dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-29--Where to find July 4 fireworks, car parades and decorated houses in the suburbs

The usual flag-waving , star-spangled spectacle of July 4 will be toned down quite a bit this year , the result of traditional parades , fests and many fireworks displays being canceled over COVID-19 concerns .
That does n't mean , however , that your only option is staying home and watching `` Yankee Doodle Dandy '' on TV next weekend .
Rather , you just have to know where fireworks are still on and which communities are hosting house-decorating contests or other parade alternatives to enjoy from your car .
Here 's a look at what 's ahead next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Fireworks will be launched at 9:30 p.m. July 4 from two locations -- the areas of Knox Park/Municipal Center and Fox Ridge Park -- to allow residents to view the displays from home .
Neither site will be accessible to the public .
The rain date is Sunday , July 5. cityofmchenry.org .
• Naperville : Fireworks in Naperville this year offer a few viewing options and a new location at the Frontier Sports Complex .
The display will run from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday , July 4 .
Viewers can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large field in the park , but they are asked to practice social distancing .
Parking is available at the park , 3380 Cedar Glade Drive , and at Neuqua Valley High School , 2360 95th St. • Schaumburg : First , the good news : Drive-in fireworks have been scheduled for 9:30 p.m. July 2 , 3 and 4 at Boomers Stadium .
The bad news : The established viewing areas around the stadium are all sold out .
boomersbaseball.com .
• Spring Grove : Richardson Farm in Spring Grove opens for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 909 English Prairie Road .
Attendees can stay in their cars or set up chairs in front of their cars to enjoy a picnic .
Bring your own food , buy some at food trucks , or get snacks from golf carts selling beer , kettle corn and doughnuts .
$ 20 per car , cash only .
Phase 4 social distancing rules will be in place .
richardsonadventurefarm.com .
• Barrington : The village of Barrington is encouraging residents to decorate cars , bicycles and wagons and drive through their neighborhoods from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating mini-parades for Barrington JULY 4th Reimagined .
The village also will deploy a small parade of fire and police vehicles , along with Bob the DJ .
There will be prizes , and the parade will be livestreamed on Facebook .
www.barrington-il.gov .
• Batavia : The Batavia VFW Post 1197 will host a mini parade for kids on its 6-acre property at 645 S. River St. , where leaders say they have plenty of room to social distance .
Kids are asked to gather at 10 a.m. , and they 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 4 .
Fire trucks will be parked at the post for kids to tour .
After the parade , the post will offer hot dogs , chips and soda free to children younger than 8 , and for $ 5 a plate for anyone older .
Those who want to watch can bring lawn chairs .
vfw1197.org .
• Carol Stream : Residents and businesses are asked to decorate in honor of July 4 .
Prizes will be awarded .
To enter the contest , email the address of your house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 29 , to decoratingcontest @ carolstream.org .
The addresses will be listed on a map and posted on the village website at www.carolstream.org for those who want to see the decorations July 4 .
• Glen Ellyn : A Patriotic Home and Storefront Decorating Contest calls for participants to meld creativity and patriotism .
Those who want to compete for prizes must register at www.GlenEllyn4thOfJuly.org/patriotic by 8 a.m. Sunday , June 28 , to qualify .
The addresses of all registered houses and businesses will be posted at www.GlenEllyn4thOfJuly.org/patriotic-addresses so people can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Glenview Park District is staging a reverse parade from 10 a.m. to noon July 4 at Community Park West , 1001 Zenith Ave. Preregistered spectators can drive past the stationary floats .
The event is free , but advance tickets are required by visiting glenview4th.org .
Patriotic music will play on WHPK 88.5-FM during the event .
• Highland Park : The Virtual Kids , Bike & Pet Parade -- Highland Park Style will be presented via video at noon July 4 .
The Chamber will post the video on the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and also on its Facebook and Instagram accounts .
To participate , submit a photo or brief video of children or pets celebrating the holiday .
Entries must be submitted by July 1 to michael @ chamberhp.com .
• Lakemoor : The Village of Lakemoor July 4th Parade of Homes encourages residents to decorate the outside of their houses and show off their patriotism for those who want to drive , walk or bike around town July 4 and 5 .
For details , visit https : //sites.google.com/lakemoor.net/village-july-4th-event/ .
• Lincolnshire : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest encourages residents to decorate their houses , front yards , driveways and balconies for Independence Day .
Participants can win up to $ 150 in gift cards to Lincolnshire restaurants .
All contestants will be entered into an online poll for Lincolnshire residents to vote for the Community 's Choice winner between July 1 and 5 .
Contact Jack Cascone , administrative intern , at jcascone @ lincolnshireil.gov or ( 847 ) 913-2331 with questions .
• Naperville : Celebrating Naperville 's Heroes is the theme of a rally , hosted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 at Rotary Hill .
The event will feature speakers and attendees are encouraged to wear red , white and blue and to bring a flag to wave .
In addition , organizers are asking everyone to wear masks and respect social distancing guidelines .
See www.facebook.com/events/267715161213458/ .
• Northbrook : The village is hosting a Fourth of July `` Porch Parade . ''
Residents are invited to decorate their houses , lawns and porches and submit their addresses by July 1 to compete to win and to be added to an interactive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see the houses from 2 to 4 p.m. July 4 , the map will be shared via the village website 's at northbrook.il.us , as well as on social media or by texting 4THJULY to 888777 .
• Villa Park , Lombard , Wheaton and Glen Ellyn : At 10 a.m. July 4 , DuPage Democrats are hosting a car parade and encouraging people to decorate their vehicles .
Awards will be given .
Registration is requested .
The cars should gather at the Safari Land parking lot at 701 North Ave. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get maps showing the route .
For information , go to www.facebook.com/events/215334566153782/ .
• Waukegan : The Virtual Waukegan American Independence Parade -- Shoebox Edition runs 1 to 2 p.m. July 4 at www.facebook.com/events/654966672028140/ .
Families , businesses and organizations can participate in advance by decorating a `` mini float '' with a box .
Those interested must register at forms.gle/vvn2XdSMP1U9HeDeA by noon Monday , June 29 .
Drop off your float at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts in Bowen Park , 39 Jack Benny Drive .
Organizers will record boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a commentator read the history that participants provide .
Free .
For information , contact Debra at dcarl @ waukeganparks.org or ( 847 ) 360-4740 .
• Wheaton : Families are invited to participate in Wheaton Kids 4th of July Parade on July 4 at Adams Park , 201 N. Main St .
Participants are encouraged to wear a costume and decorate their bikes or other ride-on toys .
Families are asked to reserve a spot and observe safe practices .
Staging and a collection drive of nonperishable food and personal care items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting at 10. www.facebook.com/Wheaton4thKids/ .

