they were going to mix it up a little bit on me. On all the really in-tight chances they tried to go five-hole. I kind of anticipated that before the game."
It wasn't just the in-tight situations, though. In the first two periods, Kirby Dach, Calvin de Haan, Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews all tried beating Lehner low with shots from 25-60 feet out.
The only attempt that went into the net came when David Kampf scored short-handed in the second period. As Kampf released his shot, Lehner slammed his legs shut. Only this time, the puck went sailing over the big goalie's left shoulder.
It's time for the Hawks to mix it up and use the whole net.
Where's Kane, DeBrincat?
It's been a pleasant surprise for the Hawks that Matthew Highmore (2 goals), Olli Maatta (2), Slater Koekkoek (1) and David Kampf (1) have all scored.
But it's going to be awfully difficult for the Hawks to eliminate Vegas -- much less win a game -- if Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat don't contribute offensively. Both were quiet against Edmonton and remained so Tuesday.
Kane had just 4 shot attempts (1 on goal), while DeBrincat had 1, which was blocked.
Let's get physical:
With four 20-goal seasons under his belt, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Jonathan Marchessault is one of Vegas' most talented forwards. He also understands that playoff hockey requires a hard-nosed mentality and isn't afraid to mix it up when necessary.
"I don't like playing like a 5-9 guy out there. I like to play a little bigger," said Marchessault, who went toe-to-toe with Jonathan Toews in the second period after Toews took exception to a hit on Adam Boqvist. "I tried to get the boys going in the second period. Little wrestle there with Toews, and I think after that our game turned around and we started producing offensively.
"It's playoff hockey. Everybody needs to contribute physically and it starts with a guy like me."
The Hawks don't have a ton of size, but it wouldn't hurt if Connor Murphy, Slater Koekkoek, Calvin de Haan, Dylan Strome, Ryan Carpenter and even Brandon Saad made their presence known more often.
The Hawks also need to do a better job of getting to the middle of the offensive zone. Too many shot attempts came from the outside and there was rarely a player near Lehner to get in his eyes or put home a potential rebound.
Stay patient:
Coach Jeremy Colliton was pleased with a large portion of Tuesday's game, but he was irked with a seven-minute stretch early in the third period that helped lead to 2 goals by Reilly Smith.
"We started cheating," Colliton said. "It's a 2-1 game and we started cheating to try and score. We're gonna have to be more patient in order to win this series."
In the end, it was just one loss. Keith, for one, remains optimistic.
"We're right there," he said. "It's one game. I don't think we're happy with the game. But know that we can be better. … And we're gonna have to be better."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Feder: Four full-time jobs cut in layoffs at ABC 7

Four full-time employees and at least one part-timer were terminated Wednesday in cutbacks at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 , according to @ @ @ @ @ station , Robert Feder writes .
The layoffs followed similar actions in recent weeks by @ @ @ @ @ in response to revenue declines attributed to COVID-19 .
John Idler , president and general @ @ @ @ @ did not respond to requests for comment .
But sources said none of the positions @ @ @ @ @ Most were believed to be among staffers from `` Windy City Live '' who 've @ @ @ @ @ .
Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Four full-time jobs cut in layoffs at ABC 7
Four full-time employees and at least one part-timer were terminated Wednesday in cutbacks at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7, according to insiders at Chicago's top-rated station, Robert Feder writes.
The layoffs followed similar actions in recent weeks by four other local TV stations in response to revenue declines attributed to COVID-19.
John Idler, president and general manager of ABC 7, did not respond to requests for comment.
But sources said none of the positions affected were in news.
Most were believed to be among staffers from "Windy City Live" who've been on furlough since April.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-12--Is some Elgin officers' work better left to other agencies? Task force will seek the answer

A request for proposals to find a facilitator for a future task force on policing in Elgin will state that among many of the things to be examined is whether any work being done by police officers is better suited to other agencies or civilians .
That language will be added at the request of Councilwoman Tish Powell , who , along with Councilman Toby Shaw , will serve as liaison to the task force .
`` I think too often we are asking police to do social work and all kinds of other things that really is beyond what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be stretched to do , '' Powell said at the city council 's committee of the whole Wednesday .
The final document will be reviewed by Powell and Shaw and the search will launch before the next council meeting Aug. 26 .
The council agreed to that in a 7-1 vote , with Councilman Terry Gavin voting `` no . ''
Councilman John Steffen was absent .
The Elgin Police Department has been the target since late May of several protests by Black Lives Matter activists who want , among other things , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services and for the city to arrange the departure of a police lieutenant who was cleared of fatally shooting a resident in 2018 .
The task force will review the policies , procedures and practices of the police department .
The facilitator will assist the city council on developing the structure of the task force , council members agreed Wednesday .
The city is looking for a facilitator with experience and who 's dealt with `` contentious topics , communities of color , police and community relations , police reform and other social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document presented by city staff members ahead of the meeting Wednesday .
The work will happen in three phases , the document states .
In the first phase , the facilitator and the task force will tackle a variety of things , including : determine the need for a formal civilian police review board , evaluate processes for filing police complaints , give recommendations on personnel practices to establish a diverse workforce , and look at training practices .
During the second phase , the facilitator and task force `` will work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be pursued for further study and investigation . ''
This phase will consist of a more detailed assessment that might include things like reviewing arrest and traffic stop data to see if there are any disparities in terms of race , gender , mental health issues and other factors .
In the third phase , the facilitator and task force will create a proposed plan to implement the recommendations and identify mechanisms to regularly assess progress .

Is some Elgin officers' work better left to other agencies? Task force will seek the answer
A request for proposals to find a facilitator for a future task force on policing in Elgin will state that among many of the things to be examined is whether any work being done by police officers is better suited to other agencies or civilians.
That language will be added at the request of Councilwoman Tish Powell, who, along with Councilman Toby Shaw, will serve as liaison to the task force.
"I think too often we are asking police to do social work and all kinds of other things that really is beyond what they should be involved in and should be stretched to do," Powell said at the city council's committee of the whole Wednesday.
The final document will be reviewed by Powell and Shaw and the search will launch before the next council meeting Aug. 26.
The council agreed to that in a 7-1 vote, with Councilman Terry Gavin voting "no." Councilman John Steffen was absent.
The Elgin Police Department has been the target since late May of several protests by Black Lives Matter activists who want, among other things, to divert funds from policing to community-based services and for the city to arrange the departure of a police lieutenant who was cleared of fatally shooting a resident in 2018.
The task force will review the policies, procedures and practices of the police department. The facilitator will assist the city council on developing the structure of the task force, council members agreed Wednesday.
The city is looking for a facilitator with experience and who's dealt with "contentious topics, communities of color, police and community relations, police reform and other social justice issues," according to the document presented by city staff members ahead of the meeting Wednesday.
The work will happen in three phases, the document states.
In the first phase, the facilitator and the task force will tackle a variety of things, including: determine the need for a formal civilian police review board, evaluate processes for filing police complaints, give recommendations on personnel practices to establish a diverse workforce, and look at training practices.
During the second phase, the facilitator and task force "will work with the city to determine which recommendations will be pursued for further study and investigation." This phase will consist of a more detailed assessment that might include things like reviewing arrest and traffic stop data to see if there are any disparities in terms of race, gender, mental health issues and other factors.
In the third phase, the facilitator and task force will create a proposed plan to implement the recommendations and identify mechanisms to regularly assess progress.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Teachers back in schools, students happy to talk through computers in District 211

Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 may have begun the new school year in a most unusual way Thursday , but staff members say it was one for which they were well-prepared .
With the decision to have all students start the year learning remotely , Conant High School English teacher Zia Nathan focused Thursday on building a bond virtually with his new classes as quickly as possible .
He asked each student a series of questions that included what they 're looking forward to this school year and the best part of attending Conant .
Nathan also asked each to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the students in his accelerated sophomore class were happy simply to interact with their peers again and to reacquire a sense of purpose and productivity after an unusual summer amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
One of those students in turn asked Nathan -- a teacher at Conant for the past five years -- what he thought about teaching remotely .
`` I definitely miss seeing the students , that 's for sure , but I 'm glad that we have this opportunity , '' he replied .
After class , Nathan explained that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer to find approaches that would make the most of whatever scenario they found themselves in at any given time .
While each teacher has to call upon personal innovation under the circumstances , Nathan said he 's been particularly interested in what Conant 's newest teachers are coming up with .
`` We 've been really pushing ourselves to be creative to connect with our students , '' Nathan said .
`` It 's obviously easier in person , but it does n't mean it 's impossible remotely . ''
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified Conant as a supportive environment and said that 's an important starting point for the challenges that lie ahead .
`` This is our school and we 'll figure this out together , '' Nathan said .
`` I 've seen a lot of resilience in our students and a lot of positivity . ''
The different schedule this year , with each class meeting for an hour every other day instead of 50 minutes daily , has had further influence on Nathan 's approach .
His interaction with his classes is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for instance .
But being back in the school building with his colleagues is better than being at home as he was in the spring , he said .
When interacting outside their individual classrooms , staff members are wearing masks and practicing other social distancing and hygiene protocols .
`` Similar to students , it 's nice to be back in the routine , '' Nathan said .
`` I 'm ecstatic to be back and excited to see my students .
I became a teacher because I 'm a people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Langer said the district decided it was beneficial for the staff to be together and have access to the resources of the buildings .
For instance , chemistry and culinary teachers can do demonstrations more effectively at school than from home .
While District 211 is prepared to conduct the entire school year remotely if necessary , it 's just as ready to change to a hybrid scenario in which half of the students would be able to come to school on any given day , Langer said .
The summer provided a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which students ' temperatures would be taken and they would answer questions about their recent health and travel history , he said .
Supervisors would be in place to ensure that students are practicing social distancing in the cafeteria -- the one indoor location where face coverings can be removed .

Teachers back in schools, students happy to talk through computers in District 211
Hoffman Estates High School math teacher Tyrone Jones discusses Venn diagrams with his Algebra II class via Zoom during the first day of school Thursday. Courtesy of Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211
Schaumburg High School social studies teacher Elizabeth Howard discusses class expectations during the first day of her macroeconomics class Thursday. Courtesy of Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211
Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 may have begun the new school year in a most unusual way Thursday, but staff members say it was one for which they were well-prepared.
With the decision to have all students start the year learning remotely, Conant High School English teacher Zia Nathan focused Thursday on building a bond virtually with his new classes as quickly as possible.
He asked each student a series of questions that included what they're looking forward to this school year and the best part of attending Conant. Nathan also asked each to ask him a question.
Many of the students in his accelerated sophomore class were happy simply to interact with their peers again and to reacquire a sense of purpose and productivity after an unusual summer amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of those students in turn asked Nathan -- a teacher at Conant for the past five years -- what he thought about teaching remotely.
"I definitely miss seeing the students, that's for sure, but I'm glad that we have this opportunity," he replied.
After class, Nathan explained that he and his colleagues had collaborated over the summer to find approaches that would make the most of whatever scenario they found themselves in at any given time.
While each teacher has to call upon personal innovation under the circumstances, Nathan said he's been particularly interested in what Conant's newest teachers are coming up with.
"We've been really pushing ourselves to be creative to connect with our students," Nathan said. "It's obviously easier in person, but it doesn't mean it's impossible remotely."
He pointed out how many of his students identified Conant as a supportive environment and said that's an important starting point for the challenges that lie ahead.
"This is our school and we'll figure this out together," Nathan said. "I've seen a lot of resilience in our students and a lot of positivity."
The different schedule this year, with each class meeting for an hour every other day instead of 50 minutes daily, has had further influence on Nathan's approach. His interaction with his classes is expected to include less lecturing than before, for instance.
But being back in the school building with his colleagues is better than being at home as he was in the spring, he said. When interacting outside their individual classrooms, staff members are wearing masks and practicing other social distancing and hygiene protocols.
"Similar to students, it's nice to be back in the routine," Nathan said. "I'm ecstatic to be back and excited to see my students. I became a teacher because I'm a people person."
Conant Assistant Principal Mark Langer said the district decided it was beneficial for the staff to be together and have access to the resources of the buildings. For instance, chemistry and culinary teachers can do demonstrations more effectively at school than from home.
While District 211 is prepared to conduct the entire school year remotely if necessary, it's just as ready to change to a hybrid scenario in which half of the students would be able to come to school on any given day, Langer said.
The summer provided a smaller-scale testing ground of the entrance process in which students' temperatures would be taken and they would answer questions about their recent health and travel history, he said. Supervisors would be in place to ensure that students are practicing social distancing in the cafeteria -- the one indoor location where face coverings can be removed.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Elgin Christian school reopens with most students attending in person

More than 200 students wearing masks and socially distancing from peers returned to classrooms Thursday for the first day of in-person instruction at Westminster Christian School in Elgin .
The private school off Highland Avenue is among the first in the suburbs to resume in-person classes while a majority of public schools have opted for remote learning .
`` We are operating with a flexible hybrid model , '' said Erik Schwartz , high school principal .
The plan allows for synchronous remote learning for students whose parents are n't comfortable sending their children for in-person lessons because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 15 to 20 are learning remotely while their peers are in school .
Remote students can observe everything going on in the classroom through Zoom videoconferencing .
They will learn four days a week with the fifth day being set aside for connecting with teachers or for teacher prep work .
The remote learning schedule is more structured than in the spring with students attending all seven of their class periods on two days and fewer on the other two days , with independent work filling out the schedule .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workload , '' Schwartz said .
`` We do n't want them to be overloaded by having to do their full schedule every single day , but also allow them to do some work independently ( and ) not have to be on the computer eight hours a day . ''
Each in-person classroom will have between 15 and 20 students .
Those attending in person also can flip to remote learning for health or other reasons without losing instructional time , Schwartz said .
Hybrid classes will continue until there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` until we get an all clear from the government , '' Schwartz said .
If the state rolls back to Phase 3 due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases or the governor orders restricting school population , the school will prioritize and continue with in-person lessons for students in preschool through sixth grade .
`` In-person learning is so critical for that age group , '' Schwartz said .
`` They just do n't have the independence yet to really do remote learning well . ''
Middle school and high school students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the younger students can be spread out more throughout the school building .
If the situation worsens , officials are prepared to go fully virtual for all students .
`` If kids were in any way significantly endangered , it would be no question , we would n't be opening , '' Schwartz said .
`` We are going to meet all the requirements that the state dictates to us .
There 's no way to mitigate all risk but we are going to mitigate as much as we can to serve our @ @ @