Where to find July 4 fireworks, car parades and decorated houses in the suburbs
Boomers Stadium will host fireworks on July 2, 3 and 4, but you must have tickets if you want to view them from the parking lot. Courtesy of the Schaumburg Boomers
The usual flag-waving, star-spangled spectacle of July 4 will be toned down quite a bit this year, the result of traditional parades, fests and many fireworks displays being canceled over COVID-19 concerns.
That doesn't mean, however, that your only option is staying home and watching "Yankee Doodle Dandy" on TV next weekend. Rather, you just have to know where fireworks are still on and which communities are hosting house-decorating contests or other parade alternatives to enjoy from your car.
Here's a look at what's ahead next weekend in the suburbs:
Fireworks
• McHenry: Fireworks will be launched at 9:30 p.m. July 4 from two locations -- the areas of Knox Park/Municipal Center and Fox Ridge Park -- to allow residents to view the displays from home. Neither site will be accessible to the public. The rain date is Sunday, July 5. cityofmchenry.org.
• Naperville: Fireworks in Naperville this year offer a few viewing options and a new location at the Frontier Sports Complex. The display will run from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Viewers can watch from their cars or from the large field in the park, but they are asked to practice social distancing. Parking is available at the park, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive, and at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St.
• Schaumburg: First, the good news: Drive-in fireworks have been scheduled for 9:30 p.m. July 2, 3 and 4 at Boomers Stadium. The bad news: The established viewing areas around the stadium are all sold out. boomersbaseball.com.
• Spring Grove: Richardson Farm in Spring Grove opens for parking at 6 p.m. July 4 at 909 English Prairie Road. Attendees can stay in their cars or set up chairs in front of their cars to enjoy a picnic. Bring your own food, buy some at food trucks, or get snacks from golf carts selling beer, kettle corn and doughnuts. $20 per car, cash only. Phase 4 social distancing rules will be in place. richardsonadventurefarm.com.
Parade alternatives
• Barrington: The village of Barrington is encouraging residents to decorate cars, bicycles and wagons and drive through their neighborhoods from 10 a.m. to noon July 4, creating mini-parades for Barrington JULY 4th Reimagined. The village also will deploy a small parade of fire and police vehicles, along with Bob the DJ. There will be prizes, and the parade will be livestreamed on Facebook. www.barrington-il.gov.
• Batavia: The Batavia VFW Post 1197 will host a mini parade for kids on its 6-acre property at 645 S. River St., where leaders say they have plenty of room to social distance. Kids are asked to gather at 10 a.m., and they'll march around the perimeter starting at 10:30 on July 4. Fire trucks will be parked at the post for kids to tour. After the parade, the post will offer hot dogs, chips and soda free to children younger than 8, and for $5 a plate for anyone older. Those who want to watch can bring lawn chairs. vfw1197.org.
• Carol Stream: Residents and businesses are asked to decorate in honor of July 4. Prizes will be awarded. To enter the contest, email the address of your house or business by 5 p.m. Monday, June 29, to decoratingcontest@carolstream.org. The addresses will be listed on a map and posted on the village website at www.carolstream.org for those who want to see the decorations July 4.
• Glen Ellyn: A Patriotic Home and Storefront Decorating Contest calls for participants to meld creativity and patriotism. Those who want to compete for prizes must register at www.GlenEllyn4thOfJuly.org/patriotic by 8 a.m. Sunday, June 28, to qualify. The addresses of all registered houses and businesses will be posted at www.GlenEllyn4thOfJuly.org/patriotic-addresses so people can check them out.
• Glenview: The Glenview Park District is staging a reverse parade from 10 a.m. to noon July 4 at Community Park West, 1001 Zenith Ave. Preregistered spectators can drive past the stationary floats. The event is free, but advance tickets are required by visiting glenview4th.org. Patriotic music will play on WHPK 88.5-FM during the event.
• Highland Park: The Virtual Kids, Bike & Pet Parade -- Highland Park Style will be presented via video at noon July 4. The Chamber will post the video on the event page of its website, www.chamberhp.com, and also on its Facebook and Instagram accounts. To participate, submit a photo or brief video of children or pets celebrating the holiday. Entries must be submitted by July 1 to michael@chamberhp.com.
• Lakemoor: The Village of Lakemoor July 4th Parade of Homes encourages residents to decorate the outside of their houses and show off their patriotism for those who want to drive, walk or bike around town July 4 and 5. For details, visit https://sites.google.com/lakemoor.net/village-july-4th-event/.
• Lincolnshire: The villagewide #LincolnshireStrong Independence Day house decorating contest encourages residents to decorate their houses, front yards, driveways and balconies for Independence Day. Participants can win up to $150 in gift cards to Lincolnshire restaurants. All contestants will be entered into an online poll for Lincolnshire residents to vote for the Community's Choice winner between July 1 and 5. Contact Jack Cascone, administrative intern, at jcascone@lincolnshireil.gov or (847) 913-2331 with questions.
• Naperville: Celebrating Naperville's Heroes is the theme of a rally, hosted by Safe DuPage, at 9:30 a.m. July 4 at Rotary Hill. The event will feature speakers and attendees are encouraged to wear red, white and blue and to bring a flag to wave. In addition, organizers are asking everyone to wear masks and respect social distancing guidelines. See www.facebook.com/events/267715161213458/.
• Northbrook: The village is hosting a Fourth of July "Porch Parade." Residents are invited to decorate their houses, lawns and porches and submit their addresses by July 1 to compete to win and to be added to an interactive parade route. For those who want to see the houses from 2 to 4 p.m. July 4, the map will be shared via the village website's at northbrook.il.us, as well as on social media or by texting 4THJULY to 888777.
• Villa Park, Lombard, Wheaton and Glen Ellyn: At 10 a.m. July 4, DuPage Democrats are hosting a car parade and encouraging people to decorate their vehicles. Awards will be given. Registration is requested. The cars should gather at the Safari Land parking lot at 701 North Ave., Villa Park, where they will get maps showing the route. For information, go to www.facebook.com/events/215334566153782/.
• Waukegan: The Virtual Waukegan American Independence Parade -- Shoebox Edition runs 1 to 2 p.m. July 4 at www.facebook.com/events/654966672028140/. Families, businesses and organizations can participate in advance by decorating a "mini float" with a box. Those interested must register at forms.gle/vvn2XdSMP1U9HeDeA by noon Monday, June 29. Drop off your float at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts in Bowen Park, 39 Jack Benny Drive. Organizers will record boxes in front of a background and have a commentator read the history that participants provide. Free. For information, contact Debra at dcarl@waukeganparks.org or (847) 360-4740.
• Wheaton: Families are invited to participate in Wheaton Kids 4th of July Parade on July 4 at Adams Park, 201 N. Main St. Participants are encouraged to wear a costume and decorate their bikes or other ride-on toys. Families are asked to reserve a spot and observe safe practices. Staging and a collection drive of nonperishable food and personal care items start at 9:30 a.m. with the parade starting at 10. www.facebook.com/Wheaton4thKids/.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Elgin library, two branches reopening Monday with changes

The Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin and its two branches will reopen July 6 with strict requirements for patrons , including wearing face coverings , physically distancing and having children under age 13 , up from age 8 , accompanied by a caregiver .
The library board had a special meeting Monday to approve reopening with capacity limits and a slew of measures such as less furniture , closed meeting and study rooms -- with some exceptions -- and having patrons ask for materials from the early learning center .
The main library will have a limit of 250 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 people at the Rakow branch in Elgin and 20 people at the South Elgin branch .
`` Our concern is the safety of social distancing with children .
We are trying to open in the safest manner possible , '' library spokeswoman Denise Raleigh said .
`` This is our best strategy for opening . ''
`` It 's really bare bones as a library goes , '' Executive Director Carole Medal said .
Board members said they know reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic , albeit in Phase 4 , might provoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harkin said she 's comforted by the fact the cases of the disease have been decreasing in Illinois .
Tracy Hanson , senior customer relations team leader , told the board she believes most staff members are eager to reopen .
`` We have your back to the extent that we can , '' board President Jean Bednar said .
The library reopened earlier in June for drive-up services and computer use by appointment , particularly important for those who have to fill out forms for court , housing , unemployment and job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned by patrons are being quarantined for three days based on research done by the Reopening Archives , Libraries , and Museums project , Medal said .
Trustee Amanda Garcia asked about the risk of patrons touching materials while browsing .
Medal said most libraries are not concerned about that , although a few have closed its stacks to the public .
Under the new rules , the main library will close an hour early so staff members can clean their spaces , in addition to cleaning throughout the day and employing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be open only to `` vulnerable populations '' -- seniors and people with medical conditions at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 -- for the first hour Monday to Thursday .
Those measures are being finalized at the two branches .
The library will make accommodations for those who are medically prevented from wearing face coverings , Medal said .
Others who do n't want to wear them -- except children under age 2 -- will be asked by security to leave , she said .

Elgin library, two branches reopening Monday with changes
The Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin and its two branches will reopen July 6 with strict requirements for patrons, including wearing face coverings, physically distancing and having children under age 13, up from age 8, accompanied by a caregiver.
The library board had a special meeting Monday to approve reopening with capacity limits and a slew of measures such as less furniture, closed meeting and study rooms -- with some exceptions -- and having patrons ask for materials from the early learning center.
The main library will have a limit of 250 people. There will be a maximum 40 people at the Rakow branch in Elgin and 20 people at the South Elgin branch.
"Our concern is the safety of social distancing with children. We are trying to open in the safest manner possible," library spokeswoman Denise Raleigh said. "This is our best strategy for opening."
"It's really bare bones as a library goes," Executive Director Carole Medal said.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer David Kay, a digital services clerk for Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, works behind a plexiglass partition Tuesday in a library computer room. The library is set to reopen July 6.
Board members said they know reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit in Phase 4, might provoke anxiety in some people. Trustee Patricia Harkin said she's comforted by the fact the cases of the disease have been decreasing in Illinois.
Tracy Hanson, senior customer relations team leader, told the board she believes most staff members are eager to reopen.
"We have your back to the extent that we can," board President Jean Bednar said.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Stickers on the floor mark physical distancing near the information desk at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.
The library reopened earlier in June for drive-up services and computer use by appointment, particularly important for those who have to fill out forms for court, housing, unemployment and job searches, Medal said.
Circulated materials returned by patrons are being quarantined for three days based on research done by the Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums project, Medal said. Trustee Amanda Garcia asked about the risk of patrons touching materials while browsing. Medal said most libraries are not concerned about that, although a few have closed its stacks to the public.
- John Starks | Staff Photographer Drinking fountains are shut off and a study room has become a furniture storage room at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.
Under the new rules, the main library will close an hour early so staff members can clean their spaces, in addition to cleaning throughout the day and employing a cleaning service.
The main library also will be open only to "vulnerable populations" -- seniors and people with medical conditions at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 -- for the first hour Monday to Thursday. Those measures are being finalized at the two branches.
The library will make accommodations for those who are medically prevented from wearing face coverings, Medal said. Others who don't want to wear them -- except children under age 2 -- will be asked by security to leave, she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-30--Pritzker signs bill that makes Chicago casino more feasible