Elgin Christian school reopens with most students attending in person
More than 200 students wearing masks and socially distancing from peers returned to classrooms Thursday for the first day of in-person instruction at Westminster Christian School in Elgin.
The private school off Highland Avenue is among the first in the suburbs to resume in-person classes while a majority of public schools have opted for remote learning.
"We are operating with a flexible hybrid model," said Erik Schwartz, high school principal.
The plan allows for synchronous remote learning for students whose parents aren't comfortable sending their children for in-person lessons because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Out of 260 students about 15 to 20 are learning remotely while their peers are in school. Remote students can observe everything going on in the classroom through Zoom videoconferencing. They will learn four days a week with the fifth day being set aside for connecting with teachers or for teacher prep work.
The remote learning schedule is more structured than in the spring with students attending all seven of their class periods on two days and fewer on the other two days, with independent work filling out the schedule.
"But we don't add more stressors or workload," Schwartz said. "We don't want them to be overloaded by having to do their full schedule every single day, but also allow them to do some work independently (and) not have to be on the computer eight hours a day."
Each in-person classroom will have between 15 and 20 students. Those attending in person also can flip to remote learning for health or other reasons without losing instructional time, Schwartz said.
Hybrid classes will continue until there is a treatment or a vaccine for COVID-19 or "until we get an all clear from the government," Schwartz said.
If the state rolls back to Phase 3 due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases or the governor orders restricting school population, the school will prioritize and continue with in-person lessons for students in preschool through sixth grade.
"In-person learning is so critical for that age group," Schwartz said. "They just don't have the independence yet to really do remote learning well."
Middle school and high school students would then revert to remote learning so the younger students can be spread out more throughout the school building.
If the situation worsens, officials are prepared to go fully virtual for all students.
"If kids were in any way significantly endangered, it would be no question, we wouldn't be opening," Schwartz said. "We are going to meet all the requirements that the state dictates to us. There's no way to mitigate all risk but we are going to mitigate as much as we can to serve our families."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--State Sen. Terry Link charged with falsifying 2016 income tax return 'substantially'

Veteran state Sen. Terry Link , a Lake County Democrat whose rise to power in Springfield was tainted by ties to a corruption scandal late last year , was charged Thursday with federal income tax evasion .
The 73-year-old Link -- leader of the Democratic Party in Lake County -- becomes the third Democratic senator to face criminal prosecution in a little over a year .
A single-page charging document from the U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois accuses Link of falsifying his income on his 2016 return .
His return said his total income was $ 264,450 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income substantially exceeded that amount , '' the document says .
Link , of Indian Creek , could n't be reached for comment .
Link has represented the 30th District , most of which is in central and eastern Lake County , for more than 20 years .
Fellow Democratic state Sen. Melinda Bush of Grayslake was among the lawmakers calling for Link to resign Thursday .
`` The people of Illinois deserve nothing less than to know that their public officials are honest , '' Bush said .
Democratic state Rep. Daniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` disappointing '' and also demanded Link step down .
`` The documents filed in court today make it clear that Sen. Link made a serious mistake and ( he ) will now have to face the consequences for his actions , '' Didech said .
A spokesman for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon said Link stepped down Thursday as a member of the General Assembly 's legislative ethics commission .
Link serves on several Senate committees as well .
The tax charge comes months after media reports identified Link as the unnamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wore a wire to trap then-state Rep. Luis Arroyo of Chicago in a federal bribery case .
Federal documents indicate the cooperator falsified income tax returns and helped the FBI in order to get leniency in that case .
Link repeatedly denied he was the FBI source .
Link had served until this year as an assistant majority leader in the Senate .
But on the first day of the 2020 legislative session , Link was noticeably absent from a list of leaders .
Link has been tied to political scandal before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with faking dozens of signatures on the senator 's candidate petitions .
Later that year , Link was formally accused of breaking state election law by not including payments to those campaign workers on his financial disclosure paperwork .
He denied wrongdoing in the fake-signature case and threatened to sue the Republican Party leaders who brought the financial-disclosure complaint against him .
State Sen. Dan McConchie , a Hawthorn Woods Republican , said it 's `` beyond time '' for Link to leave public service .
`` Senator Link has broken the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He has repeatedly lied to the public about his being a subject of a federal investigation while continuing to vote on behalf of his constituents . ''
With the 2020 general election less than three months away , Bush wondered if the tax charge against Link was politically timed .
`` But that does n't matter .
Wrong is wrong , '' she said .
Link last was elected to a 4-year Senate term in 2018 and is n't on the ballot this year .
News of the charge against Link broke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers proposed a slew of ethics reforms for the General Assembly .
Bush insisted the timing was n't deliberate but said it `` magnifies the point that this needs to be done . ''
`` A culture of corruption can only exist when people are silent , '' Bush said .
`` It 's time for legislators to stand up and be heard and say we 're not going to stop until we pass real , meaningful ethics reform . ''
Link was reelected chairman of the Lake County Democratic organization in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1992 .
The group 's vice chair , former state Rep. Lauren Beth Gash , could n't be reached for comment Thursday evening .
Link is the latest Democratic senator to face criminal charges .
In August 2019 , Sen. Tom Cullerton of Villa Park was indicted on embezzlement charges stemming from an investigation into a Chicago-area labor union .
He pleaded not guilty and still holds office .
In January , former Sen. Martin Sandoval of Chicago was charged with bribery and tax fraud in a case involving a company that installs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned from the Senate and agreed to cooperate in an ongoing investigation .

State Sen. Terry Link charged with falsifying 2016 income tax return 'substantially'
Veteran state Sen. Terry Link, a Lake County Democrat whose rise to power in Springfield was tainted by ties to a corruption scandal late last year, was charged Thursday with federal income tax evasion.
The 73-year-old Link -- leader of the Democratic Party in Lake County -- becomes the third Democratic senator to face criminal prosecution in a little over a year.
A single-page charging document filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago accuses Link of falsifying his income on his return for 2016.
Link reported his total income that year was $264,450 even though he knew his income "substantially exceeded that amount," the document says.
Link, of Indian Creek, couldn't be reached for comment.
Link has represented the 30th District, which includes much of central and eastern Lake County and a small portion of Cook County, since 1997.
Democratic state Sen. Melinda Bush of Grayslake was among the lawmakers calling for Link's resignation Thursday.
"The people of Illinois deserve nothing less than to know that their public officials are honest," Bush said.
Democratic state Rep. Daniel Didech of Buffalo Grove called the situation "disappointing" and also said Link should step aside.
"The documents filed in court today make it clear that Sen. Link made a serious mistake and (he) will now have to face the consequences for his actions," Didech said.
A spokesman for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon said Link withdrew from the General Assembly's legislative ethics commission Thursday. Link serves on several Senate committees as well.
The tax charge comes months after media reports identified Link as the unnamed senator who cooperated with the FBI and wore a wire to trap then-state Rep. Luis Arroyo of Chicago in a federal bribery case. Arroyo has pleaded not guilty.
Federal documents indicate the cooperator falsified income tax returns and helped the FBI in order to get leniency in that case. Link repeatedly denied he was the FBI source.
Link had served until this year as an assistant majority leader in the Senate. But Link was noticeably absent from leadership for the 2020 session.
Link has been tied to political scandal before.
In 2008, two campaign workers were charged with faking dozens of signatures on the senator's candidate petitions. Later that year, Link was formally accused of breaking state election law by not including payments to those campaign workers on financial disclosure paperwork.
He denied wrongdoing in the fake-signature case and threatened to sue the Republican Party leaders who brought the financial-disclosure complaint against him.
State Sen. Dan McConchie, a Hawthorn Woods Republican, said it's "beyond time" for Link to leave public service.
"Sen. Link has broken the public trust," McConchie said. "He has repeatedly lied to the public about his being a subject of a federal investigation while continuing to vote on behalf of his constituents."
With the 2020 general election less than three months away, Bush wondered if the tax charge against Link was politically timed.
"But that doesn't matter. Wrong is wrong," she said.
Link was elected to a 4-year Senate term in 2018 and isn't on the ballot this year.
The charge against Link was filed the same day Bush and other Democratic lawmakers proposed ethics reforms for the General Assembly. While insisting the timing was coincidental, Bush said the Link case "magnifies the point that this needs to be done."
"It's time for legislators to stand up and be heard and say we're not going to stop until we pass real, meaningful ethics reform," Bush said.
Link was reelected chairman of the Lake County Democratic organization in April. He's held the post since 1992.
The group's vice chair, former state Rep. Lauren Beth Gash, couldn't be reached for comment Thursday evening.
Two other Democratic state senators have been on the federal court docket in the last year.
Sen. Tom Cullerton of Villa Park was indicted In August 2019 on embezzlement charges stemming from an investigation into a Chicago-area labor union. He pleaded not guilty and still holds office.
Former Sen. Martin Sandoval of Chicago was charged with bribery and tax fraud in January in a case involving a company that installs red-light cameras. He pleaded guilty, resigned from the Senate and agreed to cooperate in an ongoing investigation.
• Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Illinois surpasses 200,000 COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations spike

Illinois passed another grim milestone as state health officials announced more than 200,000 Illinois residents have now been infected with COVID-19 .
Additionally , hospitalizations from the respiratory disease throughout the state spiked by 103 with 1,628 people now being treated statewide , state officials said Thursday .
That 's the highest level of COVID-19 hospitalizations since June 22 , according to Illinois Department of Public Health records .
Of those hospitalized , 383 are in intensive care beds .
Over the past two days , hospitals across the state have added 169 new COVID-19 patients , according to IDPH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are taking up 10.1 % of all the state 's ICU beds , the highest level since June 29 .
The state 's death toll also rose by 24 Thursday and 1,834 more infections were announced .
That puts the state 's death toll at 7,696 since the outbreak began with 200,427 residents who have become infected .
The state 's seven-day average positivity rate dipped slightly to 4 % Thursday after spending much of the past week at 4.1 % .
The day 's new cases came from a batch of 46,006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 3.2 million tests since the outbreak began .
Health officials are also reporting 95 % of those who have contracted COVID-19 have recovered from the disease .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker urged residents to continue practicing safety measures by wearing masks , washing hands , maintaining social distancing and avoiding large crowds .
Pritzker was in Urbana and Bloomington Thursday promoting the awarding of $ 46 million in grants to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak .
According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity , nearly 2,650 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 102 counties received the grants totaling either $ 10,000 or $ 20,000 .
The businesses had to earn less than $ 3 million annually to qualify for the Business Interruption Grants .
More than 5,000 businesses applied for funds the state received from the federal government through the CARES Act .
More than half of the recipients were minority-owned businesses , DCEO officials noted .
`` The initial focus of these grants has been on businesses that have been most severely impacted by COVID-19 -- those that were completely shut down in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas that experienced property damage amid the looting and civil unrest in June , '' Pritzker said .
Among the recipients , 1,578 small businesses in Cook County collectively received $ 27.5 million .
In DuPage County , 121 businesses received a combined $ 2 million .
Kane County saw 75 small businesses receive $ 1.25 million .
In Lake County , 133 small businesses took in more than $ 2.2 million .
McHenry County had 31 businesses approved for grants totaling $ 490,000 .
In Will County , 72 small businesses received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've been in this business for 16 years and my goal has always been to help up and coming stylists be successful in their own careers , '' said Stephanie Cowan , owner of Heavenly Enhanced Salon in Gurnee .
`` With fewer clients coming in the doors , COVID-19 has definitely placed an impact on our stylists who depend on their job to provide for their families . ''
The state is planning a second round of grant funding intended to assist businesses that are still largely shut down due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live concert venues , movie theaters and indoor recreational spaces .

Illinois surpasses 200,000 COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations spike
Faculty, staff and students take part in free on-campus COVID-19 walk-up testing at the University of Illinois. Photo courtesy of the University of Illinois
Illinois passed another grim milestone as state health officials announced more than 200,000 Illinois residents have now been infected with COVID-19.
Additionally, hospitalizations from the respiratory disease throughout the state spiked by 103 with 1,628 people now being treated statewide, state officials said Thursday. That's the highest level of COVID-19 hospitalizations since June 22, according to Illinois Department of Public Health records. Of those hospitalized, 383 are in intensive care beds.
Over the past two days, hospitals across the state have added 169 new COVID-19 patients, according to IDPH figures.
Hospitals are reporting COVID-19 patients are taking up 10.1% of all the state's ICU beds, the highest level since June 29.
The state's death toll also rose by 24 Thursday and 1,834 more infections were announced. That puts the state's death toll at 7,696 since the outbreak began with 200,427 residents who have become infected.
The state's seven-day average positivity rate dipped slightly to 4% Thursday after spending much of the past week at 4.1%. The day's new cases came from a batch of 46,006 test results. The state has performed more than 3.2 million tests since the outbreak began.
Health officials are also reporting 95% of those who have contracted COVID-19 have recovered from the disease.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged residents to continue practicing safety measures by wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining social distancing and avoiding large crowds.
Pritzker was in Urbana and Bloomington Thursday promoting the awarding of $46 million in grants to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, nearly 2,650 businesses in 78 of the state's 102 counties received the grants totaling either $10,000 or $20,000. The businesses had to earn less than $3 million annually to qualify for the Business Interruption Grants. More than 5,000 businesses applied for funds the state received from the federal government through the CARES Act.
More than half of the recipients were minority-owned businesses, DCEO officials noted.
"The initial focus of these grants has been on businesses that have been most severely impacted by COVID-19 -- those that were completely shut down in the spring and those that are in COVID-impacted areas that experienced property damage amid the looting and civil unrest in June," Pritzker said.
Among the recipients, 1,578 small businesses in Cook County collectively received $27.5 million. In DuPage County, 121 businesses received a combined $2 million. Kane County saw 75 small businesses receive $1.25 million. In Lake County, 133 small businesses took in more than $2.2 million. McHenry County had 31 businesses approved for grants totaling $490,000. In Will County, 72 small businesses received $1.17 million combined.
"I've been in this business for 16 years and my goal has always been to help up and coming stylists be successful in their own careers," said Stephanie Cowan, owner of Heavenly Enhanced Salon in Gurnee. "With fewer clients coming in the doors, COVID-19 has definitely placed an impact on our stylists who depend on their job to provide for their families."
The state is planning a second round of grant funding intended to assist businesses that are still largely shut down due to the pandemic, like performing arts centers, live concert venues, movie theaters and indoor recreational spaces.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--'The whole thing is an overall migraine': Athletic directors face new challenges in creating fall sc