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov .
J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law Tuesday that paves the way for development of a major casino in Chicago , something officials expect to provide significant revenues for the state 's recently passed capital improvements plan known as Rebuild Illinois .
Lawmakers passed the bill during their special session in May .
They initially approved a Chicago casino plan in the massive gaming expansion law enacted in 2019 , but a subsequent study showed the taxes and fees included in that bill would have made such a casino financially infeasible .
The bill signed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a lower tax schedule that ranges from 22.5 % to 77.4 % of adjusted gross receipts from slot machines , and from 15 % to 35 % on table games .
That revenue is split between the state and the city of Chicago , with the state getting the larger share of the cut .
In February , while the bill was being negotiated , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot estimated that a casino could produce around $ 1.2 billion in revenue , with the bulk of that going into the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called vertical construction projects such as hospitals and university campus improvements .
The city 's share of revenue is earmarked for police and firefighter pension obligations , and a small amount is set aside for Cook County for criminal justice enhancements .
`` Working with the General Assembly and Mayor Lightfoot , we accomplished what eluded so many others , and now this momentous legislation tackles key priorities for the state of Illinois -- helping to ensure that Chicago can pay for first responders ' pensions and alleviate the burden on property taxpayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals throughout the state , '' Pritzker said in a statement .
`` Thousands of Illinoisans will be working on these projects , earning a good living that will support their families as we do the important work of rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and investing in the future . ''
Rep. Robert Rita , a Blue Island Democrat and one of the principal negotiators of the bill , called the bill signing `` a day many years and many long hours in the making , '' adding that it would provide a boost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's economies .
Sen. Bill Cunningham , a Chicago Democrat and a lead sponsor of the bill , said it would provide `` a measure of financial stability to Chicago 's public safety pensions '' while at the same time providing relief to Chicago property tax payers .
Other provisions of the bill authorize the Illinois Department of Agriculture to operate video gambling terminals at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair .
It calls on the agency to sign three-year contracts with licensed terminal operators , with money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's capital improvements and harness racing funds .

Pritzker signs bill that makes Chicago casino more feasible
Most of Chicago's share of the revenue from a new casino will go toward for police and firefighter pension obligations. File photo
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law Tuesday that paves the way for development of a major casino in Chicago, something officials expect to provide significant revenues for the state's recently passed capital improvements plan known as Rebuild Illinois.
Lawmakers passed the bill during their special session in May. They initially approved a Chicago casino plan in the massive gaming expansion law enacted in 2019, but a subsequent study showed the taxes and fees included in that bill would have made such a casino financially infeasible.
The bill signed by Pritzker, Senate Bill 516, provides for a lower tax schedule that ranges from 22.5% to 77.4% of adjusted gross receipts from slot machines, and from 15% to 35% on table games. That revenue is split between the state and the city of Chicago, with the state getting the larger share of the cut.
In February, while the bill was being negotiated, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot estimated that a casino could produce around $1.2 billion in revenue, with the bulk of that going into the state's coffers. That money is earmarked for so-called vertical construction projects such as hospitals and university campus improvements.
The city's share of revenue is earmarked for police and firefighter pension obligations, and a small amount is set aside for Cook County for criminal justice enhancements.
"Working with the General Assembly and Mayor Lightfoot, we accomplished what eluded so many others, and now this momentous legislation tackles key priorities for the state of Illinois -- helping to ensure that Chicago can pay for first responders' pensions and alleviate the burden on property taxpayers, along with investing in universities and hospitals throughout the state," Pritzker said in a statement. "Thousands of Illinoisans will be working on these projects, earning a good living that will support their families as we do the important work of rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and investing in the future."
Rep. Robert Rita, a Blue Island Democrat and one of the principal negotiators of the bill, called the bill signing "a day many years and many long hours in the making," adding that it would provide a boost to both the city's and state's economies.
Sen. Bill Cunningham, a Chicago Democrat and a lead sponsor of the bill, said it would provide "a measure of financial stability to Chicago's public safety pensions" while at the same time providing relief to Chicago property tax payers.
Other provisions of the bill authorize the Illinois Department of Agriculture to operate video gambling terminals at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair. It calls on the agency to sign three-year contracts with licensed terminal operators, with money from those contracts going to each fair's capital improvements and harness racing funds.
The bill takes effect today.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-06-30--June 30 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive mapSuburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 73,354 cases in the suburbs , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Tuesday .
There have been 3,537 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Tuesday , suburban Cook County had 38,182 cases and 1,967 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 52,354 cases and 2,598 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Des Plaines , 825 cases and 55 deaths in Wheeling , 698 cases and 17 deaths in Palatine , 683 cases and 20 deaths in Streamwood , 666 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 594 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg , 549 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview , 550 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights , 514 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 489 cases and 16 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 376 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Rolling Meadows , 349 cases and 39 deaths in Northbrook , 272 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 123 cases and 18 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 9,036 cases and 466 deaths as of Tuesday .
• Top counts : 830 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 774 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago , 662 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights , 530 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville , 530 cases and 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , 518 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 406 cases and 23 deaths in Lombard , 343 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 301 cases and 33 deaths in Elmhurst , 275 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton , 252 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) , 247 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park , 168 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn .
Lake County • The county listed 9,714 cases and 396 deaths on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday : 2,655 to 2,659 in Waukegan , 590 to 594 in Round Lake Beach , 370 to 374 in Mundelein , 300 to 304 in Gurnee , 235 to 239 in Round Lake , 180 to 184 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills , 165 to 169 in Wauconda , 155 to 159 in Lake Zurich , 130 to 134 in Libertyville , 85 to 89 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 7,729 cases with 266 deaths on its website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,889 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 749 in Carpentersville , 313 in St. Charles , 288 in South Elgin , 207 in North Aurora , 183 in Geneva , 125 in Batavia , and 51 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 2,045 cases and 97 deaths , according to the health department Tuesday .
• 6,686 cases and 319 deaths , according to the health department 's website Tuesday .
• Cases per town include 399 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 67 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

June 30 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depicts the coronavirus as viewed through a microscope. Courtesy of the CDC
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 73,354 cases in the suburbs, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health as of Tuesday. There have been 3,537 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Tuesday, suburban Cook County had 38,182 cases and 1,967 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 52,354 cases and 2,598 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,750 cases and 97 deaths in Des Plaines, 825 cases and 55 deaths in Wheeling, 698 cases and 17 deaths in Palatine, 683 cases and 20 deaths in Streamwood, 666 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 594 cases and 16 deaths in Schaumburg, 549 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview, 550 cases and 31 deaths in Arlington Heights, 514 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 489 cases and 16 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 376 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 349 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 349 cases and 39 deaths in Northbrook, 272 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 123 cases and 18 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 9,036 cases and 466 deaths as of Tuesday.
• Top counts: 830 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 774 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago, 662 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights, 530 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 530 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 518 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 406 cases and 23 deaths in Lombard, 343 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 301 cases and 33 deaths in Elmhurst, 275 cases and 20 deaths in Wheaton, 252 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion), 247 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park, 168 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County • The county listed 9,714 cases and 396 deaths on its website.
• Top counts as of Tuesday: 2,655 to 2,659 in Waukegan, 590 to 594 in Round Lake Beach, 370 to 374 in Mundelein, 300 to 304 in Gurnee, 235 to 239 in Round Lake, 180 to 184 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 165 to 169 in Vernon Hills, 165 to 169 in Wauconda, 155 to 159 in Lake Zurich, 130 to 134 in Libertyville, 85 to 89 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 7,729 cases with 266 deaths on its website Tuesday.
• Top counts: 3,379 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,889 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 749 in Carpentersville, 313 in St. Charles, 288 in South Elgin, 207 in North Aurora, 183 in Geneva, 125 in Batavia, and 51 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 2,045 cases and 97 deaths, according to the health department Tuesday.
Will County
• 6,686 cases and 319 deaths, according to the health department's website Tuesday.
• Cases per town include 399 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 67 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--WDSRA receives financial reporting award

DUPAGE COUNTY - The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association and Sharon Gedvilas , WDSRA superintendent of finance and personnel , @ @ @ @ @ Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United @ @ @ @ @ award was given for WDSRA 's comprehensive annual financial report .
The Certificate of Achievement @ @ @ @ @ recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting , and its attainment represents @ @ @ @ @ government and its management .
It is the 14th year that WDSRA and Gedvilas have @ @ @ @

WDSRA receives financial reporting award
DUPAGE COUNTY - The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association and Sharon Gedvilas, WDSRA superintendent of finance and personnel, were awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.
The award was given for WDSRA's comprehensive annual financial report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
It is the 14th year that WDSRA and Gedvilas have received the award.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Industry veterans launch REthink

Industry veterans launch REthink

HIGHLAND PARK -- Commercial real estate experts Rick Goldman and Justin Pathmann have launched REthink Owner Solutions , a development @ @ @ @ @ that allows developers , owners and businesses to tap into expertise and proven methodology they @ @ @ @ @ to access or afford .
REthink has a roster of projects , including a new @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to break ground in Mount Prospect and the transformation of book stacks into meeting @ @ @ @ @ Highland Park Public Library .
In establishing REthink , Goldman and Pathman are making available @ @ @ @ @ expertise and proprietary processes that more typically are found within dedicated real estate departments .
@ @ @ @ @ years of diversified commercial real estate development and construction management experience .
Most recently , @ @ @ @ @ , he was an owner of Pacific Construction Services .
Pathmann has more than 20 @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2017 his former firm , Pathmann Construction Management , merged with Pacific Construction @ @

Industry veterans launch REthink
HIGHLAND PARK -- Commercial real estate experts Rick Goldman and Justin Pathmann have launched REthink Owner Solutions, a development and construction management advisory firm that allows developers, owners and businesses to tap into expertise and proven methodology they otherwise might not be able to access or afford.
REthink has a roster of projects, including a new senior housing project that is scheduled to break ground in Mount Prospect and the transformation of book stacks into meeting and amenity spaces at the Highland Park Public Library.
In establishing REthink, Goldman and Pathman are making available the insights, knowledge, expertise and proprietary processes that more typically are found within dedicated real estate departments.
Goldman has more than 30 years of diversified commercial real estate development and construction management experience. Most recently, for the last 19-plus years, he was an owner of Pacific Construction Services. Pathmann has more than 20 years of construction management experience. In 2017 his former firm, Pathmann Construction Management, merged with Pacific Construction Services.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Entre brokers sale of S. Elgin industrial building

SOUTH ELGIN -- Entre Commercial Realty represented the buyer in the sale of a 23,108 square foot single-tenant industrial property @ @ @ @ @ South Elgin .
Terms of the sale were not disclosed .
A private investment group @ @ @ @ @ The property is 100 % occupied and as was an off-market transaction at the time @ @ @ @ @ able to identify the investment opportunity through market familiarity and firsthand information from both the @ @ @ @ @ The property features six drive-in doors , two docks , new parking lot , recent @ @ @ @ @ tenant which made it an attractive addition to the purchaser portfolio .
Cory Kay and @ @ @ @ @ Entre represented the buyer .
Bruce Granger of NAI Hiffman represented the sellers .

Entre brokers sale of S. Elgin industrial building
Entre Commercial Realty represented the buyer in the sale of a 23,108 square foot single-tenant industrial property at 320-350 Industrial Dr. in South Elgin. Courtesy Entre Commercial Realty
SOUTH ELGIN -- Entre Commercial Realty represented the buyer in the sale of a 23,108 square foot single-tenant industrial property at 320-350 Industrial Dr. in South Elgin.
Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
A private investment group closed on the acquisition. The property is 100% occupied and as was an off-market transaction at the time of sale. Entre was able to identify the investment opportunity through market familiarity and firsthand information from both the tenant and landlord representative.
The property features six drive-in doors, two docks, new parking lot, recent office renovations and a long-term tenant which made it an attractive addition to the purchaser portfolio.
Cory Kay and Mike DeSerto of Arlington Heights-based Entre represented the buyer. Bruce Granger of NAI Hiffman represented the sellers.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--20-somethings constitute nearly 17% of coronavirus cases in Illinois

Cases of COVID-19 climbed by 828 Wednesday , the highest number since Friday , and deaths rose by 30 , officials said .
That leaves the state with 144,013 cases of the respiratory disease and 6,951 people who have perished from the virus , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported .
The daily increase in virus cases Friday was 857 .
Wednesday 's tally of new cases is higher than the 14-day average of 702 .
Deaths in the last 24 hours were lower than the 14-day average of 35 , however .
Of those infected with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30s constitute about one-third of cases .
People in their 20s `` now account for a larger percentage of identified cases than they did previously , '' said Michael Bauer , physician and medical director at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital .
Many in their 20s are socializing in crowded spots like bars now that Illinois has lifted restrictions on indoor public dining and gatherings .
That 's a concern , especially if people are not wearing masks , Bauer warned .
`` We do see young , healthy people that can get severely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that the risk is higher for older adults and people with underlying health problems like high blood pressure , obesity or diabetes .
Illinoisans in their 20s constitute 16.6 % of virus cases and those in their 30s represent 16.5 % , according to IDPH data .
Deaths from the virus in those age groups are 2 % of the state 's total .
People 70 and older now make up 14 % of the state 's caseload but represent 68 % of the deaths from COVID-19 .
Also Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 2.5 % of them having positive results , compared to the seven-day average of 2.6 % .
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 , a key indicator , stood at 1,511 as of Tuesday , under the seven-day average of 1,525 .
Last week , the state upgraded from Phase 3 of a five-stage reopening plan to Phase 4 , which relaxes many restrictions such as allowing movie theaters to open and people to gather in groups of 50 or less .
Face masks are required in public areas .
`` The take-away for younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility in helping all of our communities suppress this pandemic , '' Bauer said .
`` They need to follow the guidelines such as masking when they can not be appropriately physically distant . ''
Wednesday 's data come amid concerns about rising cases in states like Arizona , Florida , California and Texas , which eased stay at home rules earlier than Illinois .
Concerns about a surge of infections has caused governors in those states to pull back and reinstitute some closures .
California 's governor , for example , closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

20-somethings constitute nearly 17% of coronavirus cases in Illinois
Cases of COVID-19 climbed by 828 Wednesday, the highest number since Friday, and deaths rose by 30, officials said.
That leaves the state with 144,013 cases of the respiratory disease and 6,951 people who have perished from the virus, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported. The daily increase in virus cases Friday was 857.
Wednesday's tally of new cases is higher than the 14-day average of 702. Deaths in the last 24 hours were lower than the 14-day average of 35, however.
Of those infected with the virus, young Illinoisans in their 20s and 30s constitute about one-third of cases.
People in their 20s "now account for a larger percentage of identified cases than they did previously," said Michael Bauer, physician and medical director at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.
Many in their 20s are socializing in crowded spots like bars now that Illinois has lifted restrictions on indoor public dining and gatherings. That's a concern, especially if people are not wearing masks, Bauer warned.
"We do see young, healthy people that can get severely ill with COVID-19," Bauer said, adding that the risk is higher for older adults and people with underlying health problems like high blood pressure, obesity or diabetes.
Illinoisans in their 20s constitute 16.6% of virus cases and those in their 30s represent 16.5%, according to IDPH data. Deaths from the virus in those age groups are 2% of the state's total.
People 70 and older now make up 14% of the state's caseload but represent 68% of the deaths from COVID-19.
Also Wednesday, an additional 33,090 COVID-19 tests were performed with 2.5% of them having positive results, compared to the seven-day average of 2.6%.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19, a key indicator, stood at 1,511 as of Tuesday, under the seven-day average of 1,525.
Last week, the state upgraded from Phase 3 of a five-stage reopening plan to Phase 4, which relaxes many restrictions such as allowing movie theaters to open and people to gather in groups of 50 or less. Face masks are required in public areas.
"The take-away for younger adults is that they also have a responsibility in helping all of our communities suppress this pandemic," Bauer said. "They need to follow the guidelines such as masking when they cannot be appropriately physically distant."
Wednesday's data come amid concerns about rising cases in states like Arizona, Florida, California and Texas, which eased stay at home rules earlier than Illinois. Concerns about a surge of infections has caused governors in those states to pull back and reinstitute some closures. California's governor, for example, closed bars and restaurants in some counties Wednesday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Six Flags Hurricane Harbor to reopen this summer

Officials at Hurricane Harbor water parks in Gurnee and Rockford have begun hiring lifeguards and other employees in preparation to open for an abbreviated summer season .
Six Flags Great America officials announced Wednesday they have received word from Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and the Restore Illinois team that water parks may begin opening .
Great America spokeswoman Caitlin Kepple said both water parks ' opening date will be released soon .
Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee is adjacent to the Great America theme park .
Both parks have been shuttered because of the pandemic .
`` We 're so excited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're hoping that good theme park news will follow , '' Kepple said .
Until recently , only essential security employees have been able to access either Gurnee park .
Kepple said staff members are beginning to install new safety features there and in Rockford , such as a new thermal scanning system , that will check incoming guests ' body temperature and act as a touch-free metal detector .
Kepple said the water parks will allow fewer guests inside than normal .
In May , theme park officials unveiled a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help them enforce capacity limits .
When the reservation system begins , guests will visit sixflags.com/reserve and go through a process officials estimate will take five to seven minutes .
Guests will select the date and time they wish to visit .
Guests must also watch a brief video on social distancing and sanitation procedures .
The parks ' full safety procedures have yet to be announced .
This year , the company will do all of the job interview process online at sixflags.com/jobs , Kepple said .
The park is waiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually costs $ 80 to $ 100 , she said .