Athletic directors are nearing the end of a 15-day sprint .
From the day the IHSA announced the plan for the 2020-21 school year on July 29 that allows golf , cross country , girls tennis and girls swimming as a fall sport to the first day contests are allowed Aug. 13 ( for golf , Aug. 24 for the other three sports ) , it sure did n't give ADs much time to put a fall schedule together .
Most are still finalizing those schedules this week .
All of them are dealing with all kinds of new restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to compete at a meet to where those schools can come from .
The new guidelines , which limits contests to schools that are either in your conference or COVID region , has forced ADs to get creative .
The DuPage Valley Conference has worked with the DuKane Conference to come up with a schedule that involves a lot of duals and triangulars between schools in those two conferences .
`` We are working with the DuKane to create schedules that will easily and efficiently enhance our DVC schedules , '' Naperville North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We plan to do it more aptly moving through the year with other sports .
We are trying to finalize some of those now . ''
After two AD meetings last week , the 10-team Fox Valley Conference decided to create a FVC bubble , a plan the principals approved .
Their fall will consist of only contests against other FVC schools .
The hope is it will provide consistency when it comes to deciding on things like the number of spectators allowed .
`` We are trying to develop consistent conference guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the driving force behind doing a Fox Valley Conference bubble , '' Jacobs athletic director Joe Benoit said .
`` We wanted to draft our own guidelines , rules and regulations within the conference and make sure we are all consistent .
That was really important to us to make sure we keep our kids and coaches safe . ''
The Chicago Catholic League , which includes Marmion , is going the opposite direction .
With schools spread out , they are making a majority of their schedules against schools in their COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with conference teams .
Conference ADs met Wednesday and still hope to have conference championship invites to end the year .
Marmion athletic director Paul Chabura said he is n't as concerned about the scheduling as the logistics of holding an event .
`` The whole thing is an overall migraine , '' Chabura said .
`` I can assure you administrators have not slept since March .
You are planning on this and every time you think you get an answer to one particular issue it opens up seven other questions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hole .
You are trying to do the best you can to keep kids safe and compete within guidelines . ''
Wauconda athletic director Mark Ribbens had to cancel their annual cross country invitational that drew 20 schools and about 300 runners .
He said he hopes to have a new cross country schedule finished by the end of the week .
`` It 's a challenge but it 's the same message we give to the coaches .
We will stay positive , we will make the best out of it and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as special and creative as possible for the kids , that 's always going to be our focus , '' Ribbens said .
`` You have a lot of ideas but they all have to pass the guidelines .
You go down the list and say can we make all these guidelines ?
That 's how we are making decisions at this point . ''
The new guidelines certainly create some interesting situations .
Kaneland , for example , is a member of the Interstate Eight .
The Knights can travel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip , but ca n't schedule a nonconference game against DeKalb , 15 miles away .
Rohlman said the first thing he did when making a fall schedule was get a pen out and cross off all the schools the Knights are no longer allowed to play .
That includes a 30-minute trip to Oswego the tennis team normally made .
Instead , Rohlman made a list of every school in Kane and DuPage counties to look for nonconference games .
`` We want to make sure our kids are safe and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can , '' Rohlman said .
Keeping students and coaches safe is the top priority for everyone in making the schedule .
`` I get an email from an AD in our COVID region looking for something but we have to figure out conference first because everything has been turned upside down , '' said Ribbens , encouraged by the numbers on the first day of practice Monday .
`` It 's a great opportunity to go do something , go compete and represent your school and community . ''

'The whole thing is an overall migraine': Athletic directors face new challenges in creating fall schedules
Wauconda athletic director Mark Ribbens is hoping to complete their fall schedule by week's end, a process that includes a checklist of following new IHSA guidelines. Courtesy of Wauconda High School
Athletic directors are nearing the end of a 15-day sprint.
From the day the IHSA announced the plan for the 2020-21 school year on July 29 that allows golf, cross country, girls tennis and girls swimming as a fall sport to the first day contests are allowed Aug. 13 (for golf, Aug. 24 for the other three sports), it sure didn't give ADs much time to put a fall schedule together.
Most are still finalizing those schedules this week. All of them are dealing with all kinds of new restrictions, from the number of teams allowed to compete at a meet to where those schools can come from.
"Never boring," said Kaneland athletic director Dave Rohlman.
The new guidelines, which limits contests to schools that are either in your conference or COVID region, has forced ADs to get creative. The DuPage Valley Conference has worked with the DuKane Conference to come up with a schedule that involves a lot of duals and triangulars between schools in those two conferences.
"We are working with the DuKane to create schedules that will easily and efficiently enhance our DVC schedules," Naperville North athletic director Bob Quinn said. "We plan to do it more aptly moving through the year with other sports. We are trying to finalize some of those now."
After two AD meetings last week, the 10-team Fox Valley Conference decided to create a FVC bubble, a plan the principals approved. Their fall will consist of only contests against other FVC schools.
The hope is it will provide consistency when it comes to deciding on things like the number of spectators allowed.
"We are trying to develop consistent conference guidelines and that's really the idea, the driving force behind doing a Fox Valley Conference bubble," Jacobs athletic director Joe Benoit said. "We wanted to draft our own guidelines, rules and regulations within the conference and make sure we are all consistent. That was really important to us to make sure we keep our kids and coaches safe."
The Chicago Catholic League, which includes Marmion, is going the opposite direction. With schools spread out, they are making a majority of their schedules against schools in their COVID regions, then filling in open dates with conference teams. Conference ADs met Wednesday and still hope to have conference championship invites to end the year.
Marmion athletic director Paul Chabura said he isn't as concerned about the scheduling as the logistics of holding an event.
"The whole thing is an overall migraine," Chabura said. "I can assure you administrators have not slept since March. You are planning on this and every time you think you get an answer to one particular issue it opens up seven other questions and scenarios. It's a huge rabbit hole. You are trying to do the best you can to keep kids safe and compete within guidelines."
Wauconda athletic director Mark Ribbens had to cancel their annual cross country invitational that drew 20 schools and about 300 runners.
He said he hopes to have a new cross country schedule finished by the end of the week.
"It's a challenge but it's the same message we give to the coaches. We will stay positive, we will make the best out of it and whatever we need to do to make it as special and creative as possible for the kids, that's always going to be our focus," Ribbens said. "You have a lot of ideas but they all have to pass the guidelines. You go down the list and say can we make all these guidelines? That's how we are making decisions at this point."
The new guidelines certainly create some interesting situations. Kaneland, for example, is a member of the Interstate Eight. The Knights can travel to LaSalle-Peru to play, a 130-mile round trip, but can't schedule a nonconference game against DeKalb, 15 miles away.
Rohlman said the first thing he did when making a fall schedule was get a pen out and cross off all the schools the Knights are no longer allowed to play. That includes a 30-minute trip to Oswego the tennis team normally made.
Instead, Rohlman made a list of every school in Kane and DuPage counties to look for nonconference games.
"We want to make sure our kids are safe and we provide them with as much opportunity as we can," Rohlman said.
Keeping students and coaches safe is the top priority for everyone in making the schedule.
"I get an email from an AD in our COVID region looking for something but we have to figure out conference first because everything has been turned upside down," said Ribbens, encouraged by the numbers on the first day of practice Monday. "It's a great opportunity to go do something, go compete and represent your school and community."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--AMC reopening first round of movie theaters next week -- more to follow

AMC will reopen its first wave of suburban movie theaters Thursday , Aug. 20 , with more to follow in @ @ @ @ @ Opening next week are : AMC Hawthorn 12 , AMC South Barrington 24 , AMC @ @ @ @ @ Yorktown 18 , AMC Northbrook Court 14 , AMC Streets of Woodfield 20 , AMC @ @ @ @ @ 18 and AMC Village Crossing 18 .
The chain is also reopening AMC River East @ @ @ @ @ 14 and AMC 600 North Michigan 9 .
To celebrate the chain 's 100th anniversary @ @ @ @ @ , shuttered for five months because of the COVID-19 pandemic , tickets on Thursday will @ @ @ @ @ 15 cents plus tax .
To enforce social distancing , capacity will be reduced and @ @ @ @ @ theaters with reserved seating .
In addition , there will be extra time between movies @ @ @ @ @ nightly disinfection and upgraded filtration efforts .
Masks are mandatory for guests and employees , @ @ @ @ @ stations and disinfectant wipes available .