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor to reopen this summer
Hurricane Harbor Water Park at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is set to reopen this summer. Daily Herald File Photo, 2018
Officials at Hurricane Harbor water parks in Gurnee and Rockford have begun hiring lifeguards and other employees in preparation to open for an abbreviated summer season.
Six Flags Great America officials announced Wednesday they have received word from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Restore Illinois team that water parks may begin opening.
Great America spokeswoman Caitlin Kepple said both water parks' opening date will be released soon.
Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee is adjacent to the Great America theme park. Both parks have been shuttered because of the pandemic.
"We're so excited to get the water park news and we're hoping that good theme park news will follow," Kepple said.
Until recently, only essential security employees have been able to access either Gurnee park. Kepple said staff members are beginning to install new safety features there and in Rockford, such as a new thermal scanning system, that will check incoming guests' body temperature and act as a touch-free metal detector.
Kepple said the water parks will allow fewer guests inside than normal. In May, theme park officials unveiled a new online reservation system, which officials say will help them enforce capacity limits.
When the reservation system begins, guests will visit sixflags.com/reserve and go through a process officials estimate will take five to seven minutes. Guests will select the date and time they wish to visit. Guests must also watch a brief video on social distancing and sanitation procedures. The parks' full safety procedures have yet to be announced.
This year, the company will do all of the job interview process online at sixflags.com/jobs, Kepple said. The park is waiving the life guard training fee, which usually costs $80 to $100, she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Lines, delays greet lottery winners seeking prize money

Some Illinois Lottery winners have waited more than three months to receive their prize money because of coronavirus-related closures .
But even as the lottery office in Des Plaines reopened Wednesday morning , winners had to wait again , and many were turned away and told they could come back today after the facility reached its capacity for processing .
About 250 people were able to receive their checks .
Lottery offices in Springfield , Rockford and Fairview Heights also reopened as part of the state 's Phase 4 plan .
The offices had been closed since March .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James R. Thompson Center in Chicago remains closed .
Officials started turning people away at the Des Plaines building around 11:30 a.m. A `` virtual lobby '' was set up outside to respect social-distancing , and fewer than 25 people were allowed inside at one time .
Lines started forming more than an hour before the building opened its doors at 8:30 a.m .
When Delores Baker arrived from Chicago 's South Side shortly before 10 a.m. , the line stretched about 100 feet .
`` The line was ridiculous , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and left without her money .
`` Crazy , '' added Samqueta Johnson of Round Lake Beach , who was there with her husband to collect $ 10,300 for three winning tickets .
She also left without receiving her money .
What drew the ire of some people , including Baker , was there was no information on the Illinois Lottery website saying it would accommodate only a certain number of people .
When winners arrived , they got in line to receive a voucher , which was scanned by a lottery official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their cars until they received a text message alerting them they could enter the building .
As a goodwill gesture , lottery officials handed out hats , bags and scratch-off tickets .
`` People were impatient because they want their money , '' said one lottery official who requested anonymity .
`` They 've been waiting ( almost ) four months . ''
Cameron Phillips took a bus from Chicago , got to the state lottery building at 7:30 a.m. and waited about two hours for his voucher .
He did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I expected to be done way before 12 , '' said Phillips , who waited patiently in a shaded area .
The lottery office opens at 8:30 a.m. today , and winners are encouraged to arrive early to get in line .
The office will be closed Friday due to the Fourth of July holiday .
It is closed Saturday and Sunday .

Lines, delays greet lottery winners seeking prize money
JOE AGUILAR/jaguilar@dailyherald.comIllinois Lottery ambassador Eric Madarik, middle, assists a man in front of the state lottery office in Des Plaines on Wednesday.
Some Illinois Lottery winners have waited more than three months to receive their prize money because of coronavirus-related closures.
But even as the lottery office in Des Plaines reopened Wednesday morning, winners had to wait again, and many were turned away and told they could come back today after the facility reached its capacity for processing. About 250 people were able to receive their checks.
Lottery offices in Springfield, Rockford and Fairview Heights also reopened as part of the state's Phase 4 plan. The offices had been closed since March. The claim center in the concourse of the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago remains closed.
Officials started turning people away at the Des Plaines building around 11:30 a.m. A "virtual lobby" was set up outside to respect social-distancing, and fewer than 25 people were allowed inside at one time. Lines started forming more than an hour before the building opened its doors at 8:30 a.m.
When Delores Baker arrived from Chicago's South Side shortly before 10 a.m., the line stretched about 100 feet.
"The line was ridiculous," said Baker, who waited for two hours and left without her money.
"Crazy," added Samqueta Johnson of Round Lake Beach, who was there with her husband to collect $10,300 for three winning tickets. She also left without receiving her money.
What drew the ire of some people, including Baker, was there was no information on the Illinois Lottery website saying it would accommodate only a certain number of people.
When winners arrived, they got in line to receive a voucher, which was scanned by a lottery official. The winners could wait outside or in their cars until they received a text message alerting them they could enter the building. As a goodwill gesture, lottery officials handed out hats, bags and scratch-off tickets.
"People were impatient because they want their money," said one lottery official who requested anonymity. "They've been waiting (almost) four months."
Cameron Phillips took a bus from Chicago, got to the state lottery building at 7:30 a.m. and waited about two hours for his voucher. He didn't receive his check until after noon.
"I expected to be done way before 12," said Phillips, who waited patiently in a shaded area.
The lottery office opens at 8:30 a.m. today, and winners are encouraged to arrive early to get in line. The office will be closed Friday due to the Fourth of July holiday. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.
To claim a prize by mail, visit www.illinoislottery.com/winning.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Gurnee police officer charged with felony domestic battery

A veteran Gurnee police officer constantly `` threatened and tortured '' a woman over several years , leading to his arrest Wednesday on domestic battery charges , a Lake County prosecutor said in court .
Officer Michael Stoner turned himself in at the Lake County jail Wednesday morning to face felony charges of aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery , according to Gurnee police .
Stoner , who is free after posting $ 4,000 bail , could be sentenced to three to seven years in prison if convicted of aggravated domestic battery .
He also faces a misdemeanor charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zeit , declined to discuss the charges but said Stoner is `` vehemently denying the allegations . ''
Gurnee police did not provide any details about the accusations , including when or where any crimes occurred or the woman 's relationship to Stoner .
Lake County court records date the charges to April 3 , 2018 , and Nov. 2 , 2019 , and say Winthrop Harbor police made the arrest .
Gurnee police also did not provide an age or hometown for the officer or say how long he had been with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ client has been in his current job for 7½ years .
Stoner was placed on administrative leave after the allegations surfaced and he will remain on leave during court proceedings , according to Gurnee police .
They did not state whether the leave is paid or unpaid .
There is no indication any crimes occurred while Stoner was on duty , police said .
`` We take this matter very seriously and will continue to cooperate any way we can , '' Police Chief Brian Smith said in a written statement Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is a presumption of innocence for all defendants .
Therefore we will have no comment on the alleged charges and will allow the matter to proceed through the legal system . ''
During a bond hearing Wednesday , Assistant Lake County State 's Attorney Demetri Tsilimigras said abuse allegations against Stoner date back to 2016 .
`` The defendant has constantly threatened this victim and tortured this victim over the years , '' he said .
`` He has threatened the kill the victim .
Also , he has threatened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This year , the prosecutor said , Stoner attempted to purchase a `` murder kit '' that included bleach , a shovel , rope and plastic sheets .
Zeit , however , accused the woman 's father of making false police reports about Stoner , and he noted his client had sought an order of protection against his accuser this year .
As a condition of Stoner 's bail , he is prohibited from contacting the woman , her father or her son , and he must turn over any firearms or ammunition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department .
Stoner is scheduled to return to court July 28 .

Gurnee police officer charged with felony domestic battery
A veteran Gurnee police officer constantly "threatened and tortured" a woman over several years, leading to his arrest Wednesday on domestic battery charges, a Lake County prosecutor said in court.
Officer Michael Stoner turned himself in at the Lake County jail Wednesday morning to face felony charges of aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery, according to Gurnee police.
Stoner, who is free after posting $4,000 bail, could be sentenced to three to seven years in prison if convicted of aggravated domestic battery. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery.
His attorney, Joseph Zeit, declined to discuss the charges but said Stoner is "vehemently denying the allegations."
Gurnee police did not provide any details about the accusations, including when or where any crimes occurred or the woman's relationship to Stoner. Lake County court records date the charges to April 3, 2018, and Nov. 2, 2019, and say Winthrop Harbor police made the arrest.
Gurnee police also did not provide an age or hometown for the officer or say how long he had been with the department. But Zeit said his client has been in his current job for 7½ years.
Stoner was placed on administrative leave after the allegations surfaced and he will remain on leave during court proceedings, according to Gurnee police. They did not state whether the leave is paid or unpaid.
There is no indication any crimes occurred while Stoner was on duty, police said.
"We take this matter very seriously and will continue to cooperate any way we can," Police Chief Brian Smith said in a written statement Wednesday. "We remain mindful of the fact that there is a presumption of innocence for all defendants. Therefore we will have no comment on the alleged charges and will allow the matter to proceed through the legal system."
During a bond hearing Wednesday, Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Demetri Tsilimigras said abuse allegations against Stoner date back to 2016.
"The defendant has constantly threatened this victim and tortured this victim over the years," he said. "He has threatened the kill the victim. Also, he has threatened to kill the victim's father."
This year, the prosecutor said, Stoner attempted to purchase a "murder kit" that included bleach, a shovel, rope and plastic sheets.
Zeit, however, accused the woman's father of making false police reports about Stoner, and he noted his client had sought an order of protection against his accuser this year.
As a condition of Stoner's bail, he is prohibited from contacting the woman, her father or her son, and he must turn over any firearms or ammunition he has to the Winthrop Harbor Police Department.
Stoner is scheduled to return to court July 28.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Lake Zurich man charged with sex assault, possessing child porn