AMC reopening first round of movie theaters next week -- more to follow
AMC South Barrington is one of the locations reopening on Thursday, Aug. 20. Daily Herald file photo, 2010
AMC will reopen its first wave of suburban movie theaters Thursday, Aug. 20, with more to follow in the next two weeks.
Opening next week are: AMC Hawthorn 12, AMC South Barrington 24, AMC Oakbrook Center 12, AMC Yorktown 18, AMC Northbrook Court 14, AMC Streets of Woodfield 20, AMC Naperville 16, AMC Crestwood 18 and AMC Village Crossing 18.
The chain is also reopening AMC River East 21, AMC Ford City 14 and AMC 600 North Michigan 9.
To celebrate the chain's 100th anniversary and the reopening of theaters, shuttered for five months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, tickets on Thursday will be at 1920 prices -- 15 cents plus tax.
To enforce social distancing, capacity will be reduced and seats will be blocked in theaters with reserved seating. In addition, there will be extra time between movies for cleaning as well as nightly disinfection and upgraded filtration efforts. Masks are mandatory for guests and employees, and there will be hand-sanitizing stations and disinfectant wipes available.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Metra, UP sued over Wheaton crash

Metra, UP sued over Wheaton crash

A woman is suing Metra , the Union Pacific Railroad and a railway worker after a maintenance vehicle struck her car at a rail crossing in Wheaton .
The crash between a ballast regulator and Marina Maestas ' Honda Accord left the 63-year-old woman with severe head and internal injuries , according to her attorney .
The suit alleges Maestas had the right of way .
Traffic had stopped at the Washington Street crossing at 10:18 a.m. July 29 , with the crossing gates down and warning signals flashing , while a railroad pickup truck drove along the tracks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the signals abated , and Maestas began crossing , the suit said .
The ballast regulator hit the driver 's side of her car .
Her attorneys said , in a news release , that Maestas suffered head and internal injuries requiring several surgeries , and remains in critical condition in an intensive-care unit at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove .
The suit alleges Metra and UP should have known the gates and warning lights were faulty and posted a flagman at the crossing to regulate traffic and warn people the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also alleges the regulator 's driver , Eric Johnsen , was driving unreasonably fast and failed to sound a whistle or horn in sufficient time as he approached the crossing .
`` Discovery in the lawsuit will focus on whether the malfunction was caused by human error and why required safety procedures were not followed .
This crash would have been avoided had the Union Pacific operator of the ballast regulator been paying attention and not speeding .
In addition , UP should have placed flag men at both sides of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulator passed , '' Cavanagh Law Group founding partner Tim Cavanagh said , in the news release .
A ballast regulator shapes the crushed stone of the railroad bed , removing stone from the tracks and ensuring it is arranged in a proper grade for drainage .
They can also clear snow .
The suit does not say what brand and model the regulator was .
A check of several manufacturers ' websites show machines ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 pounds , that can go more than 40 mph .
The suit was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .
`` We have received the complaint and are currently reviewing it , '' said Kristen South , a spokesman for UP .

Metra, UP sued over Wheaton crash
A ballast regulator and a Honda Accord collided July 29 at the Washington Street railroad crossing in Wheaton. The driver of the car is suing Union Pacific Railroad, Metra and the regulator's operator, contending she had the right of way, that the crossing's gates and warning signals were malfunctioning, and that the operator was driving too fast. Courtesy of Cavanagh Law Group
A woman is suing Metra, the Union Pacific Railroad and a railway worker after a maintenance vehicle struck her car at a rail crossing in Wheaton.
The crash between a ballast regulator and Marina Maestas' Honda Accord left the 63-year-old woman with severe head and internal injuries, according to her attorney.
The suit alleges Maestas had the right of way. Traffic had stopped at the Washington Street crossing at 10:18 a.m. July 29, with the crossing gates down and warning signals flashing, while a railroad pickup truck drove along the tracks. After it passed, the gates rose and the signals abated, and Maestas began crossing, the suit said. The ballast regulator hit the driver's side of her car.
Her attorneys said, in a news release, that Maestas suffered head and internal injuries requiring several surgeries, and remains in critical condition in an intensive-care unit at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
The suit alleges Metra and UP should have known the gates and warning lights were faulty and posted a flagman at the crossing to regulate traffic and warn people the gates and lights weren't working properly
It also alleges the regulator's driver, Eric Johnsen, was driving unreasonably fast and failed to sound a whistle or horn in sufficient time as he approached the crossing.
"Discovery in the lawsuit will focus on whether the malfunction was caused by human error and why required safety procedures were not followed. This crash would have been avoided had the Union Pacific operator of the ballast regulator been paying attention and not speeding. In addition, UP should have placed flag men at both sides of the crossing to stop cars while the ballast regulator passed," Cavanagh Law Group founding partner Tim Cavanagh said, in the news release.
A ballast regulator shapes the crushed stone of the railroad bed, removing stone from the tracks and ensuring it is arranged in a proper grade for drainage. They can also clear snow.
The suit does not say what brand and model the regulator was. A check of several manufacturers' websites show machines ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 pounds, that can go more than 40 mph.
The suit was filed Aug. 5 in Cook County circuit court.
"We have received the complaint and are currently reviewing it," said Kristen South, a spokesman for UP.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Mundelein woman suffers severe head injury in scooter crash

A 65-year-old Mundelein woman suffered severe head injuries after she fell off her scooter and landed on a spike in @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
The woman , whose identity has not been released , was @ @ @ @ @ and was leaving a parking lot on the 26200 block of North Route 83 near @ @ @ @ @ off the pavement and fell , according to Lake County sheriff 's Sgt .
Christopher @ @ @ @ @ woman 's head struck a spike on a wooden railroad tie next to the parking @ @ @ @ @ rushed to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and remains in `` grave '' condition @ @ @ @

Mundelein woman suffers severe head injury in scooter crash
A 65-year-old Mundelein woman suffered severe head injuries after she fell off her scooter and landed on a spike in a railroad tie Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
The woman, whose identity has not been released, was driving a 2009 Motofino Scooter and was leaving a parking lot on the 26200 block of North Route 83 near Mundelein when she drove slightly off the pavement and fell, according to Lake County sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Covelli.
Covelli said the woman's head struck a spike on a wooden railroad tie next to the parking lot.
The woman was rushed to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and remains in "grave" condition, Covelli said.
The crash remains under investigation


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Suspect in Carol Stream attempted kidnapping may be tied to Glendale Heights incident

Carol Stream police said Thursday they think a suspect in an attempted abduction last week may be the same man who followed a 17-year-old girl home in July in Glendale Heights .
Police posted a photo of the suspect on their Facebook page Thursday afternoon , as well as a video from the Glendale Heights case and a sketch of the suspect .
In the first case , police said the man followed the girl from a park in Glendale Heights , and asked if he could come in her house .
She refused , and he bicycled off .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Carol Stream reported that a man approached her from behind , wrapped his arms around her and tried to pick her up near Flint Trail and Niagara Street .
Other children with her fought the man , and he released her .
The children described the suspect as dark-skinned , in his mid- to late-20s , about 6 feet tall , slender and fit , with a full beard , thick eyebrows and thick arm hair .
He had a deep voice , and was wearing a light-blue T-shirt with bright white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back and an unknown company name on the front , and gray pants .
In the August case , he drove off on a bluish bicycle with a thin frame and tires , with a basket or shelf behind the seat .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Charters Roe at ( 630 ) 327-0995 or croe @ carolstream.org , or Detective Sgt .
Jon Grey at ( 630 ) 417-0559 , jgrey @ carolstream.org .