A 51-year-old Lake Zurich man has been charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old and possessing child pornography , police said Wednesday .
A judge set bail for Gary A. Zimmer , of the 0-100 block of Lakeview Place , at $ 250,000 , according to a news release issued by Lake Zurich police .
On April 21 , Barrington police informed Lake Zurich detectives that Zimmer had engaged in a conversation on a dating app with a 15-year-old from Barrington .
According to the news release , no sexual activity happened between Zimmer and that teen .
Detectives from both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he admitted to possessing child pornography and photographing another juvenile he knew , according to the release .
Detectives found pictures on Zimmer 's phone taken at his residence in Lake Zurich , police said .
Police said they also uncovered evidence -- through interviews and an examination of Zimmer 's electronic devices -- of the sexual assault of a different 15-year-old at Zimmer 's residence in Lake Zurich and at an address in Volo .
Anyone with information on the case should call Detective Greg Pilaski at ( 847 ) 719-1690 , @ @ @ @

Lake Zurich man charged with sex assault, possessing child porn
A 51-year-old Lake Zurich man has been charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old and possessing child pornography, police said Wednesday.
A judge set bail for Gary A. Zimmer, of the 0-100 block of Lakeview Place, at $250,000, according to a news release issued by Lake Zurich police.
On April 21, Barrington police informed Lake Zurich detectives that Zimmer had engaged in a conversation on a dating app with a 15-year-old from Barrington. According to the news release, no sexual activity happened between Zimmer and that teen.
Detectives from both departments spoke to Zimmer later, and he admitted to possessing child pornography and photographing another juvenile he knew, according to the release. Detectives found pictures on Zimmer's phone taken at his residence in Lake Zurich, police said.
Police said they also uncovered evidence -- through interviews and an examination of Zimmer's electronic devices -- of the sexual assault of a different 15-year-old at Zimmer's residence in Lake Zurich and at an address in Volo.
Zimmer remains at Lake County jail.
Anyone with information on the case should call Detective Greg Pilaski at (847) 719-1690, ext. 6136.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Naperville professors share knowledge on 'Ripples of COVID-19'

North Central College professors who are beginning to notice the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their areas of study are sharing their knowledge this summer through a series of free , public webinars .
Faculty members from 13 of the Naperville college 's academic programs are recording lectures about the ways the pandemic is affecting issues such as communication , culture , literature , law , chemistry , voting , supply chains , the environment , technology , psychology and youth .
The series will be presented as 18 talks , which viewers can watch on YouTube , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sessions scheduled online shortly after the release of each video .
The first two talks , released earlier this week , feature Michael Blight , assistant professor of communication , explaining the pandemic 's interplays with social media and misinformation ; and Jinai Sun , assistant professor of Chinese , discussing the Chinese response to COVID-19 .
Links to all of the presentations after they debut are available at https : //www.northcentralcollege.edu/webinar-series , where links to watch future talks , submit questions and sign up for live Q & A sessions will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the series is Ann Keating , Dr. C. Frederick Toenniges professor of history , whose talk on `` How Epidemics Have Shaped Chicago 's History '' is posted now leading up to a Q & A at noon Thursday .
Keating said the webinar series came together as faculty members looked for ways to offer insight and perspective on this health crisis as it is evolving .
For her part , Keating looks back at past diseases that have ravaged Chicago , including cholera , typhoid fever , tuberculosis , smallpox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1919 .
She said large infrastructure innovations , especially in water storage and treatment , came about as city leaders looked to improve health conditions .
`` The big technology and construction projects in Chicago in the 19th century , many were tied to tying to dispel infections , '' Keating said .
Smaller communal behavior changes , such as the end of smoking on trains and buses and the use of handkerchiefs -- and later , disposable tissues -- instead of spitting in public , also resulted , she said .
Keating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the COVID-19 pandemic compared with previous epidemics .
In the past , she said , local counties , cities and villages led the response as each set their own policies .
Now , with greater and faster mobility among residents , the response is led by the state .
Future talks in the webinar series are set to debut between July 7 and Aug. 20 .
Topics include : The Epidemiology of Coronaviruses ; The Invisible Pandemic ; COVID-19 and The Constitution ; The Individualistic Root of the Resistance to Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
; Voting During a Global Pandemic ; The Black Death , 1348-1352 ; How the Pandemic Threatens Local Journalism ( and What Might Be Done About It ) ; From the Plague to COVID-19 : Responding to Pandemic in Stories ; The Chemistry of Anti-Viral Drugs Used to Treat COVID-19 ; Understanding the Physiological and Psychological Aspects of COVID-19 ; COVID-19 and the Environment ; From Global to Local : Supply Chain Structure Evolution and COVID-19 ; and COVID-19 and Our Youth : Where We Are Now , and Where Are We @ @

Naperville professors share knowledge on 'Ripples of COVID-19'
Ann Keating, A professor of history, is one of several North Central College faculty members presenting free, public webinars this summer on the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Courtesy of North Central College
North Central College professors who are beginning to notice the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their areas of study are sharing their knowledge this summer through a series of free, public webinars.
Faculty members from 13 of the Naperville college's academic programs are recording lectures about the ways the pandemic is affecting issues such as communication, culture, literature, law, chemistry, voting, supply chains, the environment, technology, psychology and youth.
The series will be presented as 18 talks, which viewers can watch on YouTube, most with corresponding live Q&A sessions scheduled online shortly after the release of each video.
The first two talks, released earlier this week, feature Michael Blight, assistant professor of communication, explaining the pandemic's interplays with social media and misinformation; and Jinai Sun, assistant professor of Chinese, discussing the Chinese response to COVID-19.
Links to all of the presentations after they debut are available at https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/webinar-series, where links to watch future talks, submit questions and sign up for live Q&A sessions will be posted as they become available.
Next up in the series is Ann Keating, Dr. C. Frederick Toenniges professor of history, whose talk on "How Epidemics Have Shaped Chicago's History" is posted now leading up to a Q&A at noon Thursday.
Keating said the webinar series came together as faculty members looked for ways to offer insight and perspective on this health crisis as it is evolving.
For her part, Keating looks back at past diseases that have ravaged Chicago, including cholera, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, smallpox and the Spanish flu in 1918 and 1919. She said large infrastructure innovations, especially in water storage and treatment, came about as city leaders looked to improve health conditions.
"The big technology and construction projects in Chicago in the 19th century, many were tied to tying to dispel infections," Keating said.
Smaller communal behavior changes, such as the end of smoking on trains and buses and the use of handkerchiefs -- and later, disposable tissues -- instead of spitting in public, also resulted, she said.
Keating's talk points out differences in government response to the COVID-19 pandemic compared with previous epidemics. In the past, she said, local counties, cities and villages led the response as each set their own policies. Now, with greater and faster mobility among residents, the response is led by the state.
Future talks in the webinar series are set to debut between July 7 and Aug. 20.
Topics include: The Epidemiology of Coronaviruses; The Invisible Pandemic; COVID-19 and The Constitution; The Individualistic Root of the Resistance to Prevention in the U.S.; Thucydides? Again?; Voting During a Global Pandemic; The Black Death, 1348-1352; How the Pandemic Threatens Local Journalism (and What Might Be Done About It); From the Plague to COVID-19: Responding to Pandemic in Stories; The Chemistry of Anti-Viral Drugs Used to Treat COVID-19; Understanding the Physiological and Psychological Aspects of COVID-19; COVID-19 and the Environment; From Global to Local: Supply Chain Structure Evolution and COVID-19; and COVID-19 and Our Youth: Where We Are Now, and Where Are We Going?


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Man charged with attempted murder in Elmhurst shooting

A 22-year-old man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after authorities said he shot and wounded a man who @ @ @ @ @ in Elmhurst .
Charges were filed June 25 against Alec Gonzales of the 600 block @ @ @ @ @ Elmhurst and the 8500 block of East Grandview Street in Mesa , Arizona .
Gonzales @ @ @ @ @ Arizona .
He is in the Maricopa County jail , awaiting extradition .
He faces @ @ @ @ @ murder and one count of aggravated battery -- discharge of a firearm in connection with @ @ @ @ @ along the 800 block of South Linden Avenue .
Gonzales is accused of firing a @ @ @ @ @ toward the victim at 8:52 p.m. , hitting the 54-year-old man in the side and @ @ @ @ @ to a police news release at the time , witnesses said they saw someone fire @ @ @ @ @ SUV while traveling west on the 300 block of Van Buren .
A rifle was @ @ @ @ @ of Colfax Avenue .

Man charged with attempted murder in Elmhurst shooting
A 22-year-old man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after authorities said he shot and wounded a man who was out walking his dog in Elmhurst.
Charges were filed June 25 against Alec Gonzales of the 600 block of South Berkley Avenue in Elmhurst and the 8500 block of East Grandview Street in Mesa, Arizona.
Gonzales was arrested June 25 in Arizona. He is in the Maricopa County jail, awaiting extradition.
He faces one count of attempted first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery -- discharge of a firearm in connection with the shooting on May 14 along the 800 block of South Linden Avenue.
Gonzales is accused of firing a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle eight times toward the victim at 8:52 p.m., hitting the 54-year-old man in the side and grazing his scalp.
According to a police news release at the time, witnesses said they saw someone fire several shots out of an SUV while traveling west on the 300 block of Van Buren. A rifle was recovered on the 700 block of Colfax Avenue.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Mendoza: New fiscal year will be even more challenging than height of budget impasse

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois , like most states , began a new fiscal year on July 1 , and the person in charge of managing the state 's bank accounts said she fears it could be one of the most difficult years in modern memory .
`` This is going to be , I think , by far perhaps the most challenging year that I 've had to manage as comptroller , '' state Comptroller Susana Mendoza said in an interview Wednesday .
`` And that 's saying something because , you know , I had to navigate the state through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the worst fiscal crisis that our state had ever experienced , that two-year budget impasse . ''
The difference between then and now , she said , was that during the budget impasse , the state still had revenues flowing in , just no legal authority to spend it .
But in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic , and the near shutdown of the state 's economy that it forced , Illinois now is n't seeing anything close to the revenues it will need to fund the new budget .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` If the revenues do n't come in the way you 'd like them to , then there 's not enough money to go around for all of the priorities that are represented by that budget .
So , at the end of the day , we 'll have to see month-to-month what our revenues look like .
It 's so completely up in the air . ''
The financial impact of the pandemic started to appear in state revenues in April and May .
Before then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good shape with a nominally balanced budget in place and revenues coming in greater than expected .
The state was even making progress on paying down its backlog of past-due bills .
But that all changed in April after Gov .
JB Pritzker extended the tax filing deadline to July 15 , which took a big bite out of revenues the state normally would have seen that month .
Meanwhile , the state 's unemployment rate shot up to an unprecedented 17.2 percent in April as employers throughout Illinois were forced to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus .
As of Wednesday , according to the comptroller 's website , the bill backlog stood at $ 5.4 billion .
But Mendoza said that figure does n't tell the whole story because in order to keep the state running , it borrowed roughly $ 2.7 billion .
That included $ 1.2 billion from the Federal Reserve , just part of the $ 5 billion in Fed borrowing that state lawmakers authorized during their special session in May .
It also included another $ 1.5 billion in interfund borrowing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treasurer 's office .
`` So that did help me to pay down some really important bills that needed to be paid of that bill backlog , but it 's important to remember that , okay , the bill backlog says it 's $ 5.4 billion , but in actuality , we 're still on the hook for paying back that $ 2.7 billion , so we 're really looking at , you know , 5.4 plus 2.7 , '' or $ 8.1 billion , she said .
Among the high-priority bills the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invoices from Medicaid providers , including hospitals , which were already reeling from revenue losses that resulted when they were forced to call off nonemergency surgeries and procedures in order to free up resources for COVID-19 patients .
The $ 1.2 billion in federal borrowing came through a program called the Municipal Liquidity Facility , which the Federal Reserve Board authorized in March to help states and large municipalities deal with the dramatic falloff in revenue they were seeing .
Illinois is paying 3.8 percent interest on the loan , which is due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2021 .
However , the plan for paying back that money , and any more the state may need to borrow this fiscal year , hinges on the idea that Congress will pass another economic relief package that will include significant relief for states -- something it has not done yet and is still the subject of partisan wrangling on Capitol Hill .
Mendoza said there is no way for Illinois to make it through this new fiscal year without making draconian budget cuts if Congress does n't come through with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only one who 's looking at this type of financial disaster situation , but every single state in the country is going to require federal government sending financial aid , '' Mendoza said .
`` And when I say financial aid , I do n't mean loans .
I mean specifically grants -- money that does not have a million strings attached to it that would go specifically to help make up for lost revenues due to COVID-19 . ''
Republicans in Congress , however , have been reluctant to accept what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state governments , many of which , including Illinois , had significant financial challenges before the pandemic .
In April , U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested that some states would be better off filing for bankruptcy .
Amid significant backlash , McConnell walked that idea back a few days later and suggested a direct aid package -- but only if it included civil immunity from COVID-19-related lawsuits for employers , which Democrats have not been willing to accept .
Mendoza called the idea that Illinois and other states were asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that Illinois receives less in federal benefits from Washington than it pays into it .
McConnell 's home state of Kentucky , meanwhile , receives more than $ 2 in benefits for every dollar it sends to Washington .
`` Mitch McConnell must forget that it 's states like Illinois and Connecticut and California and New York that bail out his state of Kentucky every single year , '' Mendoza said .
`` He 's used to living off of the state of Illinois and the state of California and the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut and every other donor state , which by the way , most of which happened to be blue states . ''
Mendoza said that when it comes to paying bills on a month-to-month basis , her office will prioritize making scheduled debt payments , paying out retirement benefits and making payments to public schools .
Beyond that , she said , everything else in state government will be at risk without federal aid .
`` We are far from done with this pandemic , so if anybody believes that we 're even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're imagining things , '' she said .
`` We really have yet to see what the month to month reduction in revenues is going to be .
We can try to predict them , but this is uncharted territory . ''

Mendoza: New fiscal year will be even more challenging than height of budget impasse
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois, like most states, began a new fiscal year on July 1, and the person in charge of managing the state's bank accounts said she fears it could be one of the most difficult years in modern memory.
"This is going to be, I think, by far perhaps the most challenging year that I've had to manage as comptroller," state Comptroller Susana Mendoza said in an interview Wednesday. "And that's saying something because, you know, I had to navigate the state through what was, when I took office, the worst fiscal crisis that our state had ever experienced, that two-year budget impasse."
The difference between then and now, she said, was that during the budget impasse, the state still had revenues flowing in, just no legal authority to spend it. But in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the near shutdown of the state's economy that it forced, Illinois now isn't seeing anything close to the revenues it will need to fund the new budget.
"You can pass whatever budget you want," she said. "If the revenues don't come in the way you'd like them to, then there's not enough money to go around for all of the priorities that are represented by that budget. So, at the end of the day, we'll have to see month-to-month what our revenues look like. It's so completely up in the air."
The financial impact of the pandemic started to appear in state revenues in April and May. Before then, Mendoza noted, Illinois was in relatively good shape with a nominally balanced budget in place and revenues coming in greater than expected. The state was even making progress on paying down its backlog of past-due bills.
But that all changed in April after Gov. JB Pritzker extended the tax filing deadline to July 15, which took a big bite out of revenues the state normally would have seen that month. Meanwhile, the state's unemployment rate shot up to an unprecedented 17.2 percent in April as employers throughout Illinois were forced to shut down or scale back operations due to the novel coronavirus.
As of Wednesday, according to the comptroller's website, the bill backlog stood at $5.4 billion. But Mendoza said that figure doesn't tell the whole story because in order to keep the state running, it borrowed roughly $2.7 billion.
That included $1.2 billion from the Federal Reserve, just part of the $5 billion in Fed borrowing that state lawmakers authorized during their special session in May. It also included another $1.5 billion in interfund borrowing and borrowing from idle funds in the state treasurer's office.
"So that did help me to pay down some really important bills that needed to be paid of that bill backlog, but it's important to remember that, okay, the bill backlog says it's $5.4 billion, but in actuality, we're still on the hook for paying back that $2.7 billion, so we're really looking at, you know, 5.4 plus 2.7," or $8.1 billion, she said.
Among the high-priority bills the state paid, she said, were invoices from Medicaid providers, including hospitals, which were already reeling from revenue losses that resulted when they were forced to call off nonemergency surgeries and procedures in order to free up resources for COVID-19 patients.
The $1.2 billion in federal borrowing came through a program called the Municipal Liquidity Facility, which the Federal Reserve Board authorized in March to help states and large municipalities deal with the dramatic falloff in revenue they were seeing. Illinois is paying 3.8 percent interest on the loan, which is due to be paid back by June 30, 2021.
However, the plan for paying back that money, and any more the state may need to borrow this fiscal year, hinges on the idea that Congress will pass another economic relief package that will include significant relief for states -- something it has not done yet and is still the subject of partisan wrangling on Capitol Hill.
Mendoza said there is no way for Illinois to make it through this new fiscal year without making draconian budget cuts if Congress doesn't come through with that aid.
"Because Illinois is not the only one who's looking at this type of financial disaster situation, but every single state in the country is going to require federal government sending financial aid," Mendoza said. "And when I say financial aid, I don't mean loans. I mean specifically grants -- money that does not have a million strings attached to it that would go specifically to help make up for lost revenues due to COVID-19."
Republicans in Congress, however, have been reluctant to accept what they see as a "bailout" of state governments, many of which, including Illinois, had significant financial challenges before the pandemic.
In April, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested that some states would be better off filing for bankruptcy. Amid significant backlash, McConnell walked that idea back a few days later and suggested a direct aid package -- but only if it included civil immunity from COVID-19-related lawsuits for employers, which Democrats have not been willing to accept.
Mendoza called the idea that Illinois and other states were asking for bailouts "laughable," while noting that Illinois receives less in federal benefits from Washington than it pays into it. McConnell's home state of Kentucky, meanwhile, receives more than $2 in benefits for every dollar it sends to Washington.
"Mitch McConnell must forget that it's states like Illinois and Connecticut and California and New York that bail out his state of Kentucky every single year," Mendoza said. "He's used to living off of the state of Illinois and the state of California and the state of New York and the state of Connecticut and every other donor state, which by the way, most of which happened to be blue states."
Mendoza said that when it comes to paying bills on a month-to-month basis, her office will prioritize making scheduled debt payments, paying out retirement benefits and making payments to public schools. Beyond that, she said, everything else in state government will be at risk without federal aid.
"We are far from done with this pandemic, so if anybody believes that we're even remotely out of the woods yet, they're imagining things," she said. "We really have yet to see what the month to month reduction in revenues is going to be. We can try to predict them, but this is uncharted territory."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Where to find July 4 fireworks, car parades and decorated houses in the suburbs