Carol Stream police are seeking this man in connection with an attempted abduction Aug. 7. Courtesy Carol Stream Police Department
Carol Stream police say this man may be a suspect in an attempted abduction Aug. 7 in Carol Stream, and a suspicious case in July in Glendale Heights. Courtesy Carol Stream Police Department


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Fire damages townhouse building in Hoffman Estates

A Thursday morning fire at a four-unit townhouse building in Hoffman Estates caused extensive damage to one unit and smoke @ @ @ @ @ No residents or firefighters were injured .
The Hoffman Estates Fire Department responded at 6 @ @ @ @ @ a fire on the 1800 block of Jamestown Circle .
According to a news release @ @ @ @ @ one of the end units when firefighters arrived .
An early search of the home @ @ @ @ @ of residents .
Firefighters quickly controlled the flames , but an extensive overhaul was needed @ @ @ @ @ into the attic , authorities said .
The cause of the fire is under investigation @ @ @ @ @ the residence and contents is estimated at $ 275,000 .
The other units sustained an @ @ @ @ @ damage .

Fire damages townhouse building in Hoffman Estates
A fire broke out Thursday morning at a townhouse building on the 1800 block of Jamestown Circle in Hoffman Estates. Courtesy of Hoffman Estates Fire Department
A Thursday morning fire at a four-unit townhouse building in Hoffman Estates caused extensive damage to one unit and smoke damage to three others.
No residents or firefighters were injured.
The Hoffman Estates Fire Department responded at 6 a.m. to a report of a fire on the 1800 block of Jamestown Circle. According to a news release, fire was showing from one of the end units when firefighters arrived. An early search of the home found it to be clear of residents.
Firefighters quickly controlled the flames, but an extensive overhaul was needed because the fire had extended into the attic, authorities said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The initial loss to the residence and contents is estimated at $275,000. The other units sustained an estimated $60,000 in smoke damage.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Winfield panel delays vote on Town Center redevelopment

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital 's proposal to build a new parking deck in downtown Winfield was well-received by the village 's plan commission Wednesday night , but the advisory panel stopped short of making a recommendation at the urging of town officials .
Village President Erik Spande said he fears what could happen if the parking deck is approved by the commission and village board before other aspects of CDH 's larger plan to transform part of Town Center south of the hospital into a medical and commercial district .
`` I am very uncomfortable with the direction this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before plan commissioners -- at the end of a four-hour meeting -- were going to vote on the parking deck and a surface parking lot .
CDH officials say the parking deck -- planned for a parking lot west of the hospital along Winfield Road -- is needed to `` help alleviate the significant parking problem that our patients and staff face every day . ''
If the requested preliminary and final approvals are granted soon , work on the parking lot could start next month and construction of the parking deck could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the village negotiated for years with Northwestern Medicine to have the parking deck project and a proposed mixed-use building `` joined at the hip . ''
`` Now , at the final hour , they want to break them apart , '' Spande said .
`` I find that to be concerning . ''
As part of its application , CDH is seeking preliminary approval for a `` Phase 1B . ''
That phase includes construction of the three-story building -- with commercial/retail use on the ground floor and medical/office space on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jewell Road and Church .
There are also plans for two stand-alone , single-story buildings for retail , restaurant or commercial use .
However , village officials are highly critical of the latest architectural rendering of the mixed-use building .
So the plan commission is n't expected to take a vote on `` Phase 1B '' until after Northwestern Medicine submits an updated rendering , which could take four to six weeks .
Spande said it 's possible the updated rendering could please everyone .
If it does n't , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Because while the village is working to draft a development agreement with Northwestern Medicine , the pact has n't been approved .
`` We do n't have a contract right now , '' Spande said .
Ultimately , the plan commission followed Village Manager Curt Barrett 's suggestion to delay its vote to Tuesday so village staff can put together a list of proposed conditions .
`` It certainly can wait until Tuesday to have the largest project in the history of this community get a recommendation vote from the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the meeting , Northwestern Medicine officials presented what they called `` the culmination '' of years of discussions with the village .
Charles Cloutier , director of planning and construction for Northwestern Medicine , said the goal was to find `` a mutually beneficial solution to Town Center development . ''
The first phase of the proposed plan -- `` Phase 1A '' -- includes construction of the parking deck and a pedestrian bridge over Winfield Road linking the structure to the main campus .
In the parking structure , ground floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18,800-square-foot day care facility and a 5,000-square-foot retail/restaurant use .
`` Architecturally , we want the structure to look like a building instead of a parking deck , '' said Cloutier , adding the design takes its cues from a bed pavilion across the street .
The phase also includes construction of `` a significant portion '' of the village 's Riverwalk Park .
In addition , the 180-space parking lot would be built just east of Church Street .
Initially , it would be used by CDH staff while the parking deck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phase 1C '' calls for a public plaza and two single-story buildings for retail , restaurant or commercial use to be built on the existing village hall site .
The village hall , which also houses the police station , would be torn down and relocated .

Winfield panel delays vote on Town Center redevelopment
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital is seeking approval from Winfield to construct a parking deck west of the hospital along Winfield Road. In the parking structure, ground floor space would be set aside for an 18,800-square-foot day care facility and a 5,000-square-foot retail/restaurant use. Courtesy of Northwestern Medicine
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital's proposal to build a new parking deck in downtown Winfield was well-received by the village's plan commission Wednesday night, but the advisory panel stopped short of making a recommendation at the urging of town officials.
Village President Erik Spande said he fears what could happen if the parking deck is approved by the commission and village board before other aspects of CDH's larger plan to transform part of Town Center south of the hospital into a medical and commercial district.
"I am very uncomfortable with the direction this is going," Spande said moments before plan commissioners -- at the end of a four-hour meeting -- were going to vote on the parking deck and a surface parking lot.
CDH officials say the parking deck -- planned for a parking lot west of the hospital along Winfield Road -- is needed to "help alleviate the significant parking problem that our patients and staff face every day."
If the requested preliminary and final approvals are granted soon, work on the parking lot could start next month and construction of the parking deck could begin in December.
But Spande said the village negotiated for years with Northwestern Medicine to have the parking deck project and a proposed mixed-use building "joined at the hip."
"Now, at the final hour, they want to break them apart," Spande said. "I find that to be concerning."
As part of its application, CDH is seeking preliminary approval for a "Phase 1B." That phase includes construction of the three-story building -- with commercial/retail use on the ground floor and medical/office space on the upper two floors -- near the corner of Jewell Road and Church. There are also plans for two stand-alone, single-story buildings for retail, restaurant or commercial use.
However, village officials are highly critical of the latest architectural rendering of the mixed-use building. So the plan commission isn't expected to take a vote on "Phase 1B" until after Northwestern Medicine submits an updated rendering, which could take four to six weeks.
Spande said it's possible the updated rendering could please everyone. If it doesn't, he said, "we're kind of stuck."
Because while the village is working to draft a development agreement with Northwestern Medicine, the pact hasn't been approved.
"We don't have a contract right now," Spande said.
Ultimately, the plan commission followed Village Manager Curt Barrett's suggestion to delay its vote to Tuesday so village staff can put together a list of proposed conditions.
"It certainly can wait until Tuesday to have the largest project in the history of this community get a recommendation vote from the plan commission," Barrett said.
Earlier in the meeting, Northwestern Medicine officials presented what they called "the culmination" of years of discussions with the village.
Charles Cloutier, director of planning and construction for Northwestern Medicine, said the goal was to find "a mutually beneficial solution to Town Center development."
The first phase of the proposed plan -- "Phase 1A" -- includes construction of the parking deck and a pedestrian bridge over Winfield Road linking the structure to the main campus. In the parking structure, ground floor space would be set aside for an 18,800-square-foot day care facility and a 5,000-square-foot retail/restaurant use.
"Architecturally, we want the structure to look like a building instead of a parking deck," said Cloutier, adding the design takes its cues from a bed pavilion across the street.
The phase also includes construction of "a significant portion" of the village's Riverwalk Park.
In addition, the 180-space parking lot would be built just east of Church Street. Initially, it would be used by CDH staff while the parking deck is being constructed.
Meanwhile, "Phase 1C" calls for a public plaza and two single-story buildings for retail, restaurant or commercial use to be built on the existing village hall site. The village hall, which also houses the police station, would be torn down and relocated.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-08-13--Tollway pushes back on regulator's ruling

A state regulator 's ruling the Illinois tollway acted illegally and mishandled two unsuccessful bids for construction projects was `` unfair '' and unreasonable , an attorney for the agency argued at a state Senate Transportation Committee hearing Thursday .
The pushback puts the tollway at odds with Illinois Chief Procurement Officer for General Services Ellen Daley , who in July found the agency did n't properly notify Walsh Construction Co. and Lorig Construction Co. their bids fell short on two separate construction projects worth more than $ 70 million .
Daley 's conclusions that the agency had undermined `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted state Sen. Laura Murphy of Des Plaines to request a Senate hearing after the Daily Herald reported on the issue .
Tollway attorney Kathleen Pasulka-Brown said at the hearing the two contractors lost the bids because they failed to meet diversity goals and were given plenty of notice .
`` ( Daley 's ) determination was unfair , and it 's also inconsistent with her finding the tollway did not act in bad faith , '' Pasulka-Brown said .
`` Finding the tollway did not act in bad faith should have let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an illegal act . ''
Walsh and Lorig , who were the low bidders , filed protests in March saying the lack of notification meant they lost out on a chance for reconsideration , and Daley sided with them .
`` Neither the procurement system in general nor ( diversity ) inclusion efforts in particular are well-served by keeping bidders ignorant when they fail to measure up , '' she wrote in her report .
Tollway Executive Director Jose Alvarez noted he and Chairman Will Evans are the agency 's first minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity in-house and with contractors .
`` At a time when the entire nation is coalescing around the notion we should all look to do more to increase diverse economic participation in the economy , and our agency is continuing to invest billions in the local economy -- it is being challenged for these efforts , '' Alvarez said .
So far this year , 30 % of $ 545 million in construction projects were awarded to minority firms , and one reason is because of hiring a group of procurement experts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new procurement managers were previous colleagues from his job at the Chicago Housing Authority , the Daily Herald has reported .
`` If they have this expertise , does their expertise include relevant transportation procurement experience ? ''
asked Murphy , a Des Plaines Democrat .
Republican state Sen. Don DeWitte of St. Charles said he was `` disappointed '' the tollway had so far ignored his request for records .
The disconnect between the road builders and tollway means `` these two projects have both now been lost in this construction season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Transportation Builders Association President Michael Sturino said `` burdensome paperwork requirements of the tollway have inhibited greater participation '' by minorities .
The industry supports diversity goals but they need to be `` data driven , '' and tollway objectives changed from between 17 % and 23 % to a flat 35 % overnight , Sturino said .
Transportation Committee Chairman Ram Villivalam told Alvarez he `` applauded the efforts you have led to not only meet but exceed diversity goals .
( But ) I am asking you to be very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's important during the pandemic to explore ways to provide stability for companies in the private sector that include essential workers , '' he noted .

Tollway pushes back on regulator's ruling
A state regulator's ruling the Illinois tollway acted illegally and mishandled two unsuccessful bids for construction projects was "unfair" and unreasonable, an attorney for the agency argued at a state Senate Transportation Committee hearing Thursday.
The pushback puts the tollway at odds with Illinois Chief Procurement Officer for General Services Ellen Daley, who in July found the agency didn't properly notify Walsh Construction Co. and Lorig Construction Co. their bids fell short on two separate construction projects worth more than $70 million.
Daley's conclusions that the agency had undermined "the integrity of the procurement process" prompted state Sen. Laura Murphy of Des Plaines to request a Senate hearing after the Daily Herald reported on the issue.
Tollway attorney Kathleen Pasulka-Brown said at the hearing the two contractors lost the bids because they failed to meet diversity goals and were given plenty of notice.
"(Daley's) determination was unfair, and it's also inconsistent with her finding the tollway did not act in bad faith," Pasulka-Brown said. "Finding the tollway did not act in bad faith should have let her conclude the tollway did not engage in an illegal act."
Walsh and Lorig, who were the low bidders, filed protests in March saying the lack of notification meant they lost out on a chance for reconsideration, and Daley sided with them.
"Neither the procurement system in general nor (diversity) inclusion efforts in particular are well-served by keeping bidders ignorant when they fail to measure up," she wrote in her report.
Tollway Executive Director Jose Alvarez noted he and Chairman Will Evans are the agency's first minority top leaders and the entity is prioritizing diversity in-house and with contractors.
"At a time when the entire nation is coalescing around the notion we should all look to do more to increase diverse economic participation in the economy, and our agency is continuing to invest billions in the local economy -- it is being challenged for these efforts," Alvarez said.
So far this year, 30% of $545 million in construction projects were awarded to minority firms, and one reason is because of hiring a group of procurement experts, Alvarez explained. A number of those new procurement managers were previous colleagues from his job at the Chicago Housing Authority, the Daily Herald has reported.
"If they have this expertise, does their expertise include relevant transportation procurement experience?" asked Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat.
Republican state Sen. Don DeWitte of St. Charles said he was "disappointed" the tollway had so far ignored his request for records.
The disconnect between the road builders and tollway means "these two projects have both now been lost in this construction season," he added.
Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association President Michael Sturino said "burdensome paperwork requirements of the tollway have inhibited greater participation" by minorities.
The industry supports diversity goals but they need to be "data driven," and tollway objectives changed from between 17% and 23% to a flat 35% overnight, Sturino said.
Transportation Committee Chairman Ram Villivalam told Alvarez he "applauded the efforts you have led to not only meet but exceed diversity goals. (But) I am asking you to be very open to discussions around transparency and stability. It's important during the pandemic to explore ways to provide stability for companies in the private sector that include essential workers," he noted.