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Report: 3-year-old shot in Chicago might have been retaliation for earlier shooting

A 3-year-old girl was shot Tuesday evening in West Englewood in what authorities say may have been retaliation for a @ @ @ @ @ a half-hour earlier , the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting .
The girl was struck by @ @ @ @ @ before 8 p.m. near 70th Street and Damen Avenue , police and fire officials said @ @ @ @ @ yard or on a porch when she was hit by shots fired from a vehicle @ @ @ @ @ girl was taken to Comer Children 's Hospital in `` critical but stable '' condition @

Report: 3-year-old shot in Chicago might have been retaliation for earlier shooting
A 3-year-old girl was shot Tuesday evening in West Englewood in what authorities say may have been retaliation for a shooting that wounded a teenager a half-hour earlier, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.
The girl was struck by a bullet in the chest before 8 p.m. near 70th Street and Damen Avenue, police and fire officials said.
She was in a yard or on a porch when she was hit by shots fired from a vehicle, police said. The girl was taken to Comer Children's Hospital in "critical but stable" condition.
Full report at chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-01--Raoul asks federal judge to force recognition of Equal Rights Amendment's ratification

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois ' top lawyer wants a U.S. court to compel a federal official to formally acknowledge the Equal Rights Amendment received enough state support to be added to the U.S. Constitution -- a largely procedural step that has thus far blocked the amendment from ratification .
Ensuring that happens , however , is not a simple matter .
The case centers on a decision by U.S. National Archivist David Ferriero , who was effectively ordered by the U.S. Department of Justice to deem passage of the Equal Rights Amendment -- which would add protections for women as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document -- unsuccessful because multiple states missed a key congressional deadline .
Ferriero , who was appointed archivist by President Barack Obama in 2009 , has since insisted that , unless a judge orders him to acknowledge the amendment 's passage , he will not do so .
When Congress introduced and passed the initiative in 1972 , it set a seven-year deadline for state ratification , which was later extended to 1982 .
By then , only 35 states formally approved the language , five of which -- South Dakota , Idaho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrew their backing in the 1970s .
In the last three years , Nevada , Illinois and Virginia became the last three states to approve the proposal .
In response to Ferriero 's insistence he would not officially certify the Equal Rights Amendment without a judge 's order , Illinois Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul , joined by his counterparts in Nevada and Virginia , filed a lawsuit in late January .
The archivist later asked a judge to dismiss the case .
The attorneys general argued in a document filed Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` careful balance our founders '' established in the constitution between states and the federal government would be `` upended . ''
And `` accepting the Archivist 's arguments ... would do much more than simply allow an unelected Executive official to disregard his ministerial duty , '' they wrote .
`` It would tell the women of America that , after 231 years , they must wait even longer for equal treatment under the Constitution .
And it would nullify the ( three states ' ) sovereign prerogative to ratify amendments that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The amendment process outlined in the constitution was drafted to `` ensure federal power had limits , '' according to the court document .
Congress 's only role is to propose changes and choose one of two methods by which it can be ratified , not to ultimately determine whether requirements were met .
Once 38 states , or three-fourths of the union , approve an amendment , it `` shall be valid ... as part of the Constitution , '' according to the governing document .
That `` arrangement , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical piece of the constitutional design to which the States agreed when they ratified the constitution and consented to be bound by its terms . ''
By not approving the Equal Rights Amendment 's inclusion in the constitution , Ferriero `` improperly interferes '' with states ' rights , according to the court filing .
The archivist , however , alleges it would be improper to allow the amendment to succeed because three of 38 states formally supported it after the deadline expired .
The attorneys general argued Congress 's placement of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resolution introducing the Equal Rights Amendment for state consideration , not in its actual text .
Therefore , they argue , states never received formal notice of the deadline .
The three lawyers also point to the Constitution 's 27th Amendment -- the last one officially passed -- as an example of why the deadline is irrelevant .
It specifies that Congress can not cut or increase its salary during a lawmaker 's term in office .
That amendment was introduced by America 's first Congress more than 200 years ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1790s before it effectively died , only to be resurrected and officially adopted in 1992 .
In that instance , the U.S. archivist at the time certified the initiative should be adopted `` a mere 11 days after receiving official notice '' that enough states support it , `` without waiting for any action by Congress , '' according to the court document .
The attorneys general argued that if Ferriero 's argument is successful in this case , the 27th Amendment should be declared invalid .
`` Federal courts must be available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his authority in such a blatantly unconstitutional manner , '' they added .
`` ...
The American people have already made the determination that sex equality should be enshrined in the constitution , and [ Nevada , Illinois and Virginia ] ( along with 35 others ) have ratified the Equal Rights Amendment that Congress proposed to do so . ''
In the court document , the state 's lawyers also asked a judge to allow oral arguments to address Ferriero 's motion to dismiss their lawsuit .
The attorneys general 's request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` extraordinary , '' they wrote , `` but so is the archivist 's unprecedented intrusion on the constitutional authority explicitly granted to the states . ''

Raoul asks federal judge to force recognition of Equal Rights Amendment's ratification
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois' top lawyer wants a U.S. court to compel a federal official to formally acknowledge the Equal Rights Amendment received enough state support to be added to the U.S. Constitution -- a largely procedural step that has thus far blocked the amendment from ratification.
Ensuring that happens, however, is not a simple matter.
The case centers on a decision by U.S. National Archivist David Ferriero, who was effectively ordered by the U.S. Department of Justice to deem passage of the Equal Rights Amendment -- which would add protections for women as the 28th Amendment to the nation's governing document -- unsuccessful because multiple states missed a key congressional deadline.
Ferriero, who was appointed archivist by President Barack Obama in 2009, has since insisted that, unless a judge orders him to acknowledge the amendment's passage, he will not do so.
When Congress introduced and passed the initiative in 1972, it set a seven-year deadline for state ratification, which was later extended to 1982. By then, only 35 states formally approved the language, five of which -- South Dakota, Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska and Tennessee -- withdrew their backing in the 1970s.
In the last three years, Nevada, Illinois and Virginia became the last three states to approve the proposal.
In response to Ferriero's insistence he would not officially certify the Equal Rights Amendment without a judge's order, Illinois Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul, joined by his counterparts in Nevada and Virginia, filed a lawsuit in late January.
The archivist later asked a judge to dismiss the case. The attorneys general argued in a document filed Monday that if that request is granted, the "careful balance our founders" established in the constitution between states and the federal government would be "upended."
And "accepting the Archivist's arguments...would do much more than simply allow an unelected Executive official to disregard his ministerial duty," they wrote. "It would tell the women of America that, after 231 years, they must wait even longer for equal treatment under the Constitution. And it would nullify the (three states') sovereign prerogative to ratify amendments that make our Union more perfect."
The amendment process outlined in the constitution was drafted to "ensure federal power had limits," according to the court document. Congress's only role is to propose changes and choose one of two methods by which it can be ratified, not to ultimately determine whether requirements were met.
Once 38 states, or three-fourths of the union, approve an amendment, it "shall be valid...as part of the Constitution," according to the governing document.
That "arrangement," the attorneys general wrote, "is a critical piece of the constitutional design to which the States agreed when they ratified the constitution and consented to be bound by its terms."
By not approving the Equal Rights Amendment's inclusion in the constitution, Ferriero "improperly interferes" with states' rights, according to the court filing.
The archivist, however, alleges it would be improper to allow the amendment to succeed because three of 38 states formally supported it after the deadline expired. The attorneys general argued Congress's placement of that cutoff is important -- it is in the resolution introducing the Equal Rights Amendment for state consideration, not in its actual text. Therefore, they argue, states never received formal notice of the deadline.
The three lawyers also point to the Constitution's 27th Amendment -- the last one officially passed -- as an example of why the deadline is irrelevant. It specifies that Congress cannot cut or increase its salary during a lawmaker's term in office.
That amendment was introduced by America's first Congress more than 200 years ago. Several states ratified it in the late 1790s before it effectively died, only to be resurrected and officially adopted in 1992.
In that instance, the U.S. archivist at the time certified the initiative should be adopted "a mere 11 days after receiving official notice" that enough states support it, "without waiting for any action by Congress," according to the court document.
The attorneys general argued that if Ferriero's argument is successful in this case, the 27th Amendment should be declared invalid.
"Federal courts must be available to restrain a federal official from overstepping his authority in such a blatantly unconstitutional manner," they added. "...The American people have already made the determination that sex equality should be enshrined in the constitution, and [Nevada, Illinois and Virginia] (along with 35 others) have ratified the Equal Rights Amendment that Congress proposed to do so."
In the court document, the state's lawyers also asked a judge to allow oral arguments to address Ferriero's motion to dismiss their lawsuit.
The attorneys general's request to force the archivist to act is "extraordinary," they wrote, "but so is the archivist's unprecedented intrusion on the constitutional authority explicitly granted to the states."